What is working on the Club Scene?

[baddarryl]

Hi all. I am an old rocker that didn't start playing out until later in life. Truth be told I have only played a handful of gigs, but I have now practiced and got gig ready with 3 different bands to watch them fall apart. My latest band was a 5 piece with keys that was doing classic rock covers. Some fun stuff, but much of it very old hat. We split up and I have reformed with the singer and a different drummer as a trio. We are redeveloping our set list and it is standard classic rock with some newer stuff like Stone Roses, Rival Son etc mixed in.

One of my ideas has been to check out the local scene and see what people are playing and getting reactions to genre wise. I understand that dance music and old singalongs are always popular. Personally I am rock and roll through and through and puke of I have to play Play that Funky Music. I went to a friends show last night with one of the more popular working bands that plays modern country/southern rock type stuff. Basically classic rock with a twang. The people love it and they are booked 100 shows out. I want some of that action, but am only luke warm on the Country. I have played some of their set list with that drummer and it was fun to play. Different. He is telling me that Classic Rock is dead and the only place we will get booked is the Elks Club. I don't want to waste my time with a set list that is not marketable. If I had my way I'd be playing Faith No More, but that is not reality.

I am thinking we could do well in this area doing Adult Alternative type stuff. I have mentioned this to the guys and it has fallen on deaf ears. AA stuff is very popular here with Bonarroo type National bands playing a busy venue here all the time. Sort of this scene: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

What say you? Thanks.

 

[jastacey]

I always try to keep an open mind, in playing music, me, I grew up playing all the stuff ( they call it Classic Rock now ) of the 60'-70's- 80's-90', as I have gotten older, I've noticed the patrons of the bars, wanted variety, it's always, if your playing Classic Rock, they want a few country songs, and vise versa, so me, I learned a whole bunch of old & new country songs, the issue is the bands, most of the bands "Don't Want To Learn", some think, there not comfortable, in playing/learning, different/new material, why they don't want to expand there income is beyond me, but how I've dealt with it, was going the route of being a sub bass player, it gives me the ability to play a lot-ta different songs, that I wouldn't have had the opportunity to play ( and watch/view, the crowd reaction, as to see what works ), and yes, some of the newer stuff, is .... well not my cup of tea, but being a good well rounded bassist, I learn it, play it, see what it does to the crowd, and collect my $$, since I'm more or less a sub player, I don't really get involved in band politics, sure I miss the band hang time, but since most band have directions, that I don't believe in ( not wanting to rehearse as a band, people confusing at home practice/learning, with band rehearsal, and the lack of a business plan ), so get good at learning stuff, you don't want to play, sell your services, and enjoy playing, your making some happy .... IMHO

 

[baddarryl]

I always try to keep an open mind, in playing music, me, I grew up playing all the stuff ( they call it Classic Rock now ) of the 60'-70's- 80's-90', as I have gotten older, I've noticed the patrons of the bars, wanted variety, it's always, if your playing Classic Rock, they want a few country songs, and vise versa, so me, I learned a whole bunch of old & new country songs, the issue is the bands, most of the bands "Don't Want To Learn", some think, there not comfortable, in playing/learning, different/new material, why they don't want to expand there income is beyond me, but how I've dealt with it, was going the route of being a sub bass player, it gives me the ability to play a lot-ta different songs, that I wouldn't have had the opportunity to play ( and watch/view, the crowd reaction, as to see what works ), and yes, some of the newer stuff, is .... well not my cup of tea, but being a good well rounded bassist, I learn it, play it, see what it does to the crowd, and collect my $$, since I'm more or less a sub player, I don't really get involved in band politics, sure I miss the band hang time, but since most band have directions, that I don't believe in ( not wanting to rehearse as a band, people confusing at home practice/learning, with band rehearsal, and the lack of a business plan ), so get good at learning stuff, you don't want to play, sell your services, and enjoy playing, your making some happy .... IMHO

I hear you. I did enjoy learning and playing that country stuff.

 

[two fingers]

Hi all. I am an old rocker that didn't start playing out until later in life. Truth be told I have only played a handful of gigs, but I have now practiced and got gig ready with 3 different bands to watch them fall apart. My latest band was a 5 piece with keys that was doing classic rock covers. Some fun stuff, but much of it very old hat. We split up and I have reformed with the singer and a different drummer as a trio. We are redeveloping our set list and it is standard classic rock with some newer stuff like Stone Roses, Rival Son etc mixed in.

One of my ideas has been to check out the local scene and see what people are playing and getting reactions to genre wise. I understand that dance music and old singalongs are always popular. Personally I am rock and roll through and through and puke of I have to play Play that Funky Music. I went to a friends show last night with one of the more popular working bands that plays modern country/southern rock type stuff. Basically classic rock with a twang. The people love it and they are booked 100 shows out. I want some of that action, but am only luke warm on the Country. I have played some of their set list with that drummer and it was fun to play. Different. He is telling me that Classic Rock is dead and the only place we will get booked is the Elks Club. I don't want to waste my time with a set list that is not marketable. If I had my way I'd be playing Faith No More, but that is not reality.

I am thinking we could do well in this area doing Adult Alternative type stuff. I have mentioned this to the guys and it has fallen on deaf ears. AA stuff is very popular here with Bonarroo type National bands playing a busy venue here all the time. Sort of this scene: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

What say you? Thanks.

Are you in Wilmington? If so, I'm not far from you.

A setlist of ONLY classic rock is a nonstarter. Don't even bother... unless there are half a dozen clubs down there I don't know about that cater to an older crowd.

If you're averse to any modern pop or danceable stuff, you gotta add some modern country. And a lot of that stuff rocks. We do Shoot Me Straight by Brothers Osborne. I don't care what anybody says. That's a rock song. But your AUDIENCE calls it country. So there ya go.

 

[baddarryl]

Are you in Wilmington? If so, I'm not far from you.

A setlist of ONLY classic rock is a nonstarter. Don't even bother... unless there are half a dozen clubs down there I don't know about that cater to an older crowd.

If you're averse to any modern pop or danceable stuff, you gotta add some modern country. And a lot of that stuff rocks. We do Shoot Me Straight by Brothers Osborne. I don't care what anybody says. That's a rock song. But your AUDIENCE calls it country. So there ya go.

Yes we are in Wilmington. As you know there are a number of clubs here. Most of the old rock clubs are gone. My singer simply will not do country. That's why I am thinking Govt Mule, JJ Grey, the Revivalists, Frankenreiter etc.

 

[two fingers]

Yes we are in Wilmington. As you know there are a number of clubs here. Most of the old rock clubs are gone. My singer simply will not do country. That's why I am thinking Govt Mule, JJ Grey, the Revivalists, Frankenreiter etc.

Honestly, Wilmington is a pretty chill town. I would ask the club managers what works down there. I love Govt. Mule. I would be surprised if anyone in a nightclub had ever even heard of them, much less likes them.

 

[MrLenny1]

Time to hang out at jam sessions and local venues and see
what is being played.
Good Luck.

 

[baddarryl]

Time to hang out at jam sessions and local venues and see
what is being played.
Good Luck.

That is exactly what got me thinking this.

 

[richntiff]

I think variety is the key. If you play only one genre - no matter what it is - your options are limited, and you will wear out your welcome quickly. This is upped by a factor of 10 if you are only a classic rock or southern rock band.

 

[bigboy_78]

..... My singer simply will not do country.

Find another singer. If you want to play covers in the clubs, you need to find a band of people who are willing to play whatever people actually want to hear.

Time to hang out at jam sessions and local venues and see
what is being played.
Good Luck.

Hanging out at jam sessions, you will get to hear the music that musicians who can’t get a gig play to other musicians. Lets of classic rock & blooz.

Go to the popular clubs and see what the bands getting regular bookings are playing. As distasteful as you might find it, that is what is getting paid.

 

[StatesideRambler]

Constraining yourself [and your band] to only the music you want to play will keep you playing in your garage. You honestly have to play what the club patrons want to hear while they talk, dance, drink, shoot pool and whatever else they do in your neck of the woods.

 

[Nevada Pete]

I went to a friends show last night with one of the more popular working bands that plays modern country/southern rock type stuff. Basically classic rock with a twang. The people love it and they are booked 100 shows out. I want some of that action, but am only luke warm on the Country.

My singer simply will not do country.

You want some of that action, but...

Your singer simply will not do the music that will get you booked 100 shows out...

Okay, so...

 

[Samatza]

You have to go with what people in your area want. Don’t get me wrong if there are too many of the same kind of band you may have to find a niche you’re good at and do that.
At the end of the day it’s about making people happy, if that’s your goal you will succeed.

 

[rtslinger]

We do the usually classic rock, southern rock, hard rock, some country and some newer stuff.
It really depends sometimes on the area you are playing in. When we this one place they are looking for southern rock and CCR, others are happy with our normal set list. I make it a point to listen to crowd reaction and songs that fall on deaf ears in one place, kills in another, So we tried to adapt to what works where, but it really helps when you are locked in rotation with the clubs it makes this a lot easier. this works for us your mileage may differ

 

[mdlewis]

I grew playing what is now called classic rock. I lived in a place where southern rock was popular (and always really hated it). Had to learn lots of both songs to play, cause that's what most people wanted to hear, but my best high paying gigs were soft trad jazz (something I struggled to play).

Moved away to Boston and played punk and rock to large crowds and loved it. Fast forward to 2020. I still play in a classic rock combo although we almost never play out anymore. This stuff is everywhere and to be honest, few people want to hear it. Recently, I was asked to play in a country trio without a drummer. I love classic country music but never liked playing it. I also hate playing without a drummer. Wouldn't you know it, but we're playing twice a month to enthusiastic crowds. Go figure. You go with what people want, or resign yourselves to trying to convince them that they should like you. The latter works with originals combined with lots of hard work and promotion. Never worked with a cover band for me.

 

[Oddly]

Adult Alternative?
I think @hrodbert696 is running a band playing stuff that'd fit that.
Perhaps he'll drop by and discuss this.

 

[40Hz]

Personally I am rock and roll through and through and puke of I have to play Play that Funky Music. I went to a friends

. I want some of that action, but am only luke warm on the Country.

I am thinking we could do well in this area doing Adult Alternative type stuff. I have mentioned this to the guys and it has fallen on deaf ears.

A few thoughts;

“Covers is covers and originals is originals.”

If you go into the covers scene with an originals band mindset, you’re DOA. You play what’s asked for - or you go home.

If you decide to go onto the current originals non-scene…well…good luck. And you probably should get your head examined.

Jams are for musicians. You play those to get stage experience and make connections. Don’t draw any conclusions about what will go over in the club scene from jam nights. Jams cater to a totally different crowd for totally different reasons.

 

[Bunk McNulty]

Personally I am rock and roll through and through and puke of I have to play Play that Funky Music.

The choice is yours to make: If you want to work, you put your ego in your back pocket and you play whatever is going down best with audiences. As the saying goes: There are three things you can get out of playing with a band: "You can play music you like. You can play with people you like. You can make the kind of money you like. Pick any two." I played 60+ gigs last year, and I played "Play That Funky Music" at every one of them, with enthusiasm. And it filled the dance floor every time.

 

[Gustopher]

We do mostly classic rock/southern rock and are booked throughout the year here, but we aren't trying to make a living at this and don't want to book ourselves more than 2x a month (have families and careers that require it). However, I have noticed a huge favorable reaction when we have added in some pop rock stuff from the 80's and 90's, so I definitely believe if we wanted to be more active and play more shows, we would need to update our setlist and add some country songs too. Depends on how much you want to play and the market where you live. We play in places with older crowds most of the time, they love the classic stuff.

 

[lfmn16]

If you want to gig there are only two approaches - play what people want to hear or find people that will come see what you want to play. The latter is exponentially harder.

In my Rockabilly band we’re willing to play less often in order to play what we like. Decide what’s most important to you and then proceed accordingly.