rant

[jeffrey]

if singers (who claim their voice is an instrument) think instrumentalists should be able to play any tune in all 12 keys shouldn't the reverse hold true - maybe not as entertaining as Defiance but something to ponder

Happy Holidays

[jlev]

What always scares me is when the singer says "I can sing that in any key"

Usually it means they suck equally much in all 12.

[beamer]

What scares me is when you ask them where they've been singing and the response is "I been singing karaoke at the Do Drop Inn every Tuesday"

[rand]

Hey Nick -If the P.A. is used primarily as part of the vocalists' " instrument" it should be their responsibility. Never had good luck with Kareoke singers that want to sit in with the band especially the ones that don't even know what key they sing their song in. I sing certain songs in a certain key as it fits my vocal range and style for that particular song and it's nice when the band can play it in that key. I really am hesitant on who I let use my gear unless I feel they can treat my stuff like I do.Be responsible. I'd never want to see smoke comming out of my amp or a flying V sticking out of my speaker cab while some hot shot says wow, i'm a rock star. your amp worked great and doesn't even say thank you for letting me use yer shit ,man. Fortunately my friends are all pros

[beamer]

I would agree with Rand, if your doing nothing but singing through the PA then sure if the singer owns it then he should fix it if it blows. But if your putting the drums, bass, keys and guitars through it then I think everyone in the band should kick down some $ to fix it.

What do you guy think?

I guess we did kinda high-jack the topic

[jlev]

I got no problem with kicking down some money to a guy that has spent 5 to 10k on a sound system. Makes everyone sound good, no?

I figure it's part of the cost of doing business. Ever check how much it costs just to rent a little semi pro powered mixer and and a couple speakers?

[jlev]

Nick, what if the singer/pa owner played a service intensive instrument as well?

Just playin devil's advocate here.

[jeffrey]

hey Nick
not a problem letting the subject of singers take it's natural course - I was just bitching about having to read and transpose simultaneously and yes, he was
as to the PA thing - owners responsibility for gen maint. but maybe costs for additional gear needed (mics etc.) split the band but the owner needs to buy them out when he takes his ball and goes home (prorated of course)
cheers

[nickyn99]

Hey Joe,
I would say if he owned the instrument then he needs to be responsible for the maintenance. I do alot of backups in this band and I went a bought a 58 and mic stand on my own. I did not ask the owner of the PA or the band to buy them for me. When the band breaks up or he leaves he takes the PA. I take my gear and so on.....

[wormdrive66]

I have never met this elusive creature called Vocalist who Owns his PA System. The best singer i ever played with did not own a Mic or a car, but damn he could sing.

I agree if it is your gear then you should maintain it. Now i can see putting band profit towards repairs if needed.

[wormdrive66]

Dec 11, 2009 13:57:17 GMT -8 nickyn99 said:

Hello Wormdrive,
I am confused on what you mean by profit. If we do a gig and get paid $600.00 for a 4 piece band that is a $150.00 each. No profit left. If there was profit? made would that mean we use profit on all repairs (amps, guitars and PA system). That would be fair but in my situation that is not the case.

My last band pooled funds earned from shows, CD's and tshirts. then we would use those funds for recording costs, cables, beer and more tshirts. Worked out well for us at the time.

[nickyn99]

Ahhh gotcha. Yes I agree if you specifically put aside money for band expenses whether it be cd's t-shirts, strings or repairs for everyone I have no problem with that. We have done that before and still do when it comes time to get t-shirts or cd's made and yes it works great.

[Richard]

I think that its a tough call about a singer that owns the PA.

I think that if the singer does nothing else but sing, and that if the PA only produces their vocals, that they should pay the repairs on the PA equipment. If ANYTHING else goes thru the PA, then its the bands responsibility to pay for the repairs.

When I played up in Humboldt County, I was in a 4-piece band. We always paid a 5th member, and stored the money in a bank account. Right around December 1st, each band member would take 20% of the money that was in that account ( if there was any available ). We used that money to repair anything that was broken (except strings). It worked out really well, and we usually got a 'Christmas Bonus'.

[Cris]

Dec 10, 2009 12:07:05 GMT -8 beamer said:

What scares me is when you ask them where they've been singing and the response is "I been singing karaoke at the Do Drop Inn every Tuesday"

Sometimes karaoke at the Do Drop is the only way to get to sing. Finding a group of musicians who'll trust that a newbie singer just wants to be part of the fun and not run the show...not an easy task. Singers seem to have a bit of a stigma, as evidenced by the original post. And I for one AM NOT GONNA TAKE IT ANYMORE!!!!! ;D