This is a new series for the blog. It is unfortunately called Cover Shmover and features me doing covers with the intention of trying out some different studio techniques. I was going to write songs to test studio ideas, but that would eventually lead to some sort of project. I'm currently trying to limit the number of projects that I'm involved in, so covers seemed like a good idea. Covers are also the thing that I've consistently avoided over the years for a variety of reasons. The rare exclusions are Madonna's "Like A Virgin," some R.E.M. songs with Vale and Year, a 311 tune with the Grand Buffet/Vale and Year/Modey mashup, Charles Mingus' "Duke Ellington's Sound of Love," and John Lennon's "India."
Anyway, the first installment sees me taking on Big Hurry's "Silver Screens." This tune is originally from their Silver Screens EP, which can be heard here: http://bighurry.bandcamp.com/album/silver-screens-ep. Big Hurry also just released a new EP called Gets Me Low, which I'll be reviewing for www.burghsounds.com, so they've been on my mind a bit. I always liked "Silver Screens," so it seemed worth trying out.
The recording was made in four hours at Woolslayer Travelling Studios on 01/31/2011. Two additional hours were spent playing bluesy metal guitar solos (evidence here). Another 30 minutes were spent redo-ing vocals on 02/01/2011. I set up two main rules for the recording: 1) No amplifiers could be used. All guitars and basses were recorded direct. I did use a Red Witch pedal for the guitar solo. 2) All drums and percussion had to be recorded individually.
Thanks to Big Hurry for permission to stream the cover and Matt Griffin for leaving his drum kit at my place.
DB Instruments: classical and electric guitars, bass, drums, percussion Cover: "Silver Screens" by Big Hurry. More info at http://www.bighurrymusic.com/
