Friday, November 24, 2006
Virtual Wall of Fame - The Early Rock Years, 1995-99
The is Lo-Fi Studios' second Virtual Wall. This wall is dedicated to the variety of rock bands that came through our doors. Lo-Fi Studios encountered a diverse selection of bands from all around Southern California.
Mr. Pivotfoot - I've Been Nice (1996)
The band came to record in December 1995. Lo-Fi Studios had been open for only four months. Chad, Brian and Nicole were an acoustic trio playing in local coffeehouses in Riverside. They had a vibey sound combining acousitc and classical guitars and upright bass. Chad (who had the acoustic duties) also played drums or percussion.
The first recording included "For My Friends" along with their soon to become trademark "skits" inbetween the songs.
J.A.B.O.L. - Smells Like Tuna (1996)
(Just Another Bunch Of Losers) brought their crazy rock and punk sound to Lo-Fi in August 1996.
This 6 piece band incorporated horns to their sound. They did not have that 3rd wave of ska sound that was regaining popularity at the time, more like the USC marching band horn section playing JABOL songs! The band recorded the immortal "Yoda" which made it on the Lo-Fi comp "Watch Out Darth!" a few years later.
Mr. Pivotfoot - How Absurd to Swallow a Bird (1996)
Pivotfoot's second release, "How Obsurd to Swallow a Bird" gave us another 4 songs "Maria," "Black Tears," "Mafia" and "It Has Been"and four more skits.
Mr. Pivotfoot recorded one more time at Lo-Fi Studios before breaking up. Chad Villareal went on to form Shoppy, Mustard (his solo act) and play drums for funk/jazz group, Slang.
Anything Goes - split 7" (1997)
This early recording of Anything Goes demonstrated their love for ska and pop music. This version of the band included Amy (vocals), Eric (lead guitar), Geoff (rhythm guitar), Jarod (bass, toasting), Mike (keyboards) and Jeremy (drums and vocals). The band would expand to include a horn section (3-4 members) and go through a revolving door of female singers.
Slave One - S1 (1997)
Originally called Grill, these guys had a sound that combined rock with Chris Cornell style vocals from lead singer Matt. Other members included former Grill members Lelo (bass) and Gerry (drums) and new member Ziggy (guitar). This was recorded in 1997. The band briefly went under the name "8 Track," in honor of the Fostex 8 track machine at Lo-Fi Studios.
New guitarist Ziggy added some nice piano work to "When You Need Someone." That song was later used in the soundtrack for the indie film, Elvis is Alive: I Swear I Saw Him Eating a Ding Dong.
Lo-Fi Music - Watch Out Darth (1997)
Lo-Fi Studios' first compilation attempt. Released in 1997 this cassette featured Star Wars themed songs from the local Inland Empire bands.
Since opening in 1995 numerous bands would have a song about Star Wars, whether it was JABOL's "Yoda" or Grill's "Red Five" these were songs that could only emerge from true Star Wars Fans!
Mustard - Crazy Knee Pad Head (1998)
Chad Villareal's solo moniker released on his record label, Tapioca Shuhorn around 1998.
Mustard mixed absurd lyrics and acoustic grooves. Chad has recorded under the moniker of Mustard to the present day. He would continue combining melodies and mayham with his current group, Shoppy.
Vinland (1998)
This was a first in mastering for Lo-Fi Studios. John C. Jacobs recorded his music at his home studio and we added some studio magic to bring the cassette recording to life! John also enlisted his friend Viggo Wake on two of the 8 tracks.
Adjust Leo - September (1999)
Chad Villareal (drums, vocals, guitars, etc.) and Matt Wyckoff (bass, vocals) came in and recorded at Lo-Fi Studios with Jim Barlow (formerly from D. Engine, which he and Matt were members).
The songs represented Chad and Matt's very distinct and different songwriting. Chad recorded "For My Friends" for the third time. The two would later form Shoppy.
Greyscale - To Whom It May Concern (1999)
This four piece emo band from La Verne recorded their five song demo at Lo-Fi Studios using the studio's Fostex 16 track machine. This was one of the last recordings on that format before switching over to 2" 24 track analog.
Song on this demo were "Prom Night," "Room Sixteen," "First Steps," "Thesaurus" and the title track. Greyscale members included Mike, Jon, Danny and Tom.
Next Virtual Wall: 21st Century Lo-Fi Studios
Mr. Pivotfoot - I've Been Nice (1996)The band came to record in December 1995. Lo-Fi Studios had been open for only four months. Chad, Brian and Nicole were an acoustic trio playing in local coffeehouses in Riverside. They had a vibey sound combining acousitc and classical guitars and upright bass. Chad (who had the acoustic duties) also played drums or percussion.
The first recording included "For My Friends" along with their soon to become trademark "skits" inbetween the songs.
J.A.B.O.L. - Smells Like Tuna (1996)(Just Another Bunch Of Losers) brought their crazy rock and punk sound to Lo-Fi in August 1996.
This 6 piece band incorporated horns to their sound. They did not have that 3rd wave of ska sound that was regaining popularity at the time, more like the USC marching band horn section playing JABOL songs! The band recorded the immortal "Yoda" which made it on the Lo-Fi comp "Watch Out Darth!" a few years later.
Mr. Pivotfoot - How Absurd to Swallow a Bird (1996)
Pivotfoot's second release, "How Obsurd to Swallow a Bird" gave us another 4 songs "Maria," "Black Tears," "Mafia" and "It Has Been"and four more skits.
Mr. Pivotfoot recorded one more time at Lo-Fi Studios before breaking up. Chad Villareal went on to form Shoppy, Mustard (his solo act) and play drums for funk/jazz group, Slang.
Anything Goes - split 7" (1997)This early recording of Anything Goes demonstrated their love for ska and pop music. This version of the band included Amy (vocals), Eric (lead guitar), Geoff (rhythm guitar), Jarod (bass, toasting), Mike (keyboards) and Jeremy (drums and vocals). The band would expand to include a horn section (3-4 members) and go through a revolving door of female singers.
Slave One - S1 (1997)
Originally called Grill, these guys had a sound that combined rock with Chris Cornell style vocals from lead singer Matt. Other members included former Grill members Lelo (bass) and Gerry (drums) and new member Ziggy (guitar). This was recorded in 1997. The band briefly went under the name "8 Track," in honor of the Fostex 8 track machine at Lo-Fi Studios.
New guitarist Ziggy added some nice piano work to "When You Need Someone." That song was later used in the soundtrack for the indie film, Elvis is Alive: I Swear I Saw Him Eating a Ding Dong.
Lo-Fi Music - Watch Out Darth (1997)Lo-Fi Studios' first compilation attempt. Released in 1997 this cassette featured Star Wars themed songs from the local Inland Empire bands.
Since opening in 1995 numerous bands would have a song about Star Wars, whether it was JABOL's "Yoda" or Grill's "Red Five" these were songs that could only emerge from true Star Wars Fans!
Mustard - Crazy Knee Pad Head (1998)Chad Villareal's solo moniker released on his record label, Tapioca Shuhorn around 1998.
Mustard mixed absurd lyrics and acoustic grooves. Chad has recorded under the moniker of Mustard to the present day. He would continue combining melodies and mayham with his current group, Shoppy.
Vinland (1998)This was a first in mastering for Lo-Fi Studios. John C. Jacobs recorded his music at his home studio and we added some studio magic to bring the cassette recording to life! John also enlisted his friend Viggo Wake on two of the 8 tracks.
Adjust Leo - September (1999)Chad Villareal (drums, vocals, guitars, etc.) and Matt Wyckoff (bass, vocals) came in and recorded at Lo-Fi Studios with Jim Barlow (formerly from D. Engine, which he and Matt were members).
The songs represented Chad and Matt's very distinct and different songwriting. Chad recorded "For My Friends" for the third time. The two would later form Shoppy.
Greyscale - To Whom It May Concern (1999)This four piece emo band from La Verne recorded their five song demo at Lo-Fi Studios using the studio's Fostex 16 track machine. This was one of the last recordings on that format before switching over to 2" 24 track analog.
Song on this demo were "Prom Night," "Room Sixteen," "First Steps," "Thesaurus" and the title track. Greyscale members included Mike, Jon, Danny and Tom.
Next Virtual Wall: 21st Century Lo-Fi Studios
