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What's your opinion about singing drummers?

I was in a band for 14 years and our drummer was the lead singer. Great drummer and singer.



Well .... that ruled. Only would've appreciated some b/g harmonies from one of the other guys.

To the OP, if your band is having discussions and trying to make good impressions towards regular paying gigs, as I've read, I respectfully suggest including stage attire in the discussion.

I've no problem with singing drummers as a fan or performer. Whatever works. An awesome reggae band I used to go see had a fantastic drummer & singer/songwriter who was also excellent at working the crowd. I've been in a cover band with a singing drummer. He was an excellent drummer, singer and keys player. Cheap ###### was always pocketing his per-diems while getting his meals by sneaking food off our plates when we'd look away though.
 
my 2cent
follow the money,
act like a pro,
treat the band like a business and seek to have the best product

Well we ain't making much money yet. So I might be the one taking your advise at some point.

Speaking of money, we were given a $50 free bar tab for this gig. I had one beer. So did the BL. 2nd guitar doesn't drink. I go back to the bar later for another beer and was told we were tapped out. I wonder what happened to rest???
 
Well we ain't making much money yet. So I might be the one taking your advise at some point.

Speaking of money, we were given a $50 free bar tab for this gig. I had one beer. So did the BL. 2nd guitar doesn't drink. I go back to the bar later for another beer and was told we were tapped out. I wonder what happened to rest???
When your getting gigs, why are you getting them? What's the owner or club mgr say? What are the fans telling you? Who's the lead singer on those songs? Follow the money

PS: be kind to the bar staff, they can be influential in whether you play there again.
 
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.


The guy has a so so voice, decent drummer too. But the stage is lifeless. I like the band name though. There's that guitarist again ha. Nevermind I'm just now getting to the end of the video. Ouch! Little too much hollering.

Anyhow one of the bands I play with picked up a new drummer about two years ago and he is the first drummer that doesn't sing. Man is it nice. Drummers singing, no need. I know I know Henley, Levon, Ringo, Phil Collins. But there is a reason why there isn't that many of them.
 
I was originally a drummer, and sang back up, then after a while the other guys in the band thought I was a better singer than the singer, so they turfed him. I didn't mind, but I never really wanted to be a singer. So after a while, that band imploded, and I switched to rhythm guitar, we tried out countless singers, and guess what, I was deemed "the singer". I got tired of that after a while, and joined a new band playing keys, but again, "singer" (DOH!) I had a few bands over the years, and I was eventually the lead singer, and lead guitarist, but after a while I hit the wall with my lead playing/never got any better, so I said goodbye to front man, and went back to drums. Of coarse in this new band, all the guys new I sang, but I refused, so we got a singer, and I sang back up, and after a while I refused to even do that. I just wanted to bang on my drums all day. Finally I was having the time of my life justa bangin away, but arthritis put an end to my drumming. Well what do I do now? I had played bass years before, and wasn't all that good, but thought maybe after 20 some years of playing guitar, and drums, and keys, I may pick it up fairly quick, and I also remembered that when I was playing bass, I couldn't sing a single note. Just like if I opened my mouth, my brain said "nope, yer busy, no singing for you" So Bass it was, and Bass it has bin ever since. I now can sing back up whilst slappin da Bass, but like to leave that to the rhythm player, as he has the exact same range as me. So singing drummers? Sure, why not. The best man for the job, should get the job, and if you can eliminate 1 body from the stage, the $ goes around a little better.