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What's your opinion about singing drummers?

#21
BassCliff said:
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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Great post. Thank you.
 
#23
Here is a singing drummer I have worked with for many years. He can sing nearly anything and nail the most demanding drum parts while doing it. He is so important to the band that they hire someone to transport and set up his drums. He has been offered major opportunities but prefers not to tour and has stayed with this local band for nearly twenty years.

 
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#24
In my current band everyone sings some songs lead. The Bulk of the singing is split between the guitar player and the drummer. The drummer's voice is better suited to certain songs so it allows us to open up our repertoire - he never misses a drum part while singing and is dynamite with the harmonies. I say if the drummer can sing and also is a team player go for it - the more singers in the band the better imo - Now having a drummer who sang every song would make it difficult to have an effective "front man" but pretty sure something could be worked out with the other people on stage - my two cents
 
#27
I couldn't care less what instrument (if any) the best singer plays. Having said that, your drummer sounds like a spoiled child. I would not tolerate that.....period. One of my best friends is an excellent drummer, a very good singer, and acts like an adult. He would NEVER pull BS like that. your drummer (and therefore your band) has a problem.
 
#28
Crazy_Jake said:
In my current band everyone sings some songs lead. The Bulk of the singing is split between the guitar player and the drummer. The drummer's voice is better suited to certain songs so it allows us to open up our repertoire - he never misses a drum part while singing and is dynamite with the harmonies. I say if the drummer can sing and also is a team player go for it - the more singers in the band the better imo - Now having a drummer who sang every song would make it difficult to have an effective "front man" but pretty sure something could be worked out with the other people on stage - my two cents
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Ya' know I just had a revelation... Our drummer plays better when he sings. Or I should say, he plays less wildly and more settled in. When he isn't singing, he tends to speed up and play flashy.
 
#30
Joedog said:
I couldn't care less what instrument (if any) the best singer plays. Having said that, your drummer sounds like a spoiled child. I would not tolerate that.....period. One of my best friends is an excellent drummer, a very good singer, and acts like an adult. He would NEVER pull BS like that. your drummer (and therefore your band) has a problem.
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You have a drummer who acts like an adult? Really? I moving to FL 'cause I don't think there is such an animal like that around my parts.

We "might" have a problem. But I'm not willing to say so just yet. We'll see.

BTW... I just found out. We did get a full gig date from the club. Hopefully we don't blow up before then :)
 
#31
Just added new drummer to our trio who it turns out sings great (as well as he plays). We just upped our game exponentially from the various styles he brings.

Gives the guitar front a rest (I can't sing a note) and everyone/club owners especially digging new material and new voice....and he's a more confident frontman behind the set

Should have done this years ago
 
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#33
My lead singer is the drummer. I've been curious as to whether it messes with his playing but he makes just as many mistakes when the rhythm guitarist sings ;)

My band isn't really part of the whole showmanship type, our audience could generally care less. They just want to hear music they like and get drunk. Works perfect for me.

Good luck OP. Doesn't matter how good people can sing or play if there is band drama.
 
#34
Actually the BL is at fault. He wrote a really poor set list, and executed it even more poorly IMO.

1. You're right - too many songs. You only played 7 tunes out of the 10 on the list. No one likes to have 'their' song axed for any reason.

2. You were right again: 3 by BL, 2 by 2nd Gtr, 5 by drummer. BL should have had 5 and axed his own songs to avoid drama. No one likes to be made to feel important and then have it taken away from them.

3. Two slow songs together near the end of the set? Not good for flow. OK a fast song was a good choice to finish (and prob the only thing the BL did right), but it really needs to be decided in advance and then clearly communicated to EVERYONE what the final 1-2 songs are.

4. The drummers BEST song was totally overlooked - this was probably the BL's biggest mistake. It clearly should have been done earlier in the set, and replaced one of the drummer's other songs.

Poor guy probably got really excited and thought it was his chance to shine.... only to feel like it was ripped out from underneath him during the gig.


As a band leader it's important to take responsibility and admit when you're wrong. Next time, only pick 2 drummers songs AND MAKE SURE YOU DO THEM. Yeah, his reaction was lame, but could have easily been avoided 100% IMHO IME.
 
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#35
You drummer is acting like a diva and needs to grow up. Where is the BL on this. He should say something as he is in charge. I played with a singing drummer. He was pretty good but would tend to drag a bit when he sang. That is where I came in. I pounded out a good steady beat on bass and that kept him on tempo. That was my job and it worked fine and we all got along with no divas or big egos. That is primarily what the bass is for, to keep the beat. :):cool::bassist:
 
#36
When I think of singing drummers, I think of Phil Collins in the 80's. He pulled it off the best. There was the Romantics with their one hit What I like about you. John Wright from Nomeansno does some lead singing and he's probably the best drummer alive right now. For some reason, Phil really pulled off frontman/drummer the best.
 
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#37
If a drummer can pull it off WELL, let him have at it. I played in a trio in Texas where we all three sang (one lead, the other two harmony). The drummer didn't have a lead quality voice, but he could sure fall in with tight harmony. That made a big difference.
 
#38
Nothing wrong with a singing drummer. However, a whiny singing drummer ain't so good ;). Something to consider if your drummer sings most songs is to adjust your stage layout. Try to make him more visible. My fave singing drummer was Andy Sturmer of Jellyfish because he not only sounded great, but he modified his kit so he could play standing up front/center stage. This isn't practical for most bands, but it's a great example of adjusting to showcase the focal point.

 
#39
The title of your thread has nothing to do with the issue you described. If a drummer can sing, then he or she should be allowed to. If the band wants to end the night with an up tempo song, the drummer should understand that. In the future, I would suggest letting the drummer sing earlier in the set.
 
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#40
I don't like watching bands that have singing drummers, especially ones that are singing lead. I don't have any rationale for this, but it just annoys me for some reason. Just like when guys were their basses and guitars really high. I know it's silly, but these are two pet peeves of mine when I watch a live band.
 
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