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How much input do you have on set list??

RonSound

RonSound

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Dec 24, 2008
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www.ronsound.com
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owner: RonSound effects and repairs
#1
Just found out last week I was let go from my band. The band does a lot of fairly recent stuff and a bit of classic rock, nearly all of which is decided by the singer and, to a lesser extent, the guitarist. From the start I've had no say in the songs we play or even in the name of the band. In the end, the singer got tired of me being unhappy with playing the same songs every other local band is playing and decided it was better to cut me loose than compromise.
It seems like I have this problem in just about every band, like the other band members have no idea that anything exists outside of what they hear on the radio or being played by other bands.
How much input do any of you have in what your band plays?
 
#2
We operate as a democracy, but each member has veto power on songs. We aim to add 4 new songs a week, with each person recommending 1 each. Anyone can veto any song, but if everyone else wants to do it, we will try to convince the vetoer. If they still don't want to do it, we don't do it.
 
#3
We're an original act, so set lists are handled a bit differently than they are in cover bands. That said, I'm typically the one in charge of writing out the set list each gig. I'll then pass my draft on to the guys and they will make a tweak here or there, but it more or less stays the same once I write it out.
 
#4
HailCorduroy said:
We operate as a democracy, but each member has veto power on songs. We aim to add 4 new songs a week, with each person recommending 1 each. Anyone can veto any song, but if everyone else wants to do it, we will try to convince the vetoer. If they still don't want to do it, we don't do it.
Click to expand...

Must be nice to have such considerate people to play with.
 
#5
I am lucky enough to have a pretty large input. Usually just a veto, but sometimes I'll try a song and one of the singer/guitarists knows it, he'll humor me and play it. I don't sing lead, and I realize it is asking a lot to force someone else to sing a song they don't want or like to sing! So I accept that too.

I think you'll find a group to play with that will more aligned with your tastes and that will be a wonderful experience. They're dying to meet you!
 
#6
HailCorduroy said:
We operate as a democracy, but each member has veto power on songs. We aim to add 4 new songs a week, with each person recommending 1 each. Anyone can veto any song, but if everyone else wants to do it, we will try to convince the vetoer. If they still don't want to do it, we don't do it.
Click to expand...

X2

Were a three peice, and all have different tastes in music. We grew up listening to different things, and accept/ reject things based on different criteria.
That being said....if its a good song FOR THE BAND then we should at least TRY to pull it off.
Example..........none of us wanted to play 'sweet home alabama' in anyway. But then it came requested on a $20 bill, and we played the hell out of those three chords. Still not in the 'set list' but we rehearsed it once to make sure were all on the same page if it happens again.

Democracy.........its how a band WORKS.
 
#8
We all try to bring something to the table songwise, but it is a democratic process for picking them, if there is resistance to a song by a majority then it is nixed, ultimately we end up having to let the singer decide if it really fits his range or not, however he is ready and willing to try most anything.
 
#9
Depending on the gig, we either do originals or a mix of covers and originals. We have put the singer in charge of the set list, but any of the rest of us can offer suggestions for changes. Suggestions for new songs are never a problem, either. Some things get shot down, but everyone is pretty open-minded and democratic.
 
#10
HolmeBass said:
I don't sing lead, and I realize it is asking a lot to force someone else to sing a song they don't want or like to sing! So I accept that too.
Click to expand...

This is the main issue. In the rock cover band context, lead vocals, and to a slightly less degree, lead guitar, are paramount. So to ask them to play songs they don't feel is much more detrimental to the overall product than asking a bass player to play songs he/she does not feel.

I'm slightly prejudiced because I've always been a lead vocalist as well as a bassist. I hate being asked to sing songs I just can't get into. I'll play them, fine, but the singing is a different matter.
 
#11
I've been working with my current band 3 to 5 nights per week for the last year. I'm fortunate that we all have the same musical tastes, so material isn't usually an issue. As our lead player does most of the vocals, most of the time it comes down to material he can do, or wants to do. But again, we wouldn't regularly do a song that someone didn't like.
All of us have been around the block a few times, and can probably do a decent job of a lot of songs thrown at us. I had to laugh at the $20 tip story as that happens all the time. A while ago someone wanted to hear Purple Haze, offered $20. Guitar player said no. Guy put $40 in the tip jar, and Purple Haze was played. Perfect, no, but pretty darn good considering this band has never played it together! We work a lot, and get along great. I am truly blessed.
 
#12
The EH Man said:
Just found out last week I was let go from my band. The band does a lot of fairly recent stuff and a bit of classic rock, nearly all of which is decided by the singer and, to a lesser extent, the guitarist. From the start I've had no say in the songs we play or even in the name of the band. In the end, the singer got tired of me being unhappy with playing the same songs every other local band is playing and decided it was better to cut me loose than compromise.
It seems like I have this problem in just about every band, like the other band members have no idea that anything exists outside of what they hear on the radio or being played by other bands.
How much input do any of you have in what your band plays?
Click to expand...
I had the opposite problem with my last band leader. I looked at the top 200 list for cover songs and we didn't have a single song on the list. Not one.

Small wonder that people got bored and people left the dance floor, we were playing songs that only a few people liked when they were new so why would anyone like them 20 years later.

Being different as a cover band is usually not a formula for success unless you have a stage act that goes with it. Look into an originals outfit if you are tired of playing the same songs as everyone else. The trade off is that it's hard to find a crowd to listen to you play.
 
#13
The EH Man said:
Must be nice to have such considerate people to play with.
Click to expand...

Yep, it's nice to play with grown-ups. My job is stressful enough, I aim to keep my hobby as stress free as possible. We're in it to have fun and make enough money to pay for the gear we've invested in. If it were a more serious money making thing, I could see having a leader who could override vetoes for the good of the band.

I just figure that if I really dislike a song, I'm not going to work hard learning it and my heart isn't going to be in, therefore it won't sound as good as another one we all want to do. My criteria is I have to be able to listen to a song enough times that I can learn it well. Black Betty and any song by BTO do not fit those criteria, so I made sure that was known at our first practice.
 
#14
What's a set list?



Just Kidding...We typically don't go by a set list...we have a list of songs and at club gigs, we just call them as we go...For Concert gig or festival gigs, we will do a set list, and I usually set with the singer and Guitarist and go over the songs we'll play...They listen to me and make changes I suggest if we all agree...so I would say I have some input.
 
#15
There are 6 of us, and it's a Democracy. We do blues/rock covers, and we are all pretty much on the sme page as far as what would work for us and what wouldn't. We tryin to pick songs that have parts for all instruments including keyboards, and that can be sung by a female 80% of the time.

We usually do it via e-mail, with links to versions (usually live). Some can get immediately rejected for any number of reasons, others by it not being in the right range for the singer (keys can be changed).

After a bunch are in there, the BL will narrow it down to 10, in an order, then we'll try and add 2 each rehearsal. All of us are pretty adventurous and are always up for expanding our musical horizons, so it hasn't come down to vetoes, yet.

At the end of the day, the most influence is held by the lead singer and band leader, in that order. But they do not bully anyone or put their own requests above anyone else's. It works really well.
 
#17
Since I am a bass player who sings...and my wife is the keyboard/lead singer (and I own all the equipment)....I determine the set lists. We play classic rock/motown and vary what we play from time to time (depending on where we play). That's not to say the other guys have NO say at all...but we have to play what is able to be sung on any given night.
 
#18
I'm in 2 bands, both are democracies and any band member can suggest or veto songs if they choose.

In reality, I choose about 80% of the songs for both bands...but that's just because I take the initiative and am always suggesting songs whenever we're ready to add. I also know enough to choose songs that band members will probably like, can play, and that suit the band (especially the singer).
 
#19
As the BL in the new band, pick what you like and enjoy, so long as it’s…

* A popular cover, ranging from oldies to recent.
* Dance (minimum tempo for fast, max for slow)
* Not Country (keeps ya out of the better rooms in this area).

Beyond that, I don’t say much, as we’re all good buddies, and it’s important to me that they have a good time.

I’m not saying I have this 100%, or that there wasn’t any resistance here and there, but we’re all on the same page now, and things are going pretty smoothly.

:)
 
#20
How it went down in one covers band I was in:

The singer had to be able to cop it. The glam rockier it was the better for the guitarist. If I could play it we played it and the drummer would do his best which was always good enough to get by. I don't remember canning anything because of the drummer.

That was 1998. We were ahead of the times with the classic rock/ hit parade rock thing and failed. Back then it was all pop covers and reggae. Today we would be killing it.

We don't really know why you got fired. You may simply have been unrealistic as to what your singer could cop. Perhaps your idea of popular is off. Around here you play what is popular or you don't play. Pretty universal for cover bands I would think.

You've been a TB member since 2008, been around the block a few times by now. Maybe it's time to get your own band together and call the shots. You need a PA and a van, or a major league leader personality. Otherwise suck it up and play what the band wants to play and have fun with it.
 

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