BLOG PART 1

Album #2 Recording Blog – Part 1

DAY 1 (Simon’s entry): Things to remember: Passport (maybe – we are crossing from West Yorkshire into the wilds of North Yorkshire), Bacon, Jumpers, Book and Drums. Can’t forget those. I set off early(ish) and start pick up’s. Got caught in the Morley School run, angry drivers and some good head shaking in the cars (or maybe I am just a bad driver?) I assume the first. I feel a little under prepared for recording. It’s not like I don’t know the songs, most of them have been with us for a fair few months now, so I’m hoping that will give it an edge, keep an open mind and heighten the exciting process of recording an album.

We arrived about 2pm after doing the mammoth shop for the week. Crumpets, check, Big bag of meat, check, good coffee, check and lots of fruit, Sorted.

Start by re skinning the drums and doing the general set-up. I actually enjoy this process. It’s relaxing, I have some cool Suede skins.  We decide to record ‘A Father’s Son’ first and begin by setting up the session to do the Bass, Drums and Dave’s guitar part live.  I think knowing the room from a previous demo session as well as the Sea of regret session helps with the speed and ease of the initial set-up.

Drums are sounding big, good bass drum sound with a bit of click and an awesome snare drum sound. We fine tune the parts, add a triplet twist to the chorus for Alistair, saves me a fill and tweak the hi-hat part too.  The song is pumping and we decide to leave it for the night and listen first thing. EATS – Pizza and salad! Small beers and family guy. I choose to read The Defence of the Realm.

(Alistair’s Entry) Lucky I woke up nice and early because I hadn’t packed whatsoever. Shoved some stuff in a bag and put the coffee maker on while I waited for the call. And there was no call! Just Dave appearing at the window – ah well, no time for coffee, let’s get moving.

To the practice room to load up. Why on earth did we decide not to bother packing down after the last practice. Still, only about 15 minutes work, and not too many vans trying to get past where we had blocked the road outside by the time we had finished. Next stop supermarket, while Dave and Guy go to collect Daniel. I have never bought so much food in one go! Surely this must be enough to last several months!

My fears about not being able to get the van into the driveway prove unfounded. It ‘s a bit muddy, but we don’t end up in a ditch. This is good. However we did have to push ourselves out of the mud when we tried to manoeuvre past a car coming the other way – its a very narrow road! – Thankfully I was driving at the time, as I couldn’t find my wellies, so I did the steering while the boys did the pushing. Now fingers crossed that we are not snowed in by the weekend. It’s been a lot warmer than lately, so I am hopeful.