new member new covers

chrism2sych · #1 06-07-2009, 10:39 PM

I'm auditioning for a band that plays a lot of covers and a very few originals. The songs that they gave me to learn for the audition are typical. some preist, some billy idol, steppenwolf and a few other rock cover standards. At this stage in my bassing career I do not have a lot of opportunities to start playing with a group of guys that are ready to be out, though they have only been out twice as a unit so far. The problem is I'm learning the covers and can't help but think that these are the same songs that have been covered in these type of bars for 25+ years. Should I suggest some fresher material or should I just chug along. I'm not talking anything radical here some rage, maybe Tool some Godsmack I know that even these songs are 5 and 10+ years old but doesn't that seem more like today's bar demographic anyways... I mean sure throw in an oldie or 2 people will love it throw in 12 and watch people go to sleep. any thoughts......?

**Stumbo** · #2 06-07-2009, 10:57 PM

I suggest you wait until you're in the band and everyone's comfortable with each other and everything is working as is. While you have been playing all these tunes for a bass player's eternity, maybe they haven't and don't feel the same. You'll be able to figure out how things work in the band and the process they go through for learn new tunes. Then, when suggestions for new tunes come up, make your suggestions.

Phalex · #3 06-08-2009, 08:16 AM

Learn the tunes they want to do. Sure every other cover band does them, so your job is to do them better than every other cover band. Definitely suggest material for the common good. That means stuff that either you can sing, or stuff that is within the range of the singer. Make sure you take everyone's abilities into account before you suggest a tune that's way too high for the vocalist, or requires and extra guitar.

sevenyearsdown · #4 06-08-2009, 08:29 AM

I guess it depends where you are playing, and what people want to hear. There are plenty of places in my area that pack 'em in for classic rock cover bands. It aint my thing, but it certainly works for plenty of others.

tycobb73 · #5 06-08-2009, 09:57 AM

HHMM. We always give songs for new players to learn and expect that they will learn them. Then in the question portion of the interview we ask them what songs they would like to play. In my band everyone has input into the songlist and we usually add 5 songs of the new members right away.

mward69 · #6 06-16-2009, 01:19 PM

You got to have a few "newer" cover songs..just in case there are younger folks. Our cover band has 3 days grace's "never too late" we just added Bad girlfriend {works great} and second chance to our line up...we've had great reviews

phatbass · #7 06-16-2009, 01:29 PM

There's a reason many successful cover bands are playing 30 year old songs...

skidrawk · #8 06-16-2009, 06:47 PM

Since you are willing to go along with what their doing and not wanting to change much I suggest you get your foot in the door first and see if you are even compatible. Once you gain their trust and prove you are dependible they may invite you to make suggestions. I took a bass position in January and have been very agreeable and workable this whole time, hardly bugging about new songs. I've made some suggestions here and there with no response. Well this weekend we had practice and one of the guys weren't ready to sing one of the new ones. I stepped up to the plate and learned the guitar, harmonica, and vocals on the spot. Mind you I didn't work on it or anything, just listened to it at work, googled "harmonica," printed out the lyrics, and picked up a box of harmonicas on my way to practice and learned that part while driving. Since I was playing harmonica he had the sax player take the bassline, who was also supposed to sing it. He says he couldn't play and sing at the same time. I say OK let me try. Well we get ready to play it and bandleader says, you're going to play guitar on this right? I say OK, pickup the guitar, sing, harmonica the whole bit and after the 3rd shot made it to the ending. Today bandleader sends me an email to pick out more songs that fit the band that I can sing. This has made it even more challenging for me now because not only do I have alot of other new songs to play, now I have to find something that I can sing and play too that fits my range and learn more new songs. LOL. Anways I hope this helps. Hope things work out for you.

skidrawk · #9 06-16-2009, 06:54 PM

Also worth thinking about, we only do half the songs we auditioned with. I auditioned with a drummer and half the songs were picked just because of challenging rythm parts. Once we got our foot in the door those songs were dropped. Hehehehe. Maybe they have the same concept?