I've been practicing my scales every day like a good boy. Usually at the end I'll sing through a couple of my demos that have had the vocal tracks removed. It's a funny thing but I never spent much time practicing my vocals before. I always figured that all you needed to do was sing in band rehearsal, and then when you walked into the studio and discovered that everything sounded radically different and you really had no idea how to sing the songs properly, well, you just dealt with the problems as they arose or, as was often the case, just tried to wing it and hope it didn't turn out too badly. It never even occurred to me to practice. I wrote the songs and knew them inside and out and frankly I was usually too busy tearing my hair out over the fact that my band mates seldom knew how to play the songs, or would forget them if we went as long as four days between rehearsals. Between that and all the business stuff, vocals were usually the last thing on my mind even though I was the singer.
Thank God those days are over. My long break from recording music - it'll be four years by the time I record the new album - has been a blessing in disguise; I'm finally enjoying singing, really for the first time since I've been doing it as an alleged professional.
Singing along with the demos is helping me figure a lot of things out. I can hear lines that I need to change because they sound too clumsy or have too many hard consonants that sound similar. I'm also beginning to recognize how certain words should be sung, and when and how heavily to apply which vocal affectations. It's actually a lot of fun because the progress is really noticeable; every day I get a little bit more comfortable with the songs and I find that I sing them a little bit better each time. The actual recording of the album is a long way off but that's okay because I think I'll be much better prepared to do a good job with the vocals.
Now if I can just find a way to sell a few million copies of the new album I'll be all set.
A tour might help boost those album sales....aren't The Vindictives planning a tour? A Ben Weasel/Vindictives tour, now there's a concept! Think about it Ben.
Posted by: Patrick at September 24, 2006 12:44 PMIt made my happy to read that you are really working hard on the new album. From what I read here maybe this will be your best album up to date. I agree with Patrick on the touring thing. I know you may not like to tour but doing it will certainly sell much more copies.
I hope to hear more from you soon,
Gabriel
I dunno, Ben. I like the way you sing in all your old stuff. I just hope your voice doesn't sound too radically different in this album. And as for touring, well, I really don't care. You wouldn't come here, anyway.
Posted by: Kennon at September 24, 2006 03:59 PMI can't wait to hear the new Ben Weasel.
Posted by: Lou at September 24, 2006 04:32 PMSounds like classic Ben Weasel if you ask me. I'm sure this shit will turn out golden either way. Just remember to balance out what "feels" right along with what "sounds" right. Good luck man.
Oh yeah, i agree with the other dudes, a tour would be nice.
Posted by: Andy at September 24, 2006 04:41 PMI hope you're not gonna sing/sound like Pat Boone.
Posted by: Handsome Dan at September 24, 2006 05:58 PMsad thing is that with the internet not as many people buy the records these days.
Posted by: sam h at September 24, 2006 07:40 PMYou just make us wanna hear it now!!!, oh another thing Ben, tour, let me see you playing live, please.
Posted by: David Siañez at September 24, 2006 09:18 PMMost bands that became very popular don't even understand what they did specifically.
And I don't want my fav bands to become popular. Hey I've seen Avenged Sevenfold for 5$ 4 years ago, now it's 60$. So don't count on me to give you some hints ;)
Posted by: JosDion at September 24, 2006 09:30 PMSex sells... just wear a man thong, take a picture, and put that as your cover art.. and if that doesnt work.. dying usually makes people a bit more popular.. just throwing a few ideas out there.
Posted by: Ando at September 24, 2006 10:21 PMSell a few million copies of the album? Here's what you do...
1. Call it 'Weasels and Razorblades'
2. Have a massive new 'Ben Weasel' logo on the cover, something classy - like a Weasel in a bandana with a shotgun in it's mouth..
3. Pick 12 of your best tunes from over the years, go into a studio, change the lyrics and the melodies slightly, record 8 layered guitar tracks a side, keyboards in every song but 3 (the fast hardcore-y ones) and get 2 tracks produced/mixed by Chris/Tom Lord-Alge.
4. Get 3 good looking 21-25 year olds to fill out the band (obviously get Lumley back on drums as he's too good to lose).
WILL IT WORK??! Well, it's what every successful new band, from MCR to Sum 41 to AAR (no offence), has done consistently for the last ten years - how could it FAIL?
Posted by: Nadz at September 25, 2006 05:54 AMI don't feel this is entirely off topic since you mentioned it. I find it amazing that any bands last as long as they do. You get a little local following, the lead singer/guitarist get an out of control ego which in turn, alienates his bandmates. I wish you could have mentioned more in your books about the stupid drama that occurs between people, that outside of a band environment, would probably get along well. It can't be talent, becasue there have been just as many shitty bands go 20 years as there have been good ones. I'm not whining about the shitty bands I've played for, it would just be interesting to hear it from someone in your position. I suppose any thing one can do to be better than they were last week is positive.
Posted by: Josh at September 25, 2006 10:02 AMjust wondering if you have caught any of joe beimel and the dodgers games lately. he's on a roll. best year of his career by far. me and joe went to school together. he's always been a weasel fan. later.
Posted by: Benj at September 25, 2006 09:35 PM