New Music From My Band (check it out!)

[benjamin801]

So, my new band's debut 4 song EP is done. We've posted it for streaming at Reverbnation, and we'll probably post it soon at Bandcamp as a "pay whatever you want" download. I'm proud of it - it's indie-tinged power pop, nothing br00tal or overly technical, so it'll remain to be seen what GAB thinks of it.

I would be happy if my GAB friends would give them a listen, and I'm open to your comments. The second song is mellow, the other three are all rockers.

As a side note, let this recording stand as a testament to the stupefying versatility of the Mesa Mark III. Not only is every second of guitar on these songs the Mark III, I recorded it all without turning a single knob on the amp.

[Dickarms]

will scope.

[benjamin801]

Bump for the evening crew. Also, a link to the Bandcamp page, where you may stream for free or download for whatever you feel like paying (including free).

[Walt]

I like it. I hear some Bouncing Souls and Swingin Udders, but you inject a bit more of a progressive, almost-metal edge, especially the guitars.
I mean this to be complimentary, BTW, because I think both of those bands kick major a-hole.

[benjamin801]

I like it. I hear some Bouncing Souls and Swingin Udders,

Thanks, man. If I could sing like Greg or Spike, I'd be a happy man.

but you inject a bit more of a progressive, almost-metal edge, especially the guitars.

And thanks again. That always happens to me. It's not that I'm playing metal, it's more that it's <insert name of genre here>, clearly played by a guy who likes metal.

I mean this to be complimentary, BTW, because I think both of those bands kick major a-hole.

[VTM]

Not something I would normally listen to, but very well done and I can appreciate the work you put into this.

[benjamin801]

Not something I would normally listen to, but very well done and I can appreciate the work you put into this.

Thanks so much!

Also, bump for...anyone...else?

[Sizzler]

Wow man top notch! I dig it big time.

[Dickarms]

scoped. nice toanz.

[ovid9]

Man, finally got around to listening to this. Started with "The Longest Hallway" that lil riff and teh tones....LOVE IT!

Nice solo too!

It reminds me of something that would be playing at the Bronze in Buffy:TVS. Digging it.

[benjamin801]

Man, finally got around to listening to this. Started with "The Longest Hallway" that lil riff and teh tones....LOVE IT!

Nice solo too!

Thanks! All that single note riff stuff there is the new Tele. I that guitar through the lead channel of the Mesa.

It reminds me of something that would be playing at the Bronze in Buffy:TVS. Digging it.

This is meaningless to me other than I can tell it's meant as a compliment, but I will bounce it off my wife and see if she agrees.

[EugeneTheJeep]

Sounds really good. Great hook on the first song.
Nice tonez on the slow song.
3rd song has a great main riff
I liked the last one best (saved the best for last). Starts strong and then the guitar arps come in.

[benjamin801]

Sounds really good. Great hook on the first song.
Nice tonez on the slow song.
3rd song has a great main riff
I liked the last one best (saved the best for last). Starts strong and then the guitar arps come in.

Thanks so much! I'm glad you liked The Drill; I kinda buried that one last because I worried it wouldn't go over well, but that is proving not to be the case.

And thanks for your kind words on the tones: as I stated upthread, it's 100% the Mesa - everything from the chimey clean stuff on the second track, to the heavy (for me) crunch on the last one.

[EugeneTheJeep]

Sounds really good. Great hook on the first song.
Nice tonez on the slow song.
3rd song has a great main riff
I liked the last one best (saved the best for last). Starts strong and then the guitar arps come in.

Thanks so much! I'm glad you liked The Drill; I kinda buried that one last because I worried it wouldn't go over well, but that is proving not to be the case.

And thanks for your kind words on the tones: as I stated upthread, it's 100% the Mesa - everything from the chimey clean stuff on the second track, to the heavy (for me) crunch on the last one.

Yeah, I really like the crunch on that one too.

What guitars and fx are you using on these?

[benjamin801]

Yeah, I really like the crunch on that one too.

What guitars and fx are you using on these?

Easy, I only own two guitars: a Gibson Les Paul Custom with SD JB/Jazz pickups, and a completely stock American Standard Tele.

Track 1: "The Longest Hallway"
- left rhythm guitar is the Gibson
- right rhythm guitar is the Fender
- all the single note "lead" stuff is the Fender
- all the guitars were tracked bone dry, then I believe a touch of delay and reverb were added to the "lead" track during mixdown

Track 2: "Hookers Give Lousy Backrubs"
- 100% Telecaster
- left track has a little phaser from the TC Nova System
- right track has a little pitch shift from the Nova System
- the solo is the neck pickup of the Tele through the Mesa's lead channel, with delay and 'verb added later
- what may sound like an organ or synth is just me doing swells with my volume pedal

Track 3: "Heroin Heather"
- left guitar = Gibson
- right guitar = Fender

Track 4: "The Drill"
- 100% Les Paul
- I thickened the crunch rhythm tracks by doing the left one with the GEQ on, and the right one with it off. (Or vice versa?)
- you can tell it's the Gibson when I hit those little clean arpeggios, because it's so much plonkier and middier than the Tele cleans on track 2

There you go!