The 1980s: The most underrappreciated decade of hard rock/heavy metal

[J2112YYZ]

You know, this is the reason why I haven't been very active on this site lately, all you guys do is put words into my mouth.

 

Where did we do that?

[bluefox4000]

i just looking at the words you're writing dude. i didn't mean to sound hostile but sometimes i don't understand why you are angered by such tiny unimportant things.

 

Mick

[Entre_Perpetuo]

You know, this is the reason why I haven't been very active on this site lately, all you guys do is put words into my mouth.

 

...

I'm sorry guys, but I'm kind of seeing this Fraroc's way. I mean, I think it's perfectly understandable how someone could be really disappointed with a cover band that get's your hopes up like that and then dashes them just as quickly. I would be pretty disappointed if a band said they were gonna play some great 2000s rock in their set, for instance, and then proceeded only play a couple songs from that decade and have them both be pretty cliche and overplayed choices (maybe Coldplay's Clocks). If I was really ticked off about it, it might get me thinking how a ton of great music from that decade is always looked over, and if I really got to thinking about that, I might want to write a thread about it and try and see if anyone else is noticing what I'm noticing.

 

I'm serious, I really don't think it's that far fetched as a thought process. Maybe Fraroc's argument here wasn't presented very well, and maybe his initial reason for wanting to make this thread sounds questionable, but maybe also you just won't take a closer look at his ideas because you're so used to never taking them seriously.

 

I don't mean to offend anyone here, but maybe we could do a little less making fun and a little more trying to understand?

[Mystic Slipperman]

When I think of "underappreciated" music in the 80s, I think of XTC and King Crimson (for creative "alternative" stuff), Y&T, Zebra and Tesla (for hard rock) ... stuff like that

[fraroc]

When I think of "underappreciated" music in the 80s, I think of XTC and King Crimson (for creative "alternative" stuff), Y&T, Zebra and Tesla (for hard rock) ... stuff like that

 

Unfortunatley, following the logic of some of these radio stations, Y&T and Zebra are usually written off and shoved in the same category as Poison when those bands are the farthest thing from hair metal. Especially Zebra.

[J2112YYZ]

When I think of "underappreciated" music in the 80s, I think of XTC and King Crimson (for creative "alternative" stuff), Y&T, Zebra and Tesla (for hard rock) ... stuff like that

 

Unfortunatley, following the logic of some of these radio stations, Y&T and Zebra are usually written off and shoved in the same category as Poison when those bands are the farthest thing from hair metal. Especially Zebra.

 

Well, nobody has ever heard of Zebra so that will explain that. As for Y&T, you can blame Summertime Girls being such a big hit as to why people may not see them in a good light or take them seriously. I know that's the reason i've never given the band a second thought. First impressions are important and that song does not say 'take us seriously'.

[bluefox4000]

When I think of "underappreciated" music in the 80s, I think of XTC and King Crimson (for creative "alternative" stuff), Y&T, Zebra and Tesla (for hard rock) ... stuff like that

 

Unfortunatley, following the logic of some of these radio stations, Y&T and Zebra are usually written off and shoved in the same category as Poison when those bands are the farthest thing from hair metal. Especially Zebra.

 

Well, nobody has ever heard of Zebra so that will explain that. As for Y&T, you can blame Summertime Girls being such a big hit as to why people may not see them in a good light or take them seriously. I know that's the reason i've never given the band a second thought. First impressions are important and that song does not say 'take us seriously'.

 

i agree. like today is the first i've heard of Zebra......literally the first time i've come across the name, lol. and i see they have only 4 albums so yea.

 

Mick

Edited March 23, 2017 by bluefox4000

[J2112YYZ]

When I think of "underappreciated" music in the 80s, I think of XTC and King Crimson (for creative "alternative" stuff), Y&T, Zebra and Tesla (for hard rock) ... stuff like that

 

Unfortunatley, following the logic of some of these radio stations, Y&T and Zebra are usually written off and shoved in the same category as Poison when those bands are the farthest thing from hair metal. Especially Zebra.

 

Well, nobody has ever heard of Zebra so that will explain that. As for Y&T, you can blame Summertime Girls being such a big hit as to why people may not see them in a good light or take them seriously. I know that's the reason i've never given the band a second thought. First impressions are important and that song does not say 'take us seriously'.

 

i agree. like today is the first i've heard of Zebra......literally the first time i've come across the name, lol. and i see they have only 4 albums so yea.

 

Mick

 

I've seen them mentioned on here a few times before. But if they only had four albums that will explain why they were forgotten about. Especially if those albums were many years ago.

[Ancient Ways]

I guess the reason why this whole thing is so touchy with me is because recently, I was disappointed in a "classic rock cover band" that played at a local nightclub that claimed to do rock music from all decades....I was intrigued and thought that if they did music from all decades, I might see a healthy mix of 70s, 80s, and 90s.

 

Instead, the band was pretty much an amalgamation of everything I've always thought was wrong with classic rock radio as a whole....The majority of their set was pretty much 70s country rock and 90s grunge with a very tiny amount of 80s rock mixed in (Here I Go Again and Pour Some Sugar On Me, that was it.)

 

You take minor things like this way too seriously. It's just a cover band. Enjoy the cheap night out.

 

Oh yeah, it's just an f'n cover band!

Were you expecting music from every single decade ever? They played music from 3 different decades of the modern era. Sounds like they were ok to me. Plus, bar bands play music to out asses in the seats not to play cool deep cuts on,y appreciated by a few. One of the reasons my semi pro days were cut short. I couldn't stomach being forced to play shitty pop songs I didn't like.

[fraroc]

I guess the reason why this whole thing is so touchy with me is because recently, I was disappointed in a "classic rock cover band" that played at a local nightclub that claimed to do rock music from all decades....I was intrigued and thought that if they did music from all decades, I might see a healthy mix of 70s, 80s, and 90s.

 

Instead, the band was pretty much an amalgamation of everything I've always thought was wrong with classic rock radio as a whole....The majority of their set was pretty much 70s country rock and 90s grunge with a very tiny amount of 80s rock mixed in (Here I Go Again and Pour Some Sugar On Me, that was it.)

 

You take minor things like this way too seriously. It's just a cover band. Enjoy the cheap night out.

 

Oh yeah, it's just an f'n cover band!

Were you expecting music from every single decade ever? They played music from 3 different decades of the modern era. Sounds like they were ok to me. Plus, bar bands play music to out asses in the seats not to play cool deep cuts on,y appreciated by a few. One of the reasons my semi pro days were cut short. I couldn't stomach being forced to play shitty pop songs I didn't like.

 

I'm not knocking that band because of their musicality at all. They were very good musicians and singers. I only felt their song choices were a prime representation of exactly what I personally feel is wrong with mainstream classic rock radio. The 80s being left out and the same songs being played over and over again with almost no variation.

[JohnnyBlaze]

I guess the reason why this whole thing is so touchy with me is because recently, I was disappointed in a "classic rock cover band" that played at a local nightclub that claimed to do rock music from all decades....I was intrigued and thought that if they did music from all decades, I might see a healthy mix of 70s, 80s, and 90s.

 

Instead, the band was pretty much an amalgamation of everything I've always thought was wrong with classic rock radio as a whole....The majority of their set was pretty much 70s country rock and 90s grunge with a very tiny amount of 80s rock mixed in (Here I Go Again and Pour Some Sugar On Me, that was it.)

 

You take minor things like this way too seriously. It's just a cover band. Enjoy the cheap night out.

 

Oh yeah, it's just an f'n cover band!

Were you expecting music from every single decade ever? They played music from 3 different decades of the modern era. Sounds like they were ok to me. Plus, bar bands play music to out asses in the seats not to play cool deep cuts on,y appreciated by a few. One of the reasons my semi pro days were cut short. I couldn't stomach being forced to play shitty pop songs I didn't like.

 

I'm not knocking that band because of their musicality at all. They were very good musicians and singers. I only felt their song choices were a prime representation of exactly what I personally feel is wrong with mainstream classic rock radio. The 80s being left out and the same songs being played over and over again with almost no variation.

What would've been an acceptable set list to you?

[fraroc]

I guess the reason why this whole thing is so touchy with me is because recently, I was disappointed in a "classic rock cover band" that played at a local nightclub that claimed to do rock music from all decades....I was intrigued and thought that if they did music from all decades, I might see a healthy mix of 70s, 80s, and 90s.

 

Instead, the band was pretty much an amalgamation of everything I've always thought was wrong with classic rock radio as a whole....The majority of their set was pretty much 70s country rock and 90s grunge with a very tiny amount of 80s rock mixed in (Here I Go Again and Pour Some Sugar On Me, that was it.)

 

You take minor things like this way too seriously. It's just a cover band. Enjoy the cheap night out.

 

Oh yeah, it's just an f'n cover band!

Were you expecting music from every single decade ever? They played music from 3 different decades of the modern era. Sounds like they were ok to me. Plus, bar bands play music to out asses in the seats not to play cool deep cuts on,y appreciated by a few. One of the reasons my semi pro days were cut short. I couldn't stomach being forced to play shitty pop songs I didn't like.

 

I'm not knocking that band because of their musicality at all. They were very good musicians and singers. I only felt their song choices were a prime representation of exactly what I personally feel is wrong with mainstream classic rock radio. The 80s being left out and the same songs being played over and over again with almost no variation.

What would've been an acceptable set list to you?

 

Something, anything that's different than the usual Sweet Home Alabama, More Than A Feeling, Hotel California, Fortunate Son, American Woman and Dont Stop Believing cycle.

[JohnnyBlaze]

I guess the reason why this whole thing is so touchy with me is because recently, I was disappointed in a "classic rock cover band" that played at a local nightclub that claimed to do rock music from all decades....I was intrigued and thought that if they did music from all decades, I might see a healthy mix of 70s, 80s, and 90s.

 

Instead, the band was pretty much an amalgamation of everything I've always thought was wrong with classic rock radio as a whole....The majority of their set was pretty much 70s country rock and 90s grunge with a very tiny amount of 80s rock mixed in (Here I Go Again and Pour Some Sugar On Me, that was it.)

 

You take minor things like this way too seriously. It's just a cover band. Enjoy the cheap night out.

 

Oh yeah, it's just an f'n cover band!

Were you expecting music from every single decade ever? They played music from 3 different decades of the modern era. Sounds like they were ok to me. Plus, bar bands play music to out asses in the seats not to play cool deep cuts on,y appreciated by a few. One of the reasons my semi pro days were cut short. I couldn't stomach being forced to play shitty pop songs I didn't like.

 

I'm not knocking that band because of their musicality at all. They were very good musicians and singers. I only felt their song choices were a prime representation of exactly what I personally feel is wrong with mainstream classic rock radio. The 80s being left out and the same songs being played over and over again with almost no variation.

What would've been an acceptable set list to you?

 

Something, anything that's different than the usual Sweet Home Alabama, More Than A Feeling, Hotel California, Fortunate Son, American Woman and Dont Stop Believing cycle.

You're extremely difficult to please (and that's putting it lightly) so that's why I left that question open for you to fill in.

I doubt "something anything" will cut it with your standards

[Ancient Ways]

I guess the reason why this whole thing is so touchy with me is because recently, I was disappointed in a "classic rock cover band" that played at a local nightclub that claimed to do rock music from all decades....I was intrigued and thought that if they did music from all decades, I might see a healthy mix of 70s, 80s, and 90s.

 

Instead, the band was pretty much an amalgamation of everything I've always thought was wrong with classic rock radio as a whole....The majority of their set was pretty much 70s country rock and 90s grunge with a very tiny amount of 80s rock mixed in (Here I Go Again and Pour Some Sugar On Me, that was it.)

 

You take minor things like this way too seriously. It's just a cover band. Enjoy the cheap night out.

 

Oh yeah, it's just an f'n cover band!

Were you expecting music from every single decade ever? They played music from 3 different decades of the modern era. Sounds like they were ok to me. Plus, bar bands play music to out asses in the seats not to play cool deep cuts on,y appreciated by a few. One of the reasons my semi pro days were cut short. I couldn't stomach being forced to play shitty pop songs I didn't like.

 

I'm not knocking that band because of their musicality at all. They were very good musicians and singers. I only felt their song choices were a prime representation of exactly what I personally feel is wrong with mainstream classic rock radio. The 80s being left out and the same songs being played over and over again with almost no variation.

What would've been an acceptable set list to you?

 

Something, anything that's different than the usual Sweet Home Alabama, More Than A Feeling, Hotel California, Fortunate Son, American Woman and Dont Stop Believing cycle.

You're extremely difficult to please (and that's putting it lightly) so that's why I left that question open for you to fill in.

I doubt "something anything" will cut it with your standards

Was the place busy and did most people seem to be having fun?

[J2112YYZ]

It's rather naive to expect a bar cover band to play anything other than the standard rock classics. They get paid to play songs that all the drunk people will enjoy.

 

If they don't play that stuff, they won't get booked, won't get paid and the venue will just find another band willing to do it.

[EagleMoon]

It's rather naive to expect a bar cover band to play anything other than the standard rock classics. They get paid to play songs that all the drunk people will enjoy.

 

If they don't play that stuff, they won't get booked, won't get paid and the venue will just find another band willing to do it.

 

I was just about to write something like this and you've hit the nail right on the head. No matter how boring it might be to the musicians, cover bands have to play the same old popular songs because it's what the general public wants to hear. Especially the drunk general public. They want to hear stuff they can dance to and know the words to.

[Segue Myles]

I guess the reason why this whole thing is so touchy with me is because recently, I was disappointed in a "classic rock cover band" that played at a local nightclub that claimed to do rock music from all decades....I was intrigued and thought that if they did music from all decades, I might see a healthy mix of 70s, 80s, and 90s.

 

Instead, the band was pretty much an amalgamation of everything I've always thought was wrong with classic rock radio as a whole....The majority of their set was pretty much 70s country rock and 90s grunge with a very tiny amount of 80s rock mixed in (Here I Go Again and Pour Some Sugar On Me, that was it.)

 

You take minor things like this way too seriously. It's just a cover band. Enjoy the cheap night out.

 

Oh yeah, it's just an f'n cover band!

Were you expecting music from every single decade ever? They played music from 3 different decades of the modern era. Sounds like they were ok to me. Plus, bar bands play music to out asses in the seats not to play cool deep cuts on,y appreciated by a few. One of the reasons my semi pro days were cut short. I couldn't stomach being forced to play shitty pop songs I didn't like.

 

I'm not knocking that band because of their musicality at all. They were very good musicians and singers. I only felt their song choices were a prime representation of exactly what I personally feel is wrong with mainstream classic rock radio. The 80s being left out and the same songs being played over and over again with almost no variation.

What would've been an acceptable set list to you?

 

Something, anything that's different than the usual Sweet Home Alabama, More Than A Feeling, Hotel California, Fortunate Son, American Woman and Dont Stop Believing cycle.

 

But those are the songs people pay to hear. Considering you often rave about a band you've only heard one song from as if you're a diehard long term fanatic, I'm surprised you are so begrudging of the song choices considering most who pay to see such bands likely lack the time to devote to being overly familiar with music beyond the hits. It's nostalgia, and wise to use such familiar songs as it brings crowds together.

[bluefox4000]

I was just imagining a cover band in a bar. Drunks all around.

 

"ok folks. this a song called Close to the Edge!!!!!!

 

"DA HELL'S THIS SHIT????"

 

lol.

 

funny visual.

 

Mick

[EagleMoon]

I was just imagining a cover band in a bar. Drunks all around.

 

"ok folks. this a song called Close to the Edge!!!!!!

 

"DA HELL'S THIS SHIT????"

 

lol.

 

funny visual.

 

Mick

 

Oh believe me, it's been done. Nice way to clear out the bar.

[Segue Myles]

I was just imagining a cover band in a bar. Drunks all around.

 

"ok folks. this a song called Close to the Edge!!!!!!

 

"DA HELL'S THIS SHIT????"

 

lol.

 

funny visual.

 

Mick

 

"Anyone remember the great Zebra?"

 

*tumbleweeds*

[bluefox4000]

I was just imagining a cover band in a bar. Drunks all around.

 

"ok folks. this a song called Close to the Edge!!!!!!

 

"DA HELL'S THIS SHIT????"

 

lol.

 

funny visual.

 

Mick

 

"Anyone remember the great Zebra?"

 

*tumbleweeds*

 

no there one lone person clapping.

 

take one guess who?

 

lol.

 

Mick

[Del_Duio]

I guess the reason why this whole thing is so touchy with me is because recently, I was disappointed in a "classic rock cover band" that played at a local nightclub that claimed to do rock music from all decades....I was intrigued and thought that if they did music from all decades, I might see a healthy mix of 70s, 80s, and 90s.

 

Instead, the band was pretty much an amalgamation of everything I've always thought was wrong with classic rock radio as a whole....The majority of their set was pretty much 70s country rock and 90s grunge with a very tiny amount of 80s rock mixed in (Here I Go Again and Pour Some Sugar On Me, that was it.)

 

You take minor things like this way too seriously. It's just a cover band. Enjoy the cheap night out.

 

Oh yeah, it's just an f'n cover band!

Were you expecting music from every single decade ever? They played music from 3 different decades of the modern era. Sounds like they were ok to me. Plus, bar bands play music to out asses in the seats not to play cool deep cuts on,y appreciated by a few. One of the reasons my semi pro days were cut short. I couldn't stomach being forced to play shitty pop songs I didn't like.

 

Good for you , man.

 

I was never semi-pro however when I actually played in real bands in my late teens / early 20s I hated covers with a passion. I would much rather do originals that nobody would know than play "Enter Sandman" or "Would?" again.

 

One time we did "Thunderkiss '65" though. And that was pretty cool haha.

[cygnify]

It's rather naive to expect a bar cover band to play anything other than the standard rock classics. They get paid to play songs that all the drunk people will enjoy.

 

If they don't play that stuff, they won't get booked, won't get paid and the venue will just find another band willing to do it.

 

I was just about to write something like this and you've hit the nail right on the head. No matter how boring it might be to the musicians, cover bands have to play the same old popular songs because it's what the general public wants to hear. Especially the drunk general public. They want to hear stuff they can dance to and know the words to.

 

Not necessarily - I've played in cover bands for 30 years; of course, there is always some pressure to "play the hits" every band that I've been in has sought out more interesting choices (for us and for the audience) and we've been quite successful with it. I suppose it has to do with the type of bars on your local scene. We tend to getaway with alot of non-standard stuff and have regular work. I'll always prefer my original bands - but I have been in a couple projects that were hybrids and did very well. We mixed our original songs into each set (carefully) and hooked people into actually liking our original stuff to buy it. I have been in bands that played Sweet Home, Cocaine, etc. but also YYZ (ESL version), 21st Century Schizoid Man, Aqualung, Space Truckin', etc. One band did a killer cover of Black Betty - complete with off-time middle section and double bass under the solo. lol. My current band features a female lead vocal (who sings her ass off!) and we cover Heart, Zeppelin, Queen, Rush, Boston, Guns and Roses, Deep Purple, Van Halen, Kansas, Pat Benatar, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Adele, Paramore, Dio, Motley Crue, Slash... (* come to think of it, you could probably name the songs we do... but I like to think the quality and range of our covers keeps crowds engaged.)

[Blue J]

I guess the reason why this whole thing is so touchy with me is because recently, I was disappointed in a "classic rock cover band" that played at a local nightclub that claimed to do rock music from all decades....I was intrigued and thought that if they did music from all decades, I might see a healthy mix of 70s, 80s, and 90s.

 

Instead, the band was pretty much an amalgamation of everything I've always thought was wrong with classic rock radio as a whole....The majority of their set was pretty much 70s country rock and 90s grunge with a very tiny amount of 80s rock mixed in (Here I Go Again and Pour Some Sugar On Me, that was it.)

 

You take minor things like this way too seriously. It's just a cover band. Enjoy the cheap night out.

 

Oh yeah, it's just an f'n cover band!

 

The band itself had good instrumentals and a decent singer, I'm definitley not knocking that. I'm merely saying that the songs that were being preformed were pretty much every negative stereotype of classic rock radio. That is being, over-saturation of 70s and 90s and very little 80s, and the same songs being played over and over again.

 

I'm sorry, but I can only tolerate so much Sweet Home Alabama, Fortunate Son, and Take A Load Off Fanny.

 

That song is called The Weight.

 

 

FYI and thanks,

Levon Helm

[Ancient Ways]

Alright everyone, let's get on the dance floor for this next number. It's called set your controls for the heart of the sun, HIT IT!