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"In the making of Lullabies to Paralyze, we had allot more time to experiment with sounds and to create something unique in the studio."" |
RECORDING QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE - PRODUCER JOE BARRESI TELLS ALL!
Joe Barresi is an expert knob-twiddler. He recently completed work on the new Queens of the Stone Age CD, Lullabies to Paralyze.
Here is some back ground on Joe. He started playing guitar when he was 7, and played in local bands in and around his home in New York and in Florida. He studied classical guitar and music theory at the University of South Florida, and transferred to the University of Miami where he also studied piano and music engineering. While there he logged a huge number of hours recording and developing local bands in Miami.
After completing college, Joe moved to Los Angeles and began working his way up the ladder by working at numerous local studios -- a move that helped him gain an understanding of the different consoles, rooms and clientele at the various studios. His first big break came when he engineered a demo for producer GGGarth Richardson. He went on to work with a number of well-respected producers including David Kahne, Michael Beinhorn, Rob Cavallo and Sylvia Massy Shivy.
As a mixer, Joe has mixed tracks for - Monster Magnet, Hole, Veruca Salt, Bauhaus, Anthrax and Skunk Anansie (whose album "Stoosh" sold over 2 million copies in Europe).
Eventually Joe gained enough experience and insight that he began producing records. He has produced or co-produced tracks for Buckcherry, Fu Manchu, Loudmouth, Melvins, L7 and others. He also produced the debut album by Queens Of The Stone Age which, at the time, did not have a record deal. That album was eventually released by indie label Loose Groove. The self-titled album garnered attention from press (Rolling Stone named Queens Of The Stone Age one of the ten most important hard & heavy bands of the year) and alternative radio (including KROQ) -- all of which landed the band a deal with Interscope Records.
Check out this exclusive F-P-E interview with our friend Evil Joe!
FPE: You recorded the first Queens of the Stone Age disc. In your opinion what ways sonically has the band grown on the new disc Lullabies to Paralyze?
JB: "Well the first CD was only 2 members.......Josh Homme and Alfredo Hernandez, so they have a new dimension with the addition of Troy Van Leeuwen on keys/lap steel/guitar. In the making of this record (as opposed to the first), we had alot more time to experiment with sounds and to create something unique in the studio."
FPE: Where did you record the Lullabies?
JB: "It was recorded at Sound City in Van Nuys, and mixed at Bay 7 in Valley Village. We cut 2 additional songs at Grandmaster in Hollywood, but those didn't make the record."
 FPE: Did you use a click-track to record the QOTSA CD?
JB: "Negative........Joey Castillo is a human click!"
FPE: Did you use any pieces of gear that stood out from the rest for these QOTSA sessions?
JB: "We went into the recordings with the thought of challenging ourselves both technically and musically, so there wasn't one single piece of gear that I would have used on any other session in the same way that we did here. No stock mics, fx, etc."
FPE: What other bands have you recorded?
JB: "Weezer, The Melvins, L7, Hole, Anthrax, Sick of it All, Fu Manchu, Backyard Babies, Turbonegro, Jesus Lizard, so many more."
FPE: Do you play instruments yourself? If so, what.
JB: "Yes, I am a guitar player and an amazing air trianglist!" FPE: Rumor has it that you have an amazing collection of effects pedals. Tell us about some of your current favorites please.
JB: The Lovetone stuff is amazing, as well as the early Electro Harmonix and MXR stuff. My current fav is a ReezaFratZitz (by EMMA). Bad ass little box!
FPE: What do you feel the most important role of a record producer is?
JB: "To capture the experience of music as it is portrayed by a group of musicians at any moment. Helping an artist to further realize their visions while not making it seem like work."
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