The topic of lip syncing and using backing tracks stays one of many hottest, most divisive matters 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 incessantly seeks opinions from rock and steel artists with a major 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 also be singing alongside to them every evening.
Commissioning a response from Dee by way of 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 aspect of a reside present.
Mikkey Dee on lip syncing and backing tracks
“Lip syncing sucks massive time. I hate it. That is not enjoyable in any respect,” Dee says outright (transcription by way of Blabbermouth), “However with regards to backing tracks, generally it isn’t too unhealthy, should you use it in a correct means.”
Reasoning when it is a truthful software, he goes on, “To illustrate, you could possibly have a rhythm guitar as a backtrack in sure solos. We by no means had it with Motorhead, ever. And I do know plenty of bands that need to replenish sure elements of a track with some backing tracks — perhaps a guitar, a rhythm guitar often, or perhaps some type of keyboard or one thing — simply to replenish areas the place it is unimaginable to play. And should you recorded one thing and also you dubbed one thing on there, some little theme or one thing, I feel that is okay; that is not too unhealthy. I can reside with that, so long as the remainder of the track is being performed correctly.”
“However lip syncing — completely no. And backing tracks, should you use them correctly; should you use them, I’d say the way in which they have been supposed,” the 59-year-old drummer reiterates, “However plenty 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 Discuss In regards to the Backing Tracks / Laptop computer Debate – Is It Actually That Large of a Deal?
So, what would Lemmy suppose?
“Lemmy had the identical type 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 generally it might have been okay to do it, as a result of it perhaps received too skinny in sure type of solo or one thing, as a result of we have been solely three [members in Motorhead]. So he did not prefer it. He would by no means do it.”
Even with Lemmy, it isn’t a rule of absolutes, nonetheless.
Dee explains, “However he might see bands that used it in a correct means, in a great way. Then I feel it is acceptable after which it is all proper. However I do not suppose he would love it. He could be largely towards it. I feel it is okay right here and there, as I stated, within the case of… relying on what sort of track they wanted to work on, to replenish, as I stated, a solo, a B part, perhaps a theme in a solo — I imply, in a refrain — additionally play one thing like that. However the track must be performed by the band and the band solely reside. That is my view on it.”
View the complete video clip beneath.
Who else has spoken about this recently?
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 should you’re caring about lip-syncing and issues which might be occurring, you possibly can’t go to any gigs anymore as a result of even … indie bands are doing all types of stuff with tracks and click on tracks and including vocals,” he says, partly.
Mikkey Dee on Lip Syncing + Utilizing Backing Tracks
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