Musician Forum - Band Discussion Board - BandMix

lol, I've come upon a new issue within my band. My front man and I have an ongoing "debate" about me singing in our songs. He wont allow it, unless he either sings on top of me, trying futility to "harmonize" with me, which he claims is because if I am flat or sharp he wants to "cover it". I was pissed. First off, I love him to death, and was ecstatic that he learned to scream because frankly he's never been able to carry a tune in a bucket, screaming was something he's pretty good at, and getting better at, that doesn't require great pitch or tone. But when he tries to extend back into "singing" it's a train wreck at best. I am pitchy from lack of real mic time, but I'll get that down in a few weeks of steady practice, and I'm not asking to cut him out, I just dont want him singing all on top of me all the time.
I've mentioned doing an entire song, and thats out of the question, he refuses to just sit out a song, because "he's the LEAD SINGER".. when you guys heard our music you mentioned we lacked melody, I want to add melody, but my lead is incapable of singing like that. He adds a artificial "effect" to his voice, instead of just relaxing and singing in his natural tone.. so the only way to get it, is to add it myself, and he's being an ass about it, it rings of insecurity to me. He had never sang a note, literally until I got him to start a crappy blues cover band with me, and he was horrible from day one, but I didn't care because we only did it for fun, but as it's gotten more serious, he's taken it equally serious, learned a technique thats popular in todays metal, but he has his limitations..he's got a monster work ethic, but the past three years of blowing smoke up his ass, to give him the confidence to perform, has gone to his head.


sorry rant over. lol

Edit*
oh, and we have a show Saturday night that is going to be sick, our rehearsals have been crazy good. We've never sounded this tight before.
expect pictures, and possibly video next week.

YOU ARE F**KED>!

We have/had a local band around here that I knew pretty well.

They had the same issue. Mike was a hell of a guy but couldn't sing to save his life. And when he was flat or sharp, HE WAS WAY FLAT OR WAY SHARP.

They tried to rehearse it out of him, but he was tenacious in his horrible vocals and lack of control. The rest of the band was tight.

Long story short, they broke up. Pete is in NC with Susie and Mike is done, down the road, goodbye.

I don't have any real advice for you other than to worry for you in that eventually, it will cave in your situation.

It's too bad he's your pal, because he needs to GO!!!!! and that's before your band starts to catch on, else he'll start to think he's part of the draw.

GOOD LUCK, I'LL SAY A PRAYER FOR YOU. (you might want to shop a new band in the meantime)

yea ... I have to agree with the Capt. If you don't have good vocals you're f*cked.

Capt. Scott wrote:YOU ARE F**KED>!

We have/had a local band around here that I knew pretty well.

They had the same issue. Mike was a hell of a guy but couldn't sing to save his life. And when he was flat or sharp, HE WAS WAY FLAT OR WAY SHARP.

They tried to rehearse it out of him, but he was tenacious in his horrible vocals and lack of control. The rest of the band was tight.

Long story short, they broke up. Pete is in NC with Susie and Mike is done, down the road, goodbye.

I don't have any real advice for you other than to worry for you in that eventually, it will cave in your situation.

It's too bad he's your pal, because he needs to GO!!!!! and that's before your band starts to catch on, else he'll start to think he's part of the draw.

GOOD LUCK, I'LL SAY A PRAYER FOR YOU. (you might want to shop a new band in the meantime)

lol, honestly the rest of the band is already on the same page regarding him, and I'm fairly certain, that if there is to be a band implosion another band would reform using our current "pool" of talent, and as I am one of very few bass players around, I have no fear of not finding a gig, thank god. But this band is my baby, he's been alot of help with many aspects of the formation of the band, and i dont want to take anything away from his contributions, but it's those contributions that made it so we could ignore his lack of singing talent. And to be told, I need him to help fix my singing, which although isn't great is, on another plane from his "singing" I cant scream to save my life though, ideally I wanted him to scream, and me to sing as needed. I agree I dont see it ever being that. For now, I'm going to back off, because if I push it, it'll just reach that conclusion you mentioned that much faster. Right now, we're just getting rolling good, we'll just lack true melody for the time being.

I think people who are tone deaf don't know it, therefore are offended at the notion they might actually be a notch down from the title "bad singer". It's a shame he's hard-headed. That means no-one else can afford to be hard-headed, else the band will implode due to conflict at some point. Maybe you shouldn't bother trying to sing melodically if he's going to be wrench in the gears - instead of singing, perhaps play melodically?

good luck!
Christian A.

Roger Daltry and Bob Dylan have never been known for their intonation skills yet they have been singing lead on world stages for 5 decades. Can you adapt and work with what you have?

Perhaps your lead singer is really a percussionist or sound/lighting tech or band agent and just doesn't know it yet Any band member who is unwilling to allow others to explore new performance talents is really a solo act. All band members need to be involved in the decision making process regarding who is best qualified to sing lead or solo on a certain song, etc. Try it. If it doesn't work try something else. Each of us only "has" what we have.

"screaming"...still cracks me up

Like huh???

No one ever heard of Autotune or the myriad of other devices manufactured and sold to allow people that can not carry a tune to sing live? All the big bands use them.

I once heard a new "country legend" on an award show that swaggered out from behind the curtain wearing his black cowboy hat, singing as he headed towards the microphone. One word would be way sharp, the next flat and so on. I wondered what the hell was going on. He couldn't hit note one.

Then all of a sudden he was in perfect pitch. Someone had forgotten to turn on the vocal pitch corrector.

People are creatures of habit.
Don't rush it.
Give him time to adjust to the idea and talk him down.
You sound like you have a plan ... don't blow it all to hell because he is selfish and you maybe a bit impetuous.
The hunter stalks his prey ... then makes the kill.


My 0.02:
Auto tune is a lie.
Might just as well put on someone else's CD and go home.

Bands with only one singer irritate me, for some reason, & divas that think they're all that irritate me even more.

He may think of himself as 'the lead singer,' but that doesn't mean that ppl don't need a break from his growlin'.

If he can't sing, he needs to know that he should stick to his strengths, for the good of the band. he also needs to know that you need a real singer, for the good of the band, as well.

If he can't handle it, he ain't worth it, in my humble opinion.

Tell him in nicer terms, if you can, but sooner or later you'll prolly hafta take him down a peg or seven to get your point across...

If all he does is sing, and he sings off key, then you have a serious problem. Some people have trouble singing certain songs in certain keys, have you tried changing the keys of those tunes that he's having trouble on? Or is he having trouble on EVERY song? Is every song you play the exact same genre or if you play varied styles of tunes is he having trouble on a certain genre? Is he really good on some tunes, or really good in certain keys? You have to analyze your entire band. Does he play any instruments? Would he be willing to play some kind of percussion (congas, tambourine, etc.) while he's not singing? If he doesn't play any instruments and is told to sit out a number of tunes he is naturally going to be a little insecure. What is he going to do while he's not singing and not playing any instruments? Dance around like a monkey? If you really like this guy and want to keep him involved REALLY ANALYZE THE ENTIRE STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF YOUR BAND NOW. Figure out a way to improve the whole band with him happily involved. If the vocals can't be rectified QUICK you need to get another lead singer. You could have the best band in the world instrumentally and if the vocals suck your band sucks. Good lead vocalists are sometimes egomaniacs. They can be stuck up conceited primadonnas, but your band won't go anywhere unless you have a good lead singer. I wish you luck...

Your situation reminded me of a couple that I've been through...

Had a band one time where everyone did backing vocals along with the "lead singer". It was all good until we went to the studio. He not only tried to beat us out of our vocal parts, but basically convinced the guy mixing it to cut us out, leaving only his own vocal doubles to be heard.

I think you nailed it 100%. He's insecure. He knows that his abilities aren't up to par, and rather than be a man and accept that he may be holding the band back, he's going diva on you and acting like he's the only one capable of doing the job. I've been through that a few times, too.

Pull out a couple of cover that the rest of the band agrees on. Tell him to learn them-don't ask him, don't give him the option of making a decision. Then, give him a fair tryout on the songs...and if he can't do it, get rid of him. You are only as strong as your weakest link, and in my experience, the weakest link will do everything they can to keep the band on THEIR level.

Just kicking him out isn't enough.


Kill him.

take him to New Orleans for a fake gig and send him into the store for some snacks... then drive home with less baggage and a chance




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wow, guys some of you were feeling pretty dark tonight..lol Bear in mind this is one of my oldest friends, since Jr.High school, so killing him or abandoning him in the middle of nowhere, while comical, isn't proper.
lol, thanks though, I think.

Thinking all of you have him pegged. Regardless of what happens musically I wont end a friendship over a band issue, so this is one of the rare instances where I'll back off, in the interest of keeping the peace. Normally I'm very aggressive and protective over what I consider mine, but considering where he came from musically, I mean, no inclination, or even desire, I had to practically beg him to try it. He actually told me, "I will never sing in front of anyone." Two weeks later, I had him singing along in his house, This was in May of 07, and here we are today. I created this monster.