3 piece rock covers band - song ideas?

[FlyStraight99]

Hi all, I hope everyone’s well? 

 

I’m in need of some tips to fill up the attached image(s) of the setlist. 

 

What are some good songs that involve a decent bass melody for a 3 piece?

 

Myself, guitarist/vocals & drummer.

 

I love a bit of melody when it comes to the bass, handling the low end and also serving as a rhythm guitar when necessary to help out the guitarist, so I’m keen to know what songs you guys would recommend for a 3 piece that you’d like to hear a bass play in a pub setting?

 

Majority of the time I use a pick (which is shamefully preferred)

Thanks!

[Happy Jack]

No Who? Check out Substitute and Won't Get Fooled Again ... two of my favourite basslines.

 

You should probably also take a look at A Town Called Malice.

 

If your band has three people who can sing (= harmony BVs) then other satisfying basslines to play include My Best Friend's Girl and Listen To The Music.

[ezbass]

Any of The Jam’s greatest hits are your friend in this regard.

[Sean]

On 19/10/2025 at 23:39, FlyStraight99 said:

Majority of the time I use a pick (which is shamefully preferred)

 

 

Using a plectrum to play bass is a valid and useful technique that many people haven't mastered. Some of the greatest bassists are primarily pick players (McCartney, Carol Kaye, Duff, Foxton, the list is endless). 

I believe that a serious non-artist bass player at any level needs to be able to cover a range of attacks.  

 

I'd encourage you 100% to learn playing fingerstyle but I'd also say that there is no shame in using a plectrum and that there are many ways to use a plectrum and many different types of plectrum. 

 

I play around 50/50 pick/fingers. There are some songs that are just unimaginable to play without a pick; Would?, London's Calling, Welcome to the Jungle, Silly Love Songs and then there are are songs that just seem to be better played fingerstyle; Faith, Mardy Bum, Silver Springs, Go Your Own Way. 

 

There's a lot of BS/snobbery in the bass world about plectrum use, I've no idea where it started or on what ridiculous foundation it lies but what I do know is that it's absolute nonsense. 

 

When asked, "Do you play with a pick or fingers?", I always answer, "Yes, of course." 

 

Embrace the plectrum, master it and no more silly talk round here,  please. 

 

Edited 3 hours ago by Sean

[ezbass]

57 minutes ago, Sean said:

There's a lot of BS/snobbery in the bass world about plectrum use, I've no idea where it started or on what ridiculous foundation it lies but what I do know is that it's absolute nonsense. 

When you consider that the likes of Anthony Jackson and Steve Swallow use/used picks, plus plenty of others, it is utter BS. It could be that some of the purveyors of this nonsense are players who can’t use a pick. I use fingers, pick, thumb-style and slap techniques where appropriate. 

[Sean]

2 minutes ago, ezbass said:

When you consider that the likes of Anthony Jackson and Steve Swallow use/used picks, plus plenty of others, it is utter BS. It could be that some of the purveyors of this nonsense are players who can’t use a pick. I use fingers, pick, thumb-style and slap techniques where appropriate. 

 

I keep my different gauge picks lined up ready for the songs that they're used on. People have taken the p155 but I've spoken to quite a few bassists that do the same. I love Clayton Custom delrin 1mm picks but I need a Dunlop Tortex 0.73 for things like the intro to Chelsea Dagger or the guitar solo section of Crazy Train. Obviously, I don't change pick during the song but chose the best tool that suits whatever part of the song requires it. 

 

I can play the two examples above with a 1mm Clayton but I can dig in and get the feel and attack I need with the thinner pick. On the flip side, playing any Killers basslines with a yellow .73 just feels too floppy. 

[ezbass]

I’ve settled on .73 mainly because of seeing & hearing Bobby Vega. I only use anything over 1mm for guitar.