We were graced with a serious bonus last night. We’d all but given up hope that Gregg was going to be able to come back to the studio before Saturday. Normally this wouldn’t be a big deal, but because of other commitments on the home front, OT and our Greg were leaving today and Greg still had a bunch of percussive shit to do before then… otherwise it would be up to the rest of us to do. Now none of it was particularly difficult, but that’s much of the point. What would take Greg a couple hours, may take us a day to get down. Especially if we had to make out Greg’s system of notes… But, Gregg miraculously appeared at around 9pm, ready to get it done. Thank God.
With that quickly behind us – plus a few beverages – we went back to The Glade for our final night here as a 5-piece. Seeing as Sunday is OT’s birthday and he won’t be with us, we of course looked at this as a not-so-really needed excuse to tie one on. By the end of the night OT was a MESS. Always entertaining. The dude has this ability to get wrecked really quickly but then somehow manages to keep it going all night, eventually achieving fall down drunkenness, yet always requesting more. Can you say Champ?! I’d like to be on that flight home when the hangover hits. Nothing worse than an airborne hangover. I last saw them as they left for the airport at 11am and Tom was still beautifully drunk. Happy Birthday brother!
I’ve got to say we are definitely a band, and I’ll tell you why. I actually miss those fuckers already. We’re unflappable, the five of us. Everyone contributes some sort of characteristic to the whole that completes what is us. The 3 of us is like imagining watching Friends without Ross and Rachael or Seinfeld without Kramer and George. Just not the same… Of course Greg is my brother which makes for obvious connections. He’s like my better half, always keeping me in check when I get carried away or cranking me back up when I’m not myself. My detached spine pretty much. OT on the other hand is my true brother from another mother. One minute arguing like school kids over stupid shit like tones, the next teaming up to debate some trivial topic, against the rest of the band. Fuck I love him. Even the drunken mess that left for the airport today. That’s the key really. He could be as wasted and annoying as anything, yet he doesn’t get to me. You know those people who just get wasted and annoy the shit out of you? He doesn’t. I just end up laughing my ass off all night, when normally I’d be running for cover…
Anyways, I’m writing here from the studio. Jesus strolled in today, ready to add some balls to this recording. By Jesus, I mean Tom or T2. Ever since we arrived he’s been reminded daily of his Jesus resemblance. Either him or Viggo Mortensen. Right now I’m listening to him try and come up with an extended solo on ‘All These Things…’ Its quite the scene in here right now actually, but Jesus seems to handle it like another day at the office. He’s in a chair in the middle of the control room. He’s got Gregg sitting about a foot away, analyzing every sound he makes. He’s got Francis hovering over him, making sure every move is what it was meant to be. Then he’s got B playing cards with her little sis on a couch to his left, a dog in his feet and then me typing away to his right. That was a lot for me to type, let alone block out while I’m trying to make beautiful noise.
I don’t know what our goal for the day is really. It’s a Saturday and I never even expected to be in here. I expected to be furthering Tom’s alcohol studies about now. Instead, he’s laid rhythms on 5 of the songs and now has begun to backtrack and add some leads. It’s sounding really good. After 2 weeks without hearing electric, I’d almost forgot how good it sounds. Especially when the time is taken to make sure every tone is perfect. Anyways, I’m going to get back to guitar heaven so excuse me and we’ll chat later… Cheers…
Great read Neal. Look forward to listening to the new album.