Clubs EP recording Session: 1/7/2009

I show up at the Diamond Factory recording studio around 7 pm. It is the same place where San Marcos/Austin band Newlywed recorded their soon to be released Fear Country ep and from what I hear on entering, Clubs’ ep is getting the same treatment.

The studio is located in North Austin in an industrial park off of 183. Apparently there is a whorehouse nearby and I am told that I can get an expert handjob for 35$ or so. The front of the converted office suite is dark when I show up and even though I’ve been there before I am momentarily uncertain that I am in the right place. There are no signs of life other than an old couch, vcr/tv, and lots of empty candy wrappers in the front room, but I hear the faint sounds of a muffled guitar coming through the walls and I follow them into the main recording room. It is large and mostly empty except for an old, out of tune piano in the corner, a microwave, some soundproofing material mounted on the walls, and an Orange half-stack with three mics in front of it. The mics are running into the side room where Travis, the producer, is sitting with Clubs’ guitarists Alexander Beggins and John Nichols. I am told that bassist Foster Farmer and drummer Fran Aguera are already done with their parts. Nichols is recording a lead part for one of his songs and I sit down to listen. The song sounds surprisingly heavy and the unfinished track is already building into a multi-layered experience. Nichols is recording on a black SG, for a slightly thicker tone than his Telecaster ---which he uses live--- would produce. When the lead guitar part is finished Beggins takes the guitar and records a couple of brief overdubs of rhythm parts. They finish the song and even the un-mastered, vocal-less, results are intimidating. I stay for a bit longer and watch the band finish up the few remaining guitar parts, use Nichols’ phone to look up the whores-next-door, find that they are surprisingly attractive, do a half-hearted mental search for sleigh-bells, try some gross energy spray, then leave.

I’ll have to be content to wait until the as of now untitled ep is released to hear what the vocals/finished product sounds like, but in the meantime Clubs are playing the Newlywed cd release show on January 17th with Newlywed, Earth Eater, Cactus Peach, (and possibly a surprise guest??)

-S.B.

12/11/08 CLUBS @ Triple Crown San Marcos, Texas

Great band. Great sound. And dare i say, great beatles cover...??? yah you sluts heard me right this band covered "Come Together" (heard someone say cliche in the audience, obv. hipster) with enough zest to get something zesty or something. The classic beatles sound holding hands with the sounds of Clubs falsetto screams and harmonic dischords (possible?) gives the bands cover enough of the original to attract to die-hard beatles fans (i am one) and has enough originality so you know when you hear it, it's clubs, and not the fab four. The audience seemed to love this band (esp the Come Together cover which everyone began to stupidly dance to (not the bands fault)) They started their set off strong, although the first song was extremely loud musically which seemed to cause vocalist John Nichols' lyrics to seem strained or to simply fade from audibility. However, this apparently seemed to be the fault of the venue sound man because as song two approached, the EQ of the entire band fell perfectly together. Stand out song was song 4 (im told F(natural, not sharp, fran, you fuck) song?) this song had so much power in it that i got goosebumps, musical orgasm if you will. The power of Nichols' vocals backed by the harmonies of Alex Beggins' shrill scream gave this song all the necessary emotion. The band was however coaxed by friends in the audience, as well as members from within, to play a cover of Lit's "My Own Worst Enemy," much to the dismay of Nichols. They did play it though and did a job that i can only describe as "hilarious." I was totally convinced that F song was going to be their standout performance, but then they played their final song (slave?) and blew me, and judging by facial expressions every one else at the venue, out of the water. A strong performance from each member from the power vocals of Nichols to the harmonies of Beggins, to the roaring rhythm section comprised of bassist Foster Farmer and drummer Fran Aguera. Anyone living in central Texas shouldn't miss a chance to see this local gem.

4/5

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