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lead singer is addicted to karaoke...
- Thread starter powderfinger
- Start date
The band is brand new and we havent started gigging yet. I think he wants the instant gratification, and he doesnt like the reality that much practice and preparation is required before we leave the barn.
Yeah well to be honest if the singer can hold his own at karoake week in and week out and can learn everything he needs to to succeed in the band, maybe his boredom is due to the group not keeping up with him. That would leave karoake bars as his only outlet.
If I was in your situation I'd prefer the singer be looking for karoake bars than another band!
If I was in your situation I'd prefer the singer be looking for karoake bars than another band!
I KJ when I don't have a bass gig. I have mentored a few female KJ's and help them startup their businesses, show them how to get the most out of their equips, run sound, etc. My band has gained a fanbase through my karaoke work. Never lose out on an opportunity to network. Karaoke is serious bidness around here.
We have a list of about 25 songs we are working on. I'd say he got pick over half of them. And his lazy ass hasn't bothered to learn the chords or the words to half of them (not even the ones he picked). So I doubt throwing additional material would help him.
More gigs? Read up a few posts. We just put the band together. We will never be gig ready until his lazy ass does some homework and learns the songs.
I actually think he just prefers karaoke to the hard work of being in a band.
How many practices have you spent on those 25 songs? Are the rest of you polished on them and just waiting for him? Or is he sitting around too while you guys go over chord changes? Bottom line, if he's really the only one slacking, it doesnt matter if its because of karaoke, or fishing, or chicks, or whatever. Boot him. If its really all of you slacking, then kick everyone in the butt and get a freakin gig.
Yes, he may need to the boot unfortunately. Everyone BUT him has been pretty dilligent about learning the songs. He hasnt played in a band since 2002, but based on his past successes I honestly think that he believes he is some sort of small time legend. I think he suffers from dellusions of grandeur, honestly, and I say that in a caring way, because for godsake this guy is my best friend in my life (and he's family).
But the truth is.. he is rusty. His voice and his playing especially. He is living on past glory I am afraid. His guitar playing is horrible compared to what it was. His voice is still ok. However, he stumbles through lyrics. He sings half-heartedly in practice, but shines at karaoke. The rest of my band is dead on and getting tight. He's not falling into line here. I just wanted him to shape up. Take this band as serious as he does karaoke. Because as it is... he is the weak link in this band, and he doesnt have a clue....
From everything the OP is saying, an objective observer would say it's time to give Karaoke Dude the boot. But apparently the band is not ready to take that step yet.
So until that changes, they're stuck where they're at. The other possible outcome is that certain members of the band reach the breaking point sooner than others relative to this issue, and split. At which point the band either breaks up, or the members who are still there have to find replacements (which puts them even farther behind the curve than they are already).
So until that changes, they're stuck where they're at. The other possible outcome is that certain members of the band reach the breaking point sooner than others relative to this issue, and split. At which point the band either breaks up, or the members who are still there have to find replacements (which puts them even farther behind the curve than they are already).
nobody cares what he does on his off time, and neither should the guys in the band. he may be anal about karaoke, but for a really good singer, i'll overlook a lot of weirdness unless it starts costing the band gigs.
however, it sounds like it may start costing the band gigs. since the op says he's his best friend in the world and family, then he needs to have an honest talk with him instead of talking to us.
If this is exactly what you said and/or what happened, I would've been lying under the table in tears, laughing like a don't-know-what.
So he's lifeless in durning rehersals... I'd be like "what's up man? you seem kind of uninterested today." ... "you kicked butt at karaoke lets see some of that action ..."
He may feel the same way and out of loyalty or whatever he may want to leave the band but not want to dissapoint at the same time...
if i was the weak link and was clueless ... i'd hope someone would tell me. Especially if they were a good friend. Hell there are some things your expected to do as a friend and one of them is telling a white lie when needed and being a straight shooter when the situation calls for it.
general consensus is that you have to talk to him
He may feel the same way and out of loyalty or whatever he may want to leave the band but not want to dissapoint at the same time...
if i was the weak link and was clueless ... i'd hope someone would tell me. Especially if they were a good friend. Hell there are some things your expected to do as a friend and one of them is telling a white lie when needed and being a straight shooter when the situation calls for it.
general consensus is that you have to talk to him
Push it up.. book a gig.. put a time horizon on it and get it done.
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There are stealthy ways to use lyric sheets...
Some of us can't/won't memorize lyrics easily...
Sounds like you have a chip on your shoulder against him.. either you or him will end up leaving within 6 months.
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There are stealthy ways to use lyric sheets...
Some of us can't/won't memorize lyrics easily...
Sounds like you have a chip on your shoulder against him.. either you or him will end up leaving within 6 months.
Yes, because I put my faith into a guy who is my lifelong best friend (and family), and he has turned out to be nothing more than a pompous, lazy, unmotivated, selfish, tool who would rather spend 5 minutes styling his hair so that he can sing a Dolly Parton duet, than learn the songs that HE picked out for this band.
You act like its my fault he's a tool?
He and I will have a talk soon. And IMO no one is irreplaceable in this band. Except me. I write the originals, own most of the equipment, own the rehearsal space, and have the booking contacts.
Not quite...
Sounds like you guys started as pals.. some of you are taking it more seriously and some of you are waiting for framework.
It's not a problem of fault --- it's more of goals and clearly stated objectives.
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ONLY thing I can pull out of the thread is you have a mission to torpedo your friend.
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I will note, it's easier to replace a bassist than a good vocalist
Remember since this is a band management forum (not a rant forum), it's important to note that managment is aligning the resources and making the objective work out.
Sometimes management includes tweeking things to make the players work out.
Many times forcing people doesn't work.
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What would your singer say about your band.
Sometimes management includes tweeking things to make the players work out.
Many times forcing people doesn't work.
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What would your singer say about your band.
