Very crude song band wants to do

[Busker]

I guess they want to do it, and I'm worried that the singer will call for it at the gig we have coming up. We played it at rehearsal. Its a "humorous" song filled with crude sex jokes. I mean really crude, really dumb, and not funny, IMO. I would not be proud of the band if they decide to do this in public, which they did before I came along, with mixed reactions according to them (no! really?).

I told them, "no offense guys, but I'm hoping we never play that song again." I should just flat out refuse to play it, but they probably already feel I complain too much, and this is just one more thing. Screw it. I'm telling them I don't want to play the song, and let the chips fall where they may.

Our first real paying gig (since I joined) is coming up. I could see this song costing us return gigs, possibly. Maybe even some fans.

[Rocker949]

Life is too short to be in a band that plays objectionable songs. I agree that everyone in a band should be flexible about songs. But playing a crude song that you don't like is going over the line. The only way I'd do this is if I loved the music to a song so much I just didn't care about the lyrics.

[markkoelsch]

If you feel that strongly about it, do not play it. What is the worst that happens...you are kicked out of a band that has poor taste in tunes. If you do not play it, you still have your integrity intact.

Mark

[jmac]

I've previously been in your shoes. My advice is to not refuse to play the song as that will put you on the outs with the band. Instead, let the band play the song and hopefully "nature" will take it's course, i.e. if people hate it the band will know and stop playing it.

[theleteri]

I would not play it either. I would not feel comfortable playing something that i would not want my mom to hear (my mom lives 300 miles away but it is the principal). i am the same way about a band name. There are some songs like "crazy bitch" by buck cherry that are ok i suppose... but then there are others that go WAY over the line like anything by ICP... you know. do not feel bad for turning it down and if they want to dump you then you can DEFINITELY find a new band.

"for every 100 good guitarists there is one good drummer, and for every 100 good drummers there is one good bassist". we are a hot commodity... we can afford to be a little picky.

[JNowiski]

Originally Posted by theleteri

"for every 100 good guitarists there is one good drummer, and for every 100 good drummers there is one good bassist". we are a hot commodity... we can afford to be a little picky.

yeah, but there's a lot more "bass players" that aren't so hot.

[The Golden Boy]

Originally Posted by Busker

I guess they want to do it, and I'm worried that the singer will call for it at the gig we have coming up. We played it at rehearsal. Its a "humorous" song filled with crude sex jokes. I mean really crude, really dumb, and not funny, IMO. I would not be proud of the band if they decide to do this in public, which they did before I came along, with mixed reactions according to them (no! really?).

I told them, "no offense guys, but I'm hoping we never play that song again." I should just flat out refuse to play it, but they probably already feel I complain too much, and this is just one more thing. Screw it. I'm telling them I don't want to play the song, and let the chips fall where they may.

Our first real paying gig (since I joined) is coming up. I could see this song costing us return gigs, possibly. Maybe even some fans.

Does the rest of the band feel this way, or just you?

If you're the 'odd man out' and are easily offended (and you already seem to think that you might complain too much)- maybe this isn't the gig for you.

[Dr. Cheese]

Originally Posted by The Golden Boy

Does the rest of the band feel this way, or just you?

If you're the 'odd man out' and are easily offended (and you already seem to think that you might complain too much)- maybe this isn't the gig for you.

+1, find another gig.

[tycobb73]

Our singer didn't want to play I Touch Myself in front of her mother. We told her she's doing it. After a few shows it was no big deal.

[agreatheight]

What is the song?

[Lazylion]

Originally Posted by Busker

...a "humorous" song filled with crude sex jokes. I mean really crude, really dumb, and not funny, IMO.

Gotta be very careful where and when you play a song like that. Ideally, late night, crowd is drunk, and the owner/manager has left the premises. Even then, some might be offended. Risky at best, good luck with that!

[Mr-Wunderful]

What is the song?

[Chebass88]

How bad IS this song? Most people probably hear worse on the prime-time sitcoms, and are immune to it. Unless it is completely shocking or blatantly offensive, chances are, it isn't that bad.

Offense is relative & depends on the audience. Sure, if you're playing a church basement, crude humor might not fly, but in a bar environment? Why not have the activities that will go on after folks leave the bar into the open? We all know it happens, we're even looking for it.

Find a different band? Over one song? Are you kidding?

BTW, What is the song?

imp

[baalroo]

Originally Posted by theleteri

There are some songs like "crazy bitch" by buck cherry that are ok i suppose... but then there are others that go WAY over the line like anything by ICP... you know.

I find "joke" songs (like most ICP stuff) much less offensive then songs that glamorize the objectification of women such as Crazy Bitch... or about 90% of songs by groups like AC/DC. I'm not easily offended, I just have trouble understanding taking offense to songs that are jokes or sarcastic while tolerating blantant and intentional sexism.

[Busker]

The song might be just made up by them. I've certainly never heard it before. Its a chorus, then the music stops to tell a sick sex joke, then the chorus starts again, then another sick sex joke, and so on..... Subjects touched on are incest, old people, etc. Its gross, sick, totally inappropriate, just trust me.

[Joey3313]

Originally Posted by theleteri

"for every 100 good guitarists there is one good drummer, and for every 100 good drummers there is one good bassist". we are a hot commodity... we can afford to be a little picky.

BWAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAA!


Yeah bud, you just keep telling yourself that.

[scottbass]

Tough question - where to draw the line.

I played in a blues band with a singer who would not allow us to perform "Hey Joe" because first he's gonna shoot his old lady, then he DOES shoot his old lady.

Hmm...never bothered me, but I couldn't really find any grounds to argue with him about it, either.

Actually, that singer (and his code of ethics) was probably not a good match for blues at all, was he?

[RCCollins]

Oh man it sounds like it's actually pretty bad, worse than crude. Also, stopping the music to tell a joke sounds like a pretty lame idea even without the taste issue.

I haven't heard it, but don't think I'd stay in a band that wrote and performed songs like that, even if they were the exception.

[kraigo]

I guess I'm lucky to be in a band where anyone can say "I really don't want to do this" and get heard. At the same time, it's a card you can't overplay. It's worked for us for the last 15 years.

I agree that one song isn't worth quitting a band over. Having a band that won't listen to you when you have a problem with a song may be worth quitting over though. Is it the song or the insensitivity of the band?

KO

[The Golden Boy]

Originally Posted by RCCollins

Also, stopping the music to tell a joke sounds like a pretty lame idea even without the taste issue.

It worked for Frank and Sammy...