The Kings of Vegas in Studio...

So since people have been asking about it...heres our first couple of days in studio... 

30 April 2009 - Day 1 in the studio:

Finally in and ready to do this thing!

We spent the last couple of months doing pre-production work and getting songs together for the album. Ironically though, a big portion of the songs decided for the album have been written literally in the last week or two before going into the studio. Some of the songs chosen were based on ideas written purely with acoustic guitar or piano and have never even been played by the band as a whole.

9am - We arrive at Bellville studios and after short introductions for everyone to Theo Crous and Charlie Murder who will be the main producer on the album we start working. Drum tracking this week!

After setting up and playing through all the pre-recorded demo work we get down to business with Wesley Daniel laying down totally different styles to what we've ever seen him do before. Think on top of all the album nerves he wanted to impress our new producer with his skills!

Three tracks down by the time we wearily drive home. All in all, good first day.

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01 May 2009 - Day 2 in the studio:

Wow what a day yesterday (Day 1) was! From the first drum ‘take’ we could all feel the beginning of something special here.

After polite greetings we resumed our positions from yesterday and started laying down tracks 4 – 7.

Amazing, never seen Wesley Daniel play like this before, don’t even think he knew he could...a “discothèque” style off beat masterpiece from a “metal” drummer...kind of weird actually. Think he just got in touch with his inner “80’s pop star”

2pm – First disagreement of the album (bound to happen). Two of the guys aren’t happy with change to the drum beat for song six. What to do what to do...

2:30pm – Producer – 1, Band members – 0. After a lengthy discussion the tribal council announces their verdict...the change = approved. Back to work...

3:42pm - Flooding incident in Theo's bathroom. From Rock-star to Janitor in under 5 seconds... Great, Two days in the man's house and we are already breaking stuff...

6pm – The end to another long day. Two days in studio and we already behind schedule.

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 02 May 2009 - Day 3 in the studio:

9 am - Who would think we’d be showing fatigue after only 3 days in studio. AMATEURS!!

The novelty having worn off we reside to our assumed positions and start on track 8...long day ahead.

Track 9 and 10 take a long time but we are happy that Charles only wants the best from us. Little things make the world of difference and changes from hi-hats to cymbals lead to retakes and more retakes.

5pm – Having laid down the pilot tracks for Track 11 and 12 all but Wesley Daniels rush off to go organise our fundraising gig at Zula bar in long street Cape Town. Since it is national election time we have dressed up the entire stage in colours of a “mock” political party called the “KOV party”. Zack’s artwork is so lifelike we have to stop people (who obviously didn’t like the political party we were mocking) from tearing down our posters. They stated that they thought our event was in fact a celebration party for them. Funny stuff.

8pm – Wesley Daniel arrives looking a bit worse for wear. A couple of little errors during the performance reveal the fact Wesley has been playing different rhythms to the songs all week.

After the performance we take some time out with friends and fans and then go get some well earned rest.

Stay tuned...