• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Is my lead singer that bad?

#269
Live performances are tricky. If this is what you consider to be the worst example, then it isn't that bad.... Hell, I know I've done worse! The studio cuts sound pretty darned good. Does the engineer have to do a lot of autotuning with the lead VOX? That to me would be a very good indicator of whether he / his voice will be up to the next step the band is planning to take.

Manuel101 said:
Like I said he can sing really well when he is on his game and at rehearsals but many times he messes up during shows.
Click to expand...

To me, this is the much more important issue. I've played in a few bands where a band member (or two) just couldn't do their job because they were too f'd up. If you keep him, there has to be the discussion to him about this. He may rather quit than have a clamp put on the party lifestyle.
 
#270
fourstringdrums said:
IMO he has potential in that he has decent vocal tone and sounds like he could really have a powerful voice, but he's forcing it too much. It reminds me of the problem I have when I sing: I don't focus on honing the natural tone I have and I will without thinking of it, focus more on vibrato and other things that enhance a singer's voice and that totally kills my pitch.
Click to expand...

I had the same problem. My voice is pretty flexible, but I was so intent on either copying another style, or especially trying to sing at the top of my lungs, and over-reaching on bot accounts, I often sounded like crap. A few years ago, my current band added a guitarist who was also a vocal coach. He basically slapped me upside the head to get me to stop doing that!

"Stop trying so damned hard!"

It was good advise.
 
#271
JimmyM said:
Everyone says "fire them" no matter what the question is, like they're some big-time geniuses themselves. Hate to break it to you guys, but I have heard singers who sound awesome on their multi-million selling recordings sound out of tune and shaky in front of thousands live. Perry Farrell, Anthony Kiedis, Axl Rose, Brian Johnson, Steven Tyler (though he got better once he got off drugs)...and that's just off the top of my head.
Click to expand...

And Adam Duritz of Counting Crows. My dad, upon hearing a bit of a Counting Crows song playing on MTV back in the day when they played music videos, said "What is this guy crying about?"!

Ha! Good one Dad!

But Jimmy M is right. And YouTube vids of live performances is not the best way to judge a performers abilities.
 
#272
jive1 said:
Don't forget Ozzy..... When I was a kid and listened to "Live at Last", I was like "who is singing this stuff?". And this isn't just a live show, it was an album release. I've heard plenty of live vocals that wasn't even close to the recording.

I think people say "fire them" easily because they have nothing at stake. They don't need to break the news, they don't need to deal with the relationships, they don't need to find a replacement or deal with ownership issues like songwriting credits, etc. If each TB member had to actually deal with the fallout of firing someone, I'm sure it wouldn't be so easy to say.

I've done music for over 20 years, and I can count the number of people that I've fired on one hand. I know a bandleader around here who will fire and replace someone as soon as there's any type of issue. He is the epitome of the TB "fire them" crowd. He's had this band for years, yet bands with less laps around the block do better. He's run through most of the decent players in town, and lots of people won't work with him. He has clients pissed at him because the band he brings is not even close to the band he advertises. He has gigs booked for months in advance and they are paid, but he still posts ads on Craigslist to find someone to fill a gig last minute. By following the "fire them" philosophy, he really has stunted the growth of his band and diluted the quality of his show.




Also, we don't know what else he brings to the band. If he wrote the songs, then by firing him, you'd have to write all new material unless you are going to steal his tunes (bad karma). If he has the PA, booking connections, etc. you may send the band back a few steps. IME, you should find a way to work with a person before letting them go.

IMO, the biggest problem is that the phrasing that he uses highlights his weaknesses too much. It probably can be fixed. If I can sing lead, and actually have a crowd appreciate it now and then, anyone can.
Click to expand...


Bingo.
 
#273
Manuel101 said:
We had a rehearsal last night and he was pitchy, he said his voice was not warmed up yet. Then after we finished rehearsing he said can we try that song one more time my voice is warmed up. we took our instruments out and recorded the song he was still pitchy as hell. we try telling him that he needs to write parts that are not so high so that he doesnt sound so out of tune. he reply the he has been singing since he was 16 and that he was signed before blah blah blah and he can still sing those high extended notes. then i said bro you are not in the same predicament now, there are a few things different now that dont allow you to sing like you could before so write music that emphasizes your strengths and not your weakness. He would not consider what we were saying then he played back the last song we just played and he told us is sounded good and we were like NO that is out of tune he was like no i just bended the note. So we are probably just going to give him two more shows to pull it off or else.
Click to expand...

On the other hand... Houston... You have a problem.

I'm thinking the handwriting is already on the wall.
 
#274
The singer isn't that bad.

What you need to do is tell him first that you don't think he is pulling his weight. Tell him that you know he can do better and offer some suggestions as to what you think is the problem.

If he still doesn't pick up his game or simply can't then you unfortunately you will have to do something else about it.
 
#275
Manuel101 said:
Well the things is that I am trying to get a neutral opinion which i can only get from strangers or outsiders. If I ask my friends the fact that they are my friends might push them to take my side instead of giving me an objective opinion. Maybe you are right and it wasn't right for me to do that but right now I feel like the band has to make a very important decision that will greatly influence our future which is why i am looking for objective opinions. Also I assume that there might be people here who are more experienced than I and who have been through something similar so they can give me good advice.
Click to expand...

Can you just tell him the feedback, and that you appreciate all the momentum, but we need to nip this issue in the bud. Just be friendly and upfront. Had my **** set straight back in the day. Best thing that happened to me.
 
#277
Make that 87!
:eek:
If only one of the dancers could sing, preferably the one on your side....

Realistically, if the original guy can sing consistently, you guys just need to write/rearrange songs that he can actually sing live with repeatability.

I still vote for the dancer on the left, though!
WOW!
 
#278
That last singer is cute as, and probably has a great voice, but she's WAY too mannered and her overly contrived style would get on people's nerves very quickly.

Keep looking, but think about what you would like to see if you were in your own audience.
 
#279
Sonicfrog said:
Bingo.
Click to expand...

That's a very low standard to set and it's not the same thing because Ozzy was already a star. Bad recordings/performances are just that and shouldn't be used as an excuse for having a crappy singer. Let's hear any of these candidates after being on a multi day bender with countless substances and then make the comparison.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back