66 replies to this topic

[carox]

Everyone seems to be into 50s and 60s music at the moment. Or is it just UK? Or perhaps, my bit of the UK?

I auditioned for a function band a couple of weeks ago - all 60s stuff. Last week (out of desperation ... there's nothing else around) I had a first go with another Beatles/60s band. On Bandmix for my area there are, in the first two pages, no less than 5 ads by bands, or musicians wanting join bands, doing 60s stuff (apparently it's called "retro" now).

I've not noticed this before. I'm feeling a bit down about it, because it seems so popular at the moment ... but I wasn't into it then and I'm still not. I've spent the last week trying to learn about 8 Beatles songs, and think that's probably more time than I've spent listening to The Beatles in my entire life. I liked their first LP (I actually bought it), but half of it ... the best half imo... was covers.

I saw them live when they were supporting Chris Montez (I actually went to see Chris Montez. "Let's Dance" - now that was a cracker!). No-one was interested in them, and they certainly didn't excite me.

I saw them live a second time but that was when Beatlemania had kicked in, nothing but screaming, fainting and paramedics (or ambulance men as we used to call them then) carrying stupid girls out. The whole evening was a waste of time. I wonder if that's what put me off? But I've never "got it" as far as The Beatles are concerned.

Sorry for the rant. Just fed up about trying to find a band.

(There was one \ in the title when I previewed this, took it out, and now there's 3 of 'em!)

[YELLOW_TOAD]

I played in a group in 2008 that played a lot of the 60's Motown stuff......had a blast.

Then the bandleader decided to go "Country" - me and another left the band....it eventually fell apart.

[Trevcirclestudios]

certainly if its a function band you are looking for then "retro" and tribute acts of some kind are de rigeur. Dont worry though. It's just a fad. It'll pass. Worse still though 80s could be the next fad... ;-)

[carox]

This band asked me last week "What were you listening to in the 60s then?" and I said "Motown". I love Motown.

[Trevcirclestudios]

I'm with you on that. Did a motown project recently with Simon Edgoose. Had loads of fun and it sounds amazing. Hope to be able to let you all listen to it soon.

[YELLOW_TOAD]

Worse still though 80s could be the next fad... ;-)

That came and went here already....there have been (and still are) a few 80's HAIRBAND tribute acts working here around town...but they're not pulling in crowds. We seem to be in the tail end of it the phase.

I think part of the problem is these guys in the bands are in their late 40's & 50's and are still trying to look the part. They have long hair (sometimes wigs) and headbands...and worst yet are still wearing their spandex pants and lether vests. Total fashion FAIL as far as I'm concerned. (Ever seen Steen Tyler up-close? )

I was approached by a promotor agent about an 80's Tribute group two years ago....but I didn't opt in after I heard the singer - he was a chubby, out-of-shape balding wannabe that couldn't sing well...AT ALL. The project did go on....but never got off the ground only playing a handful of gigs.

I was talking to a promotor earlier this spring who books one of my side projects .. he also does the large scale national acts..he was telling me that here in town....the ACTUAL 80's bands that still tour (Poison, Warrant, REO Speedwagon, TESLA etc...) aren't drawing crowds AT ALL and the promotors and venues are losing their shirts.

His exact words to me were "We actually gave away more tickets than we sold... and still couldn't fill the venue".

If I told you the act/bill he was talking about....you'd be surprised. They were HUGE 80's bands.

[Trevcirclestudios]

Oh wow. Havent seen the hairband thing again here (and if they'e wearing spandex I'm pretty happy about that ;-). so what's next around the corner? New romantic again?

[BarryP]

I know you aren't asking to like the Beatles, but it tok me a while to get into them because they had a ton of stuff that I just wasn't into. But here you go if you want to give it another try. If you don't like these, then you just won't like The Beatles.


My favorites:

Elanor Rigby:


Day Tripper:


The Taxman:


Rocky Raccoon:

[BarryP]

And the rest:

Being for the Benefit of Mr/ Kite:


Yesterday:


A Day in the Life:


Get Back:

[carox]

Nope! Sorry Barry ! Thing is - all this stuff has been everywhere for the past 40 or 50 years, and I've been listening to it all that time (I'm in my 60s now). You can't escape it. Even someone like me who doesn't go out of their way to listen to it ... I still feel like I know 90% of everything they ever did inside out and backwards (except, as I now know, the drum parts!). I can't think of any other band where you could say that about their music. I'm bored to death with it. There are three songs that if I ever hear come on the radio, I walk over to it and turn it off because they set my teeth on edge - and one of them is Yesterday. (The other two, for the record, are Lady in Red and You're Beautiful)

So no - I can't see me ever getting to like The Beatles now. I like them less now than I ever did - because the stuff just gets played and played and so many bands and artists have covered it, and it's all just done to death and it won't go away.

Which is another reason why I'm puzzled about so many Beatles cover bands popping up. I cannot imagine who would want to go out and listen to them.