Musician Forum - Band Discussion Board - BandMix

I recorded a video of me "performing" my cover of Born of Osiris' song "Brace Legs". I got tired of seeing all these people covering songs and just standing still...just standing there sucking at life.

So I made this to show that doing lead vocals in a band takes more than just screaming out lyrics...it takes a combination of vocal skill, stage presence, and energy.

And by the way, the audio was of course recorded separately from the video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fqf2WFQhYPc

Lots of energy, there Ryan...needs more tongue. Do you do that when you ain't lip-synchin'?

Question - how many songs can you growl in a row before you lose your voice?

Question - do other ppl get the words, or is it more of a general mood thing you're looking for?

Question - what was that song about?

Question - can you keep that tone in your voice when you're jumpin' around?

Question - do you do all your material in this fashion, or do you alter your vocal tones to fit the particular piece?


I obviously don't understand this stuff. It would appear that you're going for "chaotic anger," yet the music is nearly marshal in tone and feel. It escapes me, somehow, how this gets any message across, because I don't get the words, the music sounds sufficiently angry, but far from "chaotic," & I suppose I had enough of ppl yelling at me when I was a kid. It seems very war-like, which puts me off a bit, too.

It's pretty obvious that this sort of thing isn't really a flash in the pan kinda thing, and I'd like to be able to appreciate it more, if only I could get through the desire to hit something whenever I hear it. Is THAT the emotion your going for from your audience, or do I just not get it at all?

It's hard to ask questions about this stuff without seeming to be disrespectful of it. I'm not trying to be, Ryan, I'm just an old guy without a clue. Can you explain it?

First off, good job ! Ryan. Yeah, I think ya have to watch a few of these videos in a live show setting and take in the vibe created by this WAV form and the visual illustration of the emotion created. I can connect with it rhythmically becuase of my indepth time signature study and appreciation for it. I think this vocal genre is an art form and Ryan works hard to perfect it. I watched a young cat drummin to this with headphones on and it has some pretty interesting time change ups with trips against straight time that were pretty daunting. Just someone taking their work seriously and displaying it with confidence and pride is enough for me to appreciate.

philbymon wrote:Lots of energy, there Ryan...needs more tongue. Do you do that when you ain't lip-synchin'?

Question - how many songs can you growl in a row before you lose your voice?

Question - do other ppl get the words, or is it more of a general mood thing you're looking for?

Question - what was that song about?

Question - can you keep that tone in your voice when you're jumpin' around?

Question - do you do all your material in this fashion, or do you alter your vocal tones to fit the particular piece?


I obviously don't understand this stuff. It would appear that you're going for "chaotic anger," yet the music is nearly marshal in tone and feel. It escapes me, somehow, how this gets any message across, because I don't get the words, the music sounds sufficiently angry, but far from "chaotic," & I suppose I had enough of ppl yelling at me when I was a kid. It seems very war-like, which puts me off a bit, too.

It's pretty obvious that this sort of thing isn't really a flash in the pan kinda thing, and I'd like to be able to appreciate it more, if only I could get through the desire to hit something whenever I hear it. Is THAT the emotion your going for from your audience, or do I just not get it at all?

It's hard to ask questions about this stuff without seeming to be disrespectful of it. I'm not trying to be, Ryan, I'm just an old guy without a clue. Can you explain it?

Let me answer all your questions in order:

1. Well all the recordings on my profile were all recorded in one night, and my voice was fine afterwards.

2. People who listen to this style of music more have a greater ability to understand the lyrics. I can listen to a song like this and be able to hear most of the words.

3. "So distinct and out of reach
Now we're laying awake
We can't stop it now
Don't beg for mercy
Fight, we never stop
March onto your death and bring your glory back
Your blood will be shed
Love we're willing to take
Its all a mistake
Tell me fate, take it away
It will never end and we have just begun
Victory and glory
Give it up, we never stop"

4. Yep, its all about controlling your diaphragm and your breathing

5. I did it like this cause that's how the song goes..mostly low growls with a few mid screams thrown in

and lastly, the emotions we want the audience to feel are not anger and hate and chaos...We're just people who enjoy a different style of music than you.

See, I can listen to songs like this and it relaxes me. I can even listen to this to help me fall asleep...

It's all about personal taste

My 2cd oldest son (27) loves this stuff and makes fun of this old man saying come on pops lets listen to some of this music with me. I actually made it half way thru and had to stop listening. Ryan please understand I am not hating on your music as my parents did the beatles. Like you said it is a matter of personel taste and us old farts just don't get it, todays music seems to be very beat oriented the drums and vocals are most of the music if there is any guitar, it is for the most part in support of the percussion in my opinion it doesn't take anymore talent to sing like this than it does to be a so called rap singer. On the other hand it is very energetic and that is what I think younger generations are all about they are young and full of energy, just as our generation was when we liked songs like Talkin Bout My Generation. So don't let anyone tell you your music is bad if you believe in it and it brings you joy, you go boy!

The only thing that matters is you enjoy what you're doing. If you can get into a group that makes some money then it's just icing on the cake. (Not sure you could ever pass an American Idol audition with this though!)
When you get older and develop your blues glands you might end up becoming a killer blues singer by preparing your vocal chords this way. (I think Howlin Wolf must have done some howling like you when he was young).

Ryan,

This is what i affectionately call "Cookie Monster Vocals".

You do a good job on this. Its not really my taste I lean in heavy music to Iron Maiden or Ronnie James Dio type vocals.

My son and you would get along well. He has started trying to sing and this is the type stuff he likes to do.

I guess it is a generational difference in taste as some other stated on here.

Keep On Rockin

Sounds a lot like old Lamb of God. Now grow long hair and do the windmill ffs!!

I listen to that genre on occasion (e.g. Pantera's Far Beyond Driven I believe would qualify) just 'cause. no reason. just feel like it. Sometimes I listen to the Oak Ridge Boys too. Lol. The door's gotta go tho You got a big psychedelic poster U can put over it? Blue-screen effects would be cool, but that might not be available to us common mortals.

Not sure you could ever pass an American Idol audition with this though!

FishermanBob, U crack me up sometimes. ROFL

jw123 wrote:This is what i affectionately call "Cookie Monster Vocals".

Wrong...

You want cookie monster vocals? Listen to Cannibal Corpse...Eeeew

J-HALEY wrote: in my opinion it doesn't take anymore talent to sing like this than it does to be a so called rap singer.

No way J. I consider myself a good singer. I can do a lot. I do not have the talent it takes to do this style of vocal. Some rappers have amazing talents too. There are bad and good rappers. It takes talent to do all of it.

Ryan, you have lots of talent but man I dislike it. I am open to a lot. I am diverse as all get out but I dislike your genre. But rock on bro!