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If you were in a cover band, which song would you open with?

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Posted: #1

Classic rock cover band, which song would you open with?

We have been opening with Jumping Jack Flash, then going right into Knocking On Heavens Door. Looking to change it up a little bit. Any suggestions?

 
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Posted: #2
Not sure how far back you are thinking, but I've always thought this would be a great way to start-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xp9852hq0W0


 
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Posted: #3
Or maybe this-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNM85CPRcKQ


I guess it depends on how many are in your band-

I would say the lead song should be one that is recognizable from the first note- but that's just my opinion-

 
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Posted: #4
Quote Originally Posted by Dsn150:

Or maybe this-



I guess it depends on how many are in your band-

I would say the lead song should be one that is recognizable from the first note- but that's just my opinion-

Very Strange, just heard that on the radio yesterday and thought about using this song.

We have 4 guys in the group. Drums, Guitar, Bass and Singer. No keyboards.

 
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Posted: #5

Probably some Milli Vanilli  Girl you know it's true....NOT!

I always liked the way Cheap Trick opened their shows.

Hello There Ladies and Gentlemen.

Or the Stones with:

Start me up.

 
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Posted: #6
Just play something you know the drunk crowd will be familiar with, they don't give a shit what it is as long as they know it.
 
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Posted: #7
BABBA !!!!
 
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Posted: #8

Quote Originally Posted by jackjaffee:

Just play something you know the drunk crowd will be familiar with, they don't give a shit what it is as long as they know it.

Its not that easy my friend. The opening song sets the tone for the show itself. Believe me the opener is just as important as the order of the songs you play in a set. Think of a movie, you have to build the excitement to keep the attention of your audeince. Same holds true when you are playing a gig. Its not as simple as just playing a song they know. They know all the songs we play.

 
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Posted: #9

I can't drive 55...............Born under a bad sign (Travers studio version)

 It's tough to know what to recommend not knowing your band........good singer with range? Good guitarist?

 
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Posted: #10

The singer is pretty decent, can't reach Freddie Mercury range, but he can do pretty well. Well, the guitarist is yours truely. Only a couple of songs I would not try to play live. Those would be Eruption and the majority of Hendrix stuff, but we do play Hey Joe.

Classic rock cover band.

 
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Posted: #11
Open with a song that has a strong guitar riff like:  Whole Lotta Rosie, Ironman, Smoke on the Water, Heartbreaker (Zep), Satisfaction, Johnny B Good, Born to be Wild....etc 
 
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Posted: #12
Run like hell
 
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Posted: #13

Quote Originally Posted by BostonKen:

Run like hell

Thats not bad. It its unique in that no cover band would play it. It would shock the audience.

 
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Posted: #14
What about the Die Young from Sabbath's Heaven and Hell album or neon nights
 
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Posted: #15
Quote Originally Posted by gutcheck:

Classic rock cover band, which song would you open with?

We have been opening with Jumping Jack Flash, then going right into Knocking On Heavens Door. Looking to change it up a little bit. Any suggestions?

Jingle Bells
 
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Posted: #16
For real dude, don't be a dickhead. Where you at in IL?
 
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Posted: #17
gutcheck-

I was in many cover bands.  I won't give you a song, but I can give you advice on your setlists.

When we played at bars we did 3 sets, about an hour or so each.  Each set should build upon one another with energy.  Within each set, each song should build to the next song with intensity and energy (hope that makes sense). However there are exceptions.

Example, always open with something that's rockin and that you guys are really, really got at, one of your best songs. Why?  Two reasons: people want to decide right away if you're any good, and two, it gets the party started.

After that first song, slow it down a bit and build steadily to your first set closer.  Repeat this with your other sets.  However, the second set is usually your best stuff, as that's when people are really getting into it and having a good time.  If your show is long enough and you have time to play a third set, it should be your craziest rockin', dance stuff. 

Rock and Roll baby!!

 
 
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Posted: #18

Quote Originally Posted by MWC:

gutcheck-

I was in many cover bands.  I won't give you a song, but I can give you advice on your setlists.

When we played at bars we did 3 sets, about an hour or so each.  Each set should build upon one another with energy.  Within each set, each song should build to the next song with intensity and energy (hope that makes sense). However there are exceptions.

Example, always open with something that's rockin and that you guys are really, really got at, one of your best songs. Why?  Two reasons: people want to decide right away if you're any good, and two, it gets the party started.

After that first song, slow it down a bit and build steadily to your first set closer.  Repeat this with your other sets.  However, the second set is usually your best stuff, as that's when people are really getting into it and having a good time.  If your show is long enough and you have time to play a third set, it should be your craziest rockin', dance stuff. 

Rock and Roll baby!!

 

Exactly!

 
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Posted: #19

Here is our current set(s) that we do:

Jumping Jack Flash

Knocking on Heavens Door

Blitzbop ( Ramones)

Keep On Rocking in the Free World

Whats Up

Dead Flowers

Suff. City (Bowie)

Bell Bottom Blues

Bobby McGee

Teen Angst

My Generation

The Weight

Harvest Moon

Wipe Out

Set 2

Come Together

Gimmie Shelter

If it Makes you Happy

Come To my window

Radar Love

Last Dance with Mary Jane

I love this Bar

Picture ( Kid Rock & S. Crow)

Birthday ( Beatles)

Let it Bleed

Mustang Sally

All Day All Night ( The Kinks)

Watchtower/Stariway to Heaven ( we go from watchtower into the heavy part of Stairwar)

Sweet Hone Chicago

 
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Posted: #20

 I remember a local bar band in my home town did a great cover of "Tube Snake Boogie" . They had a phenomenal guitarist............they made up extra lyrics (e.g. a nickel is a nickel, a dime a dime.....you show me yours & I'll show you mine) & turned it into a 10 minute jam.......always got the crowd goin.

 That was around 25 years ago...........wow 

 
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Posted: #21
Quote Originally Posted by gutcheck:

Its not that easy my friend. The opening song sets the tone for the show itself. Believe me the opener is just as important as the order of the songs you play in a set. Think of a movie, you have to build the excitement to keep the attention of your audeince. Same holds true when you are playing a gig. Its not as simple as just playing a song they know. They know all the songs we play.


It is that easy, you are just doing the typical cover band move of over analyzing your setlist.
 
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Posted: #22
That's a good setlist.  We used to do many of those songs. 
 
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Posted: #23
Quote Originally Posted by gutcheck:

For real dude, don't be a dickhead. Where you at in IL?
Im in Bloomington  but anyway i went to a bar late last year to watch  a Kiss cover band,lol when they first came on stage the first thing they said was Hello Springfield,and it got worse from there amps were to loud lead singer was bad needless to say we left after the first set
 
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Posted: #24
Always have liked Bloomington, are you in school there?
 
 
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Posted: #25

Quote Originally Posted by MWC:

That's a good setlist.  We used to do many of those songs. 

We have a good time, our audience gets into it. We are always changing the sets. During Mustang Sally we invite all the ladies on stage to sign "ride sally ride". They really get into it.

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