General Music Chat

I figure my last post was kind of a drag, so I wanted to post something fun...

I'm thinking about putting together a band to do nothing but 80's stuff...not so much the hair metal (although I like a lot of it), but rather the new wave stuff.

Examples:
Whip It-Devo
Cars-Gary Numan
Something About You-Level 42

You get the idea. A lot of that stuff is fun as hell to play (on bass), and besides, I'm worn out on the 70's classic schlock.

Give me some ideas-what songs do YOU think have to be played?

I'll admit that even though he's an icon of the 80's, I'm working around Michael Jackson...and maybe Madonna (I do want to work with a female vocalist, though, so who knows?).

You have to play Sidetracked (Freddie King), Monkey Around (Delbert McClinton), Blues With A Feeling (Little Walter, I Got My Mojo Working (Muddy Waters), Tell Me About the Blues (fisherman bob), Blues With A Feeling (Little Walter), etc. IF you're a blues band. Other than that I have no idea what you HAVE to play...

Awesome idea Joe. In my time I've covered both "Whip It" and "Cars" and they both go over well. There's a band here called the M-80's that does exactly what you're proposing. They're solidly booked.

I'll have to go with the 70's Joseph as thats when I came of age, though heavily influenced by the 60,s as well due to it being played on late night "classic rock" stations. Though a great many bands influenced me early Aerosmith and KISS especially are evident.
Your last post a drag?
On the contrary, it was on a subject with which we all deal as musicians of many levels.
Open discussions open minds.
I hate you had to deal with it so intimately, but thank you for sharing.

I appreciate that, Sans...Not to get all mushy, but, to me, the real value of this site is being able to discuss topics such as that-and get all kinds of feedback...priceless.
I discovered music in the 80's, but was drawn to the 70's. At one time, I had amassed a pretty extensive CASSETTE collection-most of which was 70's bands that I wanted to hear.
Most of the bands around here are straight classic rock cover bands...I just think that offering a little variety might lead to some success. (Thanks for that bit, Jimmy. You confirmed what I thought-there is an audience for such a thing).
Bob, all I can say is that you are a bluesman through and through. Gotta respect that.

LOL
Yes I too amassed an extensive cassette collection. Had a good friend whom was into recording and mixing from LP to cassette. We shared a lot of music back then. I had purchased a new Pioneer "Supertuner" for my ride after my 8 tracks were stolen. LOL
Can you imagine? Stealing 8 tracks?

I figure my last post was kind of a drag, so I wanted to post something fun...

I'm thinking about putting together a band to do nothing but 80's stuff...not so much the hair metal (although I like a lot of it), but rather the new wave stuff.

Examples:
Whip It-Devo
Cars-Gary Numan
Something About You-Level 42

You get the idea. A lot of that stuff is fun as hell to play (on bass), and besides, I'm worn out on the 70's classic schlock.

Give me some ideas-what songs do YOU think have to be played?

I'll admit that even though he's an icon of the 80's, I'm working around Michael Jackson...and maybe Madonna (I do want to work with a female vocalist, though, so who knows?).

Hey Joe,
You can cover my "Come On To Me " if ya wanna, since that's an early 80's song.

Some Fixx, Tears for Fears and Thomas Dolby would be cool too.

(now get yo ass practicin' for that New Years Gig! )

Howlin'

My mom had some Barry Manilow and Johnny Mathis 8-tracks that I would have gladly let them steal...

Man, Howlin'! That song has some serious bass in it...It's been a while since I listened to that!

I'd thought of Tears for Fears, but blanked on The Fixx and Thomas Dolby. Thanks!

I've tried to push that idea more than once, so far, I've been shot down every time.

Most of teh cover-bands are open to doing a few 80's songs, but I wanted to do something more on the line of the upbeat dance stuff like-

Fixx - one thing leads to another
Duran Duran - Rio / Hungry like the wolf
Prince - 1999
Oingo Boingo - dead mans party
so much more... but ONLY songs from the genre/generation.

IMO people want to hear it, it's upbeat, TONS of hits everyone knows, danceable, flashy in it's own way (ppl are sick of jeans/flannels IMO)

So many around here as SO damn stuck on brown eyed girl, born to be wild, margaritaville, roadhouse blues, etc.. barf ... OMG can't we get past that stuff? lol.

Hey Joseph - try "Fee" by Phish. I used my own bass lines (as I always do) & it's a strange lil piece to play, due to the odd chord structure.

Hard to believe that "Dead Man's Party" was the same guy that wrote the them for the Simpsons & the Beetlejuice theme & the Batman movie stuff. I love his work!

I also loved the Fixx, Peter Gabriel, Cars, & B-52s. The 80's were fun, but I have no real preference, as long as the music's good.

Guess my favorite era would be 70s and then the 90s.

Its weird developing songlist. Ive talked to some guys I know who play a lot more than me and you just never know what will move people to get off their butt and dance. When Im playing live covers I like to have people dancing. I dont think my playing is that special that folks should just sit there and listen. On the other hand if Im doing the acoustic thing when I play originals I would like for people to listen to the words cause I try to throw in some funny stuff to get people into the song. But ussually in the acoustic setting you become background noise, playing Margaritaville and Brown Eyed Girl all night long or something of that nature.

I like Kramers idea of a hardcore dance band, maybe not the songs he listed, but if you can consistently move people on the dance floor with a good mix of dance numbers and slow belly rubbers I think you can get gigs.

Of course getting 3-4-5-6 people to agree is a whole other story in itself.

Good Luck

Phil, I'll have to look that one up...not familiar with it.

JW, you are so right. Hell, I'd be happy to get 3 people to agree on ANYTHING!
I really do believe there is an audience for it...I think that musicians tend not to stray too far from their roots. The last group I was jamming with (the New Year's show that I am NOT playing for $25) were big time Metallica-heads...not that there is anything wrong with that...unless you actually want to gig anywhere within 100 miles of this area! The point is that getting them to play something that wasn't 228% guitar-driven was never gonna happen...

Cover Songs that I used and found people dug from the 80's (new wave scene)

1) Just Like Heaven - Cure

2) True Faith - New Order

3) New Sensation - INXS

4) Destination Unknown - Missing Person (cool guitar parts)

5) Don't You (Forget About Me) – Simple Minds

As time goes by, one become more open to all types of music, though in the beginning we are biased. I am listening to and playing things I would never have considered when I was 20, 30 or 40... An open ear should accompany an open mind.

However, if 80's stuff is where you want to go,then go there. BTW, "One Thing Leads to Another" is a great tune. Always like that one.