Day 4 in the studio…

So Rock Star and I rehearsed yesterday AND today, for a grand total of 6 hours total on one specific tune. We then brought it in to Bob and Brett, and they hated it! Well ok, to be fair, they did not hate it. In fact, they loved the chorus; it has a great hook. They did however disapprove of the verse. And to be honest, I wasn’t sold on it either, but I think Rock Star really did and he is bummed. That’s ok, I am going to take it to Chicago over the holidays and take it up a notch. The song is called “Get out of my way”, and let me tell you, it smokes. It’s going to be the opening track. It’s has an amazing hook. We have to make it work. I don’t want to throw this one away.

Can I just say I had no idea how difficult it is to write a song? It’s not as easy as you think. There is definitely a science behind it. It of course primarily has to start with a feeling. However, in addition to this, a song has specific fundamentals that it needs to be able to become a solid song. I guess I never knew this.

We also worked on the “Heavens sake” song today. I will also be taking this one to Chicago over the Holiday to see if I can write some lyrics to it. Should be fun. That’s Bob biggest thing. He wants this to be fun for all of us, and it is. But it’s also a lot of work! Very cool experience. I have learned a ton of stuff. I am grateful everyday for this opportunity.

Day 3 in the studio

Well another grueling crazy day yesterday at the studio. We went in with the intention to lay down the drums tracks for two songs, “Heavens’ Sake” and “Got you now”, (titles subject to change of course). But after all of us heard the play back of the original demo of “Heavens Sake”, we all agreed it needed a change of direction. So we worked ---- and we worked ---- and we worked, until finally Bob came up with a great riff, while still being able to maintain the original notes we had in the demo. So Rock stars homework now is to learn the break down of the song so we can go back Monday and lay it down on tape.

As far as the “Got you now” song, it also needed work. With some slight configuration, Rock laid down the scratch track to it, and I was able to lay down the drums in no time. This is one of the songs we want Mr. Chris Caffery to play on so as you can imagine, its a heavy one. I hope that it is heavy enough for someone like him to play on!

I have found the click to be my friend now and I think everyone in the room is impressed at how well I have been playing to it. All in all, another great day!

Day 2 in the studio

Oh my goodness, what a day! Day 2 in the studio. It was brutal. It was a bit more work today than I expected. We had to lay down another two tracks and boy did they need work. The first was “Welcome to my ecstasy” and the second was “Such a bitch”. Both needed a little help and re-tweaking but after 5 long hours, we got em! Well at least the drums anyway. I never knew such straightforward rock songs would be so difficult to get down on tape in the studio. I blame Rock and myself for this. We are not used to playing to that damn click track. Do not get me wrong, I love it and understand why it is so mission critical and important, but I am not used to playing these particular songs to a specific tempo. Nevertheless, they came out great when we did.

Brett really pushed me today on the drums and I have to say, I owe him for this. He is such a killer engineer and has such a great ear, at this time in my life, I could not imagine working with anyone better. And as far as Bob is concerned, DITTO! These guys were put in our path for a reason and I am really looking forward to hearing what comes out of this. It’s very exciting!

Bob and Brett gave me some homework tonight, and that is to come up with a great new track that expresses some of my darkest moments. So I am off to do just that.

We are back in the studio tomorrow for some more work. Ill keep you posted!

Day 1 in the studio

Day 1, Dec 16, 2008

First day of recording with the legendary Bob Kulick, alongside his partner Brett Chassen. Bob is a Grammy award winning artist and producer and was carefully hand selected by Rock and I to produce and polish what will be or first CD release. We will also be tapping Chris Caffrey (TSO, Savatage) for a role as producer on a few select songs. It all depends on his schedule, but he knows he is on board and we are excited to have him!

Today’s first day was fun. I laid down the tracks for the first two songs we are working on. The first is called ‘Do it for you”, and the second is called “Don’t give up”. It is unclear who will be singing on these yet but hey, at least we got the drums down. I had to play to a click track for the first time ever and I was able to find its groove quickly. By the time the session ended, I found myself missing the “click click click” in my head!

We go back Thursday and Friday for another beating. Forgive the pun. On Thursday, we will be laying down the tracks for “Such a Bitch” and “Stronger Now”. I am sure the “Stronger” title will change. I am not feeling it. I will also be telling Brett I want to rerecord the drumming to the bridge section of “Do it for you” to include the ride cymbal. I hope he’s not mad! All in all, what an amazing and super experience.