Should I join or not?

Had an audition last Friday night for a cover band. They told me to learn a few songs from their existing list and I did. After we played those songs, we played a few random tunes that I suggested with slight hesitation and overall it sounded pretty good for our first time playing. The main person asked me to come back and they showed me their main set list and that's where I have a problem, which is I'm not crazy about the tunes they have in mind. The songs are popular classic radio hits from the 70's and that's fine, but I would rather play/work on a Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, The Police, etc tune. I asked if it was possible to mix up the set list and they said sure, but I took their body language as "no, not really".

Should I go back and play/learn songs that I don't want to learn and hope that we get some gigs and possibly a few bucks in my pocket or tell me them up front that we need to mix it up the set list at least 50% and if not then I just can't do it.

Thanks

Maybe they play the songs they do for a reason...because audiences like them.

Is it a gigging band? Have you seem them live?

I doubt if many general audiences of young people out for a good time would want to sit through Led Zep or Pink Floyd, but I could be wrong.

Maybe they play the songs they do for a reason...because audiences like them.

Is it a gigging band? Have you seem them live?

I doubt if many general audiences of young people out for a good time would want to sit through Led Zep or Pink Floyd, but I could be wrong.

Theres the rub. You may like playing Floyd,ect. as do I. The fact is the audience would rather dance and listen to ( i, hate saying this) "Brown eyed Girl" or "Mustang Sally" than 6 min. of "Comfortably Numb" sad but true.

Theres the rub. You may like playing Floyd,ect. as do I. The fact is the audience would rather dance and listen to ( i, hate saying this) "Brown eyed Girl" or "Mustang Sally" than 6 min. of "Comfortably Numb" sad but true.

+1

First off I would not be asking to change up the set list of an established band on my first audition, but that's just my personality.

I currently play in two bands that I'm not crazy about the songs we play, but... both bands are with friends who are good musicians so I like playing live music with my friends. If these were just guys I didn't know I would not join a band that doesn't play what I like. And I wouldn't want someone joining my band if their goal was to play different music and start changing my set list.

So I say if you can be supportive of, and improve what they are doing, and you will enjoy learning/practicing their set list, then join up. If you don't like their songs you should continue looking for or make the effort to start a band you like.

Look at it as a challenge, it will be a good and varied learning experience to get under your belt.

I agree ^. Don't hold out for a band that's your perfect playlist, you'll be waiting too long. Just join up. You can have fun playing Girls Just Wanna Have Fun (if you have to). And then you can toss in a thing or two of your own once you get in with the band.

First off I would not be asking to change up the set list of an established band on my first audition, but that's just my personality.
I was gonna say this but didn't..... so.... another +1 for me

I agree and disagree with everything said so far. Songs are "popular" for a reason. If the band is making money they will continue to do what they do with or without you. If they aren't then you might be able to sway a bit of what they do, but not in it's entirety. Give and take can be good. If the people you play for start leaving during some of your choices then you'll all know probably not to do them again at least at that place.

So basically then from your side it's just what can you be comfortable with doing? I did a thing this weekend that was mostly rough (because of the singer and his song choices) but enough of it was fun to say ok to doing it again this week. The band makes it worthwhile as I was playing with one of the top guitar players and top drummers in town. I didn't care that much what we played as I was enjoying them so much. Are these guys good enough for you to have fun doing stuff you don't care for? If not it's probably not the best choice for you. On the other hand if it's ok, and they are making you money, you need to decide if you can use the money vs playing elton john. I've said yes and I've said no. Either way the money is gone and so is my virginity. But if they have no work and not many prospects then basically you'll be a 70s garage band doing Seasons in the Sun. I'd pass on that. Unless the do Billy don't be a Hero. Then, count me in.

Theres the rub. You may like playing Floyd,ect. as do I. The fact is the audience would rather dance and listen to ( i, hate saying this) "Brown eyed Girl" or "Mustang Sally" than 6 min. of "Comfortably Numb" sad but true.

Not sad at all. How the heck does one dance to "Comfortably Numb?"

Disco got popular for a reason... white girls were tired of trying to dance to Jethro Tull without looking like a blissed out hair farmer. :roll:

Not sad at all. How the heck does one dance to "Comfortably Numb?"

Have you heard the Scissor Sisters' version? :shock:

Had an audition last Friday night for a cover band. They told me to learn a few songs from their existing list and I did. After we played those songs, we played a few random tunes that I suggested with slight hesitation and overall it sounded pretty good for our first time playing. The main person asked me to come back and they showed me their main set list and that's where I have a problem, which is I'm not crazy about the tunes they have in mind. The songs are popular classic radio hits from the 70's and that's fine, but I would rather play/work on a Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, The Police, etc tune. I asked if it was possible to mix up the set list and they said sure, but I took their body language as "no, not really".

Should I go back and play/learn songs that I don't want to learn and hope that we get some gigs and possibly a few bucks in my pocket or tell me them up front that we need to mix it up the set list at least 50% and if not then I just can't do it.

Thanks

If nothing else, put them dollers in yer pocket and move on to your next band.

If you do it right with these guys, just maybe there will be another band looking for somebody like you.

I like it when other bands have come to check me out at a gig.

You can turn the situation around to your advantage:
1) The guys you are playing with now have to work harder to keep you.
2) The other band will work harder to get you as their Guitarist.

Best of luck.

It's much easier to find the "right" band for you if you're already in a band, especially a gigging one.

Here's why alot of guys choose the songs they do (just a guess).

#1 Zeppelin is hard to sing even for people with a high range and if the vocals and drums aren't perfect it sucks. I know of a few guys that can do a passable john bonham
#2 Pink Floyd is boooooring (don't mean to be rude but, its boring without a laser show
#3 the Police is only for people with a good range and its hard to sing too, if the drums and vocals aren't perfect they suck

You have to go into an established band with the idea of "I'm the new guy, this is a whole band". I would sit in front of youtube and learn parts, have a few rehearsals then get paid. Stepping stone bands are necessary unless you are an awesome songwriter, or have a following.

He didn't say he was a beginner. he may have already had the stepping stones and now he's rolling stones back down the hill.

Update: I gave the main guy a call and told him I'm in and he mentioned that the set-list they currently have is not set in stone, so hearing that was positive. We'll meet tomorrow night again, so one step/practice at a time, right?

Thanks for all the great feedback!

My thought is this...you were asked to join a band..not form a band. There is a huge difference. The band that you were asked to join, is most likely geared for what they are currently playing. When I say 'geared'..I mean vocally and skill level for the drums and guitars and such. Some people are fantastic players for Country or Pop or Rock..etc..some people can do it all..others, not so much.

Play your passion..sounds like they are but you won't be if you join this group. I've been down that road having other band members join our band and they were not into our type of music....end result..not very good. They would never fully learn their parts and it showed...and I would have to show them the door. Find a band or fellow band mates who share the same taste in music. Why join something that you are going to be miserable doing :shock:

Update: I gave the main guy a call and told him I'm in and he mentioned that the set-list they currently have is not set in stone, so hearing that was positive. We'll meet tomorrow night again, so one step/practice at a time, right?

Thanks for all the great feedback!

Good decision. Yes, take it step by step. In my band I tend to choose the songs, but then I am the singer, frontman etc. When I 'just' play guitar in a band I am much more laid back and give things a while to see how it's going before making many suggestions.

Theres the rub. You may like playing Floyd,ect. as do I. The fact is the audience would rather dance and listen to ( i, hate saying this) "Brown eyed Girl" or "Mustang Sally" than 6 min. of "Comfortably Numb" sad but true.

+1 There are always sacrifices that must be made when you're a dance band.

My guess is that the OP's problem will solve itself. When you push too hard for different material and you're the newbie you'll soon be ushered out the door. Unless you're capable of leading the band through those numbers and arranging them don't expect the groups vets to do it for you.

They're auditioning you not the other way around. If you don't like their direction simpy bow out. That works best for eveyone concerned.

Very few people will get to hear your best Floyd solo from your bedroom.
However thousands will hear you riff on Mustang Sally.
It's about exposure.
Get out there and make the best of it.
Good luck.

I joined my current band because I'd never done much work in country and I wanted to "expand my horizons" as trite as that may sound.

It worked, and I'm having a blast.

But, as the other guitar player's wife put it, "Doug's a BAD influence on you guys. I'm glad y'all added him!" That was right after we did "All Shook Up" at a tempo that would have made the Ramones proud of us and dislocated Elvis' hips.

We play comfortably numb as the last song of the night after Pride n Joy and believe it or not we get good responses to it, but granted, by 1am around here its mostly burn outs that are left..:lol:...otherwise we'd drop it.....placement of a song in a set list can be critical on certain songs.

Sorry to say but think about it from the dance floor prospective. It's got to keep the girls dancing. Females in the crowd+guys coming to clubs to see girls=drinks sales and cover at the door.

Every band has to go through those songs to find out what ones are the dance floor killers. Pink Floyd songs seem to do it. A band I run regularly dors a great Brick in the Wall cover,but its a night ender,encore type song. Basically a song saying time to go home.

Just the same as the good song to start the night off with. You find some people are not quite ready to get up and dance in the first set(not enough drinks in them),but you need the good hook driven pop song to start the night off. So those first set classic staple "girl' songs like Brown Eyed Girl,Jesses Girl,American Girl,Honkytonk Woman,Jack N' Diane all work.

2nd set you can rock/dance it up. 3rd set is for getting a bit more heavy or stretching out a bit.

Ulimately it about knowing your crowd,reading the room. So having a variety of songs in your setlist is key.

Sorry to say but think about it from the dance floor prospective. It's got to keep the girls dancing. Females in the crowd+guys coming to clubs to see girls=drinks sales and cover at the door.

Every band has to go through those songs to find out what ones are the dance floor killers. Pink Floyd songs seem to do it. A band I run regularly dors a great Brick in the Wall cover,but its a night ender,encore type song. Basically a song saying time to go home.

Just the same as the good song to start the night off with. You find some people are not quite ready to get up and dance in the first set(not enough drinks in them),but you need the good hook driven pop song to start the night off. So those first set classic staple "girl' songs like Brown Eyed Girl,Jesses Girl,American Girl,Honkytonk Woman,Jack N' Diane all work.

2nd set you can rock/dance it up. 3rd set is for getting a bit more heavy or stretching out a bit.

Ulimately it about knowing your crowd,reading the room. So having a variety of songs in your setlist is key.


Dead On :wink:

When it comes to playing in a cover band, you have to play what general audiences want to hear (except for Nickelback, don't EVER play nickelback no matter what). If you are planning to only play the studio/garage for your own bands enjoyment then definitely stand your ground and play Zep, Floyd, Sabbath, Rush, ELP, and a 2 hour Blues freestyle.

To give an update:

I learned 5 songs that they asked me for the first jam and then they asked me join at the end of that session and I did 2 days later. A few days go by and I get a text to learn 5 more songs. When the 2nd jam happens we play their 10 songs and while driving home, it hit me. No one mentioned the songs we played on our 1st jam that I recommend we run through and those were:

Black Crowes - Hard to Handle
Stones - Start me up
Billy Squire - My kind of lover

Those 3 songs went over well, but I guess it wasn't their scene? 2 days later I called and said it was not a good mix for all involved. Time is one thing I really don't have much of (kids, work, life), so when I do play I really want enjoy what I play.

Oh well.

When it comes to playing in a cover band, you have to play what general audiences want to hear (except for Nickelback, don't EVER play nickelback no matter what). If you are planning to only play the studio/garage for your own bands enjoyment then definitely stand your ground and play Zep, Floyd, Sabbath, Rush, ELP, and a 2 hour Blues freestyle.

There's a place for Zep, Floyd and Sabbath in a bar but not so much Rush or ELP in my experience . Of course, it all depends on where you are gigging. You have to play what people want to hear, which still leaves a wide choice that can overlap with your own tastes but also everyone in the band needs to be happy with what's being played, or even if they aren't so happy with the music they're happy with the general reaction it receives live. These reasons are why I think that so many bar bands get pulled back to the same old songs, cause people like 'em, they're easy to put together and the guys in the band often at least kind of know them already.

It is supremely annoying when bands break for the week with a little batch of songs to work on for the next rehearsal only for all the band members to learn only the one they picked or the one that they liked, or take it upon themselves to scrap a given selection and text around some new ones. I say if you do not like a song, then say that you do not like it. Depending on the way things work in a given band, like if you are working for Paul Anka, if you're even thinking about saying it, you've got the wrong gig but if it is worth saying then you must say it and save everybody the time and hassle of learning the tune only for one person to come to practice and say "Nah, actually I didn't like that number after all. Now let's move onto the song that I picked."

People sometimes deep down resent having something like a song selection being foisted upon them which is why something that can work better than simply asking a person to learn a song is to make them think that learning the song was at least partly their idea in the first place. The basic scenario is that you start up a riff during an idle moment like just after a break, other guys come in with you on a loose jam on it, it sounds good, they ask what it was, you tell them and everybody agrees to go away and polish that one off next week. I must try to start using that tactic more myself......

I just wish somebody would offer me a slot in a band with that kind of playlist. I've been bandless now for a couple of months and the the reality is sinking in that I won't be playing _any_ live music from here on out. I'm getting so desperate to play again I'd almost be willing to join another country band! <G>

Good luck with the search, though. If bands are asking you to join it probably won't be long until you find one you click with.

Justin

To give an update:

I learned 5 songs that they asked me for the first jam and then they asked me join at the end of that session and I did 2 days later. A few days go by and I get a text to learn 5 more songs. When the 2nd jam happens we play their 10 songs and while driving home, it hit me. No one mentioned the songs we played on our 1st jam that I recommend we run through and those were:

Black Crowes - Hard to Handle
Stones - Start me up
Billy Squire - My kind of lover

Those 3 songs went over well, but I guess it wasn't their scene? 2 days later I called and said it was not a good mix for all involved. Time is one thing I really don't have much of (kids, work, life), so when I do play I really want enjoy what I play.

Oh well.

It's all good really. There is no right/wrong in these situations and I think you are being true to yourself not joining a band that you're not happy with. My experience is the general direction or dynamics of a band do not change, so you will have these same issues a year from now if you join.