• 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.

Singer needs a break...

MclochNess

MclochNess

Nov 26, 2008
30
14
Davie, FL
#1
Here's the deal:

I play in a few cover bands that are somewhat successful (lucrative). Each has its pros and cons.

One of the bands, in which I play guitar (sorry...), is the source of this thread...

The band has been together, and working for more than three years. The singer (female) is not a "musician", but has a good voice, and works the marketing angle fairly well.

As of the last few months, the singer has been unable to make it through entire gigs. She complains that her voice is "shot", and needs to "take it easy" for the rest of the night. This would be fine and dandy if not for the fact that she is a heavy smoker, drinks her share during gigs, and doesn't exercise her voice during the week. The rest of us in the band, myself in particular, have not been very empathetic toward her plight, and have suggested she cut down on smoking, practice during the week, warm up before gigs, etc.

At times, she will complain to the manager or staff of venues about her voice, looking for an out ("it's OK, you guys can cut out early", and such). I find this to be unprofessional, and have told her so.

The REAL issue:

I sing 3-4 songs each night, as well as back-up on almost every tune. The other two guys have taken to singing a couple of tunes each. The singer is suggesting that she shouldn't have to sing more than 3 songs without a break.

My first thought is that this is a bit unreasonable, being that she ONLY sings (no percussion, and/or whatnot, and doesn't even assist with set up / tear down). I'll admit that I'm a bit frustrated (angered) by the situation...

So, I turn to you my TB brethren, for advice and / or guidance.

Is it acceptable for a singer to need so many "breaks" during a typical (3 sets: 1 hr on, 1/2 hr off) gig?

Please advise...
 
#2
You should start looking for other singer. No help in setting up or breaking down? Demands special treatment yet in all of your faces smokes and drinks? Not even a tambourine plays? Diva behavior sheez. Get a real musician to fill her spot. Reading your post annoyed me as if where happening to me. =-O
 
#3
BassAlchemy said:
You should start looking for other singer. No help in setting up or breaking down? Demands special treatment yet in all of your faces smokes and drinks? Not even a tambourine plays? Diva behavior sheez. Get a real musician to fill her spot. Reading your post annoyed me as if where happening to me. =-O
Click to expand...

Yep, +1

Looks like the 'fame' is going to her head. The more you cater to her demands the more demands she will make. Cut her loose now before she goes completely offside.

And she will...
 
#4
I have already become highly unpopular for how much I stick up for singers on this forum, and I will quickly tell you that this singer is unprofessional, and would not make it in any band I have any say in.

Of course, no one is allowed to drink more than three beers a night in a band I'm in, and that's not negotiable, so we wouldn't have come to this point anyway, but you do NOT talk to the club employees about your problems, or need for a "break."

If you want a break today, you should go to McDonald's.

Many of you are too young to get that one.
 
#7
Your band needs a break from that "singer". Dump her.

You and the other guys are already singing, add more repertoire for your voices and find a new lead singer, preferable one who is a musician.

When I read this...

> At times, she will complain to the manager or staff of venues about her voice, looking for an out ("it's OK, you guys can cut out early", and such). I find this to be unprofessional, and have told her so.


I thought it would be followed by the bad situation of "Oh yeah, those guys can play the remainder of the night instrumentally, or by singing themselves. You can leave early though, here's your full pay."

Thankfully that did not happen.
 
#8
Thanks guys for the prompt replies.
I (obviously) agree with you all. It helps to hear it from like-minded individuals, though.

I was just curious if there is any protocol for a vocalist's "song to break" ratio...

I guess 3:1 is a bit extreme!
 
#12
Well she does gets paid too, so she should hold up her part of the deal.
You are all supposed to last a full gig, including her. So she either organizes a replacement and stays home sick to recuperate from whatever ailment is impeding her performance, or she does the full gig.

And her talking to the management/club on her own behalf for her own purposes messing with the band's gig is totally not cool.
 
#13
MclochNess said:
I was just curious if there is any protocol for a vocalist's "song to break" ratio...

I guess 3:1 is a bit extreme!
Click to expand...

Actually, I don't think that is unreasonable. What is bad is drinking, smoking and not properly handling the health of one's voice, and then whining about it during paying gigs. And it's not like she's saying, "Hey, I'm not going to sing this with my voice, I'll play the melody with my saxophone instead." She can't play anything. You also wrote that she doesn't help with setup / take down, nor does she play percussion or something else for the songs that you and the other guys sing. When you guys are singing, what is she doing? Drinking at the bar? Going outside for a smoke? From your post, she's makes time to chat with the owner of the bar asking if she can go home early.

Terrible. Dump her.
 
#14
I played with a singer that only sang lead and never sang more than three songs in a row. The band would play the first three songs and then he came up. We did a lot of short songs, usually 12 per set. He worked the crowd and I enjoyed the opportunity to sing a lot without having to carry the whole load myself. Out of 12 he sang 7, I sang 4 and we usually had one instrumental.

I wouldn't boot the singer because of how many songs she sings, but I would boot her for all of the other unprofessional behavior.
 
#16
jad said:
Is she pushing too hard because she can't hear herself? That happens a lot IME. Consider turning down, going IEM, our have her try some descent ear plugs.
Click to expand...

+1 I was wondering about the key as well. Is she trying to sing songs out of her range? The rest is Diva stuff and she should be pushed over the egde of a cliff because of it. Sheesh at least play a tamborine when you don't sing if the song calls for a little extra.

Another reason I run screaming from bands that have female lead singers.:hiding:
 
#17
jad said:
Is she pushing too hard because she can't hear herself? That happens a lot IME. Consider turning down, going IEM, our have her try some descent ear plugs.
Click to expand...

This is a great point but as others have noted, this gal's issues go beyond how much she is (or isn't) singing. If she's getting a full cut of the pay for all these gigs but not doing any of the set-up / teardown that the others are (and only marginally pulling her weight onstage), she's not worth it. Plus the fact that she's trying to work her own agenda with the venue managers is a huge red flag.
 
#18
lfmn16 said:
I played with a singer that only sang lead and never sang more than three songs in a row. The band would play the first three songs and then he came up. We did a lot of short songs, usually 12 per set. He worked the crowd and I enjoyed the opportunity to sing a lot without having to carry the whole load myself. Out of 12 he sang 7, I sang 4 and we usually had one instrumental.

I wouldn't boot the singer because of how many songs she sings, but I would boot her for all of the other unprofessional behavior.
Click to expand...

OT for a second,
How do you pay a singer like that?
I know I would feel shorted if I drug my gear to & from a show and worked the stage all night only to have a "fair" split with a member that only worked a part of the show.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back