Trouble in Band #2!

[Fuzzbass]

Bigger picture: your focus is on being a dance band. I get it. Most of my bands are dance bands for all the obvious reasons. The biggest exception is what I call my "listening band". They began a decade ago as a mostly-acoustic guitar duo (one guitarist splits time with electric), mainly performing in brew pubs and wineries. The set list is comprised of eclectic classic rock. They play Alice Cooper ("Eighteen"), and "Ain't No Sunshine" (Bill Withers). They do some folkie stuff: Neil Young, The Band, Cat Stevens, Gordon Lightfoot. They do a Led Zeppelin medley with a lot of acoustic: Babe I'm Gonna Leave You/Gallows Pole/Tangerine/Thank You/outro to Stairway to Heaven. They do a Dark Side of the Moon medley: Time/Breathe/Brain Damage/Eclipse. They play "From the Beginning" and "Lucky Man" by ELP, "Space Oddity" by Bowie, "Solsbury Hill" by Gabriel. Depending on how the BL reads the room they can throw in conventional tunes such as "Stuck in the Middle", "Refugee", "Pride and Joy", but those are the minority.

This duo became well-established; I saw them a few times because my pro guitarist brother is in the band. A year ago they decided to add a rhythm section, and I became the bassist - yay, nepotism. The "full band" has now played about a dozen gigs. There have been a couple of bar gigs where response was weak because folks were expecting the usual "Hurts So Good" and "Play That Funky Music", but more often the band has gotten a fantastic response from a listening crowd. That can include genuine ovations -- usually after the medleys I listed above, but also after other showcase tunes such as Frampton's "Do You Feel" (the full live version, including talkbox). It's certainly not a "no dancing" band, but most folks are listening.



TL;DR: Dance bands have the easier path to paying gigs, but "listening bands" can be successful with the right talent and set list. Very best of luck, whatever you decide.

 

[sean_on_bass]

"Ain't No Sunshine" by The Neville Brothers instead of the danceable and known version by Bill Withers
"Schools Oout" by Hollywood Vampires instead of Alice Cooper. Not that much different but not a danceable song IMO
Wanting to do: AI version of ZZ Top doing 'Billie Jean" ZZ/SRV style, which is a guitar jam, basically, instead of the known and danceable Michael Jackson version.
Spanish Castle Magic" by Storyville instead of Hendrix. Neither version is danceable IMO, and probably not all that well known.
There are others, in addition to songs like "Suffragette City and Ziggy Stardust"...they aren't danceable and I question whether people know them.

Not the worst choices for a rock band, but sure, not really for a dance / party band. I could still see some people hitting the dance floor for some of those though. May i ask what type of tunes you would suggest instead? Somehow i don't really see you as a dance band sort of player, but i am definitely making a big assumption there.

 

[fdeck]

I belong to bands that don't play familiar dance-able music. We even play in bars. So I think you just have to decide what your bag is.

 

[Pocket Dave]

Trying to define what's danceable or popular kind of misses the point.

From what's been shared, the OP decided what the band's intentions were without any prior discussion. When some of you questioned that, the response was, "They never told me what they wanted when they hired me."

Fair enough.

But also in fairness, the OP never asked.

And that's been the recurring theme in all of these topics: expectations get set internally, then bandmates or leaders get judged for not meeting standards they were never told existed.

A conversation up front - one where you ask pointed questions - costs a lot less than the acrimony that invariably follows.

 

[friskinator]

Again, these are 50+ year old songs. But it seems like that's the only thing you'll consider playing.

 

[Pacman]

"Ain't No Sunshine" by The Neville Brothers instead of the danceable and known version by Bill Withers

I gotta stop you right there. That Neville Bros version is *WAY* more danceable the the Withers version. I can't see a place that won't kill.

 

[Bass Viking]

I actually kind of like those choices and can personally attest that Suffragette City will slay. I was in a band that played that one pretty regularly and when the "Wham, bam thank you man" line came up we would stop and let the entire crowd yell it. Worked every single time.

The cover bands in my area all seem to play many of the same songs so while I agree that you should stick to the hits, the fact is that there are literally thousands of hit songs out there and most of the ones you list are just that. There is no reason to be the Nth band to play Any Way You Want It or Running Down a Dream just like every other cover band does. I would definitely be interested in at least running through those versions of those songs and seeing how the band is performing them. You never know until you try and having a unique set list could really set the band apart.

I couldn't agree more! Suffragette City got played at dances when I was a teenager. And I'm sick of cover bands playing the same, predictable songs. It's like seeing the same band with a different name and lineup.

 

[Pep]

Here you can pick a bar on Friday night and listen to a band, come back Saturday night hear a different band but hear the same tunes for the most part.

If you want to be in demand add a bunch of dance tunes that other groups don't do.
I put together a group a few years back.
We had a discussion about material prior to committing. We all decided that it was okay to carry maybe 10 tunes that most everyone knows, but everything else needed to be tunes that other groups don't do.
We got our foot in the door at a couple of places and got a great response and we worked as often as we liked.
My current band has a girl singer. We were trying to figure out a tune for her that no one else does locally.
We decided on Boogie Oogie Oogie and everytime we do it the dance floor is packed.

 

[pepj]

Around here, there are people who go to see music played and people who want to get drunk and holler.
Massive oversimplication but this basically means there are two gigs and not many bands can cover both or some even have the inclination to.
We get our money and play our stuff. Sometimes we get mutterings internally about a song choice is 'too deep a cut' but tbh..what does that even mean? Carol Kings, its too late..?
is that too deep a cut?

Anyway, for us, its about the music and the way we can play it.
And the more common feedback is that some crowds like us because we don't play everyone else's set.

After all said is done if you are getting the top rate and keep getting invited back, you are doing something right.

 

[pepj]

It's been my experience that decisions by committee NEVER work. You need to designate ONE band director and that person has final say on disagreements and the general direction of the band. If that system can't work, this probably isn't the right band for you.

We have had some great songs suggestions...imv... and I think we could carry them off pretty ok..(this is important) but the final veto is by the singer because if he or she flails her, you are done.
And ime, the quickest fail is not recognising your favourite track you bet your house on is the one you can't put across. Unfortunately, too many bands do not discern there enough.

But song choice is not at one persons door, everyone has a veto and a decent player knows if they are short in their delivery. And if they dont, these are the guys you need to weed out or avoid.

For the OP, it depends what the band want and how realistic their expectations are. And how much he can reconcile..

One thing I can say, which is true, imo.. if you want instant gratification you may take the popularist road and the much longer route is the slow burn 'players' band.

 

[Bass Viking]

Here you can pick a bar on Friday night and listen to a band, come back Saturday night hear a different band but hear the same tunes for the most part.

If you want to be in demand add a bunch of dance tunes that other groups don't do.
I put together a group a few years back.
We had a discussion about material prior to committing. We all decided that it was okay to carry maybe 10 tunes that most everyone knows, but everything else needed to be tunes that other groups don't do.
We got our foot in the door at a couple of places and got a great response and we worked as often as we liked.
My current band has a girl singer. We were trying to figure out a tune for her that no one else does locally.
We decided on Boogie Oogie Oogie and everytime we do it the dance floor is packed.

We need more bands like yours!

 

[Wez Yo Bice]

If you had to audition, it's not your band.
If you never/seldom get asked, "what do you think?" It's not your band.
I've always been a hired gun. I don't give a crap what the list is. (You mean there's a list?)
Joe Walsh is essentially a hired gun. (unless he pulls together a separate band)
Either pull together your own band or play the music that's in front of you.
If you're a bass player around here, you're in at least three bands.

 

[sean_on_bass]

If you had to audition, it's not your band.
If you never/seldom get asked, "what do you think?" It's not your band.
I've always been a hired gun. I don't give a crap what the list is. (You mean there's a list?)
Joe Walsh is essentially a hired gun. (unless he pulls together a separate band)
Either pull together your own band or play the music that's in front of you.
If you're a bass player around here, you're in at least three bands.

not to mention that what the bass player wants is rarely considered. but we should be proud that we are there to support and elevate everyone else, and have the flexibility to do that in a variety of musical situations. it's not nearly as easy for a singer to flip between genres as it is for a bass player, full stop.

 

[Gluvhand]

Suckers.

 

[Five or Six]

Sóoo, what's the verdict?

 

[51PRI]

Not the worst choices for a rock band, but sure, not really for a dance / party band. I could still see some people hitting the dance floor for some of those though. May i ask what type of tunes you would suggest instead?...

Brick House
Get Down on It
Get Lucky
Sledgehammer

Trying to define what's danceable or popular kind of misses the point.

From what's been shared, the OP decided what the band's intentions were without any prior discussion. When some of you questioned that, the response was, "They never told me what they wanted when they hired me."

Fair enough.

But also in fairness, the OP never asked.

And that's been the recurring theme in all of these topics: expectations get set internally, then bandmates or leaders get judged for not meeting standards they were never told existed.

A conversation up front - one where you ask pointed questions - costs a lot less than the acrimony that invariably follows.

Well yeah that's all true. We should have had a discussion prior to signing on.

Again, these are 50+ year old songs. But it seems like that's the only thing you'll consider playing.

NO, I want to do all the newer music that we can and that members of the band will agree to. I suggested a Top 40 song early on in this band ()can't remember the name of it right now) and the lead singer nixed it. We play "Whitehouse Road" which is relatively new an gets good reception. I'm ALWAYS the one pushing for playing newer music.

I gotta stop you right there. That Neville Bros version is *WAY* more danceable the the Withers version. I can't see a place that won't kill.

The Withers version is a slow song and people do dance on slow songs. I would say that The Neville Brothers version is more interesting but I don't know if its danceable.

If you had to audition, it's not your band...

Yes, I get the point but we were auditioning them as well. The lead singer, who I knew, saw me playing with my other band and the drummer, who was actually just subbing that night. He asked us both if we were interested, so I guess he liked what he heard. As far as them asking my, and the drummer's opinions, yeah, they do and I don't hesitate to say something even if I'm not asked. I've been doing this for a long time and I feel like I have the experience to state my opinion.

Sóoo, what's the verdict?

We haven't had the discussion yet.

 

[gln1955]

All I can add to what's already been said is, if you are going to leave, do it now. Please don't come back here with the same complaint next month.

 

[oldrocker]

I actually kind of like those choices and can personally attest that Suffragette City will slay. I was in a band that played that one pretty regularly and when the "Wham, bam thank you man" line came up we would stop and let the entire crowd yell it. Worked every single time.

...

I always thought it was "Wham, Bam thank you Mam", But I agree this one always goes over. People do know it.

 

[oldrocker]

I gotta stop you right there. That Neville Bros version is *WAY* more danceable the the Withers version. I can't see a place that won't kill.

OMG - I just listened to the Neville Bros version of Ain't No Sunshine. Never heard it before, what a great rendition.
Dance-abale?, don't know - I don't dance

 

[Pocket Dave]

OMG - I just listened to the Neville Bros version of Ain't No Sunshine. Never heard it before, what a great rendition.
Dance-abale?, don't know - I don't dance

It's a damn sight more danceable than the original.

I lean more into the Neville Bros' versions on a couple others too - the first one we covered for about ten years. The second, I still cover: