It’s Exciting Seeing Progress

We recorded the firsts Fists of Phoenix recording back in the summer of 2004. Right now we are in the final stages of tracking on their 4th recording at Echo Echo Studios. Daniel Seabaugh discussed the light years they have traveled in just 3 and a half years the other day. In their latest recording, the guys are performing better than ever and writing songs that are better than ever. They are a REAL band and have as good of shot of being signed to a small indie label as anyone. I don’t see them knocking Britney Spears (I’m showing my out-of-clueness with the modern pop culture) off the top of the charts, but that was never the aim of the band.

I’ve got a GREAT feeling about the new Fists of Phoenix recording. It’s coming together better than any recording I’ve ever done at this stage in the game. There are no problems on the audio engineering end. I pull up the faders and the sound I want is there. I’m really excited about mixing this record. So I guess, I’ve grown over the years just like Fists of Phoenix has.

Of course, Fists of Phoenix isn’t the only band that has dramatically improved over the years. Daniel Sexton has always been the best songwriter I know from day one. Our first recording was just slapping down acoustic guitar and vocals. Now we have a fully produced album. Catatonic started out like an Incubus clone only different when we first recorded. Now after several albums, they are giving it hell in Chicago (and even recorded a country-ish song of all things!). Mike Renick started out with some songs and an acoustic guitar, drug in about a hundred different session guys and came out with a cool record, now he has one of the most active and biggest drawing bands in Cape Girardeau. I remember recording all kinds of little rough song demos for Promise To Burn and I hear they’ve sold out of their cds they recorded with big dog, Malcolm Springer. We are about to finish a killer Lost Possum album this month. The frustrated band came in with a “screw ‘em” attitude and I think the album is one of the best things I’ve been a part of. I think this album,which is 99% live (including vocals), is better than the album we did a few years ago that we took like 6 months on.

Get Started Now!!
The point is that it is EXTREMELY important that if you are going to be making a killer recording in the future, you had better get started recording now. This is especially true for young bands who still have a lot to learn about making a great record. Nothing teaches a band more about how to improve themselves than making a real recording in a “real” studio. (Or in a really crappy house!)

Brandon