Should my Band be Instrumental or get a vocalist?

phonarr

Title says it all really...

http://trappedinabathtub.bandcamp.com

Reasons for being an instrumental band:
We can't write lyrics
Finding a vocalist that believes in free music, who is a proud nerd and the such has become a pain

Reasons for not being an instrumental band:
The instrumental bands we like, we hold in the highest regard (rodrigo y gabriela, adebisi shank) and we don't think we are of that standard
Each of our songs have very specific messages as far as we're concerned and a vocalist would aid getting those messages across

please tell me what you think

and if your interested in being a vocalist for the band we have that thread here

cheers

CockleHocker

Hey guys! Really digging your stuff - particularly the first one. I really like it. My opinion would be to keep trying for a vocalist/lyricist. I just think it would add a lot to what you're already doing. That's just my opinion though!
Looking forward to hearing more!

phonarr

thanks man

so thats one vote for a vocalist then

Malice

I haven't listened to your music but there's nothing wrong with not having a vocalist. In addition to the bands you mentioned, have a listen to bands like Apocalyptica, Dub Trio or God Is An Astronaut. Their songs still manage to get messages across without vocalists (although singers do make appearances on some of their songs).

In my last band we didn't have a singer mainly because we never found one that was suitable but we also just enjoyed having a three person jam and evolving songs out of the situation.

drumdrum

I like your stuff phonarr.....reminds me of a dancier version of later Muse (Blackholes & Revelations and after...)...

Anyways, I find that having a singer gives the audience an easier method to connect with your band. After all, 99% of the time its the vocal lines that audiences sing back to artists on stage. People generally SING along to songs via the vocal lines, and rarely anything else. Singers in the band are generally the identity of the band and are usually the most irreplaceable in the band due to the unique timbres of everyones voice. That said, iconic melodies such as the guitar solo from Sweet Child of Mine are the exception, but these songs are classics and can take years to write (if at all!)
So I guess it depends if you want to give yourself the easier connectivity with the audience or not.

Now, I did say easier as its not impossible by any means for an instrumental to establish this connection. It just, IMO, takes longer. Personally, I love Explosions in the Sky, so I guess it depends on the band.

Also here is a point to consider....the instrumental bands that are known, tend to be quite "culty" (ie, non-mainstream) and for some reason you dont find them headlining Oxegen or any other major festivals. I know dance artists like the Chemical Bros etc could be a counter argument, but I don't see these as being "bands" per say.

(BTW, I am a singer (well...I try!) so Im probably a bit biased!)
Anyways, best of luck with your search!

phonarr

Thanks for the kind words
and yeah the whole being able to sing along is a big thing I suppose
the only instrumental melody I have ever heard a crowd sing along with is the melody from da funk by daft punk

and Malice, please take a listen
we've been jamming without a vocalist for nearly 3 years now

still looking for more opinions/suggestions