Who Needs A Studio?

Recording an album can be a lengthy and expensive task. Just Look at the millions wasted by record companies throughout the years. It took 13 million dollars and 14 years for the mediocre return of Axl Rose to come to light, and an astounding 30 million dollars was spent on Michael Jackson’s album Invincible. Production costs aside, for any new band it’s always going to be difficult to find the time between gigging to actually make it into the studio. So the question is how can you get studio time for free and find the time for it? Simple turn your recording sessions into gigs.

The mere suggestion of recording live would have most bands running for the hills. Could you imagine the look on the Klaxons faces if their record executives suggested it to them? However, not all bands need a year to learn an album they’ve already recorded. The Brute Chorus are so confident in their live show, that they claim they’re able to record their debut album live, in one take and in front of an audience. A bold statement for any band, but it’s a show that has earned them the reputation as one of London’s best live acts.

Inside the Roundhouse’s makeshift Dr Martins Freedom studio, are two hundred fans waiting to see if James and Co can deliver their promise. Before they start, the compare reiterates the premise –the album will be recorded live in one take, without any breaks. As you can imagine they don’t want any unwanted crowd interaction, so the crowd are briefed on the rules, no swearing and no clapping until the final note. My only reservation is recording sessions can be tedious to say the least, so the prospect of watching four guys making sure they hit every note doesn’t sound like the most exciting gig in the world.

However, as they work their way through the surf pop of ‘Hercules’ and latest single ‘She Was Always Cool’, with their usual zeal and fervour, you soon forget that this is in fact a studio session. The prospect of the show being recorded for the album doesn’t seem to have deterred the band, especially James, who remains as energetic and enigmatic as usual. The crowd remain on their best behaviour, only chanting in between songs, and unbelievably there hasn’t been one mistake. On ‘Grow Fins’ the band are joined by a backing chorus, which includes members of Dan Clews, and guest vocals for the folktatsic bluegrass of ‘The Cuckoo and the Stolen Heart’ are supplied by Tigs.

With all of the songs done in an unbelievable single take, the set is relatively short for the ten pounds paid on the door. But not wanting to disappoint they re-appear, sweat sodden for another rendition of ‘Hercules’, on which the crowd are at last encouraged to make as much noise as possible, and then it’s all off to the bar for some much needed refreshments.

I’m sure there will be a few overdubs and hours spent on mixing the record, but from what I can tell the album sounds like it will have journalists and fans falling over themselves to get hold of a copy. With so many bands complaining, they can’t transfer the energy of their live performances onto record, I think The Brute Chorus have clearly found the answer.