Monday, May 19, 2014

AUDIOSCAM 3 - 2014 E.P.




     When Abbattack, the hard-rock renditions of songs made famous by Abba, was released on Australian Sun Records in 2008 it was a mesmerizing mix of famous melodies given a new perspective.   "Knowing Me, Knowing You,"  "Waterloo," "S.O.S.," "Ring Ring" and others were heard in a unique and very fun way.  http://www.amazon.com/Abbattack-Audioscam/dp/B001DQ8VRO





   Then came 2011's When The Money's Gone E.P. with original music from the group, "Closing in on Midnight," "Different Eyes," "That Other Guy" and the title track distributed to radio stations in America as well as down under. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005JBCY4A/ref=dm_ws_ap_tlw_alb3




   Now Audioscam 3 is making its debut in May of 2014.  We spoke to Audioscam's Brian Pitcher about the new release.

INTERVIEW WITH BRIAN PITCHER of AUDIOSCAM


JD: Brian, where did you record Audioscam 3?


 Brian Pitcher: I think that every musician/songwriters goal is to have control over their music and the way it's presented to the public. With that in mind, I started to build my studio and knowledge of recording many years ago.

I did the demos for Abbattack which formed a large portion of the finished CD.


For "When The Money's Gone" I recorded all of the tracks but had someone else mix and master them. For this recording Brad Wallace and I decided to do all of the recording, mixing,and pseudomastering ourselves.

JD: I've never heard of "Pseudomastering. What is it?

Brian Pitcher: Brad is in the middle of a very comprehensive mastering course. Pseudomastering is basically mastering the recordings ourselves to get a picture of what the mastering studio will hear when we send them our stereo mixes to be "professionally mastered". This was a very useful step and did have some major ramifications on how I mixed the tracks.


So, I engineered the recordings and mixed them. Brad did the pseudomastering. We both are responsible for the "production and arrangements" of our songs.

JD: Who did the second phase of the mastering?

Brian Pitcher: The final mastering was done by Leon Zervos at Studios 301 ,Sydney, Australia.
Leon has mastered for Maroon 5, Crowded House, Rhianna, Dream Theater, Madonna, The Living End and many more.

 
 

JD: What's the new CD about?

Brian Pitcher: Audioscam 3, self explanatory. We're happy to have made it this far ! A lot of artists don't get
the opportunity to record 3 CD's 
 

 1 Bridgetown Girls
                          This was written a few years ago, but, now that I control my recording I was finally able to do it the way I've always heard it in my head. I wanted to keep it as simple and open sounding as possible.
A little calypso influence is in there. A reference to my birthplace in Barbados. It is really just a thank you to all the people who made the time I spent in Barbados so happy. It should really be called Bridgetown People, but, that just doesn't have the "ring " to it that BTG's does.

JD: What's the instrumentation?

Brian Pitcher: I played drums, guitars,ukelele, and did the vocals

Brad played Bass and keyboards
 
JD: And the second of the four tracks?

Brian Pitcher:

2 Hello

          Ever been walking down the street minding your own business, and, had a stray dog come up to you? His tongue hanging out of the side of his mouth, big goofy grin on his face, just looking for a friend !
That's how this started !

It evolved to include people as well. A smile says a lot. Sometimes more than words.
I played drums,acoustic guitar and did the vocals Brad played bass and keyboards Ross Wilson played guitar
Ross Wedding also played guitars. The nice jangly ones in the chorous,bridge and outro 
 
JD: "Thank You" is not the Jimmy Page/Robert Plant song from 1969's Led Zeppelin II.  How did you construct your "Thank You" 45 years after Zep's?

Brian Pitcher:

3 Thank You

 
I'll let Brad tell you about Thank You.Thank You as the name suggests was written as an acknowledgement of gratitude. I was adopted from an early age and regard that twist of fate to be my luckiest break in life.

Sorrowfully, some of my immediate family are no longer with us. The lyrical content of the song delivers a simple message around unconditional gratitude and everlasting memories.
Brad  I can tell you that mixing the guitars for this was nothing short of a nightmare.

Never tell a guitar player that he can have as many tracks as he wants !!!!
Brad played bass, acoustic guitar, keyboards and did all the vocals
Ross Wilson played guitars I played drums and tambourine.
 


4 Awayo


            I was trying to achieve a sparseness of instrumentation and hopefully a bit of an "African" sound.  I love the sounds that African players get on Western instruments and the techniques that they develop to play them.

Believe it or not, this is a political statement. 
Politicians !!  They sure no how to take care of themselves and screw everybody else. I liken them to mosquitos. Blood sucking parasites. It's nice to see them screw themselves every now and then.

That one of yours who was sending nude selfies of himself, one of ours so deep in bribes and insider type deals even he couldn't lie his way out of it.
The bridge is a little more open and could be a boy/girl type of thing. Still, every now and then a pollie comes along and you think" maybe this ones different" You put some belief in them and, theyinvariably let you down. They all suck ! Same self centered animals , just using different names/parties.

I played drums, acoustic guitar vocals and percussion.

Brad played bass,

Ross Wilson played Guitar. If I close my eyes when I listen to this, I see some African dude in the studio, playing his heart out. Ross did an awesome job to achieve the sound/effect I was looking for.


JD: Thanks for giving us some insight into the new CD, Brian.
___________________________________
THE GROUP'S WEBSITE with links to Twitter, Facebook etc. is here:

http://audioscam.com.au/band/

 ___________________________________________________
Alameda California Patch

http://alameda.patch.com/groups/film-music-and-more/p/australias-audioscam-talks-about-new-cd--audioscam-3

Piedmont California Patch
http://piedmont.patch.com/groups/film-music-and-more/p/australias-audioscam-talks-about-new-cd--audioscam-313751414281 

Berklee California Patch
http://berkeley.patch.com/groups/film-music-and-more/p/australias-audioscam-talks-about-new-cd--audioscam-3137514141115

San Leandro California Patch
http://sanleandro.patch.com/groups/film-music-and-more/p/australias-audioscam-talks-about-new-cd--audioscam-3137514141116

Rockridge California Patch
http://rockridge.patch.com/groups/film-music-and-more/p/australias-audioscam-talks-about-new-cd--audioscam-3137514141304

El Cerrito Patch
http://elcerrito.patch.com/groups/film-music-and-more/p/australias-audioscam-talks-about-new-cd--audioscam-313751414278

Castro Valley Patch
http://castrovalley.patch.com/groups/film-music-and-more/p/australias-audioscam-talks-about-new-cd--audioscam-313751414891

Lamorinda California
http://lamorinda.patch.com/groups/film-music-and-more/p/australias-audioscam-talks-about-new-cd--audioscam-31375141467

Albany California Patch

http://albany.patch.com/groups/film-music-and-more/p/australias-audioscam-talks-about-new-cd--audioscam-313751414279
  • Alameda Patch


Saturday, December 31, 2011

When The Money's Gone - 4 song C.D. Going TRACK BY TRACK!

Australia's AUDIOSCAM


A terrific three piece band from down under!


Brian Pitcher
Ross Wedding
Brad Wallace


INDIVIDUAL BIOGRAPHIES:

Brad Wallace has been the bassist for Australian band Audioscam (audioscam.com.au) for 5 years. Trained as a pianist and saxophonist he expanded hismusical instruments to include the bass guitar to help fill in with a friends band for one night only. Twenty one years later it is now his instrument of choice but he continues to be intrigued by different musical instruments and the contribution this makes to original compositions.   With eclectic musical influences and a strong personal interest in music composition and production he has been a long standing live & session performer. His discography continues to grow.  
Ross Wilson
Hailing from the land of the" Long White Cloud", New Zealand, Ross has been involved in many varied projects from early on punk beginnings to an album with new age band Shine . He has run music courses,written music for fashion and tv documentaries,played various sessions on many recordings,played countless gigs in bars,clubs and concert situations,and,played in the world acclaimed band TheTemple. He is currently a recording member of Audioscam.
Brian Pitcher


Brian was born in Barbados West Indies. His family moved to Canada and later to Australia.  Brian plays drums, guitar,and ,also sings.  He has played with many bands including Airport,Hush,Lyn Randall Banned,The Temple,Grand Slam,and ,is the founding member of Audioscam. While living in Sydney and Melbourne he became a sought after session player. Brian now lives in Cairns, performing and recording with Audioscam. 


When the Money's Gone : Audioscam : Rhapsody

www.rhapsody.com/album/Alb.49188387
Label: Audioscam.   

When the Money's Goneaudio 2:47When the Money's Gone

That Other Guy
audio 3:05  
Closing in on Midnightaudio 4:10



________________________________________________________________

Going Track by Track: WHAT WAS THE LINEUP OF AUDIOSCAM PRIOR TO THE CD ABBATTACK?


AUDIOSCAM: Just before we started to record Abbattack the lineup included myself, Roger Gold and a bass player named Graeme Croft. Graeme knew he didn't have the time to put into recording an album and reluctantly left the band.



Going Track by Track: THE LINEUP DURING THE AUSTRALIAN SUN RECORDS PHASE?

AUDIOSCAM:         As luck would have it, Brad Wallace was available to do the gig. I had worked with Brad a few years earlier and knew that we had a good rapport musically and socially.

We started rehearsing and recording Abbattack.
 

About two thirds of the way through the recording of Abbattack, Ross Wedding arrived in Cairns from Melbourne.


We were introduced by a mutual friend (Peter Badenock, bass on "That Other Guy") . I got Ross into the band and the lineup of Roger Gold, Brad Wallace,  Ross Wedding and Brian Pitcher remained through the final recording and also through our time with Australian Sun Records.

Roger Gold later moved to Brisbane due to family commitments. Ross, Brad and myself continued as a three piece.



GOING TRACK BY TRACK: The band lineup now?


AUDIOSCAM:  When we decided to record "When The Money's Gone" , Ross Wedding, unfortunately, had the same problem that Graeme Croft had . A lack of time to put into recording a professionally done CD. (I can be a little demanding)


Ross Wilson , whom I had also worked with previously, was more than happy to commit to the recording.
With the new CD done and released, Ross Wedding is once again back with me doing live gigs. 
(it's like a superman comic isn't it ? Lana Lang, Lois Lane.....Ross Wedding, Ross Wilson)


GOING TRACK BY TRACK: Any gigs on the Australian continent?


AUDIOSCAM:  We are constantly gigging.  Although the last month or so has been difficult with Brad out of action with a back injury. I've been using stand in bass players to get through.


We do some corporate gigs for large companies that come up this way for their incentive trips. These are all private functions. Ford Australia, Toyota, Minolta, Commonwealth Bank, overseas tour groups etc. 


Most of our work is in Pubs and Hotels. I guess you'd call them Bars. These are my favourites. We get to play loud and get sweaty.




There's no pretense at these gigs. If you can't cut it, the audience will let you know.




The Peeramon Pub, Yungaburra Pub ,Kairi Hotel, Smitfield Tavern, Balaclava Hotel, Outback race meetings,Mining companies......We've played on Green Island ,Airlie Beach in the Whitsundays, Dunk Island, Hamilton Island ,Johnos Blues Bar,The Fox and Firkin, Troppos Nite Club, The Underdog Hotel, Shenanigans, The Courthouse Hotel, The Ant Hill Hotel, The Barron Valley Hotel,The Kuranda Understage, Rustys Bar, The Bull Bar, The Animal Bar,The Albatross Hotel, Weipa Sportfishing Tournament, Hinchinbrook Resort, Ellis Beach Bar and Grill, Hogs Breath Cafe, The Bandiditos Motorcycle Club( that's not one for the faint hearted). We've played for the Crocodile Trophy (Australias "Tour De France") in the Daintree Rainforest. We've played on boats, the backs of trucks, on racecourses, at birthdays , weddings, divorce parties, rodeos, The Sheraton Mirage, The Sheraton Country Club, A.J.Hacketts Bungy Jump, The Poddy Dodgers Ball, (cowboys call cow shit a Poddy). We've played at the Peeramon Pig Hunt.(ever seen a ten ton truck piled high with dead boars and wild pigs?  They're not a bunch who'll put up with a Nancy Band.)  And that's just the ones that come to mind quickly.There's dozens more. I just can't think of them right now I want to add The Cantab and wherever else to this list.
 

________________________________________________________________________________


WATCH THE WONDERFUL SHOW DANCE TO WHEN THE MONEY'S GONE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsMlnIfCEqI




Audioscam live in Australia


The Audioscam Diary

Friday, January 13, 2012





                                              Audioscam Diary

It’s been about five years since we last played at The Smithfield Tavern...the old pub has been torn down and replaced with a new one that didn’t cater for live music until a few months ago. 

This is Brad’s first gig back since injuring his back in October. We did our usual load in and sound check and it was like the Tavern vibes were as good as before.
 
The first set was a little laid back..some Jack Johnson (Sittin’Waitin’ Wishin’),
Stevie Ray Vaughan (Cold Shot), Bernard Fanning ( Song Bird and Wish You Well) and from our new CD, Brad sang "Closing in on Midnight". A little polite applause, the crowd checking us out ,and, vice versa.
 
Second set, lets go. Time to crank it up a little. Started with Black Crows (Hard to Handle)...which packed the dance floor, thank you very much !!  Smashmouth (Walkin’ on the Sun),  "Jumpin' Jack Flash" from The Rolling Stones...(our publicist in America was the business partner of Jimmy Miller who produced that song for Mick and the boys back in the 1960s),  Fun Lovin’Criminals (Scooby Snax) and  from our Abbattack CD (Rock Me) . The ABBA cover is ALWAYS  a crowd pleaser !!

By the time we got to our third set, we know what they want and they know what we do. From the new CD, the title track, When The Money’s Gone into some  Blink 182 (All the Small Things), AC/DC’s Long Way to the Top , then the danciest song ever written, The Romantics (What I Like About You). It’s Rock & Roll to the end of the set.

First encore, also from the new CD, "That Other Guy" !! I hate those other guys !! They always stole my girl friends !!!

Second encore. Ross starts "Road House Blues" with the slowest, meanest, dirtiest, grunty guitar. Two hundred people jumping, screaming, sort of dancing…I love it. Then it’s over, and the ugly lights come on. ( in the house lights we can all see how sweaty and “not good looking” we all are)

Hope the next gigs as good !!!!