Specific genre or variety?
Specific genre or variety?
So, in reading responses to kayla's post about the bar scene being dead, a little thought popped into my head, which I'd like peoples' opinion on. Starting out as a new blues band, which honestly I'm not sure if it is very popular around here, was curious if people thought of it to be a bad thing to keep to one genre, or to be all over the place in the "scene"?
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DickShackBass
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Well, cover bands who play popular songs from many genres like Without Zerb and Bad Daze do very well and bring in lots of people because the crowd knows the songs, and they can dance and sing along. They're a lot of fun.
But, there are bands who stick to one genre like The Hawks, The Embalmed, The Marauders, and Hair Force One who bring in huge crowds as well.
I dont think it matters what genre a band plays, I think what matters is if they do it well and put on a good show.
Andrea
But, there are bands who stick to one genre like The Hawks, The Embalmed, The Marauders, and Hair Force One who bring in huge crowds as well.
I dont think it matters what genre a band plays, I think what matters is if they do it well and put on a good show.
Andrea
It's a mixed bag to be honest with good and bad points to both.
Sticking to one genre will definitely limit the crowd to one specific group of people. However that particular group tend to be very, very loyal. They also tend to buy your merchandise and support you even on road trips. They also prefer to be in front of the stage and seldom leave their 'post' and are a more captive, responsive audience.
Playing everything does make it easier for the crowd to find some songs they like and sing and dance or whatever it is that drunk people do. However you will find yourself competing for the same crowds. And most bands that do that might as well share their setlist with all the other cover bands, because they play the same 30 songs that every other band plays.
Sticking to one genre will definitely limit the crowd to one specific group of people. However that particular group tend to be very, very loyal. They also tend to buy your merchandise and support you even on road trips. They also prefer to be in front of the stage and seldom leave their 'post' and are a more captive, responsive audience.
Playing everything does make it easier for the crowd to find some songs they like and sing and dance or whatever it is that drunk people do. However you will find yourself competing for the same crowds. And most bands that do that might as well share their setlist with all the other cover bands, because they play the same 30 songs that every other band plays.
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StumbleFingers
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Another option is to build up a big enough repertoire that you can tailor your show to a particular audience. The Hurricanes are great at this. They can slay you with straight up blues or keep the dance floor packed with classic rock favorites. Or look at Flight 19. They play an incredible variety of covers or they can play all originals depending on the situation.
There's no sure-fire recipe for success except for sticking around and building your name and reputation. And seeking out your audience.... play as many different venues as you can and see which ones work for you.
There's no sure-fire recipe for success except for sticking around and building your name and reputation. And seeking out your audience.... play as many different venues as you can and see which ones work for you.
The old adage of "find what works for you, stick with it, and do what you do best" applies.
For my band, we cover 6 decades of party music and can fit into numerous situations depending on the crowd and event. We have a large song list compiled after 11 years that includes a little of something for everybody as well as many songs that most other bands don't play. The biggest thing we hear is that the people love the wide variety we play and that has worked very well for us but we designed the band that way from its inception.
However, there are many very successful regional bands that are geared toward a certain style or genre and do well catering to a specific audience. Who's Your Daddy has done that for over 15 years and have a loyal following with their brand of blues rock mixed with some classic rock. Saddle Up from Latrobe/Greensburg plays mostly new country and packs venues. The Fabulous Flashbacks have remained a true oldies band and people love them. Jerry Intihar has been performing polkas with some traditional tunes for over 5 decades.
For my band, we cover 6 decades of party music and can fit into numerous situations depending on the crowd and event. We have a large song list compiled after 11 years that includes a little of something for everybody as well as many songs that most other bands don't play. The biggest thing we hear is that the people love the wide variety we play and that has worked very well for us but we designed the band that way from its inception.
However, there are many very successful regional bands that are geared toward a certain style or genre and do well catering to a specific audience. Who's Your Daddy has done that for over 15 years and have a loyal following with their brand of blues rock mixed with some classic rock. Saddle Up from Latrobe/Greensburg plays mostly new country and packs venues. The Fabulous Flashbacks have remained a true oldies band and people love them. Jerry Intihar has been performing polkas with some traditional tunes for over 5 decades.
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nakedtwister
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Beth, I guess you just have to figure out why you want to play the Blues. For me it is just the pure love for the genre of music that started it all in America. A genre that is the mother/father of all modern music. To think that the Blues were a way of communication between people, that were forced to do work while being whipped for as little as looking in the wrong direction. They created their own instruments out of cigar boxes and hollow stumps, spoons, and wash tubs. And yet we in modern times, with the equipment available to us, and the freedom people died to give us, we all complain about petty stuff compared to our Fore Fathers/ Mothers. We all do it!!!! It's Ok though. But first, do it for the LOVE of the music, no matter what genre. I know it's in you, I have seen it in all of your band members.
As the commercial on the tube says................
Just do it!!!!!!!!!
As the commercial on the tube says................
Just do it!!!!!!!!!
B, I've loved SRV since I was a child, but he was the only blues I had really been exposed to until the past year or so, but the deeper I delve into the music scene, listening to Jimmy Reed, Gary Moore, Robert Johnson and the like, the more I fall in love. And although it might seem like it how I worded my question, I'm not looking to make big money or become famous or whatnot, I was just curious, Ive listened to bands out there where you could tell they weren't whole-heartedly into what they were doing, and it does show. And when you go out to see the musicians who do care and who are pouring their heart out on the floor when they play its an amazing experience. Thanks for the compliment B, I know I'm playing with 2 other talented musicians, and we always have fun, when it stops being fun is when I stop doing it. I read somewhere on here about camaraderie between musicians and I believe it is important. And it feels good too, we have so much support behind us, its fantastic. If there isn't support and friendship between musicians, that's a quick way to deter people from being musicians. Who wants hated or judged badly for doing something they love to do? Noone I know.
this topic is something i thought about for a while before i decided on all blues. weighing the options, do i play popular music to get a crowd or do i go with music thats deeply rooted within my soul?
i played with punk fiction for well over a year, covering different genre's but i seemed to yearn for something more. as weird as this sounds, my heart ached to play blues. its something that i can't really describe, i just knew that i wouldn't be satisfied until i was playing blues music. i know that we as a band are goin to struggle, thats part of the the process. but the struggle will be worth it. id rather play for one person and reach the depths of their soul than play to a crowd of drunks who just wanna sing back to me. one of the most awesome things i've ever experienced was playin a song and i glanced among the people connected with one guy and as i did, i saw tears roll down his cheeks. it wasn't my playin that did that, it was the power of music.
just my thoughts.
- kayla.
i played with punk fiction for well over a year, covering different genre's but i seemed to yearn for something more. as weird as this sounds, my heart ached to play blues. its something that i can't really describe, i just knew that i wouldn't be satisfied until i was playing blues music. i know that we as a band are goin to struggle, thats part of the the process. but the struggle will be worth it. id rather play for one person and reach the depths of their soul than play to a crowd of drunks who just wanna sing back to me. one of the most awesome things i've ever experienced was playin a song and i glanced among the people connected with one guy and as i did, i saw tears roll down his cheeks. it wasn't my playin that did that, it was the power of music.
just my thoughts.
- kayla.
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