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First demo - feedback!!

J

Jazzman23

Dec 23, 2005
189
1
#1
Hey all,

I've been with my band for about a year now, and this summer we've put together a little demo that we got from winning a music competition. Anyway, we're pretty proud of it, but I'd like some feedback from you fine people since i'll assume a lot of you know good music. Please be honest, and unmerciful. Thanks!!

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#4
people have mixed feelings on our singer, some people really like him and think he's got a unique voice, others find him kind of annoying. he can be both to me

so do u guys think we actually have something here? thanks for any input
 
#7
Jazzman23 said:
more input would be great! like, we really want this band to go far (obviously). do u guys think we have it in us??
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i think the playing is good for your age group. i don't like the singer....he does have an odd voice...that can be a good thing though.

more input would be great! like, we really want this band to go far (obviously). do u guys think we have it in us??
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if you love playing music you have it in you.

as far as "making it" as a band.....it's one of the most difficult things to do in the world....chances of success are extremely small....but that's ok because life is about the journey and not where you end up. ;)
 
#8
I didn't like "China" very much, the vocals sounded pretty weird in that song and overall I think that song was the weakest of the ones you had on myspace. However, I really liked "Salmonella", that was a really cool song with a clear difference between the verse and chorus, and the vocals suited this song well. There's some real hit potential :cool:. The middle part didn't sound too good, but it's a good idea to have something really soft there though. I'd also like something more to be added to the last chorus so the song would reach some kind of climax before it ends. Maybe some backing vocals?

"Pool boy" was OK too but the guitar solo wasn't the best I've heard.... :hiding:

Overall, I think you have a great demo there to send out. :) However, I'd hesitate to put "China" on the CD, at least not as the first song.
 
#11
Sounds good, a pretty good groove. I'm not crazy about "China" either but the other two were pretty solid. I have to say, although it's a different genre, I think your singer sounds similar to Benjamin Kowalewicz of Billy talent.

I noticed you are Local-ish. I work in Toronto and live in the Newmarket area. You guys doing any shows in the area?
 
#12
I like the songs musically quite a bit, especially 'China', which is very much my style of music anyway, though I have to agree with the consensus that the vocals aren't all that great. The guy might be a great singer, I dunno, but the style he is going for just comes off as a poor Billy Talent knock-off.

'Salmonella' isn't really my kind of thing, though the vocals are marginally better. The tone of his voice just isn't great in these recordings and actually kind of hurts my ears (like literally causes pain because of the high frequency).

I think it's clear though, that you are all talented musicians who could definately make it somewhere given the time and attention, and possibly a change in the vocal style.
 
#13
all the comments about our singer are a little troubling lol

but lots of people have said they like him, and others have said that his voice really grows on you. Some just straight up dont like him though. I think he's different from a lot of singers out there right now, which is exactly what we need. Plus he's a good frontman and a really solid guitar player, and we're good friends too. So we're gonna stick with him for sure.

Its good that theres a mix of songs that you guys like. It means we're not playing the same style over and over again, which again I think is one of our best features.

We're making a CD right now, which 9 more tracks along with the ones on myspace, we'll post more once we're finished. thanks for the input once again, more would be great of course!! peace
 
#14
I'd also stick with the frontman/singer you have. He has an odd voice, but I liked it in the songs I mentioned above.

You'll need a great frontman to reach any success, and I can kind of hear that he is one from his singing style. He can sing well and in tune too and I see no reason for you to change. Because of his singing style you have an own sound. Just listen critically and if you think his singing doesn't sound good at certain places in the songs, tell him to try a different approach at those places.

You could also improve your sound by hiring a third party to help you with polishing your sound. Namely a producer.

Good luck!
 
#15
not my cup of tea, but y'all are really solid and good at what you do. The band gels really well together and sounds very tight and focused. It almost sounds like you have a good bass player playing guitar! :ninja:

The recording quality is excellent for a demo, and I can tell from listening to the attitude that comes through the music that y'all put on a good show. That's the most important thing for a starting band - having a good show that people want to come (back) to see. A lot of bands are only fun to see when you're already familiar with the music, but I bet y'all are really fun to see even if you don't know the music.
 

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