Columns Inside a musician's head: The pre-show playlist
Not all musicians are created equally. Surely there are the obvious differences amongst us that divide us into different genres, styles, and skill sets. Some of us draw our influences from the pool of rock musicians who did so much for the style while others are more closely tied to the true pioneers of jazz and blues musicians. But one thing seems to remain constant: all musicians have their own way of getting hyped up for a performance.
As a rock and roll guitarist I like to energize myself. Sometimes that means slamming a few Rockstar energy drinks but usually it means putting together the ultimate pre-show iPod playlist. I hadn't really realized how important this simple pre-show ritual is to me until my iPod bit the big one right before my band's last show. In the van on the way to the show I was subjected to music that I normally enjoy but did nothing to lift my energy level and help get me into the "zone." Alas, I'm afraid that as much as I enjoy "Rent," the soundtrack does little if anything to pump me up.
My playlist changes for each show. Some songs get added to the list while others are dropped altogether. Sometimes the playlist changes from the previous show are so minor that even I barely notice the changes and other times the change is quite drastic. As my band is preparing for a busy October, I'm rebuilding my playlists. Welcome to the inner workings of my mind as I prepare for a show. These songs get my blood flowing and put me in a rock and roll mindset. They might not work for everyone, but this is my playlist for my band's Oct. 25 show.
(You Can Still) Rock in
Night Ranger's hit might not be the most energetic song on my playlist but it's got a really great message and I dig the chorus. There's really no better way to get pumped up for a show than to sing along to a chorus that's primarily the same thing: you can still rock in
Hot Kiss – Juliette & The Licks
I like the energy in this song and the tempo is of course very rockin'. It's not like a lot of the other songs that make up this playlist but I find that this is a great song to listen to early in the playlist to get the blood flowing.Alright, Alright (Here's My Fist, Where's the Fight?) –
Sometimes you feel like breaking laws and other times you feel like dropping bombs – rock and roll bombs that is. This Sahara Hotnights tune is a great rocker and fist pumping song. If you're energy is still low after listening to this song then you need to listen to it again. This is a mainstay on my playlist.
Born to Raise Hell – Motorhead
From one of my favorite rock and roll movies "Airheads" this song always reminds me of a band struggling to make it and of course the theme of the song doesn't hurt any. I'm a big fan of the line "listen up here, I'm gonna make it real clear. I'm gonna put some boogey in your ear." "Born to Raise Hell" is a recent addition to my pre-show playlist but I think it's going to be on there for a while
Pumping On Your Stereo – Supergrass
I was still in high school when I first saw the claymation video for Supergrass' Top 40 hit song "Pumping on Your Stereo" but it's stuck with me ever since. Its one of the mainstays on my playlist for its classic rock feel and funky backing vocals but more importantly I'd like to think that fans of my band can hear us pumping on their stereo.
Because I'm Awesome – The Dollyrots
I don't think I'll ever rotate this song off my pre-show playlist. Everything about this song just screams preshow and the chorus is a really good ego booster. It's on here because I'm awesome.
We Built This City on Rock and Roll –
Yes, I'm well aware that Blender magazine has ranked this song as the #1 worst song. Ever. Too bad. It's on my playlist because who doesn't want to build a city on rock and roll?
Turn It Up – Bang Bang Bang
An essential on my playlist. While it's not necessarily a very upbeat or high energy song I really enjoy shouting "Turn it Up" and I like to think that my
Smoke You Out – The Donnas
Though an homage to Mary Jane, "Smoke You Out" serves as something of a mantra for me. I like to hear this song close to show time as a reminder that I am there to "smoke you out." It's been on almost every pre-show playlist for me so far. Will I rotate it out? Maybe, but probably not.
Bang Your Head (Metal Health) – Quiet Riot
A new addition to the playlist for this upcoming show, Quiet Riot's hit is really the perfect head banging song (hence the title). The energy builds in this song until the chorus takes over and that's exactly what I'm looking for. And pretty much where I can shout the chorus is a good song.
Rip It Out – Ace Frehley
This hasn't been on my playlist for very long though I've always dug it. After my band's last show at the Trash Bar in
You could argue that this song was written for my band but we'd know it wasn't true. Not so much an energy song, it's more of a confidence building song. We're the queens of noise. Come and get it.
Tonight's Alright – The Donnas
From their newest album, "Bitchin'" this song is like the story of my life. "Didn't sleep at all last night, it don't matter. The money's tight and it doesn't matter. Tonight's Alright with me. Don't stop the rock, don't stop the beat." Yow!
All Night Long – American Bang
I like the energy in this song more than anything. It's got a great chorus that's all about getting people to come out so we go for it and add it to the pre-show list. It's been on my playlist since the beginning. I'm sure it will rotate out soon but for now, here it sits.
The Warrior – Scandal
Kind of cheesy, sure, but it's certainly upbeat and I like the chorus "I am the warrior!" A guitar warrior.
Wa Da We Da – Killola
I have no idea what the song means but I like the energy and I like to sing along. That's all that matters sometimes.
Rock This City – American Bang
A brand new addition to the playlist, "Rock This City" appears for the first time for the Oct. 25 show. With lyrics like: "I drove a shitty little car but I knew that the music would save me. So we started a band, had a big white van and we started across the nation. We're gonna rock this city if you like it or not." It's hard not to have this on a pre-show playlist.
It's A Long Way To the Top – AC/DC
This song is called keeping it all in check. It really is a long way to the top if you want to rock and roll but it's a trip that some of us are willing to take.
If the Kids are United – Rancid
A good mosh song with an even better message "if the kids are united, they will never be divided." I'd like to think of the audience like that.
Push It – Salt 'n' Pepp
I'm a closet case fan of early 90s hip-hop and I really dig Salt 'n' Peppa. This is one of my favorite tunes by them. The beat really gets my energy up.
Hangin' by the Telephone – L7
L7's cover of this Blondie classic is just a bit more rockin' and upbeat. It's sure to get me pumped up for a rockin' good show.
Teenage Graffiti – The Pink Spiders
I had to get The Pink Spiders in here somewhere and this song has something of a frantic pace to it so "Teenage Graffiti" is a good addition to the playlist. This is the first appearance for The Pink Spiders on a pre-show playlist and I think this song will get at least a few spins.
Move to the Music – American Bang
I can't remove this song from my pre-show playlist. I like everything about this song. I dig the rapid fire lyrics, the awesome bass line and the incredible upbeat feeling of this song. It doesn’t hurt that I've heard this song live more than a few times and it set the stage for a great high energy show.
Fall Behind Me – The Donnas
This song belongs on my playlist. It will never be removed. Never, ever, ever. "Fall Behind Me" is a perfect pre-show song especially with the chorus. I like to think that we're better than everyone else when we step on stage and that the rest of the bands are gonna fall behind us. It's not ego or attitude talking here but just another confidence builder.
I Want You To Rock Me – Vixen
Not as upbeat or energy building as other songs on my playlist, this song from Vixen lands a spot because it's "I Want You to Rock Me" and doesn't need any other explanation.
I'm in the Band – The Hellacopters
This song is self-explanatory.
Here for the Party – The Donnas
The ultimate party anthem courtesy of The Donnas, "Here for the Party" really lights my fire and reminds me that every show is a party. And that might be why I've been known to wear a shirt that says "here for the party" on stage.
Into the Hi Fi – Donita Sparks and the Stellar Moments
Donita and her gang have earned a near permanent spot on my pre-show playlist with this song. I've listened to it before just about every show and have fallen in love with it for its energy. That and I'd love to try to Transmiticate
She's Out of Control – The Donna
The very first time this song appears on my pre-show playlist, "She's Out of Control" is perhaps one of my favorite "unreleased" Donnas tracks. The energy, the guitars, the drums – everything about this song is perfect. I'm pumped up just listening to this song right now.
Nothing but a Good Time – Poison
I've added this song because I really think that this is what every show should be about. And I love Poison.
Tear it Up – Girlschool
That's what we do. We tear it up. A must have for the perfect pre-show playlist.
Metal Guru – T Rex
Another song that's not terribly upbeat or high energy but I like to hear this song for the refrain "metal guru, is it you?" I like to answer "yes."
Jackie Chan- The Dollyrots
I really, really love The Dollyrots and this song is just an ass-kickin', rockin' number.
Rock You Like a Hurricane – Scorpions
A lot of songs have cycled in and out of my playlist but this is a mainstay. "Here I am, rock you like a hurricane."
Round and Round – Stephen Pearcy, Featuring The Donnas
A harder and much more rockin' version of Ratt's classic hit, this is another mainstay on my pre-show playlists. Its yet to rotate out and I don't see that happening anytime soon – especially with Allison Robertson's guitar solo being so amazing.
We Own the Night – The Donnas
Because we do.
Come on and Dance – Motley Crue
Did you really think that I wouldn't include some Crue on my playlist? This is a great song and perfect for before a show. Sometime down the line, I'd like to have this song played over the PA system before my band hits the stage. That'd be rockin'.
Let's Go Crazy – Prince
How could you not listen to this song before a show especially if you're trying to build up your energy? And we all want to get crazy.
There you have it. Some songs really don't need much in the way of explanation and others might seem surprising. But this is what I'll be listening to before my band's next show. It's time to get rockin!
