Feb 2022 rock almost-metal loud live-instruments keep-it-simple no-excuses needs-vocals
**Too much compression, I know....* I need a break from it though....
This one was pretty surprising, as it is about as close to metal as I will ever get. I knew that it was going to be a pretty brutal and punishing sound, but it is really *close* to metal in my view, but I remember the 80s when there was a very blurry line between punk and metal and they often played shows together.
This one started as the bass line and went from there. I have about a zillion things going at once right now, but this one was actually really fun, but hard to play. I don't usually pick like that and certainly not that fast! It took many takes, but it's there now. Oh, on the production side, PLEASE remind me why I NEVER use a Shure Beta 57 on guitars....Never, but I broke that today hoping for a really cutting sound but I regretted it ever since and there is no going back. I guess that I could re-amp it. I just might.
The song is about how *some* friendships are really a matter of convenience. I had been playing in a band for a couple of years with a guy that I knew for more than 20. We had a rift that made me walk back then, and just did again in the fall. It's crazy how some friendships can be so present and seemingly authentic, but then they just vanish--like they never happened. So, there you go.
I used my usual drums, my SG through a Traynor YBA1, and my P bass. I also spent a LOT of time mixing that anemic guitar! Please feel free to advise me on the sounds and mix.
Got some anger or frustration built up? Maybe singing on this could be the catharsis you are looking for! Give a holler if you are interested.
@robheron1 May 2022
I love your ideas. The rhythmic flow.
@dragondreams Mar 2022
I can feel the frustration in this one. I actually like the guitar and its spiky sound in this one. The bass is providing enough fatness to the overall mix to let the guitar do some angry shouting. I reckon it would lose impact if you try to thicken it up.
A solid track with sharp edges. Like it. Like it a lot.
@ambroise Feb 2022
Yeaaaah this is HEAVY. And also slightly too scratchy for metal (hope it makes sens). I like scratchy better.
@mosley Feb 2022
I love how this one jams
@beat Feb 2022
Play loud is what I do here… thx.
@frank Feb 2022
I love the driving rhythms on this. I also feel like it is perfect without lyrics - what is there right now gets across the vibe you described, and lyrics might just get in the way of that.
@unkept Feb 2022
While it may have been a challenge, you really nailed this one! Easily one of my favorites I've heard from you and I really love all the changes. If this wasn't already claimed I would have loved to sing to it haha. Excellent!
And I really hear what you are saying about friendships. It's a subject I often think about.
@slightlydrunk Feb 2022
Love the aggressive energy, got me worked up a bit! :)
The variety and change kept me constantly engaged without being overwhelming.
I'd be very interested to hear this with vocals!
@tunecat Feb 2022
Sounds awesome
@billwhite51 Feb 2022
i had a rift like that with a high school friend with whom i shared 40 years of musical history..after 10 years of silence, we reconciled. if yu are looking foe vocals on this, id like to try. can use my own lyrics and melody?
@airbagtester Feb 2022
This is gritty and awesome. The guitar picking style definitely sounds different I think in a good way. Sometimes I get stuck on a riff where I either need to suddenly get better at guitar to play it, or take out some notes and make it simpler to play. Powering through and playing above one's skill set has a good sound sometimes though... that must be why punk music is so great.
I'm going through some guitar recording/mixing sound searching myself and don't have any advice, but I think your results sound great.
@boyatheart Feb 2022
This sounds great.
Rhythmically, it's got some Zep and some real, old-fashioned heavy metal. The guitars sound very authentic, old-school like the MC5. Nothing wrong with the sounds at all.
If you made the bass less bassy and more mid-focused/overdriven, it might have the effect you're after.
@nadine Feb 2022
Oh yes exactly the kind of rock my soul needs. Man I wish I had a rock voice, I would write lyrics and go crazy!
The mix is fine but it's closer to rock than metal. I'd do more audio candy on the side channel but it could stay like this. If you want a metal tone you need more bass.
@cblack Feb 2022
This is great! Although I must advise you to push further. Deeper. There's more metal waiting to be found! ;)
This was seriously good. Nice and engaging, with a pleasant melody behind the gain. Nice work!
@jacobeverettwallace Feb 2022
I enjoyed this! Sounds cathartic and that's why I love it. The mix sounds quiet to me, maybe that's the extra compression. In lieu of re-miking the amps, you could just throw a copy of the guitar track in the back with tons of OD and comp and a bassy EQ added to it and just sneak it underneath it in the mix for some girth. I really enjoyed that riff and string bending though, it's a fun track!
@elesimo Feb 2022
What is this "too much compression" thing? :)
This is great, just perfect. I love it.
@karlsburg25 Feb 2022
Wowowowow. if thats a word. This is massive. You really are having fun with your new studio. Yep its definitely metal based but with your musicality shining through especially with those unique chord movements at the end and man have you checked out the bass (he says to everyone listening ) brilliant
@w1n Feb 2022
Brutal and abrasive (in the good way) riff bonanza, get a bit of Fugazi vibe from this but haven’t really listened to them for years so might remember them wrong. Cool tune
@kenmattsson Feb 2022
One of the things I like the most is the stops. Also the hard driving, non-stop head-banging fun.
@zecoop Feb 2022
Super hard hitting and has some MAJOR twists in it. Those CRAZY string bends give it so much tension added on top of the energy and power of the guitar chords. This song absolutely sounds like you got some things worked out in your head while writing, playing and recording it. It was worth it - It's BIG. :)
@fearlessflight2014 Feb 2022
Heavy yes, but I’m also getting a real sense of underlying vulnerability and disappointment. This is great! It works just fine as an instrumental if no one takes it any further this FAWM. Bravo!
@judypie Feb 2022
Woah now, heavy duty stuff dude! Yes, I was a little excited to think you’d posted our collab and then I saw it was something else.. but that’s FINE. This rawks, I am a little under the weather otherwise I would’ve absolutely been head banging along to it! And I really love how you can share what the song is about even without it having lyrics. Love that dude!
@emkaydeebee Feb 2022
This is ace! My five yr old is dancing round the room like a loon to this! I’ll send your brother the video to pass on!!
@berty38 Feb 2022
This totally rocks.