Classic Rock "dead"?

[jive1]

I don't get the hate for brown eyed girl. It's a fun song, the crowd loves it, and it has a bass solo.

I liked it when I first started playing it in college, now that I've played it literally about 1000 times since then, it's lost that magic for me. Sure the song works, but it's kind of like shooting layups when the the competition is 2 feet shorter than you. There's no challenge in it, which after a while becomes boredom. Sure, I'll play it, and I'll do it with a big smile on my face like it's my favorite song, especially when the sha-la-la part comes on. But that doesn't mean that there's literally 1000s of songs that hold more interest for me.

The other thing that disappoints me about that song is that it's so %*%! predictable. In three different major cities, over 3 different decades, playing in bands of different genres, I can safely say that about 2/3rd of requests are for Brown Nosed Girl, Musty Sally, and Sweet Drone Alabama. As a music lover, it saddens me that out of the 1000s great songs out there, the majority of the listening public wants to hear these three songs.

Now I know I'm an entertainer and I have a job to do. It's not my job to subject others to my tastes or educate them. But, I still have my tastes and preferences. I'll never say how much I hate BEG at a gig, but that's what these forums are for I guess.....

 

[ChrisB2]

What dancing cougar want dancing cougar get...

 

[Mystic Michael]

We play Wild Night as well. 'Cause people like that one too.

Nice tune. But how do you arrange the horn blasts? And what about the saxophone solo?

Please don't tell me you just have the keyboard player play the horn blasts. Or that you have your guitarist cover the sax solo.

Certain songs simply MUST have the original instrumentation in order to do any kind of justice to them - else they shouldn't be played at all. Wild Night is one of them...

MM

 

[plankspanker13]

In some ways, the decreasing demand for Classic Rock acts may be due to the fact that so many bands play the same songs. It turns the music and the band into a commodity. Who cares about seeing your band doing "Don't Stop Believing" when they can see a band closer to home doing the same thing. Maybe, they'll just wait till next week to check out the band across the street play at the bar with the cheaper beer play that tune. That may be the reason why the tribute acts are doing better on the payscale. They aren't as easily replaceable and they do deeper cuts for folks who really appreciate that artist or style.

It may require a little more practice or homework by the band to do those "deep cuts" of tunes that might be a little harder to execute or only made double platinum instead of triple platinum. And I think this is what would keep this genre alive. There's so many great Rock tunes from that era that bands don't touch that could provide some fresh material to cover and interpret instead of the same 40 songs that every band plays. You just have to be willing to learn them and be willing to take a risk.

THIS, and this:

My personal opinion is that you need to target the 20-40 year old female market. Bring the women, the men will follow. I'm ready to learn "Stacey's Mom"!!

 

[tgriley62]

There is hope. My 11 yr old granddaughters favorites are Def Leppard & the Scorpions. And yes she is learning on a short scale SX Pbass

 

[Mystic Michael]

Now I know I'm an entertainer and I have a job to do. It's not my job to subject others to my tastes or educate them.

I kind of feel that it IS my job to help guide and educate the tastes of the audience. Realistically, there's a certain dynamic tension there - between the same ol', same ol' that the audience has come to expect (mostly because they don't know anything else)...and new & different material that musicians can & should introduce from time to time, that the audience would probably love - if they were ever exposed to it as much as they're exposed to the same ol', same ol'.

MM

 

[ckdhaven]

Classic Rock isn't dead, it just goes to bed at a more reasonable hour.

THIS IS A GREAT POINT!!

Our classic rock band does much better with earlier starts. The clientel would prerfer to be home before midnight. If you're in a classic rock band, talk to the venue about an earlier starting time than 9PM... That's designed for the younger generation (IMO) We pull twice the crowd starting at 7:30 or 8 than we do starting at 9...

Sorry.. A little off topic...

 

[tuBass]

We play 8:30 to 12:30, but would rather play 8 until midnight. We lose a lot of dancers before the third set

 

[ChrisB2]

Certain songs simply MUST have the original instrumentation in order to do any kind of justice to them - else they shouldn't be played at all. Wild Night is one of them...

I don't know... I'm kinda partial to the John Mellencamp/Meshell Ndegeocello version, much better than the original IMO. Used to play that version in a previous band, fun to play and the bass is much more prominent. Plus no pesky horns to worry about!!

 

[MNAirHead]

OVERALL I'd say it's dying... Classic country is still strongish... I've noticed unique covers... theme covers and adult contemporary (low volume low space) groups are in more demand.

the days of hacking through a bad BTO song are gone... with better TVs, Internet etc, it raises the bar

If your band sux... so do your bookings....

 

[jive1]

THIS IS A GREAT POINT!!

Our classic rock band does much better with earlier starts. The clientel would prerfer to be home before midnight. If you're in a classic rock band, talk to the venue about an earlier starting time than 9PM... That's designed for the younger generation (IMO) We pull twice the crowd starting at 7:30 or 8 than we do starting at 9...

Sorry.. A little off topic...

Here's something from another thread I posted about this topic.

I think there needs to be a shift, or at least an alternative. In some parts of the country, and for some age groups, staying out late isn't a ready option. But, by staying in the 9-1/10-2 world, we're eliminating an audience for live music that may actually spend at the bar. I sure know I have more disposable income at 40 than at 21. I wish I could say that about disposable time....but I digress.

The problem is that bar owners want to fill that 9-1/10-2 time slot so that the place isn't empty. But, with an earlier start time that keeps the dinner crowd you may be able to get the same revenue while reducing your overhead. If I sell 100 more beers from 8-11 to the 50 people already there, vs 75 from 9-1 from the 30 people that the band drew, you can make more money while being able to close early. Closing early will save you on staffing, utility, and other costs. Who cares what time the money is made, it's more important that you make it.

 

[mellowinman]

Nice tune. But how do you arrange the horn blasts? And what about the saxophone solo?

Please don't tell me you just have the keyboard player play the horn blasts. Or that you have your guitarist cover the sax solo.

Certain songs simply MUST have the original instrumentation in order to do any kind of justice to them - else they shouldn't be played at all. Wild Night is one of them...

MM

Don't tell John Mellencamp.

 

[klokker]

Nice tune. But how do you arrange the horn blasts? And what about the saxophone solo?

Please don't tell me you just have the keyboard player play the horn blasts. Or that you have your guitarist cover the sax solo.

Certain songs simply MUST have the original instrumentation in order to do any kind of justice to them - else they shouldn't be played at all. Wild Night is one of them...

MM

We have keys, guitar, bass, drums that's it. We have the guitar player cover the sax solo, as I recall. We have a pretty big set list and don't play it all the time. I can't remember what we do exactly.

I couldn't agree more that the horn section is signature for the piece. But sorry.....I think we'll ignore your advice and keep playing it. Like I said, people like it.

 

[Stranger Danger]

I kind of feel that it IS my job to help guide and educate the tastes of the audience. Realistically, there's a certain dynamic tension there - between the same ol', same ol' that the audience has come to expect (mostly because they don't know anything else)...and new & different material that musicians can & should introduce from time to time, that the audience would probably love - if they were ever exposed to it as much as they're exposed to the same ol', same ol'.

MM

My thoughts exactly. I realize that I'm a music nerd but I feel like part of my job on stage is to expose the audience to new music. Maybe it's an original song or an obscure cover. It's all about art not mindless entertainment. We have enough avenues for that in 2012 America.

 

[klokker]

My thoughts exactly. I realize that I'm a music nerd but I feel like part of my job on stage is to expose the audience to new music. Maybe it's an original song or an obscure cover. It's all about art not mindless entertainment. We have enough avenues for that in 2012 America.

I get it, but this is a classic rock thread. We want to do the stuff from the past, (the way we can) that's the whole point. Mindless entertainment is a bit harsh I think.

For us its all about getting people out on the dance floor (the bar scene) and playing what we think people want to hear. Most of the time its what we want to hear as well, so its win/win.

We're always coming up with new songs. But of course they aren't new.....just ones we've never played before. So far its working out for us pretty well.

 

[jive1]

Paging Ric Stave....

I know of one TBer who has a band whose entire repertoire the lesser played hits, one-hit wonders, prog rock hits, etc. I'm curious to see his take on this, and the reaction he gets for his band.

 

[Stranger Danger]

I get it, but this is a classic rock thread. We want to do the stuff from the past, (the way we can) that's the whole point. Mindless entertainment is a bit harsh I think.

For us its all about getting people out on the dance floor (the bar scene) and playing what we think people want to hear. Most of the time its what we want to hear as well, so its win/win.

We're always coming up with new songs. But of course they aren't new.....just ones we've never played before. So far its working out for us pretty well.

To each his own but playing Mustang Sally and BEG and Alabammer is appealing to the lowest common denominator and it's not for me. It's screams of "hack" sports bar crap. I believe music is art. Art should be about expanding peoples minds and horizons. If you're playing in a covers only classic rock band there is a wealth of stuff out there that is great material that isn't being played and should be. It doesn't have to be something that nobody knows but maybe something they haven't heard every five minutes. This is the way to stand out amongst the bazillion weekend warrior classic rock cover bands IMO.

 

[tuBass]

we play what people like. It's not my job to educate them, it's my job to make sure they have a good time.

I hear bands that play obscure songs, and I see the crowd bored to freaking death. Bands like that give good bands a bad reputation.

we started playing at a club back in March. the very first night we played there, the owner and waitstaff proclaimed us the best band they have ever had. We got regular bookings, and got offered the new years eve gig at triple our usual asking price.

now, I KNOW there is at least one other band that plays there that plays rings around us, in every way. So why are the favorite? because we pick music we know the audience will LOVE. we have a saying that if the crowd isn't singing or dancing to every song, we drop that song and find one that gets that response.

we are entertainers FIRST, and I resent that you make that seem like an insult.

 

[plankspanker13]

To each his own but playing Mustang Sally and BEG and Alabammer is appealing to the lowest common denominator and it's not for me. It's screams of "hack" sports bar crap. I believe music is art. Art should be about expanding peoples minds and horizons. If you're playing in a covers only classic rock band there is a wealth of stuff out there that is great material that isn't being played and should be. It doesn't have to be something that nobody knows but maybe something they haven't heard every five minutes. This is the way to stand out amongst the bazillion weekend warrior classic rock cover bands IMO.

Amen to this. It's all about what the market will bear, and what the talent pool available is. Classic rock bands that take the repertoire roads less-traveled, in a tight fashion, should do well for a long time to come. Such bands are still the exception, not the rule, and tend to become known, in their market area.

 

[Stranger Danger]

we play what people like. It's not my job to educate them, it's my job to make sure they have a good time.

I hear bands that play obscure songs, and I see the crowd bored to freaking death. Bands like that give good bands a bad reputation.

we started playing at a club back in March. the very first night we played there, the owner and waitstaff proclaimed us the best band they have ever had. We got regular bookings, and got offered the new years eve gig at triple our usual asking price.

now, I KNOW there is at least one other band that plays there that plays rings around us, in every way. So why are the favorite? because we pick music we know the audience will LOVE. we have a saying that if the crowd isn't singing or dancing to every song, we drop that song and find one that gets that response.

we are entertainers FIRST, and I resent that you make that seem like an insult.

It's not an insult. I was telling my POV on the subject. It doesn't matter to me what you play, it matters to me what I play. I never wanted to be in a wedding band and I never will be. That's my choice. And you have a right to make your own choices too. Personally I would never play anything that I didn't like to make people happy but if I depended on my bass to put food on the table that would probably have to change. But it isn't that way for me. Music isnt work for me, it is my art and that's the way I'm going to look at it.