• 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 freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Cover Trio List Material

Standard bar fare... I know the drummer (elctronic plays VDrums).. between us we can tight groove just about anything.

Thinking stuff (don't care if I like it or not) - John Meyer "Waiting for the World to Change"

Chick dance tunes, guy sing along.. I could see this going to casinos and weddings/parties with a keyboard player.

Tim
 
I think with a trio, especially one where everyone sings, the drummer uses an electronic kit, and the band is willing to use tracks, then you can pretty much pull off whatever you want.

I'd suggest going to the DJ intelligence top 200 requested songs of last year, and pick out the ones you like to play.
 
Jive thanks.. you'd suggested this (thanks) a few weeks back.

We're going to down scale it to 3 and then only add folks if absolutely necessary.

I have a bunch to learn about Ableton - have a key guy who's willing to sit in with us and lay down the tracks.. and sit in when his schedule allows..

Tracking - may be a cool gig for the keyboard guy as we're going to give him a cut for his assistance (he plays keys and does stellar vocal arranging).

Tim
 
Pick up an Unibass. I've found with this there aren't many popular rock songs from the last 10 I couldn't do. Also, Peavey and Line 6 have guitar amps with loopers and octavers built in. But here's a few

Basket Case - Green Day
7 Nation Army - white Stripes
Steady As She Goes - Rancours
Self Esteem - Offspring

Phalex is in a 3 piece that does very well. Here is his website.

Link Removed
 
If you have a good guitarist you can pull off a lot of Top 40 Country as well (Urban, Paisley, Jason Aldean, Montgomery Gentry, Chesney, etc.) A lot of Casinos in this neck of the woods seem to go for that according to my students.
+1 on Police and ZZ Top. Don't forget you can also do Stevie Ray Vaughn and even some Stax R and B with a trio if the players are solid and you've got good singers.
The Boomer Crowd seems to really like Motown-good thing to know if you're aiming for Weddings and Casinos.
 
The Police....lots of classics in there with tons of groove, great vocals and people know the stuff.

Mmm, yes and no. Police stuff is really hard to do without keys, synths, or at the bare minimum samples. Plus their style of play, even in the old days, was so unique that unless everyone is on board to really try to cope the groove it just won't sound that good.

IMHO, electric kits are a must in trio settings because the drummer can set off samples and he can also 'change' the kit to better suit whatever song you're doing. I'd also suggest picking up a few pedals like an overdrive, chorus, and maybe even an octave just to give the songs some more oomph whenever the guitarist is soloing.

Some bands to look at:

ZZ Top
The Police
Muse
John Mayer Trio
Led Zeppelin
The Who
Alice in Chains
Audioslave
Black Sabbath
Cream
Stone Temple Pilots
Bill Evans Trio
etc...

Some are better than others, but hopefully these bands will give you and idea on how to play to your strengths and compensate for your weaknesses. Also note that not all of these bands are straight trios, but rather have trio style instrumentation + a singer. And also, harmonizing vocals = win.
 
Thanks..

We're designing it from the ground up.. all will be IEM and direct - guitar and bass runing pods, zoom etc..

The young drummer will be the one triggering and quantizing any tracks etc.

Thanks for the suggestion list - it will sound funny I have 25,000 tunes on my hard drive.. really haven't heard much of the staple cover stuff
 
Thanks..

We're designing it from the ground up.. all will be IEM and direct - guitar and bass runing pods, zoom etc..

The young drummer will be the one triggering and quantizing any tracks etc.

We have been running exactly like this for years. I dont think being in a trio limits your song selection as much as you think it would. Just pick the right songs without worrying about it, then figure out how you can pull them off. I think if you start with the mindset that you need good trio songs you will end up with a weak set list
 
I haven't read this whole thread, but used to play in a Hendrix/SRV tribute band which was 3 piece. So, of course I am recommending anything from their catalog. Voodoo Child was one that always went over big and you could just jam on it too. The Tommy Shannon inspired bass lines for the SRV stuff was fun as a bassist too. (but challenging to do spot on, for me at least)
 
Thanks.. we're all tenured..

It's a bit different territory for me.. I either play in bands where I hit the one dead on (and then stay out of their way) .. OR 7 string in a duo.. where I'm filling behind.

Kind of looking like

"we tried it and it worked"

"Tried it and flushed that one"
 
I cherry picked a bunch of stuff we do. These all go over really well.

Are you gonna be my girl - Jet

Bad Girlfriend - Theory of a Deadman

Blister in the Sun -The Violent Femmes

Crazy Bitch - Buck Cherry

Fall to Pieces-Velvet Revolver

Fly Me Courageous-Drivin' & Cryin'

Folsom Prison - Johnny Cash

Hard to Handle -The Black Crowes

I hate everything about you - Ugly Kid Joe

I want you to want me - Cheap Trick

Life is Beautiful-Sixx A.M.

Machine Head - Bush

Man in the Box -Alice in Chains

Paralized - Finger Eleven

Second Chance-Shinedown

Sex Is On Fire-Kings of Leon

Sex Type Thing - STP

So Hott - Kid Rock

Talk Dirty To Me -Poison

Word Up - Cameo/Korn/Gun/ITR

You And Me - Lifehouse