5 June 2007 - Mexico City (Mexico)

[skitzocalypso]

The technique puts strain on your chords and swells them.  When they swell the grit can get so 'far' apart that your range gets really limited.  

He also isn't putting the unnecessary power behind his chords, as you may have noticed in some of those 'Welcome to the Jungle' rants or ESPECIALLY the 'PERFECT CRIME' videos; he's much older and the chords just won't take it.    

The difference between Axl Rose and say, Stephen Tyler, is that Stephen Tyler isn't pinching or restricting his range...he just lets it flow (it's a blues style of singing).  Axl pinches his notes and stays in head voice when he could easily sing in a 'normal' voice; this interruption of the natural air flow also puts a lot of strain on the vocals.  

In Axl Rose's mind if he sings higher/cleaner he's putting less strain on his voice because he's already in 'head voice.'  Even a song like Jungle is just barely in head voice and could be sung otherwise, it would sound like 'shit,' but, it could be done.  

Axl's voice will naturally get more raspy, but it's best for his chords to callous over first; otherwise he'd sound like Brian Johnson after one show or even a couple of songs and struggle his ass off to sing a 'tour.'  

I typically sing in a pretty 'clean' voice, but if I know we're going to cover "Jungle" - then I'll use the technique because I know it's just one 'song.'  I'm also much younger and my voice is going to put up with the abuse.

If I planned on singing like that for an entire tour I would be doing SHITLOADS of warm-ups; that is what Axl has done...so, when you hear him sounding all squeeky, it's because he's in REALLY good shape.  He probably smokes very few cigarettes, drinks very sparingly, etc.

By Japan he'll be getting close to what you 'want' and his voice will be ready for it.  

Axl's the man!!  I think the fact that he's squeeky is an AWESOME sign for all of us.  2002 was different because he wasn't just squeeky, his voice was actually weak, he was out of physical shape and he just couldn't sustain it.  He's obviously done a FANTASTIC job turning his life around.  

[skitzocalypso]

Steve Whiteman actually taught Axl Rose A LOT, back in the day.  He's told me a lot of stories about how Axl was always asking him questions (during the club days). 

He recalls splitting a bottle of whiskey with Axl and really helping him with the business aspect of things.  Kix was on their Blow My Fuse tour (a couple albums in).  Kix were kickin' around in the early 80's. 

Steve actually sings very similar to Axl and I've seen him LIVE, he's still kickin' ass; he's amazing.  I love the guy.  In my opinion, he's one of the most UNDERRATED rock voices, ever.

[ZodiacManzo]

Nice post. That does clear some things Up and could prolly help me with my singing .  I hope axl never sounds like brian johnson does now. Lol. But we should prolly stop talking bout this here before we get yelled at for taking up to much of the updates thread

[star69]

Steve Whiteman actually taught Axl Rose A LOT, back in the day.  He's told me a lot of stories about how Axl was always asking him questions (during the club days). 

He recalls splitting a bottle of whiskey with Axl and really helping him with the business aspect of things.  Kix was on their Blow My Fuse tour (a couple albums in).  Kix were kickin' around in the early 80's. 

Steve actually sings very similar to Axl and I've seen him LIVE, he's still kickin' ass; he's amazing.  I love the guy.  In my opinion, he's one of the most UNDERRATED rock voices, ever.

my old band used to play cold blood and its not easy to sing.

[Bach&Roses]

Amazing!

I'm a Heavy Metal singer and I just love all you can do with your voice. I don't limit myself. I love hitting high notes (Judas Priest, Maiden like) and in the same song goin' a little raw (Guns, Snakepit) I also learned to control a deeper voice (Pantera, Sepultura).
It's just amazing how much you can do by really puttin' your heart into something.

Drinkin'? I don't drink alcoholic beverages (except red wine), milk, juice or eat meat, bread, cheese, stuff like that before a show (a week before a show)...

Chewing ice is pretty good... 5 minutes before you go on stage and 5 minutes after you're done.

[ZodiacManzo]

Are there any updates yet?

[mookie]

Yeah. Scared to play in the U.S.

[jamarketing02]

Great post about the vocals......clears some stuff up.

Now onto tonight.  Do you guys agree, AND I KNOW THIS HAS BEEN BROUGHT UP BEFORE SO DON'T GET OUT THE WHOOPING STICK, that even if we are only going to hear 3-5 new songs (which i'm personally fine w/), they should at least tweak the solos, mix up the setlist.

Maybe stick it all out and open w/ someone besides WTTJ.  Maybe start off with Better, make a statement that this is the "Chinese Democracy" tour and not just the "World Tour".  FYI, it now states "chinese democracy tour" on their OFFICIAL site.  That is good news........

[Vandermint]

The difference between Axl Rose and say, Stephen Tyler, is that Stephen Tyler isn't pinching or restricting his range...he just lets it flow (it's a blues style of singing).  Axl pinches his notes and stays in head voice when he could easily sing in a 'normal' voice; this interruption of the natural air flow also puts a lot of strain on the vocals.  

In Axl Rose's mind if he sings higher/cleaner he's putting less strain on his voice because he's already in 'head voice.'  Even a song like Jungle is just barely in head voice and could be sung otherwise, it would sound like 'shit,' but, it could be done.  

Darn interesting post. I wish you could put up a youtube video of yourself that could explain this further, particularly the differences between Steven Tyler and Axl. I'm not sure I understand what you mean there--is one any "better" than the other? Are you saying there's a difference between, say, the high parts of "Dream On" and "WTTJ"?

[RickRoses]

Darn interesting post. I wish you could put up a youtube video of yourself that could explain this further, particularly the differences between Steven Tyler and Axl. I'm not sure I understand what you mean there--is one any "better" than the other? Are you saying there's a difference between, say, the high parts of "Dream On" and "WTTJ"?

Steven Tyler absolutey OWNS the stage,
you cant take your eyes off him
i saw aerosmith in december :P
whereas Axl is kinda the same,
but only becuz Slash N' Duff arent there

--no disrespect to the new band tho....

[Jimbo513]

Great info about vocals. To further explain, Steven Tyler's technique would be considered proper, classically speaking. Classical singers are trained to relax the throat and use air flow to sing higher. More air = higher notes. I think Axl constricts his throat more when he sings higher. I think Axl sounds like he does because he constricts his throat, but he is also pushing a lot of air through it too. I think 02 was because he was out of shape and didn't have the airflow.

I'm not as schooled as the other guy though, so I could be wrong. I only took vocal lessons for a year.

I'd be interested to hear more.

[Randy Jesus]

I cant wait to hear if something different is going to happen!

BTW Did EMS get shutdown? I went to check up on those freaks and there was nothing.

[skitzocalypso]

I don't want to fuck up this thread for the updates -- message me at:  www.myspace.com/skitzocalypso

[Matty22]

I cant wait to hear if something different is going to happen!

BTW Did EMS get shutdown? I went to check up on those freaks and there was nothing.

Yea, what did happen to EMS? I went there a while ago and there was nothing, but I just thought it was the computer

[BLS-Pride]

Welcome to the Jungle
It's So Easy
Mr. Browstone
Live and Let Die
Robin Solo
Sweet Child O'Mine
Better