General Music Chat

I dont know his history.
But I doubt if Plant had a habit of skipping rehearsals.
Sure, some of the "big name" performers a well known for their poor work and life ethic, ie Jim Morroson et al.
Only because it gets them noticed and talked about.
Funny how we "celebrate" the majority of them post mortum.
Look at any of the long term popular acts.
Hard work is a commonality.
I doubt there are more than a handfull of talents in the world worthy of tolerating a poor work ethic from.
And if Alan's description of her work rings true. She aint one of em.

Ya, it's his call as to whether shes worth the trouble or not.

If you get ahold of a true gem of a singer, its worth some creative problem solving though, not just immediate disciplinary actions or intolerance.

Idealistically the work ethic camp is spot on, but in an imperfect world... well, good singers just do not grow on trees.

You can lead a horse to water and you 'can' make him drink. But it aint pretty.

I guess I'm using this forum as a sounding board for my thoughts.
> She's is known to drift out of key, and has been told so many a time..
> She doesn't help with equipment.
> For rehearsals - she continually tells me she'll be there on time; but always shows up 30min or 45min, late. I'm tired of being lied to.
> She was with us for 9 months before she even bought a microphone.
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Right after she skipped rehearsal with no explanation, she emailed me asking if she should get a baby-sitter so she could sing with me at a local, monthly open mike. Some nerve . . .
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Guys, she makes it hard to talk with her; she thinks she's always right. And whatever anyone else thinks is wrong. She's used to having her way with men . . . got big boobs and a pretty smile; - but that doesn't fly with me.
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And she makes outrageous statements in arguments, like 'you can't plug your amp in at my house because I don't have enough electricity.
Huh? !
Her coffee maker uses more power than my 65w amp I use for practice!
It's insulting to be expected to believe something like that.
She doesn't seem to be able to discuss things as an adult; she plays head games. Try to tell her anything, and she takes it as a personal affront and gets angry, and she will NOT back down an inch, nor apologize for acting like an ass.
You can't talk to someone like that.

Hey, I already have enough problems, without adding someone's high-school head games to it.
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My #1 goal in music is to ENJOY the music. She's interfering with that goal.
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The guys want to keep her (probably because she's easy on the eyes, and she can sing 20 of my originals). But we sound better without her.
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If someone REALLY lovess music, then they will show up for rehearsals, on time, without being told.
(See, but there's no audience to watch her, and applaud.)
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If I have to tell her to show at rehearsal on time - then she's not suited to work with me.
Because she'll never make it big; never.
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If she wants to skip rehearsals - I can live with that.
In the mean time - if she's not around - that creates an opening for a better singer.
I want to work with someone who is capable of making it to the top; not someone who will hold me back.
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If she'd listen, I could talk with her.
Now I'm at the point where I just want to avoid any further aggravation.
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Am I being cold?

I dont think you are being cold.
If you dont think shes good enough, then shes not good enough.
As I said above... your call on whether shes worth the trouble or not.
Try to honestly asses her talent level without all of the maddening issues getting in the way for a bit.
If the pain outweighs the gain, then... byebye.

Just keep it in mind that the primadonna syndrome is more common than not in the singer world.
(In my experience. And, apparently in J Dangers experience as well.)

My singer is a prima donna. I've worked with him for ten years now and he's never carried even a mic stand. He makes about half of the rehearsals and actually thinks he's better if he doesn't rehearse before a show. But when we do a gig he's fantastic. I guess it just depends on what your goals are and what you need to reach them. We have no desire to "make it to the top" so it works. Be realistic about your expectations and go from there.

Hey Rhythman...

I can feel the aggravation in your words.

Talk to your band mates, tell them you need a band meeting. If she shows up great, if not... who cares... either case air your feelings.

If it flies... great if not... kick her ass out. I would never again want to be a part of a band where I start losing my love for playing and performing.


Now... as a singer... I help out my bandmates. I couldn't be up there getting all the glory if they weren't behind me playing.. otherwise I would be just some guy up there singing accapello.

In 747 its kinda the opposite... I do most of the "grunt" work. I keep track of all the music, papers, scheduling and that sorta thing. But I have seen a lot of instances where the singer of a band is a complete douchebag.

I also have a coverband called BREAK RED, and in BREAK RED I dont play bass only sing and occasionally rhythm guitar... but I always help my bros set up and break down. There not just my bandmates but my friends and with friendship comes respect and I respect all the guys I jam with. But everyone is different I guess...

Best of luck to ya in your situation. I hope it works out for ya.

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http://www.myspace.com/747jax

http://www.myspace.com/2bitter2bsweet (my personal page)

People find out the hard way when they don't make regular rehearsals with me. I simply take it as a sign they are not interested in the band and I get somebody else to replace them. I'm a lead vocalist who's not short on confidence but I can ALWAYS get better and the band can always get better. In my experience when bands stop rehearsing and especially stop adding new material they get stale. The band members get bored, the fans who keep hearing the same songs get bored, and pretty soon it's no fun any more. I NEVER would put up with ANYBODY pulling the crap you're talking about ALan, no matter how nice their boobs look...

Since my last post, not long ago, she emailed me about yet another event she wants to go to.
But, if she has no time for rehearsals, then she should have no time for performances, either, eh?
In the mean-time, the guys have been learning some really great instrumentals, and we're pretty happy playing them.
They have been paying their dues by showing up and practicing.
I mentioned the new songs we've been learning in her absence, and that this time she should stay home.
Until she sings flawlessly she doesn't have the right to decide she can perform without rehearsing.
If she wants to 'pay her dues' (along with us), then it's ok if she wants to rehearse with us again.
We have been mostly friendly to each other, and I'd like to remain friends, if possible. I'm sure she'll have some choice words about me to her friends . . . fair enough, I guess . . .
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Anyway - that's why guys in my position, have a hard time with this stuff.
All I want to do is play good music; that's all . . .

My singer is a prima donna. I've worked with him for ten years now and he's never carried even a mic stand. He makes about half of the rehearsals and actually thinks he's better if he doesn't rehearse before a show. But when we do a gig he's fantastic. I guess it just depends on what your goals are and what you need to reach them. We have no desire to "make it to the top" so it works. Be realistic about your expectations and go from there.

I'm glad your singer is that good but he sounds a little lazy and egotistical.

However I will add... I don sing one note 24 - 36 hours before we play anywhere... the exception of a few throat exercises at home... especially if the show is with my cover band where a gig is for 4 hours... thats a lot of singing....


Thats just me....


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Yeah he's lazy but this is punk rock we're talking about so I guess it's supposed to be a little rough around the edges. He won't rehearse after a gig either, I'm just happy he makes the gigs.