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Post by Champ on Apr 23, 2010 13:10:24 GMT -5
nothing! My engineer had the equipment there already. When we were recording originally, he was in the middle of moving to a new studio. Now that his new and improved one is all set with all his gear, we just used his gear. Basically, my singer pays for the recording time, my engineer puts some of that money towards equipment, and I slide into the recoding sessions and they call me their "secret weapon" lol.
They call me that because my singer was the rhythm guitarist when we first started recording and it turned out my lead guitarist couldn't lay rhythm tracks worth a damn. So I did all the bass and redid all the guitar work because, not to sound arrogant, but they couldn't lay it down as tight as I did. All 3 of us tried and I was the key. It was actually kind of an accident.
The only time it's not me on guitar is when you hear some sort of doodling solo with a wah pedal. We even took most of that out. So it's like 90%/10%. I'm 90% on guitars now and he's about 10%.
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Post by Naitch on May 1, 2010 9:49:44 GMT -5
I can't get the new recordings out of my head man! I loved Purgatory before but now I super love it. I didn't really care for Guide You but now I think its hot shit.
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Post by Champ on May 1, 2010 14:25:28 GMT -5
Thanks man! Those are only rough mixes too! It's amazing what production can do!
We just finished mixing and mastering Guide You, Purgatory, and Equal Lithium this past Thursday for radio volume now. So it sounds even better. Those are going up this Tuesday to replace the ones we just put up because they are FULLY done finally lol. We realized for the very first time there's nothing more we can do those songs. They sound great. I'm sick over what we released last year. Ugh.
My guitarist is the only one that knows how to upload the songs and our next rehearsal is Tuesday. So the fully finished version of those 3 will be up next week. We didn't change anything from what you just heard. We just livened the shit up out of them
Oh BTW, the place that screwed us with the Kittie show, apparently, we have FANS that complained and we knew nothing about it! The OWNER of the club stepped in, apologized to us on behalf of his staff and offered us to HEADLINE the club in August! Not only that, but they put us on a guest list for a national show taking place next week that's promoting tattooing or some shit. But we got our respect back and we're going to TEAR the fuckin building up and raise hell the way we should have gotten the opportunity to last time.
I also heard through the grapevine that one of the reasons the owner stepped in, aside for the fact that we made them $700 and made new fans, it was reported we were the BEST band that night! People on the inside told my guitarist Kittie was boring, God Forbid was very tight, but we were sick! It's so fuckin awesome and humbling to hear shit like that man. It really is. I almost feel reborn when I hear stuff like that just when I'm getting down on myself. God Forbid is fuckin nasty and we were told we're better than them? WOW! That's so fuckin cool to hear.
You guys really have to hear what we sound like live. Even though the recording improved tremendously, we're just skull crushing when we're live. My drummer and I hit so hard it goes through you're chest. He and I are really long lost brothers when it comes to being percussion partners
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Post by Naitch on May 2, 2010 1:13:41 GMT -5
Thanks man! Those are only rough mixes too! It's amazing what production can do! We just finished mixing and mastering Guide You, Purgatory, and Equal Lithium this past Thursday for radio volume now. So it sounds even better. Those are going up this Tuesday to replace the ones we just put up because they are FULLY done finally lol. We realized for the very first time there's nothing more we can do those songs. They sound great. I'm sick over what we released last year. Ugh. My guitarist is the only one that knows how to upload the songs and our next rehearsal is Tuesday. So the fully finished version of those 3 will be up next week. We didn't change anything from what you just heard. We just livened the shit up out of them Oh BTW, the place that screwed us with the Kittie show, apparently, we have FANS that complained and we knew nothing about it! The OWNER of the club stepped in, apologized to us on behalf of his staff and offered us to HEADLINE the club in August! Not only that, but they put us on a guest list for a national show taking place next week that's promoting tattooing or some shit. But we got our respect back and we're going to TEAR the fuckin building up and raise hell the way we should have gotten the opportunity to last time. I also heard through the grapevine that one of the reasons the owner stepped in, aside for the fact that we made them $700 and made new fans, it was reported we were the BEST band that night! People on the inside told my guitarist Kittie was boring, God Forbid was very tight, but we were sick! It's so fuckin awesome and humbling to hear shit like that man. It really is. I almost feel reborn when I hear stuff like that just when I'm getting down on myself. God Forbid is fuckin nasty and we were told we're better than them? WOW! That's so fuckin cool to hear. You guys really have to hear what we sound like live. Even though the recording improved tremendously, we're just skull crushing when we're live. My drummer and I hit so hard it goes through you're chest. He and I are really long lost brothers when it comes to being percussion partners Fucking awesome bro! Who you opening for in August? I read these reports from you guys and I just have to wonder why you guys aren't signed. There is something wrong when Nickleback and Lincoln Park have huge deals and you guys have to play once a month.
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Post by Champ on May 2, 2010 1:27:59 GMT -5
We're HEADLINING dude! The owner of the Chance Theater heard about us and got so pissed off at Kittie and the club's staff that he offered us to headline that show. So we may actually have a small national act opening up for us!
There really is no such thing as bad publicity!
So if my singer didn't call them divas, we wouldn't be headlining a big show at a big club this August. As I mentioned in your standup thread, it seems like we should also be assholes more often!
I also just mentioned on that thread that we have an in with Alice fuckin Cooper! My engineer is getting us backstage at one of his shows this summer and I have such and awesome personal backing right now because my producer fuckin loves recording me. He knows a lot of people. He knows Alice because he recorded some of his side material
I'm not bringing this up to be arrogant but because I'm so fuckin humbled but, my producer said to me after I got done tracking guitars for Guide You and Purgatory(I also did the bass work), "you're just fuckin better than everyone at this shit, huh?" My face turned red and I felt embarrassed. My reply was, "come on dude, no one tracks as well as me? Really?" Jokingly he goes, no they all suck!" He started laughing and said, "no seriously dude, I've recording shitty local bands, famous bands, and musicians with degrees and you're absolutely up there with the very best"
That was right after my father kicked me out. Let me tell you, those words from him sparked a whole new fire in me that I didn't know existed. It gave me my confidence back and hey, if Alice Cooper hears the music, he's going to put in the best word for my playing and you never know, I might get offered to do tracks on Alice cooper recordings if he goes back to my producer for more side recordings!
My producer is independent like we are. He's not signed to anything but people know him. He's relying on our record to give him that big break because he believes in it more than anything he's done. I've actually known him for about 12 years. So he's actually one of my top 10 best friends too. So I'm in a very awesome spot for opportunity right now. I just have to keep working hard and be patient.
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Post by Naitch on May 2, 2010 1:33:57 GMT -5
We're HEADLINING dude! The owner of the Chance Theater heard about us and got so pissed off at Kittie and the club's staff that he offered us to headline that show. So we may actually have a small national act opening up for us! There really is no such thing as bad publicity! So if my singer didn't call them divas, we wouldn't be headlining a big show at a big club this August. As I mentioned in your standup thread, it seems like we should also be assholes more often! I also just mentioned on that thread that we have an in with Alice fuckin Cooper! My engineer is getting us backstage at one of his shows this summer and I have such and awesome personal backing right now because my producer fuckin loves recording me. He knows a lot of people. He knows Alice because he recorded some of his side material I'm not bringing this up to be arrogant but because I'm so fuckin humbled but, my producer said to me after I got done tracking guitars for Guide You and Purgatory(I also did the bass work), "you're just fuckin better than everyone at this shit, huh?" My face turned red and I felt embarrassed. My reply was, "come on dude, no one tracks as well as me? Really?" Jokingly he goes, no they all suck!" He started laughing and said, "no seriously dude, I've recording shitty local bands, famous bands, and musicians with degrees and you're absolutely up there with the very best" That was right after my father kicked me out. Let me tell you, those words from him sparked a whole new fire in me that I didn't know existed. It gave me my confidence back and hey, if Alice Cooper hears the music, he's going to put in the best word for my playing and you never know, I might get offered to do tracks on Alice cooper recordings if he goes back to my producer for more side recordings! My producer is independent like we are. He's not signed to anything but people know him. He's relying on our record to give him that big break because he believes in it more than anything he's done. I've actually known him for about 12 years. So he's actually one of my top 10 best friends too. So I'm in a very awesome spot for opportunity right now. I just have to keep working hard and be patient. No fucking shit bro! Hopefully you all get signed then! And maybe you can make a boatload on the side doing studio work too. That shit pays bank from what I hear. Man I'm stoked for you guys! Don't forget to stop in Denver on your first big tour so I can hear you dudes live! And after we both make it we can go on some sort of Assholes of Entertainmaint Tour together!
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Post by Champ on May 2, 2010 1:46:28 GMT -5
Yeah no shit! We can do some sort of national live aide benefit
I don't talk a big game either dude. Everything I'm telling you guys is because it's all real and I'm having a hard time believe these opportunities are opening up. It's kind of freaking me out and intimidating me over the kind of success we could be facing. It's to the point where I need to find a therapist to talk about it because I get nervous about not being able to handle this kind of success. But I can't let it get the best of me. I have to do this if the opportunity is there. I'll never forgive myself for backing out because I got cold feet
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Post by MasterSnit on May 2, 2010 14:55:30 GMT -5
It seems you were due some positive news after the Kittie concert. Hopefully things keep picking up for you, Champ.
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Post by Champ on May 3, 2010 17:40:31 GMT -5
We really did get positive reviews! It's so true when you hear people in interviews clueless about their feedback. I had no idea people were even talking about us. But, Kittie's manager being a pussbag was a blessing in disguise because, we're now locally known(in lower half of the state of NY) as the band that "the Chance Theater screwed" amongst young rock fans. Because of that, it got us a headlining gig from the owner of the Chance Theater because people were complaining about not getting to see a full set from us and knew it wasn't our fault. We walked around apologizing to people that paid $15 a ticket
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Post by Champ on Jun 25, 2010 21:55:50 GMT -5
I'm doing leads now. lol Actually I'm happy because most of this album is going to be me now with exception of vocals and drums. My guitarist just can't get his shit together for some reason. I knocked them out of the park though. I can't wait to get the mixes back next week
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Post by Naitch on Jun 26, 2010 1:02:38 GMT -5
Awesome more updated material!
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Post by Champ on Jun 27, 2010 0:08:34 GMT -5
We should have one completely wrapped up next week. It's called "The Liar". You've seen it on the list and if you listened, it was demo sounding. Wait til you hear this shit now! lol I Tony Iommi'd the fuck out of this song and even put in a Randy Rhode's/Kirk Hammett Type solo in there. I had two solos in this song and I didn't realize I still had chops left. So I'm excited about that and I never expected to shred on any of these tracks. I actually get to show off a bit! lol Bass players, it's rare to get to show off
I can't wait for people to hear this because, I'm not going to lie, it's like 60% all me on the tracks and it's also the best sounding shit I've ever done with a band. So whether we take off or not, I'll always be proud of this. I'll always have that disc to remind me(once I finally get all the copies back)
We played a place in the city tonight. It was a little country ass hick type bar in midtown Manhattan(go figure). We totally weren't their style. No one knew about this show and it felt like a waste. But I try not to look at any show as a waste.
The band coming on after us were really cool. They came up front and supported us and weren't even into our style. They didn't go crazy or anything but they made an effort. That's the way you treat your peers. The band before us tonight, I didn't like their shit at all, but they were tight. So I applauded every song and told them good job after the set. I feel local acts should be encouraging each other. For the most part all bands are cool. I can't lie. Even if people are shy, you tell them "good set" 95% of them are really cool and appreciative
But the good part is, tonight was my first show in 10 years I didn't have one drink of alcohol.
We have another one of these shows in midtown on July 31th but the club is much more a rock club than the place tonight so it won't be as boring
But check out our August,
August 7 - opening for LA Guns and Faster Pussy Cat at Crazy Donkey in Farmingdale LI. There's kids that go to see these shows. All ages are the best. So with them and our people plus the other famous band's people, we're looking at around 1000. I think we're actually opening up for the two main acts and there's one or two bands before us. So it's a GREAT slot
August 14 - HEADLINING Chance Theater, the place Kitty headlined an screwed us! Karma is a motherfucker, ain't it? We're bring 3 local acts with us and owning the night. The bass player in one of the other bands is my old bassist from Brainstem. He's one of those friends you don't have to see for 2 years and you pick up right where you left off. I actually learned a lot from this guy on bass and it's almost humbling he's opening up for me now. We should be in front of 300 people, maybe 70 paid to see us along with people coming to see all of us that know us from the local scene plus their own people.
August 21 - my old band Heele reunion and Karascene is following them to close out the night. This one is going to be PACKED in a bar with like 400 people. The energy is going to be sick though. Kind of like an even smaller TNA impact zone.
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Post by Velkontés on Jun 27, 2010 4:41:09 GMT -5
HOORAY FOR CHAMP!
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Post by Champ on Jun 29, 2010 23:14:23 GMT -5
Thanks man. The recording is kicking my ass though. That show we had Saturday I was fucking up on stage a little because I was hammering out guitars all week. So my head was in guitar mode when I was playing and I was almost forgetting my bass lines here and there
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Post by Naitch on Jun 30, 2010 16:42:16 GMT -5
Thanks man. The recording is kicking my ass though. That show we had Saturday I was fucking up on stage a little because I was hammering out guitars all week. So my head was in guitar mode when I was playing and I was almost forgetting my bass lines here and there Seems like a great sacrifice if I can finally get my dirty hands on a CD.
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