Too passive aggressive?

[Steve Dallman]

In our 3 piece, we agreed 16 years ago that if a song was suggested and one of us didn't want to do it, we'd move on...no discussion or argument. We ended up with a song list with hundreds of songs we all loved.

No arguments...no drama...no Skynyrd.

 

[Stranger Danger]

I already know the answer. But I have a gig coming up with some buddies, all covers. And someone put a white stripes song on the set list. I HATE the white stripes passionately. It's guitar wanking music, and jack white sucks at guitar almost as much as meg white sucks at drums. If you were Joe Satriani and you made every song suffer just so you could wank off on the guitar that might be one thing, but when every song suffers just so you can wank off on the guitar, but you actually suck at the guitar, what's the point man?

So anyhow, this is one of their many songs that doesn't even have bass guitar. So I'm dying to just sitting there while they play it, true to the record. When that song sounds awful compared to the rest of the set and everyone looks at my sideways, I can just say I'm being true to the record and sitting this one out!

Anyhow, I love my bandmates. I don't want to be a passive aggressive turd. But god, the white stripes suck.

Moan fest over.

Almost 100% certain Jack White is better at his job than you are at yours.

 

[Stranger Danger]

You might just be humble.

Or delusional? Could go either way I guess lol

 

[Michedelic]

I already know the answer. But I have a gig coming up with some buddies, all covers. And someone put a white stripes song on the set list. I HATE the white stripes passionately. It's guitar wanking music, and jack white sucks at guitar almost as much as meg white sucks at drums. If you were Joe Satriani and you made every song suffer just so you could wank off on the guitar that might be one thing, but when every song suffers just so you can wank off on the guitar, but you actually suck at the guitar, what's the point man?

So anyhow, this is one of their many songs that doesn't even have bass guitar. So I'm dying to just sitting there while they play it, true to the record. When that song sounds awful compared to the rest of the set and everyone looks at my sideways, I can just say I'm being true to the record and sitting this one out!

Anyhow, I love my bandmates. I don't want to be a passive aggressive turd. But god, the white stripes suck.

Moan fest over.

Let’s discuss a song that you wanted to cover that the rest of your band hated.

 

[Kevorargh]

I have been in your shoes many times - ironically, the one song I used to hate, the Band's The Weight, is one that I now like to play.

 

[higain617]

I was never into the White Stripes, but also don't care for 80's Paul Simon. There needs to be some give and take in any band situation.

 

[stubborne]

I already know the answer. But I have a gig coming up with some buddies, all covers. And someone put a white stripes song on the set list. I HATE the white stripes passionately. It's guitar wanking music, and jack white sucks at guitar almost as much as meg white sucks at drums. If you were Joe Satriani and you made every song suffer just so you could wank off on the guitar that might be one thing, but when every song suffers just so you can wank off on the guitar, but you actually suck at the guitar, what's the point man?

So anyhow, this is one of their many songs that doesn't even have bass guitar. So I'm dying to just sitting there while they play it, true to the record. When that song sounds awful compared to the rest of the set and everyone looks at my sideways, I can just say I'm being true to the record and sitting this one out!

Anyhow, I love my bandmates. I don't want to be a passive aggressive turd. But god, the white stripes suck.

Moan fest over.

I love everything about this post.

 

[BOOG]

I never understood this ‘confliction’ people have of not liking the song or feeling it doesn’t fit in with the set list. There’re 1000’s of songs people! Pick a different song. If there’s one person that is not enthused about playing it, why make it a chore?

 

[Bighouse]

I like a lot of music by The White Stripes. I like a lot of music by any band from any era. I think anyone that detests a band for some reason and won’t give their work a fair listen is missing out on some great creative opportunity- and have to suspect it’s more bout them, and not the band they detest. I am not a huge fan of many different styles of music, like glam metal from the 80’s- but I refuse to hate a band, and their entire body of work. I am quite certain there are a few Poison songs that I quite like.

That said, if you’re a cover band and there’s no bass in the original song version, it’s time to set the bass down and step offstage for a quick break.

 

[RichardW]

C'mon man. You're playing covers, not dying on the battlefield of artistic integrity. You don't like White Stripes--so what? Audience reaction should be the bottom line. I've played plenty of songs in my band that I balked at, but if the audience digs them we keep playing them. What I didn't do was throw a hissy fit and threaten to walk off the stage.

I'm agnostic about the White Stripes myself, but they did sell millions of albums, win several Grammys, and tour world-wide. So maybe, like, they were in fact popular and talented?

 

[db59]

In our 3 piece, we agreed 16 years ago that if a song was suggested and one of us didn't want to do it, we'd move on...no discussion or argument. We ended up with a song list with hundreds of songs we all loved.

No arguments...no drama...no Skynyrd.

Exactly......millions of songs , why fall on the sword for one?

 

[Andy Marshman]

I think everyone has a few songs they dread playing. I say take one for the team. You'll get over it.

 

[WI Short Scaler]

I already know the answer. But I have a gig coming up with some buddies, all covers. And someone put a white stripes song on the set list. I HATE the white stripes passionately. It's guitar wanking music, and jack white sucks at guitar almost as much as meg white sucks at drums. If you were Joe Satriani and you made every song suffer just so you could wank off on the guitar that might be one thing, but when every song suffers just so you can wank off on the guitar, but you actually suck at the guitar, what's the point man?

So anyhow, this is one of their many songs that doesn't even have bass guitar. So I'm dying to just sitting there while they play it, true to the record. When that song sounds awful compared to the rest of the set and everyone looks at my sideways, I can just say I'm being true to the record and sitting this one out!

Anyhow, I love my bandmates. I don't want to be a passive aggressive turd. But god, the white stripes suck.

Moan fest over.

I'm the one in our threesome that is the most passive-agressive about songs that are just bad.

I'm completely with you on the White Stripes, just unredeeming noise. But in a cover band you're bound to have songs like that. In the case of the WS's, I'd say give the group the option. I'll take a break and you do it as recorded with no bass. Or offer to come up with something that might enhance the song.

If all else is good with this group, it's the most diplomatic way to do things.

 

[alex1fly]

Judging Jack White based on the White Stripes is like judging John Mayer based on "Your Body is a Wonderland"

I say play the song and make it sound good

 

[mambo4]

I feel neutral about the white stripes
People's choices for artistic hills to die on is funny.

 

[Jaco Pastashoot]

I always think that a musicien who want to play a song without some of his band members is very very disrespectul !

And yes, White Stripes sucks !

 

[gazzatriumph]

I play the guitar bit on the bass, sounds good.

 

[Knavery]

Judging Jack White based on the White Stripes is like judging John Mayer based on "Your Body is a Wonderland"

I say play the song and make it sound good

The Dead Weather is a really good example of this statement. What a great side project.

 

[Green Hornet]

As stated, since the WS have no bass, now is your chance to experiment with your pedals (or buy more) so you can 'serve the song'...I'm thinking heavy fuzz and a wah.

 

[MoireBass]

I wouldn't even email or text other than if needed to confirm that you're OK with the revised song list and can learn your part in time.
Then, at the first gig or rehearsal when that song comes up, leave the stage, grab your hand towel and mop your face, re-hydrate, urinate, perhaps up your residual nicotine or THC level, whatever. Then rejoin the band for the next song.
If they act surprised, point out that you're playing the exact same tacet part as the record.

It doesn't hurt to occasionally remind guitar players that the only reason they sound so good is because of OUR support.

Then be willing to create a decent bassline for the song and play it live, because that's part of being in a cover band. Maybe you can find something that takes the song to a whole 'nother level, a new dimension, something syncopated and funky maybe?