So yesterday I get a text message on my cell from the singer, saying he wants to cancel the rehearsal because his throat is really sore and he won't be able to sing. He's been having throat issues a lot lately so in a way this did not come as a surprise. I'd already told the band a while ago that next week I won't be able to come to rehearsal because of family obligations. This means that for two weeks in a row we won't have rehearsals.

Two minutes after I get the text message, the guitarist calls me to say how sad and slightly upset he is that we will again be not rehearsing for a few weeks in a row. He has been hinting previously that he thinks we rehearse far too little (once a week - before he joined it was once every two weeks) and we should play out more etc. And I totally understand his point of view. He's been with us for half a year, I've been working with (or rather trying to get this band to work) for 3+ years now.

The thing is, from his tone of voice and his comments, I expect that pretty soon he will either bail, or he'll want to kick out the singer. Adding insult to irony, there's a good chance that the singer will want to quit ... This would solve half the problem, I guess.

But there's two bigger halves to this problem. One is the Yoko-factor: our singer's been asking whether his girlfriend can come and sing a song with us ("Just one, promised!") for ages, and I have been saying "no" every single time. The reason is that for one, I don't want her to come and sing "one song", I know it'll go from one song to a whole set, and the drummer and guitarist don't want it either. So I foresee that he'll want to suggest getting her to replace him.

Second problem is: the style of music we play (rockabilly / rock'n'roll) is not really popular in these here parts, so it'll be hard to find someone who's willing to sing these songs. Additionally, his voice really suits our music and sets us aside, this is one of those bands where - in all modesty - the whole is bigger than the sum of the parts. We click.

This really sucks, because we're at the verge of finally going somewhere (as far as cover bands can go) with this band, and I may be exaggerating, but I really feel that it's going to implode

Well, I talked things over with the drummer and he shares my skepticism regarding the throat issues. Seems to be a general consensus amongst the three instrumentalists that if necessary, we would look for a new singer.

That said, I also discussed with him the option of rehearsing a little sooner on Saturday afternoons. Currently we rehearse every Saturday (theoretically ) from 03:00 PM to 05:00 PM and we talked about scheduling it from 01:30 PM to 03:30 PM. World of difference This could effectively reduce our singer's throat issues, if I'm right :grin We'll see what happens ...

If your band is really making an impact locally, then it is feasible that finding a replacement is not out of the question too. If you are finding an audience to play to, and are well-received, then your next lead singer could just be an ad away. It could be the start of a whole new level for you guys too.

Just a thought

Jay

Okay. It's official. I hate singers.

We have a 15-minute set (yes, you read it) coming up this Tuesday for a local radio station. Heaps of fun, and a free recording for us. We've known about this particular gig for ages. I asked for half a day off, the lead guitarist has asked for a day off and the drummer is in university and it's Easter holiday. Today, the singer calls and asks if I could find out at what time we're supposed to play and whether we could switch with the other band that's scheduled for the same radio show, because he has long hours (truck driver) and is not sure whether he'll make it and so on.

And you know what? I am tired of always having to work around his prima donna preferences. If two out of the three working members can make arrangements with work, then I think it's fair to expect the third one to do so likewise. And I don't care what argument y'all bring to the table, I changed departments three weeks ago. My previous team leader and I got along great so I could get time off mostly whenever I wanted, but since three weeks I have a new team leader (two, actually) with whom I do NOT have that relationship yet.

So I called the radio guy and asked what the schedule looks like. He told me: 07:30 PM soundcheck, 08:15 PM our gig, 09:00 Pm the other band. I text messaged the singer (his cell phone was turned off) and told him this was a non-negotiable schedule. After all, this is the real world.

If he manages to screw this one up, the band will have a choice between a new singer or a new bass player.

C'mon, David, I know you can sing!

Take charge of your own destiny and be the frontman for your own band. No more worries about incompatible singers.

Ya know what, I checked and apparently I know these songs so well that I can sing 'em and play 'em at the same time. If need be and he doesn't show up, I'll apologise up front and sing them myself

This is definitely something that I am going to work on in the future, (learning to) sing and play along while I'm doing so. Next band will definitely see me standing behind a mic !

Man that's life in a band David. I swear there's always a weak link. It's just something that you have to live with most of the time.

Having a good backup plan is the key to this sort of thing. The fact that you could sing the songs and cover the gig is an excellent backup plan.

In my band we've had different people step up and sing when whoever is supposed to sing has a sore throat. We make it through it okay that way.

Yes, that IS a plus when one singer can sing another's songs if need be...probably not ALL of them of course.
Just as it's good if the guitarists know the tunes well enough to do them well without following the guy who brought the tune in; and even, if possible, be able to do a good lead on the tune (including a few key licks that are part of the arrangement).
And it never HURTS for a guitarist/keyboardist to learn to sing, at least passably!