Underground Empire (the band)

[Jizaboz]

Gothmaster


Porn Star

[Jizaboz]

This is my old punk band from over 20 years ago. I've been trying to salvage some of our recordings.. the old band mates are totally ecstatic about it. The lyrics (obviously you can't understand 90% of them due to potato quality) are so damn offensive I almost don't want to add them to my YouTube channel as a comment, but anyone here is welcome to ask lol

The speed of this "music" made my drummer question if this recording was the right pitch and all. Yeah bro, we really played that fast.

[Ice Cream Jonsey]

You guys have some nice hooks!

I remember using a Tascam Portastudio 03 that split a cassette up in 4 ways on the tape to make our music. Do you remember how you recorded it??

[Jizaboz]

You guys have some nice hooks!

I remember using a Tascam Portastudio 03 that split a cassette up in 4 ways on the tape to make our music. Do you remember how you recorded it??

Hey, thanks friend! Yes, that is exactly how mine worked/works. I'm really glad you asked because just describing our setup is a story in itself! I was between 18-21 at the time and still living at home with my parents. My bedroom was fairly large on the end of this old house and had a large walk-in closet and a bathroom. After we wrote a song and were ready to record, Track 1 went to the drummer. The mic (We had 1 mic. A "Shure" brand) cable was plugged into a Fender powered mixer that would then output into Track 1 input. That mic would be put right over his set, close to the bass drum as Paul really liked to ride his large cymbal. He set the timing without hearing the rest of the music at all. Instead, he'd practiced it 100x and remembered the parts.. and I'd guess probably hummed the tune in his head to keep time in his head. He had to do many takes though as drummers can lose steam, drop a stick, whatever.

Once the drum track was in place, it was B's turn to step up. He would listen to the playback of Paul's drum beats while laying down the bass line in the walk-in closet to prevent noise contamination (at the time it was my mom yelling for me, people walking in to get stoned, etc). I don't recall him needing many takes at all. Brian had a hard time consistently showing up to practice, especially towards the end while griping we didn't practice enough.. but he always delivered! That's really all you have to ask of a bass player. Keep time, keep your tone right, and show up. B at least knocked 2 of the 3 out of the park. Mic right up to the amp.

At that point, either I or Frank (the lead guitar dude) would lay down the lead or rhythm guitar. I can't recall which came first.. I want to say it depended on the song. Either way, that person got their own track and produced it the same way. Sitting in the closet, listening to the current playback and laying down their own track. Mic right on the amp again of course. This part usually took MANY takes for both Frank and I.

Last was lyrics.. when I knew my parents were gone, had enough beers, etc.. I'd playback the whole band and sing directly into the mic but use that Fender monitor amp in-line to add some reverb affect to my voice.
Line-out from that became track 4.

Speaking of which, I've got one tape titled "Slaughtercycle" that track four is really damn quiet on. I'm trying to address that before assuming maybe I accidentally recorded over it and just release an instrumental of it.