On a warm summer night, in the late 1970's, a young boy was ecouraged to try something different in what had become Art/Music class, Guitar was now an option. My grandfather was the only one in that had played in all my family. I figured... why not? 

     Acoustic to start, led to lessons at a local music shop. The teacher was very much a country guy. Plaid flannel, denim overalls, could have been related to Haystack Calhoun (go and look him up...). I was not looking to be a country guy, so no more lessons. Over time, forgetting how to read and write music, I played what I liked to hear. I was also hoping for some like-minded people to play with. A schoolmate suggested I get in touch with a couple guys doing a high school 'Battle of the Bands". Drums, two guitars, no bass. Again, why not?

 
     Turns out, one was a popular football player and the other would turn out to be a big-money maker in Hollywood. Popularity won us the show,but really, we weren't too impressive. I did get to smash a guitar live on stage, so that was cool. More player in and out of the picture, including Mr. Hollywood (bye, Adam). Now I was teamed up with my previously mentioned schoolmate and things felt better. A good working pair, same frame of musical mind. While prepping for a taco gorging, I wrote my first lyrics. Quickly, the guitarist friend made music that seemed right from my head. Right there, I was hooked. Doing cover songs was fun and people were digging it, but making a whole song was cool. So, very cool. 

     Soon after, an old friend who worked at a local music shop called and said that I needed to see 'something' that just came in. When I got there, he opened the case (obviously a Gibson) and as my eyes hit the early 70's Les Paul cherry burst Jimmy Page inspiring Les Paul, the angels sang. Other guitars would come and go for the next  few years, but I always came back to "Les".

     Basements would be the most likely venue, perhaps a random party. By that point we had a good collection of original songs and had good reactions from those who heard them. My need at this point was to have those songs recorded on a CD that I could pass around to people. The then drummers basement was dubbed a studio. With a small amount of mediocre gear, and none of us with any recording knowledge, it was a disappointment.  At that point, I had amassed enough gear of my own to have a full band at my place. Of course, a basement.

 
    A couple of coworkers played, so we started up.  Now I could also do double duty, guitar/vocals and drums, having taken over for a former drummer.  Everyone had talents, and some good moments were had. Later at work a new guy showed up.  Kinda had an Alice In Chains look, perhaps a rocker, perhaps poser.

    A chance meeting at a company substation led to him coming by and checking us out.  He had chops, and an extensive catalog of originals, and recording knowledge that no one around us had.  I did give him a free out after a couple weeks.  I didn't want him gone, but didn't want him to waste his time with us.  He dug my originals and was okay to begin a quest to complete and properly record them.  

    We had become a four piece band,  changed to a three piece before going back to the four piece that would begin recording.  I had no completed Big Beaver Studio and was constantly trying to upgrade gear.  

    We began recording with drums and a steep learning curve began.  Before getting into any kind of groove with recording, our drummer and bassist went their own way.  Taking this as some kind of divine intervention, we decided the two of us could do this.  We would write some test songs, and wrap our heads around how to do this stuff right.  The test songs ended up keepers, and before we knew it we had 13.  Our gear had become better and better, and Zobb was born.  During recording my comfort zone was blown to pieces.  I would end up recording drums, bass, and lead guitar for the first time ever.  Our skills grew, and our gear was stout.  We would now record my originals and my band mate's new originals. 

    Knarf was all business, the songs had already been made.  Gear continued to get better, along with our abilities to use it.  

    Looking to go yet another route musically, Farm the Rift came to light.  A three song EP, with 13 song album will follow.

    Now I get to record in a place I've always wanted.  No stress, no bullshit, just fire up the equipment and we're rolling.

    Would you want to record here, in the bubble that is Big Beaver Studio? To quote a youngster from the 70s... why not?

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