Motorhead350
06-01-2010, 08:32 AM
Just got back to Illinois locked the back door oh boy. Just woke up after 15 hours of sleep and I'm ready for more. Here's what went on.
On the first day I couldn't sleep on the airplane. No matter what, no position felt good enough to pass out. Upon the arrival to the airport Dereck picked up Jeff, me and we were on our way to a day of sight seeing. Dereck's Marauder is very clean and to my surprise had American plates on it! The road's were like something I have never seen before, everyone drives so close to one another. The cars also lack damage and rust. They have strict over there on vehicle safety and I think it would be best enforced across the world. We went to the London Eye and a nice boat cruise. Later we went out for dinner at a placed called Ace Cafe London. It was like we were in Mad Max. It was full of bikers who were riding on one wheel down the main street and everyone was pretty cool. A few Asian cars showed up later and a PT Cruiser. Pictures will be posted. After a day of looking around and food Dereck and I had to depart ways. I told him we was welcomed to come to Chicago at anytime. ;)
The second day was when the "work" began. We were up and moving early to get to Abbey Road to setup the drum kits and guitar amps for recording. The studio was like nothing I have never seen before. The room that was used to record Star Wars seemed as big as a two story building and it probably was. There was old recording equipment all over the hallways incase anyone had the coin to record the good way... analogue and mono. We were told only bands like U2 can actually afford to do that. The people where were all nice to my surprise and not protective, I guess they knew Jeff and I knew what we were doing and we didn't need to be told to be careful. Doing all of this took hours, but neither one of us cared. We were left in charge for the whole Abbey Road setup. Called the shots on how many guitars to order, amps, keyboard, drums, mics exc. It was a nice feeling knowing we were gaining trust and now making decisions.
The third day was all jamming at another studio called The Joint. That day consisted of me running around all day making sure everyone was happy. Happy with their loaner Gibson's, amps, basses, drums..... if anyone needed anything. Basicially I was a roadie when I was at the Joint, but I didn't care. It was all music all day.
The forth day was exactly the same, except I got a chance to jam that night. A band was covering I love Rock N' Roll and I told them it was an Arrows song, not Joan Jett. Even the rock stars didn't know that and were going to look it up later. I sang louder than anyone on that song and in key. Some people started looking at me being that I hogged the attention :rolleyes: but really all I was doing was enjoying myself and getting attention for it. We did a few Stones songs too and I sang on the choruses. On the way back I was challenging anyone I could to Rock N' Roll trivia and no one could out do me. I even made some of the councilors look bad for not knowing certian answers... I didn't mean to. One guy asked if I knew who wrote the song He's a Rebel for The Crystals, of course I knew it was Gene Pitney and than I mentioned how it's not actually the Crystals on that recording it's The Blossoms.... they couldn't believe I knew that. The question that I asked which really made people give me this look like GET A LIFE was when no one knew the mistakes in the Beach Boys recording of 409. The rev at the beginning is a 348 Chevy engine, not a 409. One woman camper said "If you know that, you need a woman." Another dude said "You need more oxygen in your life." I didn't care.
That night at the bar in the hotel campers kept coming up to me with trivia and questions about Rock N' Roll music. Many people said they were impressed and only knew about 1/10th of what I knew. Three other people (days apart and completely sober) said I was a genius. I just said "Thanks, but the truth is I just really like music a lot. I know nothing about The Constitution or anything else I'm supposed to know." "Meh I've never had to use any of that info anyway!" (said a lawyer) :lol:
The sixth day came to me with a big assignment. I had to be Jack Bruce's (Cream) bass tech for the day. It was no problem. Jack pulled up in a brand new 2 Door Bentley and I'm guessing it came from the reunion tour. I spoke to him later on cars and he's had a ton expensive cars and fast cars. He knew what a Marauder was and he's reaction was "Wow. That's a good car in a straight line." :lol: Yup, he knew it... or maybe it was just the fact that was an American car that wasn't a Corvette. He took a few pictures and jammed with all the bands. We went to Abbey Road too to jam and record. White Room seemed to be a favorite with all the bands followed by Sunshine of your love. Someone asked the big question if Cream would ever tour again and Jack said yes. That day I also wrote on the Abbey Road wall and took a photo by the crosswalk.
The seventh day Chris from Yes was around and I had to bass tech for him too. I got a photo with him and Allen, their drummer. I guess it was a big deal since that haven't played together in a while and where they were at different parts of the building both were talking bad about one another. :( I didn't know too much about Yes, but now I know I gotta learn how to play Roundabout on bass.
The eighth day everyone went to jam at Abbey Road. The drummer from Pink Floyd was there too, but I didn't get a chance to talk to him at all. Everyonbe was recording covers and sure enough I jumped in the vocal booth, sang and recorded at Abbey Road. The songs I sang on were Do Wa Diddy and Hang on Sloopy. It was a really cool feeling. I forgot to mention that on the first day there I had to test the amps to I played at Abbey Road too. I just played All Day and All Of The Night since the Beatles music just won't die over there.
This was also the day I was really hurt. The guy who got the who together said he needed to speak to me. He was also on the top of a flight of stairs and wouldn't come down... like he was looking down on me during this talk. That made me angry to begin with and I couldn't come up because I had work to do where I was. "Dominick you need to learn to shut the f*** up." "Why?" "Well you can learn from everyone if you just shut your mouth. When I was with Ringo I just listened to everything he had to say, I never said a word." "No one seems to mind. Campers who saw me last feb said they prefer me now than the shy way I was last winter." "Well not the rock stars. They aren't your friends. Remember Marky Ramone? See he wasn't your friend. He's gone. Jeff is your friend." (at that point I was ready to cause major damage at Abbey Road, but I couldn't just drive away. :mad2: ) "Just shut the f up and keep your personality at home."
I was hurt so bad even campers were asking if I was okay. I was no longer the one that would tell you what key a song was in or who performed it first. I just sat in the corner when I wasn't needed and didn't socialize at all. I was thinking if what the guy said was actually true or not. It occured to me I was just making some of the rock stars look bad because where they lacked knowledge I shined and they didn't like that. Maybe it was best. But I also thought if I was quiet all the time how am I going to network? I'll be just another guy moving equipment around. If that's all I am to them, I think I'll stay away for the rest of my life.
Here is what drove me crazy. The final day Mark Hudsion (Aerosmith producer) went up to me and said "Where did your personality go?" WTF?!?!?! "I was told to leave it at home." We actually had a talk for a few minutes because he was actually concerned about me. He asked for a demo of mine and said he would see what he could do. He was going to call back even if he said we sucked.... so I got a demo to a hot shot producer that knows me , knows I can sing, knows I know guitar, committed ... exc. This made me feel glad all over. The final night Kip Winger went up to me and said "Dude as a friend, I gotta tell you if you're going to try to pick up chicks do something about your breath." Now I got people looking out for me when I was told no one here is a friend of mine? Well I'm really confused now.
I'm not going to make a decision as to if I will return or not for at least a week. The two other workers with Jeff and I said they did get further as to where they wanted to be in life, but it takes time... just as I thought.
Well I will post pictures soon guys.
Mark Hudsion was full of stories too. Half the fun was just listening everyone. Marc couldn't believe I knew of the name Phil Spector or the type audio format I prefer at the age of 24. Marc mentioned how it's sad everything is being mixed for earbuds as suppose to actual sound systems. On the subject of Phil Spector i asked if he knew Phils first band The Teddy Bears or how he produced one of my favorite songs by The Alley Cats called Puddin-N-Taine. Marc couldn't believe this, he was in shock almost. :eek: He was like "You're in the wrong time Dom." "Yeah I know, that's why I'm cryin' all the time."
He did mention a funny story that I'll never forget. Phil Spector recording John Lennon's album with all the Rock n' Roll covers. Marc was just walking into the recording booth to see what was going on and John opens the door, smiles and saids "He's pissed." Starts running down the hallway and Phil Spector is chasing him with a gun in his hand pointed at the ceiling. It didn't sound funny at first until he said they were going into different rooms back in forth in the hallway like a Three Stooges episode. Just IMAGINEing this happening made me laugh for a good ten minutes.
On the first day I couldn't sleep on the airplane. No matter what, no position felt good enough to pass out. Upon the arrival to the airport Dereck picked up Jeff, me and we were on our way to a day of sight seeing. Dereck's Marauder is very clean and to my surprise had American plates on it! The road's were like something I have never seen before, everyone drives so close to one another. The cars also lack damage and rust. They have strict over there on vehicle safety and I think it would be best enforced across the world. We went to the London Eye and a nice boat cruise. Later we went out for dinner at a placed called Ace Cafe London. It was like we were in Mad Max. It was full of bikers who were riding on one wheel down the main street and everyone was pretty cool. A few Asian cars showed up later and a PT Cruiser. Pictures will be posted. After a day of looking around and food Dereck and I had to depart ways. I told him we was welcomed to come to Chicago at anytime. ;)
The second day was when the "work" began. We were up and moving early to get to Abbey Road to setup the drum kits and guitar amps for recording. The studio was like nothing I have never seen before. The room that was used to record Star Wars seemed as big as a two story building and it probably was. There was old recording equipment all over the hallways incase anyone had the coin to record the good way... analogue and mono. We were told only bands like U2 can actually afford to do that. The people where were all nice to my surprise and not protective, I guess they knew Jeff and I knew what we were doing and we didn't need to be told to be careful. Doing all of this took hours, but neither one of us cared. We were left in charge for the whole Abbey Road setup. Called the shots on how many guitars to order, amps, keyboard, drums, mics exc. It was a nice feeling knowing we were gaining trust and now making decisions.
The third day was all jamming at another studio called The Joint. That day consisted of me running around all day making sure everyone was happy. Happy with their loaner Gibson's, amps, basses, drums..... if anyone needed anything. Basicially I was a roadie when I was at the Joint, but I didn't care. It was all music all day.
The forth day was exactly the same, except I got a chance to jam that night. A band was covering I love Rock N' Roll and I told them it was an Arrows song, not Joan Jett. Even the rock stars didn't know that and were going to look it up later. I sang louder than anyone on that song and in key. Some people started looking at me being that I hogged the attention :rolleyes: but really all I was doing was enjoying myself and getting attention for it. We did a few Stones songs too and I sang on the choruses. On the way back I was challenging anyone I could to Rock N' Roll trivia and no one could out do me. I even made some of the councilors look bad for not knowing certian answers... I didn't mean to. One guy asked if I knew who wrote the song He's a Rebel for The Crystals, of course I knew it was Gene Pitney and than I mentioned how it's not actually the Crystals on that recording it's The Blossoms.... they couldn't believe I knew that. The question that I asked which really made people give me this look like GET A LIFE was when no one knew the mistakes in the Beach Boys recording of 409. The rev at the beginning is a 348 Chevy engine, not a 409. One woman camper said "If you know that, you need a woman." Another dude said "You need more oxygen in your life." I didn't care.
That night at the bar in the hotel campers kept coming up to me with trivia and questions about Rock N' Roll music. Many people said they were impressed and only knew about 1/10th of what I knew. Three other people (days apart and completely sober) said I was a genius. I just said "Thanks, but the truth is I just really like music a lot. I know nothing about The Constitution or anything else I'm supposed to know." "Meh I've never had to use any of that info anyway!" (said a lawyer) :lol:
The sixth day came to me with a big assignment. I had to be Jack Bruce's (Cream) bass tech for the day. It was no problem. Jack pulled up in a brand new 2 Door Bentley and I'm guessing it came from the reunion tour. I spoke to him later on cars and he's had a ton expensive cars and fast cars. He knew what a Marauder was and he's reaction was "Wow. That's a good car in a straight line." :lol: Yup, he knew it... or maybe it was just the fact that was an American car that wasn't a Corvette. He took a few pictures and jammed with all the bands. We went to Abbey Road too to jam and record. White Room seemed to be a favorite with all the bands followed by Sunshine of your love. Someone asked the big question if Cream would ever tour again and Jack said yes. That day I also wrote on the Abbey Road wall and took a photo by the crosswalk.
The seventh day Chris from Yes was around and I had to bass tech for him too. I got a photo with him and Allen, their drummer. I guess it was a big deal since that haven't played together in a while and where they were at different parts of the building both were talking bad about one another. :( I didn't know too much about Yes, but now I know I gotta learn how to play Roundabout on bass.
The eighth day everyone went to jam at Abbey Road. The drummer from Pink Floyd was there too, but I didn't get a chance to talk to him at all. Everyonbe was recording covers and sure enough I jumped in the vocal booth, sang and recorded at Abbey Road. The songs I sang on were Do Wa Diddy and Hang on Sloopy. It was a really cool feeling. I forgot to mention that on the first day there I had to test the amps to I played at Abbey Road too. I just played All Day and All Of The Night since the Beatles music just won't die over there.
This was also the day I was really hurt. The guy who got the who together said he needed to speak to me. He was also on the top of a flight of stairs and wouldn't come down... like he was looking down on me during this talk. That made me angry to begin with and I couldn't come up because I had work to do where I was. "Dominick you need to learn to shut the f*** up." "Why?" "Well you can learn from everyone if you just shut your mouth. When I was with Ringo I just listened to everything he had to say, I never said a word." "No one seems to mind. Campers who saw me last feb said they prefer me now than the shy way I was last winter." "Well not the rock stars. They aren't your friends. Remember Marky Ramone? See he wasn't your friend. He's gone. Jeff is your friend." (at that point I was ready to cause major damage at Abbey Road, but I couldn't just drive away. :mad2: ) "Just shut the f up and keep your personality at home."
I was hurt so bad even campers were asking if I was okay. I was no longer the one that would tell you what key a song was in or who performed it first. I just sat in the corner when I wasn't needed and didn't socialize at all. I was thinking if what the guy said was actually true or not. It occured to me I was just making some of the rock stars look bad because where they lacked knowledge I shined and they didn't like that. Maybe it was best. But I also thought if I was quiet all the time how am I going to network? I'll be just another guy moving equipment around. If that's all I am to them, I think I'll stay away for the rest of my life.
Here is what drove me crazy. The final day Mark Hudsion (Aerosmith producer) went up to me and said "Where did your personality go?" WTF?!?!?! "I was told to leave it at home." We actually had a talk for a few minutes because he was actually concerned about me. He asked for a demo of mine and said he would see what he could do. He was going to call back even if he said we sucked.... so I got a demo to a hot shot producer that knows me , knows I can sing, knows I know guitar, committed ... exc. This made me feel glad all over. The final night Kip Winger went up to me and said "Dude as a friend, I gotta tell you if you're going to try to pick up chicks do something about your breath." Now I got people looking out for me when I was told no one here is a friend of mine? Well I'm really confused now.
I'm not going to make a decision as to if I will return or not for at least a week. The two other workers with Jeff and I said they did get further as to where they wanted to be in life, but it takes time... just as I thought.
Well I will post pictures soon guys.
Mark Hudsion was full of stories too. Half the fun was just listening everyone. Marc couldn't believe I knew of the name Phil Spector or the type audio format I prefer at the age of 24. Marc mentioned how it's sad everything is being mixed for earbuds as suppose to actual sound systems. On the subject of Phil Spector i asked if he knew Phils first band The Teddy Bears or how he produced one of my favorite songs by The Alley Cats called Puddin-N-Taine. Marc couldn't believe this, he was in shock almost. :eek: He was like "You're in the wrong time Dom." "Yeah I know, that's why I'm cryin' all the time."
He did mention a funny story that I'll never forget. Phil Spector recording John Lennon's album with all the Rock n' Roll covers. Marc was just walking into the recording booth to see what was going on and John opens the door, smiles and saids "He's pissed." Starts running down the hallway and Phil Spector is chasing him with a gun in his hand pointed at the ceiling. It didn't sound funny at first until he said they were going into different rooms back in forth in the hallway like a Three Stooges episode. Just IMAGINEing this happening made me laugh for a good ten minutes.