Cover acts - whats in demand?

[jonas_24112]

For the younger crowd especially, the 90s alt stuff seems to go over well.

Here's a set list from an A-list band that I filled in with in at one of the better clubs in a hip part of town. Crowd loved the material, and there were into it all night long. Lots of 90s Alt in there. Helped that the lead vocalist was absolutely killer.

1. OLD APARTMENT (Bare Naked Ladies)
2. MY OWN WORST ENEMY (Lit)
3. MIDDLE (Jimmy Eat World)
4. TROUBLEMAKER (Weezer)
5. HEY JEALOUSY (Gin Blossoms)
6. BOYS OF SUMMER (The Ataris version)
7. SHE (Green Day)
8. SUMMER OF ’69 (Bryan Adams)
9. HARD TO HANDLE (Black Crows)
10. INSIDE OUT (Eve 6)
11. ALWYS SMTHG THR 2 RMD ME (Marvelous 3 version)
12. SANTERIA (Sublime)
13. I WANT YOU TO WANT ME (Cheap Trick)
14. SMALL THINGS (Blink 182)
15. ARE YOU GONNA BE MY GIRL? (Jett)
16. SWEET CHILD O’MINE (Guns & Roses)
17. SHIPPING UP TO BOSTON (Drop Kick Murphy’s)
18. JESSE’S GIRL (Rick Springfield)
19. BLISTER IN THE SUN (Violent Femmes)
20. JOKER (Steve Miller Band)

1. SCOTTY DOESN’T KNOW (Lustra)
2. HEY SOUL SISTER (Train…Rocked Out Version)
3. HIT ME W/ YR BEST SHOT (Pat Benetar)
4. POUR SOME SUGAR ON ME (Def Leppard)
5. BRICK HOUSE….. (The Commodores)
6. …..PLY THT FKY MSIC (Wild Cherry)
7. 99 RED BALLOONS (Gold Finger Version)
8. KRYPTONITE (3 Doors Down)
9. IF YOU WANT ME TO (Weezer)
10. FLAGPOLE SITTA (Harvey Danger)
11. SEX ON FIRE (Kings of Leon)
12. FAITH……. (George Michael…Rocked out version)
13. …...WLK LIKE AN EGYPTIAN (The Bangles)
14. SWEET HOME AL………… (Lynrd Skynrd)
15. ……WHAT I GOT (Sublime)
16. FOOT LOOSE (Kenny Logins)
17. DAMNIT (Blink 182)
18. AMERICAN GIRL (Tom Petty…Rocked w/ funky ending)
19. SHOOK ME ALL NIGHT LONG (AC/DC)

I've got 6 of that 39 on my set list. Good to know I'm on a similar track of an a-list band.

I scoured youtube for a cover version of Sweet Child o Mine whose vocals I could reproduce (I can improvise bass well, but vocals not so much) and finally found one I liked. So, I'm not allowed to listen to the Axl verion anymore and am on a strict diet of listening to this promo vid on which the guy arranged the vocals very nicely I must say: ELEVEN...The Ultimate 80's Party Band covers Sweet Child o Mine! - YouTube

 

[jaywa]

We retired "Sweet Child O Mine" the day we fired our chick singer.

It was one of the happiest days of my life.

 

[tbirddad]

Bottom line is, if you play the songs well, and really sell them, you can play anything. Never try and figure out what is in demand, because demand changes, and you don't want to get caught "behind the trend," as in practicing six months to play what was popular when you started rehearsing, but now the scene has changed.

Play what you can really play well, and enjoy playing, and you can book.

+1

I play and sub with four bands here in the Austin, TX area regularly and each band has only 3-4 songs that cross over between them - it's a big variety, from Buck Owens to Black Sabbath. That being said - the key is to play it really well, play it with originality and SELL IT! No one wants to see a band that looks like they are bored.

 

[acleex38]

I am giggling to myself seeing Wagon Wheel get this much discussion. I started playing/singing it (I don't stick to the root/fifth, although I probably should) with a friend on some side work and brought it with me back to my regular band. We have a blast playing it, but most of that is from the vocal harmonies and not just the playing.

 

[Factor88]

Never try and figure out what is in demand, because demand changes, and you don't want to get caught "behind the trend," as in practicing six months to play what was popular when you started rehearsing, but now the scene has changed.

This maybe true for a "top 40" band, but for most other situations I would disagree. When I first played for a few years in the Florida Keys back in the late 80s/early 90's there seemed to be a core group of songs that rock cover bands played. I've had the occasion to spend a bunch of time there again recently and the bands are STILL doing it, and those songs are STILL getting played by the radio stations down there.

To me, this is simple. If you and your band enjoy playing ANY variety of music, and are just loking to work as much as possible, you should start hanging out at the venues that you want to get in to, and see what is working for bands that are crushing it in those places. Then adopt some of those songs, and others in a similar vein, into your own setlist. I hightly doubt that after six months you'll emerge from the rehersal studio only to find that chicks are no longer requesting "Mustang Sally" or "Brown Eyed Girl".

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

There also seems to be a growing call around here in coffeehouses, winebars and restaurants for acoustic work. So much so that I'm thinking of putting together an acoustic only set and shopping that around.

This area is often overlooked, and the gigs can be lots of fun with good hours and nice environments. Wineries can be an excellent source of work, however it's almost guaranteed that pay will be low. Background music / esp. instrumentals for local civic events and fundraisers is always in demand. Never a lack of opportunity to play for the fun and love of it.

 

[jive1]

Fools on stools has really seen an uptick in my market. I see them everywhere nowadays. As venues have less to pay, this seems to be the response by musicians to still earn something at the end of night. There's less and less places where a band can really rock out, and get loud, so the venues are more than happy to take in an acoustic duo. Some on them aren't acoustic, per se. It can be a singer and keyboard player that uses backing tracks.

It's an easier set up in terms of PA and instruments, and the ramp up time is real quick. For someone who knows alot of material, they aren't restrained by whether or not their band knows the material. But what I've also noticed is that singing has become a more valuable commodity than before.

I've done quite a few of these kinds of gigs over the last couple of years, and they can be fun.

 

[loend68]

I'm interested to see how "Two Princes" does.

I played that in a band back when the song had just come out and Spin Doctors were huge, and it was a 100% slam-dunk at every club, every time. Not sure if that song still has its mojo 15 yrs later but I guess we'll find out.

I'm surprised at the negative responses to this. We play it every night and it's never failed to fill the floor....

 

[loend68]

For the younger crowd especially, the 90s alt stuff seems to go over well.

Here's a set list from an A-list band that I filled in with in at one of the better clubs in a hip part of town. Crowd loved the material, and there were into it all night long. Lots of 90s Alt in there. Helped that the lead vocalist was absolutely killer.

1. OLD APARTMENT (Bare Naked Ladies)
2. MY OWN WORST ENEMY (Lit)
3. MIDDLE (Jimmy Eat World)
4. TROUBLEMAKER (Weezer)
5. HEY JEALOUSY (Gin Blossoms)
6. BOYS OF SUMMER (The Ataris version)
7. SHE (Green Day)
8. SUMMER OF ’69 (Bryan Adams)
9. HARD TO HANDLE (Black Crows)
10. INSIDE OUT (Eve 6)
11. ALWYS SMTHG THR 2 RMD ME (Marvelous 3 version)
12. SANTERIA (Sublime)
13. I WANT YOU TO WANT ME (Cheap Trick)
14. SMALL THINGS (Blink 182)
15. ARE YOU GONNA BE MY GIRL? (Jett)
16. SWEET CHILD O’MINE (Guns & Roses)
17. SHIPPING UP TO BOSTON (Drop Kick Murphy’s)
18. JESSE’S GIRL (Rick Springfield)
19. BLISTER IN THE SUN (Violent Femmes)
20. JOKER (Steve Miller Band)

1. SCOTTY DOESN’T KNOW (Lustra)
2. HEY SOUL SISTER (Train…Rocked Out Version)
3. HIT ME W/ YR BEST SHOT (Pat Benetar)
4. POUR SOME SUGAR ON ME (Def Leppard)
5. BRICK HOUSE….. (The Commodores)
6. …..PLY THT FKY MSIC (Wild Cherry)
7. 99 RED BALLOONS (Gold Finger Version)
8. KRYPTONITE (3 Doors Down)
9. IF YOU WANT ME TO (Weezer)
10. FLAGPOLE SITTA (Harvey Danger)
11. SEX ON FIRE (Kings of Leon)
12. FAITH……. (George Michael…Rocked out version)
13. …...WLK LIKE AN EGYPTIAN (The Bangles)
14. SWEET HOME AL………… (Lynrd Skynrd)
15. ……WHAT I GOT (Sublime)
16. FOOT LOOSE (Kenny Logins)
17. DAMNIT (Blink 182)
18. AMERICAN GIRL (Tom Petty…Rocked w/ funky ending)
19. SHOOK ME ALL NIGHT LONG (AC/DC)

That's a very similar list to ours. It goes over very well, but I'm still looking to add some more songs to spice it up a little...

 

[CapeScrod]

Whatever ******** is popular and on the radio every 25 seconds.

 

[SBassman]

Great thread.

 

[jonas_24112]

I've got a couple of friends that are doing a live 80's Karaoke thing. They dress up like hair band member- wigs, makeup, etc.- and play 80's tunes for people to karaoke to. They're the biggest draw and highest priced in town at this point. It's all about the party, ya know.

 

[AdamR]

Give it a couple years. The cheesy 90s pop stuff will be in. It's just that the folks who dug back in the day aren't old enough to be nostalgic about it. But the stuff from the 90s that goes over very well nowadays are the stuff from the Alternative, and pop-Punk scene from that time. I've played in bands that have done stuff like Gin Blossoms, Alice In Chains, 3rd Eye Blind, Green Day, etc. and it went over VERY well.

Mid 90s stuff would have been popular with people now in there mid 30s.. The problem is Rap and Hip Hop was much more popular back then and most of us in that age group are just starting families and careers so we dont get out much, LOL

My band does a bunch of 90s stuff, it works for us because we have a good group of friends that are drunks and follow us around. LOL

 

[jive1]

Mid 90s stuff would have been popular with people now in there mid 30s.. The problem is Rap and Hip Hop was much more popular back then and most of us in that age group are just starting families and careers so we dont get out much, LOL

My band does a bunch of 90s stuff, it works for us because we have a good group of friends that are drunks and follow us around. LOL

Yes, there was a bunch of cheesy hip-hop and R&B during that time. That's why you gotta hit the Alternative scene from that time for more bar friendly music.

 

[bucephylus]

FWIW, Here's our playlist for this Friday:
SET 1
1 Black Horse & The Cherry Tree
2 Old Time Rock N Roll
3 Different Breed
4 Son Of A Preacher Man
5 Best Shot
6 Who's Crying Now
7 Chain Of Fools
8 Price Tag
9 I'm The Only One
10 Waiting On The World To Change
11 One
12 Lady Marmalade
SET 2
1 Umbrella
2 HeatWave
3 Paris (Ooh La La)
4 Black Velvet
5 Forget You
6 The Game Of Love
7 Settlin'
8 I Wish (Instrumental)
9 Nothin' Better To Do
10 Rock Steady
11 Mustang Sally
12 Heartbreaker
SET 3
1 Get The Party Started
2 Brass In Pocket
3 The Letter
4 Stuck Like Glue
5 Man! I Feel Like A Woman!
6 Evil Ways (Instrumental)
7 Piece Of My Heart
8 You Can Leave Your Hat On
9 Mercy
10 Crazy (Barkley Version)
11 Beat It
SET 4
1 Ladies Night
2 Just Dance
3 Comin' Home Baby OR Green Onions (Instrumental)
4 You're No Good
5 Hella Good
6 Sweet Home Alabama
7 Criminal
8 Hot And Cold
9 Gunpowder & Lead

 

[lowfreq33]

In my experience most places want variety. For example, a country bar I played in often in Wisconsin would book my country band, and all the late night patrons wanted to hear was rock. We got booked back a lot because we were able to accommodate the crowd when the shift occurred. Likewise if a college crowd came in we could shift into dance pop mode, or 90's alternative, whatever they were into. The important thing is to not run off large crowds of people just because they didn't notice all the wagon wheels in the place when they walked in.

 

[southgabass]

This is one of our lists that goes over well... =D... we also had a guest come up and do "wagon wheel" with us this past show and it went over splendidly.... took the ol... G, D, Em, C (verse) G, D, C (chorus) route....

SET 1
1. Dani California - RHCP
2. Fly - Sugar Ray
3. Mr. Brightside - the Killers
4. All the Small things - Blink 182
5. Sex & Candy - Marcy Playground
6. Shake It - Metro Station
7. Harder to Breathe - Maroon 5
8. Hard to Handle - The Black Crowes
9. Cumbersome - Seven Mary Three
11. Give Me One Reason - Tracy Chapman
12. Jenny (867-5309) - Tommy Tutone
13. Summer of ‘69 - Brian Adams
14. Foxey Lady - Jimi Hendrix
15. Last Dance With Mary Jane - Tom Petty
16. Ain’t No Sunshine - Bill Withers

Set 2
1. Fresh/Funky - Will Smith/Wild Cherry
2. 6-in-a-row (bad touch,hot n cold, kesha, taylorswift, bad case of loving you, sharp dressed man)
3. Don’t Stop Believing - Journey
4. Hit Me with Your Best Shot - Pat Benetar
5. Living on a Prayer - Bon Jovi
6. You Give Love a Bad Name - Bon Jovi
7. Rolling in the Deep - Adele
7. I Love Rock ‘N Roll - Joan Jett
8. Pour Some Sugar on Me - Def Leppard
9. Welcome to the Jungle/Sweet Child ‘O Mine - GNR
10. Sweet Home Alabama - Lynrd Skynrd
11. Simple Man - Lynrd Skynrd

Set 3
1. Killing in the Name - Rage Against the Machine
2. Bad Girlfriend - Theory of a Deadman
3. Hemorrhage - Fuel
4. Give It Away - RHCP
5. She Hates Me - Puddle of Mudd
6. Are You Gonna Be My Girl - Jet
7. I Believe in a Thing Called Love - the Darkness
8. I Want You to Want Me - Cheap Trick
9. Santeria - Sublime
10. What I Got - Sublime
11. Say It Ain’t So - Weezer
12. Zombie - the Cranberries
13. Enter Sandman - Metallica

Extras:
Take It Off - the Donnas
Sweet Emotion - Aerosmith
Sex on Fire - Kings of Leon
Girl You Really Got Me - the Kinks/Van Halen
Faith - George Michaels/ Limp Bizkit
I'm Just a Girl - No Doubt

 

[AdamR]

Heres what we are playing

Set 1
1. Doesn't remind me
2. Cracker - Low
3. Georgia Satellites - Keep Your Hands to Yourself
4. Lynyrd Skynyrd - 3 steps
5. Billy Joel - You May Be Right
6. Tom Petty - American Girl
7. Sublime - Santeria
8. Sponge - Plowed
9. Green Day - Holiday
10. Pearl Jam - Black

Break - Acoustic Set

Set 2
1. Cindy Lauper - Time After Time
2. Weezer- Say it aint so
3. Kings Of Leon - Sex on Fire
4. The Refreshments - Banditos
5. Smashing Pumpkins - Cherub Rock
6. Silverchair - Tomorrow
7. Billy Idol - Rebel Yell
8. Puddle of Mudd - She Hates me
9. Johnny Cash - Folsom
10 Black Sabbath - Sweet Leaf

Set 3
1. Velvet Revolver - Slither
2. System of a down - Aerials
3. Metallica - For whom the bell tolls
4. Bad company - Feel Like Making Love




Extra
The toadies - Possum Kingdom
Amy Winehouse - Rehab
Cake- I will survive
Foo Fighters - Hero
The Who - Squeeze Box
Rolling Stone - Paint it Black

 

[jaywa]

In my experience most places want variety. For example, a country bar I played in often in Wisconsin would book my country band, and all the late night patrons wanted to hear was rock. We got booked back a lot because we were able to accommodate the crowd when the shift occurred. Likewise if a college crowd came in we could shift into dance pop mode, or 90's alternative, whatever they were into. The important thing is to not run off large crowds of people just because they didn't notice all the wagon wheels in the place when they walked in.

We had this exact experience a few weekends ago. 2-night gig at a local club we were playing for the first time and which is not known for having what I would consider to be "our crowd". We started out with our usual show (which is pretty country oriented), and after 3 or 4 songs it was clear that particular crowd was NOT diggin it. So we switched into our 80s pop/rock mode and bingo, dance floor starts hoppin. By the end of the 1st set we had people coming into the place (and staying) and by the middle of the 2nd set people had drunk enough that they were much more receptive to our country stuff.

IME it is absolutely critical that unless you are marketing yourselves as a tribute or genre specific band, you have several genres represented in your reportiore... and that you not be so married to a setlist that you can't go "off script" and adapt your show to the flow as needed.

 

[Fishheadjoe]

Current set list... I am trying to convince the rest of the guys that we need to keep learning songs, but life seems to be getting in the way of our plans!
Set List
1-1A-Love Her Madly (Doors) [Am]
1-2A-Brown Eyed Girl (Van Morrison) [G]
1-3A-Hurts So Good (John Cougar) [A]
1-4A-Centerfield (John Fogerty) [G]
1-5B-Interstate Love Song (STP) [C#m]
1-6C-Runnin' Down A Dream (Petty) [E]
1-7C-Jenny Jenny (Tommy Tutone) [F#]
1-8C-Tush (ZZ Top) [A]
1-9C-You May Be Right (Billy Joel) [A]
1-10D-No Matter What (Bad Finger) [A]
1-11E-Stuck In The Middle (Stealers Wheel) [D]
1-12E-Brown Sugar (The Rolling Stones) [C]

2-1A-Rebel Yell (Billy Idol)
2-2A-Somebody Told Me (Killers) [Bbm]
2-3A-Learn To Fly (Foo Fighters)
2-4B-Last Night (The Strokes) [C]
2-5B-Squeeze Box (The Who) [G]
2-6B-Don't Walk Away Eileen (Sam Roberts) [C]
2-7C-Blister in the Sun (Violent Femmes) [G]
2-8D-Bounce (Danko Jones) [C#]
2-9D-Fly Away (Lenny Kravitz) [A]
2-10E-Pride and Joy (Stevie Ray Vaughan) [E]
2-11E-Born To Be Wild (Steppenwolf) [Em]
2-12E-Rockin' In The Free World (Neil Young) [Em]

3-1A-Take Me Out (Franz Ferdinand) [Em]
3-2A-Low Life (Theory of a Dead Man) [A]
3-3A-You Really Got Me (Van Halen) [G]
3-4A-Mr. Brightside (The Killers) [D]
3-5B-Mr. Brownstone (GnR) [E]
3-6C-Blow At High Dough (TTH)
3-7C-Basket Case (Green Day) [E]
3-8D-I Wanna Be Sedated (Ramones) [E]
3-9D-Bad Case Of Loving You (Palmer) [E]
3-10D-Hard To Explain (The Strokes) [G]
3-11E-I Want You To Want Me (Cheap Trick) [A]
3-12E-Tie Your Mother Down (Queen) [A]
Fishheadjoe