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

Please critique my band's set list.

#21
Two sides to that. Yes, many of the college kids are into the same mainstream country that everyone else is into. That's why I said a certain segment of college kids - definitely not college kids as a whole.

But there's definitely a niche group of young listeners (college kids, others in their 20s & 30s) who wouldn't catch themselves dead listening to the mainstream stuff. But they'd happily listen to the Avett Brothers, Ryan Adams, Mumford and Sons, Son Volt, Old 97s and local bands that play that stuff mixed in with old-school country. It's that whole "No Depression" scene - maybe not as vital as it was a few years ago, but still a going concern.

The local big and trendy country bars probably wouldn't want that mix. But there are other places that would.
 
#22
Tampabass said:
Two sides to that. Yes, many of the college kids are into the same mainstream country that everyone else is into. That's why I said a certain segment of college kids - definitely not college kids as a whole.

But there's definitely a niche group of young listeners (college kids, others in their 20s & 30s) who wouldn't catch themselves dead listening to the mainstream stuff. But they'd happily listen to the Avett Brothers, Ryan Adams, Mumford and Sons, Son Volt, Old 97s and local bands that play that stuff mixed in with old-school country. It's that whole "No Depression" scene - maybe not as vital as it was a few years ago, but still a going concern.

The local big and trendy country bars probably wouldn't want that mix. But there are other places that would.
Click to expand...

Is there even a No Depression scene anymore? If so, I'd like to know who some of the newer bands are, so I can check them out.

I dont consider the Avetts part of the No Depression scene though. They are ironic bearded hipsters who play bluegrass. They're talented, but are NOT alt country IMO.

All the old No Depression bands have either disppeared or no longer play alt country. Wilco have totally strayed from alt country, and become indie rock darlings. Ryan Adams, since the Cold Roses album of 2005 hasnt done anything that sounded country, IMO. Son Volt is still around, but they havent impressed me since the mid 90s. Oh well.
 
#23
Here is an old song my band plays that we put our own flavor to it and people aboslutely love it. We actually made it sound more country than it is. This was a hit in 1966.

Mr. Spaceman - The Byrds

Invalid Link Removed
 
#24
Tampabass said:
Two sides to that. Yes, many of the college kids are into the same mainstream country that everyone else is into. That's why I said a certain segment of college kids - definitely not college kids as a whole.

But there's definitely a niche group of young listeners (college kids, others in their 20s & 30s) who wouldn't catch themselves dead listening to the mainstream stuff. But they'd happily listen to the Avett Brothers, Ryan Adams, Mumford and Sons, Son Volt, Old 97s and local bands that play that stuff mixed in with old-school country. It's that whole "No Depression" scene - maybe not as vital as it was a few years ago, but still a going concern.

The local big and trendy country bars probably wouldn't want that mix. But there are other places that would.
Click to expand...


OK ^ Got it and agree. My band sounds like a mix of the Avett's, Mumford and sons and Old 97's. We do covers only a few from Cash, OCMS, Uncle Tup,etc. We can do those kind of venues etc but a trendy country bar, no way, they would let us in the door.
 
#25
Richland123 said:
Here is an old song my band plays that we put our own flavor to it and people aboslutely love it. We actually made it sound more country than it is. This was a hit in 1966.

Mr. Spaceman - The Byrds

Invalid Link Removed
Click to expand...

The Byrds had a lot of songs that had a country flare to them. I will say this however, the Byrds always had LOTs of guys in the band who knew, understood, and played country well, but IMO Roger McGuinn never came acorss as a convincing vocalist on the more country tunes. His voices was so much better suited for rock or folk.

As far as members of the Byrds who understood and played/sang country well, look no further than Clarence White, Chris Hillman, Gram Parsons, Skip Battin, and Michael Clark.
 
#26
powderfinger said:
Is there even a No Depression scene anymore? If so, I'd like to know who some of the newer bands are, so I can check them out.

I dont consider the Avetts part of the No Depression scene though. They are ironic bearded hipsters who play bluegrass. They're talented, but are NOT alt country IMO.

All the old No Depression bands have either disppeared or no longer play alt country. Wilco have totally strayed from alt country, and become indie rock darlings. Ryan Adams, since the Cold Roses album of 2005 hasnt done anything that sounded country, IMO. Son Volt is still around, but they havent impressed me since the mid 90s. Oh well.
Click to expand...

Avett's are considered No Depression type of band..I like them. Mumford and son, Drive by Truckers (my fav) but you have allot of the old schoolers still there and they are still loved. Lucinda Williams and her new album and tour, same with Steve Earl and his album. His son Justin is big in that scene, Hayes Carll to name a few. No depression is still going on and in some areas getting kind of hot...mine for one.
 
#27
bassbully said:
Avett's are considered No Depression type of band..I like them. Mumford and son, Drive by Truckers (my fav) but you have allot of the old schoolers still there and they are still loved. Lucinda Williams and her new album and tour, same with Steve Earl and his album. His son Justin is big in that scene, Hayes Carll to name a few. No depression is still going on and in some areas getting kind of hot...mine for one.
Click to expand...

You know, I actually do like Drive By Truckers (saw them live once, too), but never thought of them as part of the alt country/No Depression type bands. They always came across more as a hard rock band to me though, not alt country. Former DBT Jason Isbell has a new album. It's very alt country, so I guess theres one.

Ive heard OF Steve Earles son, but never heard his music. Will check it out more. I always did like Steve Earle. But his last 4-5 albums have been hard to digest for me. I think he got way too political (and Im not saying that I even disagree with his politics in many cases), but he really shoved his personal beliefs down everyones throat on those last few efforts. Im for artistic expression, and he has the right to say those things, but I have the right not to listen. I guess his personal beliefs would have been easier to digest if the songs had actually been good, though...
 
#30
I agree with Richland123...get some more Yoakum in there as a "bridge" to the traditional stuff. (I just have one more band member to convince to do "Fast As You").

Gotta add some Hank Williams Sr. AND Junior. And CASH.

I didn't see any George Jones, Bob Wills, or any Texas Outlaws (Willie Nelson, Jerry Jeff Walker, Gary P Nunn, for example).
 
#32
It's no secret that I don't know jack about country music or country bands, but I have been to one of these hootenannys and the only song the kids danced to was Sweet Home Alabama, is that considered country?
 
#37
Pacman said:
If you're aiming to play the college circuit, and trendy bars, you'd better put some new country on that list. Your target demographic wants it - so you can change your target, or change your list....

IMO...
Click to expand...

If you want to play the college circuit, I'd completely trash this entire setlist. Most of the kids in college don't have a clue who Merle Haggard is, let alone any of his songs. Best to go very current. Sugarland, Brooks and Dunn, Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, yada yada. Throw in the occasional cover of Johnny Cash Ring of Fire and Carl Perkins Blue Suede Shoes.

Otherwise, you won't even get to play the VFW circuit much either.
 
#38
TRichardsbass said:
If you want to play the college circuit, I'd completely trash this entire setlist. Most of the kids in college don't have a clue who Merle Haggard is, let alone any of his songs. Best to go very current. Sugarland, Brooks and Dunn, Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, yada yada. Throw in the occasional cover of Johnny Cash Ring of Fire and Carl Perkins Blue Suede Shoes.

Otherwise, you won't even get to play the VFW circuit much either.
Click to expand...

I agree with you on the college part but on the VFW's no way. That setlist with some added tear in your beer songs and a few up tempo country songs will work great..been there done that.
 
#39
bassbully said:
I agree with you on the college part but on the VFW's no way. That setlist with some added tear in your beer songs and a few up tempo country songs will work great..been there done that.
Click to expand...

We have 2 VFWs in town. One of them has live country music. I dont think I have ever heard a song played there that was written after 1982. Seriously. You would be lucky to hear a song recorded after 1962 on some nights. Those dudes love the hell out of some Marty Robbins, Farron Young, Johnny Horton, George Jones,etc./
 
#40
OK guys, what about this?? I REALLY dont wanna play the new Keith Urban or Jason Aldean type stuff..

SO, what if we did some Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks, and stuff like that, or is that still VFW and State Fair territory?
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back