2003 JAM GALLERY
--SATURDAY, MARCH 1, 2003-
...In which the "brain core" (Rob and Ken) are joined by Luke and Jordan
(and NOT joined on drums by Ian...car troubles! Hopefully next time...).
The nasty weather seen lately here in New Jersey finally gave the band a break:
Saturday's jam was rain and snow free, with temps rising to the balmy 40s.
The newest lineup (L to R): Luke, Jordan, Ken, Rob.
Jordan arrived with an amp identical to Rob's, a large pile of effects pedals, and talent beyond his years.
Luke staked out a tiny spot in the cramped studio, while Rob mugged for the camera.
Rob tuned up, and later spent some time chasing down an annoying cord buzz.
Wayne, sequestered in the "remote room," blindly took the first stab at 8-track digital recording, a method brand new to the band. Hopes were high...
Unfortunately, Ken and Wayne didn't get past the first chapter of the software manual, and soon discovered that 75% of the afternoon's recording...hadn't recorded. Oops. The band is still mourning the loss of some really tasty new tunes, but they'll try again in a few weeks.
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--SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2003-
...In which the "old guys" are joined once again by Luke on bass, while Ian steps up to jam on the Yamaha electronic drums.
Fingers are crossed as Wayne is (once again) introduced to a completely new recording configuration. Out with the MOTU 2408 and the non-intuitive software that came with it. In with MOTU's 828 and Steinberg's Cubase SL. Helllloooo FireWire, 8 digital tracks and OS-X! Damn... it just WORKS!
Luke waits while RoboRob(TM) is plugged in and booted up.
Ken's half of the studio is getting a bit crowded. The reverse-facing synth setup is not an avant-garde experiment...
...it's that way so Ian can try some percussive keyboard fun!
Ken now uses a USB game pad to trigger samples and loops from the iBook.
It's Luke's second jam with the band, and he was a lot more relaxed, resulting in some inspired playing.
Wayne captured MOST of this session on the Mac (hooray!), so Ken better get started mixing and mastering...
the world needs more Brainstatik music!
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--SATURDAY, JUNE 28, 2003-
...In which the Rob and Ken are joined by alumni bassist Jim.
Guest drummer Glenn 2.0 cancelled out at the last minute, but the trio still filled the room with sound. Jim fit right back in after a loooong hiatus from the band.
Rob and Jim tune up.
"Cool...our second bass player this year!!"
Jim fell right back into the BS groove.
And Ken is happy for Jim's help on the low end.
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--SATURDAY, JULY 12, 2003-
...In which the Rob and Ken are again joined by bassist Jim, and meet Glenn 2.0 and Mike.
It was guite a tight squeeze, but all five guys managed (after some effort!) to cram themselves and their gear into Ken's tiny studio.
The view of the "sitting down guys" corner, with Jim and Rob making room for Glenn's debut.
The view of the "weird sounds" side of the room. (Ken and Mike prefer to stand.)
Mike said: "The studio looked so much bigger on the Web site!"
Glenn's sits in the middle, surrounded by unfamiliar noise devices.
"Hey...I wonder what this extra string does?"
"If nobody farts, we'll be okay!"
Glenn and Rob trade blazing 64th-note triplets in 5/4 time...or was that 7/4?
Mike coaxed some lush tones and loops out of his guitar. Several times, both he and Ken were unsure of who exactly was producing a particular sound.
Somebody just HAD to say it: "Nice rack!"
Jim lays down a groove. He and Glenn meshed well together to create some real sonic thunder.
Taking a break from an amazing recording session. Somehow the songs always comes out with that distinctive Brainstatik sonic stamp.
Only halfway through the year and no shortage of band members. Blink and you might see the lineup change again!
Now Rob and Ken just have to get together in August to rehearse for the opposite extreme:
two September gigs as a DUO!
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--SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2003-
...In which the "Gang of Five" reunite for the first time since JULY to rehearse for the upcoming WPRB Halloween performance.
It's still a tight squeeze to cram themselves and their gear into Ken's tiny studio., but everyone arranged themselves semi-comfortably.
Rob, Jim and Glenn try a new seating arrangement for the "sitting down guys" side of the studio.
Meanwhile, on the "standing up guys" side, Ken and Mike stop playing for a minute and listen.
Way too much fun was had posing with an old mirror during a break!
A new bonus: click above for two short Quicktime movies!
(about 1 Mb each; 10 seconds long)