General Music Chat

Well the singer didn't show up or even call last night. We tried to call him, no return call. WTF? This isn't the first time he's f*cked us either. I would have sacked him long ago but the other guys always want to give him the benefit of the doubt. Why do we coddle our lead singers? Most don't own any equipment, rarely want to move any gear and are the first to miss practice. On the bright side, Kraig showed up with his brand new Roland RD-700NX. I ended up singing all but one of the tunes, Kraig sang "Too Rolling Stoned". The band sounded great and we had a ball. If we could just get a dependable lead singer...

That does suck Jimmy, we have sometimes practiced without our singer, but its just not the same.

Hang in there, love Too Rolling Stoned, havent heard it in a while, well I guess the last time I saw Trower, he didnt play the end solo section.

What, he didn't play the end section? That's the whole fun part! One of the few songs I stretch out on. Kraig was doing sax parts on "Born to Run" you would have loved it. Too bad our singer has LSD.

Jimmy, I would start trying out as many singers as possible. These days singers are like guitar players were back in our day. I am noticing at least down here that there are LOTS of singers that would be HAPPY to join a band of your caliber. I would cut that guy loose yesterday!

I'd not tolerate it.

Unless there is a valid excuse ( like being hospitalized in a coma ) I'd tell him straight up to carry his selfish ass on down the road.

When I worked in LTC management I fired so many NCNS my supervisor asked me to come to work on Halloween dressed as the grim reaper.

Well the singer didn't show up or even call last night. We tried to call him, no return call. WTF? This isn't the first time he's f*cked us either. I would have sacked him long ago but the other guys always want to give him the benefit of the doubt. Why do we coddle our lead singers? Most don't own any equipment, rarely want to move any gear and are the first to miss practice. On the bright side, Kraig showed up with his brand new Roland RD-700NX. I ended up singing all but one of the tunes, Kraig sang "Too Rolling Stoned". The band sounded great and we had a ball. If we could just get a dependable lead singer...

We just tossed our singer in Dec for the exact same reason- He missed 3 rehearsals in 2 months, sometimes just no show, other times canceling out AFTER everyone was already there. And then he missed a gig.. "called out sick" while we were packing up the van.. which it later turns out that he was too hung over from binge drinking the night before.

Personally, I'd have kicked his ass out the 2nd practice he missed.. I have a one-mulligan rule, none of this three strikes sh1t.

We auditioned a guy tues night that seemed like a great fit, offered him the job.. really hope he takes it.

I hear you guys. I mean the guy is a good singer and he has a lot of contacts and fans, but that's no excuse. He works midnights at WalMart (!!) and was probably asleep! The work ethic of some people really sucks.

I think as a band you have to have a consensus before you axe someone.

I shared about auditioning this last weekend, I enjoyed it but after talking to them about what they expected I just couldnt make the committment. These guys practice every friday night and I guess generally its 4-5 hours, starting at 8pm. It was a 45 minute drive for me one way. And they commented that we would probably practice for around 6-8 monthes and then start looking for gigs. Plus they really wanted me to be the front man, singing a majority of the songs. A huge committment on my part, so I passed on it. In the end it didnt feel as comfortable as what Im used too. No reason for me to waste thier time and then change my mind on all of that practice later on down the line. It was a great jam.

I think thats the issue with most musicians, we committ to something that maybe we cant committ too. But it seems like it takes time to realize how committed someone is up front, I just dont have the time for that these days.

I know how to do my part, in my band Aint Yo Mama, we have only practiced about 10 times in the last 5 years. Lately we havent been concerned about any new tunes, just reviving ones that weve played before, but when we were adding songs a couple of years ago, we would pass a cd around with the material, then just play it at our next gig, if someone hadnt learned it then no sweat we just didnt play it. If we played it and it didnt seem to add anything then we would just drop it, to me thats a lot easier and a lot less waste of time than spending monthes picking up a tune only to realize when its played live that it just doesnt work.

I have a long history playing with the guys I play with, in all of that time our singer missed one gig, he had the flu. We have had to cancel a couple of gigs because of illness.

But starting something new, I would want people to do what they committ too, dont think I would put up with no shows for very long.

Jimmy I guess you have to ask if he works midnites, could he show up for gigs when the time came to do that.

I remember being in a band one time that the bass player was an air traffic controller and the key player worked in a can factory, their shifts changed every couple of months so you really couldnt plan ahead on what to do.

I know its frustrating to have some one that can do the job, but wont show up, that just sucks to me.

Good Luck

" a dependable lead singer..."

Isn't that an oxymoron?
There are exceptions to every rule but far too often a lead singer shows up late or not at all, doesn't feel the need to schlepp gear or set up sound, and disrespects the other players in many ways. No-show-no-call is usually game over for me. We usually send out a text msg the day of rehearsal to confirm with everyone. If one or more can't make it and gives advance notice, no sweat, see ya next week.

In other news the J7 band had our second rehearsal last night after an 8 month hiatus. We are still shaking off the rust and some songs sound pretty tight while others still need a lot of work. After playing acoustic almost entirely last year my lead guitar chops have suffered and I need to go back and refresh all my fills and solos to get them effortless again. I fat-fingered more than my share.

"Commitment" is the key word. If people can't seriously commit, then you're f#cked. Cancelling at the last minute is just as bad as not showing up at all.
Think that's why I'm having a tough time finding person/people for an acoustic gig - anyone interested can't commit.

Y'see?
It's crap like that why I decided long ago to be my own lead singer.
Vocalists are notoriously flaky, yet difficult to replace.
Van Hagar?

Well are most likely all guilty of overcommitment.
But a no call is nothing but at lack of esteem.
OK . . . I get overwhelmed because my wife is in a car crash . . . forgiven . . . once.

Outside a possible scenario of similarity . . . he just don't care about anyone but himself.


bye bye . . .

I guess the big kicker to me would be not calling, thats just disrepectful in my opinion. I understand that life throws us curves, but I couldnt put up with someone not even taking the 30 secs it takes to call.

c'mon guys...why all the hate for singers?

You know you can't live without us.






My advice is forgive the guy if he's any good. It's faster than finding another one.

Maybe put a sheet over his head and everyone beat him with sand-filled socks....give him an earful, and try to correct the "not calling" situation but the singer defines a band's sound more than anyone. It would be better (and maybe easier) to start another band than to replace a singer of an established band.