battle of the bands

[mullet0909]

For this years high school battle of the bands, my fellow musician friends want to get a head start on things. The battle of the bands is in february and we are trying to decide what songs we want to play. we want to play songs that the crowd will know, enjoy, and maybe sing along to. i have a reputation as a bassist at my school but not too many people have heard/seen me play. There are many fun songs we could play as a band but i at least want to play a song that shows some bass skill but is not something only i will enjoy. any suggestions?

[coolrunner989]

For BOTB last year my band played Coheed and Cambria, In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth 3.

I dunno if you're familiar with them, but we did a good job and I'm convinced we won the contest with that song. Its so fun to play, and it rocks!

IMO of course...

[Yankeesfan1115]

Message in a bottle is what me and my band are playing
I've always thought Money for Nothing would be great
Any Chili pepper song is a crowd pleaser
Beatles songs are always great


Those are some of my suggestions....you might not be into the same type of music i am though

[MoD_Scotty]

I have two words for you: GUITAR HERO.

Every kid in high school knows those songs like the back of their hand now. If you bust out a good one of those, they'll go crazy. I'm partial to Hangar 18 or Laid to Rest....or if you guys can swing it....YYZ!

That's what I'd do.

[metalbass66]

Originally Posted by MoD_Scotty

I have two words for you: GUITAR HERO.

Every kid in high school knows those songs like the back of their hand now. If you bust out a good one of those, they'll go crazy. I'm partial to Hangar 18 or Laid to Rest....or if you guys can swing it....YYZ!

That's what I'd do.

Just one problem with that... "Guitar Hero" bands get no respect. They only know rock from a Frickin videogame and thats not an image you want.

[erodus]

around the world-RHCP

[satchmo]

Rage against the Machine

[bradjonesbass]

Spirits in a Material World is one everybody knows and Sting's bassline is pretty cool. Or go old school Chili Peppers and play Knock Me Down.

[Dogbertday]

Hysteria by Muse.. Possibly one of the most fun songs I've ever done live. The bassline's fun. The drum parts fun. and there's a lot of freedom in the guitar part. Basically if you can pull it off it's impressive. It's also not one you hear every day.

**Note** to get his bass sound I would use a pick and just get as punchy of a sound as possible.. either that or the DS-1 guitar pedal has done alright for me. maybe the effect only going though half of your setup? (if you have two cabs going on)

[MirageBass]

Anything by Rush will put you up front. People still love it when I play YYZ. I think Spirit of Radio would work well, nice and uppy.

[peaveyuser]

Originally Posted by MirageBass

Anything by Rush will put you up front. People still love it when I play YYZ. I think Spirit of Radio would work well, nice and uppy.

+1 and how about Sanitarium, The Trooper and Welcome to the Jungle.

[Phantopeth]

If you want to pull of things real well, your song choice may have to catered to whoever is doing the majority of the vocals. If your singer can't sing high very well, don't do Coheed (Muse could be tough too, but I'll second playing "Hysteria," kick *** tune and sweet line!).

Out of all the Guitar Hero tunes you should play, it should be Every Time I Die. That'll be a good time for everyone, I promise, hah .

You know what, just play some Zeppelin: you can't go wrong there.

[toaster2k3]

Any song by the Strokes is good. They're easy, catchy, and the bass lines aren't boring. However, if you guys can pull it off collectively, play Tommy the Cat by Primus.

[seanm]

If you are serious, do some research. Look at who won in the past and what they played. Are the judges looking for audience response, or musicianship?

You're not trying to mimic the winning bands, just work out if there is a pattern to what wins.

[Unknowndude]

Originally Posted by coolrunner989

For BOTB last year my band played Coheed and Cambria, In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth 3.

I dunno if you're familiar with them, but we did a good job and I'm convinced we won the contest with that song. Its so fun to play, and it rocks!

IMO of course...

Actually, if you're going to play Coheed, I'd suggest Welcome Home... all the metalheads I know that otherwise hate Coheed, love that song.

IKS is very awesome and really easy though, so I suppose it is a good choice.

I would love to hear a band cover the more fun songs on London Calling by the clash.

And by all means, if you do write originals, PLAY THEM. My last band (and first, haha) got second place in a two round battle of the bands sort of thing, on the strength of our originals. We ended up winning $350, not bad for two 20 minute sets

[Justin V]

I second the Coheed suggestion. Just make sure your singer won't embarass themselves and butcher the songs. I'm also in favor of picking ONE song from Guitar Hero. I personally suggest "Surrender" by Cheap Trick (Less Than Jake does a good cover of it too) or YYZ if everyone can hack it.

[TeeMartin]

YYZ, Ytse Jam

[born2play55]

Originally Posted by erodus

around the world-RHCP

hecks yes!
anything will get the crowd into it,
I'll randomly play around the world during my band practice and my own singer goes crazy...

yyz is cool but not really one the crowd will get into,,
maybe a rhcp song with a sweet bassline.... thats all of em

[mullet0909]

im trying to stay away form instrumental songs for the crowds sake and i also have to please a guitarist who is as stubborn as me when it comes to what we should play. but thanx for the suggestions so far and keep them coming. im thinking alot about hysteria. sounds awesome and it easy to play. i would love to do around the world but i dont know if the guitarist would go along with it.

[TeeMartin]

Well what sort of stuff do you like? And your guitarist?