Fifty Amp Fuse and The Power Of Exceptional Vocals
Posted on 26. Aug, 2010 by Per Bristow in Performance, Singing
I had a terrific experience Monday. When you think about it, few experiences are as great as when you get to experience really great music and great musicians. Besides sharing my experience, I’m also here in this blog going to make some suggestions that hopefully help and inspire you to improve your voice, band/group and performances. In addition, I encourage you to share your experiences and thoughts on the subject matter in the comment section below.
So here’s what happened to me Monday night…
Fifty Amp Fuse were in town!
Yes, I admit it, I am a little biased as they are my clients. However, although I have coached several of the guys, I have never had the opportunity to see them live. (They are from Detroit.) I’d heard recordings and seen videos of course (see www.FiftyAmpFuse.com), but this is one of those bands that one just has to experience live. If you ever get the chance, don't miss it! First off, allow me to congratulate them here publicly. I know how hard they have worked, and I am obviously extra excited for them since I know what great guys they are. However, I was just as excited for pure musical reasons. And judging by how the rest of the crowd went nuts, I sure wasn’t alone.
So let’s talk about what it is that makes a band great and what I believe you can gain from this discussion. But first, to give you a better understanding where I’m going with this, let me share a little of what Fifty Amp Fuse does.
Fifty Amp Fuse is a “tribute band” in the best way possible – they are truly paying tribute to the greatest music from the 60s and on. Now the remarkable thing is that they don’t have one great singer. They have six phenomenal singers! You got Tam Johnstone behind the drums bringing down the house covering styles from Stones to Eminem. You got Allen David’s awesome smooth vocals taking the lead in numerous songs. You got Remy Lambert who goes from Barry White, to getting the crowd roaring in Sweet Home Alabama, to delivering rock “screams” only Steve Tyler (Aerosmith) can do. You got David Eversole embodying Marvin Gaye – and this is at the same time he’s playing the bass! Yes, these guys are superb instrumentalists as well as singers.
Then you have Peter Shaw (previously lead singer with Trans-Siberian Orchestra) entering the stage in a bunch of numbers, singing Bohemian Rhapsody in a way that Freddie Mercury could only do on good nights (And Freddie sure was an awesome singer). And then Brian Lord lets loose taking on Guns N' Roses,Journey and more like very few singers can. Add to that the addition of guitar virtuoso (and singer) Louis Metoyer, as well as a choir in some of the numbers, and you have no other choice than to either gape in awe, close your eyes and just enjoy, or sing and dance along.
You can, by the way, go here to see an interview I did with Remy earlier this year
Now there are a lot of things we could study and talk about – from their instrumental skills, to how they practice, to how they effectively have built the show. However, for now let’s talk about vocals.
Take a song like, for example, Bohemian Rhapsody, where the lead vocals in this case were phenomenal. However, there is something extremely important that takes the song to yet another dimension… and that is the additional vocals.
When I was in my teens there was a local band trying to do Earth Wind & Fire songs. They got the groove down, they got the brass section, but hello… where were the vocals? They seemed to forget that EW&F was a phenomenal vocal band. I hear bands all the time where the lead vocals may be okay, but … where are the additional vocals? Additional vocals add a completely new dimension to a song.
Listen to your favorite bands and listen to the additional vocals. The problem is that many bands can’t pull it off live (even the famous ones). That is, once again, why it is so rewarding to hear a band like Fifty Amp Fuse pull it off. You get six voices like that together (seven with Louis) and you have something absolutely extraordinary.
Per Bristow backstage with FiftyAmpFuse – www.FiftyAmpFuse.com and www.YourGenerationInConcert.com
Beatles knew the value of vocals of course. Try doing a concert of Beatles songs with only one vocalist. But the truth is, most great bands have multiple singers who can sing well. Listen to your favorite bands. Listen to the additional vocals. Listen to the details.
Anyone who has sung in a band, group or choir, knows what an incredibly feeling it is to be part of voices coming together. It’s an incredible experience for the audience too. Have you had that experience?
So here’s my suggestion. If you play in a band, encourage all of the members to develop their voices. I guarantee you will be able to create a new dimension to your songs, a far more exciting experience for the audience, and greater success for your band.
I’m not saying additional vocals always need to be in harmony. Unison can be powerful too. And certainly not all songs need additional vocals – especially not if it’s a more intimate song, but try it out.
And if you sing backups or sing with a group or choir, I recommend you adapt the mindset of a soloist. Embrace and get comfortable with the idea of being a soloist.
That doesn’t mean it is an ego driven idea of wanting to take over from the lead vocalist. It means you are in charge of what you do and you do it with confidence. Just like the goalie is in charge of his role on a soccer team or the drummer is in charge of what he does in the band.
When you have great individual skills, and you bring them together, that’s when you have a great team.
So now I would like you to share your experience of voices coming together. Do you remember your first experience of singing in harmony? Have you had some great experiences as an audience member? Have you had experiences of songs being enhanced when you added additional vocals? Have you had experiences of when bands/teams went to a new level? Please add your comment below.
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Michelle Dennis
23. Dec, 2010
Thanks Remy, I wish I could get my guys to rehearse 6-8 hours. Problem is that all the other guys voices are shot after a couple of hours. You can really hear the difference after a while, harmonies going flat and it starts sounding like crap. Good to know you warm up . I try to do that but the other guys don’t much. I haven’t done Per’s material, but am seriously considering it. Maybe that would help my band too. Good to hear how much you practice anyway Puts things into perspective. Thanks.
Don Pardoe
27. Nov, 2010
I have been blessed with the opportunity to be a part of a band similar to Fifty Amp Fuse where all members were tremendous instrumentalists as well as vocals. It was a Christian band called GLAD. Many knew us a an acapella group because our acapella material was very popular but we recorded several band records as well and did band numbers in our concerts. I agree with Per in that there is something remarkable about the experience of locking together vocally with a group regardless of what size it is. There is a point in where when vocals sing together tightly it is as though they multiply! All of a sudden you are looking at 3 or 5 singers but it sounds like 10 or 20! I experienced this often in GLAD as our voices were similar and we all sang as Per suggested "like soloists". I have also experienced this with my choir that I direct. I have heard choirs with 300+ vocals that did not get this concept and as a result they sounded like 50+. I have also heard choirs that DID get this concept and could get the sound of a 300+ voice choir out of 50 people! It is a great experience for both the performer and the audience!
Nadine
31. Aug, 2010
Jenny ( two comments above) you took the words out of my mouth
Cathryn
31. Aug, 2010
Type your comment here…
I'd just like to share my experience with you. My choir sang evensong at Westminster Abbey in London on Friday and it was a great experience to sing in such an old and famous building. That was obviously a totally different type of music but I agree that you need to be thinking like a soloist in that you should know exactly what you are doing without relying on anyone else. You should also be listening to the other singers and making sure you are blending well with them. I have had singing lessons with various teachers over the years but I found that Per's different approach (including the thoughtful essays) very helpful. My main problem is time to put it all into practice!
Jenny
31. Aug, 2010
I'd like to talk to an ordinary person who has used the singing course and found it beneficial. I've listened to the promotional videos and found the explanations rather long, with little practical singing that would convince me that the method could work for me.
I have had singing lessons, but with a someone who teaches "formal" singing for opera type music and choral works and after a year the improvement wasn't as much as I'd hoped. I can sing in tune but have a very weak voice with little colour or tone. I would love to be able to sing ordinary, popular songs and be able to get high notes without cracking. I can get a top C in exercises but not "for real" if you know what I mean.
I don't have money to waste. If a non professional singer can convince me they were truly helped by the course I'd buy it today.
Jenny
31. Aug, 2010
I'd like to talk to an ordinary person who has used the singing course and found it beneficial. I've listened to the promotional videos and found the explanations rather long, with little practical singing that would convince me that the method could work for me.
I have had singing lessons, but with a someone who teaches "formal" singing for opera type music and choral works and after a year the improvement wasn't as much as I'd hoped. I can sing in tune but have a very weak voice with little colour or tone. I would love to be able to sing ordinary, popular songs and be able to get high notes without cracking. I can get a top C in exercises but not "for real" if you know what I mean.
I don't have money to waste. If a non professional singer can convince me they were truly helped by the course I'd buy it today.
RickyR
30. Aug, 2010
Do you take medication? I'm thinking about taking meds. I feel like many successful people do secretly or not secretly take some form of medication that proves to stabilize their mind and give them a stronger drive or many a better span of focus..
I know it's a personal question and has nothing to do with your blog, but I'm curious.
I do like your blog, although long and full of extra details that didn't interest me, excuse me if I'm being too blunt, please, excuse me.. But I did benefit from what you said about getting all the band members to tune up their voices and I do like the idea of having not only 6 but a more fuller or complete number of 7 singers.. I bet one can then fill up an album all the more easier than.. I would be like the Wu-tang Clan but in a Straight out Rock Version!! And I also like how you said about developing the mind-frame of a soloist just to concentrate on developing one's self better. Not to say, as you said, to develop a mind-frame of striving to take things over and gain full control.. Good stuff, and I do look forward to purchasing your voice improving techniques.. I'm just waiting to get back on track with my money.. Thanks for the free advice however.. Have a Great Life!
Bill
27. Aug, 2010
Thanks Remy, I wish I could get my guys to rehearse 6-8 hours. Problem is that all the other guys voices are shot after a couple of hours. You can really hear the difference after a while, harmonies going flat and it starts sounding like crap. Good to know you warm up . I try to do that but the other guys don't much. I haven't done Per's material, but am seriously considering it. Maybe that would help my band too. Good to hear how much you practice anyway Puts things into perspective. Thanks.
Maria
27. Aug, 2010
I am a backup singer in the Worship Band at our church and what you said Per about having the mindset of a soloist I totally agree with. I have been adopting that mindset for the last couple of months and my confidence has soared plus it helps the lead singer more when they know they have strong backups. We also have a choir and when you hear all the harmonies come together it is wonderful. I love your post Adam and know where you are coming from, I used to spend hours working on harmonies and the time just used to fly, I loved it. Good luck in finding a producer.
Tim Mac
27. Aug, 2010
Speaking of other members in a band (other than the vocalist) who can sing, check out Deen Castronovo from Journey. He is my favourite drummer from back in the day and I only recently discovered how amazing his voice is too! Check out this awesome performance of 'Mother Father' below!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qIleW-ntj4
PraveenSawh
26. Aug, 2010
That was simply awsome guys! You all are great at what you do, and more than that, you do it together. Hope you come to Toronto soon.
Remy
26. Aug, 2010
Depending on where we are…on the road we may have a vocal rehearsal backstage with just an acoustic guitar and all of the vocalists working out the parts and harmonies. we once learned all of the vocal parts to "we are the champions" by queen while all driving in the van from Detroit to Cleveland. when home, we will find a stretch where we have 3 to 4 days off and do a full blown rehearsal and learn new material over the course of 6 to 8 hrs in one day and then slowly bring the new material in.
Sometimes it can be a problem when two people want to sing the same song and we'll usually let both try and usually it's fairly obvious who does the better job…or if someone wants to sing a particular song badly I recommend rehearsing it on your own and have Per help with any trouble spots then bring it to the band fully learned.
We like having all of the singers because we cover such a diverse amount of music ,so the listeners have a very wide ranged experience when they see us.
I warm-up anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour every day I perform.
Thanks for all of your comments
Bill
26. Aug, 2010
I don't know if this is the forum to ask questions to Fifty Amp Fuse but I too would like to know how you rehearse. Do you practice the harmonies A Cappella or with music. How much to you practice together? How much do you practice by yourselves? Thanks
Jenny
26. Aug, 2010
Per, I just watched the video interview with you and Remy. Really interesting. I've had voice problems in the but have gotten over it and am now singing in an a cappela group. I agree with the power of multiple vocals. Well that's the whole point with an a cappela group of course, but it is really amazing to hear the blend of voices and the harmonies several voices can create. Nice post!
Jon Jacoby
26. Aug, 2010
Thanks Per,
I agree vocal ensemble makes the difference. It's hard to get musicians (particularly in rock) to see the value of ensemble. It took me a year to convince my band to put some work on our harmonies and when we did everything else improved. We listened to each other, the groove tightened and we smiled more. People asked what we did to get so good.
My solo guitar playing is coming along. I'm working at a local venue, Rafters Restaurant as sound man and stage manager. I play solo guitar on Sunday at Rafters and at The Weston. I'm forming a Classical duo with cellist David Hubner and have been busy arranging pieces for our show Sept 12. The concentration required to arrange has improved my focus while playing. I feel it's the same with ensemble vocals. Concentrating on detail and perfecting execution.
Hope to see you and the kids this winter again at Mammoth!
Jon
Jimmy R.
26. Aug, 2010
This was so inspiring Per! I would love to see these guys live! I'm in a band (singer and lead guitar) and we've mostly been in the studio recording songs. The goal is to try to get out and play live more:)
I actually have some questions for Fifty Amp Fuse —
1. SInce there are so many of you in the band who are great singers – how do you choose who sings what song?
2.How come you do have several lead singers and not just one front man?
3. How do you keep up the practice when you are on the road?
Thanks Per and Fifty Amp Fuse!
-J
Adam
26. Aug, 2010
My name is Adam K. Granderson, originally from Hungary, living in London since 2 years.
I totally agree with you Per, the good vocals and singing in a group can give a totally different experience as a singer or audience as well. For example a powerful ensemble number from a broadway musical can make you feel excitement and joy, just feeling the energy from a group an amazing thing.
I am the kind of singer who loves arranging vocals and working on harmonies for my own songs. When I started to sing, I was listening music, and a lot of times sang harmonies with the lead singer on the tape, that was so cool.
If you have time, check out my songs on myspace, I wrote the background vocals as well. These are only demos, looking for a good producer at the moment.
I am following your program, watching the videos, but I did not have the chance to afford the lessons yet. I have problem with reaching high notes without cracking my voice, I pushed up my range very slowly with hard work, but it is still not enough to get a role on West End. As soon as I am getting in a better position, will buy ur lessons, heard so many good things about it, and very curious as well.
Have a good day, Per!
Ermina Tsounis
26. Aug, 2010
This was cool to see..sweet inspiration, thank you.. Ermina
jeff
26. Aug, 2010
Tho I have not ordered the complete lesson, as of yet, just the five videos have helped me considerably, not only my vocals, but when I relaxed enough to actually reach and get thru a solo version of Stings Message in a bottle, I realized I had a "Death grip" on my guitar neck, and was applying much more pressure chording, and even more mental pressure playing and singing at the same time, and what I considered a very tricky vocal-guitar tune became almost immediatly "do-able". I had problems just w the guitar part before. I had quit playing for years, played in several rather "heavy" rock bands years ago, and now actually considering doing some solo acoustic performances locally. Mr. Bristows video made an immediate diffrence that I will eventually send him an example.