Monday, January 28, 2008

Wheels


Initially, I bought this crazy kit on the whim of having a piece of Hollywood lore, yet at the same time we were always on the search of the funky. The story goes that it was bought new by Soupy Sales for his son Hunt's birthday then much later was pawned by the son during times of need.

Italian made by Meazzi and marketed as 'Hollywood' they had that early Vaudeville concept of being all racked together on wheels. This was done for easy access of 'striking' instruments with speed for the next act. In doing this the bass drum was
elevated off the floor and had no contact except for the rubber wheels. The drum was only 18" but being suspended and free to ring it sounded huge with a long tone like
a mounted tom.(a nightmare for live sound engineers always in a rush but with proper tuning and some time it was beautiful and uniQue.

I ended up using it for the 1st Vapor LP in studio but muted the kick.(for rock's sake) Also took it on tour for it's mini size and our lack of space.
This kit is amazing and I've never seen anything like it yet there must be others.
I think they were one of the first kits ever to use electronics. (It had pickups installed in the shells that went to a special Hollywood Amp.)Not mine though.

Note; I've seen some of Hollywood's short lived endorsement advertisements in dusty
bins at old school music shoppes featuring Max Roach, Billy Cobham and briefly Buddy Rich(who rumor has it hated the kit so much he kicked it off stage during a show) and others I can't remember.

Edit; I just found some great stuff here.

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

On The Line


Taken from the Radar Bros. album 'And The Surrounding Mountains. Footage filmed by the band as they toured the USA.

Monday, January 21, 2008

Rat Fink


Mark says cheese please.

Monday, January 14, 2008

Subtle Sound


Rich occasionally broke out the 'Silvertone' bass for the warmer tone than the usual 'Rickenbacker' he used for most songs.
Not to forget the 'Shobud' six string bass or tenor guitar by Gretsch.'
Never seen one like it. Used to be the name of a pedal steel but I can't find info online ....yet.

Friday, January 11, 2008

Blue Moods


I remember taking this pic during the recording of our 1st EP 'Acetone' and the 1st LP 'Cindy' at Hammersound Studios in Chatsworth. (Owned, operated and engineered by Chris Apthorp with huge assistance from Scott Campbell.('The Lad')
More on both Chris and Scott's help throughout the band's existence to come.
Thanks

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

I've Enjoyed As Much Of This As I Can Stand


A silly MTV segment we did about1/2 hr before a great NYC show on the Spiritualized tour.

Monday, January 7, 2008

The Other Side Of Dating




Carl Bronson, Mark Lightcap (Acetone) and Steve Goodfriend (Radar Brothers) perform as the Dick Slessig Combo. The group creates dreamy instrumental arrangements of songs from the late '60's through the early '70's. On this disc they produce a high desert evening quiet drift of the Jimmy Webb classic "Wichita Lineman" that clocks in at a calming 43 minutes. Also on this disc is a ghostly arrangement of "Guinnevere" by David Crosby. This disc is excellent.
The Dick Slessig Combo has played in art and music contexts, opening up exhibitions as well as for groups like Matmos, in the United States as well as Europe. Greil Marcus described his discovery of the Combo in one of his Salon Top 10 lists a few years back:
David Patton
More and buy;
Listen on the Inner Sanctum Podcast>>>>>>>>>>>>

Saturday, January 5, 2008

Blue Moods




Frame grabs while playing "Chills" from the 1st England tour.
I'm guessing in Wolverhampton.

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

In The Light


Let there be light ahead.
2008