Asked to join a 80's/'90's Alternative Band

Stinsok · #1 04-24-2011, 01:35 PM

I don't know how much work it could generate, but it sounds like fun. The song list includes The Smithereens, The Smiths, REM, Echo and The Bunny Men, Gary Neuman, The Jam, The Cure, etc. I'm in.

knucklehead G · #2 04-24-2011, 01:38 PM

If you were in Kansas City, you'd be very busy. That music is huge here, and I love it.

bolophonic · #3 04-26-2011, 05:17 AM

Dude, that sounds awesome. You could stay busy around here doing that.

TC2112 · #4 04-26-2011, 11:10 AM

If you live in or around a college town that tends to retain it's people (IE, has good opportunities for employment and entertainment after graduation), I think this could be a home run.

AgIdoc · #5 04-26-2011, 11:17 AM

Echo!! man, I'm jealous.

Phalex · #6 04-26-2011, 12:10 PM

I think you're going to be busy!

BigOldHarry · #7 04-26-2011, 12:14 PM

I think a band like this could work - as long as you focused on fun/dance tunes. There was plenty of downer dreck back then too...

Quadzilla · #8 04-26-2011, 12:20 PM

there are a couple of bands here that started playing that genre in the last year or two and they got HUGE overnight. Seems to be the hot ticket right now (and besides, I love that stuff anyway)!

jaywa · #9 04-26-2011, 01:49 PM

That's good stuff. Way more fun from a bass perspective than 80s hair metal or 90s grunge -- and I would guess, at least in certain parts of the country, much more marketable as well.

I've just been getting back into some vintage Smithereens and there is tasty bass all over the place with that stuff.

Congrats on the gig and I hope you stay busy and have fun.

tycobb73 · #10 04-27-2011, 05:27 AM

I'm trying very hard to cinvince the oild guard that mustang sally is dying out. Its a great song, but its had its time. And I'm trying to do stuff more along your line. The experienced musos fight me on it but the newcomers love it.

bassbully · #11 04-27-2011, 07:48 AM

One of this area's best bands plays music like you are talking about. They make top dollar in our area and are booked year out all the time. BTW, Wife and I are going to see The Smithereen's this Friday.

crijan · #12 04-27-2011, 03:22 PM

I missed this period as I'm just slightly too young, but I'm surprised that this works in club land since the chart performance of the bands you listed was pretty poor in the U.S. (but decent in the UK) other than REM & The Cure.

Is the set list a collection of one hit wonders (in the US)? or was there some other way that these songs gained enough popularity to work in clubs now?

or maybe it's a phenomena like KISS where the fans of this genre are hardcore in a way for the live music that didn't translate into album sales/radio spins?

jaywa · #13 04-27-2011, 03:59 PM

Well, considering I am squarely in the demographics of that audience I think I can speak to that.

That stuff was popular EXACTLY when I was in college. I'm now 45... an age where I and a lot of my peers are, if not empty nesters, at least at the point where we really don't have to structure our lives around our kids anymore. We can go out and see cover bands if we want, but we are selective. The band has to be good #1, and has to play music we want to hear #2. Which for a lot of us does NOT include much of the "modern rock" that has been put out the last 10 years, nor the pop stuff.

We dug the hair band stuff the first time around (being high-schoolers at the time), but now for a lot of us that whole thing is well in the past and frankly, a bit embarrassing. So we may go out to see a hair metal cover or tribute band every now and then... but it's more a novelty thing and a guilty pleasure than something we do a lot. Smithereens, Smiths, the Cure etc. OTOH is stuff that in our minds has better stood the test of time and takes us back to a time that was simpler, safer and for many of us, a lot more fun.

I am not surprised at all that bands playing that material are doing well right about now.

TC2112 · #14 04-27-2011, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crijan

I missed this period as I'm just slightly too young, but I'm surprised that this works in club land since the chart performance of the bands you listed was pretty poor in the U.S. (but decent in the UK) other than REM & The Cure.

Is the set list a collection of one hit wonders (in the US)? or was there some other way that these songs gained enough popularity to work in clubs now?

or maybe it's a phenomena like KISS where the fans of this genre are hardcore in a way for the live music that didn't translate into album sales/radio spins?

I think it works the same way as club singles. While they may not work as a top 40 / billboard type things, the fans of that style are faithful. As a college student in the late 80's, I know we all ran around listening to REM, The Replacements, Echo, and the like and those bands were all pretty big on MTV with shows like 120 minutes and just helping break new ground period in the video genre. So while it never really broke the "top 40", the influence of this music in the 80's was HUGE.

Stinsok · #15 04-27-2011, 04:27 PM

I'm looking forward to it. I never played this music as a bassist. As my classic rock band is dying it's a comfort to have something fresh to look forward to.

BigOldHarry · #16 04-27-2011, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tycobb73

I'm trying very hard to cinvince the oild guard that mustang sally is dying out. Its a great song, but its had its time. And I'm trying to do stuff more along your line. The experienced musos fight me on it but the newcomers love it.

oh lord, plus 100000!!!

Of course, tunes like Mustang Sally are great "back pocket" tunes if the crowd is old or you're running short at the end of the night.

TC2112 · #17 04-27-2011, 05:54 PM

As much as I hate playing Mustang Sally, it never fails to get the cougars up and the ample bottoms shakin'

guy n. cognito · #18 04-27-2011, 06:04 PM

That was my type of music in high school. Do it; it sounds like a great gig. I'd come see it. My very first band in high school played this type of music.

You're really going to enjoy The Smiths music. Andy Rourke clearly had a lot of funk influence, and he was able to incorporate it behind whatever Morrissey was whining about at the time.....

Stinsok · #19 04-27-2011, 06:22 PM

I don't know if this is alternative or not-they have Tears for Fears stuff on the list. I love "Songs from the big chair."

jaywa · #20 04-27-2011, 06:40 PM

I would never call Tears for Fears "alternative" but it's cool stuff. Also if you really want to have some bass fun see if you can get some XTC on the list.