Scott’s visit continued to be a whirlwind. We recorded the basic tracks for 7 songs on Wednesday. He didn’t realize that with my set-up I can only record one mike at a time, and he didn’t feel comfortable doing separate vocal tracks for at least a couple of the songs. Fidelity was compromised as a result, but only slightly. And you know me–I kinda LIKE hearing the rattling of the piano keys in the room anyway (though naturally I did my best to minimize it in the mix).
You’ll just have to trust that there’s no sibling rivalry when I say that Scott is ten times the musician I am. Recording him was kind of amazing. For starts, he plays keyboards AND guitar AND drums, all well enough to record. This one song he did, “Juneteenth,” he played the main guitar chords and sang it in maybe two takes. Then he turned around and played some extra guitar bits–three distinct parts–all on a single track. Oh, and that was in one take. And vocals? I remember from being in a band with him how reliable his backups always were when we recorded. Only now he’s writing these complex lead parts for himself–with trills and falsettos and all–and nailing them with total nonchalance. OK, so maybe it does make me a little green…
That night we watched the first disc of the first season of Gene Simmons’ Family Jewels. The less said about that the better. Thursday we did some big-ticket yet inexpensive tourist items. If I was a real blogger I’d post pictures, but of course I forgot my camera. That night we met up with Aselin and Rachael to see a couple bands at The Whistler in Logan Square. The scene was thick with hipsters, so we feared for the worst. But when they hit the stage, the bands were actually very tuneful and, as Scott put it, “delightfully un-cool.” Love Raid is a basic indie rock trio with a little extra swing and a killer cover of “Hungry Heart.” All City Affairs is a funny-white-guy-doing-beats thing, but sincerely funky and joyous, never spilling into schtick. Positive vibes ruled the night.
Next day we got back into recording, with an unexpectedly long break to get a burger at Kuma’s Corner. That place never ceases to surprise me vis-a-vis its crowdedness at ANY hour. I had the Neurosis. Scott had the Lynrd Skynrd, which was the special. I gather the specials at Kuma’s are always NOT heavy metal, but I’m not sure. At any rate, the experience is so damn manly, with a pint of beer, and a stupid-big burger, and metal music blasting at you. Makes the air outside smell all the better when you leave. Can’t top it.
Saturday we met up with Aselin at his music space. On Thursday he’d offered to play harmonica on one of Scott’s songs, “Night Doesn’t Move.” After that, he had Scott play keyboards on something of his. We half-heartedly mulled over going out afterwards, but as Scott said, “the music IS the fun.” Which was certainly true. I really like when musical minds get together and reach a common goal. And being around people who, like me, write and make music with no hope of profit…it makes me feel like I’m not so crazy for bothering. Anyway, here’s “Night Doesn’t Move,” with Scott’s permission:
Night Doesn’t Move [Monologue Bombs - April 2009 Demo]
I’m not sure what-all will become of these recordings. At the very least, they will serve as demos for the new full-band version of the Monologue Bombs, Scott’s singer-songwriter outlet. I will keep you posted, should Scott start his own blog, or offer them online in any other capacity.
