• 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.

We simply can't cover current hits

#44
hrodbert696 said:
A previous band did Bad Romance, and the drummer wanted to do it following the Halestorm version. IMO Halestorm's cover loses the dance groove of the song. We rocked it up a bit but kept the original groove.
Click to expand...

We do the same. Drummer keeps it four-on-the-floor through the drop outs, and we don't do the half time parts either. It keeps 'em on the dance floor.
 
  • Like
Reactions: hrodbert696
#45
gregbackstrom said:
Nah! There are some great, challenging covers from all eras. If you've got the chops, you can cover these and be happy!

Locked Out Of Heaven
Like I'm Gonna Lose You
Bang Bang
Uptown Funk
Problem
Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now
We Are Family
Anything Michael Jackson (We do Thriller, Don't Stop, Beat It, The Way You Make Me Feel)
Anything Earth Wind and Fire (We do September and Got To Get You Into My Life)
Anything Prince
Anything TOP (Squib Cakes)
Bring Me To Life
Single Ladies
Conga
I Gotta Feelin'
Everything Journey
Too Much Time On My Hands
Sledgehammer

After 10 years of playing covers, our song list is about 400 songs! I haven't even touched swing, country, and other genre's. So much cool stuff! (So little time)

Okay -- I'm tired of typing. If you can play all this stuff, you're a good player!! And you'll make great money doing it!

Cordially,
Greg
Click to expand...
I have no qualms.
 
#46
+1 to taking any song and making it your own.

Take a song, learn the chords and melody, then play it a bunch until you get an arrangement you're happy with. Just make sure the song is recognizable to the audience. I'm half of an acoustic duo and that's exactly what we do. Under all the programming and production there's a chord progression and melody. You just have to learn the song, play the song, perfect the song, and perform it like you love it (even if you don't).
 
  • Like
Reactions: matante and electracoyote
#47
I hate to get off on a side note. But, "PopCountry" usually goes over big with mainstream pop fans as well. It sucks the loving soul out of you and the band. But, if you're just trying to make some cash and keep people happy. It's worth trying. We get a lot of mileage out of a few.

Luke Bryant - That's my Kind of Night
Sam Hunt - House Party
Florida Georgia Line - Sundaze.

It will haunt your dreams, but hey... If your wanting to make some $$$
 
  • Like
Reactions: RickyWoo and electracoyote
#48
The BurgerMeister said:
+1 to taking any song and making it your own.
Click to expand...

In the final analysis, it really is a good pairing of playlist and audience that matters most. People want to hear their favorite songs played in an appreciable way.

Take a song, learn the chords and melody, then play it a bunch until you get an arrangement you're happy with. Just make sure the song is recognizable to the audience.
Click to expand...

Here's the tricky part, and where a lot of bands go south. You can take that "make it our own" mentality just a little too far and end up shooting yourself in the ass. A lot of cover bands in my area wonder why they aren't getting the gigs if they are playing the same songs as the popular bands. Usually, they are so far out of the ball park, compared to other bands, they sound like a bad parody. It's a fine line, and you have to know how to stay on the right side of it. You can get away with some things, but take too many liberties and people won't appreciate it so much.

A lot of bands I see say they are playing it "their way," but in truth, they lack the necessary skills to learn the basic progressions and melodies. Audiences aren't as detail-oriented as musicians, but they know the difference between a clever and acceptable re-working of their favorite song and a hack job.
 
  • Like
Reactions: kikstand454, troy mcclure, Groove Doctor and 3 others
#49
Noshtero said:
We actually play Ex's and Oh's right now. It does go over rather well.

We have a lot of soccer moms that I think are forced to listen to this stuff because their kids play it. So it sort of grows on them.
Click to expand...
I'd say something like this is your best bet. Take EDM pop songs and make them rock. Some have more potential than others because of the lyrics or the melody (or there lack of.) Some modern songs are literally a beat and lyrics, no real accompaniment to work with.

As far as songs to punkify:
Bruno Mars has some songs you could probably make work.
Black Keys are pretty easy, or maybe find a way to make Lumineers rock a little.
Nathaniel Rateliff has a pretty workable song called SOB.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Kitsapbass
#54
electracoyote said:
In the final analysis, it really is a good pairing of playlist and audience that matters most. People want to hear their favorite songs played in an appreciable way.



Here's the tricky part, and where a lot of bands go south. You can take that "make it our own" mentality just a little too far and end up shooting yourself in the ass. A lot of cover bands in my area wonder why they aren't getting the gigs if they are playing the same songs as the popular bands. Usually, they are so far out of the ball park, compared to other bands, they sound like a bad parody. It's a fine line, and you have to know how to stay on the right side of it. You can get away with some things, but take too many liberties and people won't appreciate it so much.

A lot of bands I see say they are playing it "their way," but in truth, they lack the necessary skills to learn the basic progressions and melodies. Audiences aren't as detail-oriented as musicians, but they know the difference between a clever and acceptable re-working of their favorite song and a hack job.
Click to expand...
I echo this completely. Kinda what I was trying to say, albeit put much more eloquently. Well said!
 
  • Like
Reactions: electracoyote
#55
Noshtero said:
Just FYI I'm noting all these songs and I'll go listen to them later (since I recognize almost none of them).
Click to expand...
By the way, you mentioned moms in the audience. Sure, they probably like the stuff their kids listen to... But I'm sure they'd appreciate the big pop songs from when they were kids themselves. Look into also throwing in 80s-90s-00s super mega hits, too!
 
#57
Noshtero said:
Does anyone else have any ideas. Like I said, I listen to basically none of this type of music. If we find a bar that wants to hear Godsmack or Disturbed, I'm good to go!
Click to expand...
My former band from the early 2000s played this stuff to packed houses. I really miss those days. My last band did a lot of the top dance stuff and I'm in the same boat you are, never listened to it. I'd have to force myself to go through them a few times to learn them, but luckily they're super simple. On top of that, since it was popular dance music, we'd play a song for a few weeks then move it out of rotation. I had to leave my band last year due to a career change and was really missing it until I read your post and remembered how awful most of the music was. Thanks, I needed that.
 
#58
Noshtero said:
Just FYI I'm noting all these songs and I'll go listen to them later (since I recognize almost none of them).
Click to expand...
That's the right attitude. I'm with you on pop radio and all that. A lot of songs are generic and all of them are over produced. All that said, when stripped down and played by a four or five piece cover band, it can be lots of fun. And just as musical as the stuff you like to play in your OP. Have fun with it. Having fun playing Lady Gaga doesn't automatically make you a fan of hers either. Not that that would even be a problem anyway. My point is, if you're trying to expand and appease your "PLAY SOMETHING WE KNOW!" audience, then there's just no way around it. You have to step out of you comfort zone. It makes you a professional.

Cheers
 
Last edited:
#59
electracoyote said:
Good list. We cover a few of those plus

"Cake By The Ocean"
"Treasure"

There is actually a lot of contemporary modern pop rock dance music that could be covered relatively easily by most decent cover bands.

It can take a little effort to stay well atop of what is current and popular with the mainstream audience.

It also helps for your band mates to have an open mind and be audience-centered, and it helps to know your target audience. I'm always using my peripheral vision to see what other bands are playing and what songs are/aren't working.
Click to expand...
Yeah! Cake By the Ocean! My 11 year old daughter makes me listen to the local pop station so I got hooked on this one but, alas, my bandmates don't agree.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back