What genres work best for amateur bands?

[Chris71]

I'm thinking I'd quite like to get back into a band, but the question is what? Originals or covers, what genre? That sort of thing. If you're dealing with small 3 or 4 piece bands are there some types of music more in demmand than others?

I'm thinking of something contemporary and guitar-led - possibly ska, punk or indie-rock. Any thoughts?

[davidd]

Chris71 said:

I'm thinking I'd quite like to get back into a band, but the question is what? Originals or covers, what genre? That sort of thing. If you're dealing with small 3 or 4 piece bands are there some types of music more in demmand than others?

I'm thinking of something contemporary and guitar-led - possibly ska, punk or indie-rock. Any thoughts?

I always found punk was easy to play whilst leaping about like a fool. Although at my age I should know better.

D

[paulmurr]

My band plays a mix of stuff but in our own way. We're a cover band, not a tribute band Play a mix of stuff to cover all bases, for instance we do Queen and Neil Young covers, but also Queens of the Stone Age and the Foo Fighters covers.

We played only our second gig on Friday and seemed to go down well.

Remember most famous bands start out covering other bands songs so there is no shame in it

[gbbird]

Original does it every time for me. I have never really seen the point in covers bands, unless you are going to do a very very quirky take on the original.

As for Genre, i do love my metal. BUT, if you go down the rock/metal route, be aware that it is often very difficutl to get a decent sound when playing load and fast. So on that basis, perhaps some guitar driven indie pop might be the best way forward for now, then go down the death metal route when you can afford some decent hardware

Edited by gbbird on Monday 6th July 16:16

[Dracoro]

I think the key is doing stuff that most of the band know and are familiar with.

I'd suggest all band members go away individually and write down 20/30 songs they can play or know of etc. Then come together, compare the lists and go for the stuff that matches/crosses over most.

[Chris71]

I thought it'd be quite cool to do some of the rockier Britpop/90s indie with a few more contemporary bands (Killers, Muse etc) thrown in. I agree a mixture probably works best.

There's got to be certain genres that go down well in certain places though. I'm in North London, which is full of those stripey-topped, skinny jeans wearing be-perm'd new rave types, but even at 26 I feel too old to play (ok, wear) that sort of stuff! Metal would be fun, but I'm perhaps not quite good enough to do it justice on lead and you're starting to limit your audience a little. Ska would be a laugh, but you're starting to require quite a big band and getting decent horn players isn't easy. Blues rock is a bit cliched and there are there are more than enough over-qualified pub bands out there.

Hmm, I'm thinking up-tempo indie with synths. Muse, Killers, Charlatans, Kula Shaker... Maybe I should invest in a pair of skinny jeans.

[bennyboysvuk]

My covers band mostly plays songs for the audience we are playing to and certainly for the last few gigs this has meant old rock and roll, Beatles numbers as well as cheesy fun stuff like Green Door (such a laugh to play), Cocaine (with solos everywhere), Addicted to Love again with lots of solos. It's generally great fun and if you enjoy it and have an adoring crowd to play to, it doesn't get much better.

My other band plays Travisy/light rock type stuff that's all our own and it's much harder to pack out places. It's still fun though. www.coosticks.co.uk

[carmadgaz]

Mates band does covers of what they like (Manic Street Preachers, Stereophonics, Feeder, Pearl Jam, Muse, The Who, AC/DC and more), they have quite a few regular venues they play at.

www.skynt.co.uk

Another mates band have gone down the indie originals route and they are doin alright too

www.myspace.com/thefatigue

At the end of the day you have to be playing music you enjoy, if your good you'll find an audience

[chevy-stu]

I think you ned to decide why you want to play first, if it's just for fun to have a jam with other people or to actually gig. Just to play with mates and keep your hand in then just book a rehearsal room and play away or go to jam nights.
If it's gigging you've more chance of actually playing to audience doing covers, but you'll have to find a compromise of what you like to play and what the audience wants to hear, if it's originals then you're more likely to play to empty rooms but can be totally indulgent.

[lockhart flawse]

Original material every time for me. Only covers we've ever done were Wuthering Heights mixed with Oh Jim (Oh Heathcliffe...how could you treat me this way) and a Nolans song. Slightly different treatment to the originals however.

Anyone can play covers, what's the point?

L.F.

[Chris71]

lockhart flawse said:

Anyone can play covers, what's the point?

To involve the audience. Don't get me wrong I know plenty of original bands who are very capable of getting people on there feet, but it's not easy. A combination of drunk people and familiar tunes will get the crowd going even if your level of skill is, well, mine. Even very good bands seem to get a better crowd response from an occasional cover than their own material (as long as they're well chosen and a bit different).

I do completely understand the artistic expression that comes from performing your own stuff though. Given the choice (or more to the point ability) that's what I'd prefer but, like you say, anyone can make covers work.

Don't suppose there are any Herts/North London PHer who fancy a jam?