New Addition? A Screamer??? (What do I do?)

Goose72 · #1 01-15-2009, 07:49 AM

Hey guys...
My band Catch me! Catch me! (see my sig.) had a great thing goin on (go listen to the recordings if you would like), but I am only half way in the same "circle" with the other band members (they are cool guys, but kinda immature so I don't hang out with them as much), so they make decisions without asking me all the time (and one of them, the lead guitar/singer, thinks he knows everything, and is always trying to book outrageous shows and get T-shirts designed and such...we are in high school...we don't have money for T-shirts, and do not have the funds to drive 5 hours for a gig...). Recently they decided that they are going to start adding more screaming into the music (not what I thought I signed up for...). We are supposed to be a poppunk/alternative band playing the likes of Paramore, Relient K, Matchbox 20, Weezer, etc. But he (Max) wants more screaming...so he went out "hired" another buddy of theirs (Jake) to be the designated screamer? He has added more screaming to the song "Crossroads" which is on our profile(it had one scream that I didn't like but dealt with it). What should I do...I kind of hinted its either the screamer or me...am I in the wrong for doing this? I don't want to play metal (I don't see why screaming is necessary for our music?) and really don't think having a random kid with a mic screaming in every other song...it doesn't fit the image...

give me some advice...Thanks guys/gals!

JohnnyPustular · #2 01-15-2009, 07:59 AM

A. Decide what you want from music. Some typical goals are: be a rock star, have fun, make a little money on the side, meet and hook up w/babes, realize you artistic vision, be the next Jaco, etc.

B. Act accordingly.

Goose72 · #3 01-15-2009, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyPustular

A. Decide what you want from music. Some typical goals are: be a rock star, have fun, make a little money on the side, meet and hook up w/babes, realize you artistic vision, be the next Jaco, etc.

B. Act accordingly.

We actually had this discussion (Max and I) and I just want to have fun, play for friends at parties and local venues, just have a good time, provide entertainment (I already got the girl

), but he wants to be a rock star and make money. He wanted to buy like 30 shirts or so and sell them...We don't have money to buy those shirts/the designs with...He said that I have to dream big...but my dream is not to be in a band that screams...haha

Chickencha · #4 01-15-2009, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goose72

What should I do...I kind of hinted its either the screamer or me...am I in the wrong for doing this?

I don't think you're in the wrong at all, though that's probably not the way you should put it. It doesn't seem like you have a problem with the screamer himself -- just his role in the band. I think you just need to explain that you're not happy with the direction the band is going in with specific reference to the screaming and anything else that bothers you. Either the band needs to go back in a direction you're more comfortable with or you leave.

If you stay with this band, though, it will be a compromise and you'll need to decide where to draw the line.

sonic assassin · #5 01-15-2009, 10:31 AM

i dont think its wrong. ive been through similar stuff with my band a few times. they wanted to do things that i just didnt want to do. they said i was being a brat and just wanted everything my way, i asked why i would play music that i dont like? i wouldnt. if you dont like what you're playing, dont play it.

id just make sure to make it clear that you dont like the way things are going, and theres a chance that it could drive you off.

listening to your songs, the lead singer sounds like the weakest link anyway.

that one scream was well placed. wasnt like the new trend where someone whines, then starts screaming for no reason whatsoever. when we do it, it means something.

personally, i couldnt play in a band where someone was a designated "singer" of any kind. either play an instrument or 2, or gtfo of my band. everyone sings and everyone pulls double their weight. seems like a designated "screamer" is less room on stage, less room in the car, and one more person you have to pay.

TheVoiceless · #6 01-15-2009, 10:43 AM

If you are a decent bass player then you should be able to find a band that will make you happy. If they have big dreams and you don't you are not doing them any favors by holding them back. If you are the only one feeling against the change then move on. Sounds like its over.

JohnnyPustular · #7 01-15-2009, 11:37 AM

Good advice. You are only in high school! You don't need this crap. There will be many, many better opportunities after high school.

Another way to think about it-- Some of them are clear that they want to 'make it'. So you have great confidence in the band and its sound and you stay on. The band makes it. Now you have to hang around with a bunch of people you don't like 24 hours a day on a year long tour. Sound like fun?

Looking back, as someone who didn't make it, my best memories are the times I spent with good friends working together. Heading into Traxx with my boys, checking out all the big name signatures scrawled into the dressing room walls, competing for babes and laughing afterward, doing stuff we probably shouldn't. Being in a band can be the coolest thing in the world. It really doesn't have to suck.

Jared Lash · #8 01-15-2009, 12:01 PM

I have to say, for a high school age band, you guys sound pretty good. It's hard to judge from two songs, but it seems like you haven't really found your own vibe yet. Which is why I would be nervous about the idea of a "screamer" if that's not what you're into as you're still at a point where the entire direction of the band could change dramatically.

If you've already told them that you're against this move, the best thing you can do is wait and see how things play out. If the music starts heading in a direction that isn't fun or enjoyable to you, let them know that if that's what they want to do then you'll be parting ways. I've been in bands that decided they wanted to change directions or added a new member (once a keyboard player and once a new vocalist) that changed things to the point that it wasn't what I signed up for. The first time I stuck it out way too long and regretted it. The second time I just wished them luck and cut ties quickly.

See if you can work things out with your band. It sucks to put a lot of effort into something just to walk away, but it sucks more to play in an originals band when you don't like the music.

Good luck.

**Thor** · #9 01-15-2009, 05:30 PM

I second Big O's comment.

All in favor say 'Aye'.

kgoism · #10 01-15-2009, 05:37 PM

leave the band.

Everyone screams now. Including my band(s). (See sig)
It's unoriginal, and you shouldn't have to play music you don't want to play.

and it'd be kinda weird to have a guy that screams for only SOME songs... Is he just gonna leave the stage for your other songs?

AnchorHoy · #11 01-15-2009, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kgoism

Is he just gonna leave the stage for your other songs?

Exotic dancing plus 'percussion'

Get him a cowbell. Chicks really dig the earthy and sensuous tones of the cowbell

Ampeg SVT · #12 01-15-2009, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kgoism

Is he just gonna leave the stage for your other songs?

I would be amused if he 2 stepped.

**Stumbo** · #13 01-16-2009, 01:40 AM

Max "hired" a screamer? Guess he sees everyone as sidemen.

He does things w/o asking you so obviously it's not a democracy. It's a dictatorship so take it from there. If you guys "don't have money", why is Max planning on spending it on T'shirts? How does that work? He spends it and then tries to force everyone to come up with it?

I mean, adding another guy already cut your portion of the band income so now you have to give to Max so he can spend it?

Do what you gotta do. If you stay in the "band" as an sideman/employee/drone, you'll only get more of the same. Max doesn't understand much about running a band.

Here's a link that might help you out: If only I knew then what I know now... If I only knew then...

Skarekrough · #14 01-16-2009, 06:55 AM

"Max" should need to find a new bass player.

Goose72 · #15 01-16-2009, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kgoism

leave the band.

Everyone screams now. Including my band(s). (See sig)
It's unoriginal, and you shouldn't have to play music you don't want to play.

and it'd be kinda weird to have a guy that screams for only SOME songs... Is he just gonna leave the stage for your other songs?

See this is probably my second biggest problem with it...like from our songs that we have up on myspace, "Crossroads" has one scream in it, and I'll admit, it is a well placed scream and sounds pretty good IMO (Rhythm guitarist did that one) and then "Come Back Home" has absolutely no scream in it whatsoever. What is the screamer gunna do during that song? I sure as heck don't know...

They also added stuff to "Crossroads" that is like "shadow screaming" or something at the end of the chorus, when it goes "Give me one more choice, I swear I'll get it right this time." So Max sings and then Jake like grunts the same part under him...sounds very bad in my opinion...too metal for the song...

And I agree that it seems like every band out there screams now... I don't know whats up with it, but its the trendy thing to do I guess.

2x4strgkramers · #16 01-16-2009, 12:48 PM

Get a really hot stripper and use the devil voice vocal effect and have her work a pole the whole show. Your following will explode and at least you'll get entertainment. My advice find another band to work with.

DudeistMonk · #17 01-16-2009, 01:49 PM

The second song sounds pretty damn awesome for a HS act.

I know its OT but the bass/piano intro to the first song sounds strange to me...maybe its the tone (clean piano with clicky punk bass) or slight (seemingly intentional) offness of the bassline....rest of the song is good though.

As for the question at hand...is it worth quitting a band that your probably only going to be in until college anyway? I would just suck it up and live with the screamer unless it sounds THAT awful in which case I would suggest you walk.

kgoism · #18 01-17-2009, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ampeg SVT

I would be amused if he 2 stepped.

please, no.

Silas Martinez · #19 01-18-2009, 06:46 PM

Life is to short to make music you don't like.

If adding the screamer kills it for you, move on.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goose72

my dream is not to be in a band that screams...

Seems to kind of sum it up, IMO.