Thunderbird Club

[Stealth57]

*the drummer has this habit of saying "that's the first time we've played that". I keep telling him not to say that unless we royally screw up(we don't). The audience doesn't need to know "what's behind the curtain".

 

[Engle]

Tl:dr
Possible new band, need advice


So with a few of the local ya-hoos here, some attention has been gathered of them putting together a 3 piece. Last time I did band stuff was with a good friend of mine and his son (bare foot drummer, best kid ever)

I don't really know these guys that well, but they seem alright. Drummer is tight lipped and the guitar player/singer is high strung. That's normal right?

Song range probably from Bill Haley up through a lot of Sun recordings and similar genre, up into 70-80s. Nothing too crazy, fast or heavy. Probably all of us not able to cover anyway. Typically I like heavier, but grew up on must of that 50-60s stuff, so its all good

So recommendations, either on songs or just advice?

I was told absolutely no Journey, so good there

Assuming you want to play out and entertain a broad range of people:

Try a bunch of different material, record your sessions and figure out what the singer sounds best on.
Be prepared to alter the keys so songs work for the singer.
If the singer is enjoying themselves, and sounds good, the rest can be sorted out.

 

[Engle]

For what its worth, here are the set lists for my cover band's xmas gigs:

 

[JJR58]

same…..lotsa cover band activity around here…putting together the next incarnation of Beat Street with a new drummer, guitarist /keyboardist and singer (not in clip)…..from Wednesday's rehearsal, Kip (guitar) started noodling this part and we (never played this before) just took a stab at it……thinking of keeping it…

Dig!

 

[GonePlaid]

same…..lotsa cover band activity around here…putting together the next incarnation of Beat Street with a new drummer, guitarist /keyboardist and singer (not in clip)…..from Wednesday's rehearsal, Kip (guitar) started noodling this part and we (never played this before) just took a stab at it……thinking of keeping it…

 

[Engle]

That's great. Similar here, in 2 bands, with members ranging between 43 and 62, both are all originals. Neither band expects to be paid, we just want to get out and do it as much as possible, in the limited number of places there are to do it and support others that are doing it too. AND, despite the frustration that sometimes comes with it, I frequently thank the universe I have what I have (music related as well as all of it).

I have never been in a cover band. I am positive I would be a significantly better and more versatile player if I had the experience of having to learn dozens of songs and play 1-3 hour sets.

It is good exercise for your brain to memorize 3 sets of covers. Often the "easy to play" songs are the most difficult to get right.
I also have an original instrumental band and have been learning Ozzy material for an Oz/Sabbath tribute. Bob Daisley did some really cool stuff!

 

[GonePlaid]

For what its worth, here are the set lists for my cover band's xmas gigs:
View attachment 5285477

Nice variety. We don't use set lists, just gauge what the people wanna dance to. Usually something like 2 up tempo and a ballad. Rinse and repeat. Variable by crowd reactions/requests.
EDIT: we do a coupla instrumentals to start the night(get 'em accustomed to the fact that it's "live"), then ease into the other [stuff] with something like "Kansas City"(they're still eating dinner-our gigs are usually ~6:30-9:30).

 

[GonePlaid]

'Zackly!

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Nice variety. We don't use set lists, just gauge what the people wanna dance to. Usually something like 2 up tempo and a ballad. Rinse and repeat. Variable by crowd reactions/requests.

I rather do it that way too but you need an act that has it together to the point where you're ready for the next song before you end the current one….worked with a BL that would read the room and call out the next song so we would transition pretty seemlessly…..he was also good at cutting songs short when he "misread" the room….just this trivial item makes a band sound so much more professional imho….can't stand the silence between songs when the band doesn't know what comes next….

 

[Engle]

Nice variety. We don't use set lists, just gauge what the people wanna dance to. Usually something like 2 up tempo and a ballad. Rinse and repeat. Variable by crowd reactions/requests.
EDIT: we do a coupla instrumentals to start the night(get 'em accustomed to the fact that it's "live"), then ease into the other [stuff] with something like "Kansas City"(they're still eating dinner-our gigs are usually ~6:30-9:30).

I guess it depends what you're playing, but we are much better having rehearsed sets a few times.

 

[GonePlaid]

I rather do it that way too but you need an act that has it together to the point where you're ready for the next song before you end the current one….worked with a BL that would read the room and call out the next song so we would transition pretty seemlessly…..he was also good at cutting songs short when he "misread" the room….just this trivial item makes a band sound so much more professional imho….can't stand the silence between songs when the band doesn't know what comes next….

Yeah. Our drummer/BL is s'posed to do that-especially cos he doesn't sing leads. The other 3 of us alternate singing lead and we all sing harmony. The worst delays happen when someone in the audience comes up to make a request or compliment us on something. We hafta be 'nice' and hear them out(kind of a PITA).
Otherwise, delays are minimal.

 

[GonePlaid]

I guess it depends what you're playing, but we are much better having rehearsed sets a few times.

Not so much 'what', but 'where'. VFWs, American Legions, Elks Clubs, Country Clubs, restaurants where we gotta "please the crowd" and thus, management-so we can go back.

 

[dagrev]

As long as no princess fingers.

I gots that covered. But wish it t'wert so. EBCFs sounded great.

 

[dagrev]

That sign is inherently flawed. Stupid people never know that they are stupid.

So very true. That's what I often tell my wife. (Not implying it fits her.)

 

[TBird1958]

same…..lotsa cover band activity around here…putting together the next incarnation of Beat Street with a new drummer, guitarist /keyboardist and singer (not in clip)…..from Wednesday's rehearsal, Kip (guitar) started noodling this part and we (never played this before) just took a stab at it……thinking of keeping it…

That's on our "To Learn" list but the keys may be a bit more than our Ginger can do, "London Calling" will likely be what we end up playing, which is fine by me - Both songs have very good bass lines.

I rather do it that way too but you need an act that has it together to the point where you're ready for the next song before you end the current one….worked with a BL that would read the room and call out the next song so we would transition pretty seemlessly…..he was also good at cutting songs short when he "misread" the room….just this trivial item makes a band sound so much more professional imho….can't stand the silence between songs when the band doesn't know what comes next….

For us, writing a set list (my job) works best, guitarist and keyboards can organize their various presets and move from one song to the next quickly. It does seem trivial, but it's not, no down time between songs is important when you're the entertainment and you want to keep the crowd engaged and dancing.

 

[dagrev]

Tl:dr
Possible new band, need advice


So with a few of the local ya-hoos here, some attention has been gathered of them putting together a 3 piece. Last time I did band stuff was with a good friend of mine and his son (bare foot drummer, best kid ever)

I don't really know these guys that well, but they seem alright. Drummer is tight lipped and the guitar player/singer is high strung. That's normal right?

Song range probably from Bill Haley up through a lot of Sun recordings and similar genre, up into 70-80s. Nothing too crazy, fast or heavy. Probably all of us not able to cover anyway. Typically I like heavier, but grew up on must of that 50-60s stuff, so its all good

So recommendations, either on songs or just advice?

I was told absolutely no Journey, so good there

Give it a try. And whatever you do don't stop believing....

The high-strung part would concern me and I would take it a little at a time without fully committing, if possible and not stringing them along. He could be uptight around people he doesn't know or was having a bad week. But if the dude is always high-strung, I don't think I could deal with that. I can get along with most people, but there are limits generally around serious arrogance and drama queens. But he could mellow as things mesh and you can accept him with open arms.....


Sorry, I couldn't help myself.

 

[dagrev]

My band is all between 51 and 61 and we do all originals. I know it's not the norm at this age, but I'm thankful I found it.

So cool. You are very fortunate indeed. I loved playing original material. Especially rewarding when people would love the song and ask who did it.

 

[GonePlaid]

So cool. You are very fortunate indeed. I loved playing original material. Especially rewarding when people would love the song and ask who did it.

"We did."

 

[TBird1958]

Here's a curious fellow.................

Epiphone Thunderbird Vintage PRO IV | Reverb

 

[dagrev]

same…..lotsa cover band activity around here…putting together the next incarnation of Beat Street with a new drummer, guitarist /keyboardist and singer (not in clip)…..from Wednesday's rehearsal, Kip (guitar) started noodling this part and we (never played this before) just took a stab at it……thinking of keeping it…

Pretty doggone good stab I would say! Keep it.