THICK OIL, day two - The Reputation

"By the time I arrive at the factory The Reputation has already settled in to the studio. For the most part, they have decided to use the equipment we have made available to each band. This makes things much easier for Lance, who will not have to spend time getting sounds, having already done that before the band arrived. Elizabeth Elemore, singer for The Reputation bolts into the space with a bag full of chips, candy, and pop tarts. She cheers, with a lit cigarette teetering on her lip, that everyone is welcome to the snacks. The vibe in the room is good and the whole band cracks me up with endless wise cracks. It dawns on me that every session will be unique. That every band has a system, a style, a way of communicating. I am thrilled to get a peek into each bands micro-culture. All is set and we are ready to record."
Thus begins the second in a series of journal entries by THICK Records kingpin Billy Spunke documenting his label's newest compilation, "OIL". To read the full entry, click on READ MORE, and keep coming back here every day for the latest installment.

By the time I arrive at the factory The Reputation has already settled in to
the studio. For the most part, they have decided to use the equipment we
have made available to each band. This makes things much easier for Lance,
who will not have to spend time getting sounds, having already done that
before the band arrived. Elizabeth Elemore, singer for The Reputation bolts
into the space with a bag full of chips, candy, and pop tarts. She cheers,
with a lit cigarette teetering on her lip, that everyone is welcome to the
snacks. The vibe in the room is good and the whole band cracks me up with
endless wise cracks. It dawns on me that every session will be unique.
That every band has a system, a style, a way of communicating. I am
thrilled to get a peek into each bands micro-culture. All is set and we are
ready to record.

The song the The Reputation has decided to record for OIL, is a bit more
aggressive and ballsy than their past stuff. They record live and nail the
song in a few takes. A couple of guitar over-dubs later and we are on to
vocals. Elizabeth warned me that she is slow, and to be patient with her
pace. We end up tracking multiple takes, doubling and harmonizing which
takes us to 2AM. I am exhausted, and even nodded off during the session.
Elizabeth sings, "I'll be your casual toy." The song about a divorced
friend seeking comfort with a woman. Not sure of the title yet, and am
surprised that both Scott Lucas of Local H, and Elizabeth wrote all or part
of the lyrics moments before recording them surrounded by 55 gallon Oil
drums, and strange machinery. I feel that the project is inspiring.

Ambient sound becomes an issue during vocal takes. We are in the middle of
miles and miles of factory, railroad, interstate, airplane routes.
Surrounded by factories, there is not much peace, but the white noise of
Chicago grinding its¹ gears. Cicadas cut through the hum to remind us that
nature does exist here too. I imagine that the final recording for OIL will
contain the sounds of the factory, whether it be trains, plains, interstate,
or bugs, it will be there. We are not locked up in a state of the art
studio with perfect acoustics and sound proof walls, we are in the steel,
greasy heart of Chicago and it will not be ignored.

Tomorrow, Plain White Tees and then Lawrence Arms. 2 sessions down and 15
to go.