Want to get a gig so I am gonna put together a cd...

[fraggle]

...to whore myself out with. Here is what I am thinking of putting on there...I want some Diversity.

DMB - Ants
Radiohead - Karma Police
STP - Plush
Dispatch - General
Green Day - When I come around


any other suggestions? I am just trying to build up a song list really...

[jsgksu]

I think some originals would probably be a real good idea.

[mbgreen]

Yeah if you really want to differentiate yourself from the multitude of other people that can play those songs, you need some originals. I know if I was a bar manager or whatever looking for a gig, I would want someone who does something original, in addition to some favorites that everyone can sing along with.

[DmbFanJason]

I see what yall are saying and do agree with you(jksgu/mike)...

but I think that if you can really play songs good...like, GOOD...then you wont have a problem getting gigs...I mean think about it...there are bands that play only DMB, and they are the main act at the house of blues...not many original artists can book that gig.

its just an opinion on what music the bar manager likes....shit, if i was a bar manager, I would love to hear DMB around the clock being covered, but i dont think there are many people out there like me that love DMB(except people on these boards)....so, just play what you got, but play it well...

In all honesty, I'd rather hear covers done well, then "boring" originals...god there are too many boring originals out there...not to be suppressive to upcoming artists, but shit just sounds the same and all boring...so, if they're not boring play dem originals boi!

[mbgreen]

I agree Jason, but the truth is, if you want to get a real reputation going, you have to play originals. Listening to a band playing originals is a gamble you'll lose most of the time, I know. Most originals I hear are either just blah or downright bad at times, but if you're trying to make it doing JUST covers, they better be pretty damn good. At least identical to the original in both guitar playing and vocals, or take a song to a whole new level (ie: Hendrix w/ watchtower) I mean, the dmcb does a pretty good job of playing damn close to dmb, but most other dmb cover bands blow monkey balls and I would never pay to listen to them. Dave in particular is tricky to cover...its not like stone temple pilots where the vocs are easy to duplicate or can sound good with a little variation. I've seen the dmcb once, and honestly, I dont even think I'd go see them again. They were fun, but its not dmb. And thats my take on cover bands in general...fun once, but not the real thing.

I think starting out with a good mix of covers and originals is the best way to get going...the originals get exposure and get to be refined, while a familiar cover now and then keeps people attentive and happy if they're taking a while to adjust to originals.

[DmbFanJason]

I hear ya mike, I prolly wouldnt go see them again for another long while now either...but there are people that see them night after night....I think if he played the guitar better, I would definitely see them again a second night maybe even....but yea, you will only get to venues like where we saw them at if you're just doing covers...one day i'm sure all of us that actually want to do something with music will either start writing our own music more(unless already have) or look into the managing aspect of it. ....but now it's like if somebody asks if I want to hear an original I kinda hesitate because of how boring and plain the ones I have already heard are.......and I feel bad when I can only say, "hey, that was good man." and even have to force that out of myself....there are way too many "that was good" songs out there...

[TheGoop]

I agree that you need to do some originals, but you also shouldnt just do covers that the entire world knows by heart. Pretty much everyone who plays the guitar has learned those songs at one point or another. And, because they are popular songs, they are overplayed at gigs and open mic nights. Cover some solid songs by performers that people have never really heard of. The singer/songwriters that play colleges and house of blues type places are really good for that. Guys like Matt Nathanson, Stephen Kellogg, and Pete Francis all make awesome music, but a lot of people have never heard of them. Playing stuff like that really wows crowds. Good luck

[DreaminBassMunky]

personally I think that if you plan to consistently come back to a place then you need to play a wide variety of music...someone may have already said this I didn't really read the thread...but if you play the same songs every night, then people are gonna get bored. Originals give people something to look forward to, as well as new covers. Keep the ball rolling and the fans on their toes.

[firedancer86]

ok...about your list Fraggle...

I personaly would nix Green Day unless you have a band...deffinitely add some originals...and maybe a Dave song like Billies...

but my list would look like this

original
cover
original
cover
cover
original

that would let them know that you can be yourself, and mesh alot of covers in there...

just my opinion