What to play for Military?

[IconBasser]

definately play some metallica songs. And some Pantera

 

[Bard2dbone]

I remember that the Air Force guys got a big kick outof 'Radar Love' by Golden Earring.

You could look for songs like that, where there seems to be somewhat of a humorous connection.

"We're an American Band" is a winner, but warn your drummer. He'll really want to use a double pedal for that one.

And country stuff does go over well.

 

[Dr_Funkdamental]

Perhaps learning a cool version of the armed forces songs would go over well (if any of the forces know them)

Anchors Aweigh (Navy)
From the Halls of Montezuma (USMC) - I forget the real title
Caissons go rolling along (Army)
Off we go (into the wild blue yonder) - USAF

As a classic "march" style - it might go over as well as a fart in church - They are simple tunes, so you could probably get a cool arrangement from them!

imp

I know he meant well, but this may get you jumped on stage (esp. by marines). I wouldnt advise it. Nevetheless, Ive seen some good recommendations. Just know that these service members havent necessarily been living under rocks for the last yr or two. Aside from some classic stuff, you can do some current tunes (maybe some Fall Out Boy, Maroon 5). "Hey Ya" (Outkast) went over well when we did it.

BigOleBoogie had some outstanding suggestions in his post. I'd like to say thanks for supporting us. Believe me you will get some of the most appreciative crowds you'll ever play for.

 

[Growler]

This was The song of the Vietnam war... still applies today

We've Gotta Get Out Of This Place - The Animals

 

[Growler]

Perhaps learning a cool version of the armed forces songs would go over well (if any of the forces know them)

Anchors Aweigh (Navy)
From the Halls of Montezuma (USMC) - I forget the real title
Caissons go rolling along (Army)
Off we go (into the wild blue yonder) - USAF

As a classic "march" style - it might go over as well as a fart in church - They are simple tunes, so you could probably get a cool arrangement from them!

imp

Gene Simmons did this for the troops on his show "Family Jewels" Invalid Link Removed

 

[Brooks]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. Guess we got lucky, last night we auditioned and took on a really good female vocalist (doesn't hurt that she is 25, pretty, and has long, natural red hair). We picked a set list (about 80% from your suggestions). Basically, we substituted in few places - Doobie Brothers, but Long Train Running because it's more 'dancy'....that sort of thing. With female vocals available, we can do Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson etc. Will let you know how it goes.

 

[Ramstien]

The Trooper - Iron Maiden
Rock You Like A Hurricane - Scorpions.

 

[Bard2dbone]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. Guess we got lucky, last night we auditioned and took on a really good female vocalist (doesn't hurt that she is 25, pretty, and has long, natural red hair). We picked a set list (about 80% from your suggestions). Basically, we substituted in few places - Doobie Brothers, but Long Train Running because it's more 'dancy'....that sort of thing. With female vocals available, we can do Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson etc. Will let you know how it goes.

No pics, no pretty 25 year old redhead. This is TB and that's the law.

 

[nickelseye]

As suggested, 'American Band' is a good one.

Also, Neil Young's 'Rocking In The Free World' Although the lyrics are somewhat disturbing, it always seems to go over for military.

One more..AC/DC 'You Shook Me All Night Long'..with a female vocalist you should be able to pull this off.

 

[ahkiatt]

here are some songs we do that are well received (I'll leave the country tunes out since you already have some). This should give you an idea:

Sweet Child O' Mine- Guns N' Roses
Peg- Steely Dan
Superstition or Sir Duke- Stevie Wonder
Waiting on the World to Change- JOhn Mayer
Who says you Can't Go home- Bon Jovi
Some Kind of Wonderful- Joss Stone version
Best of My love
Hit me with your best shot/Heartbreaker- Pat Benetar
Breakaway- Kelly Clarkson
Brown Eyed Girl
Listen to the Music- Doobies
Wild Night- Mellencamp/Ndegeocello version
Put your Records on- Corrine Bailey Rae
Sweet Home Alabama
Real Gone- Cheryl Crow
I don't wanna be- Gavin Degraw
Harder to Breath- Maroon 5
Smooth- Santana
It's my Life or Spiderwebs- No Doubt

Who says you can't go home should be really interesting.

 

[Pacman]

Another USAF guy here, and while I won't offer specific tunes, I've got some guidelines that worked well for us overseas when I went to the middle east.

Keep the party going! We played a lot of dance music from the late 70s and early 80s.

Play stuff from as many genres as possible - we did Michael Jackson, Gretchen Wilson, STP, Rush, 3 Doors Down, Chery Lynn, Jimmy Buffet, etc....

If you're doing a "show" - give them one chance at the end for some sort of emotional release. Maybe because we were fellow military we got away with it, but we had a really nice arrangement of "Amazing Grace" - and a lot of guys cried. Be careful if you're doing this type of thing, though. At Christmas, they already miss their family, and don't need you to remind them that they're not at home. You run the risk of pissing them off.

Good luck - and thanks for going!