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Artist:
The Atomiks
Title: Pontiac
Year: 1995
Label: Creature Records
Genre: Punk-a-billy
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Notes: |
First
project with George Pickard since he was a student of mine in the
McQueen High School band. From being a promising timpanist George
jumped to guitar and hit me with these intoxicating songs that totally
impressed me. A very long but rewarding batch of sessions went into
this. The extra tag on “Pluto” is in fact the end of
the previous take that I managed not to lose. In a last minute idea
during the mix the rocket effect was added to tie it in. It’s
a disc I really enjoy to this day. Jello Biafra is a proud owner
of this disc and it has been heard in a Seattle strip club by a
friend of mine. |
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Artist:
The Atomiks
Title: Super Honkey
Year: 1999
Label: 702 Records
Genre: Punk-a-billy
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Notes: |
This
record was one of the last things I did before I went free-lance.
George Pickard returned with a new lineup, Dion Gilatto on drums
(BBQ’d Salad) and Luke on bass. A much stronger ensemble and
even better songs. On the outro of “Lonely City” George
and Dion had recorded a spoof on Monster Truck Match Commercials
that was absolutely priceless! Unfortunately at the mix I couldn’t
talk them into keeping it for the record. Several cuts from this
disc have been featured on the “Playboy Channel” on
a special about swingers clubs. “Swinging On a Friday Night”
is about Reno’s Peyton Place which was featured in said Playboy
channel special. It also has some of the best artwork I’ve
seen on any local record. |
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Artist:
A Separate Piece
Title: Taylor Street
Year: 1997
Label: Big League Chu
Genre: Alterative
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Notes: |
This
disc is a showcase for singer Johnny Chu and guitar player Eric
Stangeland. A very soothing combination of melodies and styles.
It harkened me to the late Jeff Buckley, which I promptly made Johnny
go listen to. Mario Gusman on Bass and Beau Melia on drums filled
out the rhythm section. The cover of Little Wing was nothing short
of an epic moment in the studio. The version on the 2” goes
for over 9 minutes. It was really staggering to witness. However,
I remember getting ill on the chicken wings we had for lunch one
of the days of overdubbs. Eric, Mario and Beau were also in Convicted
Innocence at the time working on their second disc that was never
released. The name of the disc came from the street that Johnny
and Eric lived on together which I currently live on. |
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Artist:
A Year From Monday
Title: Tohidu
Year: 1994
Label: Danceman Productions
Genre: Pop Rock
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Notes: |
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This was a time for me to watch and learn. Bjorn Thorsrud was producing
and engineering. This was the brain child of Brad McClellan and
he had brought in some key players in. I hung around mostly because
I had a crush on the female lead singer, Kristen Barber. There was
a time however, where Bjorn was tied up and he asked me to do some
vocals and sax overdubbs. The problem had just worked 32 hours straight
(on no drugs thank you very much, just Mountain Dew) I can’t
tell you a single thing that happened that afternoon. It was all
a blur. |
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Artist:
A.J.O
Title: Rolling In the Dough
Year: 1997
Label: Rock House Records
Genre: Classic Rock
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Notes: |
This
was a mastering project for me. It was an early effort of Dan Gomez
at Destiny Studios in Stead. The name of the band actually stands
for “Another Jukebox Orgasm.” In 1998 I shared the stage
with them at Sierra Sticks when I was playing drums for “the
Desert Dudes.” The harmonica player, Larry Yates, is also
the front man of Tahoe’s “Larry Yates and the Blues
Monsters.” |
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Artist:
Lex Adams
Title: On the Wings of Glory
Year: 1996
Label: Spirit of Truth Music
Genre: Christian Folk
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Notes: |
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A dear man, Lex Adams. A staggering 27 song effort that could have
easily been the most redundant record ever made. Very limited instrumentation
and arrangement made it key that we make the most of “less
is more” as well as what was being heard was as important
as what wasn’t being heard. I’m astonished that we got
the diversity and dynamics that we did. A very nice end product. |
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Artist: Angus
Title: Outstanding in Their Field
Year: 1999
Label: Black Potatoe Records
Genre: Roots Rock
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Notes: |
I
played in this band when I was senior at USC. Singer, guitar player
and writer Matt Williams went back to New Jersey and incorporated
his wife Kim into the band. Since then he started his own label
and production company. This is their second album and it was produced
by Carter Humphry, the bass player in the USC line-up. I was flown
out to Jersey to mix the record which was the first time I had visited
the east coast. It was also the first time that I really realized
how a album can really get a fresh start by having someone new mix
a record. Once you get involved in a record for along time, you
can lose perspective. A fresh set of ears can be a just the ticket
at that point. It was really a good challenge for me and a lot of
fun to get out of town. |
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Artist:
Avant Tou
Title: Avant Tou
Year: 2000
Label: Glacier Entertainment
Genre: Dance, Trance Pop
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Notes: |
This is the brain-child of songwriter and arranger Collin Scott.
This dreamy record has been a long time coming. I think we started
on it in 1996. About two years ago I introduced Collin to a Texas
transplant named Jacqueline Cashmere who wanted to sing. The two
hit it off and collaborated on finishing the songs. I never seen
songs take on such a different form when the vocals were added.
The instrumental version of the record would be just as enjoyable.
Very nice textures and a Reno’s who’s who of cameos
including Vince Gates, Jeff Laakso, Gary Setzer, Joe McKenna, Mike
Whitwell, Dan Newman, Beverly Colgan and Cliff “Young Peezy”
Porter. The tape that this was recorded on was purchased from Vince
Gates erasing a very good four song demo I had recorded with him
3 years previous. Rather sad to see that go. But the tape was certainly
put to good use. |
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