Joe in the studio.

Here's Joe performing one of his takes for the song "Serpentine" today in the studio. The song is really sounding fantastic, his guitar work and the tone we achieved with our bizarro techniques absolutely sends this song to places we heard in our heads months ago and is now a reality.

Performances in the works.

We are planning some live shows for the fall. Somewhere around October, November. We're not really sure for a Las Vegas show...we've done our fair share of those. We are eyeing some dates elsewhere and will keep you informed.

Progression.

Well, yeah, the updates have slowed down, but the music making has not. It's just been a very busy two weeks here and apologies for not updating as frequently as necessary.

In the past two weeks we've worked extensively on a song called "Change Your Mind," which is a real centerpiece for the album, we believe. It really showcases our songwriting ability, something we feel has grown considerably with each album, each new song. We dig it, we hope you will too.

Beyond that, we've laid down some other guitar tracks, finalized the music for "When You Lose" which awaits vocals now...oh and just got the bass done for a song that reminds me of something themed in a military fashion. No, it doesn't have a marching percussive sound, it's just got a certain feel to it that is difficult to explain, so I will leave it at that.

New recording on The Bleachers myspace page.

Well, if you are reading this blog, you've read countless updates about our new songs getting recorded piece by piece for the past few months.

Here's something new for everyone to check out: a brand new recording (just finished tonight) of a song called "Different Stars" which was written by a very beguiling band named Trespassers William. We have performed this song live several times; here, the song features Joe on guitar and vocals with me behind the desk engineering it. Quite an intimate performance. Have a listen over at our myspace page.

If you are not familiar with this band, please click the link above to learn more about their mesmerizing songs and albums.

The sound has landed.

The sound is unlike any I have ever heard, or likely will hear from anything else.

Guitars for "I Swear, I Swear" recorded.

Hot on the heels of getting the bass recorded and the post work done the other day, Joe was able to come in and record his guitars for "I Swear, I Swear." Once again, he completed owned the session, recording his parts very efficiently yet with tremendous energy and punctuation throughout.

This is all we're doing through the weekend, as we have some gear upgrades that need to be attended to.

Guitars for "Apparition" recorded.

The rhythm guitars for "Apparition" were laid down first, which just scream out of the speakers. It's like syrup and butter melting all over pancakes, really. Or a really good waffle. The way it collects in each little square. Delicious.

Between the rhythms melting gorgeously throughout, Joe had some ideas for secondary guitars that just complements everything so well. The rhythm guitars would have been enough, really. But the secondary parts just push this one over the top. Lush and exquisite.

Guitars for "Wasteland" recorded.

Joe stepped into the studio tonight, ready to work and he nailed the guitars down for "Wasteland" like he's been playing the song for 25 years.

Just a terrific groove in this song, the guitars providing great interplay with the distinctive piano line. Short, punchy, lively and to the point. This song showcases it all in a very abbreviated amount of time.

Bass recorded/post work complete for "I Swear, I Swear."

Bass for "I Swear, I Swear" was recorded today, as well as the post work for the part. A very nice sound going on in this song, the bass and drums gluing together quite handsomely.

What makes me terribly fond of this song is the fact we were able to write so many disparate parts into the song and have them fit together so well -- in under three minutes and fifteen seconds, no less.

Guitars for "History" recorded.

Moving things along quickly, Joe and I sat down today and knocked out guitars for "History" which sound just incredible. The guitars are definitely the muscular part of the song and the recording of them earlier today confirmed just that.

That makes two in two days, we're going to shoot for a few more this week, but the weekdays are always slower for getting work done.

Guitars for "When You Lose" recorded.

Preparing for the part of the recording process where we finally get to introduce Joe's guitar work to the songs, we had mapped out numerous combinations of amplifiers, microphones, placement, etc.

What was finally settled upon, was an interesting "triangle" configuration which utilizes several amplifiers and microphones blending tight-mic'd and room angle placement. Yes, I know this is getting technical, but I am trying to keep it as humanely simple as possible so you do not fall asleep here.

Anyway, it produces a sound that is most definitely something we are looking to achieve. Surely you will all like the sound once it is all said and done.

Today, as with each previous instrument's introduction to the recording process, we began with "When You Lose" which sounds remarkable now that we are a mere vocal track away from completion on this one.