• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Which position within a band is typically most irreplaceable?

Page 2 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.
Originally posted by: DainBramaged
Would you say that Pantera might be an exception?
Click to expand...

It's not impossible to change singer and still be good, many, many bands have done it. It's just probably the hardest thing to do, because vocals are one of the most obvious things when they change.
I can think of a fair number of bands that have changed vocalist and stayed successful, or even become more successful.
 
As far as the music goes, no one is irreplaceable in a band, with very few exceptions. Those exceptions are limited to when the band member is one of the best on his/her instrument. However, I tend to believe that most bands are held together for their music, "sound", style, etc., by only 1 or 2 members; these are the people that without, the band falls apart and goes downhill.
 
I think it depends on the band really. Most bands normally have a member or two that define the music/writing. We often hear this when bands split and/or take a replacement.
 
Lead singer is an obvious choice. But there are bands that have had continued success after a change in lead singers - AC/DC, Van Halen, Lynyrd Skynyrd... and AC/DC and Van Halen have pretty distinctive sounding vocals.
 
Originally posted by: Squisher
If we're talking rap, I'd say the drum machine.
Click to expand...

Good one :beer:

I think whomever really influences the sound of the band is the irreplaceable one. In rock it could be just about anyone. I've seen bands where every note and vocal style was dictated by a drummer. I've seen bands where the lead guitarist is center stage. I've seen drummers spontaneously explode into a million pieces.
 
I, too, think that the vocalist cannot be replaced. Things just don't sound the same, and I also think that everybody listens to music in a different way. Some people don't even care about lyrics, but love the guitar riffs and drum beats. I personally love vocals and I love to sing. I sing to mostly anything if it has a good tune, I often catch myself not getting meaning out of the lyrics, but I still enjoy the music for myself.
 
Originally posted by: Dulanic
Always the singer, you can always find another good drummer etc... but different vocals basically change who the band is.
Click to expand...

exactly. drummers are probably the most replaceable. Bass guys are hard to find, well, good bass players.
unfortunately drummers get 0 respect.
 
The vocalist is easily the hardest to replace. The voice of the band is what people most associate with the band. Just look around at how many bands replaced singers and had any success after. AC/DC, Vah Halen are the bigest ones. To a much lesser extent you could say drowning pool. But by and large if you change the voice, the band changes its name.

Guitarists move in and out of bands all the time. Unless the guitarist is the one who wrote all the songs, both the music and the lyrics without any co-writers, they can be replaced and most casual fans wouldnt know the difference.

It would really supprise alot of people to see that a lot of bands the drummer who tours with them is not the one who laid the tracks in the studio.
 
Originally posted by: fallensight
The vocalist is easily the hardest to replace. The voice of the band is what people most associate with the band. Just look around at how many bands replaced singers and had any success after. AC/DC, Vah Halen are the bigest ones. To a much lesser extent you could say drowning pool. But by and large if you change the voice, the band changes its name.

Guitarists move in and out of bands all the time. Unless the guitarist is the one who wrote all the songs, both the music and the lyrics without any co-writers, they can be replaced and most casual fans wouldnt know the difference.

It would really supprise alot of people to see that a lot of bands the drummer who tours with them is not the one who laid the tracks in the studio.
Click to expand...

two exceptions to this would be Journey and Styx...the guys that replaced Steve Perry and Dennis DeYoung are pretty dead on vocalwise IMO...the concerts definitely werent the same though...
 
Originally posted by: glen
Can't even be Van Halen with out DLR, and the band is named after the Lead Guitarist and Drummer, but Dave is still better at doing Van Halen than they are without him.
Click to expand...


Yeah, but don't you think that if Eddie Van Halen had left the band, the affect would have been the same if not worse?
 
Most base players can be replaced by the right pick-up and a talented guitarist.
(see local h, white stripes)
If you change the lead singer you generally change the sound of the band as far as the general population is concerned
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top