• 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.

Show in March and I need help.

T

TallicaDeth

Jan 2, 2010
40
0
Everett/Sumas, WA
#1
This will be our 2nd show ever. We are going to play at a battle of the bands in March. we will need between 7 and 11 songs. this is our setlist:

Falling for you= we made it (sounds like a Flyleaf song)
Hashbrowns= we made it (sounds like an Alice in Chains song)
Kryptonite=3 Doors Down (probably wont use this, no piano)
---------------------------------------------------
This is our band:
Me= Bass Guitar
Mallory= Piano, Vocals
Britian= Guitar, Vocals
Cameron= Drums
----------------------------------------------------
we need alot more songs to learn before the show and they gotta be good. any suggestions on covers? we know we want to do an Evanescence song. Plus any other tips can help.

Also unrelated, but what to you think about the LTD and ESP Tom Araya Signature Bass Guitars?
 
#2
what is your sound like? more importantly, whats your singer's style? If you want to play covers just for getting a open audience's attention, play ones that they most people would know. just by seeing you guy's AIC and Flyleaf influences, i would maybe say something like pearl jam, maybe a muse song. Maybe that would fit you guys.

Also, try to incorporate the piano. Give the covers your own sound but keep it still so that people can recognize it.
 
#3
Our influences include:

Bassist (me):
Megadeth
Slayer
Three Days Grace
Avenged Sevenfold
All That Remains
Third Eye Blind
Breaking Benjamen
Alice in Chains
Nirvana
Testament

Guitard singing kinda sounds like Coldplay singer and kinda bad at singing but still is ok:
Ozzy
Coldplay
Very open to everything

Piano singing kinda sounds like Amy Lee and Flyleaf singer, shes a really good singer:
Flyleaf
Modest Mouse
30 Seconds to Mars
Opeth
Gorillaz
Linkin Park
Muse

Drummer:
unknown
 
#5
Looking at your list/influences, try doing a Kings of Leon song, they have well-known hits and would appeal to the age group I assume you'll be playing for.

However, have backups, you never know what the other bands will play. Nothing worse than playing a song someone else already performed before you.

Since your singer likes Gorillaz, try a version of 'Clint Eastwood' or '19-2000' or 'Feel Good Inc.' My band did several Gorillaz covers, they were always a hit, and fun to play... We were a trio, the guitard would put down his strings and just sing, I had a lot of fun looping the main lines and filling out the lead parts on top.

Most important thing is play your originals and covers equally well and equally fun. I've seen way too many bands with weak originals they limp through and decent covers that save them.
 
#7
Try and write a few more songs if you need 7-11 songs.

BOTBs seem to be really picky on the amount of covers a band does.

Get covers where you can potentially get the crowd singing/clapping their hands. Get one with a breakdown section where everyone can go quiet and the singer can friendly-force the audience to participate.

-crowd participation and freak-outedness is huge
-dynamics are big
-get the singer moving around a lot, using the cord as prop and getting a little theatrical/entertaining. Paramore and INCURA vids are good references.
-Do like the DJs do and bust out the crowd pumpers, "On 3 I need you to make some noise, 1, 2, 3, BAAAAH!" "Jump, jump, jump!"
-Get some tight instrumental sections that blow people out of the water, make up your own for the covers even if you can pull it off

... Wall of Death.
 
#10
Always record your practices. As you get closer to March, try to practice exactly like you are going to play, start to work on things like stage presence and showmanship. That way if you look flat, it'll be at practice and not ont he big stage.

Good luck!
 
#12
Schedule your practice and rehearsal time from now until march. You should be able to play all the setlist around january/february and use the last months to rehearse the full show (including showmanship & dance moves).

And try to play someday in some friend's garage or garden in front of a bunch of your fans/friends to have a "live rehearsal".
 
#13
WhoSeyes said:
Schedule your practice and rehearsal time from now until march. You should be able to play all the setlist around january/february and use the last months to rehearse the full show (including showmanship & dance moves).

And try to play someday in some friend's garage or garden in front of a bunch of your fans/friends to have a "live rehearsal".
Click to expand...

+1 on the "live rehearsal"
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back