Frontman
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Frontman
I was just wondering what do bands really look at when they are looking for a vocalist. Does age come into play? Are looks the most important thing or if a person can sing and none of the above apply?
- bassist_25
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Voice is numero uno, because a band is only as good as its vocalist (unless of course, it's an instrumental band). For example, there's a band around here with some incredible players, but their vocalist is very sub-par. When I think of that band, the first thing that comes to my mind is "bad vocals!"
Stage presence and looks are important and anyone who thinks those two things aren't is fooling themself. A front person needs personality, even if they don't MC at all. Charisma is a premium trait, so if you have a cat that has it, you have something special.
Stage presence and looks are important and anyone who thinks those two things aren't is fooling themself. A front person needs personality, even if they don't MC at all. Charisma is a premium trait, so if you have a cat that has it, you have something special.
"He's the electric horseman, you better back off!" - old sKool making a reference to the culturally relevant 1979 film.
- DirtySanchez
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It's okay Paul, You can just say it, but I do have stage PRESENTS........and Blood.bassist_25 wrote:For example, there's a band around here with some incredible players, but their vocalist is very sub-par. When I think of that band, the first thing that comes to my mind is "bad vocals!"
Good topic. I'm heading to a meeting, BRB.
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Frontman
So if you were looking for a vocalist and was a little older and not the best looking thing, as long as they sang well you would give them a chance
- bassist_25
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Re: Frontman
I guess it comes down to what your goals are. If you just want to jam some tunes once in a while and play down at the local watering hole, then I don't think it's a big deal. However, if you're trying to make a serious go at music, then your front person has to be put together. They don't have to be a super model or anything, but a beer gut and shaggy unwashed hair just isn't going to cut it. I guess what I'm saying is that a front person should look presentable and that really has more to do with how they take care of themself rather than any genetic disposition to attractiveness. Age isn't a factor to me as long as the person takes care of themself. I've almost always played with cats significantly older than myself. I'm the youngest in my band with ten years between the next youngest member and myself.joltinjeff wrote:So if you were looking for a vocalist and was a little older and not the best looking thing, as long as they sang well you would give them a chance
"He's the electric horseman, you better back off!" - old sKool making a reference to the culturally relevant 1979 film.
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If looks mattered these people would be fucked:
Alice Cooper
Lemmy
Mick Jagger
Meatloaf
Lyle Lovett
Bjork
Bob Dylan
Tom Petty
Wynona Judd
Tom Waits
Freddie Mercury
Amy Winehouse
Chino Moreno
The whole band Pink Floyd
And The Fugliest of them all:
Michael Jackson!
It's about ABILITY, ATTITUDE and CONFIDENCE!
Alice Cooper
Lemmy
Mick Jagger
Meatloaf
Lyle Lovett
Bjork
Bob Dylan
Tom Petty
Wynona Judd
Tom Waits
Freddie Mercury
Amy Winehouse
Chino Moreno
The whole band Pink Floyd
And The Fugliest of them all:
Michael Jackson!
It's about ABILITY, ATTITUDE and CONFIDENCE!
"You are now either a clueless inbred brownshirt Teabagger, or a babykilling hippie Marxist on welfare."-Songsmith
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Frontman
SO if a guy with a shitload of talent comes in and auditions for your band and he has a bit of a paunch you are not going to tell him he is not what you are looking for?
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Frontman
Thanks sanchez.
- bassist_25
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Again, it has little to do with how traditionally attractive somebody is from a Western concept of beauty. It has to do with the presence that someone conveys and how they present themselves. Sanchez, for instance, is a bigger cat, and he's a good frontman. He doesn't look like a slub. If someone has let themself go and looks like they don't care about their apperance, then yes, I would be hesitant to hire that person as a front. It's indicative of a lack of concern about things if someone can't shave once in a while or put on a shirt without pizza stains. It's something in the selection/hiring process of HR and I-O psychology called criterion validity. You can be bigger and look put together. You can be thin and look like a mess.
I don't know if you want an honest answer to a question or if you just have a confirmation bias and want someone to agree with what's in your head.
Bottom-line: You either jam with people and it clicks or it doesn't. Not every gig is right for every person. If someone doesn't hire you because you don't have the "right look," then it wasn't the right gig for you to begin with.
I don't know if you want an honest answer to a question or if you just have a confirmation bias and want someone to agree with what's in your head.
Bottom-line: You either jam with people and it clicks or it doesn't. Not every gig is right for every person. If someone doesn't hire you because you don't have the "right look," then it wasn't the right gig for you to begin with.
"He's the electric horseman, you better back off!" - old sKool making a reference to the culturally relevant 1979 film.
If you're not a closet homosexual that doesn't generally play well with others, look elsewhere. It's a requirement for front men.
Looks don't really matter unless you play some form of music that women go ape over. If you're really, really ugly, you can always cover your face up with a hockey mask or wear a funny hat. Lot's of people do that.
Vocal ability is desired, but not required.
Look at me, I've sang for bands that play out pretty much twice a weekend every weekend for the past 6 or 7 years and I can't sing for shit, I'm about 30 lbs overweight, and my sense of fashion involves 12 dollar who flung poo t-shirts from target, cargo shorts, mismatched socks, and 6-year-old tennis shoes.
So, there you go, just keep auditioning until someone gives you a chance. From there, you build a resume and continue to better yourself. It's like anything else in life. It takes a lot of work. If you are willing to work then you just need one person to believe in you and give you a chance. From that point on, it's up to you.
Looks don't really matter unless you play some form of music that women go ape over. If you're really, really ugly, you can always cover your face up with a hockey mask or wear a funny hat. Lot's of people do that.
Vocal ability is desired, but not required.
Look at me, I've sang for bands that play out pretty much twice a weekend every weekend for the past 6 or 7 years and I can't sing for shit, I'm about 30 lbs overweight, and my sense of fashion involves 12 dollar who flung poo t-shirts from target, cargo shorts, mismatched socks, and 6-year-old tennis shoes.
So, there you go, just keep auditioning until someone gives you a chance. From there, you build a resume and continue to better yourself. It's like anything else in life. It takes a lot of work. If you are willing to work then you just need one person to believe in you and give you a chance. From that point on, it's up to you.
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- bassist_25
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Usually because I have to explain a point 10,348 times in 26 different languages for people to get what I usually think is a simple concept.witchhunt wrote:Bassist_25 is just talking in circles again.
Would you hire this guy to front your band?

That's all I'm trying to get at.
"He's the electric horseman, you better back off!" - old sKool making a reference to the culturally relevant 1979 film.
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lol @ optimus past his prime


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WHy wouldnt you ?If he has it , he has it...look at jack black, chris farley, better yet,,..what is jack black's side kicks name in that pick of destiny movie;...That dude can front me..he looks like the guy in the picture...kindabassist_25 wrote:Usually because I have to explain a point 10,348 times in 26 different languages for people to get what I usually think is a simple concept.witchhunt wrote:Bassist_25 is just talking in circles again.
Would you hire this guy to front your band?
That's all I'm trying to get at.


Id go see these guys too..


Last edited by rickster on Tue Jun 30, 2009 8:02 pm, edited 2 times in total.
"He who trims himself to suite others, will soon whittle himself away"-Unknown
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can anyone else see the pics?I see them on my pc...By the way, That last pic ...
Shane Patrick Lysaght MacGowan (born 25 December 1957) is an Irish musician and singer best known as the original singer and songwriter of The Pogues. His voice has been described by Jools Holland as a voice that touches the heart and soul
Shane Patrick Lysaght MacGowan (born 25 December 1957) is an Irish musician and singer best known as the original singer and songwriter of The Pogues. His voice has been described by Jools Holland as a voice that touches the heart and soul
"He who trims himself to suite others, will soon whittle himself away"-Unknown
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