2 September 1999 (Thursday)
Jim Anderson absent. Catalina trip with family.
Steve brought in the Repo Man movie sound track, a collection of some vintage L.A. punk from the mid 80s and played the title track by Iggy Pop. Don noticed there was no bridge which promted a discussion about bridges in composing. Perhaps we could do something with "Repo Man".
Iggy Pop leads to discussion about MC5, "Kick Out The Jams", violent, proto-metal (in fact took its inspiration from steel mill sound). Don rapsodysed on the sheer sonic avalanch which, "changed my life". Wow! Steve vowed to buy the album. Sluggo comments that MC5 eventually sells out to the commercial Moloch. Detroit must have been quite a scene back then: MC5, Stooges, The Frost (never heard of 'em? There was an album called "The Frost" back in '68 or so. Steve has the collection "Frost Music"), Little Rascals, Mitch Ryder. And those are just the whitebread, cracker bands. Sluggo said he had a recording of the Iguanas (Iguana = Ig = Iggy. Get it?). Don also doodled with Yes "Long Distance" and mentioned a band he knew that opened with this, until the frat boys got drunk and then played Deep Purple.
Redid the intro to "Time Is Tight". There was a technical problem, a hum which was isolated to the northeast (label side is north), lower corner of the whirly, some sort of magnetic field from a transformer? The noise sounded like a ground loop, then went away, then came back. It is a proximity effect which was eliminated by moving the mike to the northwest lower corner. The take was good and was spliced with great dexterity by Don and Ken. No discontinuities in spice.
Steve and Sluggo discussed various ideas for new sound. Sluggo suggested/reminded about a couple of things: piping the Hammond thru the whirly and a guitar amp, piping the Rhodes thru the whirly, piping the Rhodes thru the effects pad. Steve suggested a chorus or flange effect on the intro to "Time Is Tight". Don got out the effects box and presented some examples. Steve suggested that we use these ideas for our original tunes and concentrate on our cover replicas now.
Ken and Don piped the "Time Is Tight" take through the effects processor for reverb and the results were impressive. The sound of the music is of great quality and is very encouraging.
Don has kindly offered his home for the video night and suggested this weekend, an excellent choice because of the holiday. However, Steve has a conflict. The next Saturday was suggested. Don was agreeable but the consensus was to discuss the exact date further. Presumably, most everyone could make it next Saturday.