warwickhunt Posted August 26, 2022 Share Posted August 26, 2022 A month or so ago a vocalist put a shout out in a FB local musicians group, asking for musicians to back him as an opening band at a local music festival. Me being me, I like a challenge and said I'd do the bass (I had noted several other guitarists who I respected showing support/interest). The fact that the guy was happy to go with a 'scratch band' and play live gave me a degree of confidence in his abilities. To shorten the story, myself, 2 guitarists (1 of whom I was familiar with) and a drummer were co-opted into this project and set up a FB chat group. All hunky dory and within 24 hrs the singer had presented 8 covers (Journey - Seperate Ways, Led Zep - Rock & Roll, Def Lep - Hysteria, Rick Springfield - Jessie's Girl etc) which we agreed to learn and all agreed 1 x 3hr rehearsal on 25th (approx 4 weeks from this inception and 3 days before the gig). No probs... so far! We asked the vocalist, who had been booked for this little festival by the organiser (a personal friend of his) to find out what the tech spec, parking, access etc was. 16 days later he'd still not responded to any of the messages (he was active elsewhere on FB) and no indication that the rehearsal was booked. Messages started getting more direct and curt. Eventually the vocalist got back and apologised as he'd been busy. He wasn't sure where to book a rehearsal so it wasn't booked yet (about a week to the gig). I politely pointed out that Google would give him 10 rehearsal studios within a 20-30 minute drive of all of us (we'd previously said where we all lived), he responded saying he was on it... 48 hrs later and nothing from him despite questions (Oh and we still didn't have info on the tech spec or anything), then he popped up to say did anyone know anywhere else as he couldn't get in at short notice to the studio he normally used! At this point I took the lead, phoned 2 rehearsal rooms and booked a rehearsal on the agreed date and time; sorted! 2 days later the band turned up at the allotted location and time, all except... the vocalist, he arrived an hour late. We were miffed but thought we'd just crack on. 30 minutes later I called a halt to proceedings to point at the elephant in the room; the vocalist didn't know the songs, couldn't hit some of the notes/keys and barely knew where the entry point for the vocals was. I have to admit I'm pretty easy going but it took me a bit to keep my cool. I could see the rest of the lads nodding and backing me as I pointed out a few home truths and I suggested we bail on the whole thing. As it happened the rest of the musicians (I'll not include the vocalist in that) were good musically and were easy to get on with and they were thinking that as we'd put the effort in to learn the stuff, the gig might be a decent experience (the 2 guitarists were wanting to get their faces seem a bit more on the music scene). I didn't want them to be let down by me so I agreed to continue with the next 30 mins of the rehearsal and if we could get through it we'd do the gig. First off we scratched 3 of the songs as they patently were not going to be achievable by the vocalist and pulled in the cheese classic 'Summer of 69' to fill the set out a bit. We got through it and the vocalist left promptly leaving us to reflect on the experience. It's been quite cathartic to type this up and there isn't really any advice that I'd like from anyone BUT it has made me realise that just because someone is so absolutely sure of their own abilities it means nothing. This guy had been told by so many people that he had a good voice and looked the part that he absolutely believed in himself. We really should be honest with folks like this and not pander to not hurting feelings (without destroying confidence obviously). It also highlighted that the music side of things is one aspect but being organised, communicative and straight with people is equally important. 20 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acebassmusic Posted August 26, 2022 Share Posted August 26, 2022 Well done in keeping your cool and saving the day. Your post requires a "trophy / laugh / cry / facepalm" button all in one! 🤣 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted August 26, 2022 Share Posted August 26, 2022 Fantasists in rock n roll? Who'd have believed it! 4 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warwickhunt Posted August 26, 2022 Author Share Posted August 26, 2022 Not a word of a lie, one of the tracks we had to learn (at his direction) was a track by Steel Dragon (yep 'WHO?) called 'We all die young' which is in a film called ROCKSTAR... I genuinely believe this guy thought he was acting out the scene from that film and that he was going to be God's Gift to the masses. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hiram.k.hackenbacker Posted August 26, 2022 Share Posted August 26, 2022 Has the gig happened, been cancelled, yet to happen? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warwickhunt Posted August 26, 2022 Author Share Posted August 26, 2022 Just now, hiram.k.hackenbacker said: Has the gig happened, been cancelled, yet to happen? This Sunday afternoon and it is going ahead... at least as far as I am aware. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hiram.k.hackenbacker Posted August 26, 2022 Share Posted August 26, 2022 11 minutes ago, warwickhunt said: This Sunday afternoon and it is going ahead... at least as far as I am aware. Well, since you've started the thread, I hope you're taking a video camera with you. 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nail Soup Posted August 26, 2022 Share Posted August 26, 2022 Good voice and good image? Great... but not all you need to be a singer. Go ahead with the gig for the sake of the other guys ..... might be people you want to work with in future. Singer is there for the ride. If you think the singer is up for some feedback then tell him about learning when to come in, rehearsing and all that stuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warwickhunt Posted August 26, 2022 Author Share Posted August 26, 2022 1 minute ago, hiram.k.hackenbacker said: Well, since you've started the thread, I hope you're taking a video camera with you. I've got friends who'll be recording and I'll post up 'warts and all'! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted August 26, 2022 Share Posted August 26, 2022 16 minutes ago, warwickhunt said: This Sunday afternoon and it is going ahead... at least as far as I am aware. This is all simply a promo exercise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warwickhunt Posted August 26, 2022 Author Share Posted August 26, 2022 5 minutes ago, Beedster said: This is all simply a promo exercise Oh I can assure you the promo will feature a bassist in heavy disguise. 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted August 26, 2022 Share Posted August 26, 2022 Just now, warwickhunt said: Oh I can assure you the promo will feature a bassist in heavy disguise. I dare you to go on stage as Henry VIII 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warwickhunt Posted August 26, 2022 Author Share Posted August 26, 2022 One of his wives might be a better disguise... with no head. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
odysseus Posted August 26, 2022 Share Posted August 26, 2022 You're a better man than me, Gunga Din. I'd have been the righteous f*ck out of there once I realised the dude didn't know what he was doing. Best of luck, sir! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard R Posted August 26, 2022 Share Posted August 26, 2022 It sounds like you might have found yourself a decent band to gig with in the future, but will need a new singer. Hope the gig goes OK, and that you and the band enjoy yourselves 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJPJ Posted August 26, 2022 Share Posted August 26, 2022 Where is the gig? Sounds like it could be a fun audience-sing-along ..... You are very brave going through with it but I suspect the instruments with prevail and you can have a good jam if nothing else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted August 26, 2022 Share Posted August 26, 2022 2 minutes ago, CJPJ said: Where is the gig? Sounds like it could be a fun audience-sing-along ..... You are very brave going through with it but I suspect the instruments with prevail and you can have a good jam if nothing else. 4 minutes ago, Richard R said: It sounds like you might have found yourself a decent band to gig with in the future, but will need a new singer. Hope the gig goes OK, and that you and the band enjoy yourselves Agree 100%, have fun mate, we've all been on stages with awful singers (and memorably in my case), audiences aren't stupid 👍 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted August 26, 2022 Share Posted August 26, 2022 Agree with the sentiments of others...from the ashes, and all that... Good luck, sounds like you might need it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikel Posted August 26, 2022 Share Posted August 26, 2022 Must be bad if its a rail crash, car crash gigs are bad enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theplumber Posted August 26, 2022 Share Posted August 26, 2022 To be honest I would not move an inch before hearing some video/audio of any singer in any project I get involved in. Saves time and effort! But that's just me!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 26, 2022 Share Posted August 26, 2022 Just turn up an hour late to the gig. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed_S Posted August 26, 2022 Share Posted August 26, 2022 5 hours ago, warwickhunt said: Not a word of a lie, one of the tracks we had to learn (at his direction) was a track by Steel Dragon (yep 'WHO?) called 'We all die young' which is in a film called ROCKSTAR... I genuinely believe this guy thought he was acting out the scene from that film and that he was going to be God's Gift to the masses. If he's using the authentic vocal exercise from the film, it might explain why his singing isn't improving and he was an hour late to rehearsal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BahHumbug Posted August 27, 2022 Share Posted August 27, 2022 This does sound like he is one of those ‘singers’ who thinks it’s enough to be labelled as a singer, then assumes that the rest happens by magic. The fact that he failed to arrange a rehearsal venue, then turned up an hour late suggests that he didn’t think a rehearsal was entirely necessary. Which also chimes with having not done his homework on the songs. You’ve done an awesome job of putting up with this so far. Good luck with the gig and remember - murder is illegal 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted August 27, 2022 Share Posted August 27, 2022 25 minutes ago, BahHumbug said: The fact that he failed to arrange a rehearsal venue, then turned up an hour late suggests that he didn’t think a rehearsal was entirely necessary. Which also chimes with having not done his homework on the songs. ….or he knew just how necessary it was so was desperately trying to avoid it, and then pull the old ‘Hey, this is the first time we’ve ever played together’ routine at the gig. It’s a lot easier for an unrehearsed clown to hide in an unrehearsed band after all 🤔 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickeyboro Posted August 27, 2022 Share Posted August 27, 2022 I paid £100 to see Roger Daltrey with a woefully under rehearsed band recently. Wife thought it was great! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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