December 8, 2013
Chris here, Wayne has been giving you a story of the times of EBLC.
I’d like to give you a simpler, less emotional version. A story taking
you through each recorded track from behind a drum kit.
First, I’d
want to say that by 1999 we had been at it for long enough that my drum
parts began to seem as if they just fit in our songs without much
thought or effort. There might have been suggestions but I always had
free reign to do whatever I wanted. (My Brain Is Full: I pulled out a
jaw harp during the percussion overdubs and never heard a word of doubt.
NOW THAT’S TRUST)
Whenever presented with new material, I
don’t want scratch drums. I don’t want to hear a drum machine. I don’t
want there to even be a metronome clicking. I never wanted anything to
have a chance to influence or holding back what might be created. I
want my mind to be like a sequestered jury to make unbiased decisions. I
want my blank canvas! Of course it’s rock music and the’ll be lots of
standard ingredients you just can’t escape, but I always got what I
wanted, which was usually Brandon playing an singing alone in the
practice room.
I can honestly say I always gave my best effort
whether I loved or hated the song. It was going on tape, it was usually
someone else’s money being spent, it was time energy and effort by the
rest of the band and engineers, and to me it was always something
sacred.
Within the 13 tracks I may claim a couple ideas I
remember being mine although you can sometimes get into gray areas.
When tweaking songs with a band any small thing one member plays can
change what another plays, which influences someone else, and continues
on and on creating a type of butterfly effect.
Do not fear any
jargon getting too technical or complicated–I’m self taught. Do not
fear hearing how I hate a song you may love–those opinions will stay
out of this recollection. Do not fear having to read any more of this
right now–we’ll go through the 13 in the not so distant future.