Set lists, do you ENJOY the songs on your list? (psudo rant)

[Just J]

I joined the band (rock cover) I'm in for the experience and to just play some tunes. When I came in they had maybe 4 songs they knew, when the singer came on we added more.

When picking songs it's been like pulling teeth because there's a very large gap when it comes to tastes and musical direction. The lead is very close minded in his opinions and often throws out lame excuses for why we shouldn't do a song ("no one knows the song" although we have an original in our setlist, for example). Not to mention his tastes are questionable. The drummer lacks chops, so anything but a straight rock beat is difficult for him (forget funky drum lines, or odd rhythms) and he's not really in tune with modern music. The original rhythm was extremely weak as a musician and rarely practiced or listened to music on his own. It was pulling teeth getting him to remember how to play a song, forget trying to learn songs with more than 3 parts.

Because of this, myself and the singer often had little say in what to play. Songs we suggested were usually shot down because of lame excuses, or their inability play the songs. Others we never got around to adding because it would take weeks to add ONE song. We eventually settled on just agreeing to play songs we felt we wouldn't mind playing.

Now, the rhythm left the band and we brought in another who's a friend of mine and can play. She constantly points out how the setlist sucks (too old, some of the songs are just bad, etc), and I agree 100%. Of the songs we do, I dislike most of them. I've told her that I agree with her, but right now she should focus on making what we have sound better, and use the experience to get better instead of just bitching about it (this is her first band).

So, this got me thinking more, should you actually ENJOY listening to the songs in your set list? How many of you are in bands that play music you typically don't enjoy?

Before anyone says it, I am actively looking for another project but am not going to ditch these guys because they are friends.

[fishtx]

There are songs in our setlist that I am "tired" of playing...but for the most part I like all the songs...

[fullrangebass]

I enjoy all the songs on the playlists of the bands that I'm involved. Having said that, if I choose to accept to sub for someone or to support a friend or an artist, I am aware that I may not have chosen the songs myself, yet I need to fully support them cause it is my choice to be there in the first place.

[grace & groove]

For the few covers we do end up playing, they are fun.

For Whom The Bell Tolls by Metallica- Easy, no-thinking song that everyone (well metal fans) knows.

Sweating Bullets by Megadeth- Our lead singer is quite a character... for anyone who knows this song you'd know it's a great way for someone such as him to express that character.

Walk by Pantera- Another well-known song with a slower tempo compared to our other songs... but it still brings out the moshers.

Run to the Hills by Iron Maiden- Short, melodic, fun to end a show with!

[Slax]

Originally Posted by fishtx

There are songs in our setlist that I am "tired" of playing...but for the most part I like all the songs...

+1. I never really disliked any the songs we played in my old band. It'd get tired of them, but not dislike them. Any songs we did end up playing that weren't my cup of tea, I'd just make the best of it and just enjoy playing.

[JeffC]

I liked the songs we played even after heavy practice I could still listen to them if they came on the radio, really, even still but we have fairly similar musical taste so it was never difficult to pick songs.

That being said I MUCH prefer to play our own songs, much more rewarding. I don't think I could ever get sick of them. I often find myself singing them through out the day.

[Elrend]

Im really really bored of doing Chameleon and Birdland

[SteveC]

There are some songs I am tired of playing but still enjoy them, if that makes sense. Like BEG - it's OK to play but I could go a gig or two without doing it. Now, If we never played What I Got, or Santeria again I'd be a happy camper.

Basically, I dislike playing any 2 chord "song" we do.

[neurotictim]

I'm totally with the OP on this one - I hate virtually all of the cover stuff my band does. Our original stuff is great, but the decision was made to include covers, and no one listens to my suggestions because "no one recognizes them." Drives me batty.

Plus, I'd just like to add I really hate Yellowcard.

[Phalex]

Even with new songs rotating in and old songs rotating out, you're going to end up playing the same songs a lot! To get the band super tight, you have to play the songs a fair amount as well.

I'm rather indifferent to the songs we play. I'm in it for the joy of playing with super talented people, and the reaction that tight well rehearsed tunes get from the audiance. Some tunes I like better than others, but it really doesn't matter to me one way or the other. I like doing what I do with the people I do it with and the people we do it for like what we do with each other.

Every song should go over with the audiance though. If it doesn't you have no business playing it IMHO.

[JackANSI]

I'd have to say that there are songs that I dislike listening to, practicing, etc.. When those songs come on the radio you just sigh and shut the thing off, if they come on at any time really, you just shake your head...

but when you have 400 people inside a club built for 100 and they are going nuts to "blister in the sun" then you don't mind playing it nearly as much.

But I'd say that during a show, I enjoy everything on the setlist.

[fourstringdrums]

I'm a drummer in my band but I have 2 or 3 songs that I just don't really care to play mostly because they're hard for me to feel my way into right now.

[Just J]

Originally Posted by Slax

+1. I never really disliked any the songs we played in my old band. It'd get tired of them, but not dislike them. Any songs we did end up playing that weren't my cup of tea, I'd just make the best of it and just enjoy playing.

That's kinda my approach. Even though I don't really like the songs, I give them my all and try to have fun.

[Just J]

Originally Posted by neurotictim

I'm totally with the OP on this one - I hate virtually all of the cover stuff my band does. Our original stuff is great, but the decision was made to include covers, and no one listens to my suggestions because "no one recognizes them." Drives me batty.

Plus, I'd just like to add I really hate Yellowcard.

Yea, that bugs the crap outta me too. How can someone say a song shouldn't be played because "no one recognizes them" yet you have originals? Doesn't make any sense.

I especially love when they say that then come back with a song suggestion that was a B-side on a limited edition release in Albania from a one hit wonder band in the 80s.

[Thunderthumbs73]

Originally Posted by Just J

I joined the band (rock cover) I'm in for the experience and to just play some tunes. When I came in they had maybe 4 songs they knew, when the singer came on we added more.

When picking songs it's been like pulling teeth because there's a very large gap when it comes to tastes and musical direction. The lead is very close minded in his opinions and often throws out lame excuses for why we shouldn't do a song ("no one knows the song" although we have an original in our setlist, for example). Not to mention his tastes are questionable. The drummer lacks chops, so anything but a straight rock beat is difficult for him (forget funky drum lines, or odd rhythms) and he's not really in tune with modern music. The original rhythm was extremely weak as a musician and rarely practiced or listened to music on his own. It was pulling teeth getting him to remember how to play a song, forget trying to learn songs with more than 3 parts.

Because of this, myself and the singer often had little say in what to play. Songs we suggested were usually shot down because of lame excuses, or their inability play the songs. Others we never got around to adding because it would take weeks to add ONE song. We eventually settled on just agreeing to play songs we felt we wouldn't mind playing.

Now, the rhythm left the band and we brought in another who's a friend of mine and can play. She constantly points out how the setlist sucks (too old, some of the songs are just bad, etc), and I agree 100%. Of the songs we do, I dislike most of them. I've told her that I agree with her, but right now she should focus on making what we have sound better, and use the experience to get better instead of just bitching about it (this is her first band).

So, this got me thinking more, should you actually ENJOY listening to the songs in your set list? How many of you are in bands that play music you typically don't enjoy?

Before anyone says it, I am actively looking for another project but am not going to ditch these guys because they are friends.

I like all the songs I play, but the secret is not exactly in the song, it's in the audience. An audience that is receptive to a song goes a long way to making it that much more enjoyable. For song I hate but would have to play (luckily none for me), I don't suppose good audience reception wouldn't make me like the song more, but who knows?

[Vanceman]

One problem might be is your band is not playing them as good as you should. We play a few songs that I NEVER thought I would play, but they sound so good, I can hardly complain. It sure does suck when people refuse to play a tune because they think it's lame. That being said, I will never play a Creed song, because I don't like their music.

[JimmyM]

I learned this lesson early on...if you play unrecognizable songs in a cover band, you might as well beg people not to book you. Setlist is everything in a cover band. All the songs you pick should be instantly recognizable. I know it's boring, but if you want to work, that's the way it is.

[Deluge Of Sound]

Originally Posted by Vanceman

It sure does suck when people refuse to play a tune because they think it's lame. That being said, I will never play a Creed song, because I don't like their music.

[Just J]

Originally Posted by Vanceman

One problem might be is your band is not playing them as good as you should. We play a few songs that I NEVER thought I would play, but they sound so good, I can hardly complain. It sure does suck when people refuse to play a tune because they think it's lame. That being said, I will never play a Creed song, because I don't like their music.

This may very well be. Trying to get them to get the groove right for a ska/reggae song is frustrating. "There's not enough going on in the background." No s**t! There's not supposed to be distorted powerchords ringing through the whole damn song.

Originally Posted by JimmyM

I learned this lesson early on...if you play unrecognizable songs in a cover band, you might as well beg people not to book you. Setlist is everything in a cover band. All the songs you pick should be instantly recognizable. I know it's boring, but if you want to work, that's the way it is.

Agree, but I'm complaining more about the flaw in the logic of the guitarist telling me a song is unrecognizable. He'll follow up his comments with a song that's even less recognizable immediately after shooting my or the new guitarist's suggestions down.

Example, they've talked about adding some Who, I suggested the Seeker because it's on GH3 and I like the groove, he doesn't think people will know it and the Who have better songs. The latter may be true, but we don't have a keyboard and it's a safe bet most college kids now adays have at least been in the same room as someone playing that song on GH3. I suspect he doesn't like it because he can't play it.

[metallicafan18]

I hate pretty much all of my bands songs except for like 5 of them. We have about 30 songs. I bring great new ideas to the band that everyone likes, but the singer. The singer's ego is like one you've never seen. If she doesn't like the song we can't play it. We only play songs she likes, and those songs she likes are ones that no one listens too, and they have no soul. The bass parts are beyond simple, so I'll throw in a fill and she'll just glance at me as if to say, "Don't mess wit ma singing!"