• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

80s coverband suggestions?

#23
Definitely some earlier Simple Minds (take your pick off New Gold Dream, Sons And Fascination, Sparkle In The Rain). Actually, Tears For Fears' "Everybody Wants To Rule The World" was inspired by Simple Minds' "Waterfront" so a mix of those two would be kind of cool. :)

Thomas Dolby's "Hyperactive"
Propaganda's "Duel"/"Jewel"
Anything off Grace Jones' "Nightclubbing" or "Warm Leatherette" albums (I love her version of "Private Life")
Big Audio Dynamite's "E=Mc2"
Scritti Politti's "A Perfect Way"
ABC's "Poison Arrow" or "The Look Of Love"
General Public's "Tenderness"
Anything by Talk Talk
OMD's "So In Love"
 
#26
BayStateBass said:
Not sure if anyone mentioned it, but I personally would want to hear Talking Heads, especially "Take Me To The River".




I know most will remember these songs, but I posted Youtube links for the younger folks who might not be familiar with these tunes. They were popular and cool at the time.
Click to expand...


Nice! Ive got a few Talking Heads songs in there, as well as Thompson Twins' "Hold Me Now". Major Tom will definitely make the list as well.
 
#28
Troph said:
Duran Duran's "Rio". I rarely hear a cover of it because no keyboard player seems to want to work out the programmed synth arpeggiation with the drummer.

Regardless, that John Taylor bass line is fantastic and really fun to play.
Click to expand...

Yeah, we do Hungry Like The Wolf but I am pushing hard for Rio.

Also to the OP, are you wanting 80s new wave songs that a general bar crowd would know/singalong/dance if appropriate/ to? Or are you going for esoteric songs only hardcore fans of that era would know/appreciate?

If its the former, then alot of whats been mentioned wont apply IMHO.
 
#30
Hmm, I have no idea about new wave but here's two my band does that always go over well:

Toto - Africa
Nik Kershaw - Wouldn't it be good

On africa we start with handing out shakers to people in the audience and start with a little groove to get them started and when the signature riff kicks in and the song is on its way you know it's magic. Floors people every time...

If I were doing an 80s gig I'd consider Easy Lover by Phil Collins as well. Loads of fun to play, and with a little sound tinkering would fit a new wave set IMO.
 
#35
Loads of great suggestions here Matticus...and you know how trendy it is to go all retro these days, so if you're any good, you'll definitely get bookings.

I'd like to throw in Echo and the Bunnymen. 'Killing Moon', 'Crocodiles', 'Bedbugs and Ballyhoo', 'Seven Seas', 'The Cutter', 'Rescue'...man, they were a great band.

Oh, I was in a band once that covered Adam And The Ants 'Prince Charming'. Check out the video...it's possibly one of the most...er...'homoerotic' videos ever ;)

Invalid Link Removed
 
#37
jgroh said:
Yeah, we do Hungry Like The Wolf but I am pushing hard for Rio.

Also to the OP, are you wanting 80s new wave songs that a general bar crowd would know/singalong/dance if appropriate/ to? Or are you going for esoteric songs only hardcore fans of that era would know/appreciate?

If its the former, then alot of whats been mentioned wont apply IMHO.
Click to expand...

More of the former, songs that people know and would dance to.
Im not sure why you say that a lot of whats been mentioned won't apply, though. Ive heard plenty of these songs played in 80s dance clubs.

Tituscrow said:
Loads of great suggestions here Matticus...and you know how trendy it is to go all retro these days, so if you're any good, you'll definitely get bookings.
Click to expand...

Most definitely!

I'd like to throw in Echo and the Bunnymen. 'Killing Moon'
Click to expand...

That was the first one I started learning. Its quite an easy bassline, but fun to play!
 
#38
I was a teen in the 80's. Still love that stuff.
How about:

Tainted Love - Soft Cell
Six Months in a Leaky Boat - Split Enz
Pale Shelter / Change - Tears for Fears
West End Girls - Pet Shop Boys
I Melt With You - Modern English
Der Kommisar - Falco
Mirror in the Bathroom - English Beat
Cars - Gary Numan

I know plenty more, too. PM me if you want me to go on.
If you are going to do Devo, my recommendation is Gut Feeling and Whip It.

Possibility of a chick singer?

Walk like an Egyptian - the Bangles
Sweet Dreams - Eurythmics
Walkin' in LA / Words - Missing Persons
We Got the Beat - Go Go's
99 Luft Ballons - Nena
Voices Carry - Til Tuesday
What I Am - Edie Brickell and New Bohemians
 
#40
Awesome, this was my era:

Not much of a fan of the pop stuff from back then. Here's a few suggestions,

Killing Joke-Eighties
Killing Joke-Reqium
Telivision-Marque Moon (pretty long tune though!)
4 Non-Blondes Whats Up (is always a hit)
Iggy Pop-Lust for Life
Love and Rockets-Ball of Confusion (cover a cover!)
Bauhaus-Kick in the Eye
Work out a full band version of Billy Bragg-A New England
Lords of the New Church-Dance with Me
Shreikback-My spine is the Bassline
Sisters of Mercy-Lucretia
The Cramps-Surfin Bird or Bikini Girls with Machine Guns


And a pop song for the ladies to dance to-Bow Wow Wow-I Want Candy
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back