I curse like a sailor, but never on mic. I would lose my poopie if my frontman did it.
I hate it when bands do it, it's just lazy.
I hate it when bands do it, it's just lazy.
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The "F" word...
- Thread starter Benny the Finger
- Start date
Seriously? If someone is the type of person who gets offended hearing the f-word at a bar or at a rock show, they should probably stay home. I wouldn't care two hoots if someone gets offended by our bands lyrics or stage banter. It's rock n roll.
Having said that, here is our band's first video. We did have the decency to misspell the f-word, though.
Having said that, here is our band's first video. We did have the decency to misspell the f-word, though.
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i would think that just about anything said in a funny and entertaining way should be fine ...
but ... things said in anger or frustration or being a bully with a mic = don't fly
we each have our own 'sense' of what filters to use ... i like to shock and startle .. !! ha
but ... things said in anger or frustration or being a bully with a mic = don't fly
we each have our own 'sense' of what filters to use ... i like to shock and startle .. !! ha
lol? This is extremely common, especially for a bar setting, I think you are over reacting
There is an old song by 70-80's Aussie rock band The Angels called "Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again". For some reason an audience at one time would, after the chorus line, sing (yell) back to the band "no way, get f###ed, F### off!!". For some reason this caught on and it's known by just about any adult Australian as part of the song. The lead singer was asked in numerous interviews what he thought of it is and he would always say that while he played along with it when younger he wished it would go away. You can see it here (not one of their best live efforts) He even wears the singlet at this gig.
When the lead singer died a bit over a year ago my daughters (15 and 12 years old) started doing a very mellow acoustic version simply introducing it as "here's a love song for Doc Neeson" as the words put to acoustic really work as a love song. It is really funny to see the older blokes in the crowd, once they realise what song it is, fighting internally as they want to yell out the refrain but know they can't with two young girls performing on stage.
It really is about context. If you're a hard rock/metal/punk band you'll probably get away with it as the venue and crowd expect it to a certain extent. Outside of these genres it may cost you gigs and isn't worth it.
We aren't allowed to do this or "Living next door to Alice" (Alice, who the.... is Alice?!)
For me, it totally depends on the situation. My band has a couple of pretty raunchy numbers we do, but we have clean versions we do in mixed company, that is to say, young 'uns and respectable folk.
madbass6
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- Jan 13, 2009
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I curse an INORDINATE amount when I'm with close friends, but I shut that right off when I'm in ANY other context.
Profanity is childish but I can't imagine a single person I know being genuinely offended by it in the context of "its been a great f------ night!" I've been to A LOT of concerts these past few years, everything from Norah Jones to The Heavy to Charles Bradley to Kendrick Lamar and all manner of unknown original bands in small venues and I've never heard of or noticed anyone have a problem on account of an F bomb. Never been to a cover band show so the rules/crowd for those may be different, since an audience menber might want to hire them for an event, but the idea of soneone being legitimately uncomfortable because of profanity in that context seems foreign to me. I live in a big city in the South where for the most part everyone is friendly so it could be a regional thing too.
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I've seen crowds go wild at the dropping of an f bomb. Just saying.
i think it's partly a question of the venue, the audience and the music. i've gone to a variety of rock, hard rock, punk and metal shows where people love the f word - they really do. but a smart singer won't use profanity at all at weddings or corporate events, mellower shows, classic rock or disco shows, jazz or standards or anything like that. it would be a poor fit at best and offend people at worst. when not sure, imo singers should skip the f word.
i did have a folk rock song i co-wrote that used the word once, and it was to express anger and disdain at the song's subject's sexual behavior and extreme emotion toward what she's doing to herself, and i can't see how another word would get that across as well.
the best thing that can happen is - with the right music and audience - your audience loves it. i was the singer for a band that was a mix of goth, punk with a little metal here and there (go figure). i assure you that no one was offended when i used the f word at shows - in fact, it seems to make them gleeful and energetic. same when i was playing with a hard rock band with metal roots. the audience would smile big and yell it right back and cheer.
i did have a folk rock song i co-wrote that used the word once, and it was to express anger and disdain at the song's subject's sexual behavior and extreme emotion toward what she's doing to herself, and i can't see how another word would get that across as well.
the best thing that can happen is - with the right music and audience - your audience loves it. i was the singer for a band that was a mix of goth, punk with a little metal here and there (go figure). i assure you that no one was offended when i used the f word at shows - in fact, it seems to make them gleeful and energetic. same when i was playing with a hard rock band with metal roots. the audience would smile big and yell it right back and cheer.
Yes. Check out Suzie Creamcheese on Uncle Meat. Seems that the Mothers' first agent "couldn't believe anybody could make it who insisted on saying F-k on stage"
That agent didn't last very long. But Mr. Zappa most definitely did make it. That was 50 years ago - and once a gig is nothing in a bar, although it's probably not a good idea at a Bar Mitzvah...
Live music is about the show, not just the music. If it works in the show, it works.
Get over it.
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It's childish. Tell him to grow up.
Only in public "polite" conversation. I've been working in the NYC corporate world for going on 25 years - nobody thinks twice about the f word, or any other such word as long as it's not excessive, and it's put to good use. It's part of everyday speech - same in most big cities. Personally, if I encounter someone who's bothered by the f word, I avoid them - probably some sort of nutcase. (At least in NYC...)
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I think thats the problems with these generalized questions, Id fully expect and when used in the right spot enjoy some swearing. Punk, metal and rock shows certainly! Though i wouldnt really be expecting it in a coffee house/ unplugged type set. It would really throw people off to hear Paul Simon or Art Garfunkel drop some F bombs(though id probably laugh my @$$ off)
Are you playing polka or rock-n-roll?
Seriously why is it OK for a comedian and not a singer? Kind of a double standard eh?
And once a show? I guess if it was constant F bombs it could get annoying but once...
Once the F-bomb is outlawed only Outlaw Country Southern Rock sings will drop it
I played a solo gig at a pub one day (I was first on, followed by three bands), and was told clearly (reputation preceding me) "no swears or the gig's off" so I moved Radiohead's Creep to the end of my set, and held off the F-bomb until the final chorus, putting a little sarcastic spin on it. Had a standing ovation. Gig continued, good fun was had.
Some people are sensitive to words. If its not directed at me, it means nothing and in the right sense (I'd argue that Creep uses it to good effect) a "strong" word can add impact.
Some people are sensitive to words. If its not directed at me, it means nothing and in the right sense (I'd argue that Creep uses it to good effect) a "strong" word can add impact.
