Can a band survive a lineup change?

[sunsetjenn]

I've been into bleed the dream for a while and I was skeptical when they had they big changes.  New album and lineup + tour =  ??  myspace.com/bleedthedream.  What does the community think?  Is it a life fail?

IMHO messing with a good thing usually kills it dead.  I think BTD may survive though.

[zephyrxero]

It depends on the band... I've seen many a band change out or drop a member and have their sound completely change, as while I've known some local bands that changed their name everytime they switched a bass player or drummer, but always sounded the same.

I'd say as long as none of the song writers nor the singer leaves the band they can survive the change. But if the band gets a different song writer or singer, they might as well change their name. And this isn't set in stone as it's still going to vary from band to band.

[snedro]

I agree with you Zeph. I find that usually the songwriter is the vocalist, but in anycase, I would hope the band would change their name regardless if the vocalist leaves. Even if they are not the songwriter for the simple fact I consider someone's voice to be instrument and the most vital one at that.

[Reejmon]

Queens Of The Stone Age
- the ever changing band -

and it still works, doesn't it =)
basically it's just Josh Homme. He writes and sings and it all of the albums remain sounding like QOTSA should.

The singer's not always the writer though. Take System Of A Down. The majority of the songs is written by it's lead-gitarist Daron Malakian (he also does vocals by the way). Would you take him out of the band it wouldn't be SOAD anymore. Even if you would still have the same lead-singer.

Changing a band's singer is too big of a change as well. The vocalist is a huge part of the sound of a band and if that's changed, you won't have the same band anymore.

So I think it's only possible for a band to stay that same band if someone leaves.. is as that someone is just a musician.. a drummer, bassist, whatever. When they leave, it still feels like a loss (Metallica's bassist for example), but the band can still continue.


^_^

are my favorite canadians still posting here or have they left too?

[Ballkick]

I'm here for ya Reej!
 

[Reejmon]

awesome ^_^

[snedro]

yeah that is true reej... without either or the writer or vocalist the music wouldn't be the same. To the casual listener though, if a writer was replaced, some might not notice. Bands seem to try something new with every album so I would still consider the vocalist the biggest reason to change the name. Either way losing members is begging for a name change ecspecially the big ones.

[Jonny-h]

Of course a band can survive a lineup change think of many of the older bands that still exist today they have had many lineup changes but they still exist

A band can survive a lineup change as long as the replacement is as good or better than the one before and the fans still support them.

Take iron maiden for example they have had over 12 different lineups yet they are still around although there stile has changed a bit trough out the years.

[snedro]

yeah, you are also right johnny. if you have more of loyal following later on... then that's making a name for yourself with or without the name change. for serious listeners and fans though, especially with iron maiden, skynyrd, etc... you'll see a lot of conflicted interest.