The topic of lip syncing and using backing tracks stays one of many hottest, most divisive subjects in rock and steel proper now and weighing in on each is drummer Mikkey Dee (Scorpions, Motorhead), who explains when it’s and is not okay to undertake the practices.
The topic is one that’s monitored carefully by the Syncin’ Stanley YouTube channel, which regularly seeks opinions from rock and steel artists with a main intention (as specified by the channel’s “about” part) to mock KISS and, specifically, Paul Stanley. The channel even spoke with KISS supervisor Doc McGhee and uncovered that the band is certainly utilizing backing tracks, however that Stanley can be singing alongside to them every evening.
Commissioning a response from Dee through Cameo, Syncin’ Stanley received the drummer to open up about all of it, revealing that even the late Lemmy Kilmister, a famous no-frills rocker, understood when backing tracks may very well be a helpful ingredient of a dwell present.
Mikkey Dee on lip syncing and backing tracks
“Lip syncing sucks huge time. I hate it. That is not enjoyable in any respect,” Dee says outright (transcription through Blabbermouth), “However with regards to backing tracks, typically it is not too dangerous, in the event you use it in a correct means.”
Reasoning when it is a truthful software, he goes on, “For instance, you may have a rhythm guitar as a backtrack in sure solos. We by no means had it with Motorhead, ever. And I do know a number of bands that need to refill sure components of a tune with some backing tracks — possibly a guitar, a rhythm guitar normally, or possibly some sort of keyboard or one thing — simply to refill areas the place it is unimaginable to play. And in the event you recorded one thing and also you dubbed one thing on there, some little theme or one thing, I believe that is okay; that is not too dangerous. I can dwell with that, so long as the remainder of the tune is being performed correctly.”
“However lip syncing — completely no. And backing tracks, in the event you use them correctly; in the event you use them, I’d say the way in which they had been meant,” the 59-year-old drummer reiterates, “However a number of bands would possibly use backing tracks for the entire musical a part of it. And belief me, I hate that — completely horrible.”
READ MORE: Let’s Speak Concerning the Backing Tracks / Laptop computer Debate – Is It Actually That Huge of a Deal?
So, what would Lemmy suppose?
“Lemmy had the identical sort of view, I suppose, as me, as a result of we by no means used backing tracks,” Dee replies when requested about his longtime bandmate’s perspective, “However typically it may have been okay to do it, as a result of it possibly received too skinny in sure sort of solo or one thing, as a result of we had been solely three [members in Motorhead]. So he did not prefer it. He would by no means do it.”
Even with Lemmy, it is not a rule of absolutes, nevertheless.
Dee explains, “However he may see bands that used it in a correct means, in a great way. Then I believe it is acceptable after which it is all proper. However I do not suppose he would love it. He can be largely towards it. I believe it is okay right here and there, as I mentioned, within the case of… relying on what sort of tune they wanted to work on, to refill, as I mentioned, a solo, a B part, possibly a theme in a solo — I imply, in a refrain — additionally play one thing like that. However the tune must be performed by the band and the band solely dwell. That is my view on it.”
View the complete video clip under.
Who else has spoken about this these days?
Earlier this month, guitar virtuoso Marty Friedman provided his ideas on the matter, additionally on the Syncin’ Stanley channel.
“Who cares? I do not actually know something about that aspect of it; I do not know if [Paul Stanley] does or if he does not. However in the event you’re caring about lip-syncing and issues which can be occurring, you may’t go to any gigs anymore as a result of even … indie bands are doing every kind of stuff with tracks and click on tracks and including vocals,” he says, partly.
Mikkey Dee on Lip Syncing + Utilizing Backing Tracks
Bands Who Have Admitted to Utilizing Backing Tracks
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