Today and this weekend Sub Pop is celebrating their 25th anniversary with music on top of the Space Needle and a one day music Festival in Georgetown on Saturday. The Festival is called the Silver Jubilee and features some stalwarts such as Mudhoney, Built To Spill and The Catheters. There are some newer music makers as well, like the Shabazz Palaces and Father John Misty. Endino’s Earthworm will be playing too, at 3PM. They put on a Rockin’ show. You can see the line up here: http://silverjubilee.subpop.com/lineup

KEXP is broadcasting the whole Space Needle thing today, live. Many interviews and memories. The thing that I keep hearing them all say, in one way or another, is that they had, or were, a community that supported each other and each other’s music. Hallelujah.

Happy Anniversary Sub Pop! Thanks for all the music!

Well, what I found were two kids with very grown up sensibilities who know how to ROCK and take their rock seriously. I have recorded way more unorganized, unprepared and unrefined bands made up of “grown ups”.

Admittedly, before they arrived I thought that I’d try to spin the idea of letting me produce them. After meeting and talking with them, it was clear that they were going to be producing this. They knew what they wanted. And Executed.

They came to Soundhouse because we get some kick ass drum sounds here. You can hear some examples on the website.

All of the songs the Trasholes recorded and mixed were done without any artificial reverb on the drums. NONE.

At some point my beloved Fender Hot Rod DeVille (THE amp Ian wanted to use) took a crap. But we have a lot of nice amps, including an array of Fender amps. After going through a couple, dialing in the right amount of gain but still getting the rejection from Ian, I put up the Fender Twin (I ran the amps through the DeVille cabinet) and when I got it dialed in, he turned around and said – That’s it! He knew what he wanted.

When it came time to mix it all came together nicely; a raw, energetic rock album that you should hear.

You can buy the album right now, right here:

You can check them out soon, at the Crocodile, Sunday June 2nd.

And I think you should.

That is all.

-mike

Justin Cronk brought in this band last weekend, Burley Mountian. They were quiet, polite, blue collar guys.

I’d never heard them before and wasn’t sure what to expect. Half way through their first run through I turned to Justin and said, “Looks like you’re gonna have a fun weekend!”

Certainly reminiscent of Wilco, (at least what I heard) they sound like they would be a really fun band to see live. While I might call it Americana, their Reverbnation page  says, “Country / Southern Rock / Electric Bluegrass” …  I can dig it.  Looking forward to the release!

I suppose it has to happen to everybody, sometime. But it happened for Tom Meyers (of Thee Emergency), in a special way at Soundhouse. It’s been a few years since Soundhouse had it’s first Bad Love Session but they came back with a vengeance! Bad Love FILLED Soundhouse with, well, the sounds of Bad Love Makin’ Music! And Tom was right there in the middle of it. When I saw Tom on day two, I expected him to look harried and maybe even tired  … but if that was there it was well hidden by a knowing smile. I could only conclude (and received confirmation) that he enjoyed it. LOVED it. And was ready for more.

Looking forward to the release of the … documentation!

Well, it could be any number of things, the most probable is that we all are in one of the alternate splinters of time/possibilities that continues on because it didn’t happen, while our other selves were obliterated and/or are floating around in space singing David Bowie’s “Star Man”.

So, now. We are here in 2013 and I just want to say thanks to all of you for a fantastic 2012! I am really looking forward to hearing the albums recorded here – like the SEACATS who were just in at the very top of the year to lay down some more tracks .. Master Musicians of Bukkake, Seeing Blind and Birch Riley … Transient, oh and Dilana!

… I had to phone someone so I picked on You hoo hoo….

over and out

Brandon Fitzsimons was in with Portland band Transient. The band had heard some of his recent work that started here at Soundhouse: Samothrace, Bell Witch and Anhedonist.

Brandon dropped two CDs and a Vinyl LP (Anhedonist) of at Soundhouse and I got a chance to listen to them a couple weeks ago. Brandon does a fantastic job with this music – the guitars are generally tuned down, very heavy and distorted and yet he keeps everything focused, clear, gritty and well, sufficiently “doomy”. Layered and atmospheric and powerful. The drums sound awesome.

I think I need a horse of my own.

mike

Hello there,

Some cool things have been going on and I haven’t been telling you. Sheer laziness, I assure you.

Jack had Dilana in the studio last month. Wow. She’s a whole bunch of Rockin’ Woman! Hard working, driven, great (ROCKIN’) songs and she picked the right guy to produce her new album. And if that’s not enough, she’s smart, beautiful and very down to earth. Very nice to have her around the studio!

Meanwhile, Jack’s also been working with Seattle bands Seeing Blind and Mystery Ship. Brian Pake and Birch Riley were just back to re record some drums and do some vocal tracks.

And …

We have rejuvenated the LA2A! Replaced the tubes and purchased a new “old stock” opto attenuator. Sounds Maaahvelous!

Mixing just got better at Soundhouse — We purchased an SSL G series stereo bus compressor – otherwise known as “The Glue”.

A couple months ago Jack came across a band in need of lightening their load  – they had an Ampeg SVT Classic reissue that didn’t work anymore. Jack brought it home and gave it some elbow grease and some TLC. He leaves it in the studio! I love it! Just used it on the last couple projects and it just sounds nice and Ampeg-gy and all tubey like.

We now have a Beyerdynamic M160 Ribbon – sounds great on guitars.

And a pair of Beyerdynamic MC 930s – Currently I have these at my home studio so if you want to use them make sure to let me know and I’ll bring em in!

…and I picked up another Universal Audio 2-610! I love these. It is also at home but if you wanna use more than the one at Soundhouse, lemme know.

Lots to be thankful for!

Have a great Thanksgiving, see you soon!

mike :’)~