SAD CLOWN 02- The Basic Track

Compare the basic to the final version!

Fifteen years ago, in September 2008, we recorded the basic track for “Sad Clown.” The song opens The Droge & Summers Blend Volume One EP. Here is a rough mix of the track with scratch vocals before we added any overdubs.

The Blending Crew delivered a lively track. For these sessions, The Blending Crew consisted of Matt Chamberlain on drums, Dave Hull on bass and Scott Weddle on guitar—more on these talented fellows in this post HERE.

If you recall the guitar in the “Sad Clown (Demo)” I posted last week, you will notice that I stuck with that approach. The lawnmower approach. It mows over everything in its path. For isolation purposes, I recorded from the downstairs bedroom. This meant we did not have eye contact. Still, we managed to find a groove.

Matt and his drums were alone in the live room—aka the upstairs primary bedroom—while Dave cut bass direct from the control room loft that sits above the dining room and kitchen and overlooks the living room. Scott’s station was in the living room.

Scott land.

Amp land.

I set Scott up with three heads to choose from. On top is a Fender Bassman from 1965. Below it sits a 1962 Fender Tremolux. Last but not least, a modern amp based on classic circuits, the London from 65 Amps. Fun fact: 65 Amps is co-owned by Loud & Proud Peter Stroud. The chosen amp would then get plugged into the Tremolux 2x10 closed-back cabinet in the closet below the stairs.

So, how does the basic track compare to the record version? Let’s have a listen. I’ll save you the trip to your favorite streamer and post the record version below. Or, if you prefer to listen on a streamer, you can find “Volume One” HERE.

We did not do a ton of overdubs on “Sad Clown.” More cowbell? Yep! Elaine bonked it out of the park. Shakers too, near the end. We added prepared piano to the bridge for an odd bit of ear candy. (I still think I should have mixed it louder.) The main additive on the record missing from the basic track is the phased-out electric guitar in the left speaker. That’s me on my 1966 Gibson Trini Lopez in custom color black. I'm pretty sure that I’m running it through a vintage Mutron pedal. I’m very likely using a stomp box compressor as well.

The other big difference between the basic and the record is the vocal sound. We went for it with the vocals. We stacked them. We dressed them up in fancy studio effects. Then we turned them up!

I mixed “Sad Clown” at Puzzle Tree Studio on my Trident/Oram Series 80 console. 4x Grammy winner, Gavin Lurrsen, handled mastering.

Paid subscribers can download the basic track rough mix featured above by visiting my “Rarities” page HERE.

Peace & Love Songs,

Pete