Controversial gear opinions…….lets hear them.

[japetus]

Dan. I was signed worldwide with WEA in 1980, and the band’s debut album was produced by Mutt Lange.

So...your band was produced by Mutt Lange?
THAT DONT IMPRESS ME MUCHHHH, SO YOU'VE GOT THE CREDS BUT HAVE YA, GOT THE TOUCH??

 

[japetus]

Yes.
Very shit story.
I joined the band fresh from the Reading Festival in Sept 1980. Their album, without me, had just been released.
The Old Grey Whistle Test played one track, with a video cartoon. Sales were moderate.
We were signed worldwide to WEA, and published by Hit and Run. Executive managed by Tony Stratton Smith. We had an office in Hit and Run.
The thought was to do a two-song live spot on OGWT, and a support slot on some major tour - possibly Genesis.
Recording for the second album was booked in February, 5 months away, and Mutt Lange had been paid already (£40,000).
Can’t remember the order, but Mutt was doing Foreigner 4, and was booked for “Back in Black”. Might be the other way round?
So what happens in October? Well, firstly, my retainer isn’t appearing. I haven’t been fucking paid a penny. We were rehearsed in and ready for TV.
Manager suggests I look for another band. WTF?
What actually happened is that the singer found our good Lord Jesus Christ, who apparently saved him, and in penance he would concentrate on church visits and painting! Yeah Right.
Tony Stratton Smith closed our office, and threw the sub-manager out. We no longer had publishing. WEA decided to take their option, so there was to be no more pressing or promotion. We no longer had a record contract.
This meant we had no advance either for the next album.
Don’t know how, but the singer and bassist tossed a self-produced album off in Utopia studios in February.
Apparently Foreigner 4/Back in Black had run overtime and Mutt wasn’t available. Not sure if we got the money back or not. The band didn’t invite me to the recordings!
Spoke with Pete the drummer, and his retainer had stopped too, and he was gone. He was also not on the Feb recordings.
Mike Rutherford lent his Llindrum for the album, which confuses anyone, since we’d burnt our bridges with Genesis.
Then I get a phone call in May, asking if I’d do a few shows, with the new drummer from the band City Boy.
I did go down, but it was very strained. I grabbed some expenses money and turned my back finally on this whole debacle.
A year later, I found that Feb album in the bins in HMV records. A few tracks can be found on YouTube.
Not quite done. Tina Wisby from Zzomba records told me how the singer had woo’d them into paying for a development deal after recording was done. Mutt Lange offered to make the singer a solo star. Quite a few companies were supporting him financially, to get him to sign.
What does he do? He signs with Deutsch Grammafon! What!!!
After that, he was a musical leper, an untouchable idiot.
Incredible rock voice, but what a wanker.

That was my first professional engagement. What a joke.

That's wild man. But then he found Shania...

 

[Solarflares]

That's wild man. But then he found Shania...

Now don’t get me wrong, I think you’re alright.
And as you can see - I deleted that shite.

Too much me me me.
Prefer gassing about gear.

 

[DanTravis62]

Now don’t get me wrong, I think you’re alright.
And as you can see - I deleted that shite.

Too much me me me.
Prefer gassing about gear.

Fair enough either way

When i was younger I didn't "Get" this and would talk about all my touring experiences (especially at big venues and with well known bands) and didn't realize how douchey it sounds to people

But on the other hand, it's even more douchey to have the attitude without the actual guitar chops and experience

 

[Solarflares]

Fair enough either way

When i was younger I didn't "Get" this and would talk about all my touring experiences (especially at big venues and with well known bands) and didn't realize how douchey it sounds to people

But on the other hand, it's even more douchey to have the attitude without the actual guitar chops and experience

I could write a very long book.
Comedy and Tragedy.
But I don’t think people would believe half of it.

Here’s me a week before I finally retired from bands, at the age of 32.
Breakfast at 9am was half a pint of Absolute Vodka straight out the freezer, in frozen glasses. Constant joints. Constant Bud Lights and Tequila. Rehearsals begin at 12.00. I was the straightest guy in the band, and we really played.