What goes over

MrRumble · #1 11-22-2006, 01:08 PM

Our band does hard rock 70's type covers by Deep Purple, Bad Company, Alice Cooper, Led Zeppelin, Yardbirds, Beatles, Cream, AC/DC, ZZ Top, Black Crowes etc. We would like your collective experiences in what songs by these bands and others in this genre you have seen go over the best for dancing, entertainment and making the bar owner happy.

lonote · #2 11-22-2006, 01:20 PM

Are you gigging yet? It sort of depends on where you're playing, what clientele you're trying to reach. Pretty much, you're talking about a classic rock repertoire...if the audience likes classic rock, it's all good. If you play in a venue known for country music or blues or soft rock, you'll be screwed.

Sundogue · #3 11-22-2006, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrRumble

Our band does hard rock 70's type covers by Deep Purple, Bad Company, Alice Cooper, Led Zeppelin, Yardbirds, Beatles, Cream, AC/DC, ZZ Top, Black Crowes etc. We would like your collective experiences in what songs by these bands and others in this genre you have seen go over the best for dancing, entertainment and making the bar owner happy.

Well, basically if you are a cover band, any songs you play that get the crowd dancing typically makes the bar owner happy, because he/she will be selling lots of drinks to the thirsty dancers.

Whether or not it's entertaining is irrelevant from a set list standpoint. That has more to do with your band's delivery of said setlist.

From those that you listed, I don't see dancing as a factor. Partying to be sure, but guys don't dance. While those bands you mentioned certainly have manly hard rock appeal, they aren't what I would call bands that will have the ladies out on the dance floor. That's not to say it won't happen, because I"m sure it will to an extent.

Of those bands you mentioned, if you want to get people dancing, you'll have to pick songs by them that do not have a lot of complex beat changes. Nothing makes dancers want to stop dancing faster than a really cool song that has a lot of stops, changes, extended guitar solos, etc.

Aside from that, if you play obscure songs by those bands, be sure to include the hit singles by those bands too. For whatever reason, people seem to want to dance to easily recognizable tunes. Of course, it's somewhat a generalization, but mostly true based on my 25+ years experience of playing covers.

Nice selection of bands to choose from by the way. Lots of songs from them should work.

invader3k · #4 11-22-2006, 01:29 PM

That's a pretty good, acceptable group of bands to play in a classic rock type gig. A little Brit heavy, but there's not necessarily anything wrong with that, etiher. Any of the "hits" or even fairly known songs by any of those bands should go over. Personally, our band does "Tush" as well as "Shook Me All Night Long" and they both do well live. As long as you don't start doing really weird psychedelic stuff from the Beatles and Led Zeppelin, you should be fine.

MrRumble · #5 11-22-2006, 01:33 PM

We have gigged twice in smaller venues with small crowds. We will be playing where classic rock will go over but need to round out our set list. Would like to hear specifically, of these groups gets people going.

MakiSupaStar · #6 11-22-2006, 01:49 PM

In my humble opinion. Chicks are the ones that start dancing first, and then the dudes follow. The music you're playing is mostly for the dudes. Not trying to be harsh

Man I'm going to get jumped on. I just mean that you're talking about stuff for people to dance too, but you're not playing that kind of music.

**cheezewiz** · #7 11-22-2006, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MakiSupaStar

In my humble opinion. Chicks are the ones that start dancing first, and then the dudes follow. The music you're playing is mostly for the dudes. Not trying to be harsh

Man I'm going to get jumped on. I just mean that you're talking about stuff for people to dance too, but you're not playing that kind of music.

That is VERY true. My band immediately prior to my current one, had two SMOKIN guitar players, and concentrated on the same type of music the original poster mentioned. Although it was by far, the most musically talented band I've ever been in, we did have a problem getting people to dance! My current band has no shredders, but people get off their asses from song #1. We play more often, are a lot more in demand, and get paid quite a bit more than the previous band

MrRumble · #8 11-22-2006, 02:10 PM

Well, we know that we not a "dance band" but are throwing in as many danceable songs from these bands as we can. We are doing Tush and Shook me all Night, Hot Legs etc. Just looking for experiences and ideas.
Thanks alot.

**cheezewiz** · #9 11-22-2006, 02:36 PM

"Streching" the genre a little, but "Some Kinda Wonderful", "What I Like About You", "Jenny 867-5309", and songs like that don't go too far of course, and make chicks dance. On the other hand, I wish it were illegal for ANY band to play Tush. I put that in the same category as Mustang Sally for level of "overplaydness".

The old band I mentioned did a KILLER version of Highway Star, and it was funny, each and every time we did it, almost every guy in the bar would be front and center watching, and all the girls would go to the bathroom or to get a drink.

MakiSupaStar · #10 11-22-2006, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrRumble

Well, we know that we not a "dance band" but are throwing in as many danceable songs from these bands as we can. We are doing Tush and Shook me all Night, Hot Legs etc. Just looking for experiences and ideas.
Thanks alot.

Yeah but even though those are great songs they aren't songs that are going to get people off their feet.

I just think you're looking for the wrong things with the music you're playing. You can't sqeeze lemonade out of a turnip.

You gotta either change your songs or change your expectations.

MrRumble · #11 11-22-2006, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheezewiz

"Streching" the genre a little, but "Some Kinda Wonderful", "What I Like About You", "Jenny 867-5309", and songs like that don't go too far of course, and make chicks dance. On the other hand, I wish it were illegal for ANY band to play Tush. I put that in the same category as Mustang Sally for level of "overplaydness".

The old band I mentioned did a KILLER version of Highway Star, and it was funny, each and every time we did it, almost every guy in the bar would be front and center watching, and all the girls would go to the bathroom or to get a drink.

Thanks for the suggestions.
I looked over your song list and found that we are playing some of same songs so I am not as concerned when the ladies disappear during Highway Star.
Huh, found Mustang Sally on your list!?

jive1 · #12 11-22-2006, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrRumble

Our band does hard rock 70's type covers by Deep Purple, Bad Company, Alice Cooper, Led Zeppelin, Yardbirds, Beatles, Cream, AC/DC, ZZ Top, Black Crowes etc. We would like your collective experiences in what songs by these bands and others in this genre you have seen go over the best for dancing, entertainment and making the bar owner happy.

I agree with the others that this is more crotch rock than dance pop. But there's still alot of fun music you can draw from.

Deep Purple - I'd only do one or two by them. Great songs to shred and show your musicianship, but not the best for opening up the dance floor. "My Woman from Tokyo" is great beer drinking songs for guys to play air guitar on. Same goes for "Hush".
Bad Company - "Can't Get Enough of Your Love" is a crowd pleaser. "Rock and Roll Fantasy" has sort of a dance beat, depending on how you do it. "Shooting Star" is a great slow tune that folks can sing along to.
Alice Cooper - "Under My Wheels" is a fun one, and you might be able dance to it since it's a shuffle. "Be My Lover" is a fun one to close a night with. "School's Out" is fun for summer and college crowds. Personally, I wouldn't do "I'm Eighteen". Usually, one person in the crowd will really dig it, but the rest get bored by it.
Yardbirds - Personally, I don't care to perform their tunes. Great band, but I rarely see folks appreciating their tunes, unless the crowd is really old. And if they are really old, they will go home early. If you have to play something by them, "For your Love" would probably work. Alot of their stuff are Blues covers, so I'd rather cop the original.
Led Zeppelin - Not too many danceable ones. Maybe "Dyer Maker" if people want to slow dance. "Rock and Roll" is a fun one too. "Houses of the Holy", "Living Lovin Maid" and "Over the Hills and Far Away" may get people off their feet, but not necessarily to dance.
Beatles - Most of their tunes go over well. Just make sure you can do them justice. "Twist and Shout" and "I Saw Her Standing There" are no-brainer crowd pleasers. It's hard to go wrong on them if you do their tunes right.
Cream - Another not very danceable band. "Crossroads", "White Room" and "Sunshine of Your Love" go over well, but won't fill the dance floor unless it's a biker crowd. Personally, I'd avoid them like the Yardbirds.
AC/DC - "Shook Me All Night Long" is a favorite of all ages. Gets em buying beer, and that's a good thing. "Back in Black", "Rocker", "Problem Child" and "Highway to Hell" usually go over well, and people can sing and/or dance to em.
ZZ Top - "Lagrange" and "Tush" are crowd favorites. If you're doing a biker bar, do "Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers" and you'll have guys buying you drinks.
Black Crowes - If you need to do a ballad, "She Talks to Angels" or "Seeing Things for the First Time" work well. Their version of "Hard to Handle" is one folks will dance to. Same goes for "Jealous Again" or "Twice as Hard"

uglycicles · #13 11-22-2006, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheezewiz

"Streching" the genre a little, but "Some Kinda Wonderful", "What I Like About You", "Jenny 867-5309", and songs like that don't go too far of course, and make chicks dance. On the other hand, I wish it were illegal for ANY band to play Tush. I put that in the same category as Mustang Sally for level of "overplaydness".

I think "Jenny" is quickly reaching the Mustang Sally level for overplayedness, at least for cover bands around here.

jive1 · #14 11-22-2006, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheezewiz

The old band I mentioned did a KILLER version of Highway Star, and it was funny, each and every time we did it, almost every guy in the bar would be front and center watching, and all the girls would go to the bathroom or to get a drink.

Reminds me of a story my friend told me.
He and a hot girlfirend went to see Van Halen before they were big at some festival. Well the show was rocking, and he looked at her with a dropped jaw and said, "He's incredible. Absolutely amazing", referring to EVH. She said "I agree, the singer is absolutely hot!" At that point, he knew this band was gonna hit it big.

**cheezewiz** · #15 11-22-2006, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrRumble

Thanks for the suggestions.
I looked over your song list and found that we are playing some of same songs so I am not as concerned when the ladies disappear during Highway Star.
Huh, found Mustang Sally on your list!?

My current band (no doubt the list you saw) does do Mustang Sally. The song list on the website is quite outdated. We do some of those still, and don't do others, and of course, have added quite a few. The "Highway Star" playing band I was referring to, was my FORMER band. Unfortunately, I've done Tush in many bands too! What we end up playing, and what we may WANT to play, always end up being two different things!

You do what ya gotta do to keep crowds happy and coming back.

Folmeister · #16 11-22-2006, 06:59 PM

Try this. Go visit each of the venues that you want to play. Take a look at the jukebox. What is playing when you walk in? What tunes dominate the rotation during a period of one hour? What kind of artists are most represented? I have played bars that it happened that we ended up playing almost every tune on the jukebox when it played between our sets. Sounds weird, but it works to great advantage!

Big Cadillac · #17 11-22-2006, 07:16 PM

You forgot "All Right Now" by Free. My band plays it and people love it..

Crazyeelboy · #18 11-23-2006, 01:48 AM

Rumble:

It really does not matter so much which songs you play, but how you play them. If you are going to do "standard" songs, try to do them in innovative ways. That will not only make the band more fun to play in, it will make the band more fun to see.

Slater · #19 11-24-2006, 12:14 PM

I was going to post pretty much the same thoughts as jive1 in post #12.

I'll just add...As kind of a joke, the band I'm with decided to play TNT by AC/DC one night. By the time we were 4 bars into the song, the dancefloor was packed, and we've been playing that song every night ever since...

invader3k · #20 11-24-2006, 02:34 PM

We've had similar experiences. A while ago we added "500 Miles" by the Proclaimers to our set. We do it a little bit punked up...and the kicker is, it's the one song in the setlist that I sing. Ironically, people love it! They dance to it, clap at the end...we played a NYE gig last year and one guy was up front dancing, and then profusely thanked us for playing it.