I found a casstette recording of  ”I Still Want You”, a song I wrote while I was a member of Panic that ended up on a demo/cassette release.  I think we called it “The “Red Tape”.

We were in NYC for numerous record label showcases at SIR as the backup band for Tod Washburn.  Washburn was a former member of Panic and had recently signed a management/production deal.  He also had an 8-track studio at the management company’s office which was located in Hicksville, NY on Long Island.  In between rehearsals and the shows, we managed to record a few songs.

I was recording synth tracks for a song when I came up with the main bass line and chord structure for “I Still Want You” in between takes.  I kept adding to it and someone, maybe Duke, asked what it was I was fiddling with.  He dug it. 

That was all I needed to hear.  I remember having the rest of the arrangement and lyrics instantaneously … we hit RECORD..   Gary, our bass player, came up with amazing acoustic parts since I did the  “80′s bass” on keys.  Scott rocked some stylish guitar and with Duke’s percussion it makes for a great track.

I added “Sally’s Song” and “867-5309/Jenny” to the Jukebox.  Both tracks will be available for download at cdBaby.com within a few days.

Sally’s Song

“Sally’s Song” is one of my favorite songs.  I had just moved back to Thibodaux, LA.  It was September, I was broke, and Sally’s birthday was fast approaching (Oct., 3rd).

I borrowed a 4-track cassette recorder from an old bandmate and in a few hours I had her birthday present… Sally’s Song … and, it’s “bigger than the sky…”

867-5309/Jenny

The label asked a number of its artists to record one of their favorite 80′s song for inclusion on an 80′s compilation release.  We started to work up a Tears For Fears song when we got the call that they would prefer we cover Tommy Tutone’s “867-5309/Jenny”. 

It’s such a great song.  Classic…  straight up, a great rock song.  We knew we shouldn’t mess with it too much so we just jammed it up a few times and the arrangement just fell into place.  I love John’s guitar on this track. It’s amazing.

So, here’s our 867-5309/Jenny

Just Once in Awhile single released through cdBaby. com.

I’ve since re-recorded the song for the soon to be released Roses are Dead album. This is the demo I recorded in my home studio the day I wrote the song.

So, I found some of my earliest recordings from the 80′s:  a few cassette releases and a vinyl EP from bands (Fragile, Panic, Something Blew) that I was a member of at different times back then. 

This was back when bands would record a demo of 4 or 5 of their best songs, have them duped on cassette, and then hit up every record label hoping to score some more cash to release a full LP.  Bands could also sell them at gigs as an EP. 

Maybe I’ll put some of it up for a listen…