New interview w/Dave - Classic Rock Magazine

[AlexK79]

95% of bands play the same set for entire tours, or just make very slight changes (switching out 2-3 slots night to night.) Unless you are basically only into jam-type bands where a different set every night is the norm, I'm not sure how people aren't aware of this.

I'm not saying that means you can't still want more variety or whatever from DMB, but their sets are still less predictable than the vast, vast majority of touring rock bands.

[TheLastPig]

Originally Posted by AlexK79

I'm not saying that means you can't still want more variety or whatever from DMB, but their sets are still less predictable than the vast, vast majority of touring rock bands.

No one is claiming they arent?

[AlexK79]

Originally Posted by TheLastPig

No one is claiming they arent?

My point was that people here always seem to act surprised or say "Ohh I went to see XXX band and they played the same setlist 2 shows in a row" as if it's unexpected when it's basically standard practice for all but a handful of bands.

Most acts DMB's age, they go out on tour and play a 20 song set, you're gonna get:

2-3 songs from their new album
1-2 'deep cut' type tracks to throw the hard core fans a bone
15-17 "greatest hits."

Bands that make even the slightest changes get lauded for keeping things "fresh" - a band like Metallica for example, they've been doing basically the same set for their entire Hardwired tour, with just 2 or 3 slots in the set where they will rotate a few different older cuts or album tracks from the new record in and out. And yet they tend to get a lot of praise for "changing up" their set.

Go see DMB at a 2 night stand and you're still getting 2 completely unique shows with 0 or only 1-2 repeats. Again, not saying that you can't argue the quality of those sets based on your personal tastes. Also not saying I wouldn't like to see them work in more songs too, but just objectively looking at them compared to the touring industry as a whole, it's hard for me to say they're being lazy, cuz they VERY easily could just write up a set and play it night after night with just a couple songs swapped out here and there.

[TheLastPig]

When people are commenting on sets its based off the standard the band has set for themselves in the past, we all know what theyre doing is much more variety than bands that dont do unique setlists show to show, dont really know why that even needs to be stated.

[Hilly]

Originally Posted by TheLastPig

Ive seen quite a few bands that play the same set over a tour, most of the time it comes across very robotic and lacking soul in the playing because of the lack of spontaneity.


Black Keys really stick out as a culprit of this that ive seen.

That's because the Black Keys are awful.

[Hilly]

Originally Posted by TheLastPig

When people are commenting on sets its based off the standard the band has set for themselves in the past, we all know what theyre doing is much more variety than bands that dont do unique setlists show to show, dont really know why that even needs to be stated.

At the same time, there was never a period when DMB sets were unpredictable.

Expecting that to change now is weird.

[karczews41]

Originally Posted by Hilly

At the same time, there was never a period when DMB sets were unpredictable.

Expecting that to change now is weird.

Spot on which makes the debate pretty pointless.

[groogrux27]

Originally Posted by Hilly

At the same time, there was never a period when DMB sets were unpredictable.

Expecting that to change now is weird.

I don't know dude, the first few shows of 2010 were WILD haha

[SeeMoreDMB]

Originally Posted by Hilly

That's because the Black Keys are awful.

As hipster as it sounds, I loved the Black Keys before they were popular. The Big Come Up is an incredible album and there's no disputing that. Pretty much anything before Attack & Release is great, when it was just drums, guitar and vocals.

[TheLastPig]

Originally Posted by SeeMoreDMB

As hipster as it sounds, I loved the Black Keys before they were popular. The Big Come Up is an incredible album and there's no disputing that. Pretty much anything before Attack & Release is great, when it was just drums, guitar and vocals.

I think the 3 since attack & release are solid albums too. El Camino is really good imo. Turn blue is just okay but its got a couple solid tracks.

[garagebrothers]

The entitlement of the rail people is something that I just can't understand. It would almost make sense if it were people that had been following them since the beginning but it's mostly 20 somethings that were still painting their bedroom walls with their diaper bombs while Dave was writing What Would You Say.

[Dannyyankou]

I don’t think the issue is predictability or variety. I think it’s just that the newer songs suck. We know they’re going to play Ants and Warehouse every other show, and no one complains because they’re great songs. But they play Can’t Stop and That Girl Is You just as much, and those songs suck.

[garagebrothers]

Originally Posted by Dannyyankou

I don’t think the issue is predictability or variety. I think it’s just that the newer songs suck. We know they’re going to play Ants and Warehouse every other show, and no one complains because they’re great songs. But they play Can’t Stop and That Girl Is You just as much, and those songs suck.

They could easily change that tho. Can you imagine every once in a while playing the mid eastern version from the Batson Sessions instead? Or TGIY with a phenomenal guest like Preservation Hall? There are VERY VERY easy changes the band could make that would skyrocket the popularity of their setlists that just aren't made. It literally is like they take the easiest possible route when it comes to putting on a great show.

[bbqguy1962]

Originally Posted by Dannyyankou

I don’t think the issue is predictability or variety. I think it’s just that the newer songs suck. We know they’re going to play Ants and Warehouse every other show, and no one complains because they’re great songs. But they play Can’t Stop and That Girl Is You just as much, and those songs suck.

They're great songs with a violin. Without one they don't work for me. Neither do Jimi or Nancies. Consequently, zero DMB shows this year. Ironically I just paid up premier for CMAC, so Dave wins either way.

[WidespreadMule3]

Originally Posted by garagebrothers

The entitlement of the rail people is something that I just can't understand. It would almost make sense if it were people that had been following them since the beginning but it's mostly 20 somethings that were still painting their bedroom walls with their diaper bombs while Dave was writing What Would You Say.

DMB railers have nothing on Phish railers. Those mofos are crazy.

[SeeMoreDMB]

Originally Posted by TheLastPig

I think the 3 since attack & release are solid albums too. El Camino is really good imo. Turn blue is just okay but its got a couple solid tracks.

Yeah I still dig some of the newer stuff because they're keeping rock somewhat mainstream, but those first few albums they did when it was just Dan and Pat were so raw and gritty.

[morecornbread!!]

Originally Posted by Dannyyankou

I don’t think the issue is predictability or variety. I think it’s just that the newer songs suck. We know they’re going to play Ants and Warehouse every other show, and no one complains because they’re great songs. But they play Can’t Stop and That Girl Is You just as much, and those songs suck.

I'm that guy that thinks TGIY is a fun song live, especially with Pres. Hall at C'ville. But besides that song, I generally agree with you. What the fans want (I think at least) is less new stuff and more of the Big 3/rare unalbumed (<- if that is a word) songs.