Rob_J
Joined: Sep 29, 2007
Posts: 500
Sacto, CA
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Posted on May 14 2008 12:09 PM
I'm in a newly formed surf band. We have a pretty good set list of traditional surf songs, and are working on more. Being in a band playing this kind of music has been a lifelong dream, now it is happening and I'm having a blast.
Recently, there is talk among my band mates about adding a singer. I'll be the first to admit that a singer would open up new possibilities for adding a lot of songs, (classic rock type stuff) but to me, it also means moving away from surf.
Yeah, there are the Beach Boys, Jan & Dean type of songs that lend themselves to vocals, but the solid surf instrumental music that I love so much does not include vocals.
I'm trying to keep an open mind. I suppose we could move towards an all instrumental set, and then a set that includes vocals. It doesn't fit the surf band of my dreams, but it is not without merit, I suppose.
If your instrumental surf band started leaning towards becoming a band with a singer(s), would you be accepting of such a concept? Has this happened and it all turned out OK?
For now, I'm just going along with the flow. Not sure what to think of this proposed new direction.
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IvanP
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 10331
southern Michigan
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Posted on May 14 2008 12:17 PM
I would tell them, you get a singer and you can find another guitarist. Good bye.
But that's just me. It depends what your goal is. For me, it's never been about drawing a ton of folks to the local bar or making a lot of money playing weddings or parties, being versatile, etc. I want to play hard-core instrumental surf music. If the other musicians in the band were not on the same page, I would find other people to play with.
Ivan
— Ivan
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squirt50
Joined: Apr 27, 2008
Posts: 82
Chicago.
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Posted on May 14 2008 12:19 PM
Follow your dream. An all instro band is a beautiful thing. The guitars do the singing, Silly rabbit! Dont let other members sully your vision. You must make them see things your way. Always remember, WWDD (What Would Dick Do)
— I came. I saw. I left.
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estreet
Joined: Mar 17, 2007
Posts: 839
United Kingdom
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Posted on May 14 2008 12:20 PM
What I would do is this:
Make it into two bands with two different names. It doesn't matter if its all the same people or not - and anyone who wasn't really into the surf side of things can be replaced in that band but still play in the general covers band.
I actually play in about six bands. Two of them are bread and butter stuff but the others are very diverse. Surf Band, Original Vocal Material Band, Improvised Ambient music collective and another band playing different original material co-written with someone else. They are all seperate and that keeps all of them pure and without compromise - although various different people play in two or more of them. It works... (and it keeps you busy!)
— http://www.myspace.com/thepashuns
Youth and enthusiasm are no match for age and treachery.
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Ruhar
Joined: Jun 21, 2007
Posts: 3909
San Diego, CA
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Posted on May 14 2008 12:24 PM
IvanP
I would tell them, you get a singer and you can find another guitarist. Good bye.
But that's just me. It depends what your goal is. For me, it's never been about drawing a ton of folks to the local bar or making a lot of money playing weddings or parties, being versatile, etc. I want to play hard-core instrumental surf music. If the other musicians in the band were not on the same page, I would find other people to play with.
Ivan
Can't be said any better than that! 
Life's too short to compromise. Go for what you want.
— Ryan
The Secret Samurai Website
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Rob_J
Joined: Sep 29, 2007
Posts: 500
Sacto, CA
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Posted on May 14 2008 12:30 PM
The idea of making it into two bands is something to think about. Of course, sometimes just manage one band can be a handful.
I don't want to "walk". These are great guys that I play with. Neither of them knew much about surf before meeting me. I have been successful in introducing it to them, and they are finding that they like what we are doing.
It took a long time to find anyone who wanted to play this stuff, so I can't just "hit the road". Nor, do I want to.
That's why I'm trying to keep and open mind and be willing to compromise to a degree.
If it really gets to be a thorn in my side, I suppose I'll just have to say so, and work things out. These guys are not "hard nosed" and I think they will work with me.
Hmmm....two bands? Haven't gotten to that bridge yet, so I guess I'll wait until I get there to figure out whether or not to cross it.
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bigtikidude
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 25538
Anaheim(So.Cal.)U.S.A.
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Posted on May 14 2008 12:30 PM
It would be one thing if it was just Jan and Dean and Beach Boys and other surf related vocals, but classic rock????
and there are a few bands that do the J&D and BB's songs here in so. cal.
and the public may like them a bit, but they never really capture the vibe nor do the vocal harmonies well.
(insert howling dogs sound here)
— Jeff(bigtikidude)
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Stormtiger
Joined: Dec 12, 2006
Posts: 2681
Ventura, CA
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Posted on May 14 2008 12:33 PM
Always remember, WWDD (What Would Dick Do)
Unfortunately Dick would sing. It is worse because he has a terrible voice.
I'm OK with singing as long as there are good guitar parts like in Secret Agent Man. No matter what or how well we play that one always gets a huge response. I love it when the Detonators play YOU'VE GOT TO FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHT TO PARTY!
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Rob_J
Joined: Sep 29, 2007
Posts: 500
Sacto, CA
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Posted on May 14 2008 12:34 PM
Hey, bigtikidude...thanks! If I end up in a band with a singer, you've just named the band!
"Howling Dogs"
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NicholausLee
Joined: May 13, 2007
Posts: 223
Ypsilanti, MI
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Posted on May 14 2008 12:38 PM
I would try to convince them to not bring in a singer. If they were all set on having a singer though, make that a new band with a new name. Keep the instro surf stuff going as well, and replace whoever doesn't want to do it. That way, you still get to play your instro surf, plus the other band members get to play what they want to. The only bad thing about that would be trying to decide which band plays which shows. If the singer isn't an easy going laid back kind of guy, and what singer is, there would probably be some tension there after a short period of time.
— http://about.me/nicholaus.lee
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Tikibot
Joined: May 13, 2008
Posts: 33
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Posted on May 14 2008 12:44 PM
Hang in there. But it does seem the band wants to go into a new direction. It may work out for you in getting gigs since you will not be playing one type of music.
I would have to look for a new band if this happened to me. I think surf is at it's best with out vocals.
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Ben
Joined: Feb 11, 2007
Posts: 591
Encinitas, Ca
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Posted on May 14 2008 01:22 PM
My advice...If it's your band and lifelong goal....Don't do it!
There are plenty of possibilities, styles, and approaches to instrumental surf music. Adding a singer is going to steer you away from surf music towards Beach Boys, Jan and Dean, classic rock, then Mustang Sally, etc. Not that those guys are bad...just not for me.
Depends on your goals, gigs you want to play, etc.
Being in an all instro surf band definitely puts you in an obscure niche. Certainly, one that doesn't appeal to the masses.
I wouldn't want it any other way....Good luck
Last edited: May 14, 2008 15:53:44
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tenderfoot
Joined: Feb 01, 2007
Posts: 308
Ellicott City, Maryland
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Posted on May 14 2008 02:44 PM
If you did have 2 bands you could open for yourself. I have seen it done a number of times. One band plays and the same band with a slightly different line up follows.
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Double-Crown-Records
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 1223
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Posted on May 14 2008 02:51 PM
I'd agree, for the most part, with the 2 band idea - Satan's Pilgrims did it a while back when they formed The Chimps (with Ted singing vocal/frat rock tunes). However, some of my favorite "surf" bands also did vocals - The Trashmen, The Untamed Youth, The Bomboras, The Volcanics, etc, etc, etc. So there is some precedent for doing both within the same band.
— Sean
Double Crown Records
www.doublecrownrecords.com
Surf CD's / Vinyl / Fanzines / DVD's
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jp
Joined: Feb 09, 2007
Posts: 917
Brew City
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Posted on May 14 2008 03:34 PM
Double-Crown-Records
I'd agree, for the most part, with the 2 band idea - Satan's Pilgrims did it a while back when they formed The Chimps (with Ted singing vocal/frat rock tunes). However, some of my favorite "surf" bands also did vocals - The Trashmen, The Untamed Youth, The Bomboras, The Volcanics, etc, etc, etc. So there is some precedent for doing both within the same band.
I like a few vocal tunes mixed in with instrumentals both as a performer and an audience member. If you can do it without adding another member all the better. I prefer rougher garagey/frat rock vocals to B.B. / J&D vocals. If someone in the band can handle the singing have them do it.
Adding another member, especially a lead singer, will bring in a new world of problems - I know because I am the lead singer in one of my bands.
If adding a singer is the only avenue available to you then definately make it into two bands one for surf and one for the $$.
— The Exotics 1994-Current
The Chickenshack - www.wmse.org
www.thedoghouseflowers.com
www.uptownsavages.com
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tommyalvarado
Joined: Jan 03, 2008
Posts: 512
Delaware, USA
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Posted on May 14 2008 03:54 PM
Instrumental surf songs + exotica = good possibilities.
Instrumental surf songs + rockabilly = interesting possibilities.
Instrumental surf songs + classic rock = a band that would be looking for a new guitar player.
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Strat-o-rama
Joined: Oct 23, 2007
Posts: 385
Boca Raton, Florida
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Posted on May 14 2008 04:11 PM
Rob,
Either set up two bands, or insist that the band be a guitar driven instro/surf band, or get a singer who can play additional guitar during the instros...but keep in mind. Lead singers have egos. It goes with the job. They are the frontman, the centerpiece, and it's possible the instros will be squeezed out of the set lists, the song selection will become the material the singer wants to do, unless you can be very forceful and drive the band. I've been there. I think Ivan is right. It sounds hard-nosed, but otherwise you will compromise your vision.
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Serpico
Joined: Dec 30, 2007
Posts: 443
Falun Sweden
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Posted on May 14 2008 05:39 PM
estreet
What I would do is this:
Make it into two bands with two different names. It doesn't matter if its all the same people or not - and anyone who wasn't really into the surf side of things can be replaced in that band but still play in the general covers band.
thats exactly what we did. first and foremost we are Tumbleweed but we also wanted some gigs  thats why we took same people from TW and just added a singer. viola´. West 45 was born. now we have a couple of gigs which will be real fun to play but the main objective is still surf with Tumbleweed. works out great 
— The reality is that we do not wash our own laundry - it just gets dirtier.
www.myspace.com/tumbleweedofsurf
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Surfgitar
Joined: Mar 16, 2007
Posts: 1342
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
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Posted on May 14 2008 06:04 PM
I would say, "Seenger? Seenger? We don't need no stinkin' seenger!!!"
— CUTBACK
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zak
Joined: Sep 24, 2007
Posts: 2728
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Posted on May 14 2008 06:57 PM
This post has been removed by the author.
Last edited: Sep 23, 2009 17:18:44
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