Josh Kramer Leaving Saint...

Quote :

It looks like I’ll be able to start sending out mp3 files Saturday!!!!
On the song Desperate Night we are introducing our new singer Brian Miller.
it’s my hope that you will welcome him into the fold. As for Josh he has moved away and that makes it next to impossible to do things like music videos, photo shoots, etc. We haven’t parted ways completely as he has agreed to do live performances when possible. He and I talk it over and he completely agrees that it the best way for Saint to continue producing CD’s. The good news is that he did most of the vocals on this project.

Rich

Majorly disappointing news but I thought something was up because Josh is no longer active on his website (2009 was the last update i think) and has dropped out of cyberspace. I'm glad they're goin on and he new stuff sounds awesome but I am just a bit disappointed. Strange thing about the whole thing is that I have seen that clip of Bryan before while I was searching for DragonForce. I had no idea at the time he'd be replacing Josh.

Doesn't mean Saint won't be as good, just different like Arnel in Journey or VH without Michael Anthony.

Bottom line: I can't wait for Desperate Night and I thank Saint for continuing to release great Christian metal.

That's how it sometimes goes in bands, members leave and new members come.
for me Josh was the "voice" of Saint.

Go to 2:56 in this clip to hear Brian on vocals "Desperate Night" title track.

rockerVu2 wrote:

That's how it sosmetimes goes in bands, members leave and new members come.
for me Josh was the "voice" of Saint.

I know what you mean. I feel a bit of sadness. Listen to the above sample around 3:44 or so Brian is a screamer like Josh. As I said before, to me, it is like VH without Michael Anthony. I like the new VH very much but it isn't the same without Mike on bass and especially backing vocals.

I like Brian's voice. While I will miss Josh, I think Brian can add a new dynamic to this band and help them continue making great music. It won't be quite the same, but I think I can get used to it.

I think it will be great with Brian as vocalist. It'll be interesting to hear the next album, as his vocals with Saint seem to work briliantly.

Fundy

Can I ask something?
Is Josh doing the vocals on the new Saint album, or is this Josh?

I am a bit bummed to hear that Josh will not be recording with the band, but that samples with Brian on vocals sound very very good. So I am optimistic about future Saint albums.

I does look like Josh is doing most of the vocals on the new Saint album.

Brian sings one song on Desperate Night, Josh sings the rest.



Fundy

You can hear the difference on the one song Brian sings. Actually, he is a stronger singer than is Josh. He has more of a Ronnie James Dio vibe to my ears.

He holds his notes longer than Josh seems too. Josh seems to cut off quickly in a lot of places. Brian hits higher notes without kicking into a falsetto range. To me, those things make for a stronger singer.

I think Brain is significantly younger than Josh. Josh did not seem to cut off quickly in the higher notes back in the 80's (Too Late for Living). But I do understand what you're saying.

Josh has always been somewhat separate, even while he was in the band. I don't claim to know why, but it's always been that way.

I know Josh has moved all over the place in the last 25 years even working in a country band at one time. I used to email him from time to time but haven't heard from him in ages. He asked me one time if I'd be interested in an ebook on Saint and of course I said yes but lost contact with him shortly after that. He was also working on a writing about the Mormon church. His website hasn't been updated in over a year. I ordered an odds and end cd from his website I think it was called Beyond The Basement Tapes and it was hours upon hours of odds and ends. Saint band practices, guitar lessons, Nicholas audio, commercials and him playin in cover bands. I think in 99 when it came time for The Perfect Life he was just too far away to work with the band, much like John Perrine who is still around too and I think living in Illinois. I hope that even while he is away he can still contribute to the next Saint album in some form. However if he can't I'll still be a fan and will buy anything with Brian on it.

I'm on the fence. I love Josh's vocals but Brian sounds good too. Depends how the songs go, I guess.

Sometimes when a band changes singers, they get better. I like Tourniquet with Luke more than with Guy (probably in the minority...).

ishmael81 wrote:

....Sometimes when a band changes singers, they get better. I like Tourniquet with Luke more than with Guy (probably in the minority...).

I know some people won't agree about Tourniquet (I'm really on the fence about that one).
But I do agree some bands can actually improve with a new singer.

I have a good feeling about Brian as vocalist, as I think I prefer his voice to Josh's (not that Josh's is bad at all!!!) One thing I did notice was that Saint (Rich) found Brian and paid him to sing the song, so maybe Brian won't do any touring or such like, but only be there to record songs if the money is available? What do you reckon?

Fundy

Having the singer as a full band member versus just hiring the singer to sing on the bands albums could be good and bad.

Depending on what that "hired gun" is requiring for payment it could be very difficult for a band like Saint to perform live (or even record). However, if the singer isn't a Christian (which he may or may not be...I don't know) then it probably wouldn't be a good idea to make him a full member of a band with such an upfront Christian message.

Regarding Saint singers I read some totally bogus Saint news on a unofficial Saint video that looks like it would be from the Saint camp but it just somebody going rogue again and done so unprofessional it's embarrassing. It sounds like it's from the horses mouth but it's really coming out the other end. I believe loose cannon comes to mind.



Unless you hear it from Richard Lynch or saintsite.com the status of singer for Saint is Brian. He won't be playing guitar or singing back up for other singers he will be singing lead vocals.

Wow Jerry I hate to hear that. A video? Not only is it misinformation it's just bad to do something line that. Believe me if Rich says something we know it's from the horses mouth. Rich is very good about keeping us up to date on the official site and on the forums.

Cool video that Josh made:

as long as they keep putting out stellar music like Desperate Night.. I'm in!