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Learning songs you REALLY DON'T LIKE

#141
petrus61 said:
Interesting how this thread evolved into a debate on cover bands vs original. I tried to lay everything out in my OP to avoid this kind of debate, since it's not really what I intended. Many, if not all of us, are sidemen in our respective groups. Whether cover or original, we are often asked to play other peoples music, whether it was written by Joe the carpenter or Neil Diamond. The source isn't really so much the issue as it is the material itself. I also see a few posts that seem to link not wanting to play and learn certain songs somehow equates to a lack of musical skill, which I also tried to sort out in my OP...the song has lots of parts, but my issue isn't the difficulty of the material, it's the fact that I loathe the song and that, and only that, is why I'm venting here.

As for an update, I spoke with the band leader yesterday. We talked about a few of the other songs on this list and finished our conversation. Just before he left, I said "Have I ever told you how much a despise that Meatloaf song?" He looked at me like I had two heads. "I would probably rather have the flu for a month than endure listening to it for one more minute, let alone playing it." He was still kind of searching for words so I said what he was going to say for him..."But I'm sure the crowd goes nuts for it and it's always gone over really well and is probably going to be the nights closer, right?" He said yes, kind of looking crestfallen. "Then I'll have it in the bag for Thursday rehearsal, but I just had to share that with you." He smiled but I could tell he was a little taken aback...the poor guy actually LIKES the song! It's all good though.

I'm going to get through it, and though I definitely will NOT be a better skilled musician for it, I'll have considered myself a SURVIVOR with the patience and mental stamina of a NINJA...

But I can't help but feel a little piece of me dying inside as I imagine myself committing to the song. Sometimes a song just really, really SUCKS.
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When I was in Japan I must've heard that song three or four times a day. If I never hear that song again it will be too soon.
 
#143
Mike Sorr said:
... If Bon Jovi called and asked me to play I would tell him sure, as long as we don't play any Bon Jovi. ...
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:roflmao:

As a fellow Jerseyan, we've never played Bon Jovi, and only rarely have done Bruce. I'm more than fine with both of those, although I will acknowledge that the cougars do seem to like JBJ based on other bands I've seen.

Of course, if it were up to me, we'd spend the whole night playing Peter Gabriel &/or Porcupine Tree covers - to an empty bar, I admit - so the vast majority of what we play in the "classic rock" genre is stuff that would never make its way onto my itunes library otherwise.
 
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#144
I will say if I contributed to the "cover vs. originals debate", my only intention was to deflate those who feel superior to others because they paly originals. I have played both, and enjoyed both, but I prefer the low-stress of not trying to "make it", so I can focus on playing well and having a good time.
But if I had 5 minutes with Bob Seger...
 
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#146
danosix said:
I will say if I contributed to the "cover vs. originals debate", my only intention was to deflate those who feel superior to others because they paly originals. I have played both, and enjoyed both, but I prefer the low-stress of not trying to "make it", so I can focus on playing well and having a good time.
But if I had 5 minutes with Bob Seger...
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If only they'd play "Turn The Page" a little more on FM radio, everyone would have a deeper appreciation of Mr. Seeger;)

Since I don't really have the time to creatively contribute to an original project beyond the freedoms a given band would allow, I basically treat those projects the same way I do cover bands and that is typically in the same "low stress" manner you describe. Usually the parts are already written, but a lot of times they just want me to outline the melody and any extra flair I add is just gravy as long as it fits. Both can be very rewarding for me but I'm happy in a supportive role.
 
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#147
I just joined an all-original act and I can already tell that some of this guy's tunes I *do not like*. Some I really like - but I'll play all of them, and I'll give each song 100%. Why? Because that's what you are supposed to do. Why show up if you're not going to SHOW UP.
 
#149
JimmyM said:
So I guess this is the thread where everyone congratulates themselves for being loaded with such musical integrity. Fine by me. That just makes more opportunity for me, a guy who doesn't give a rat's ass. I once knew a dude who played in a polka band, and because they were the only polka band in a 5-state radius, they worked constantly and made great money. There is good money in playing music that musicians hate.
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Yawn.
 
#155
Baird6869 said:
I play many songs I hate. Mustang Sally comes to mind as does Brown Eyed Girl, Sweet Home Alabama and so on.

More people dance to these stupid songs than almost all of the songs I actually like.

In any case, no bar is going to pay me the same $$$ to play Queensryche, System of a Down, Rush, Yes, etc., so my job is to make bar patrons happy and keep dancing and drinking.
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I think one of the reasons there is so much discord about this topic is that on TB people rarely think about the fact that different goals have different approaches. It seems like most TB members think that the only possible goal is to make money. Some of us don't really care about the money. When I play in a cover band whose only goal is to play out and make as much money as possible, I play whatever people want to hear, including Mustang Sally and Sweet Home Alabama and smile while I'm doing it.
Baird6869 said:
When a drunk person yells out "Free Bird" near then end of the night, every band should automatically play the entire damned song (normally over 9 minutes) with at least 4 extra guitar, drum and bass solos. That'll learn the b@$t@rd$. Take THAT FOR 15-20 painful minutes.:spit:

The works would be a better place for it.
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and when you were done they'd scream, Sweet Home Alabama!!!!
 
#158
Baird6869 said:
When a drunk person yells out "Free Bird" near then end of the night, every band should automatically play the entire damned song (normally over 9 minutes) with at least 4 extra guitar, drum and bass solos. That'll learn the b@$t@rd$. Take THAT FOR 15-20 painful minutes.:spit:

The works would be a better place for it.
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I personally think they should strap that bastard to a chair, and go all clockwork orange on him.
like this...
clockworkorange.jpg


Holler that out again buddy.
 
#160
Baird6869 said:
When a drunk person yells out "Free Bird" near then end of the night, every band should automatically play the entire damned song (normally over 9 minutes) with at least 4 extra guitar, drum and bass solos. That'll learn the b@$t@rd$. Take THAT FOR 15-20 painful minutes.:spit:

The works would be a better place for it.
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We play it every night, and are happy to do so. Every single night. It doesn't matter what they holler out. We're playing it.
 

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