9 months later, it's off to be mastered.
Did anyone notice that gap in updates? Those are dated correctly. It's been 9 months. Here's your explanation:
Mark had an infection which he needed treated immediately, so we had to put the album on hold for several months. But he's finally recovered long enough to finish tracking and mixing, so we've finally done so!
BUT IT'S DONE! And we are all so happy with how it's come out. We're planning on blowing your minds with this record, so I hope you're ready.
Today I mailed off the final mixdowns to West West Side Music, where Alan Douches will begin mastering the album next Monday. We are still sorting out artists for the final artwork, but at this point the music is basically out of our hands. You can check back on our website as well as our Myspace page for recordings as soon as they're ready.
You'll hear some music very soon!
Mark had an infection which he needed treated immediately, so we had to put the album on hold for several months. But he's finally recovered long enough to finish tracking and mixing, so we've finally done so!
BUT IT'S DONE! And we are all so happy with how it's come out. We're planning on blowing your minds with this record, so I hope you're ready.
Today I mailed off the final mixdowns to West West Side Music, where Alan Douches will begin mastering the album next Monday. We are still sorting out artists for the final artwork, but at this point the music is basically out of our hands. You can check back on our website as well as our Myspace page for recordings as soon as they're ready.
Here is the final tracklist:
1. First World Problems
2. The Next 23 Years
3. 80 on 80
4. Remember When
5. It's Not Murder (If You're Already Dead)
6. Sneaking Suspicion
7. A New Era
8. Saint of Killers
9. Lost Direction
10. Have a Drink, Baby!
11. One Hell of a Ride
12. S.O.S.
13. A Bitter Goodbye Song
1. First World Problems
2. The Next 23 Years
3. 80 on 80
4. Remember When
5. It's Not Murder (If You're Already Dead)
6. Sneaking Suspicion
7. A New Era
8. Saint of Killers
9. Lost Direction
10. Have a Drink, Baby!
11. One Hell of a Ride
12. S.O.S.
13. A Bitter Goodbye Song
You'll hear some music very soon!
Exhaustion
I haven't been adding to this as often as I'd like. Sorry about that. Anyway, we're over halfway done with guitar and bass tracks, which sound pretty damn sweet so far. I spent practically all of Wednesday in the studio with Mike working on The Saint of Killers, which sounds the best it has since I started up this band. Finished off vocals for Have a Drink and It's Not Murder tonight and those sound awesome as well. It took a bit of retooling (songs from the first lineup tend to have weird, practically impossibly complex verses... simplification rules!), but It's Not Murder shaped up to be tight and catchy. I'm looking forward to getting this all out there not just to be through with it, but to have everything sounding so awesome. Mike continues to amaze, making vocals that make me cringe when I first blurt them out sound, I don't know, professional?
At the end of this, I imagine we'll sound better than we ever have. It's a very humbling experience, listening to every flubbed riff and needing to accept every bit of criticism because this dudes are professionals at making you sound good. Exhausting or not, this is infinitely rewarding for all its challenges. That being said, thank God we're closer to the end than the beginning. Can't wait to get that 4th member and start playing this stuff for everyone.
At the end of this, I imagine we'll sound better than we ever have. It's a very humbling experience, listening to every flubbed riff and needing to accept every bit of criticism because this dudes are professionals at making you sound good. Exhausting or not, this is infinitely rewarding for all its challenges. That being said, thank God we're closer to the end than the beginning. Can't wait to get that 4th member and start playing this stuff for everyone.
Remember When... I Recorded Until 2AM?
I think the title sums up the night pretty well. All kidding aside, this stuff sounds so much better than I could imagine so far, especially in the wake of losing nearly half our members. Mike is doing an amazing job recording this stuff, and for all the bitching we may do in the coming weeks about being exhausted, I'm so excited for the finished product that whatever I say, I'm truly having the time of my life.
Last night was hectic, but probably nothing compared to the weekend. I'll be in the studio tomorrow, Saturday, and Sunday from 11AM until... well, until 2 or 3 songs are completed each day. I'll try to keep this updated daily and let everyone know how things are coming along.
Also: Sugar Free Red Bull is my fuel this month, so any gifts of that sweet nectar are highly appreciated!
Last night was hectic, but probably nothing compared to the weekend. I'll be in the studio tomorrow, Saturday, and Sunday from 11AM until... well, until 2 or 3 songs are completed each day. I'll try to keep this updated daily and let everyone know how things are coming along.
Also: Sugar Free Red Bull is my fuel this month, so any gifts of that sweet nectar are highly appreciated!
Day 4: Guitar
Days 2 and 3 have passed and Eric has tracked his drums already and I was too slow to set up his account to post on here. So he'll write something and I'll add it in later (and use the power of the Internet to make it look like it was there in the first place)... moving on.
Everything sounds GREAT so far. I'm kinda confused, cause after like attempts to record this stupid band it actually sounds good for once. I'm sitting here as Mark is tracking the Have a Drink, Baby! solo and I gotta say... thousands of dollars in a guitar rig sounds really fucking good. So does this solo.
I may also unexpectedly be recording a bass track tonight. Who knew?
So here's a secret to getting your CD to sound good: Pay someone with a lot of money and really nice equipment to do it for you. Again, lots of credit to Mike from Cannon Found Soundation for knowing how to turn the right knobs on a guitar amp and click the right buttons on a computer... really fast.
Everything sounds GREAT so far. I'm kinda confused, cause after like attempts to record this stupid band it actually sounds good for once. I'm sitting here as Mark is tracking the Have a Drink, Baby! solo and I gotta say... thousands of dollars in a guitar rig sounds really fucking good. So does this solo.
I may also unexpectedly be recording a bass track tonight. Who knew?
So here's a secret to getting your CD to sound good: Pay someone with a lot of money and really nice equipment to do it for you. Again, lots of credit to Mike from Cannon Found Soundation for knowing how to turn the right knobs on a guitar amp and click the right buttons on a computer... really fast.
DRUMS!
After 20 hours of recording, $400 of drum equipment, and countless quarters in parking and turnpike fees, I am done tracking drums! I am the first person in the band to record and lay the foundation for the album, and I am very confident this album is going to be superb. Tracks that listeners should look out for are the new and improved Sneaking Suspicion and one of our new untitled songs.
Even though Legitimate Business has gone through a major line up change, we are better than we were before. Concerns before recording this album included "A ska band without horns?" and "Will the sound be full?". After recording, I know this album has the potential to be the best of Legitimate Business. Our line-up consists of Mark, Steve, and I. We have all been playing together for a couple of years now, and to be honest I wouldn't want it any other way. I know from a drummer's stand point, I put a lot of energy into my playing and am very pleased with the sound. I anxiously await for Mark and Steve to record. I know if they feel the same way I do, this album is going to come out amazing. I will conclude this blog by saying I am relieved because I am done recording, but I can't wait til September when you all can listen to the album.
Even though Legitimate Business has gone through a major line up change, we are better than we were before. Concerns before recording this album included "A ska band without horns?" and "Will the sound be full?". After recording, I know this album has the potential to be the best of Legitimate Business. Our line-up consists of Mark, Steve, and I. We have all been playing together for a couple of years now, and to be honest I wouldn't want it any other way. I know from a drummer's stand point, I put a lot of energy into my playing and am very pleased with the sound. I anxiously await for Mark and Steve to record. I know if they feel the same way I do, this album is going to come out amazing. I will conclude this blog by saying I am relieved because I am done recording, but I can't wait til September when you all can listen to the album.
Recording: Day 1
So today we began tracking our debut full length album. For those who haven't been keeping up on LB news lately, the horn section has quit and as a result this album is going to turn out a little differently than expected. But don't fret, because if the scratches we laid down today are any indication, this album is going to sound fantastic. We're recording with Mike Oettinger of Cannon Found Soundation (who recently finished up Lifetime's '2 songs 7"' and Say Anything's '2 Songs'!).
Anyway, here's the tentative tracklist (track names subject to change):
1. First World Problems
2. 90's Pop Punk Extravaganza
3. Lost Direction
4. One Hell of a Ride
5. S.O.S.
6. 80 on 80
7. A New Era
8. Remember When
9. It's Not Murder (If You're Already Dead)
10. Have a Drink, Baby!
11. Sneaking Suspicion
12. Saint of Killers
13. Outro
You may notice that we're re-recording the four songs from our 2007 EP "If You Can't Take The Heat..." but we've changed them up a bit since then too.
Tomorrow and Friday Eric is going in to lay down his drum tracks. The album itself should finish being recorded mid-August, and we'll discuss our release options around then (expect a CD, digital download, and maybe some vinyl...).
And we continue to look for a new guitarist and possibly keyboardist... get in touch with one of us if you're interested.
Anyway, here's the tentative tracklist (track names subject to change):
1. First World Problems
2. 90's Pop Punk Extravaganza
3. Lost Direction
4. One Hell of a Ride
5. S.O.S.
6. 80 on 80
7. A New Era
8. Remember When
9. It's Not Murder (If You're Already Dead)
10. Have a Drink, Baby!
11. Sneaking Suspicion
12. Saint of Killers
13. Outro
You may notice that we're re-recording the four songs from our 2007 EP "If You Can't Take The Heat..." but we've changed them up a bit since then too.
Tomorrow and Friday Eric is going in to lay down his drum tracks. The album itself should finish being recorded mid-August, and we'll discuss our release options around then (expect a CD, digital download, and maybe some vinyl...).
And we continue to look for a new guitarist and possibly keyboardist... get in touch with one of us if you're interested.