Singer auditions.

Munjibunga · #1 05-09-2007, 11:36 PM

Well, we've started auditioning new singers after the departure of our previous one (by invitation). Anyway, I've got a couple lined up for next week. Tonight, one of the auditioners couldn't make it, but one did. She came in and wanted to start out with "Rock and Roll". Uh, OK.

Whoa.

So anyway, I had advertised in our local free hippie paper and she was one of several responders. She's tall, trim, very personable and professional. There was one minor surprise ... she's black. When she came walking up to the practice space, I'm all, "YES!" I had been talking to the lead guitarist about getting a black singer to front the band, but he was concerned about getting dragged into playing R&B, which he doesn't want to do. Well, this girl wants to ROCK.

She pretty much blew our socks off, and we would've invited her to join if we didn't have two more auditions scheduled for next week. So we're going to try to find a way to bring her back next week, but still audition the other two, just to be fair to them. But I doubt that they're going to do better, especially personality-wise. She seems to be very well-grounded, and said she would learn 20 of our songs by next week. That, and she doesn't use lyric sheets.

So it seems it was worth the pain of letting the last one go. Cool.

Gene Leone · #2 05-10-2007, 01:16 AM

I played in a band once with a black female singer and she wanted to ROCK all the time. Hell I was the one who wanted to add some Motown and R&B to the sets.

It really could be a great sound for the band, go for it!

**MAJOR METAL** · #3 05-10-2007, 05:45 PM

All the best with it Mike but if it dosent work out I would contact Scott Weiland next.

joegeezer · #4 05-10-2007, 06:20 PM

I sure would appreciate any tips on getting any decent singer to audition. We have had a singer problem since 1969. Can't find any. And when we do, they are mostly lazy and worthless. Sure could use tips. We are looking right now for a good blues singer. HELP!!

::::BASSIST:::: · #5 05-10-2007, 07:23 PM

Munj I doubt she will memorize 20 songs by next week (as you said no lyric sheets). I mean I hope she does, but that seems rather ambitious to me. My thing with new band members is take everything with a grain of salt and see how things are going after a couple months. If you have a previous friendship you have a better idea of what to expect, but if you just met the person... dont get your hopes up. But who knows, it might work out really well... hope so.

I find with thing to do with new singers is to try to find one who plays an instrument... preferably guitar (?). This will prove they are serious about music.

Now the lead singer "attitude"... thats a whole new animal!

Munjibunga · #6 05-10-2007, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joegeezer

I sure would appreciate any tips on getting any decent singer to audition. We have had a singer problem since 1969. Can't find any. And when we do, they are mostly lazy and worthless. Sure could use tips. We are looking right now for a good blues singer. HELP!!

I know what you mean. When we auditioned last year, we got mostly people who go to the karaoke bar, get drunk, sing, and believe their drunken friends when they say, "You're great! You should be in a band." It's really hard to be kind when their tone deafness becomes painfully evident in the first three notes.

Several of us in the band are senior executives with fairly good interviewing skills. We can usually weed out the losers pretty quickly. We had our last singer for almost a year, but let her go a few weeks ago. Issues.

This one last night clicked from the beginning. Upbeat attitude, desire to work with us, and level headed. The auditions we have coming up are with a guy we've auditioned before who sings great but carries a bit of a 'tude. The audition coming up isn't really about his singing, it's more to have another taste of his personality. Frankly, I don't see him making it.

The other is a girl we've never met but she sent us some MP3s of her in her last band, a folksy bluegrass thing. She has a very sweet voice, but I don't think she'll have the power to do some of the rock. But, you never know.

As for tips, put the singer in a probationary period. You know, a month or three, or a couple gigs. Then be honest with yourselves about whether he/she really fits and winds cables. If no, jettison them. We don't countenance prima donnas. With our band, we are all independent contractors, so nobody gets fired. The rest of the band just quits and forms a new band the next week with the same name but minus one member.

Munjibunga · #7 05-10-2007, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VEGANBASS

Munj I doubt she will memorize 20 songs by next week (as you said no lyric sheets). I mean I hope she does, but that seems rather ambitious to me. My thing with new band members is take everything with a grain of salt and see how things are going after a couple months. If you have a previous friendship you have a better idea of what to expect, but if you just met the person... dont get your hopes up. But who knows, it might work out really well... hope so.

I find with thing to do with new singers is to try to find one who plays an instrument... preferably guitar (?). This will prove they are serious about music.

Now the lead singer "attitude"... thats a whole new animal!

Well, we're very optimistic. This one doesn't seem to have any major baggage, but we've committed to excise the new singer at the first sign of high drama. We spent a lot of time fretting over the last one, and we won't do that again.

We don't need/want an instrumentalist, except for tambourine and, of course, cowbell. Our keyboardist doubles on lead and rhythm guitar, and we have another rhythm guitarist and a lead guitarist par excellance, so we're covered.

We've all been in bands 20 to 30 years, so there's not too many surprises out there for us. We get along with each other well, and we require the same from our singer.

As far as commitment to music, I put in our ad that the successful candidate will own his/her own high-quality microphone. An SM-58 is fine. That's the least they can do.

joegeezer · #8 05-10-2007, 09:20 PM

As far as commitment to music, I put in our ad that the successful candidate will own his/her own high-quality microphone. An SM-58 is fine. That's the least they can do.
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Man, That's the thing that has always gotten me over the years, is a singers lack of equipment, and lack of desire or total lack of understanding that they need to put cash into a sound system. At least I built our PA system this time, so that end is covered. I would however like to see more cash invested than the old 58. There are so many better mics out there these days, they should be able to at least spring for a good one.

Munjibunga · #9 05-10-2007, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joegeezer

As far as commitment to music, I put in our ad that the successful candidate will own his/her own high-quality microphone. An SM-58 is fine. That's the least they can do.
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Man, That's the thing that has always gotten me over the years, is a singers lack of equipment, and lack of desire or total lack of understanding that they need to put cash into a sound system. At least I built our PA system this time, so that end is covered. I would however like to see more cash invested than the old 58. There are so many better mics out there these days, they should be able to at least spring for a good one.

The mic thing isn't really the issue. I own Beta 58s, Beta 87s and even a KMS9, which they're free to use. I also own QSC - EAW - Midas - JBL PA systems, so no need there. I'm thrilled if they just wind cables. It's just if they're going to hold themselves out to be vocalists, they should at least own a good mic. Yes, there are better mics than an SM 58, but you'll still see many pros on TV and in concert with 58s. Unless, of course, you're into Celine Dion, the world's best female singer, who uses a Neumann KMS 105. I used to own one, but sold it to buy the Shure KSM9, which is gaining popularity as the preferred high-end stage mic.

**Ryan L.** · #10 05-11-2007, 08:57 AM

We're auditioning drummers in the next couple weeks. I'm not looking forward to it.

Bigoo7e · #11 05-12-2007, 11:56 PM

Hey Munjibunga... any update on the Black female singer, anything set in stone yet?

A little off topic, how is the pink lakland coming?

Peace,

Munjibunga · #12 05-13-2007, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigoo7e

Hey Munjibunga... any update on the Black female singer, anything set in stone yet?

A little off topic, how is the pink lakland coming?

Peace,

If I hadn't committed to audition two other singers next week, the black singer would already be hired. We're bringing her back after the other two are done on Wednesday night. She definitely wants to join up with us.

The Pink Cadillac is having its neck and electronics installed and should be done in a week or two. Jauqo III-X says he saw it at the shop about a week ago, and gave it the thumbs up. The last time I talked to Pat Wilkins, he said he didn't expect to like the color, but liked it a lot after he sprayed it on. So I'm all atwitter with anticipation.

Depth_Charge · #13 05-13-2007, 02:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

If I hadn't committed to audition two other singers next week, the black singer would already be hired. We're bringing her back after the other two are done on Wednesday night. She definitely wants to join up with us.

The Pink Cadillac is having its neck and electronics installed and should be done in a week or two. Jauqo III-X says he saw it at the shop about a week ago, and gave it the thumbs up. The last time I talked to Pat Wilkins, he said he didn't expect to like the color, but liked it a lot after he sprayed it on. So I'm all atwitter with anticipation.

Sorry to barge in! Thats great news on the singer, and the new bass

I need to ask, if your mind is already made up and the new singer in and coming along, why audition the other 2 singers?

Isn't that kind of wasting everyones time?

I ask, because my band and another one I know recently went through a similar process for no change to the result

Munjibunga · #14 05-13-2007, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Depth_Charge

Sorry to barge in! Thats great news on the singer, and the new bass

I need to ask, if your mind is already made up and the new singer in and coming along, why audition the other 2 singers?

Isn't that kind of wasting everyones time?

I ask, because my band and another one I know recently went through a similar process for no change to the result

My brother asked the same question. The reason is that I had already committed to audition them. I wouldn't feel right about not giving them a shot, even if it's a long shot. Also, you never know. The others could conceiveably blow the first one out of the water.

Munjibunga · #15 05-17-2007, 12:11 AM

OK, so tonight was the final night of the auditions. First up was the guy singer, Ben. He called and said he was on his way at about 5:45 saying,"I'll see you in about an hour." I responded, "Your audition is at 6:30. We have a tight schedule tonight." "OK, I'll be there at 6:15." "Cool." No show. What an unmitigated dick.

Second up, Katie. Slender, somewhat attractive, 42. Nice personality. Very good singer, but not real familiar with the material. We were afraid her voice might not have the requisite power based on some folksy MP3s she sent us, but we were pleasantly surprised. She was qualified for the job.

Last up, Lora, the African-American (black) woman from last week. We started out on some of the new stuff we assigned her, and she was a little shaky with a pitch problem here and there. I was a little worried that we missed something last week. She was just a little unfamiliar with some of the Police tunes and stuff. Then we moved into bluesy stuff like Right As Rain by Tommy Castro and the Doobies' Long Train Running. That was where she really shined. She did R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A. very well and locked it up.

So we had a vote and it was unanimous for Lora. However, I floated the idea of two girl singers and got mixed input. I was surprised that the lead guitarist actually gave it some consideration. My brother and I have been in bands with two girls, and it was a royal pain, but they were like in their teens and early twenties and couldn't fully manage their estrogen supply. These women are both 42. So my brother and I would consider it, but we see the pitfalls.The drummer was ambivalent, and the keyboard player simply said, "No." So right now that adds up to no. Besides, it's another mouth to feed. However, several of the most popular bands in the area have three girl singers.

So we're back in the saddle. Yeeee HAW!

Munjibunga · #16 05-18-2007, 06:38 PM

Now comes the e-mail from the guy singer.

Hi Munji -

I know how pisssed you must be but I want you to know that my tire blew out on the way to the audition. I want to apologize to you guys but there really wasn't anyway for me to predict what was about to occur. I know you guys picked somebody that you're happy with and for whatever reason I wasn't meant to audition for you guys. I wish you guys nothing but luck and a lot of fun playing together.

As soon as I pulled to the side of the road my first thought was how big of a flake you guys were going to percieve me to be but I also knew there wasn't a thing I could do about it. Anyways...good luck to you guys,

peace,

B.

Uh huh. Why not use the same cell phone you used a half hour earlier to tell me you were on your way? Anyway, I'm not even going to respond. What a turd.

Lazylion · #17 05-18-2007, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

Why not use the same cell phone you used a half hour earlier...

Dood, don't you know his battery died in between? And he left his charger home? LOL
Congrats on the new singer. Sounds like it could be a good thing!

K-Punk · #18 05-18-2007, 08:59 PM

Use Laura..Don't get 2 singers.One singer is bad enough.lol...Tailor the set to her strong points.She can work on the Police tunes in the mean time.
I repeat...Don't get 2 female singers.Do not!Unless they're singing backups and Sting is singing lead.lol.Also.And this is just my opinion.Maybe the rest of you could take a couple vocal lessons and triple your material.That's just me.Good luck I'm sure you'll do great.

Munjibunga · #19 05-19-2007, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K-Punk

Use Laura..Don't get 2 singers.One singer is bad enough.lol...Tailor the set to her strong points.She can work on the Police tunes in the mean time.
I repeat...Don't get 2 female singers.Do not!Unless they're singing backups and Sting is singing lead.lol.Also.And this is just my opinion.Maybe the rest of you could take a couple vocal lessons and triple your material.That's just me.Good luck I'm sure you'll do great.

Well, like I said, I've done the two girl thing, and I'm not a fan. We'll just go with the one. My brother and the lead guitarist sing some leads, and we all sing backups. The drummer and keys player also sing, but we haven't brought them into service yet. With six singers, we could do some Mormon Tabernacle Choir tunes.