Just Another Suicide (Punk Rock)

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FoulPhil

FoulPhil

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I'm not sure this is going to be the final version. I've worked on this song so much I think it's just time to call it finished. There are always too many options on what can be done and little changes that could be made.

Anyway, I asked Greg L if he would be willing to do the drums for this and he was kind enough to help me out and did all the stuff that comes after mixing it.

I just want to see what people think about it. What's good, what's not. Does it grab you or does it turn you off? What would you have done differently?

It's just good ol' punk rock...

http://www.lightningmp3.com/live/file.php?id=22341
 
As an ex punk fan/player I think this song might work better a lot faster - but I'm sure you don't wand to go back to the drawing board so, on this version, I think the snare is too thin and, on headphones at least, the guitars sound a bit too loud and too distorted. Punk guitars are (were) usually quite clean, just played hard!
 
American Punk Rock was not always so clean. Just to name a few: the Misfits, the Circle Jerks, Black Flag etc.

I wanted it to be sludgier and it had way more distorted guitars, but they caused way too much mud in the mix. It probably should of been done faster it's kind of odd being as slow as it is, but maybe I'll do another version of the song some time.

That's part of the beauty of home recording. You can do it as many times as you feel like doing it.

Thanks for listening and putting in your two cents. I'll keep it in mind for next time.
 
Yeah, tempo makes this seem really sluggish and not at all edgy or "punk". Punk doesn't need to be fast, but it needs more drive than this has. The vocals are a big part of this too, they don't have any real bite to them, and using swear words without the appropriate amount of snarl just sounds weak.
 
Thanks for the input I'll keep that in mind next time I'm experimenting.

It was meant to be a slow sludgy song. What do you mean by more drive? Not enough feeling in the vocals? Maybe needs more energy?

I thought singing "FUCKING BEEEE EEEEEE" real purty would be something different to try :D
 
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Yeah. Of course punk can be slower and sludgier, but it should never be "smooth" at that tempo. Listen to the Ramones "53rd and 3rd" for example... it's slow and sludgy but has a shit-ton of attitude in the music and the vocals. Then of course there is the Misfits, who you mentioned. They have slower songs but they always have that dark, edgy sound in them.
 
Yeah I get ya. So, it's got too much harmony for punk rock? I like trying to do something different you know? It's good to know what just sucks and what's worth working on. I'm in a baby stage where I can do what ever I want, but I don't really know what to do...
 
Yeah, I definitely hear what others have been saying about the edge... The way I hear it is, if you removed the vocals altogether, the sound of the song would provide more than enough edge to make this one good. The problem is the vocals aren't screamed, they aren't yelled, and they pretty much fall pretty flat when compared to the drums / guitars / bass. To do something that slow, and maintain the emotion of punk, you've really gotta pour your soul into the song. You've gotta sing like it's the last song you're ever going to sing, and make it as gnarly as possible.

That done, this song would be 100% better in my opinion.

But then again, I'm not really a punk connoisseur. :D

Great sound all around, bro. Keep it up, and get singing like you mean it!
 
I thought this was pretty good for punk. Yeah, the voice needs that safety-pin-thru-the-nose-fuck-ya-all-where's-my-beer-vomit-all-over-you-don't- give-a-fuck feel...:D
Greg's drums sound great, guitars buzz nicely. Don't think it needs to be faster, the Stranglers weren't that fast...
Put some Johnny Rotten edge in that voice and you're set.;)

Joey :):):):)
 
I agree the vocals could be raunchier, but I guess some of yall haven't heard many Misfits songs. Danzig routinely sang with a smooth and toneful voice while all around him was chaos.
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The Ramones did too. A fun, upbeat, poppy song about a serial killer.
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Punk doesn't always have to be spit, snot, and screams. Sometimes it's really cool to hide a menacing message in a sweetish sounding song. ;)
 
Right, but both of those songs have more "edge" in the instrumental performance, and of course are faster. Plus, I think the vocals are edgier than this song, too. The singers are both pushing hard, even though they aren't necessarily screaming or yelling. There is also the irony factor, obviously the Ramones track you posted is meant to sound extra sweet to offset the messed up lyrical theme.
 
I was actually thinking that the vocals kind of have a Danzig-y feel or tone to them. Maybe the they just need more energy. You probably don't need to growl them, but I think you need to sound more enthusiastic.

I think upping the tempo would help a lot with pretty much everything.

The sudden change-up near the end was cool. The dance/disco beat really made it more energetic.
 
i think the vocals sound like you just woke up. Just a little too lethargic, you know? dig the tune though, made my 10 month old start groovin'!!
 
Yeah I get what you guys are saying. It's the vocal performance that needs improvement. Instead of holding back for a smooth even tone you guys want more of a pour your heart out type feel to it.

I did hold back a lot to keep the levels even and smooth. I guess that's something I should seriously work on. What's the point of putting in all the effort I put into this just for the vocals to kill it.

My thoughts during the process of recording and editing the vocals was that I got a really clean and smooth sound, but I didn't take into consideration that it was lacking the power it needed to be more entertaining.

Thanks for all the input, I really appreciate it.

My next version will be MUCH different. :D
 
Groovy. I could really dig this with a more energetic vibe. Like I said, you don't need to scream or yell, just put more oomph into it.
 
What do you think about this guys singing? He kind of takes it easy with his vocal style although it does kick in.

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I love this one...

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I LOVE Greg Graffin and Bad Religion. He definitely is giving it his all at almost all times, I would say.
 
On a lot of his verses it doesn't sound like he's putting much into it although he does. He obviously makes his sound work.
 
I suppose what he's doing is using the vocals to add dynamics to the song. In "Conquer the World", the difference between him straining on the choruses and taking it easy on the verses is the only dynamic variety.
But even when he's taking it easy, the rest of the instruments have an incredibly high energy level.
 
VomitHatSteve said:
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But even when he's taking it easy, the rest of the instruments have an incredibly high energy level.
Click to expand...

That's what I felt when I listened, there was no real energy to the song. Whether the vocals made it feel that way or not I don't know. I'd need to hear it without the vocals to make that decision.

Phil, you said the beauty of home recording is you can do things over and over till you get it right. It can also be an achillies heel if you're always thinking.......oops, oh...I can sort that further down the line.

Any of my own recordings I'm usualy pumped up playing the parts and if I make a mistake I get annoyed and even more determined to nail it the next take. Keeps it sounding alive. Same goes for me recording other bands, I'm always cracking the whip and getting them fired up and excited to be recording in the first place.....It goes a long way to getting a "performance" and the performance to me is 80% of the song. The other 20% breaks down over the song, melody, audio quality, the mix etc.

What am I saying here? Do it again and FUCKING NAIL IT!! :D
 
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