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Keywords:
Rik (5), Berryere (6), New Wave (19), Mars Needs Ducks (1)
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Description:
Quack! Quack! Quack!
No 'New Wave' song genre, huh? I suppose it's not 'New Wave' anymore when the only thing anyone remembers were the bizzarro haircuts...
I was strongly influenced by many of the 'New Wave' artists of the very early eighties - particularly those who took the danceable rhythms of what was left of disco, stripped the pretense and glitz away and amped up the voltage - and eccentricity. If it was 1981 and I had been trying to get into CBGBs, it probably would have been with a tune like this. I almost passed on jumping onboard this challenge – not that I wasn’t interested, but LIOLI7 and Feter’s MJ-Woodstock challenges were still truckin’ and time is just not something I had to spare. I feel bad that I can’t keep up with so much great music cooking out of the kitchen here, but… well, that's not a new story around here, is it?
But! A cool challenge has a way of saying “so what?”, doesn't it? Now here’s the thing - when Egobandit and 5_Extra_Arms launched this, I’d already been working on a song that was more to my usual style – lots of synths, dancin’ beat, quirky sense of humor… and it was called “Mars Needs Ducks”. Ideal for the challenge – except everything about it was wrong! Beat, style, feel, instruments, tempo… all wrong! So I dumped everything and turned on Mr. Peabody’s Way-Back Machine set for Queen Street West, Toronto, 1980 - my art school days when I was discovering the Diodes, Wayouts, L’Etranger and countless other punk & New Wave groups around the area - not to mention the Talking Heads, Qingo Boingo and Thomas Dolby.
When I got back to 2008, I had a much clearer idea of what I wanted – something I would have recorded around 1981 to get into CBGB’s. That meant a crazy, synthy guitar-cookin’ slice of New Wave ‘Rik Style’, so the Mars Needs Ducks ride was stripped down, sped up and shot full of hyperkinetic drums, churning rhythm guitars and some of the squirreliest synth lines I’ve ever wrung out of GarageBand. And yes, you heard me right - I finally dragged my rusty, dusty and trusty Epiphone electric guitar out of storage, ordered new electronics and rewired her from the ground up. Yeah, Rik plays guitar! God help us all… keep in mind I haven’t touched it for almost ten years and my playing is just about as crappy as it was back in 1980 – even at my peak it’d be hard to go much beyond ‘mediocre’ - but what the hell! Lock and load!
I also used Audacity for the partial-reverse vocal effects in the middle of the song, which is another first for a MacJams song – everything I’ve ever posted was cooked up completely using GarageBand 3 with no outside spicing used. That duck quack is all GB synth, too – I never did find that duck call!
It’s amazing how different this is from that first, polished version mentioned earlier - this one just crackles with energy! Was it the CBGB state of mind? Was it the addition of a real guitar? Both? Wish I knew… but whatever it was, I bloody well like what it did to this song. I’ll probably post the ‘polished version’ a bit later – just for fun.
Biggo thanks to Egobandit and 5_Extra_Arms for launching this one. What a blast.
Quack! Quack! Quack!
Lyrics:
Mars Needs Ducks
I lie awake at night
Looking at the sky
Stars and moon are whispering goodbye
I don’t know just who to fool
I don’t just what to feign
Mars Needs Ducks
Keeps flashing in my brain
I sleep away the day
And tell myself it’s fun
Tourists drinking, pointing at the sun
They don’t know just who to trust
They don’t know just what remains
Mars Needs Ducks
Repeating in our brains
Hardware:
Hardware: Mac G5, Epiphone electric guitar, Squire practice amp
Guitar Picks: Pennies flattened into guitar picks by railroad train. Slow freights work best.
Software:
Software: GarageBand 3, Audacity
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a flock of seag.... &mdash 05/01/08 - 11:57:20 PM
er...... wait, make that fried duck on entre.
Very cool Rik. super tune and keys! [ Reply to This ]
Mmmmmm... fried duck &mdash 05/02/08 - 03:02:21 PM
I'm kicking myself for not coming up with a cool alter-ego for this - I thought of "A Flock Of Haircuts" way too late.
Glad you liked the ride, Vic. Quack! [ Reply to This ]
Inner-Synaptic Space Flight &mdash 05/02/08 - 12:10:43 AM
Whoah! I think my brain is fried.
Thanks for the trip, Rik. Nice and spacey.
Take my duck... please. ;)
--- Joe [ Reply to This ]
Take Your Duck &mdash 05/02/08 - 03:05:40 PM
You think YOUR brain is cooked? I can't get this bloody tune out of my head now. I think I need to go have something to eat... maybe some du-
Argghh! [ Reply to This ]
Mars Needs Ducks &mdash 05/02/08 - 12:40:05 AM
just superb guitar work with the bass and drums
I m so impressed by the sound of the gener ..Man !
YOU ROCK !! [ Reply to This ]
Superb Guitar Work &mdash 05/02/08 - 03:12:46 PM
I'm quietly amazed and a little thrilled that you like the guitar... I'm not kidding when I say that I literally have not played for close to ten years. The slow rebirth of my musical identity, almost entirely as a result of MacJams, takes a brave step with this little tune. Thanks, Feter - it was a ton of fun - and the company I'm keeping here teach me more every day. [ Reply to This ]
New Wave goodness... &mdash 05/02/08 - 01:52:41 AM
I love the synths in this! You got the sound down. Very cool.
Great vocals, too. :) [ Reply to This ]
New Wave &mdash 05/02/08 - 03:15:19 PM
I'm still amazed at the synth sounds I can pull out of GarageBand... of course, it helps to have never left the 80s when synths ruled! (Laugh) Glad you liked the vocals too - I'm still finding my way in that area too. This whole thing was just a blast to put together. [ Reply to This ]
The Duckster! &mdash 05/02/08 - 05:18:31 AM
Wow Rik! You nailed this one! I was sure that this was a forgotten Oingo Boingo hit that showed up on a soundtrack to some 80's movie with Molly Ringwald!
This is authentic 80's New Wave to the max!
Thanks to egobandit for the idea and to bud for contacting the good folks at CBGB_DEMO and offering to put it all together. [ Reply to This ]
The Duckster? &mdash 05/02/08 - 03:19:32 PM
Yeah! The DUCKSTER! The whole New Wave thing caught fire on this one - the energy level just went off the chart. The Challenge was brilliant - I'm glad I was able to quack around and light up the wires like this. What a riot!
Quack! [ Reply to This ]
Totally... &mdash 05/02/08 - 08:22:15 AM
awesome dude! This is so fun!
This completely reminds me of MTV in the 80's.
Great Job!
C.
[ Reply to This ]
MTV &mdash 05/02/08 - 03:22:58 PM
Jeeez... that gets me thinking about a video. Hmmm... hmmmm... evil thoughts forming... voice of reason protesting...
Glad you dropped in - isn't this challenge a hoot? What a ride! I can't wait to hear the rest of the tunes. [ Reply to This ]
Hey guys &mdash 05/02/08 - 08:25:39 AM
Love you're work this is cool.
I must say I'm impress on all who have done something I did not ;(
Peace, Love & Respect
----
Kenta [ Reply to This ]
Heya Kenta &mdash 05/02/08 - 03:33:25 PM
No worries, my friend - you create so much awesome music to share with us, it's a pleasure to share some with you. Glad you like the ducks!
Quack! Quack! [ Reply to This ]
Total 80's CBGB's &mdash 05/02/08 - 01:41:20 PM
Fantastic. Authentic. 5EA mentioned Oingo Boingo, I must agree.
Great job,
LL [ Reply to This ]
80s &mdash 05/02/08 - 03:39:02 PM
Boy, if 80s music ever comes back in vogue in a big way, I'll be all set. But wait - I'd have to get one of those bizzarro 80s haircuts, wouldn't I?
Oh, never mind. Let's dance. Quack! Quack! [ Reply to This ]
Duck Yes &mdash 05/02/08 - 02:01:38 PM
Highly dangerous. Stand back! I love the energy level here. Nice one. [ Reply to This ]
Energy &mdash 05/02/08 - 03:45:07 PM
Yeah, the energy level in this one really went off the charts. Maybe it was the guitar - the live instrument adds a certain emotion and slightly out-of-control feel that pulls the rails out of the ground. I'm not sure - but it sure rocks the ducks bang-zoom!
Quack quack! [ Reply to This ]
Makes me wonder, &mdash 05/02/08 - 03:15:09 PM
is this where Howard came from before he ended up in Lea Thompson's lap? Love the way you give homage to the past while still managing to get back to the future here Rik.
Cool track that take me back to a time when music was sometimes silly, sometimes serious, but alway fun to listen to.
Very nice work Rik.
Ed [ Reply to This ]
Back To The Future &mdash 05/02/08 - 03:31:05 PM
I sometimes wonder if the fact my music echoes the 80s so much is something I should 'work on', get away from, 'fix'... but as a wise MacJammer once said recently, "just be yourself, don't change," and Ed, this is as 'me' as it gets!
I remember mentioning to you that one day I'd drag my old Epiphone out of the shadows and start playing guitar again. Well... it's finally happened, and I'm happy that it happened here, with a fun song that shakes the rafters loose with a riotous beat. As a great old Canadian band Trooper once sang, "we're here for a good time - not a long time," and this song most definitely is a good time.
Always a pleasure, my friend. Thanks for the advice and sharing the musical journey. [ Reply to This ]
: ) &mdash 05/02/08 - 05:09:20 PM
You got a really good one here ! High scores in my book(!) Much enjoyed TX Lena [ Reply to This ]
Hiya Lena &mdash 05/04/08 - 06:04:02 AM
Glad you enjoyed the tune. But really, you can't go wrong with ducks! [ Reply to This ]
right then rik &mdash 05/02/08 - 05:16:42 PM
Nailed! &mdash 05/04/08 - 06:06:52 AM
Yeah, this one really fell together in just the right mix of craziness, noise and what-the-hell-am I-doing? Lots of fun, and lots of ducks. [ Reply to This ]
great &mdash 05/02/08 - 07:48:06 PM
This sounds great Rik, Totally sound authentic from the past.
Well Done. [ Reply to This ]
From The Past &mdash 05/04/08 - 06:11:27 AM
Thanks, Nick - I used to listen to a lot of stuff like this back in the day - if you'd told me back then it would take almost thirty years to figure out how to do it..............???? [ Reply to This ]
Rik you are a seriously deranged individual &mdash 05/03/08 - 08:37:46 AM
and I love you man. Bring on the ducks and let them run with the bunnies - colonize space and fertilize the lawns . Amazing production as usual - and excellent Epi. [ Reply to This ]
Deranged &mdash 05/04/08 - 06:21:04 AM
You betcha. All that Zappa I used to listen to must have added something to the mix (Shiekyerbouti still one of my all-time fav albums) - hah!
I'm glad the guitar turned out okay - that was real playing, not poking notes around with a pencil tool, which is almost everything else I've done on MacJams. You're going to hear more of my trusty Epi as the rust starts to fall off my fingers... the effect MacJams has had on my musical ability is profound.
And then I go and write about ducks! [ Reply to This ]
Rik Berryere &mdash 05/03/08 - 11:47:21 AM
It%u2019s amazing how different this is from that first, polished version mentioned earlier - this one just crackles with energy! Was it the CBGB state of mind? Was it the addition of a real guitar? Both? Wish I knew%u2026 but whatever it was, I bloody well like what it did to this song. I%u2019ll probably post the %u2018polished version%u2019 a bit later %u2013 just for fun.
Quack! Quack! Quack! [ Reply to This ]
Who? &mdash 05/04/08 - 05:49:56 PM
I want more duck! &mdash 05/03/08 - 01:00:30 PM
A flock of duck gulls?
Love your use of Aquanet on the chorus.
I'm on board your Japanese spaceship of big pants, big hair and luscious synth sounds! [ Reply to This ]
Japanese Spaceships &mdash 05/05/08 - 08:45:47 AM
... with big pants, big hair and luscious synths - I live there, man. [ Reply to This ]
Great track &mdash 05/03/08 - 05:09:06 PM
Big Sound &mdash 05/05/08 - 08:47:21 AM
...it goes without saying that the 80s are a musical field I can't resist playing in, but it was great to get a little nuts this time around. (A little...?) [ Reply to This ]
much more &mdash 05/03/08 - 07:54:05 PM
than electropo. great effecting. awesome mix. i am way behind the curve on my mixing. you guys are eclipsing me fast!
Allen [ Reply to This ]
Mixing &mdash 05/05/08 - 08:49:46 AM
...don't sell yourself short. Just heard your entry, and I'm frikkin' blown away. I just throw a ton of junk into the garbage disposal, turn it on and see what comes out. Thanks for the thumbs-up, Allen. Quack! [ Reply to This ]
haha!! &mdash 05/04/08 - 12:14:58 AM
I know! &mdash 05/05/08 - 08:50:48 AM
Wheee! &mdash 05/04/08 - 12:28:11 AM
You sing like Jello. This is fun,
robot rock at its best.
Domo arigato, (spelling help, anyone?)
-g [ Reply to This ]
Robot rock &mdash 05/05/08 - 08:55:01 AM
I should have thrown a vocoder into this. Wait, there's another version in the pipeline... and thanks for the 'sings like Jello' tip! Like I said to Spitlogic... go with your strength - singing like jelly, fruit-flavored dessert chemical product! [ Reply to This ]
A l'orange perhaps? &mdash 05/05/08 - 09:46:33 AM
A l'orange &mdash 05/12/08 - 03:43:23 PM
hey &mdash 05/05/08 - 05:13:41 PM
wasn't this the theme in some movie i forgot about with Judd Nelson? very cool. glad you had so much fun doing this too. [ Reply to This ]
Judd Nelson &mdash 05/12/08 - 03:50:14 PM
Yeah! It was the one where they had funny hair, and the girl had a leather jacket with zippers in ridiculous places, and the space aliens had gold puffy pants, and Mr. Miyagi taught Judd how to use Karate to drive a talking car. I'm sure it was that one. Or the sequel. Or the next sequel. Or the next sequel after that -
No, wait a minute! We're wrong! It was Steve Guttenburg! [ Reply to This ]
This is better than Wang Chung! &mdash 05/06/08 - 05:59:50 PM
Not that I consider WC "new wave". The band I was in was New Wave, and we were more influenced by the Cure. At least one guitarist was. Personally I couldn't stand them.
Anyway, this is a very credible effort at reviving the 80s. Some nice big Japan-like synths, eh, Duran Duran's guitar? and a bottomline that has been listening to Bruce Springsteen on the sly.
Good stuff! [ Reply to This ]
Everybody Have Duck Tonight! &mdash 05/12/08 - 03:59:00 PM
I never thought of the Duran Duran comparison on the guitar, but it's really there, isn't it? I love the Bruce Springsteen sound sneaking in underneath when nobody's looking... it's not often you hear Duran Duran and Springsteen mentioned in the same song! [ Reply to This ]
I like the beat in this &mdash 05/07/08 - 08:20:35 PM
The arrangement especially the break where all the back ground singing takes place great built up all the killer bass line. This does take me back to oingo boingo excellent! [ Reply to This ]
Killer Bass &mdash 05/12/08 - 03:55:56 PM
If you've got a deadly bass line, you could surround it with nothing but the Red Army Chorus pounding on the side of a lunch truck with ball peen hammers and it would still sound cool. We may laugh about much of disco today, but the good stuff was anchored with slick, lithe basslines that I just loved - and never forgot.
And I always loved Oingo! [ Reply to This ]
First off... &mdash 05/12/08 - 03:20:03 PM
..that artwork is over-the-top genius!
This piece is cool and campy. I just love it. Good vocals. Nice changes. Nice ambience in the overall mix. It ROCKS!
---But all through it I couldn't help but think of Daffy Duck in his role as Duck Dodgers of the 24th 1/2 century. Ha ha...
Be well friend! [ Reply to This ]
Duck Dodgers &mdash 05/12/08 - 03:41:43 PM
Funny you should mention that... there actually WAS a comic book story of Daffy Duck/Duck Dodgers called "Mars Needs Ducks", which I found out about after this had been recorded. (A Google search on "Mars Needs Ducks"... that's how I found out about it). If they ever do a Duck Dodgers theatrical movie, I could suggest a great theme song!
Glad you had such fun with it, Mike - and thanks for the comment about the artwork too. I know it's not actually part of the song, but I like to come up with creative imagery to go with my songs, and it's nice when that gets noticed too.
But a Daffy pic would have been a blast. Darn copyright laws... ! [ Reply to This ]
What a coinkydink... &mdash 05/12/08 - 05:06:59 PM
...about Duck Dodgers! I wasn't aware of this at all. I haven't seen those old Warner bros. cartoons for ages (something I intend to remedy real soon...).
Well, it just makes this piece all the more fun!
That's all folks!
[ Reply to This ]
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Very cool Rik. super tune and keys!
[ Reply to This ]