Lead Singer Syndrom

In editing my first blog, I realized I mentioned – but never explained – LSS, or lead singer syndrome. As a hardcore fanatical fan of two bands (and two bands only), I don't have a wide-spread knowledge of this problem, its origins, who has it, and how much of a problem it really is. But also as a hardcore fanatical fan of two bands, I have seen it take down one, and start to destroy the other. For the singer's sake, I will try to leave out some details that I have heard (some of which I know are true, some I'm not too sure), including the band's name (though I'm sure it won't be too hard to figure this one out if I keep writing and you keep reading this blog).

As taught in my first term-paper-writing-classes, I should first define my terms. Lead Singer Syndrom is the condition a lead singer of a semi-successful to successful may get as they rise to fame. Symptoms include a new found egotistical and arrogant nature (and I'm pretty sure that this only occurs *after* people start to ask for autographs at shows and they get a little "famous" within the genre, though I can't be 100% sure, they may have had the ego to start with), and a general lack of interest in/anger at the fans, including being bothered by autograph and picture requests, and passing presents off to tour managers and other handlers in front of the gifter.

So what happens? Well, in my experience, it's the band dream come true: a hard working band gets signed (usually at a pretty early age, like 17-19), and they start touring. Soon, they're headlining, getting recognized walking around the mall the day of the show, getting 100+ myspace messages a day, and getting one or two freaky stalker fans in addition to the legion of teenies who declare (daily, and in a multitude of message boards, facebook walls, and myspace blogs) that they love said lead singer, and they want to get married.

For some band members, it's a dream come true which they obsess over and cherish, in case it doesn't last. Sometimes, however, the lead singer lets it go to their head. They would be famous even without the legions of teenies who promote them and force all their friends to go to the shows. They're talented on their own right, they don't need a label telling them what to do. Sometimes it's aimed at a specific group or person, sometimes it manifests itself as fear, sometimes as annoyance, and sometimes as anger.

The bottom line is this: it pisses off fans. Though I'm sure most people don't know - or care – why one of my favorite bands is currently not touring, there is a small but hard core group of us who have seen the lead singer shy away from fans, running onto the tour bus while the rest of the bands takes pictures, signs autographs, and just hang out (playing football, drinking in parking lots, watching a roadie do magic tricks…true story). There is a reason why we have arguments over who gives the best hugs in the world, Dez or smackin' Mackin, and why the lead singer of said band is not involved in that conversation. And we are upset with him for ruining something that was so important to us.

You want to be a rockstar? You want to get a fanbase to follow your every move, and therefore promote every little thing you do (like buying the most ridiculous merch in the world…honestly, pillow cases and dolls?!?!? What are you, Barbie?), BE NICE and BE INVOLVED!!! These days, it's all about how many posts you can make on your myspace blog, even if they are as dumb as "Today we're on the road, and I just had the most amazing Panda Express I've ever had." It's about how many pictures you can take making a goofy face, and how many people can tag you in those pictures. It's opening up about everything in your life, from arguments with friends to your favorite brand of cookie (because fans will bring you those cookies…if you doubt it, ask Alex Gaskarth how many things of Milanos he would get every show). This isn't the Wizard of Oz people, you are not all-powerful, and kids get annoyed when you think you are (myself included). So pull down the curtain, and admit the fact that you can't really perform magic…but that roadie can