Band Identity Crisis * Maybe *

Sane · #1 06-09-2008, 11:28 AM

So to keep the back story short... I recently moved into the area and was lucky enough to find a already gigging band looking to transition out the bassist. Had my first gig with them yesterday and it was a blast. Actually a dontation bucket was sent around and we were asked to play longer. A 3 - 9 pretty cool.

These guys basically came from the living room and were helped out by another local band in getting gigs. So naturally a good portion of the set list is the same, and that seems to slowly be changing as they get more confidence in picking songs. This band that helped my new band has a woman for the lead singer, and it works really well.

So with that back story, the current singer for my new band is also transisitioning out and we are holding auditions. Well, low and behold a really good canidate, that actually guest sang a few songs at the gig, is another woman. The kicker is she looks a lot like the other bands singer.

So by now im pretty sure you get what im fishing for opinions on. She's a really great singer and the formula works... but do we wan't to have even more simularity to another local band that we already have incredible simularity to ( besides some wierd 6 - 7 string busy bassplayer that my new band now has

) ?

In the end I wont have a huge sway one way or the other. I just thought it was an intersting situation.

jgroh · #2 06-09-2008, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sane

So to keep the back story short... I recently moved into the area and was lucky enough to find a already gigging band looking to transition out the bassist. Had my first gig with them yesterday and it was a blast. Actually a dontation bucket was sent around and we were asked to play longer. A 3 - 9 pretty cool.

These guys basically came from the living room and were helped out by another local band in getting gigs. So naturally a good portion of the set list is the same, and that seems to slowly be changing as they get more confidence in picking songs. This band that helped my new band has a woman for the lead singer, and it works really well.

So with that back story, the current singer for my new band is also transisitioning out and we are holding auditions. Well, low and behold a really good canidate, that actually guest sang a few songs at the gig, is another woman. The kicker is she looks a lot like the other bands singer.

So by now im pretty sure you get what im fishing for opinions on. She's a really great singer and the formula works... but do we wan't to have even more simularity to another local band that we already have incredible simularity to ( besides some wierd 6 - 7 string busy bassplayer that my new band now has

) ?

In the end I wont have a huge sway one way or the other. I just thought it was an intersting situation.

I have been hunting and hoping to set up a new band but am striking out left and right. If I were you, I would be jumping for joy that you found someone that could fit in and not be worried about another band that could, a. move away or b. disband altogether.

Sane · #3 06-09-2008, 12:10 PM

Very much so. I am just in awe that I was able to find someone so quickly. I just know that my opinion would be asked soon, ala, Saturday. Everyone's big concern will be the other band, and I just wanted to get everyones take on the issue.

stflbn · #4 06-09-2008, 12:12 PM

Have the new chick dye her hair. Problem solved.

GianGian · #5 06-09-2008, 12:13 PM

As long as the music you play is original, no problems at all. Focus on the music, not on the looks.

Sane · #6 06-09-2008, 12:15 PM

Local Cover Band no original

And we share a lot of our setlist with them.

scottbass · #7 06-09-2008, 12:18 PM

No problem, especially if you continue to move your songlist away from what the other band is playing. Your female singer undoubtedly has her own style, and the more the band grows to complement and enhance her style the more you will differentiate yourself from the other band.

jgroh · #8 06-09-2008, 12:20 PM

Are you playing on the same venue alot of times? If so you should work with them to avoid overlap, otherwise, dont worry about it. Good for you.

Sane · #9 06-09-2008, 12:24 PM

We typically do play the same venues, and the singer of the other band also sits in with our band. Actually it seemed to me like the owner of the venue insists that the singer of the other band sits in with us. Im the new guy when it comes to the local areas politics

Rick Auricchio · #10 06-09-2008, 12:34 PM

If not the hair, ask your singer if she might dress differently from the other band's singer.

If you tactfully suggest to her that it's better to differentiate herself from the other singer, she'll understand. She'll check out a few of the other band's gigs and know how to dress differently. Women do this all the time; they don't want to dress alike!

topper · #11 06-09-2008, 12:35 PM

This sounds like trouble to me. It's not any one thing that is problematic, but all of it together is. In any market, you've got to find something that sets you apart from the other bands in the area.

I think the biggest problem isn't both bands having female singers, or that they look a like, but that you're both playing the same material. Keep the singer that works with your style, but come up with some new material or go in a different direction.

Sane · #12 06-09-2008, 12:41 PM

Yea I think my new band is really right on the verge of breaking out with its on voice... Just part of this has to feel like a step backwards.

GianGian · #13 06-09-2008, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sane

Local Cover Band no original

And we share a lot of our setlist with them.

Get her to wear a hat.

And play different songs as everybody else says.

bkbirge · #14 06-09-2008, 01:51 PM

Repeated for emphasis... Finding people that work well together is the hard part which you've already done. Just work on an expanded set list that doesn't overlap with the other band. Since the 2 bands are such good friends then someday you'll probably want to do a double bill. Having a different set list is a very good idea.

Mike Shevlin · #15 06-09-2008, 01:59 PM

Just tell your buddies in the other band what's going on & they should be happy for you.

tZer · #16 06-09-2008, 02:53 PM

Even though your sets and your personnel may be similar there's bound to be a difference in how you play, band chemistry and all that. Being aware of the other band's similarity is OK, but I wouldn't dwell on it so much. I'd focus heavily on really enjoying yourselves as a band and letting that show.

Going on the assumption that both bands are able to play their stuff well enough, it's a given that you guys can play the tunes. Unless you decide to radically change your style, you are always going to be crossing over each other's set lists - so don't concern yourselves with that. Get your band groovin' hard, smiling big, jammin' well together and demonstrating a mastery over your instruments/voices and the stage. If you look and act like you're on top of it all and having a blast, it won't matter too much if you have a set that's similar to another band - whose set is similar to another's and so on, and so on...

That situation will probably never change since you're cover bands, right?