Live from the Pizza Factory

This week we've been braving the elements in order to meet up with Dr. Benjammin' Jones at his super-secret laboratory. We drink a few pots of coffee and tea and listen to the songs over and over--trying to work out the kinks while keeping our sanity intact. Unfortunately, it got the best of Chris:

Brian also showed signs of fatigue:


But the good news is it's comin' along just fine, so don't fret. We also have a little surprise for everyone--just watch the video below.

Tick Tick Tocking Clock

Sorry for the lack of updates in the past week. We returned to our "normal" jobs and have been keeping very busy with Slow Claw stuff. In reference to the title of this post, our debut Record "Grandfather Clocks" is almost through post-production--we're proud of what we've created and extremely excited to release it. While we're on the subject, make sure to check out our MySpace or Facebook for tour dates. We have four CD release shows the last week of February, followed by dates throughout March. We don't want to miss an opportunity to hangout with all of you, so please, please, please come out. It will be fun. I promise.

More updates later this week. Chris and I are fighting some nasty colds, but don't worry, we're taking our vitamins, getting rest (not really), and drinking lots of fluids. Okay that's it for now--back to work.

Rob and SC

Beat Boxing!!!

So we are completely finished with recording. The three of us made the long trek back to Ohio through the night on Wednesday to get back to our day jobs. Boooooooo!!! The experience of recording with Joel was remarkable and we are so glad we chose him to do the record with. He has an almost automatic sense of what sounds good and makes sense while recording. The extremely natural production style gives the recordings a feeling that you can't replace. It almost feels like you are in the room with us. He sat in on most of the songs recording everything from guitars, piano, and rainstick/tambo (see below).

Here is a video of the very last thing we recorded. Along with gang vocals Joel made us beat box for the last chorus of a song called "Everybody" that will be on the new record. It sounds ridiculous and looks even more ridiculous but it is exactly what the song needed. Check it!

Chris

Wrap It Up!!!

We have been very busy trying to get this record done. Tomorrow night we will make the long drive back to Ohio. None of us are looking forward to getting back to work but who ever looks forward to that? We are however very excited to close the tracking chapter of the record and move on to mixing, mastering, and pressing the record.

I did my best to be our videographer during recording. It is an art in it self and I'll keep trying if you guys keep watching. Here are a few short videos I took over the last few days. The second video has a taste of two brand new songs. Check it out! Chris

Taco Burrito

This is how we make hit records!

Hamilton Hotel...

This morning we woke up to our daily ritual of breakfast and a music dvd. Breakfast was awesome!!! Brian made some killer pancakes, eggs, sausage, and coffee. He ate his big breakfast in a little chair while we watched... The Band -The Last Waltz DVD

We started guitar tracking and are making considerable progress on the record.  I can speak for everyone involved when I say we are excited to hear the finished product and share it with you.   Here is a look at the amp we are using and a quick video peek. Chris 

Liftoff

This is our first day in pictures:
Brian drove us to Joel's in the morning.

I found an accordion and I'm considering doing a polka album.

A look at the drums inside the studio.

Joel's sister is learning to sew--this is her first Frankenstein, aka Hammerhead Fred.

And this is Dudley--he seems pretty happy despite a very asymmetrical face.


Tracking is going well--we have good drum and bass sounds and hopefully we'll be knocking out a handful of songs today.

Daannnnng...

Currently, we are loading up the van and departing for Charleston, SC. We'll be in the Holy City for the next week or so recording our debut EP, with Joel T. Hamilton of the Working Title. We're very happy with the new material and are looking forward to sharing them with all of you. Our plan is to document the recording process and other miscellaneous events--so be on the lookout for a mess of new pictures and videos.

We will release the EP at the end of February--followed by a tour, which will include dates in March with Kevin from One Small Step For Landmines. That means we'll be able to see all your pretty faces and play some tunes in front of you in the near future. We're thinking that 2009 will be a good year. 

Rob