Starting a "Top 40" type band. some questions

Bargoers want to hear dance music they recognize. If you can't dance to it, they don't want to hear it. A typical bar gig around here is four 45-minute sets, possible with one longer set to get you to closing time. My last band used to make the second set the long one, when the most people are there. Also, you don't have the long set at the end when your ass is draggin'. You can do it with 10 songs a set, but we try to put 12 or 13 in so the people get their money's worth. I like having a songlist of at least 50 songs to draw from, but 100 or more is better.

The bars usually will book you that long before hearing you - it's the money that grows when they like you and know that a) you have a good draw, and b) the regulars like you.
Preparing 3 sets of 10 - 12 songs is easier than it seems, once you get some good momentum going. When you have the right people on board, it's surprising how many songs you can blow through that you forgot you knew, or are similar to songs you knew already - like classic 50's tunes - a I vi IV V progression will get you about 700 songs!
The trick is in refining the songs so they're flawless, and working the crowd (but coming from a hardcore background, you should have plenty of experience with working crowds!)

Good luck with the project. I've always found it to be a fun way of making a couple extra bucks and a couple free drinks!

I suggest finding the bars/clubs and other venues you want to play at and visit them to get a list of songs that popular bands are playing.

Here's a link to a TB thread about cover band set lists: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=319355

PoundinThunder said:

hey everyone,

me and my bandmates recently decided to start playing bars and parties. we usually play in a hardcore/death metal band but there is not much money in that. we do it because we love it. but we figured that we want to have fun playing classics and hopefully get paid as well haha. we arent sure what to play really, we were thinking about kiss, acdc, billy idol, billy squire, judas priest, motorhead, skynrd ect but we do need some more modern stuff to appeal to the younger people if we play parties.

what kind of music do people want to hear in a bar? im 18 so i really dont know haha. we just want to have a good time really.

my main question is, how long is a usual set for a band playing a bar gig?

also, is it good to play songs with energy the whole time, or do some slow songs in between or near the end?
thanks

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I've done the cover thing for a really long time.

Doing just heavy metal and hard music only - even if it was popular - won't get you that far.

The most successful cover bands do a VARIETY of popular music styles and eras. Not just one type of rock. You have to be able to cover some 60s, some metal, some classic rock, some disco, some 80s, and yeah especially CHEESE. The cheesier the songs, the more WOMEN in bars like you. It's a fact of life.

You want to kill a crowd? Do a Journey song, follow it up with disco medley, then destroy then with 867-5309 Jenny, and then an Abba song, then Brown Eyed Girl, Sweet Home Alabama, and perhaps a Motown tune, then maybe the Beastie Boys, maybe a huge tune from the 90s...etc etc....just an example.

I've seen bands that try and only cover Priest, Sabbath, kiss, ACDC, Idol, Crue, queensryche, Wolfmother, etc etc....they usually don't get far.

Diversify your music to make you the most marketable. I'm not saying become a wedding band - but hit all the marks. Don't turn your nose up at music that you personally don't like. That would be my advice.

Building a set list is an art. You should play at least one or two slow songs a set. I wouldn't play a slow song at the beginning or end of a set. ALWAYS play for money. If you are not good enough to get payed then you shouldn't be playing out. Wait until your ready.

Munjibunga said:

Bargoers want to hear dance music they recognize. If you can't dance to it, they don't want to hear it. A typical bar gig around here is four 45-minute sets, possible with one longer set to get you to closing time.

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Four hours, with one 60-minute set, three fifteen minute breaks and three forty-five minute sets was the norm in the Upper Midwest when I played there (near the middle of the last millenium); but here in Colorado, the common bar gig is fours with three one-hour sets and two 20-25 minute breaks. ASK THE CLUB OWNER what (s)he wants and then do it. And DON'T stretch your breaks an extra 5 or 10 minutes until the club owner says something. Some never will (they just won't hire you again) and for the ones that do, it may be too late.

modulusman said:

You should play at least one or two slow songs a set. I wouldn't play a slow song at the beginning or end of a set. ALWAYS play for money. If you are not good enough to get payed then you shouldn't be playing out. Wait until your ready.

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Agreed. One or two slow songs per set is pretty standard and it works best to react to the crowd, rather than use a prearranged songlist. If the crowd is finally starting to really warm up, it might be wiser to give them "Brick House" even though "Red House" is next on the songlist.

QORC said:

...The cheesier the songs, the more WOMEN in bars like you. It's a fact of life.

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There's no doubt about it. Chick songs are a key. If they're fast songs, the chicks will dance together--which usually inspires some guys to get out there, too. If it's a slow song a girl likes, she'll drag her boyfriend or the guy in the next chair out on the dance floor. Everyone will drink more and have a good time and the club owner will be thrilled with you.

QORC said:

You want to kill a crowd? Do a Journey song, follow it up with disco medley, then destroy then with 867-5309 Jenny, and then an Abba song, then Brown Eyed Girl, Sweet Home Alabama, and perhaps a Motown tune, then maybe the Beastie Boys, maybe a huge tune from the 90s...etc etc....just an example.

Don't turn your nose up at music that you personally don't like. That would be my advice.

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QORC's last comment is the key. Without meaning to rag on metal bands, many of the ones I've heard seem to be playing for themselves as much as (or more than) for the crowd. Successful bar cover bands HAVE to focus on what the crowd likes, as prior posters have stated. Even when you're playing "Mustang Sally" for the gozillionth time, it's a lot more tolerable when you see a packed dance floor with lots of folks singing along.

Ride, Sally, ride.

Bluesy Soul

Another suggestion would be to not show up looking like or sounding like a metal band that's playing covers. If you don't have one already, a J or P Bass probably would be a good idea. Be able to get a nice, clean low end tone for the bass and also be able to play with a pick for some tunes. The band may also need to adjust it's overall sound, as well. The guitarist's tone needs to reflect the songs that you will be playing.

Here's a few TB thread links (not exactly about setlists) that you may want to check out that could help you organize your band for your new venture:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=429034 If I only knew then
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=434246 Best musical advice

PLAY MOTORHEAD.

I've been doing the covers gig for about 6 years now. I will share with you the two most important things that I have learned....
The most important lesson.....To be a succesful cover band, you must have a GREAT singer!!
NO great singer = poor gigs (bad money).
Number #2...Play for the women. Play Chick songs. Think Bon Jovi and Def Lep for hard rock. Madonna and Cyndi Lauper, Backstreet Boys and Nsync...don't worry, you can rock them up. I've found that they like that.
Only my 2 cents.
Good Luck brotha'!!

...also, think hard, do you want to play top-40 music, if not long term it becomes a burden for everyone...

You may be surprised. I thought that at first as well....but we learned it, played it like a rock song and sure enough. Women dancing. Believe me. Ask your girl friends what songs they want to hear. The Judas Priest (as much as I love them) type stuff will only attract drunk dudes. The cheesier (as was suggested) the better. Its easy math....
Play songs for women....
women come... (stop giggling :scowl
Guys follow..
Guys buy lots of drinks..
Owner is happy..
Owners pay money...
BAND HAPPY AND SUCCESSFUL!!!

You'll find that alot of the songs that you think you may hate, are alot more fun to play when they are for attractive women!!

Joe Murray said:

You may be surprised. I thought that at first as well....but we learned it, played it like a rock song and sure enough. Women dancing. Believe me. Ask your girl friends what songs they want to hear. The Judas Priest (as much as I love them) type stuff will only attract drunk dudes. The cheesier (as was suggested) the better. Its easy math....
Play songs for women....
women come... (stop giggling :scowl
Guys follow..
Guys buy lots of drinks..
Owner is happy..
Owners pay money...
BAND HAPPY AND SUCCESSFUL!!!

You'll find that alot of the songs that you think you may hate, are alot more fun to play when they are for attractive women!!

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I guess if you are looking for women, not that there are other ways to achieve that than playing top-40 songs.

Anyway, just want to reinstate it, kind of sounds cool playing top-40 but if you don't have your heart to it then it becomes a drag.

Personally I would not do it unless:

a) I could rearrange the tracks inside out
b) pick any cover, not the current top-40 or top-40 songs only
c) be surrounded by a group of musicians that could pull off anything and at the same time have fun.

And definitely not for picking up girls.

ksandvik said:

I
Personally I would not do it unless:

a) I could rearrange the tracks inside out
b) pick any cover, not the current top-40 or top-40 songs only
c) be surrounded by a group of musicians that could pull off anything and at the same time have fun.

And definitely not for picking up girls.

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My point is that the Money is where the women are. Didn't you see my math equation????

Joe Murray said:

My point is that the Money is where the women are. Didn't you see my math equation????

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Well, I don't think you will earn that much as a bar band, anyway. Unless you get really big locally of course.

I guess if you are Only In It For the Money, of course....