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Covers with a difference?

Peter Squire

Peter Squire

Aug 22, 2004
2,376
9
56
Adelaide, Australia
www.theantics.net
#1
Hey people.

I love this site, it rocks. One thing though, is that most of the guys who play in cover groups seem to be playing the same stuff. Same stuff, different area, I know. Thing is, my band has got a lot of gigs and made some decent money by playing anything BUT those normal tunes.

Our covers are still well-known and very danceable, and we are still directly a "cover band", but we have established ourselves by not playing those expected songs.

Is there anyone else here who makes a good living from playing "different" covers?
 
#2
we definitely do SOME covers for "shock value" - eg, "wow! i can't believe these guys are doing that song" - examples? Kung Fu Fighting, Wild Thing (the rap song), Turning Japanes, and we're learning "Get Down Tonight"

but the name of the game is playing songs people like and know around here (northern Virginia)

sad but true.

I see SO many bands that have amazing musicians that play **** that they like and get virtually no crowd reaction. What's the point?
 
#4
We do a wide range of covers. The mantra of our act is "music you grew up with" and that means covering anything from oldies rock to current material. We currently have a 5-pc all male act and it looks like we'll shortly be adding a female vocalist as well. That will give us 4 lead vocal options as well as up to 4-part hamonies. Instrumentally, one of our 2 guitarists doubles on keys with enough color to cover anything (strings, horns, synth, you name it). Back to the issue at hand: We do throw a few out there that catch the audience off guard because you don't hear them, at least not that much, and not around here (CT). Badfinger's No Matter What is an example. Nothing fancy there. Just a solid listenable tune with good harmonies and rythm. That one goes over so well, it amazes us. It's one of those we use early on in the evening but opens up the dance floor almost every time. A few like that. Beyond that, we do mostly the average stuff. Like someone else said, you gotta do the "people-pleasing" bit. Focus is on danceable rock.

Cheers
 
#5
In our trio cover band we try our best NOT to do the schlock rock crap.

Stuff we cover that does surprise the crowd:

D'yer Maker-Zep
No Excuses-AIC
Resurrection-Moist
Guerilla Radio-RATM
Cleopatra's Cat-Spin Doctors
Sultans of Swing-Dire Straits
 
#8
Ok - thanks lads for the feedback. Sounds like there are some really decent cover bands out there.

Our setlist? well, its pretty long (4 or 5 hour shows - we are proud to give the clubs owners their money's worth)

So just a sample?


Augie March - Here Comes the Night
Radiohead - High And Dry
Rush - Crossroads (bass and drum solo version)
Keane - Somewhere Only We Know
Melaine - Brand New Key (rocked up)
David Bowie - Man Who Sold The World
George Harrison - Here Comes the Sun
REM - Orange Crush
Powderfinger - This Love
Kinks - Lola
Turtles - Happy Together
Tom Petty - Freefalling

etc, etc, etc.

In my town, the most popular cover bands all play the same stuff, so we go for something just as good, but not always heard.

We get heaps of gigs, and are just on the brink of the real money!!!

Good luck to everyone elses bands, there's no reason not to play whatever you want! :)
 

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