We are extremely happy to be joining our friends The Heavy for a tour of the UK in March! We've been wanting to get across the pond for a while, and this trip is going to be great. Check out the dates below, and get tickets now, because they're going fast!
We recently worked with the History Channel for their new show, The Men Who Built America. We were happy to work with the History folks for the second time this year, but were presented with a challenge. The History team thought our song, Blood On The Rails, fit the tone of the show well, but it only existed in the form of a rough recording that wasn't suitable for a wide release. We decided to re-record the track during a small break in our tight touring schedule, and try to create the best version possible with limited time. Our friends at Lost Ark Studio in San Diego came to the rescue, and got us in the studio on short notice. The experience at Lost Ark was very special for us. Producer Mike Butler helped expand our creative horizons, and got us to use some creative techniques to achieve the sounds and textures that we were looking for. Our good friend Rebecca Joelson was on hand to document the experience, and we are happy to share some of those photos with you here!
A lyric/chord sheet from the Blood On The Rails recording session.
The session starts with the entire band playing to capture bass and drums.
Chad Lee sits behind one of the many drum kits at Lost Ark.
Joshua Zimmerman works out his headphone mix.
When tracking gets intense, the hats come off.
After bass and drums are laid down, Jeremiah Zimmerman starts working on the guitar tracks.
Following guitar, Jeremiah lays down several types of keys.
When cabin fever strikes, you just have to let it out. Chad Lee engages in primal scream therapy.
Eventually, Justin Buchanan is able to lay several tracks of banjo down.
Many layers of percussion were recorded for Blood On The Rails. Chad Lee is seen here recording tambourine.
Now for the most nerve-racking portion of the session: lead vocals. Joshua Zimmerman mentally preparing to tear his vocal chords up.
Mid-song, Josh does his best Christina Aguilera impression.
Finally, the whole band comes together to add group vocals as a finishing touch. Here, Jeremiah Zimmerman talks through the vocal parts with the rest of the band before a take.
The final step: a listen through with producer Mike Butler before the track is sent to mixing.
Huge thanks to Mike Butler and Paul Cavanaugh at Lost Ark Studio, Rebecca Joelson for documenting, and Brian Malouf for mixing.
Check out the final product on iTunes!
We're excited to announce that our song Blood On The Rails is being used for the new History Channel show, The Men Who Built America! The show is a look at some of the pivotal heads of industry in the early days of the United States, and we are really happy to be a part of it. Check out the trailer, and lyrics, below and pick up the song on iTunes!
Click Here to buy the full song!
Lyrics:
Callin’ all agents, the seven have split
Villains and vagrants, are killin’ our conscience
Call it contagious, the shutters’ll click
Fillin’ up pages, and give ‘em the opposite
Yeah yeah
Cross off the basics, a cut and a stitch
Trial by patience – admitted –
Cause I’ve got, common frustration
A seminal shift
Piles of papers are hidden in offices
Someone’s gotta’ tow the line
Someone’s gotta’ make it right
Someone’s gotta’ throw the fight
Someone’s gotta take it
You gotta’ fake it
Call it amazin’, we’re gonna’ get it rich
Figures and failing are given up partly
Settle our savings, a seventies schtick
Someone’s gonna’ tow the line
Someone’s gonna’ make it right
Someone’s gonna’ throw the fight
Someone’s gonna take it
Not gonna’ take it
I won’t take it
Blood on the rails
Connect