Members tinker925 Posted November 4, 2009 Members Share Posted November 4, 2009 OK, For a cover project, how important is it for the "frontman" to be entertaining? How important is it that they 'feel" their notes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Hegmatronicon Posted November 4, 2009 Members Share Posted November 4, 2009 EXTREMELY important. I would wager that it's better to be a good entertainer/frontman than it is to be a great awesome fantastic singer.We get comments all the time about our singer not looking like he's into it and not really moving around and commanding attention. This is all in my experience. Obviously YMMV. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Nobody Told Me Posted November 4, 2009 Members Share Posted November 4, 2009 It depends entirely on the frontman in question. Some people just seem to be naturals at engaging the crowd, and some people have to work at it. I'm in the latter group. The key for me is to not LOOK like I'm working at it. As far as feeling the notes goes, yeah, the singer needs to be in the zone. If you're just going through the motions, people will know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guitarsjb Posted November 4, 2009 Members Share Posted November 4, 2009 I'm in the EXTREMELY important camp. A good one will keep the crowd interested and have fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Nobody Told Me Posted November 4, 2009 Members Share Posted November 4, 2009 If it were an original band vying for attention on a 3 or 4 band bill, then I'd agree with the EXTREMELY important mentality. For a cover band selling beer in the local dive, not so much. YMMV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Hegmatronicon Posted November 4, 2009 Members Share Posted November 4, 2009 If it were an original band vying for attention on a 3 or 4 band bill, then I'd agree with the EXTREMELY important mentality.For a cover band selling beer in the local dive, not so much. YMMV The other way around IME. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members SpaceNorman Posted November 4, 2009 Members Share Posted November 4, 2009 Somebody has to be a solid front person. If it happens to be the lead singer - all the better. However, the first rule is there ain't no rules. I've seen bands in which the front person was somebody other than the lead singer - and it worked fine. Especially since the lead singer was a great vocalist. Bands fronted by a singer who simply stands there while delivering a meh vocal performance aren't going anywhere. Personally - I enjoy groups who have multiple strong vocalists ... and lots of harmony. (this came up in another thread yesterday...). All the better if the group is able to share the "fronting" responsibilities between everybody in the group - such that the audience gets to see a little of everybody's personality. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jeff42 Posted November 4, 2009 Members Share Posted November 4, 2009 when you are in a cover band: a great front man who is an OK singer is BETTER than an OK front man who is a great singer. its all about entertaining. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Hegmatronicon Posted November 4, 2009 Members Share Posted November 4, 2009 when you are in a cover band:a great front man who is an OK singer is BETTER than an OK front man who is a great singer. its all about entertaining. Yeah this - thats what i was trying to say eariler. Summed it up nicely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members JohnMCA72 Posted November 4, 2009 Members Share Posted November 4, 2009 In the entertainment business, is it very important for the most visible entertainer to be entertaining? Is that the question? JM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members FitchFY Posted November 4, 2009 Members Share Posted November 4, 2009 Isn't that kind of like asking "how important is it to be good at your instrument?" The frontman's job is to entertain and sing. Both important. That's the job description, not some hippy touchy-feely mentality of "yeah, but he..." No buts. Be good at both or find a new one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Funkwire Posted November 4, 2009 Members Share Posted November 4, 2009 The other way around IME. This is what I have found as well. I've seen so many original bands that I really wanted to like, but the front person had the presence of a slug. One in particular--they had a female vocalist, good voice, easy on the eyes--but when she wasn't singing (e.g. during a guitar solo), she stood in one place and looked at the floor until it was time for her to sing again. If you're going to be a front person in a cover band, you'd better be able to engage the crowd. You can have an average voice, that's OK...but only if you can balance it out with being entertaining and a focal point for the crowd. By the same token, if you're a phenomenal vocalist, that doesn't mean it's all right for you to mope around onstage scowling! I've found that it's tough to find somebody who can pull off the voice, the entertainment aspect, AND be a reasonable person to deal with (talking BOTH genders here). That's why I've always tried to put together bands where everybody sings lead and backup. Lots of variety in the singing and one less person to split the money with. It's a win-win-win! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members tinker925 Posted November 4, 2009 Author Members Share Posted November 4, 2009 The reason I asked this question is that I read a post somewhere here that its better to have a "front man" - lead singer who also plays bass or guitar. It was followed up by something like "if your in a Cover Band no one cares about the energy/emotion of the song delivery"... something to that affect. I have seen amazing sounding bands where the lead singer played bass and basically HID behind the thing.... I kept telling this person get out from behind that bass and engage your audience! Even though they had AMAZING talent they went no where. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members THX1138 Posted November 4, 2009 Members Share Posted November 4, 2009 The frontman is pretty much the captain of the live ship. You want that person to be able to entertain. They are what the audience most associates with - that person puts the melody in their ears. If other band members are able to command some attention with their prescence, all the better. And I dont how what type of band matters here... cover, original, alien goat-sex tribute from neptune... who cares. You still want an engaging talent at the center mic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jeff42 Posted November 4, 2009 Members Share Posted November 4, 2009 they had a female vocalist, good voice, easy on the eyes--but when she wasn't singing (e.g. during a guitar solo), she stood in one place and looked at the floor until it was time for her to sing again. wow! I worked with a woman just like this! Well, almost like this... she wasn't a "great" singer just OK. She would stand in one place alot when she wasn't singing, sometimes with her back to crowd. I would have to remind her to turn around, and when she would turn to face the crowd, she would sometimes dance a little bit but she would dance like Elaine from Seinfeld! uggh... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members georgestrings Posted November 4, 2009 Members Share Posted November 4, 2009 when you are in a cover band:a great front man who is an OK singer is BETTER than an OK front man who is a great singer. its all about entertaining. This has been my experience, also... - georgestrings Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members georgestrings Posted November 4, 2009 Members Share Posted November 4, 2009 It was followed up by something like "if your in a Cover Band no one cares about the energy/emotion of the song delivery"... something to that affect. Odds are pretty strong that came from someone who slams coverbands constantly - don't pay any attention to them... - georgestrings Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Austincowbell Posted November 4, 2009 Members Share Posted November 4, 2009 kind of depends on the cover band... if it's a lounge or jazz style band it isn't as big of a deal but in pretty much any other circumstance it's critical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members wades_keys Posted November 4, 2009 Members Share Posted November 4, 2009 OK, How important is it that they 'feel" their notes? You've been in the audience - what do you think works? What do others in that audience seem to think? Have you ever seen an over-emotional singer? It can be uncomfortable to watch if they seem like they're trying too hard to "feel it". Again - what do you think works for your situation? Personally, I'd rather see a band where the frontman stands there comfortably than a band where the frontman is jumping around like a monkey and generally trying way too hard. Your mileage may vary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jeff42 Posted November 4, 2009 Members Share Posted November 4, 2009 I have seen an over-emotional singer. it's horrible... but funny. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members TrickyBoy Posted November 4, 2009 Members Share Posted November 4, 2009 I have seen an over-emotional singer. it's horrible... but funny. Totally agree - there is a fine line between really "feeling" the music and just looking retarded. My wife and I went to watch a Jazz band and their "frontman" was a sax player - and the goofy facial expressions and body contortions that he did when he played completely overshadowed how good they were musically and turned into a comedy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jeff42 Posted November 4, 2009 Members Share Posted November 4, 2009 I watched an over emotional singer recently... It was a hard rock/ grunge cover band. he spent more time looking angsty and emotional than singing in key. uggh and they were stoopid loud on top of it all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Scafeets Posted November 4, 2009 Members Share Posted November 4, 2009 Really, REALLY important. When our front man is on, we kill. When we play great but he's at 80%, we suck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members underground66 Posted November 5, 2009 Members Share Posted November 5, 2009 Interesting question, as I have been wondering something along this line as well. It seems to me that any idiot can jump around with energy (I know, I have not only seen this, but participated in it) Not that there is anything wrong with it, however, not everyone can sing their ass off. Given the choice (although an emotive yet non-moving performance can be hugely entertaining) I'd go with singing yer ass off. Talent always come through no matter how many lights are shining on your face. And for those that don't sound fantastic OR move around, well, ever consider bowling? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Hegmatronicon Posted November 5, 2009 Members Share Posted November 5, 2009 I think ppl are confusing "being an entertaining and engaging frontman" with just randomly jumping around and acting like an idiot on cocaine. ANYONE can jump around and act like a lunatic - but (for coverbands at least) it's preferable to command the audiences attention and generally act like you are having a good time and getting into the music you are playing. Being pitch perfect is fantastic.....but people will usually enjoy the show more if you are captivating there interest rather than if you are hitting every note.Dont get me wrong...you still have to sing well - it's just less important IME. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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