Tonight's rant: Karaoke singers

Re: Tonight's rant: Karaoke singers

Brian Running wrote:
>> But I imagine that, with the success of American Idol, the market is
>> permanently
>> flooded with every knucklehead who thinks being a karaoke weekend
>> warrior is all the training you need to be a rock 'n' roll star.
>
> Sure seems that way. It also seems that Guitar Hero has created the
> impression that hard work and talent are not really all that necessary
> to play an instrument well. I may be wrong, but I just don't see as
> many kids really working hard to get good at... well, to get good at
> anything, really.

---You must have missed the South Park "Guitar Hero" episode...
"Real guitars are for old people!"
Cartman

Re: Tonight's rant: Karaoke singers

Give him Ian Dury's "Plaistow Patricia" to learn.

"John Bigboote" <Bigboote.YPS@gmail,com > wrote in message
news:c0c29b4a-7ce2-4994-853f-06dc6d949b8d@z24g2000prf.googlegroups,com ...
> My current band is on their second singer since I joined in November.
> Like their last, this one has never performed with a band before, but
> was very into karaoke, and thought to give the band thing a shot. A
> relatively decent singer.
>
> The last one hated hauling gear to and from gigs, and kept a music
> stand with lyrics in front of him for most songs, even if he didn't
> really need them. Quit because the whole band thing felt too much like
> work.
>
> This one also can't seem to learn lyrics, is very slow learning the
> songs (even the ones I thought *everyone* knew by heart), and
> frequently has trouble singing in time with the band -- he's often
> well in front of the beat. My theory is that he's used to seeing
> scrolling words timed to be on screen a beat before the music.
>
> To cap it off, he's got (IMHO) godawful taste in music. Tonight he
> honestly suggested covering songs by both Neil Diamond (apparently
> last night was Neil Diamond night on American Idol, which he watches
> religiously, and which I've never seen) and -- wait for it -- Barry
> Manilow.
>
> Next time I'm in a situation where we have to find a new singer, I'm
> going to specify that karaoke wanks need not apply. But I imagine
> that, with the success of American Idol, the market is permanently
> flooded with every knucklehead who thinks being a karaoke weekend
> warrior is all the training you need to be a rock 'n' roll star.
>
> </rant>
>
> -jb

Re: Tonight's rant: Karaoke singers

John Bigboote wrote:

> To cap it off, he's got (IMHO) godawful taste in music. Tonight he
> honestly suggested covering songs by both Neil Diamond (apparently
> last night was Neil Diamond night on American Idol, which he watches
> religiously, and which I've never seen) and -- wait for it -- Barry
> Manilow.

What kind of band is it, and what's your target audience? There are
audiences (and thus venue owners) who would like such music just fine. Of
course payday would have to be real rewarding to put up with playing such
stuff, but that's why they call it the music business as opposed to the
music hobby.

Re: Tonight's rant: Karaoke singers


"John Bigboote" <Bigboote.YPS@gmail,com > wrote in message
news:c0c29b4a-7ce2-4994-853f-06dc6d949b8d@z24g2000prf.googlegroups,com ...
> My current band is on their second singer since I joined in November.
> Like their last, this one has never performed with a band before, but
> was very into karaoke, and thought to give the band thing a shot. A
> relatively decent singer.
>
> The last one hated hauling gear to and from gigs, and kept a music
> stand with lyrics in front of him for most songs, even if he didn't
> really need them. Quit because the whole band thing felt too much like
> work.
>
> This one also can't seem to learn lyrics, is very slow learning the
> songs (even the ones I thought *everyone* knew by heart), and
> frequently has trouble singing in time with the band -- he's often
> well in front of the beat. My theory is that he's used to seeing
> scrolling words timed to be on screen a beat before the music.
>
> To cap it off, he's got (IMHO) godawful taste in music. Tonight he
> honestly suggested covering songs by both Neil Diamond (apparently
> last night was Neil Diamond night on American Idol, which he watches
> religiously, and which I've never seen) and -- wait for it -- Barry
> Manilow.
>
> Next time I'm in a situation where we have to find a new singer, I'm
> going to specify that karaoke wanks need not apply. But I imagine
> that, with the success of American Idol, the market is permanently
> flooded with every knucklehead who thinks being a karaoke weekend
> warrior is all the training you need to be a rock 'n' roll star.
>
> </rant>
>
> -jb

Yeah this is how I felt about the last endeavor I tried to follow.
Singer was a karaoker for sure. Every time we practiced his voice would
always break and crack, "Oh, I just have a sore throat tonight...". Never
learned the songs. In a word he SUCKED!
Lead guitar sucked too (Ohhh, I have not tried to practice that one yet, how
does it go?), along with the drummer.
Rythm guitar was the only really talented guy there. Showed up prepared to
play the stuff we wanted to play. Drummer did too, but he was too concerned
with making sure we all played to his satisfaction, which meant stopping ten
times into a song and restarting ten times. And he could only practice for
11/2 to 2 hours because he HAD to play World of Warcraft before he went to
bed (44 year old kid).
After getting together for a period of two fucking months we knew two songs,
and the drummer still was not really satisfied.
Funny thing is I missed a practice night (because the singer was not going
to be there either) and they canned me! LOL!!!
Only thing this group had going for it was it was an attempt to create a
group of guys who were drug free, which appealed to me.
Go figure...

HoSt.

Re: Tonight's rant: Karaoke singers


"littleoleme" <none@ya,com > wrote in message
news:3716f$481a1357$40970a51$20116@EVERESTKC,net ...
>
> "John Bigboote" <Bigboote.YPS@gmail,com > wrote in message
> news:c0c29b4a-7ce2-4994-853f-06dc6d949b8d@z24g2000prf.googlegroups,com ...
>> My current band is on their second singer since I joined in November.
>> Like their last, this one has never performed with a band before, but
>> was very into karaoke, and thought to give the band thing a shot. A
>> relatively decent singer.
>>
>> The last one hated hauling gear to and from gigs, and kept a music
>> stand with lyrics in front of him for most songs, even if he didn't
>> really need them. Quit because the whole band thing felt too much like
>> work.
>>
>> This one also can't seem to learn lyrics, is very slow learning the
>> songs (even the ones I thought *everyone* knew by heart), and
>> frequently has trouble singing in time with the band -- he's often
>> well in front of the beat. My theory is that he's used to seeing
>> scrolling words timed to be on screen a beat before the music.
>>
>> To cap it off, he's got (IMHO) godawful taste in music. Tonight he
>> honestly suggested covering songs by both Neil Diamond (apparently
>> last night was Neil Diamond night on American Idol, which he watches
>> religiously, and which I've never seen) and -- wait for it -- Barry
>> Manilow.
>>
>> Next time I'm in a situation where we have to find a new singer, I'm
>> going to specify that karaoke wanks need not apply. But I imagine
>> that, with the success of American Idol, the market is permanently
>> flooded with every knucklehead who thinks being a karaoke weekend
>> warrior is all the training you need to be a rock 'n' roll star.
>>
>> </rant>
>>
>> -jb
>
> Yeah this is how I felt about the last endeavor I tried to follow.
> Singer was a karaoker for sure. Every time we practiced his voice would
> always break and crack, "Oh, I just have a sore throat tonight...". Never
> learned the songs. In a word he SUCKED!
> Lead guitar sucked too (Ohhh, I have not tried to practice that one yet,
> how
> does it go?), along with the drummer.
> Rythm guitar was the only really talented guy there. Showed up prepared to
> play the stuff we wanted to play. Drummer did too, but he was too
> concerned
> with making sure we all played to his satisfaction, which meant stopping
> ten
> times into a song and restarting ten times. And he could only practice for
> 11/2 to 2 hours because he HAD to play World of Warcraft before he went to
> bed (44 year old kid).
> After getting together for a period of two fucking months we knew two
> songs,
> and the drummer still was not really satisfied.
> Funny thing is I missed a practice night (because the singer was not going
> to be there either) and they canned me! LOL!!!
> Only thing this group had going for it was it was an attempt to create a
> group of guys who were drug free, which appealed to me.
> Go figure...
>
> HoSt.
>

They were drug free.....but had other addictions.

-DA

Re: Tonight's rant: Karaoke singers

Not to go off on a tangent or anything, but this "drug free" thing always
amuses me.

There is NO such thing as a "drug free" work environment in America; only
environments where people are able to either HIDE their drug use, or who
know enough to restrict it to certain times and places.


I've never sought out "no drug" players, but the guys I've worked with who
are like that are either ex abusers, or judgmental religious types with very
little world experience. Either way, they are usually sucky players and the
experience is not a good one.

And as Axman said, "drugs" don't have to be chemical. The internet,
religion, and even AA type programs can be just as much of a drug as
anything else.

There are two things IMO that can go wrong with being in a "drug band" a)
You wind up being someone else's "enabler" and even taking the fall for them
b) You wind up being the "odd man out" As the rest of the band is either
off doing their drug of choice, or conspiring to score some more.

My feeling is that I don't give a FUCK about a or b so long as the
performance goes off with out a hitch. You fuck with me, cost me money, draw
me into your bullshit or otherwise make me look bad, and you are dead to me.
I will drop you like a hot rock.

I think that's a lot more realistic than "no drugs", but that's just me.

PS: Some guy has been running an add in the local street rag for YEARS
looking far a "blues bassist who is a 'Friend of Bill' ". That's like
looking for a reggae bassist who doesn't smoke weed...




"littleoleme" <none@ya,com > wrote in message
news:3716f$481a1357$40970a51$20116@EVERESTKC,net ...
>
> "John Bigboote" <Bigboote.YPS@gmail,com > wrote in message
> news:c0c29b4a-7ce2-4994-853f-06dc6d949b8d@z24g2000prf.googlegroups,com ...
> > My current band is on their second singer since I joined in November.
> > Like their last, this one has never performed with a band before, but
> > was very into karaoke, and thought to give the band thing a shot. A
> > relatively decent singer.
> >
> > The last one hated hauling gear to and from gigs, and kept a music
> > stand with lyrics in front of him for most songs, even if he didn't
> > really need them. Quit because the whole band thing felt too much like
> > work.
> >
> > This one also can't seem to learn lyrics, is very slow learning the
> > songs (even the ones I thought *everyone* knew by heart), and
> > frequently has trouble singing in time with the band -- he's often
> > well in front of the beat. My theory is that he's used to seeing
> > scrolling words timed to be on screen a beat before the music.
> >
> > To cap it off, he's got (IMHO) godawful taste in music. Tonight he
> > honestly suggested covering songs by both Neil Diamond (apparently
> > last night was Neil Diamond night on American Idol, which he watches
> > religiously, and which I've never seen) and -- wait for it -- Barry
> > Manilow.
> >
> > Next time I'm in a situation where we have to find a new singer, I'm
> > going to specify that karaoke wanks need not apply. But I imagine
> > that, with the success of American Idol, the market is permanently
> > flooded with every knucklehead who thinks being a karaoke weekend
> > warrior is all the training you need to be a rock 'n' roll star.
> >
> > </rant>
> >
> > -jb
>
> Yeah this is how I felt about the last endeavor I tried to follow.
> Singer was a karaoker for sure. Every time we practiced his voice would
> always break and crack, "Oh, I just have a sore throat tonight...". Never
> learned the songs. In a word he SUCKED!
> Lead guitar sucked too (Ohhh, I have not tried to practice that one yet,
how
> does it go?), along with the drummer.
> Rythm guitar was the only really talented guy there. Showed up prepared to
> play the stuff we wanted to play. Drummer did too, but he was too
concerned
> with making sure we all played to his satisfaction, which meant stopping
ten
> times into a song and restarting ten times. And he could only practice for
> 11/2 to 2 hours because he HAD to play World of Warcraft before he went to
> bed (44 year old kid).
> After getting together for a period of two fucking months we knew two
songs,
> and the drummer still was not really satisfied.
> Funny thing is I missed a practice night (because the singer was not going
> to be there either) and they canned me! LOL!!!
> Only thing this group had going for it was it was an attempt to create a
> group of guys who were drug free, which appealed to me.
> Go figure...
>
> HoSt.
>
>

Re: Tonight's rant: Karaoke singers

Karaoke is Japanese for tone deaf!!! On Thu, 1 May 2008 00:34:42 -0700
(PDT), John Bigboote <Bigboote.YPS@gmail,com > wrote:

>My current band is on their second singer since I joined in November.
>Like their last, this one has never performed with a band before, but
>was very into karaoke, and thought to give the band thing a shot. A
>relatively decent singer.
>
>The last one hated hauling gear to and from gigs, and kept a music
>stand with lyrics in front of him for most songs, even if he didn't
>really need them. Quit because the whole band thing felt too much like
>work.
>
>This one also can't seem to learn lyrics, is very slow learning the
>songs (even the ones I thought *everyone* knew by heart), and
>frequently has trouble singing in time with the band -- he's often
>well in front of the beat. My theory is that he's used to seeing
>scrolling words timed to be on screen a beat before the music.
>
>To cap it off, he's got (IMHO) godawful taste in music. Tonight he
>honestly suggested covering songs by both Neil Diamond (apparently
>last night was Neil Diamond night on American Idol, which he watches
>religiously, and which I've never seen) and -- wait for it -- Barry
>Manilow.
>
>Next time I'm in a situation where we have to find a new singer, I'm
>going to specify that karaoke wanks need not apply. But I imagine
>that, with the success of American Idol, the market is permanently
>flooded with every knucklehead who thinks being a karaoke weekend
>warrior is all the training you need to be a rock 'n' roll star.
>
></rant>
>
>-jb