Lead Singer Syndrome
May 19 at 4:27 pm
2 posts
joined Mar 11, 2008
joined Mar 11, 2008
Lead Singer Syndrome
If you are in a band, work at a studio, are a roadie or just see a lot of shows - we've all experienced it in one form or another: the Lead Singer Syndrome.
It's usually known as a lead singer's antics and need for monopolizing the limelight. Of course, you can't generalize a statement like that. Singer's personalities are found over a broad range from totally down to earth, humble and functional, to over the top diva (is there a word for a male diva? - divo?). As for my experience working with many artists, it's funny to realize that the success of the artist is not at all in connection with the level of the Lead Singer Syndrome. I've worked with huge rock stars that seem more shy than me, and I've had to deal with idiots with a huge attitude that can barely sing a note in tune, let alone sell a record. But in my experience, lead singers do tend to be a bit more high maintenance and I just figured that in order to have the guts to stand in front of an audience baring your soul, you just have to be a little nuts.I am not surprised whenever the lead singer needs a bit more attention and has to have everything his/her way. And I am fine with that. I respect every singer out there for what they do.
It seems like an old topic, but for me it got interesting again when a guitar player and I were talking about the lead singer of his band (and his crazyness). The guitar player has several side projects besides his main band where he plays guitar, produces and sometimes sings lead. And he gave an explanation to the whole theory: The human voice is such a personal and intimate part of our body and soul. When we sing we are not only projecting sound and emotions, our whole body goes through a transformation: our pulse accelerates, our body vibrates from the sound of our vocal chords. And from my friend's experience in the vocal booth, that's when something happens to the brain. He says that when he''s doing a vocal take he takes on a different personality. The singing (and mainly the lead part where there are emotions required) triggers his brain to act out; act differently from when he's just playing guitar. - He becomes the Lead Singer.
In other words: Lead Singers must have some chemical in their blood that we mortals don't have.
It's all starting to make senses now ...
Any thoughts/experiences?
It's usually known as a lead singer's antics and need for monopolizing the limelight. Of course, you can't generalize a statement like that. Singer's personalities are found over a broad range from totally down to earth, humble and functional, to over the top diva (is there a word for a male diva? - divo?). As for my experience working with many artists, it's funny to realize that the success of the artist is not at all in connection with the level of the Lead Singer Syndrome. I've worked with huge rock stars that seem more shy than me, and I've had to deal with idiots with a huge attitude that can barely sing a note in tune, let alone sell a record. But in my experience, lead singers do tend to be a bit more high maintenance and I just figured that in order to have the guts to stand in front of an audience baring your soul, you just have to be a little nuts.I am not surprised whenever the lead singer needs a bit more attention and has to have everything his/her way. And I am fine with that. I respect every singer out there for what they do.
It seems like an old topic, but for me it got interesting again when a guitar player and I were talking about the lead singer of his band (and his crazyness). The guitar player has several side projects besides his main band where he plays guitar, produces and sometimes sings lead. And he gave an explanation to the whole theory: The human voice is such a personal and intimate part of our body and soul. When we sing we are not only projecting sound and emotions, our whole body goes through a transformation: our pulse accelerates, our body vibrates from the sound of our vocal chords. And from my friend's experience in the vocal booth, that's when something happens to the brain. He says that when he''s doing a vocal take he takes on a different personality. The singing (and mainly the lead part where there are emotions required) triggers his brain to act out; act differently from when he's just playing guitar. - He becomes the Lead Singer.
In other words: Lead Singers must have some chemical in their blood that we mortals don't have.
It's all starting to make senses now ...
Any thoughts/experiences?
Jun 25 at 2:56 am
19 posts
joined Mar 5, 2007
joined Mar 5, 2007
RE: Lead Singer Syndrome
Oh this post has gotten me all boiling about how much I hate fans who are all about the lead singer.
For example, my favorite band EVER is AFI and NOT because of the lead singer. Yes, the man is very attractive and has an amazing voice and is overall a really chill dude, BUT there are 3 other guys behind him which are just as great!
I hate it when "fans" say "oh my god! Davey Havok is soooo haaaawt I wanna dooo him oh my goddddd". I don't consider those people real fans. And everyone always tries to find out if he's gay or not. There are millions of threads on the official message board on their site bothering with this question and they all get closed. I mean are you saying you would stop listening to them if you found out your beloved Davey is gay!? Does it make a difference? When I listen to their music I get this weird feeling because they bring out so many emotions in me. They have helped me through some of the worst times of my life. I could care less who they are dating. Luckily, they are vegetarian/vegan and two of them are straight edge. And they simply believe in respect for others and are really nice guys. And I acknowledge all four of them. My favorite is actually Adam the drummer, and only because I've gotten to know him more (after shows and random run-ins in the city) unlike with Davey the lead singer because he's always swept away by a crowd of girls who think he's sooo hot. It hurts that that's all they see him for.
The people who are in the official fan club are pretty much die hard fans and will do anything for the boys and we all love them dearly. We respect all of them and equally acknowledge all four of their presence in AFI. Without Jade (guitar) or Hunter (bass) there would be no AFI. And they do everything together, write, record, tour. It's a shared position and I just don't understand how the lead singer can get more credit than the others.
:)
For example, my favorite band EVER is AFI and NOT because of the lead singer. Yes, the man is very attractive and has an amazing voice and is overall a really chill dude, BUT there are 3 other guys behind him which are just as great!
I hate it when "fans" say "oh my god! Davey Havok is soooo haaaawt I wanna dooo him oh my goddddd". I don't consider those people real fans. And everyone always tries to find out if he's gay or not. There are millions of threads on the official message board on their site bothering with this question and they all get closed. I mean are you saying you would stop listening to them if you found out your beloved Davey is gay!? Does it make a difference? When I listen to their music I get this weird feeling because they bring out so many emotions in me. They have helped me through some of the worst times of my life. I could care less who they are dating. Luckily, they are vegetarian/vegan and two of them are straight edge. And they simply believe in respect for others and are really nice guys. And I acknowledge all four of them. My favorite is actually Adam the drummer, and only because I've gotten to know him more (after shows and random run-ins in the city) unlike with Davey the lead singer because he's always swept away by a crowd of girls who think he's sooo hot. It hurts that that's all they see him for.
The people who are in the official fan club are pretty much die hard fans and will do anything for the boys and we all love them dearly. We respect all of them and equally acknowledge all four of their presence in AFI. Without Jade (guitar) or Hunter (bass) there would be no AFI. And they do everything together, write, record, tour. It's a shared position and I just don't understand how the lead singer can get more credit than the others.
:)