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SONG STATS:
Hits: 383
Comments: 15
Votes: 2
Plays: 80
Last Played: Nov 30, 2008 - 06:59:55 AM
Downloads: 0
Fans: 16
Uploaded: Sep 13, 2008 - 08:48:26 AM
Last Updated: Sep 13, 2008 - 08:48:26 AM
Fan List
Keywords:
SKU (2), Ray (7), Kainz (3), John (3), LeBlanc (1), Mark (4), Nickita (1), Detroit (20), 313 (1), New (78), City (24), hidden (6), cities (3), gentrification (2), rock (1147), progressive (130), alternative (247),  ()
Description:
I've been working on a new band project called SKU. Members include bassist John LeBlanc and drummer Mark Nickita.
This song is about the attraction, deterioration and gentrification of cities and urban areas, specifically Detroit.
You can hear another SKU song here

This recording was made during a rehearsal. Drums were recorded by taking a 2-track sub-mix from our live board right into Pro-tools. Then we layered guitars and vocals on top. The sonic quality/performance might not be album ready but I wanted to post a version of this song and get your comments, feedback, suggestions etc.

It is rough in spots but remember - this song is a WORK IN PROGRESS.

Lyrics:
313
©2008 Ray Kainz, John LeBlanc, Mark Nickita

Welcome to my new friends
gather round and hear the sound
Blasting furnace and ingots afire
granting dreams of one's heart's desire
Venture to the promised land
assembly work for your blistered hands

Build Your Dream

Welcome to the city
Here's the key
Turn off the lights
When you leave

Castles set upon the sand
tide is closing upon toward this land
scenes built on dreams and schemes
hopeless treasures crashing beams
Once the center of our universe
Now the butt of too many jokes

Burn Your Dream

Bring the world back from the brink
Bring the town back from the stink
Old streets in the Nu City
The abandoned inhabited
People working and living here
Children playing in the parks

Making Plans

Welcome to Nu City
Welcome to Nu City
Welcome to 313

Hardware:
G4 dual 1.42
M-box
Mackie 24-8 studio console
B.L.U.E. BlueBird mic for vox
'79 Marshall JMP 50w for rhythm guitars
POD X3 LIVE for guitar solo
Reverend Rocco USA guitar

Software:
ProTools LE7
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If &mdash 09/13/08 - 09:20:26 AM
I ever had a "work in progress" that sounded this good I'd be ecstatic.There are lots of really interesting things going on here.I need to listen to this many times.
Amazing work!

[ Reply to This ]
diamond &mdash 09/13/08 - 10:06:37 AM
in the rough. I'm with ib on this one. If I ever have rough tracks this good I'd be thrilled. You guys are really on to something. Lookin forward to hearin more

[ Reply to This ]
I always know &mdash 09/13/08 - 01:32:30 PM
I'm going to hear something great when you post and this doesn't disappoint. I agree with the comments above.
Cheers
Len



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Damn Good... &mdash 09/13/08 - 02:17:45 PM
Live/Studio recording. The vocal gets buried a bit at times, but sounds very close to me. Thoughtful and interesting contrasts give the arrangement breadth.

My only thought: Perhaps some verite street sounds during the musical interlude would add another interesting dimension to the mix. ;)


--- Joe

[ Reply to This ]
street sounds &mdash 09/13/08 - 04:20:48 PM
I agree with you about the vocals - especially in the choruses.
Street sounds? GREAT idea! Love it. - thanks!

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313 &mdash 09/13/08 - 02:24:40 PM
WOW ...man this is pwoerful ..great rockin band sound
so tight ..topnotch guitar work ...rockin vocal indeed
cool set realy ..idealic one ..the style is so
progressive and rarely to see bands playin like this .,
KUDOS !!!!

[ Reply to This ]
1-2 1-2-3-4-5-6-7 1-2-3. Or something &mdash 09/13/08 - 03:49:11 PM
I like the irregular outbursts. Hold on while I count.

And in between it's serious rock and roll time. Solid tune. The drum sounds like it could use some life in it. But that's on the todo list for the final mix, right?



[ Reply to This ]
drums &mdash 09/13/08 - 04:18:06 PM
Yeah Vic - I'm with you on the drum sound.
This recording is like a pre-production demo. We'll be re-recording this tune from the bottom up for the album takes.
Thanks for checking it out

[ Reply to This ]
this &mdash 09/13/08 - 09:21:15 PM
soars... a little rocker



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Very current &mdash 09/13/08 - 11:10:22 PM
and quite enjoyable a listen... some of it sounds a bit Kings X. Great vocals, instrumentation and a nice rehearsal mix.

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great rocker &mdash 09/13/08 - 11:27:09 PM
i dig it. you are almost there. true drums need some life and maybe boost the bottom end a little. just a thought.

pretty tight playing by everyone. totally enjoyed it.

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like this &mdash 09/14/08 - 08:38:13 AM
great voice to a well written piece of music. Sounds like you did a lot of work in making this, guitar work is really good.

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way Ray &mdash 09/14/08 - 12:19:48 PM
I love the Kainz touch on this... what you bring to the table... your melodic thumbprint... and the structural turns the song takes.. you alway know how to keep it interesting.. I can loose interest in this genre quickly... but you put subtle touches that keep me engaged... and I'm a fan... you have my ear whenever you post... and you certainly earned that...

a power trio presents problems and opportunities both at once... you guys have more than met the challenge.. and you may even have raised the bar.. but that's just the Ray Way

killer

[ Reply to This ]
wow &mdash 09/15/08 - 06:47:01 PM
you guys sound great. there is not much work that needs to be done with this. i suspect most of the work ahead would be on getting the drums to sit a little better (a touch of compression and reverb). that said, if i had bought this, I wouldn't have any complaints (sounds very indie). that chorus is killing me. excellent work. really like the guitar breakdown halfway through. very post rock.

[ Reply to This ]
I come for the lyrics - &mdash 09/16/08 - 11:17:14 PM
and then get so impressed with your musicianship and production values. Really- this 'work in progress' sounds so great. The guitar solo drops a little too much presence, but otherwise, this is great all around - and I don't even particularly like progressive rock!

[ Reply to This ]
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