audition - hot & cold set list

dvh · #1 01-15-2008, 08:13 PM

I got a call from a guitarist: his band is looking for a new bass player. He e-mails me the set lists.

There's stuff I really like: some Colin James, Doors, Black Crows. But there's stuff I really don't like, or at least, don't like to play, or think they're tired choices: Pink Floyd (I know, I know...), a Skynard song, Abacab (I was never a Genesis fan -especially post Gabriel).

Don't slam me for my music tastes - we're all different right?

My question is who else plays in a band with some songs they realy like and others they really don't? Is it still worth it?

I have two other projects on the go, one of which I'll always stick with, the other less so.

Jazz Hands · #2 01-15-2008, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dvh

My question is who else plays in a band with some songs they realy like and others they really don't? Is it still worth it?

I think every band I've ever been involved in had songs I didn't care for.....sh!t, I even wrote a few of them.

Depth_Charge · #3 01-15-2008, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazz Hands

I think every band I've ever been involved in had songs I didn't care for.....sh!t, I even wrote a few of them.

+1. Pretty much sums up my experience of being in bands too.

IanStephenson · #4 01-16-2008, 03:58 AM

I think everyone has two or three they hate and half dozen they LOVE, with the rest somewhere between.

ian

Joe Nerve · #5 01-16-2008, 04:25 AM

I love that thing someone wrote in a BP magazine not that long ago. 3 things you judge when deciding whether you're going to stick with a band or not. The music, the hang (if you have fun w and like the people in the band), the money (if it pays well). It's gotta have at least one of those, should have 2, and if it has all 3, well... If none of them are there, move along.

Also, if you plan on playing covers - I'd say get used to playing songs you don't like as soon as possible. The better you learn to fake liking it and keep your mouth shut - the more gigs you're going to get.

dvh · #6 01-16-2008, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Nerve

I love that thing someone wrote in a BP magazine not that long ago. 3 things you judge when deciding whether you're going to stick with a band or not. The music, the hang (if you have fun w and like the people in the band), the money (if it pays well). It's gotta have at least one of those, should have 2, and if it has all 3, well... If none of them are there, move along.

Also, if you plan on playing covers - I'd say get used to playing songs you don't like as soon as possible. The better you learn to fake liking it and keep your mouth shut - the more gigs you're going to get.

I've never had all three (mostly related to the money) so if part of one is there and two works out maybe I'll give it a go.

I really like the one project I'm in musically, the other guys, they're ok, I don't really 'click' with them but they've known each other for years and I'm a newcomer. The other project, I really like the guy (guitarist - we're assembling things right now) and the music is pretty good but it's just not going anywhere very fast and I'm not overly optimistic.

We'll see what happens with this third possibility.

Phalex · #7 01-16-2008, 06:29 AM

If you want to play music you like, get a CD player. If you want to play music in public to ever increasing numbers of people, get used to playing what the public wants. Your personal taste in music has no bearing "on the job".

dvh · #8 01-16-2008, 06:57 AM

To some extent, I agree, but as I get older I feel less inclined to compromise my tastes. I do it for the fun. I enjoy the energy one gets from playing to a receptive crowd. I don't really need the money.

Have to find the 'middle way'.

Thanks for the responses.

FuturePrimitive · #9 01-16-2008, 08:20 AM

You're complaining about Floyd and Skynard? I had to play Avril Lavigne's "sk8er boi" in my last band!

badstonebass · #10 01-16-2008, 08:25 AM

Hell, the guys in FAMOUS bands have to play some songs they don't "like". You really think that Tony Iommi wants to play PARANOID ever again??

It's part of being in a BAND....if you want to play what YOU like only start a solo act.

If I could play whatever I wanted I'd drop about 60 of the 75 songs we play. However remember in order to get gigs you need a crowd.....you have to play what THEY want.

tycobb73 · #11 01-16-2008, 06:06 PM

I hate hate hate hate Poison. Mas Taquilla by Sammy is another one. But when my band suggested them I knew they'd fit what we are doing and I backed em up whole heartedly. It's about entertaining the crowd. Also, I find some songs I hate to listen to fun to play.

dvh · #12 01-16-2008, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FuturePrimitive

You're complaining about Floyd and Skynard? I had to play Avril Lavigne's "sk8er boi" in my last band!

OK, now that sucks.

It's not about needing to play what the crowd wants, we'd get gigs anyway. That's what makes me wonder.

I'm 47, professionally employed, play music for fun and because I like to think of myself as a serious, if amateur, musician. I sometimes do jazz projects and my other main band does a lot of covers but they have some real mojo to them, not just popular top 40 type stuff.

That may sound snobbish but I feel like I've paid my dues and am allowed to be picky. If I like these guys that might just wash over everything else. We'll see on Saturday.

Thanks for the responses

Guiseppe · #13 01-17-2008, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FuturePrimitive

You're complaining about Floyd and Skynard? I had to play Avril Lavigne's "sk8er boi" in my last band!

was as bad as a trip to the dentist (for me). I shortly bailed thereafter.

PastorofMuppets · #14 01-17-2008, 04:07 PM

you have to play what your audience wants to hear
everything else is ego
bottom line

dvh · #15 01-17-2008, 08:35 PM

Ego? Perhaps. It's about doing what feels right.

Munjibunga · #16 01-17-2008, 08:52 PM

One would have to be pretty naive to think he would like every song his band plays. It's like politics ... you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours. I'm sure some of the other band members don't like some of the songs you like.

As a wise old robot once said, "ROLL WITH THE PUNCHES, WILL ROBINSON!"

SmittyG · #17 01-17-2008, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phalex

If you want to play music you like, get a CD player. If you want to play music in public to ever increasing numbers of people, get used to playing what the public wants. Your personal taste in music has no bearing "on the job".

+1

It took me a long time and a lot of hurt feelings to come to terms with this, but this is how it is. When I want to play music I love, I record a solo CD or work with those special side projects we all love. When I want to get paid, I thump "Brown-Eyed Girl" and "Mustang Sally" like my life isn't complete unless I am playing those songs.

Guiseppe · #18 01-18-2008, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PastorofMuppets

you have to play what your audience wants to hear
everything else is ego
bottom line

I hear where you're coming from, and I'm willing to compromise quite a bit...but when the entire set has been "geared" away from what I love to play, it's time to find a new home...

Maybe I AM a snob. I just think I can do better.

Aaron · #19 01-18-2008, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PastorofMuppets

you have to play what your audience wants to hear
everything else is ego
bottom line

I don't think whoring yourself out to the audience is really what music is about. The best music was never about commercial compromise. I've been fortunate be able to play in a few groups that have picked up gigs that have paid the bills while making great, unique music. The audience for a pop cover band is superficial at best. If you are dedicated to making great, uncompromising music, your audience will dig your music on a far deeper level.

dvh · #20 01-18-2008, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron

I don't think whoring yourself out to the audience is really what music is about. The best music was never about commercial compromise. I've been fortunate be able to play in a few groups that have picked up gigs that have paid the bills while making great, unique music. The audience for a pop cover band is superficial at best. If you are dedicated to making great, uncompromising music, your audience will dig your music on a far deeper level.

Thanks for that. It's exactly where I'm coming from on this. It's why I like my other project much better, the whole band is on that wavelength.

In a way, I suppose, it's one of the benefits of doing the music thing on strictly a fun, amateur level (amateur in the sense of not doing it for a living).