This is the first step that led to the band EAT AT JOE’S. John came into Granny’s to remix some tracks he had recorded at his home studio. I said that the tracks would be cooler with real drums as opposed to the drum machine tracks currently there. I volunteered my talents and a production collaboration team was formed that still works to this day. It was very hard making 8 track 1/4” tape sound like a 24 track Studer, but I feel we did a respectable job. I had to mix all the drums down to one track for tracking. I kinda felt like Sir George Martin making sense of Sgt. Pepper. In the music it’s clear that influences like Toto, the Producers and Billy Joel made there way to the front, but it’s still an original sound. His voice is very pure and almost belongs on Broadway. A very very talented songwriter. Track 6, “Scottish Summer” reappeared three years later on the EAT AT JOE’s “Under the Limbo Stick” disc.

By far the greatest album cover to come out of Reno! There will be none greater. This was the first project that I tracked and mixed all by myself. WOW that was an eye-opener. I admit, I was green and I’ve received flack for the end result. However, the single, “You Lied” has had the most airplay of any song I’ve produced. So what does that tell you? I love these songs. I don’t remember laughing more with any client as much as with Pat and Dion. Their chemistry was amazing. The cover is very representative of their demeanor. The fact that they thanked “beer” three times in the credits is also telling. I honestly feel that this album did hurt me professionally in a lot of ways and I may never regain the trust of some folks, but dammed, people liked it. It wasn’t a total loss.

UNRELEASED. And that is an utter tragedy. This was my big opportunity to right my wrongs with these guys. This time I tag teamed with my boss, Bjorn Thorsrud. As cool as it was working with him, it never happened again. We re-did two songs from the first record, a vat of outstanding new songs and a cover of “Lilt Green Bag.” Guest appearances included former Texas Wrangler and Gunshot Licker guitarist Johnny Fingers and Convicted Innocence singer Shawn Jones. A great sounding rockin’ album! The band disbanded soon after the mixes were completed. A real shame, Pat Casey’s writing was really coming of age and this was a great showcase. Can you tell I’m bummed? Keep an eye on “The Vault” and maybe some tracks will show up there!

Professor Biersach, pronounced “Beer-sock” was a professor of mine at USC. He taught synths, beginning recording, The Beatles and Classic Rock classes at USC. We’ve kept in touch over the years and we shared a love for prog rock bands like Genesis, Yes, Emerson Lake and Palmer and King Crimson. He asked if I wanted to play drums on a crazy concept record that would make Frank Zappa look conservative. I couldn’t say no to that. I spent many days in Bill’s LA home studio sweating in 90+ heat playing acoustic and electric drums, pots and pans, a wash board and yes, even an innertube! Makes a great kick drum sound! It’s a story of about a man who is called upon by an old high school pal he had played in a band with 20 years prior. Said pal makes him be good on a promise he made to go on a fantastic trip down the Great Apple River in innertubes. There journey leads to the reforming of the old band (with 3 drummers, all played by me) and various interactions with swishy camp rangers and various squid sightings. Genius desguised as folly is how I would describe this record. The sequel “The Heliotrope Haven, Red Green or Otherwise, No Holds Bar Chili Cookoff” is currently in production. Live in fear. I sing a song on that one!