Public Static Blog

So another half day of work and then back into the studio to track vocals. Been fighting a cold, so we waited until our last scheduled day to sing. But i think despite some leftover sickness everything came out well and i (mostly) avoided the tendancy to sing flat. Likin’ it. So now we’re on to mixing the songs. I’ve been paying attention so closely to every part on every instrument, i wonder if i’ll ever be able to hear these songs like other people will.

Listening to your naked vocals being tuned is about as fun as pulling your toenails off, or presiding over your own briss. - Nick

I’m writing via my iphone during the editing session from yesterday’s tracking session at Luke Harper’s studio, Audio Altimeter. My hope is that the guys will all contribute their thoughts on this process.
We decided on three songs to spend the hard earned cashola on: “Move the Crowd”, “Betty White”, and “Smile, She Said”. Yesterday was a long day, starting at 1:00 and ending sometime after midnight. I was dead dog tired. We started by recording quick throwaway scratch tracks against the song tempo to be used for the drummer and bass player to record against. Mostly this is just to keep them aware of where they are in the song….and shouldn’t be used for exact rythmic reference. :).
But the guys trooped through despite my temporary tracks.
As usual they all impressed me.
So we have most everything tracked besides vocals. I’m fighting a cold.
So today’s task is nudging everything into near perfect place. Most commercial recordings will do this to even very good players nowadays with digital recordings. It sounds cleaner, and makes a big difference for even minor offsets.
Also picking out a piano plugin.
Nick

The Anonymus closed out the night we played at Club Underground (May 14th).  Here are some pictures I took of them:

Gin Doble followed us at Club Underground on the 14th.  Here’s a few pictures I took of them:

Thanks for coming everyone!!

Hey hey! Mobile posting. Maybe that means i’ll write more?

Had practice last night. We’re going to make a concerted effort to reduce the time in between songs. The quiet is a little too much following an epic ballad of face-melting rock. So tomorrow night will be as continuous as possible.

I’ll try to post some pics here from Superior if Justin or Ann gets them to me.

See you tomorrow night!

- nick

Looking forward to tonight’s gig!  Here’s a picture from the backseat:

Nick (mirror), Doran, Ryan

Hello constant reader…

Apologies.  I haven’t written you in a long time.  I hope this finds you well.

We just got back from playing some fun shows in Superior.  And guess what?  We have a fun show in Superior coming up!  …See what I did there?

The 2010 UW-Superior Rock the Block had lined up <band name redressed> to headline this year’s event.  I’m sure they would have rawked.  Sadly, members left.  Since I know absolutely nothing about these sad events, I’m left only to speculation.  And speculate I will.  Therefore, I’m absolutely certain this had to do with sexual tension/drugs/pez dispensery, and general creative differences.

Also, there was a blowout about whether or not Han shot first.  <citation needed>

We, however, at Public Static central will broach no such drama.  We know Greedo was asking for it.  And it’s not because he’s a Rodian…for those of you thinking our position is racially motivated.

SO, UW-Superior and YAC have been kind enough to invite us back to headline this year’s event.  Special thanks to those band members who made schedule sacrifices to make this happen.  You know who you are.   My firstborn will bear your honored appellation.

…Or “Steve”.  Haven’t decided.

So we will be back, and we have new tunes, a new bassist, a new instrument, and…we hope…plenty of ears and faces to play to.  Bring your green hat!

Be there with us!  May 7, UW-Superior Rock the Block
w/ Special guests “Shadows of Me” !!

music starts @ 8:00 pm.

w00t!

Here are several pictures taken from weekend we traveled up to Superior, Wisconsin for a few gigs a couple weeks’ back.

Highlights include Nick’s Blue Steel (picture #3), my car turning 200,000 miles (picture #8), Ann’s “tenso” moment (picture #12), the band The Real McCoys (pictures #25 through #30), and the framed advertisement on the ladies’ rest room (last).

Many of these toward the end (at the Thirsty Pagan) were taken by Ann Miller (thanks, Ann!), the rest were taken by me (my photo site is here if you’d like to see more):

So I know what you’re asking yourself.  Where are the Public Static shows?  Well we’re working on them.  Currently we’re hitting this with a two-pronged attack, using a classic pincer maneuver on the TC music scene.

The first is we’re recording some of the newer material to use for demos to get us into shows.  And secondly we’re continually writing new stuff so that we have something else to play once we get booked for shows.  So my plan is to book us many shows as soon as we can finish a decent demoing of current PS auditory fun-ness.

So whats new with you?  I feel like I dominate the conversation on this blog.  You want to share?

Ok, since you’re just going to sit there quietly, allow me to break this awkward silence you’ve brought about.

Doran and I met to sketch out a couple new songs last week.  It was fun, and a departure from my usual writing routine.  Typically I try to find a hooky vocal and guitar line simultaneously.  Now I’m going to be going back and trying to write a vocal melody and lyrics over existing guitar work.  I’m intrigued by how the results will turn out.

Last weekend I attended the Sloppy Chops Pickin’ Party again.  This time I got to see robotboy do their thing with acoustic guitars and a stripped down set.  Was pretty awesome if you ask me.  They are too humble to admit it, but they have a really cool sound that works in both quieter and ear-splitting settings.  I wish they played more often.

Tomorrow we’re playing Justin’s block party again.  I hope its not too hot.  I think outdoor shows are tough.  Controlling the sound and levels is tough to do yourself, and hearing yourself is often nigh impossible.  I wish us luck.

Talk at y’all again soon.  Hopefully you’ll participate a little more next time.  Just sayin…

Nick