Best to play more classic rock or modern rock in 2008?

[xero380]

Just as curiousity for everyone out there playing on rockpage community, is everyone playing more modern music to date at their shows or revamping back towards more of the classic side when making up the set lists'. Just curious to see what everyone's take and approach is to this?

[Barfight]

i would think one would want to play whatever their target audience is most into...

if you're hitting the clubs that are usually frequented by the younger crowd... maybe you would want to consider modern, with maybe a few classics thrown in..

if you're playing the local American Legion... you're probably better off keeping your setlist to classic rock, and maybe a few modern songs...

[DrumAndDestroy]

whatever we feel like playing

[UNEARTHA7XMatt]

ORIGINALS!!!!!!!

[Barfight]

here we go again... another round of Originals vs Covers is about to commence..

[lonewolf]

The demographics of local music is simple. People in their mid 30's to mid 40's have the most disposable income and will still go out and spend more money on entertainment. Also, many of their kids in their 20s grew up listening to their parents' music. Since their music was out roughly 20 years prior, go back 20 years from the present date and that's usually whats hot in the "oldies".

Right now, late 80s rock (along with a variety of classic and modern rock) works good. In a few years, we'll all have to tape our fingers together, stop soloing and play grunge.

[moxham123]

Since we play songs from the last 6 decades, we cover a lot of bases from oldies to classic rock, to 80's to some new tunes. The majority of places we play seem to want the 60's, 70's, and 80's tunes. We get more requests for classic rock tunes from the 20 something crowd than newer songs. To echo what Lonewolf said, their parents listened to this music and, also, many of the radio stations still play it.

[Imgrimm01]

YES UNEARTH.... ORIGINALS !!!

[bassist4life2004]

I believe its always good to do a mixture, because chances are even if it's a young crowd, there are going to be people in the crowd (especially drunk dudes) that want to hear ozzy, judas priest and sabbath. I like the mixture that EC has, because we meet that old stuff with some 90's, then get into our modern rock.

[Merge]

I'd say that we'll be playing more modern rock. There are plenty of classic rock bands in this area, with most of them playing the same set list.

[bassist4life2004]

I'd say that we'll be playing more modern rock. There are plenty of classic rock bands in this area, with most of them playing the same set list.

Yea, thats true, but then if you are playing somewhere like the Hitching Post, or Victory Lane, people like the classics more (it seems to be that way to me anyway) so having the ability to play the older stuff is a plus. As many have said, read your crowd and figure out whats best for the situation. Don't walk into a place like 4D's and play Judas Priest...ya know.

[RamRod 1]

We're doing "60's, "70's, and "80's". Our "Nitch" is people from 40 to 70. We do a lot of Vet's, American Legion's, Moose's, etc. Not too sexy but the clubs always pay!

[m2helmet]

I'm assuming that we're talking the general Johnstown/Altoona areas. Classic covers seem to work best with us. I've seen numerous bands play originals at these venues and lose the crowds...If you're not playing originals or blues say in the Pgh. or Harrisburg areas, good chance you're gonna get booed off stage. I've repeatedly heard people bash...say for instance...even an area mainstay such as The Hurricanes, prior to a Lakemont wing-off, saying they weren't attending because they didn't want to hear 'that blues crap' or be bored with originals. Seems that this is a very weird music scene....'if it ain't baseball, we don't wanna hear bout it!' attitudes unfortunately prevail in this immediate area....you all know what I'm trying to say...Billy Bob gets off work on Fri, pounds a few beers down, gets up the courage to git on the dance floor 2-3 times, tries to pat Betty Sue on her ass thinkin' he's gonna git lucky fer the weekend! They both wanna hear something they can relate to...i.e....Calssic Rock tunes since their musical experiences are extremely limited in this area.
OK...I'll probably bring a world of shit down upon myself, but that's my opinion from playing this area. That's the reason we're playing what we are....so we can stay gainfully employed around here on weekends. Talk to patrons and club owners alike and listen to what they tell you.
Any other points of view on this subject?

[Barfight]

I'm assuming that we're talking the general Johnstown/Altoona areas. Classic covers seem to work best with us. I've seen numerous bands play originals at these venues and lose the crowds...If you're not playing originals or blues say in the Pgh. or Harrisburg areas, good chance you're gonna get booed off stage. I've repeatedly heard people bash...say for instance...even an area mainstay such as The Hurricanes, prior to a Lakemont wing-off, saying they weren't attending because they didn't want to hear 'that blues crap' or be bored with originals. Seems that this is a very weird music scene....'if it ain't baseball, we don't wanna hear bout it!' attitudes unfortunately prevail in this immediate area....you all know what I'm trying to say...Billy Bob gets off work on Fri, pounds a few beers down, gets up the courage to git on the dance floor 2-3 times, tries to pat Betty Sue on her ass thinkin' he's gonna git lucky fer the weekend! They both wanna hear something they can relate to...i.e....Calssic Rock tunes since their musical experiences are extremely limited in this area.
OK...I'll probably bring a world of shit down upon myself, but that's my opinion from playing this area. That's the reason we're playing what we are....so we can stay gainfully employed around here on weekends. Talk to patrons and club owners alike and listen to what they tell you.
Any other points of view on this subject?

your assessment is correct.

honestly, in regards to the covers vs originals... here is my assessment...

here, you have band A. A cover band that packs the floor, makes money, and has fun... but they're playing shit they didn't write, and collectively have no appreciation for the time and effort that goes into writing, and fine-tuning their own work... no fingerprint on the world musically, nothing. but they're happy... and they're making money because drunk motherfuckers like hearing everybody's rendition of "crazy bitch"...

that's cool...

now here you have band B. An original band that has been together for 3 years, they have written 25 songs, recorded 2 cds, a demo, they have t-shirts, and stickers, a myspace page with 3,000 friends, and out of their 3 years together they have averaged a 3 hour practice 2 times a week... they've made their mark in the world musically... as minor as it may be, they've done so... BUT THEY SUCK!. Their music is absolute dogshit, and because of this... they average 3 shows a month, in front of maybe 75 people tops... they have no money, and are under an incredible mountain of debt... but they're happy... because they're doing it on their own terms...

there you have it... a pro and a con for both sides... that's the ultimate point of view... do-with-it-what-you-will

[DrumAndDestroy]

You both bring up good points. Originals aren't really the big thing here in Altoona. Whatever...that's the way it is.

I'm not sure I've ever seen an original band get booed by a cover-loving crowd...but I'm sure it could happen. I'm sure people scream for some "Skynrd" or whatever the drunk morons like to yell. Remember...we're just a bunch of hicks around here who think we should dance to top 40 hits.

Whatever, a lot of talented guys around here play in cover bands...so be it.

This is why I'm glad there is Aldo's...original music is king there and even a scumbag punk band like my own gets great draw there. As for other places to play...an all ager here or there is cool (though that scene is dead now too), but playing in Pittsburgh or Philly is the most fun. That's why we play outta town more than around here...less hicks=more fun shows. But regardless...this is why there is more than one bar in Altoona...go see what ya like.

If you look at music as more of a job than just for the sheer enjoyment...well that's pretty retarded.

What can ya do..."Crazy Bitch" is one of the dumbest songs ever...but whatever gets a slut wet...

[ZappasXWife]

Remember...we're just a bunch of hicks around here who think we should dance to top 40 hits.

I take it you are being facetious but
1) Speak for yourself, I don't even know what this 'crazy bitch' is you speak of and 2) I guess you guys think you are (or really are) being realistic but in the process you have seemed to totally accept the notion that originals will never fly around here. That is a negative and pandering attitude but hey what do I know. I'm just a fan and like you wisely pointed out you know you have to play crazy bitch to get gigs around here. I guess thats true, but just know that 3) I sure would like to hear some fresh music (DIFFERENT covers or Originals) around this tired old town. In fact, THAT is the reason some of us don't go out much anymore. It certainly isn't for lack of talent, from what I have seen in Altoona at least, you guys have loads of it.
But what I really want to say is...look at the original post. This thread was not supposed to be about originals vs. covers. Again.

[UNEARTHA7XMatt]

If (god help my soul) I were to play in a cover band again I would have to say that Classic Rock would be the best way to go. Anymore if you go to a bar thats not having an original band Its packed full of Old Heads ( No Offense to anyone here on RP). They dont want to hear the screaming of metal or the angst of Punk they want to hear shit they can sit back and chill too and do the goofy white people dance to. Cant blame em! My parents do the crazy whte people dance too.

[Barfight]

Cant blame em! My parents do the crazy whte people dance too.

This dance?

[DrumAndDestroy]

I take it you are being facetious but
1) Speak for yourself, I don't even know what this 'crazy bitch' is you speak of and 2) I guess you guys think you are (or really are) being realistic but in the process you have seemed to totally accept the notion that originals will never fly around here. That is a negative and pandering attitude but hey what do I know. I'm just a fan and like you wisely pointed out you know you have to play crazy bitch to get gigs around here. I guess thats true, but just know that 3) I sure would like to hear some fresh music (DIFFERENT covers or Originals) around this tired old town. In fact, THAT is the reason some of us don't go out much anymore. It certainly isn't for lack of talent, from what I have seen in Altoona at least, you guys have loads of it.
But what I really want to say is...look at the original post. This thread was not supposed to be about originals vs. covers. Again.

Yes, it was merely sarcasm.

Originals fly around here...just only at certain places. There are fewer 'original friendly' bars than 'cover friendly' bars...that's just the way it is here. And I wasn't being negative about it...I was just stating fact. Like I said, that's why we can choose where we go.

Oh...and when someone starts a thread like this one...the 'covers vs. originals' debate is almost implied. I wasn't trying to turn it into that...but I did anyway. Oops.

Oh and don't act like ya don't know that song...

[ZappasXWife]

I REALLY don't know it, but

Oh and don't act like ya don't know that song...

THATS funny. And yeah barfight, thats the dance.

[Merge]

Are there any places up there that enjoy a mix of covers and originals, or is it all covers or all originals??

[DrumAndDestroy]

Are there any places up there that enjoy a mix of covers and originals, or is it all covers or all originals??

There's places that do enjoy both. And a few bands can pull of both. But shows are so hit and miss here as it is.

[Merge]

Why are shows so hit and miss??

[Griff]

It depends on the room and the crowd that is there. I play mostly classic and that seems to be the ice breaker in the rooms we play. I have seen in some rooms that there was alot of younger people into the classics we were playing and some of it was 80's and that goes well also "as Lonewolf said" so my point is do what you do best and market it.

[DrumAndDestroy]

not too sure of a reason.

sometimes you will see a huge crowd at the 4d's for instance. other times the place isn't so lively. seems like that anywhere ya go around here. i don't know though...i could just be out of the loop on what's going on sometimes...i do a lot of drugs and i tend to just go wherever sounds the most fun at the moment.