#1884424 - 02/03/08 12:33 PM
How are changes in the MI going to effect cover bands?
|
RicBassGuy
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 02/02/05
Posts: 3651
Loc: Metro Detroit, MI
|
Offline
|
|
It's pretty obvious by now that the music industry as we've come to know it is taking a severe beating due to lower sales.
Yet they still release CDs that go gold or platinum (with a little help from release week discounts and such). And recording artists still climb the charts to that coveted #1 spot.
And I don't believe that hip hop's fate is to do to rock what rock did to swing/jazz. There is still plenty of interest in rock by the young crowd.
But my point is this: what happens if the big MI players do fail? Without all that free-flowing PR cash to push certain artists, how are radio stations going to know what songs to play? And without being bombarded by ads and the best radio programming payola can buy, how will #1 songs be chosen?
And just how are people going to choose what they want to hear?
Could there come a time when the classic 4- or 5-piece rock band finds it is every bit the dinosaur as a big band from the '40s?
Their book is full of "standards". With the exception of a resurrection of sorts in the '90s (e.g. Brian Setzer) there hasn't been much new swing music for big bands that became popular.
Is the "classic rock" book the equivalent to jazz standards? Are rock bands doomed to play "Brown Eyed Girl" and "Sweet Home Alabama" to the same aging crowd until they all finally kick the bucket?
Or will there continue to be new hit rock songs, new chart toppers made for (and paid for) by MI giants that cover bands can continually add to their set lists?
[Yes, I put this topic in Jeff's forum instead of crossposting to the "big three". So there.  ]
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#1886263 - 02/06/08 08:26 AM
Re: How are changes in the MI going to effect cover bands?
[Re: RicBassGuy]
|
Griffinator
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 03/28/02
Posts: 9352
Loc: Lynchburg, VA, USA
|
Online
|
|
There are still hit rock songs (although it's starting to revert back to a regional thing) that get play in cover band rotations.
Nickelback, Green Day, White Stripes, the list goes on and on of stuff done in the last 20 years that has found its way into the cover band rotation. Typically speaking, it's the "classic rock" stations that are dictating what cover bands play, because only what they put in heavy rotation has any impact on the scene.
_________________________
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1886356 - 02/06/08 10:33 AM
Re: How are changes in the MI going to effect cover bands?
[Re: Griffinator]
|
jay da cop
Gold Member
Registered: 01/01/01
Posts: 537
Loc: Waldoboro, Maine
|
|
Offline
|
|
interesting thought Griff. I guess I am fortunate to have a local classic rock station that actually listens to its listeners. Also, fortunately it is not owned by a major conglomeration such as Clear Channel. It is actually owned by Stephen King. WKIT, 100.3FM from Bangor Maine. They have online play as well. People call 24/7 requesting stuff, and they have nearly ANYTHING you could request provided it is classic rock - new stuff too. And not all A-side stuff. LOTS of B-sides and not-heard-on-the-radio stuff too.
If you are tired of the same old same old, give them a shot, if this is your scene. No, I don't work for them. Just a loyal listener for about 10 years.
Jay
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1887251 - 02/07/08 04:07 PM
Re: How are changes in the MI going to effect cover bands?
[Re: jay da cop]
|
Jeff Klopmeyer
10k Club
Registered: 10/13/00
Posts: 16762
Loc: Redondo Beach,CA,UNITED STATES
|
|
Offline
|
|
All of these are valid questions, and the reason there are no concrete answers is that it's tough to measure the waterline when the tide is turning.
I think the answer is that you WILL see a larger variance in the genres of what you think of as "cover bands". Why would we not expect hip-hop cover bands as much as we do the many variety of rock and pop bands?
But music doesn't just go away when it's not at the height of poplarity. While there's a segment of the population that like pop and rock (hint: it's still pretty large), new cover bands DO continue to do tunes by bands that were hot before they were born.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1887645 - 02/08/08 09:17 AM
Re: How are changes in the MI going to effect cover bands?
[Re: Griffinator]
|
rickygclef
Gold Member
Registered: 06/14/07
Posts: 626
Loc: LI, NY
|
|
Offline
|
|
There are still hit rock songs (although it's starting to revert back to a regional thing) that get play in cover band rotations.
Nickelback, Green Day, White Stripes, the list goes on and on of stuff done in the last 20 years that has found its way into the cover band rotation. Typically speaking, it's the "classic rock" stations that are dictating what cover bands play, because only what they put in heavy rotation has any impact on the scene.
Yes I agree Griff. We're constantly adding newer tunes to our reportoire. I'm 45 and obviously I know all of the "classic " stuff and we do play a good amount of it. However, because of the younger audience that is in most of the clubs and bars that we play we have to cover more current tunes.
I'm not always happy about the selection (for instance current Matchbox 20 hit- oh well - let's get it over with  ). We'll usually come to a consensus as a band. The reality is if we want to continue to play out and do cover songs we have to play to our audience. Right now, it seems that anything we do from the 80's is pretty well received by all age groups. There are many well known songs we do from 90's (STP, Nirvana, etc) and from this century. Overall, we strive to be well rounded enough to be ready to juggle a set list that will be appropriate to whatever age group we encounter. It opens up the types of places to we can play. I don't have many hang ups about genre or what's cool (to a point).
I just want to be out there gigging! 
Now if only our bass player would recover from shoulder surgery quickly, we can rehearse again. Had to postpone many gigs until next month. 
Hugh Jorgen
http://www.fullcountlive.com
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1887835 - 02/08/08 12:48 PM
Re: How are changes in the MI going to effect cover bands?
[Re: Griffinator]
|
rickygclef
Gold Member
Registered: 06/14/07
Posts: 626
Loc: LI, NY
|
|
Offline
|
|
Well I drew the line on Nickelback too. LOL
It's not even that I really hate them that much. The band wanted to do "Rockstar" and I was selected to sing it and I just said no. It was just too hokey and I wasn't even gonna attempt it.
If your doing covers there's just so much to draw from, why do something that doesn't fit or you don't enjoy? That being said, I've actually grown to like some stuff that we played that I hated and I think it helps me improve as a musician.
The interesting thing I find is that STP, Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Nirvana have been played for so long that they are now considered "classic". Most people in my age group won't admit this, but most younger people will. Not to mention stuff from Punk and New Wave era like the Police, U2, the Clash and Ramones which really is "classic".
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1891416 - 02/14/08 06:43 AM
Re: How are changes in the MI going to effect cover bands?
[Re: rickygclef]
|
Griffinator
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 03/28/02
Posts: 9352
Loc: Lynchburg, VA, USA
|
|
Online
|
|
If your doing covers there's just so much to draw from, why do something that doesn't fit or you don't enjoy?
This is a whole other discussion in and of itself, actually.
I had a very difficult time playing in cover bands because I really don't like most classic rock, and certainly the more it's played on the radio, the less I like it.
What I did discover, on my own, was that "playing" a song is a hell of a lot more fun than "listening" to it. Since that discovery, I've also found a threshold for what I can enjoy playing - if I actively hate a song, it's impossible for me to even pretend that I'm enjoying the act of playing it, but if I just "don't particularly like it", then more often than not I can still enjoy playing it onstage, particularly if the crowd reacts favorably to it.
It really is a whole different world, between "what would I like hearing on my stereo" and "what would I like playing with a band" - and you'd be surprised at what you have fun playing.
_________________________
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1893489 - 02/18/08 05:31 AM
Re: How are changes in the MI going to effect cover bands?
[Re: Griffinator]
|
EddiePlaysBass
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 06/24/04
Posts: 2529
Loc: Belgium
|
|
Offline
|
|
But does playing in a cover band automatically imply that you should play well-known, popular and contemporary songs ? I have always tried to make sure that our set list would be balanced between what is better know and what is less known, because you can never cater to the masses. Some people will know some songs, others won't.
And then there's girls like the one who said: "Oh it's THAT band !!! I love these guys" when my dad's old band launched into Golden Earring's "Radar Love"
_________________________
"... and I'll smile and I'll learn to pretend ..." (Dream Theater - Space Dye Vest) My band - The Dapper Dans (last update: 27/03/2008)
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1893934 - 02/18/08 03:56 PM
Re: How are changes in the MI going to effect cover bands?
[Re: EddiePlaysBass]
|
Griffinator
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 03/28/02
Posts: 9352
Loc: Lynchburg, VA, USA
|
|
Online
|
|
Eddie, if you want to make consistent, good money playing in a cover band, you pretty much have to play what the majority of the crowd wants.
I made a few "devil's deals" in my band to avoid playing most of the cliche crap - We're doing Marshall Tucker "Can't You See" - which I despise, but it was a compromise; they agreed to remove "Honky Tonk Woman" from the list in return for me putting up with that piece of trash.
I'd sooner stick my hand in a Cuisinart than play "Honky Tonk"
Edited by Griffinator (02/18/08 03:57 PM)
_________________________
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1894282 - 02/19/08 09:16 AM
Re: How are changes in the MI going to effect cover bands?
[Re: Griffinator]
|
jay da cop
Gold Member
Registered: 01/01/01
Posts: 537
Loc: Waldoboro, Maine
|
|
Offline
|
|
so where is the line in the sand between what you would be willing to play and what you are violently opposed to? As was said, you have to play to the crowd, or you end up playing in the basement only. There are songs that my last band played that I LOATHED!!!!, but played anyway. Like Griff, it was one of these "ok, I'll play this, but we need to either play this too, or lose this" type of thing.
As much as I hate to admit it, some of the newer stuff IS fun to play, and it really does open up more venues. We played a few Nickleback tunes, which were really well received, yet a bit bubble gum for me. BUT, we added some Moody Blues tunes that don't get much coverage (The Voice, Wildest Dreams) that I LOVE, and love playing (and Patrick Moraz I am NOT!!).
It all becomes a balancing act I think. The artist in us wants to play challenging music, the crowd wants stuff it knows, mostly, and then there are the people that will dance to ANYTHING (but that is another story). If it will get us back to a decent venue, it pays, and we draw a crowd, then sometimes, unfortunately, mob rules. We have to please the audience or we don't play to one.
Jay
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1897180 - 02/24/08 02:08 AM
Re: How are changes in the MI going to effect cover bands?
[Re: Griffinator]
|
EddiePlaysBass
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 06/24/04
Posts: 2529
Loc: Belgium
|
|
Offline
|
|
Eddie, if you want to make consistent, good money playing in a cover band, you pretty much have to play what the majority of the crowd wants.
I think it's a balancing act, indeed. But then again, if I look at the set list for our last gig, I suppose one could argue that it comprises mostly songs people know or at least will recognize, even if they are not too familiar with our style of music:
# That’s all right (Elvis Presley)
# Stuck on you (Elvis Presley)
# Cry cry cry (Johnny Cash)
# Burnin’ love (Elvis Presley)
# Thirteen (Danzig)
# Sweet candy baby (The Dapper Dans)
# Folsom prison (Johnny Cash)
# Cocaine blues (Johnny Cash)
# Shake, Rattle & Roll (Bill Haley & His Comets)
# Sixteen Tons (Tennessee Ernest Ford)
# Move It On Over (Hank Williams)
I for one would love to play some "obscure" songs to accompany the better known ones, but like I said before, in the end it comes down to what the crowd knows. We're playing "Johnny B. Goode" these days, which more people will know than say, "Blue Moon Of Kentucky" but we'll do that one too.
Edited by EddiePlaysBass (02/24/08 02:10 AM)
Edit Reason: Stealing Jay da cop's lines :-)
_________________________
"... and I'll smile and I'll learn to pretend ..." (Dream Theater - Space Dye Vest) My band - The Dapper Dans (last update: 27/03/2008)
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1897370 - 02/24/08 10:07 AM
Re: How are changes in the MI going to effect cover bands?
[Re: jay da cop]
|
Griffinator
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 03/28/02
Posts: 9352
Loc: Lynchburg, VA, USA
|
|
Online
|
|
so where is the line in the sand between what you would be willing to play and what you are violently opposed to?
Like I said earlier, for me it's a hate level thing. If I hate a song so much that I know I'm not going to even be able to "pretend" to enjoy myself playing it, that's over the threshold. Seriously, the crowd will feed off your attitude onstage - if you're not enjoying yourselves, no matter what you play, they're not going to enjoy it either. So if a song makes me so nauseous that I can't hide it on stage, that's it, I won't play it.
_________________________
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1898487 - 02/25/08 07:44 PM
Re: How are changes in the MI going to effect cover bands?
[Re: Griffinator]
|
jay da cop
Gold Member
Registered: 01/01/01
Posts: 537
Loc: Waldoboro, Maine
|
|
Offline
|
|
and where does the crowd fit in all this? It is a rhetorical question, I am not looking for an answer. I contend with this myself, hence the question.
Sometimes, as much as I hate to admit it - mob rules. There are times I feel that if ONE MORE PERSON asks for Achy Breaky Heart I am gonna explode!!! First of all, we are a CLASSIC ROCK band, not country. Next, I HATE country. But that is a personal matter, and my wife, God bless her, is trying to bring me over to the dark side. That said, we are NOT gonna learn it just because I live in the middle of country music country (um, did that make sense?). It is outside of our genre, and I HATE it anyway. Back to the nauseous thing for me. And we are back to the balancing act. Wow, what a circular argument I am having with myself here. I am almost getting dizzy....
Jay
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1898824 - 02/26/08 10:06 AM
Re: How are changes in the MI going to effect cover bands?
[Re: jay da cop]
|
Griffinator
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 03/28/02
Posts: 9352
Loc: Lynchburg, VA, USA
|
|
Online
|
|
On crowd requests:
1) If it's a song we don't know, or is so extremely outside our repetoire as to be disruptive to our natural set list flow, I politely but firmly explain to the person that we don't know how to play that song, perhaps they might prefer another?
2) Absolutely, there's a tip jar on stage clearly marked "requests" - you want us to play your favorite song (and we know it) cough it up, just like a jukebox (only more expensive)
_________________________
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
Moderator: Jeff Klopmeyer
|
|
|
