The Field Guide To 10 Common Frontman Styles
August 15th, 2008
Fronting a band is no easy feat, and once you’ve ‘hit the bigtime’ you have to decide which role (and essentially, game) you want to play. Do you want to use your powers of fame for good by spreading the gospel of philanthropy and fierce fashion? Or spiral out of control and make headlines by acting mouthy and unpredictable? Or maybe you want to forge a genuinely deep connection with your fans night after night? I mean, some singers defy classification or bleed from one category to another (Liam Gallagher’s both a Pseudo Diva AND a Stoic), but you can pretty much lump most leading men (and ladies!) into one of these categories. Allow me to present you with The Field Guide To The 10 Most Common Frontman Styles.
1. THE MESS
When “The Mess” is at the helm of a band you never know if you’ll get your money’s worth at a show (if anything at all). These volatile and unpredictable future Betty Ford Clinic patients seemingly spend their nights (and days!) partying hard, performing impromptu ‘Home Improvement’-esque renovations of their hotel rooms, and having their JD & coke-induced asses poured into limos by music label dinks. By the time their scheduled show rolls around, they’re either too tired or too hungover to perform properly, or they’re so cranky that it takes some major publicist coaxing and damage control to prevent a major meltdown. Guns ‘N Roses’ Axl Rose demanding a sitdown roast beef dinner before eventually coming out to perform hours behind schedule is just the kind of behaviour you’d expect from The Mess.
Other Messes: Amy Winehouse, Pete Doherty, Courtney Love
2. THE SPAZ
Thank goodness a drummer like Dave Grohl stepped out from behind the drum kit after his tenure in Nirvana, because the dude’s got an incredible amount of energy that was begging to be unleashed. We’re talking nuclear fusion energy on a cosmic spaz level that Foo Fighters fans get to enjoy at every single show and interview appearance. Like Dave, “The Spaz” is known for having boundless energy on stage, bouncing around like an ADD sufferer on a Ritalin withdrawal and thrashing about like the gender bender from ‘Silence of the Lambs’ (’it rubs the lotion on its skin’) with his genitals clamped between his thighs, which, by the way, is not an easy thing to do. It’s exhausting just watching them, and you wonder how the f**k they do it night after night without collapsing mid-set.
Other Spazzes: Gerard Way, Andrew WK
3. THE ECCENTRIC
“The Eccentric” is a fashion mogul of sorts, but, far from being a trendsetter, his or her regalia is so over-the-top outrageous that it appears to hail from a parallel earth where the history of the world progressed such that Elton John circa 1973 represented the pinnacle of cultural evolution. The Eccentric has oodles of confidence and panache and is in no way body conscious or introverted, which can be a boon or a hindrance depending how you look at it. Think skintight paisley bodysuits a la Lovefoxx (CSS), Bjork’s floral facial accessories or Patrick Wolf’s knee socks, body glitter and angel wings. Every public appearance is like a Kinder Surprise Egg, except with better chocolate and sometimes, the toy is kind of questionable.
Other Eccentrics: Sabina Sciubba (Brazilian Girls), Cher
4. THE PSEUDO DIVA
The Diva isn’t as as outrageous and demanding as, say, an actual diva (like Mary J. Blige with her gold toilet seat or Mariah Carey with her requests for Throat Coat tea and bendy straws or Jamie Foxx with his demands to be treated like a serious actor), but they’ve got enough idiosynchracies to irritate you. Take, for instance, The Killers’ request for ‘no questions about facial hair’ or Brand New’s Jesse Lacey, who notoriously prohibits the use of ANY camera at shows, complete with camera valet service and prominent signage. God forbid your performance be captured on film and posted on YouTube. Newsflash: You’re an entertainer in the 21st century. You get the feeling that even the tiniest infraction will result in a volcanic eruption not seen since the days of Pompeii or the last Britney public freakout.
Other Pseudo Divas: Rivers Cuomo, Kanye West
5. THE STOIC
When “The Stoic” takes the stage you almost feel like he’s somewhat annoyed to be there, uh, doing the job HE signed up for in the first place. Almost as if he’d rather just call in the performance. Next to no crowd interaction, no song introductions - basically the least talkative and emotive person ever. While Arctic Monkeys somehow manage to give a blistering performance time and again, they stick to the task at hand (rocking your socks off) with frontman Alex Turner supplying zero witty banter or emotion. You wonder if The Stoic’s got stage fright, is really in the ‘zone’, or just wishes they could get the performance over with so they can go back to chilling with their best mates back at the hotel.
Other Stoics: Thom Yorke, Liam Gallagher
6. THE COMMANDER
If someone like Dave Gahan tells you to raise your fists and pump them rhythmically throughout the bridge of a song, then goddammit you WILL listen and follow his lead for as long as he says so. The Commander has an impressive grasp of the audience’s attention and can compel them to play along with the evening’s performance - waving cell phones, singing along to certain verses of songs, helping out with drumbeats, clucking like chickens, whatever. The Commander is an awesome leader, and basks in the respect and adoration of every mesmerized fan.
Other Commanders: Josh Homme, Trent Reznor, Richard Ashcroft
7. THE POLITICO
Many band leaders take the politico route because it’s such an obvious way to reach an enormous audience, and no one’s perfected the ‘art’ of musical humanitarianism better than U2’s Bono. His political agenda goes beyond his band’s lyrics and music - he’s made it his personal mission to spread the gospel on everything from the AIDS epidemic to third world hunger to the plight of people who get itchy when wearing gym socks. The Politico encourages fans to support the underprivileged in their own neighbourhoods, which isn’t such a bad idea per se, but consider the fact that forking out the money needed to actually score a ticket to SEE Senor Politico perform (upwards of $300 last time we checked) is enough to dip your funds below the poverty line in the first place. Some people wish the politico would just STFU and play music, while others promise to join in the efforts that they stand behind.
Other Politicos: Chris Martin, Zack de la Rocha, Thom Yorke
8. THE TRENDSETTING FASHIONISTA
Unlike “The Eccentric”, who sports completely unwearable outfits, The Trendsetting Fashionista manages to be super well-dressed in all the latest (or as yet untapped) fashion trends at every show. Think of all the trends that Gwen Stefani’s succesfully “pioneered” - the bindi, dramatic winged eyeliner, the bare midriff and short shorts, and all this before her clothing line L.A.M.B. was even conceived. In doing so, The Trendsetting Fashionista can influence a legion of look-a-likes, from fans to other bands, and eventually, the mall (by which time the trend has most certainly passed).
Other Trendsetting Fashionistas: Alex Kapranos, The Kooks, Jarvis Cocker
9. THE STUNTMAN
Like The Spaz, The Stuntman is an enthusiastic performer who takes his passion and prowess to the next level with Olympic-worthy physical stunts like highkicks, double axels, running jumps and various other martial arts moves. They climb on equipment, storm into the audience at full force and pepper their performance with other unpredictable behaviour. Ricky Wilson of Kaiser Chiefs can often be seen hightailing it across the stage, crowdsurfing and otherwise endangering his physical well-being while performing. And everybody knows that physical endangerment is usually the most entertaining spectacle of all.
Other Stuntmen: Rou Reynolds, Pete Wentz
10. THE CHATTERBOX
The Chatterbox, polar opposite to The Stoic, reaches out to his fans and aims to perfectly set the groundwork and context for every song he performs. Expect a setlist littered with anecdotes and diatribes, fan interaction and the feeling that you’re getting a personalized show in the privacy of your living room. The Chatterbox will say things like “[your city] is my favourite town to perform in”, but actually means it and has the evidence to back it up. The Chatterbox is most likely to take audience requests or do an audience Q&A while he tunes his guitar or waits for someone to grab him another beer from the bar.
Other Chatterboxes: John Mayer, Gary Lightbody, Dallas Green
We’re only speaking from our own eyewitness accounts and experiences here - what sorts of erratic (or touching) behaviour have your favourite artists displayed? And where the hell does Michael Jackson fit in all of this?
Posted on Friday, August 15th, 2008 at 9:22 am by Kat and is filed under Celebrities & Pop Culture.
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85 Responses to “The Field Guide To 10 Common Frontman Styles”
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Have to back up the previous commenters here — Thom Yorke is definitely not a Stoic. He’s pretty much the poster boy for Spaz.
Oh, and Tori Amos — she’s half Chatterbox and half Eccentric in one slightly manic package.
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I think Lydon (Rotten Sex Pistols) would be a cross between many of these catagories:
1.The Spaz-Man just can’t seem to stay still
2.The ecentric-Recently wore a leafy suit on stage
3.The Pseudo Diva-Wants what he wants when he wants it
4.The commander-Easily leads a crowd
5.Chatterbox-Just loooves to talk
Great list!
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I can see Thom Yorke as a stoic and as not. I saw Radiohead twice this year and first show he was all over the place but the 2nd show I saw he kinda stayed stationary and really didnt talk with the crowd, but then again he mentioned he was a bit jet lagged so that may be the reasoning behind it.
A suggestion for a chatterbox is Jeff Tweedy of Wilco. He is constantly talking with the crowd telling stories or getting song requests, especially during his solo acoustic shows where he even made fun of himself for talking too much
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Eccentric: Peter Gabriel when he was in Genesis
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” “When I hear “Commander”, only Ian McKaye comes to mind.”
first thing that came into my mind as well
‘two steps back’ ”
me too!!!!! i love ian! & i love henry rollins :]
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i think perry farrel can be all at times.
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Yes I have to agree with Joe.
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Dude you can’t say shit about Thom Yorke Or you’ll have the whole fucking internet breathing down your throat because us Radiohead fans are everywhere
and as far as stage performers go I would say Thom Yorke is a commander because though he doesn’t have his fans constantly jumping through hoops he has millions of people that would take a bullet for him in a heart beat
a better example you could you for a stoic would be Robert Smith (the prince of darkness haha) when the Cure played Sasquach I’m fairly sure the only word that came out of Robert smith’s mouth mouth was “Kay”
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You should put Aaron Barret of Reel Big Fish under the chatterbox list
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#2 is not a picture of dave grohl
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@sean: Yeah, I see what you mean!
For the record I am a huge Radiohead fan and have seen them live seven or eight times - almost every show I’ve been at he’s been minimally chatty, uttering only a few words here and there. That’s what I based my description of “stoic” on.But yes, he’s also a commander in a way, and yes, when they play “Idioteque”, he’s a spaz too. So he’s a hybrid of many styles!!
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Not sure if Ed Robertson or Steve Page is the front man for Barenaked Ladies, but they are the consummate chatterboxes. They are the “you’ve got to see them live” band, because the stuff between the songs, with improv rap, anecdotes, spur of the moment covers, jokes, impromptu contests (”I dare anyone to find me a better beard than that guy right there.”) Not full of themselves at all. Full of coke evidently, but not full of themselves.
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julian casablancas = stioc+the mess,
serj tankian = the poltico+the spaz,
corey taylor = the commander+the eccentric,
aaron barret = the chatter box.
myself, i’m a chatter box + spaz + politico.
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how about what about Red hot chili peppers front man Anthony Kiedis, Spaz? or Frontman?
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Since all your other stoics are getting shot down, I’d like to recommend the best example: Ric Ocasek. Seriously, go to YouTube and check out live videos of the Cars. He just stands there, plays, and sings most of the time. It’s quite amazing, actually.
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Whether or not you like him, Billie Joe Armstrong from Green Day should so be under spaz. I mean, if you’ve ever seen any Green Day stuff live, then that’s pretty fucking spazzy.
Also, Gerard Way is also a Commander. I’ve seen MCR in concert multiple times, and their “hardcore” fans worship Gerard like he’s the second fucking coming, and do everything he says, because he is their “savoir’. Those are not my words, but the words of the teeny boppers at the shows.
Also, David Bowie should be under the Eccentric.
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Dave Mustaine. Commander Supreme.
I’ve heard some insane stories of Dave and his incredible ability to control his personal army.
One particularly outstanding story i remember involved Dave noticing a banner hung up which he didn’t agree with. He commanded his army to get rid of it and sure enough, a swarm of people run out and start scaling the wall and each other to rip it down.
Dave Mustaine is all mighty.
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i’d like to suggest one mr. bert mccracken in ‘the stuntman’ category.
and one mr. adam lazzara to the ‘chatterbox’ category.
..and perhaps jimmy urine in the ’spaz’. perhaps.
that is all, i like it. :]
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first off, no dissing Eddy Vedder allowed. i hear you can go to prison for that nowadays. secondly, i think your forgetting Bert McKracken (did i spell that right?) as a stuntman. ive seen him do some crasy stuff on warped tour.
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NO AXL ROSE?
BLASPHEMY !
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fuck that about brandon, he’s the best preformer at the moment in the business so step back you brotha hatin emo!!!
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Keith Murray and Chris Cain (We Are Scientists) fit into the Chatterbox category. They take a break every three songs or so to give a comedic commentary on whatever they’re doing, have done, or are planning to do.
Case and point: In Indianapolis, they asked where the after party was. An audience member replied, “The quarry!” and it all went downhill from there.
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Some of the pictures are wrong.
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Gerard is too a spaz. in the best way possible. he’s unpredictable on stage, you never know what he’s going to do next. he never just stands there and sings. that’s what is great about him.
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You left out Adam Lazzara as a prime example of the stuntman. You know, when he’s not being a spaz. I’m pretty sure hanging from the rafters and knocking your bassist out with a microphone kind of counts as both…
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Thom is a complete spaz and I’ve been to shows with crowd interaction. He can be really fun. Josh from QOTSA seemed stoic to me at the shows I’ve been to. But all else looks dead on. And Trent does command with an iron fist and it’s lovelier each time.
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Adam Lazzara definitely belongs in the stuntman category; I’m surprised he’s not even listed under chatterbox.
And Gerard Way is an excellent spaz.
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Where on earth is Morrissey in the Politico category?? I’ve never seen anyone put more politics in their music. Meat is Murder anyone?
And Isaac Brock (Modest Mouse) is definitely a chatterbox. He once stopped a song to talk about how he took tap dancing lessons when he was like six.
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You pretty much really described Gerard in that Spaz category. He is amazing in concert, as well as the rest of the band. And stop bashing A7X guys. They’ve stated before that they’ve never considered themselves metal, they just play music that they like. Jeez, you can’t have an article about music without people critiquing each other’s favourites every five seconds.
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Gerard Way is SO a spaz haha.
But he’s also a good Commander. seriously, the crowd would jump off a cliff if he told them to.
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jesse lacey isn’t a diva. he doesn’t want anyone bringing cameras into shows because he doesn’t want anyone taping them. he wants the experience of the concerts to be between him and the people ACTUALLY there. do your research. you couldn’t have gotten him more wrong.
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don’t be so blunt, you cant just lump all these people into categories without actually knowing them.
and you couldnt be more off about jesse lacey, he just doesnt like being photographed. venues restrict cameras, its not just the bands
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YES John Mayer is definitely a chatterbox, he actually seems like a pretty down to earth, nice guy. I went to see him in concert because my mom loves him, and seeing him live made me a fan. He seemed to genuinely appreciate his fans and everything he has. He even made sure to say “happy 10th birthday” to a little girl who had a sign.
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and you couldnt be more off about jesse lacey, he just doesnt like being photographed. venues restrict cameras, its not just the bands
Oh please. If you don’t like being photographed, don’t bother becoming famous. It’s in the job description. And venues restrict professional cameras and camcorders but I’ve never been to a venue that restricted all cameras.
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This one might be beyond-eccentric, but Tool’s Maynard James Keenan is preeetty out there in terms of stage couture, or the lack of it….
When I went to see Deftones a couple years ago in Seattle, Chino was insane; he went on and on and on, just singing and occasionally talking and singing… And the performance was just amazing, every part of it. I don’t know if that’s always how he is, but I’d say he’s a HUGE spaz.
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What about The Nerd? The kind of guys who are more interested in twiddling with knobs and faders than even looking at the crowd - think Orbital et al. Great music, but almost zero crowd interaction.