"I fucked up"

[ChadVanHalen]

I noticed this hasn't been addressed yet in any thread since Red Dragon Cartel's debut a few nights ago...

Red Dragon Cartel's website recently posted a few things and linked it on Facebook addressing a couple issues people have been having with their lead singer, Darren James Smith. The first was entitled In Defense of Darren James Smith written by a third party, probably PR or management:

You fly thousands of miles, have 40 possible songs to create a set with, pick and refine 14 of those, rehearse till 4 in the morning for only 4 days with jet jag and strep throat. Then have a reasonably good sound check only to return to the stage to find one of the monitors is out and the teleprompter is set up wrong (Yes I said it TELEPROMPTER Its seems to work fine for Obama and Steven Tyler, Elton John) plus It’s said it will be gone within a couple of weeks, mix in some American prescription cough syrup (Thanks Nassad) and 1 to many pre-jitter shots. Result a sub-standard performance from a great singer. I have stood in a room while they played together and Darren sings his ass off! Yes your right there will never be another Ray Gillen, R.I.P. But the Red Dragon Cartel is about to show the world that they can be great band and that Darren James Smith is a great singer! Reserve your judgment until you watch the videos from tomorrow nights San Diego gig and Fridays show at Vamp’d in Las Vegas. In the meantime go over to I-Tunes and check out “Deceived” from the Red Dragon Cartel album. Jake E Lee is back, playing better than ever with a great Band, Album and Live Show. Wait till they come through your town sometime in the next year and decide for yourself. You wont be disappointed. Peace out!

Interesting bit of reporting, I probably wouldn't have put an official statement or anything like that out or called attention to it, but I guess that's the world we live in now... But it seemed to put Smith in an awkward spot to defend himself on his own band's website because a little while later, Darren himself responded to criticism

No excuses! I fucked up. I can’t believe the band is sticking with me.
With the most sincere apologies to the band and all the Jake fans, you deserved better
and your going to get it.

Sincerely,

Darren James Smith

So, what do you guys think... The dude seems aware his first show wasn't all that stellar, but then again, most people's aren't... I'm interested in seeing this band get tighter after they get a few more gigs under their belt, and word is since they played the Whiskey they've been getting gig offers non stop so a tour is in the works so hopefully they'll head my way soon

 

[projectx102]

Dude's gotta leave the "pre-show jitter shots" alone. I think they will be fine then

 

[Sphere]

First impressions are what you're judged by, and he royally blew it. Time will tell if he sinks or swims.

http://www.metalsludge.tv/?p=40640 looks like the douchbaggery went on through the entire set

 

[Mailman1971]

Buffoonery......

I love it.

 

[projectx102]

LOL!

 

[projectx102]

Honestly had he gone back to Ozzy,he would still be dealing with a singer out of tune.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

Actually, when i listen to the ultimate sin again, I think you can tell that the guy has some vocal ability. Obviously he won't sound like Gillen or Ozzy but if his vocal chords weren't shot, he might sound alright. Guess we will have to wait and see.

More importantly, I'm digging Jake's tone here too. A bit of chorus to fatten things up and a nice grindy chunky tone. Is that the blue channel of the 5153 with a slight push?

 

[ChadVanHalen]

Honestly had he gone back to Ozzy,he would still be dealing with a singer out of tune.

This.
This isn't the first band with a singer who doesn't hit notes right, or even the first band with a singer who gets a bit more tipsy at a show (Remember when David Lee Roth would scream out "I FORGOT THE FUCKING WORDS" at the same spot in Romeo Delight?) sure, the internet wasn't around back then to immediately feedback to the artist that they had a bad set that night but there were still bum sets, especially in the beginnings...

The dude didn't need to apologize. I get you're playing with Jake E fucking Lee and that is extremely intimidating, especially since this dude was found via Facebook or something, but suck it up and leave the Jack Daniels for after the show and I think the dude will do fine. On the album he sounds good and the sound check prior he sounded good, just get tighter and stay sober enough

 

[ChadVanHalen]

More importantly, I'm digging Jake's tone here too. A bit of chorus to fatten things up and a nice grindy chunky tone. Is that the blue channel of the 5153 with a slight push?

I saw during the soundcheck video they released that he's on the blue channel when soloing, not sure if he goes down to red during rhythms... Hopefully PG will get us a Rig Rundown of Jake soon

 

[projectx102]

I dig the tone too.I like the note separation

 

[nevusofota]

I'm thinking both lead and rhythm is channel 2. I wouldn't be surprised if it's the amp alone. That is very close to what the amp sounds like with some volume. He might kick on some boost for the solos. Channel 2 is where this amp shines for hard rock.

 

[chunktone]

They will have a different singer by this time next year.

 

[DrugDM]

At least he apologized for his singing but more importantly him and the drummer should apologize for not wearing shirts...I like Jake as a guitar player but this show overall seemed to be nothing better than a decent cover band.

 

[crankyrayhanky]

Nobody likes an apologetic excuse making poor me singer/band. That press release is worse than any performance issue!

 

[Meathead]

I hope this is the kick in the ass he needs to get off the alcohol and drugs. Otherwise I feel for the future of Darren, simply as a person.
I'm from Toronto, and a lot of us musicians up here know what he's like as a person and to work with.
He is a great singer and could pull it off with some self discipline.

 

[skoora]

I guess I'm more old school in that it doesn't matter what happened behind the scenes. It only matters what happens on stage. The whole excuses thing is crap. They should have played when they were ready. Looks like they set some impossible deadline for themselves or the singer and it cost them. That's show business. Now I will say it's unfortunate that the internet and social media have nullified the ability to work out the kinks as you go in the early stages. It has to be tits right out of the gate but that's the way it is now.

 

[crwnedblasphemy]

Darren sings great in Harem Scarem when he sings....He can do it.

 

[Meathead]

Darren sings great in Harem Scarem when he sings....He can do it.

No doubt. About six months ago when Jake was accepting demos from singers he got Darren's and that was it.
When Darren flew to Vegas for the 'in person' audition, Jake told him, don't worry you have the gig already. He had his mind set on Darren before he even arrived.
He is a great rock singer, he just needs to get down to it and stop being the party animal. Which will be tough, Darren has been this way for a long time. He needs to look at things differently and treat it as a good job he doesn't want to lose.

 

[charveldan]

Ease off the dude for criss-sake.

Ozzy was drunk n high for 30 years ... WTF ???

 

[Mark Day]

I have had the pleasure of seeing Darren a bunch of times live, even did FOH for his band way back. He was a great singer and nice dude. He used to be the "Paul Stanley" in a KISS tribute at one time too.
He plays guitar in his cover band and plays drums in Harem Scarem.

Here's a taste of his vocal in HS.

Give the guy a break…..we all need one every once in a while.

Mark