Stoner/Doom Bassists Thread, Part 90: Maxed Out

[thombo]

Speaking purely as a consumer of music, because I've only been really trying in earnest to learn how to play for a few months now, I say don't just default to the yelling. Take Khemmis for example. I like the clean singing parts a lot, but they lose me every time they launch into the harsh vocals. It's not that I'm opposed to harsh vocals altogether, it's just that sometimes it seems like they don't fit the music. Maybe that's just a matter of taste, maybe it's someone defaulting to harsh vocals, maybe some mix...who knows. At any rate, I'd say try what's difficult and challenging. Maybe something unexpected and really great will come of it. Or maybe not. What do I know!

Yeah, but Khemmis are big time... Orange Amps, Dunables... Heck, their bassist pays for hair cuts now! I kid. Really, I just can't sing like Phil and Ben. Those dudes got pipes!

Really, it'll probably come down to what I am actually capable of doing. My last band was instrumental, so this is a whole new world for me.

@lucas303, I see you are a fellow Coloradan- do you have a band that's happening?

 

[hardtop]

Yeah, but Khemmis are big time... Orange Amps, Dunables... Heck, their bassist pays for hair cuts now!

Really, it'll probably come down to what I am actually capable of doing. My last band was instrumental, so this is a whole new world for me.

@lucas303, I see you are a fellow Coloradan- do you have a band that's happening?

 

[oZZma]

Learning to do growls and screams takes a long time. Developing and building up the muscle memory can take years in my experience. You might check out the zen of screaming series and i find that mary Zs series on screaming is pretty interesting as well.

I watched a bunch of videos from this channel yesterday evening. Explanations seem clear and effective, much better than the other ones I knew. Maybe I'lI give another try...

 

[br1qbat]

Man, I'm singing for the first time too, and I am going in circles. Every time I listen to a different album, I think I should change the way I sing. One day I want try to do Cult Leader vocals, the next is ISIS, then Nick Cave, then My Bloody Valentine, then I listen to Crack the Sky and think I should do it all. I tend to like clean singing but yelling is easier and more forgiving. I feel like I sound like a bad Tom Waits ripoff whenever I try to sing clean.

It's weird, I am a competent bassist and a decent song writer. I feel like I have a sound with all of those things. When it comes to singing, I don't know how I sound. As it's a new project, there's a lot of room to put my own stamp on things... I just don't know what will sound best.

I keep trying to figure out how I want to sound too. I'd like to have some edge without going full black metal rasp. I dunno, I just keep trying things out and something will stick

 

[socialleper]

I can't sing and play at the same time, so I don't have a dog in that particular fight. I don't have a pleasant sounding voice either, so it isn't something I pursue.
When Death and Grind exploded in the late 80s and early 90s it took me a while to warm up to growled vocals, and then I really liked them. When done right, in the right context, I think they are a good way to express an idea. There are some lyrics that just don't work when sung clean.
However, I do feel like they are being over used today, and are often due to the lack of a proper singer being available. I like when they are used for dynamics. Something to switch up the feel or give something impact.

 

[lucas303]

Yeah, but Khemmis are big time... Orange Amps, Dunables... Heck, their bassist pays for hair cuts now! I kid. Really, I just can't sing like Phil and Ben. Those dudes got pipes!

Really, it'll probably come down to what I am actually capable of doing. My last band was instrumental, so this is a whole new world for me.

@lucas303, I see you are a fellow Coloradan- do you have a band that's happening?

Yep, fellow Coloradan. I saw from your profile you're in CotLC. I saw you guys live once or twice and really enjoyed it. But then I think I saw something about the band calling it quits...? Maybe I'm confused on that last part though.

I definitely don't have any band. I've literally only been learning to play for a few months, and a decent chunk of that was just aimlessly trying to follow YouTube videos before I got around to signing up for structured lessons. I jumped into this thread because I listen to a fair amount of stoner/doom sort of stuff. I should probably just lurk more, though, because I don't have anything to add in terms of actually playing bass. Unless you guys want to see someone fumble through trying to play some scales...in which case I'm your guy.

 

[oZZma]

I can't sing and play at the same time

I have done a lot of exercises for that... Now I can sing and play independently if the bassline is not too challenging (for my capabilities), and if bass and vocals are intertwined in a not too intricate manner... Problem is, most basslines I write are challenging (for me) enough to require my full attention, and I'd like to use vocals to make intricate rhythmic intertwines
(that's the main reason we are intrumental only... The other one is that my voice sounds like crap)

 

[br1qbat]

I'm singing because ive written most of the lyrics and most of the vocal melodies. Nothing too crazy difficulty-wise vocally. I just want to sound solid. Our music hasnlots of instrumental sections and the vocals are fairly minimal so far. I'd like to pull off the psych-y vibe of Acid King, Monolord or Spelljammer vocally. That sort of monotone (ina good way!) chant-signing.

 

[thombo]

I should probably just lurk more, though, because I don't have anything to add in terms of actually playing bass.

I saw JimmyM respond to someone who asked a normal yet frequently asked question about speaker impedance in a really cool way. Contrary to those who say "use the search button," he responded to the question and added that TB functions on questions, answers, and comments. There's no level of experience or ability necessary. You like music and play a little bass? Cool, post away!

You are correct about Cult. No-one closed the door on playing again, but we are not currently active. Also, say hi if you see me out and about or hit me up if you are heading to a show. I'm thinking about going to The Black Queen tonight and am contemplating Baroness/Deafheaven/Zeal & Ardor and/or Palehorse/Palerider next week.

 

[lucas303]

I saw JimmyM respond to someone who asked a normal yet frequently asked question about speaker impedance in a really cool way. Contrary to those who say "use the search button," he responded to the question and added that TB functions on questions, answers, and comments. There's no level of experience or ability necessary. You like music and play a little bass? Cool, post away!

You are correct about Cult. No-one closed the door on playing again, but we are not currently active. Also, say hi if you see me out and about or hit me up if you are heading to a show. I'm thinking about going to The Black Queen tonight and am contemplating Baroness/Deafheaven/Zeal & Ardor and/or Palehorse/Palerider next week.

Right on man. I'm definitely going to the Velnias/Dreadnought/Wayfarer show this Friday. I may have to go to that Palehorse/Palerider show. I love their music and really enjoyed the one time I saw them live. But I'm also seeing them at that fest in New Mexico, and the show next week is on a weeknight, so who knows. Regardless, I'd be shocked if our paths don't cross at some point.

 

[hardtop]

Lots of shows in the Denver area lately. Was interested in Black Queen too but I was at Black Curse, OFAB, Blood Incantation last night so I'm staying in tonight. Thinking about going to Wayfarer and then I have tickets to Graveyard on Saturday. I swear I saw 3 shows last week too: bleak heart/cloud catcher and the decibel tour... and something else. It's exhausting

 

[lucas303]

Lots of shows in the Denver area lately. Was interested in Black Queen too but I was at Black Curse, OFAB, Blood Incantation last night so I'm staying in tonight.

A friend told me about that Blood Incantation/etc. show and it seems like I missed a good one. Hope you had fun!

 

[xJasonSmithx]

I’ll be at Graveyard on Saturday!

 

[br1qbat]

A friend told me about that Blood Incantation/etc. show and it seems like I missed a good one. Hope you had fun!

Blood Incantation is really good. I saw them with Demilich last year.

 

[QRanc]

I’ll be at Graveyard on Saturday!

Friends of mine are driving down to Minneapolis Graveyard/Uncle Acid show. I had to say no due to another upcoming trip. I hate saying no to stuff like that, especially with a line-up like that.

Enjoy the show, Graveyard are suppose to be stellar live.

 

[lucas303]

Blood Incantation is really good. I saw them with Demilich last year.

I'd never heard Blood Incantation until I saw them open for Thou recently, and I was really impressed. I became a fan immediately.

 

[NOLA Bass]

No connection to this band, just came across them on Bandcamp and was pretty darn impressed. Numidia from Australia.

 

[hardtop]

Sorry to the non-denver area residents; we're kind of bogarting this thread to discuss local shows... but the bands are at least relevant.

Friends of mine are driving down to Minneapolis Graveyard/Uncle Acid show. I had to say no due to another upcoming trip. I hate saying no to stuff like that, especially with a line-up like that.

Enjoy the show, Graveyard are suppose to be stellar live.

Yeah, I hate to rub it in, but GY is incredible live. I first saw them on the hisingen blues tour and I was completely overwhelmed... like I had this feeling I was witnessing greatness. I hope they are even a fraction of that good this time.
I've seen UA 3 times now. The first time on their initial US tour with Danava; they were amazing. Another one of those shows where I just kind of stood there in awe. The two times since, bigger venues, not as impressive but still a good show. Cant imagine how they are going to pull it off without Yotam. But we shall see.

I'd never heard Blood Incantation until I saw them open for Thou recently, and I was really impressed. I became a fan immediately.

They are f^ck!ng awesome. They are the best metal band in Denver and easily one of the best death metal bands going right now... and I'm not even a big death metal fan. They just do it really well. The word is that they absolutely slayed on the Decibel tour this year. Good for them!

 

[lucas303]

Anyone else going to Monolith on the Mesa?

 

[hardtop]

Anyone else going to Monolith on the Mesa?

I totally forgot that was coming up! It looks awesome (6 CO bands are on it) I would seriously consider it if I can find an amigo to go down there with. It'd be a great motorcycle trip. I have friends playing the fest, but I don't want to try to tag along with any of them. Hmm. Might see you there.