As the heading states, mixdown for album #8 has begun. I got to hear one song so far this past Friday.

In an interesting way.

Saw Mike at Dingbatz, as we were seeing a friend’s band perform. Mike pulled me outside and said “I want to play something for you.” He pulled up the first song on the album (which might be the first single) and I was blown away by the clarity. And here’s the interesting part: I heard the song on his phone! Yes, a tiny speaker! Every detail, every nuance could be heard. The pick scrapes, the bass fills, the powerful snare sound…you name it. How could this be!?

Mike said “If it sounds good on this phone, it will sound really good everywhere else.” It’s typical of engineers to mix a song and listen back through expensive monitors and top-of-the-line car stereo systems. But nowadays, everyone listens to music on their phones, so if it sounds like a compressed pile of manure on a small speaker, it won’t translate well anywhere else.

At the show, people asked me two things: “When’s the album coming out?” and “Are you playing live again?” First answer: not sure. Second answer: no. It is nice to see interest in the music, but at this point, I really don’t have a release date. And while I enjoy being on stage, I don’t miss the nonsense such as selling tickets, putting together another line-up, promoting and stressing, all for 30 minutes of perceived glory. Sorry but in my mind, it’s not worth it anymore. I will gladly promote the new album on radio stations and in magazines/webzines. Outside of that, live shows are in my rear view mirror.

Besides, Linus likes me hanging home more 🙂

THE ALBUM IS DONE!!

Rehearsals were from February 21 to May 16. Recording started May 21 and ended this afternoon on June 18. Aside from one or two weeks that we skipped, this was full speed ahead to get the music moving.

All the solos were laid down over the course of two or three hours. Once we dialed in the proper tones, that was it. The solos were being peeled off one by one. Some hiccups here and there, but overall we are all way more satisfied with the results. But when I thought we were done…

Mike said “Let’s add two more rhythm guitar tracks to fatten things up.” I admit that at first I was like “Ummm…okay” but am glad we did it. I got to use the blue Ibanez 7 and it sounded amazing, even with the stock pickups. Banged the parts out in about four hours. And when the last notes were plucked…

We all said “We’re done!”

But there’s still mixing, mastering, artwork and the like to take care of. As of now, we are just thrilled that the music is laid down, and we can move forward.

Thanks to Mike and Jon for their hard work, patience, expertise, and long talks about metal music. And thanks to Cathy Beck for letting me use her 5-string bass for the album.

Man, am I shot…

I am home this weekend, which is strange. My car is confused, was waiting to be driven to the studio in Jersey City as it’s been since February 21. This is a rare weekend away from recording. I am taking full advantage of the time away.

But I really set the bar impossibly high for myself!

Last weekend we burned through doing bass tracks and guitar melodies. So my ego said “You can knock out solos in one day like you always do!” But my hands said otherwise. I was simply burned out. Mike said “Work on your solos at home and then let’s try in two weeks.” I’ve been doing just that. But one question loomed in my brain: “How did I play solos so quickly in the past and now I can’t?”

I listened back to my past albums, which I rarely do, to hear what I did that I can’t do now. I rehearsed with full trios for the most part, so I got to work out ideas beforehand. When I would record, I was a bit more prepared. Only two albums had me winging solos on the fly: TWISTED METAL and LAYERS OF TIME. Both times those were not with trios; TWISTED was myself and drummer Darren Patrick. LAYERS was all me, even doing drum programs. So when it came time for solos, I went for broke and somehow landed on my feet. This time was a different ballgame.

I sat here with the first song on the new album, tried something I’d never done before. Normally I would start high up on the neck, but this time I decided to start low. From there, the ideas came flowing. Maybe I had to re-invent some aspects of my playing? Whatever the case, I told Mike in a message that I am finding new ways to come up with soloing strategies. He said the time away will help and he’s right.

I’m not out of the woods yet. Each song has its own flavor, and I can’t play the same things each time. I wish I had an endless supply of licks like Jeff Beck, Steve Vai or Allan Holdwsorth…but I’m Steve Bello and I have to do the job myself.

So next Friday will be the return to the studio. Still feels weird not going anywhere today. What will happen once the album is done?

My body might atrophy!!

Get your scorecards out…

All the bass tracks were done on Friday in ONE DAY. Yes, I thought that would take the longest but somehow after eating a killer burger at Miss America Diner, my energy level spiked up and it was off to the races. For the first time, I used a Kemper amp, and Mike had it set for “Orange Bass”, through an Eden cabinet. Jon hooked up a Tech 21 Steve Harris pedal (I needed a monitor to put my foot on) and Dark Glass pedal to the Kemper and WOW! For a not-really bass player like myself, this was the best tone I ever heard!! I used a pick for most of the album to keep things consistent but I did some slap/pop on one song because it needed it. Bootsy Collins won’t lose sleep over me, that’s for sure.

On Saturday, we got all the guitar melodies down. Slow start but then again, things ramped up. Jon asked me to add some harmonies to a few parts and that helped. I wrote a REALLY strange melody for one of the songs and added a funky effect to it.

So far so good, right?

Today I attempted solos. Notice I said “attempted”. I think exhaustion caught up to me and my fingers were not cooperating. Nothing I played sounded or felt good, so Mike said “Go home, get some rest, let’s try again in a week or two.” Good move. I suggested two weeks so that I wouldn’t have to jumble up my lesson schedule. I wasn’t as prepared for the solos as I thought. First time that ever happened to me. Maybe Mike is right, things change, so I need to re-invent some ideas, who knows?

And there you have it. The album is 3/4 of the way done.

I’m done too, for two weeks…

The weather went from hot and humid a few days ago, to March-like temperatures. I went from wearing shorts and t-shirt, to flannel shirt and jeans.

Oh the humanity!

But all the rhythm guitar parts are done as of tonight (May 29). Eight songs, each one with two tracks of heavy guitar (and a few clean tones too!) Started work on them yesterday, got three songs taken care of before the monsoon hit. The remaining five songs were laid down, and the stuff’s really coming together. Mike Sabatini and Jon Hanemann have been super-helpful with getting the best guitar sounds and takes possible. When I see Jon get up and stick his ear in the speaker, I know I’m in trouble HA! Overall, I am very satisfied with the results, but now the real fun begins…

Bass parts!?

I have some nice ideas but will definitely need a lot of guidance (and I hope Mike and Jon have a lot of patience!) My friend Cathy Beck was gracious enough to let me borrow her 5-string bass for the recording and I keep forgetting how physically demanding this thing is. I am hoping Billy Sheehan’s fingers come through the bass neck.

But that would be really weird, right?

Looks like next weekend we will focus on getting the bass lines down. For now, I am thrilled we are halfway there with the recording. Drums DONE! Rhythm guitars DONE!

I’m DONE too! Nap time…

Now it can be told…

After almost four months of showing admirable restraint (and being told “Don’t tell a soul until we start recording!”), the drummer who will be on the upcoming 8th album is none other than Michael Sabatini, drummer for New Jersey metal band Attacker! I’m as shocked as everyone else is, believe me.

What started as a phone call of “What’s going on with the album?” back in January turned into “Send me the (bleeping) songs, let’s get this album going!” Armed with seven extremely rough demos, pre-production began on February 21. Three months later (May 21!), we started working on the drums. Five songs were done on Friday, the last two today. Some songs went by smoothly, others needed more last-minute run-throughs. Helping Mike record the drums is engineer Jon Hanemann, and his input has been valuable.

To say I’m excited is an understatement. This album is definitely hard work but in a great way. I really set myself up for a challenge, and with Mike pounding the skins like they owe him money, now I know my guitar playing (and bass too YIKES!) has to rise up.

This coming Friday, I start rhythm guitars. We’re mapping out how to record them, getting creative with panning and using effects. If this takes two or three days to do, fine with me. This has to be the most in-your-face album, we won’t accept anything less.

Now to stock up on 5-hour energy drinks…

In a couple of weeks, recording will commence for studio album #8. And much like the previous albums, I drive myself crazy with song/album titles, cd cover layouts, the right fonts…

Being a perfectionist is a blessing and a curse.

I am feeling really positive about this though. Working on guitar melodies, making sure they are memorable and people can sing them. Even though the music has no vocals or lyrics, the guitar is the singer (lucky for you all because you don’t want to hear me cackle!)

Of course, the Achilles heel is going to be the bass parts. I half-joke that I teach bass better than play it. So after feeling sorry for myself, I decided to dig my heels in the other night and really grind out the bass lines. Am sure the producer will guide me through, but I am also listening to certain bassists who know how to hold down the fort and also provide a good counterpoint. Whatever feels good, that’s what goes on the album.

We have two more rehearsals before the festivities begin. The last cd was a pleasure to make, and I am sure this one will be equally as fun to create. Still, I am brainstorming album titles and front cover/insert ideas. The packaging has to be as impressive as the music inside. That’s my opinion of course. (And everyone’s entitled to my opinion…)

As for how the music will sound?

You’re not ready for this!

Since February 21st, I have been rehearsing every Sunday (a couple of Saturdays here and there too). Now after seven demos being pretty much completed, it’s crunch time.

May 21st, 2021…

Recording for album #8 will begin.

More info to be leaked as time marches on…

When you want something done right, you have to step up for the good of the music.

My hands hurt though!

Yes, your eyes are not deceiving you with this photo. I am holding an Ibanez Soundgear 5-string bass (equipped with GHS 5L-DYB strings 40-120 gauge). Not only that, I am playing this monster on my new album. My friend Cathy Beck, from the Police tribute band Roxanne, was gracious enough to let me borrow this; her husband Martin, from the Black Sabbath tribute band Into The Void, set it up so I could play it with relative ease.

Relative being the operative term.

This is not the first time I’ve tried to channel my inner Billy Sheehan/Geddy Lee on an album. I played bass on the first cd TWISTED METAL when I couldn’t find a bassist in time, and played on the sixth cd LAYERS OF TIME when the bassist I had walked out before recording commenced. I took it as a sign from above to take matters into my own hands for a third time. (Oh, I played a little bit of bass on the cd JUPITER RETURN, but I never mentioned that til right now…)

I sat with the bass and the demos today and started grinding my fingers away. Most guitarists play bass with a pick but I use fingers. On LAYERS, I was told to use a pick and it made things sound tighter. But for this, I want to do my Steve Harris/Cliff Burton nimble-finger tricks. If a pick is needed for a tune, then fine. I may even slap/pop here and there. That’s the beauty of playing bass. I don’t think about music theory, it’s more about groove and attitude.

But oh the challenges!!

I am sure that during the recording process, the bass parts will take the longest. Whatever works, as long as the bass lines fit and there’s no sloppiness. My hands need to get strong for this. Bass is a physically-demanding instrument. I don’t want to sound like a guitarist on bass. I want to play real bass. I will do a good job but neither Sheehan nor Harris will lose sleep over me.

“I got blistahs on my fingahs!”

This photo was taken after an intense but fun rehearsal last Sunday. We’ve been rehearsing every Sunday since February. Not saying where or with who until we are in recording mode. An element of mystery seems to work more than when I would be blatantly excited, only to jinx myself.

I learned that lesson the hard way this past winter.

I will say this: We’ve got seven rough demos together (excluding one solo piece that I am constructing). Now it’s time to really put the pedal to the metal! If all goes well, recording could commence in late May. I don’t have a target date for the new album’s release but will know when it feels right to pick the month/day. Everything in moderation.

And yes the new sneakers are awesome.