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What's your opinion about singing drummers?

tjontheroad

tjontheroad

Jun 8, 2006
598
387
South Jersey
#1
We're 4 guys with three singers. Best singer is the band leader (plays guitar and keys). 2nd guitar is about as good singing as our drummer. I stay out of the singing fray and just play my bass (I'm the smart one ;) ). There seems to be always a competition of who gets to sing the most tunes. Last night, we played a half hour set gig as the "featured band" for an open mic. We're looking to get a regular gig at this venue and this was basically an audition. I get the set list in the morning. 3 tunes for the BL to sing. 2 for the 2nd guitar to sing. 5 for the drummer to sing. My first thought was that's too many songs and something(s) will need to get cut (we do jam out too long IMO). 2nd thought was, why is our drummer singing most of the tunes when BL is the best singer and more importantly he's our front man? It looks awkward to have the drummer sing from the back of the stage. There's no way for him to connect with the audience while sitting on the throne.

Well sure enough, we get through 6 tunes and have time for one more. Drummer wants to sing his best tune that's medium tempo. We just played two slower songs and we needed to end the show on a high and hot note. So he's overruled and we rock it out. Then after we're finished, he get's all piss'd off 'cause we didn't do "his" tune and storms out the place in a foul-mouthed rant without saying goodbye. I'm like... ***, childish stuff. Why is it almost every drummer I meet a headcase?.

Let me say this... I don't want to fire the guy. That's not what I and the other guys in band are after. We just got this group together a couple months ago and everyone is looking to find their place. Well.. except for me maybe. I know what I gotta do. But, we can't have the band's drummer taking over as the front man. I just doesn't work IMO.

You're thoughts please :)
 
#4
No issues with a drummer singing if he is good at it, even for alot of songs. But if there is a better singer in the band...well its obvious they should be the one singing most of the time. Drummer can still sing backups and such even if he isnt lead. Drummer can even sing lead on a few songs too for variety.
 
#5
buldog5151bass said:
^ What HE said. If the drummer is by far the best singer, than he should sing lead, and have the guitarist work the crowd. Otherwise, having a good front person is important.

Sounds like your drummer needs an ego check.
Click to expand...

Yeah, he needs a check alright ;)

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#6
sean_on_bass said:
No issues with a drummer singing if he is good at it, even for alot of songs. But if there is a better singer in the band...well its obvious they should be the one singing most of the time. Drummer can still sing backups and such even if he isnt lead. Drummer can even sing lead on a few songs too for variety.
Click to expand...

I'll say he's pretty good but not really great. He does sing good harmonies. But, he doesn't sing as well as the backup singer. Sorta like it's not as important to him. That's kinda irritating really.
 
#12
Considering this brief gig you did was essentially an audition to try and get your foot in the door, going with the best vocalist(s) certainly makes sense. Nothing wrong with sharing the vocal duties throughout a gig, regardless of which instrument the person plays. But when you need to shine, it's time to put away the egos and go with what works best.

I'm curious, who came up with the set list? If it was the BL, who you say is the best singer, why did he end up with fewer songs than the drummer?
 
#14
AMp'D.2play said:
Considering this brief gig you did was essentially an audition to try and get your foot in the door, going with the best vocalist(s) certainly makes sense. Nothing wrong with sharing the vocal duties throughout a gig, regardless of which instrument the person plays. But when you need to shine, it's time to put away the egos and go with what works best.

I'm curious, who came up with the set list? If it was the BL, who you say is the best singer, why did he end up with fewer songs than the drummer?
Click to expand...

The BL came up with the list. He was trying to be kind I think. He later regretted it.
 
#15
brianrost said:
Geez, you guys are being harsh. Unless your frontman is Smokey Robinson (doesn't look like him, to be honest :roflmao:) having others singing is a good thing. There are worse things to get your knickers in a knot over than having too many guys in a band who like to sing.
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BL is no Smokey. Although, he may think he is ;)

There's too many type A personalities all wanting to be Alpha dog. I'm the laid back guy. I just wanna play and play often.
 
#16
There was a singing drummer on the local blues scene hear for years who was a great 'front man.' It was a trio and they'd set up with him up front with the bassist and guitarist on either side of him. He was a great showman, even behind a kit. LA folks probably know who I'm talking about. I subbed with him a couple times and he just killed it with the crowds. So if you have a drummer who has the talent, it can be done... maybe not the same situation here thought.
 
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#18
That one guy who drums for The Eagles sang a lot of their songs; but we are talking about Don Henley. I'll just echo what others have said. If he is the BEST(!) singer, give him the mic. If he is the second best, let him back most of the songs and give him lead on a few others.
 
#20
Hi,

I'll share my experience. Take from it what you will.

I've been in all kinds of bands, bands with one good singer and bands with three or four good singers. I've been in bands with a "front" person and bands where there really was no single "front" person and everyone took their turn in the spotlight.

I'm currently in a band with three very good singers, one is the front person, and three that are just OK. The front person does the majority of the songs during the night. I'll usually sing two songs a set as will the keyboard player. In addition we both do a few duets with the "front" person singer-babe throughout the night. The other guys will sing one or two songs a night and help with the harmonies. It's her band, she books it, she fronts it (and she's great at it), that's the way it is. It's not a total dictatorship, we all have input, for the most part the band plays to its strengths, but we all realize that this is Kelly's project and we help her serve her audience.

In a previous band, that I worked with for 20 years, there were three or four and sometimes five good singers (we used to have a singer-babe, the drummer's wife) and no egos. We would share the load and either take turns, just go around in a circle (singer-babe, me, the keyboard/steel player, then the drummer, then the guitar player, repeat) or we would do little mini-sets within a set, sing two or three songs each then pass it to the next vocalist.

Each member of the band needs to serve the ensemble, be a team player, and remember why you're there -- to entertain and perform for the audience. They don't care who sings what. They just want to dance, have fun, listen to some good music, and enjoy time with their friends, or pick up chicks, or whatever.

I think your drummer is a little out of line. You should all have a talk.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff
 
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