Justin Havu Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 I'm putting together a 3-piece trio with a couple friends of mine, so it'll be keys, bass, and drums. We want to focus on 80s pop/rock but we'll be branching out and doing some 70s and 90s, and it will be anti-"Mustang Sally" and anything Lynyrd Skynyrd... but we're not looking to play in bars anyway, and we'll probably shoot for a 2 hour show, but our intention is to have enough material where we can play a longer show, and also rotate the set(s). As far as material, we have ballads covered top to bottom, what we're looking for is more up-tempo stuff. The bass player is female and sings alto, I sing low tenor but I'm also comfortable going up into falsetto. We will definitely be doing some transposing to fit our respective vocal ranges. (sorry in advance. ) With that in mind, These are some of the more uptempo tunes we already know, and I'm looking to my fellow forumites for any other ideas we can play with. Take On Me Cars Maneater I Can't Go For That Kiss On My List Don't You Forget About Me I Melt With You Tainted Love Shake It Up Hello Again Whip It She Drives Me Crazy Boys of Summer Always Something There to Remind Me Hardware Yamaha MODX7, DX7, PSR-530, MX61/Korg TR-Rack, 01/W Pro X, Trinity Pro X, Karma/Ensoniq ESQ-1 Behringer DeepMind12, Model D, Odyssey, 2600/Arturia Keylab MKII 61 Software Studio One/V Collection 9/Korg Collection 4/Cherry Audio/UVI SonicPass/EW Composer Cloud/Omnisphere, Stylus RMX, Trilian/IK Total Studio 3.5 MAX/Roland Cloud Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mighty Motif Max Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 Can you do lots of layering with what you use live? If so, The Final Countdown is nice. Also maybe Broken Wings (Mr. Mister). -Max Yamaha: Motif XF8, MODX7, YS200, CVP-305, CLP-130, YPG-235, PSR-295, PSS-470 | Roland: Fantom 7, JV-1000 Kurzweil: PC3-76, PC4 (88) | Hammond: SK Pro 73 | Korg: Triton LE 76, N1R, X5DR | Emu: Proteus/1 | Casio: CT-370 | Novation: Launchkey 37 MK3 | Technics: WSA1R Former: Emu Proformance Plus & Mo'Phatt, Korg Krome 61, Roland Fantom XR & JV-1010, Yamaha MX61, Behringer CAT Assorted electric & acoustic guitars and electric basses | Roland TD-17 KVX | Alesis SamplePad Pro | Assorted organs, accordions, other instruments Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Havu Posted January 19, 2018 Author Share Posted January 19, 2018 We've got Broken Wings in the list. Forgot about that. lol (We can also pull off Kyrie.) I haven't built the rig yet, but I'll probably be using a triple-board setup (Motif-XS6, DX7, and Deepmind12) which should cover most of my needs. I also have MainStage as an option. Hardware Yamaha MODX7, DX7, PSR-530, MX61/Korg TR-Rack, 01/W Pro X, Trinity Pro X, Karma/Ensoniq ESQ-1 Behringer DeepMind12, Model D, Odyssey, 2600/Arturia Keylab MKII 61 Software Studio One/V Collection 9/Korg Collection 4/Cherry Audio/UVI SonicPass/EW Composer Cloud/Omnisphere, Stylus RMX, Trilian/IK Total Studio 3.5 MAX/Roland Cloud Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mate stubb Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 In the 80s I had a band with a female singer and we were doing dance stuff like Jody Watley, Whitney Houston and Paula Abdul. also: Don't Dream it's Over Tempted Police - some of the more keyboard heavy ones Moe --- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elsongs Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 Make sure you have your guitars on backing tracks, just to stick it to all the other '80s cover bands out there :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J. Dan Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 Just call me. Dan Acoustic/Electric stringed instruments ranging from 4 to 230 strings, hammered, picked, fingered, slapped, and plucked. Analog and Digital Electronic instruments, reeds, and throat/mouth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UnderGroundGr Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 Sweet dreams Come on Eileen Why me Sounds like a melody Save a prayer Don't you want me You spin me round Shout Down under Electricity Don't go When doves cry She drives me crazy Ain't nobody Little lies Time after time A forest Tainted Love Two princess I was a child and teenager at 80's. Great decade for music and not only... There are too many songs i can write... [video:youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x08R_vtIFj8 Check this video in 47:16. "A Forest" cover by my teacher's dark wave duo. Kurzweil K2661 + full options,iMac 27",Mac book white,Apogee Element 24 + Duet,Genelec 8030A,Strymon Lex + Flint,Hohner Pianet T,Radial Key-Largo,Kawai K5000W,Moog Minitaur,Yamaha Reface YC + CP, iPad 9th Gen, Arturia Beatstep + V Collection 9 https://antonisadelfidis.bandcamp.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProfD Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 A few tunes off the top of my head: 'Til Tuesday--"Voices Carry" Nena--"99 Luftballons" Suzanne Vega--"Tom's Diner" I dig the trio format as well. PD "The greatest thing you'll ever learn, is just to love and be loved in return."--E. Ahbez "Nature Boy" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rod S Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 Just can't get enough - Depeche Mode Your Love - Outfield Borderline - Madonna (I did this as a cover years ago, more rock then then the original synth-pop and people dug it a lot - I did they synth part only on piano) Living on a Prayer Korg Kronos X73 / ARP Odyssey / Motif ES Rack / Roland D-05 / JP-08 / SE-05 / Jupiter Xm / Novation Mininova / NL2X / Waldorf Pulse II MBP-LOGIC American Deluxe P-Bass, Yamaha RBX760 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synthoid Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 Suzanne Vega--"Tom's Diner" Cringe-worthy. When an eel hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that's a Moray. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J Graul Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 Major Tom She Blinded Me With Science Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joegerardi Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 The Boys of Summer Hold Me Now The Reflex Head Over Heels Sunglasses at Night Darkside I Want a New Drug Separate Ways Take Me Home Drive ..Joe Setup: Korg Kronos 61, Roland XV-88, Korg Triton-Rack, Motif-Rack, Korg N1r, Alesis QSR, Roland M-GS64 Yamaha KX-88, KX76, Roland Super-JX, E-Mu Longboard 61, Kawai K1II, Kawai K4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProfD Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 Suzanne Vega--"Tom's Diner" Cringe-worthy. Make it funky and the ladies will love it. PD "The greatest thing you'll ever learn, is just to love and be loved in return."--E. Ahbez "Nature Boy" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stokely Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 Well, always good to go with something dance-able. So most of my song ideas for bands don't work LOL! You already have some of the ones I've played. Thinking back to what worked in the late 80s...hmmm Rick Springfield - Jesse's girl Inxs - What U Need, Don't Change Shout (yeah, not an 80s tune but the 80s had a lot of links to the 50s! people loved this) Foreigner - Waiting for a girl like you (slow dance tune) Styx - Too much time on my hands Nightranger - Don't tell me you love me (ok, no dancing, just balls-out fun) Journey (any number of tunes...we played Escape, Separate Ways, Who's Crying Now) Outfield - Say It Isn't So U2 (early) - New Years Day, Gloria, I will Follow etc etc Huey Lewis - We played Jacob's Ladder, any of a bunch of tunes J. Geils - Freeze Frame, Centerfold (forgot the band) - Mexican Radio Peter Murphy - Cuts U Up (great song, a bit obscure but really fun and easy to play) REM - superman, driver 8, End of the world as we know it Echo and the Bunnymen - Lips Like Sugar The Cure - bunch of tunes I never played in a "pop 80s band" if it isn't obvious. One was more of a rock deal with stuff from everywhere, then I played in a fraternity-circuit band in 1989 or so and that's where we did the more "alternative" stuff like Peter Murphy, Cure etc I kind of envy you, i'm in a very solid and well-oiled band (5 years running) but it's 70s-only (with a very few exceptions) because our singer wants that niche. I'm ready to move on to the 80s and 90s! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill H. Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 Just a bit of experience as a club DJ. The club I'm involved with has done 80s nights in the past with varying degrees of success. The last one was expanded into an 80s/90s night, and went much better. In order to keep the dance floor active, my playlist quickly rotated mostly into the 90s - which is not all that surprising considering that the 80s are receding further and further into the distance. As a three piece, you are going to have to be fairly selective anyway, but your options will be greater if you include the 90s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MotiDave Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 Some of my ideas are already listed above, these were the best received (great response) in my old 80s band Just What I Needed (and another Cars song - many to choose from) Rebel Yell White Wedding/Dancing With Myself/? Don't Change I Will Follow/Sunday Bloody Sunday Pump It Up Call Me We didn't like the more poppy/electronic 80s new wave stuff - we avoided it and played staple guitar only tunes and I added Keys. so if you're going that way (nothing wrong with that), i won't be best to help I'm more a big hair 80s guy than the new wave era. The baiting I do is purely for entertainment value. Please feel free to ignore it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MathOfInsects Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 Suzanne Vega--"Tom's Diner" Cringe-worthy. 3:12 (and elsewhere) [video:youtube] Now out! "Mind the Gap," a 24-song album of new material. www.joshweinstein.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Tonewheel Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 (forgot the band) - Mexican Radio Wall of Voodoo (Stan Ridgeway was the singer) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niacin Posted January 20, 2018 Share Posted January 20, 2018 Bette Davis Eyes - Kim Carnes (1981) Into the groove - Madonna Holiday - Madonna Billie Jean - MJ The way you make me feel - MJ Dr Beat - Miami Sound Machine You could do Kiss if you're prepared to sample the guitar lick at the front end and take a synth solo. Gig keys: Hammond SKpro, Korg Vox Continental, Crumar Mojo 61, Crumar Mojo Pedals Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mighty Motif Max Posted January 20, 2018 Share Posted January 20, 2018 We've got Broken Wings in the list. Forgot about that. lol (We can also pull off Kyrie.) I haven't built the rig yet, but I'll probably be using a triple-board setup (Motif-XS6, DX7, and Deepmind12) which should cover most of my needs. I also have MainStage as an option. Sounds like a good deal. A few more I thought of: > Ain't Nothin' Breaking My Stride - Matthew Wilder > Smooth Criminal - Michael Jackson (if you can handle the lyrics ) > Thriller - Michael Jackson If you REALLY want a keyboard-centric one, how about the Chariots of Fire theme? Yamaha: Motif XF8, MODX7, YS200, CVP-305, CLP-130, YPG-235, PSR-295, PSS-470 | Roland: Fantom 7, JV-1000 Kurzweil: PC3-76, PC4 (88) | Hammond: SK Pro 73 | Korg: Triton LE 76, N1R, X5DR | Emu: Proteus/1 | Casio: CT-370 | Novation: Launchkey 37 MK3 | Technics: WSA1R Former: Emu Proformance Plus & Mo'Phatt, Korg Krome 61, Roland Fantom XR & JV-1010, Yamaha MX61, Behringer CAT Assorted electric & acoustic guitars and electric basses | Roland TD-17 KVX | Alesis SamplePad Pro | Assorted organs, accordions, other instruments Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Havu Posted January 20, 2018 Author Share Posted January 20, 2018 MJ stuff is always fun to play. Human Nature and Man In the Mirror are already in our list. Also thought about Shattered Dreams by Johnny Hates Jazz. Great tune! Hardware Yamaha MODX7, DX7, PSR-530, MX61/Korg TR-Rack, 01/W Pro X, Trinity Pro X, Karma/Ensoniq ESQ-1 Behringer DeepMind12, Model D, Odyssey, 2600/Arturia Keylab MKII 61 Software Studio One/V Collection 9/Korg Collection 4/Cherry Audio/UVI SonicPass/EW Composer Cloud/Omnisphere, Stylus RMX, Trilian/IK Total Studio 3.5 MAX/Roland Cloud Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moj Posted January 20, 2018 Share Posted January 20, 2018 Duran Duran - Rio Howard Jones - Equality Human League - Don't You Want Me Joe Jackson - Steppin' Out Nik Kershaw - Wouldn't It Be Good Tears For Fears - Everybody Wants To Rule The World Thompson Twins - Doctor Doctor TOTO - Georgy Porgy YELLO - Oh Yeah Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RABid Posted January 20, 2018 Share Posted January 20, 2018 ReFlex - The Politics of Dancing Talking Heads - Burning Down the House, Take Me To The River The Fixx - One Thing Leads to Another Hall and Oates - You Make My Dreams Come True, Kiss is on My List, I Can't Go For That Toto - I'll Supply the Love This post edited for speling. My Sweetwater Gear Exchange Page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Zeger Posted January 20, 2018 Share Posted January 20, 2018 Ive always liked: The System You Are In My System Jane Child Dont Wanna Fall In Love Nu Shooz I Cant Wait Cherelle I Didnt Mean to Turn You On Robert Palmer famously covered The System and Cherelle. He had a great run of 80s hits. Will your bass player double on synth? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MotiDave Posted January 20, 2018 Share Posted January 20, 2018 I just realized OPs band description is to have no guitar player. Sorry, my ideas all need guitar. The baiting I do is purely for entertainment value. Please feel free to ignore it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synthaholic Posted January 21, 2018 Share Posted January 21, 2018 I Want a New Drug Also Heart of Rock And Roll. Huey goes over. Peter Murphy - Cuts U Up (great song, a bit obscure but really fun and easy to play) I used to do that one. Good song. (forgot the band) - Mexican Radio Wall of Voodoo (Stan Ridgeway was the singer) He did another really good one with Stewart Copeland called Don't Box Me In from Francis Ford Coppola's Rumblefish. [video:youtube] ReFlex - The Politics of Dancing I see your ReFlex and raise you an Icicle Works - Whisper To A Scream and a Talk Talk - It's My Life. The fact there's a Highway To Hell and only a Stairway To Heaven says a lot about anticipated traffic numbers People only say "It's a free country" when they're doing something shitty-Demetri Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synthaholic Posted January 21, 2018 Share Posted January 21, 2018 For your female vocalist: Nu Shooz - Point Of No Return Expose - Point Of No Return Expose - Come Go With Me Pebbles - Mercedes Boy Madonna - Live To tell - you'll love playing the keys to this. Blondie - The Tide Is High Basia - Time And Tide Sheena Easton - Sugar Walls Sheila E. - The Glamorous Life Roxette - It Must Have Been Love Pat Benatar - Love Is A Battlefield Janet Jackson - When I Think Of You - my old female bassist used to sing this. It'll really showcase her. Miami Sound Machine - Rhythm Is Gonna Get You Kate Bush - Running Up That Hill Stevie Nicks - Stand Back Company B - Full Circle Eurythmics - Here Comes The Rain Again Jody Watley - I'm Looking For A New Love Klymaxx - Meeting In The Ladies Room Klymaxx - The Men All Pause Stacy Lattisaw - Nail It To The Wall ^^^ Always dug that last one - the keyboards will keep you busy: [video:youtube] These are all songs I used to play - they were just flowing out of me! http://i.imgur.com/4i6Ckte.gif The fact there's a Highway To Hell and only a Stairway To Heaven says a lot about anticipated traffic numbers People only say "It's a free country" when they're doing something shitty-Demetri Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J. Dan Posted January 21, 2018 Share Posted January 21, 2018 One thing I learned playing in an 80s tribute for a couple decades after being a child of the 80s is that songs that were popular in the 80s and songs that were good 80s songs don't necessarily make good modern day 80s tribute songs for the clubs. Also, many of the songs posted in here are 70s. Dan Acoustic/Electric stringed instruments ranging from 4 to 230 strings, hammered, picked, fingered, slapped, and plucked. Analog and Digital Electronic instruments, reeds, and throat/mouth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synthaholic Posted January 21, 2018 Share Posted January 21, 2018 One thing I learned playing in an 80s tribute for a couple decades after being a child of the 80s is that songs that were popular in the 80s and songs that were good 80s songs don't necessarily make good modern day 80s tribute songs for the clubs. Also, many of the songs posted in here are 70s. The dance ones still hold up well. I agree with you when it comes to, say, Sade songs. Very popular at the time, kind of a snooze now. The fact there's a Highway To Hell and only a Stairway To Heaven says a lot about anticipated traffic numbers People only say "It's a free country" when they're doing something shitty-Demetri Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sundown Posted January 21, 2018 Share Posted January 21, 2018 I can't offer anything that hasn't already been suggested. You might want to consider a guitar player though, as not having one could be a big limitation. For example, I don't consider "Boys of Summer" a synth tune, as much as I consider it a guitar tune. Sundown Working on: The Jupiter Bluff; Driven Away Main axes: Kawai MP11 and Kurz PC361 DAW Platform: Cubase Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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