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Drummer as Lead Singer?

#63
Seems like some people are definitely missing the fact that the current drummer CAN'T PLAY AT ALL.

If your singer is a monster drummer, he should obviously be playing drums instead; sort the singing out later.

You guys might find you really enjoy the left of normal three piece setup, or you may end up finding a vocalist who's even more talented and have the drummer sing high harmonies instead.

Just please, for the love of all things rational, fire the guy who keeps playing to 120bpm clicks at 135-140bpm. That's beyond awful.

Fat Steve said:


Seen these guys quite a few times at festivals. They kill it live, and the drummer does the vast majority of the vocals. This particular song the guitarist takes lead, but the drummer still sings quite a bit on it.
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That's FILTHY.

Very cool :thumbsup:
 
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#64
I forgot to add in my previous post, I don't like a three piece with a singing drummer when they are up the back on a riser. It just looks a bit weird when the lead singer isn't the point of reference and you've got a bass and guitar on each side of stage front........ hence my thought that the singing drummer should be front and centre..... preferably with toms and cymbals set as low as possible.
 
#65
Yep. Front and center and let him do what he does. My first paying gig was a band that did this. We packed it out every gig. It worked for The Eagles and Genesis and several others as well.

Also, I saw Bonham quite a few years ago. He didn't even sing much but he was right out front killing the drums. It worked in that band too.

Just go for it. Maybe you could have one of the other guys do most of the trash talking to the crowd.
 
#67
Keep the drum set small, up front, and well lit and it won't be a problem. There is a local roots/international group here called New Primitives whose drummer is the singer and he is one of the more engaging and entertaining vocalists around, drum set or not. Vids can be found.
 
#70
Most important issue is if your singer actually wants to sing and drum. It just seems very exhausting as explained in another post. I barely get it together singing and playing bass, and all I'm doing is standing. There might be a good reason why he isn't the drummer in the first place.

The boldest part is already suggesting what to do with the singer-drummer's kit: move cymbals/toms, place it sideways. It has the best intentions but I figure that's totally up to him.

Definitely replace your current drummer.
 
#71
tbz said:
Clearly didn't work out for Don Henley and the Eagles.

Iirc their greatest hits album was the best selling record of the 20th century, when all was said and done.

Not to mention The Band, Rare Earth....etc.

Put him up front if/when possible. Should be fine.
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Eagles' greatest hits is a studio album. OP is asking about a live situation. Can't see the difference?

Let me help: Hell Freezes Over isn't even close to the best selling live album of the 20th century. For that, you might try Peter Frampton, Kiss, or maybe even Thin Lizzy in the rock world.

Hey, guess why else your example isn't very good?

Eagles had three top flight singers, two of which were in the front of the stage (Frye and Meisner/Schmitt), and one adequate one also at the front of the stage (Walsh). Frye was the unquestioned frontman and the delivery of the music was centered on harmony vocals and guitar talent (Walsh and Felder).

What about that setup has anything to do with the OP's situation? Want a hint?
 
#72
Max Blasto said:
Eagles' greatest hits is a studio album. OP is asking about a live situation. Can't see the difference?

Let me help: Hell Freezes Over isn't even close to the best selling live album of the 20th century. For that, you might try Peter Frampton, Kiss, or maybe even Thin Lizzy in the rock world.

Hey, guess why else your example isn't very good?

Eagles had three top flight singers, two of which were in the front of the stage (Frye and Meisner/Schmitt), and one adequate one also at the front of the stage (Walsh). Frye was the unquestioned frontman and the delivery of the music was centered on harmony vocals and guitar talent (Walsh and Felder).

What about that setup has anything to do with the OP's situation? Want a hint?
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I've seen them perform several times with Henley singing lead while playing drums and he sounds awesome.

Have you checked sales figures on that? Hell Freezes Over sold 10 million copies. Frampton comes alive sold 11 million.

Kiss Alive 1 and 2, combined, didn't break 10 from what I'm seeing.

No way in hell Thin Lizzy can touch that number. Their lifetime worldwide album sales were *almost* 10 million as of 5-6 years ago, per the one source I could find on the subject.

Live And Dangerous was never certified Gold in the US, which requires 500k sales. It was in the UK, where the bar was lower at 300k.

HFO had a DVD/VHS release that sold a ton of copies as well.

So. I don't think we agree here.
 
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#73
One band I am in is a 5 piece where the drummer is lead singer and I am backing. We try to get one or both of the guitarists to sing as well but they get stage fright or something haha.

Drummer and I have talked and we'd like to get another drummer to sit on the kit when the money is right. But for now it works and folks enjoy.
 
#79
mancefine said:
Our singer happens to be a phenomenal drummer who can actually play drums and sing very well. We are in Austin and (believe it or not) finding a drummer who fits the bill can be difficult. Music wise, I fully believe that we would SOUND much better playing as a 3 piece if we can't find a drummer, or in the least while we are looking. This way, we could part ways with our drummer and conduct an extensive search and still keep the wheels turning by playing shows. The other two guys are concerned that we will be boring if we don't have a front man engaging the crowd. My thought is that I see tons of bands with front men, but rarely do I see a drummer who can play technical parts and sing lead, so when I do I think it's very impressive. But, I'm a musician. So what do you guys think? How would you feel if you saw a 3 piece where the drummer was singing? If the music was good would you care about not having a frontman? I was also thinking we could make it cool and put the drums up front live. I know in our genre frontmen are somewhat prevelant, so I dunno. Just want some different perspectives.
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I see zero serious problems with this approach...and several potential advantages: 1) allows a three-way rather than four-way split on the gig earnings, 2) the novelty factor, 3) the guy can really sing, 4) the guy can really play, etc. What are you waiting for? Jump on this opportunity - pronto!

Seriously, I think having a frontman is overrated. You're a musician - not a lawyer. So think out of the box a little! Besides, you're in Austin - the music capital of the Southwest, where audiences are both knowledgeable and open-minded, right? So if you can make it work anywhere, you can make it work, right where you are.

Main thing is, make the music itself as good as it can possibly be. I mean, make it really, really good. With only three guys in the band, it ought to be considerably easier to get it ultra-tight, i.e. like Rush. So go for it! And blow your audiences away! :bassist:

MM
 
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