Welcome to The Radio Sweetheart's first ever blog!! Let me start out by saying that this is MY first blog and that I am a TOTAL dork. With that out of the way, I figured recording our first demo (or E.P., we haven't decided) warranted some props. We recorded four songs over the weekend of September 29th-October 1st with our number one music man, Jared Rushton. And this is how it went down.........
We headed out to Fullerton Friday, evening to meet up at the Withdrawal Studio to record our first real demo. So excited!! Laying down Josh's drums was the goal tonight, as well as drink many beers. Josh was done in no time, and only broke one mic! Much thanks to Ryan for all the help on the drum set-up, and answering the many requests to climb out of bed and come down to the studio!
We rapped up recording around midnight, said goodbye to Joshy and got Justin's bass sound dialed in for the following morning.
Headed back to the Withdrawal compound for a little "Mighty Boosh" and Del Taco, and to lay a little torture on Ryan and Nanda! It was totally Rock and Roll band camp!! I was feeling pretty poopy today (figures), but had high hopes that tomorrow I would be germ-free!
Today (Saturday) was the "big day", and we had lots to accomplish. Go Sweethearts, Go!! Josh had to work all day, so Jutty and I were on our own. With the help of Master JRush, of course! After a quick trip to AM/PM for the necessities: Red Bull, Nutra Grain bars, honey roasted cashews, chocolate milk, cigs and beef jerky; we were ready to take on the world!! Justin was a little nervous, this being his first "real" recording session and all. After some switching around of basses and bass amps, he was ready to rock.
He layed the tracks down like a champ (we knew he would), and then it was time for Dilly! Yikes!!
I am a basket case in these situations, but I try to hold it down! I did feel lots better today, so I was stoked on that. Everything was going almost TOO smoothly thus far, and I was feelin' the pressure!! The tone that Jared got out of my amp was so crazy good, i wish it could sound like that live. Never knew my little Red Bear could sound so sweet!
I had a few (maybe more than a few) re-takes along the way, but i nailed "How's the View" in one shot. Woo-Hoo!! I was able to finish up by around 6:00 pm, just in time for Josh to get off work and record his vocals. He was in an especially "joshy" mood, so i knew his vocals were gonna be on. He was totally crackin' us up, and his 80's metal rendition of "Misunderstood" was classic!!
Finished up around 10:00 pm, and said goodbye once again to our busy little drummer. Since we were already two 18-packs into the night, i figured now was as good as a time as any to lay down my vocal tracks! I know from past experience that my vocals come out much better when i'm sauced!! I was also a little worried that i might wake up tomorrow feeling worse, and didn't want to chance my voice being poopy. For some reason I COULD NOT seem to remember how to sing "Misunderstood", it was so frustrating!! I mean come on, it's the first song we ever played as a band!! So we switched gears to "How's the View", and it was all good from there.
I was totally hammered by the time we got back to "Misunderstood", and it finally came to me! Phew! Then my drunken plan DID kick me in the ass during "Bite My Tongue" though, my overlapping vocal tracks were singing two different sets of lyrics! How the hell am I even in a band??! So much love to Jared for helping me step out of that awkward vocal shell and really open my voice up. You are THE BEST!!!!!
We finished up around 2:00 am, and hung out at the studio to listen to our progress and to get a little sample of our friends The Whirling Dervish's new album-in-progress. Amazing!! Today was a totally awesome day, i could get used to this..........
Woke up to one of our bestest buddies Xian from The Whirling Dervish and the fellas watching Sunday football. We really wanted to lay around with them and do manly-type stuff, BUT WE HAD WORK TO DO!!! After a scrumptous breakfast of taco bell, it was time to head back to the studio and see what we could do about mixing our little nugget! We, (well, Jared!), worked on it all afternoon. Nanda, Xian and Ryan came down to lend an ear, and it was much appreciated. By the time 6:00 pm rolled around, I think Jared, Justin and I had heard enough of these 4 songs to last us awhile! What a weekend, we had an absolute blast.
Thank you so damn much to Mr. Jrazzmatazz for making this happen, from beginning to end. You, my friend, are truly the cat's meow.
Nonz and Ry- thanks for all the ears, help and giggles. Justin and I were wondering if you got space for 2 more at the pad? Just kidding. Or AM I??? So check out "How's The View From Under My Thumb" and "Bite My Tongue" on our page and feel the power that is The Radio SweetRush. You like that, huh?
xoxo
Dylan