Too Cocky, You Decide

[Spinal Tapper]

I'd bring it up...but if they're not into it, don't push it. Either let it be, or go start your own thing...

Not to come off as too sexist, but I for one would be totally against working with a girl fronting my band unless she was an amazing vocalist, professional, great personality onstage, could work the crowd, and of course, very attractive. The whole package...a unicorn, if you will...and like someone said earlier, you might waste a lot of time weeding through chicks until you find the right one.

In my past experiences with girl fronted projects the girls I've had difficulties with them. They are lazy when it comes to rehearsing, learning new material, easily frustrated if they can't get a certain part down, moody/emotional day to day, and someone in the band always wants to bang her, and if THAT ends up happening, things just get worse from there...

 

[Spinal Tapper]

This.

Of course, you might have an easier time finding a unicorn than finding a "a female front person for lead vocals. It doesn't matter who it is, as long as she has some experience, can handle the vocals, follows through on all reheasal asignmennts ,can work an audience and is under 30" who isn't already in a band and is willing to join one that doesn't have guaranteed gigs lined up.

Didn't even see your post, but I suppose you took the words right outta my mouth...or the letters right out of my fingers so to speak

 

[MNAirHead]

I'd get the gig going THEN bring it up if there's an issue.

Getting a band going is not simple.. for band dynamic it works best to get the wheels moving.. gigs booked... PR kit done.. THEN HIRE a female front.. you may have to pay more (than the other guys).. you then can instill rules.

Mixed gender bands do add a dynamic..

---

I understand where you're headed --- you have TONS of work before you're probably ready.

 

[bluewine]

[In my past experiences with girl fronted projects the girls I've had difficulties with them. They are lazy when it comes to rehearsing, learning new material, easily frustrated if they can't get a certain part down, moody/emotional day to day, and someone in the band always wants to bang her, and if THAT ends up happening, things just get worse from there...[/QUOTE]

You bring up good points, I have seen bands with female fronts that were just marginal, could barley handle the crowd, no personalities and average vocal abilities.

In my last band we had a pro, She ran the whole show, she would go on automatic pilot as soon as she hit the stage.All we had to do was play. And she had an awesome voice.

 

[Spinal Tapper]

You bring up good points, I have seen bands with female fronts that were just marginal, could barley handle the crowd, no personalities and average vocal abilities.

In my last band we had a pro, She ran the whole show, she would go on automatic pilot as soon as she hit the stage.All we had to do was play. And she had an awesome voice.

For sure, I believe there are amazing female singers out there...and I definitely see where you're coming from. But as a response to your main inquiry: if you bring it up, and the guys aren't down for that idea, just let it go, or if you're really passionate, maybe form your own female fronted band.

Some guys don't find the idea of having a female in the band a very good time. It's just the way it is for a lot of male band members. I know I don't, but its mainly because of my bad past experiences.

 

[Thunderthumbs73]

We need an attractive, funny, engaging cool personality to front this idea. Rockin music isn't enough on it's own you have to have the right front mechanism to present it. The nature of the covers lends itself to the female vocal.

It's a proven marketin tactic.

Well, if that is how you want to present it as the rationale, then do so. I can't say I agree with you that covers lend themselves any more to a female voice than a male voice, however. If you look at who sang lead vocals on the original recordings, my guess is that in the whole history of popular/rock music (which I presume you're wanting to do) that a balance of men versus women singers is not 50/50 or even biased/weighted towards women. I would suggest the opposite- that it's weighted more heavily towards men in a 60/40 ratio (or more uneven) and therefore the nature of covers does not lend itself to females more than males. If there is something else (read: "eye candy") that is meaningful to you, please just state it, but don't make overgeneralized/spurious claims ("the nature of covers...") and "proven marketing tactics". It's fine if you just like women singers more, but just be honest about it, and let it be.

 

[puddin tame]

So you want to specifically get a female singer for the business aspect of it.

You put the business side first.

Some guys put the music and/or fun first.

Make sure you're on the same page, not just for the sake of this one issue.

 

[Metal Mitch]

I understand the marketing approach...it works. You get a younger ,hot gal with a good voice and a decent band and you will score gigs and get paid. I would use this logic to the guys just like this and see if it works. I think it even takes some of the pressure off the band since the singer commands the audience...if she's a good front person. The cons are it limits your material some and you might be looking awhile for this gal. I have also found female lead singers kind of flaky from my past.

+1.

just keep in mind it ONLY works if it's a hot chick, and she can really bring it. there seem to be a ton of "female vocalists" out there right now who... let me try to put this diplomatically... "don't have the image", and/or are total amateurs that think their gender is a substitute for talent and professionalism.

the other piece to consider is, if it doesn't work out for whatever reason, you're stuck with set lists that cater to female vocals and need to be completely replaced. lots of work there, and say goodbye to any following you may have generated with the female fronted band.

 

[bluewine]

For sure, I believe there are amazing female singers out there...and I definitely see where you're coming from. But as a response to your main inquiry: if you bring it up, and the guys aren't down for that idea, just let it go, or if you're really passionate, maybe form your own female fronted band.

Some guys don't find the idea of having a female in the band a very good time. It's just the way it is for a lot of male band members. I know I don't, but its mainly because of my bad past experiences.

I hear you, here is the thing, and call me dated,I don't mind.

For Pop Rock, I feel you have to have an atractive experienced entertainer as your front person, male or female it doesn't matter.

Here's the part your gonna rip on me for.

I just don't see that many attractive, cool, rocker type lookin guys frontin these bands any more.I see way to many guys like me with no fashion sense and to much of the cargo shorts look.

Females tend to be a head of the curve on looking awesome in front of a band. At least at the local level.

I know there are exceptions.I've even seen some in pics from this forum. Burt for the most part, no.

 

[bluewine]

+1.

just keep in mind it ONLY works if it's a hot chick, and she can really bring it. there seem to be a ton of "female vocalists" out there right now who... let me try to put this diplomatically... "don't have the image", and/or are total amateurs that think their gender is a substitute for talent and professionalism.

Me and you are on the same page.The chic has to be hot, cool, not pretentious, someone that everybody will dig.And yes I know this type of performer at the local level is hard to find.

 

[jive1]

I find that the best way to make any type of suggestion is to offer to do all the leg work. It's one thing to say that you need a female singer, and then leave the other guys to do the legwork of placing ads, screening, auditioning, etc. Folks may balk at having to do the effort. But, if you're willing to do all the legwork, folks tend to be a little more amenable.

 

[Jeb]

I like to see a female singer front a band if I'm watching and listening. I've played behind female fronted bands and enjoyed the experience. Certainly, there is more interest in a well placed woman fronting a cover band than any overweight, middle aged bass player. I'm just being honest, you know I'm right, flame if you must.

But, I've also played with other experienced players who "would rather stick an icepick in my eye" than play with a female band member, for various reasons. I don't get it, but its not a deal breaker for me either way. I'll share the stage with any quality project that I'm interested in and qualified for. If you want a "chick singer" in the band, then bring it up. If you have any alterior motive, it will play out. That's what band drama and bass player forum threads are all about.

 

[bluewine]

My alterior motive is to market the band the best way I know in order to get bookings and to present a professional looking band.

A middle age guy in Cargo Shorts and an over sized T-Shirt has never looked sharp or appropriate to me under any circumstance, unless the band members are all in 7th grade. No offence.

 

[Thunderthumbs73]

My alterior motive is to market the band the best way I know in order to get bookings and to present a professional looking band.

A middle age guy in Cargo Shorts and an over sized T-Shirt has never looked sharp or appropriate to me under any circumstance, unless the band members are all in 7th grade. No offence.

Seems like that's a problem with an individual you may have encountered, rather than a generalized blanket comment that should not be applied to the male sex. Last three band bill I played on, there was no females singers at all, and all were good bands. I'm pushing back here, only because I think you are closing doors, avenues and possibilities available to you, simply because you've seen some male singers who wouldn't fit the bill with your band. Ironically, such an approach of being open to only one sex (female) may delay your quest for bookings and in presenting a professional looking band.

 

[jive1]

Seems like that's a problem with an individual you may have encountered, rather than a generalized blanket comment that should not be applied to the male sex. Last three band bill I played on, there was no females singers at all, and all were good bands. I'm pushing back here, only because I think you are closing doors, avenues and possibilities available to you, simply because you've seen some male singers who wouldn't fit the bill with your band. Ironically, such an approach of being open to only one sex (female) may delay your quest for bookings and in presenting a professional looking band.

+1

Don't underestimate what a good male lead can do for you. Of the women I asked, every single one of them said they'd much rather have a guy sing to them then a gal.

- Mobs of screaming women weren't waiting at the airport for The Supremes, but they were for the Beatles.
- Pat Benatar didn't have women throw panties on stage, and flash their boobs. Van Halen did.
- Janet Jackson could get the girls dancing, but Lionel Ritchie got them to take off their clothes.

 

[bluewine]

Seems like that's a problem with an individual you may have encountered, rather than a generalized blanket comment that should not be applied to the male sex. Last three band bill I played on, there was no females singers at all, and all were good bands. I'm pushing back here, only because I think you are closing doors, avenues and possibilities available to you, simply because you've seen some male singers who wouldn't fit the bill with your band. Ironically, such an approach of being open to only one sex (female) may delay your quest for bookings and in presenting a professional looking band.

It might work just the way it is,I am not going to bring it up unless I really think it's an option they should look at.

It was a blanket statement about the Cargo Shorts.Only because I see a lot of it here in this area.

 

[Spinal Tapper]

I see way to many guys like me with no fashion sense and to much of the cargo shorts look.

A middle age guy in Cargo Shorts and an over sized T-Shirt has never looked sharp or appropriate to me under any circumstance, unless the band members are all in 7th grade. No offence.

Who's forcing anyone to wear cargo shorts!? LOL. I don't get the lame guy in cargo shorts thing either, but they have these things called jeans...and different styles of jeans. They can make anyone look decently cool, or at least casually accomidating for bar gigs, which is what you guys will be playing when you first start off. What about a girl who might wear sweatpants and oversized t-shirts? It's not like you'd hire THAT girl, so hows it any diff with the guys? Look is important, but its not genre specific.

What you guys wear on stage is up to you and the band. And I think every show should be performed with a sense of professionalism no matter who you are...if the gig calls for it though, like 90 degree day beach/pool party, then bust out the cargo shorts and...ugh...Hawaiian shirts...

/ fashion rant

 

[bluewine]

I know I broached the topic ,but I am not hatin on cargos hell I have gargos and I wear them.

I was on weekend get away up in Door County and I wore them everyday. But you will not see me on stage wearing them.

And you know what if a guy is ripped/in great shape, he might be able to get away with it.But if your 20lbs over weight,C'mon.

Do chics wear cargos?

 

[Thunderthumbs73]

Mom jeans. Kidding...

 

[tycobb73]

A good front is a good front. My favorite format is a male guitar that can sing and a female singer. I don't do this for marketablity, I do it for versatility so I don't go insane. But Phalex has one of the top bands in town, plays probably 40-50 weekends a year. He has one lead singer, a male, who has great stage presence. If it works, it works, male or female.