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Hello Folks,
this one jumped out at me on the weekend.
Fully sketched in BIAB then each RealTrack, bar the RealDrums, was replaced.
Squire Mustang on one side & Teleclone on the other.
Marshall amp n cab miced with a Sennehiser e609 and a Sure57. No pedals or FX except up the middle of the "choruses" is the Squire through an EQ pedal for a little more mids based grrr.
The solo isn't a solo but it'll serve to hold the spot until one can be found. I did try BIAB but the appropriately aggressive ones were far, far too distortion laden to be useful.
Vantage Bass, Behringer BDI21 for the growl and some ongoing Reaper EQ on the drums to get them sitting properly.

https://soundcloud.com/rayc/strangledext2

I've tweaked the mix as per fj's observation of the intro.
I've also retracked the Teleclone because there was a loose saddle screw rattling away in spots. Sadly the Teleclone track now has a weird harmonic in spots that I've partially EQd away.
Finally, the drum track is different as the one in the above has a weird 81Hz noise at the end of each verse...seems it's a ringing tom or similar. I couldn't EQ it away so had to replace the track...luckily Bhandi is versatile.
https://soundcloud.com/rayc/strangledext2b

It's a recount of the very beginning of a brief flowering a true growth and change in Australian history...just four or so years that have taken the conservatives forty five to unpick and undo though a few things remain and are so settled into our way of life and are the institutional fulcrums of "a fair go" that they'll be hard to erase.
If you're not familiar with the era...perhaps knowing that Nixon, Kissenger along with the CIA and the Royal Family had made it clear that the Oz government must be toppled at any cost. No Desert Storm or money n action squads into South America for this one...it was the concerted effort of the US, the UK and Rupert Murdoch that set the trap and did the dirty. BUT this story is about a beginning not an end.
A national hero, attracting worshippers as well as acolytes, his status is also fun & funny so I mock it & them a little.

To Break the Stranglehold

All Gough’s children sat at his knee
Listened of a world beyond the HSC
Learned of new selves that they could be
Where good health and education were for free

He knew where he was going, knew where he’d been
He knew the status quo was obscene
All Gough’s children were just as keen

All Gough’s people stood at his side
Dreams of another world filled them with pride
Revolution would come from inside
Where changes to be made would not divide.

He knew where he was going, knew where he’d been
He wouldn’t be a cog in the machine
All Gough’s people stood to be seen

M8

All Gough’s comrades each woman and man
Speaking as one communicate the plan
To working folk, yes, this time they can
The tide turned, eyes opened, it began.

He knew where he was going, knew where he’d been
He saw the time to disrupt the old routine
All Gough’s comrades, woman and man between

Gough’s Margaret had set his fuse to prime
He and Lance knew the reforms were a steep climb
But failing would be a greater crime
They sprinted for the post as they sang “It’s Time”.

He knew where he was going, knew where he’d been
Bringing soldiers back from the guillotine
All Gough’s children saw the start was clean


https://soundcloud.com/rayc/strangledext2
https://soundcloud.com/rayc/strangledext2b
ANY/ALL suggestions gratefully received and tried.

ray,

That sounds great. The guitars are nicely "present" - clean, yet Punk-y, a great blend. Terrific pumping bass - at a perfect level. (the opening chord of the guitars is slightly loud)

The Drums sound JUST right. Great sound. Loud and present, but not overbearing. Excellent.

A really good mix.

(I was disappointed there wasn't a great Punk vocal to go along with it)

Really enjoyed the listen.

fj

Sounds great to me so far!! Looking forward to hearing the vocals!! Take care. Greg

A great start Ray! The rhythm bed is killer with tight playing and the mix of the bass/drums sounds really good! The guitar that comes in and out really enhances the track! Thanks, T

Hi Ray
Love the concept and lyrics. Looking forward to hearing the vocal.
Regards,
Leon

Ray,
I always look forward to the power and tight drive in your backing tracks- this sounds great!
Hope you choose a kindred Oz spirit for those very regional angry lyrics.
Cool ending btw.

Robert

Great punk sound. I kept waiting for vocals too. I read your intro several times thinking I missed why you didn't put the vocals in. Anyway, it was great music. I love the guitar playing.

Thanks fj,
I've adjusted things in the intro as you suggested. I had to swap drums so hope I've maintained the good aspects.
I'm disappointed there's no vocal too. Mind you, when I posted the 1st version there were no lyrics so I've made a little progress.

Morning Ray,

I listened to your 2b version. Guitars sound great, especially through the 'phones, the contrast between the two really works. Bass and drums too, very tight.

Looking forward to hearing this with vocals!

I read your note on the realtrack leads having too much distortion. Some, maybe all, of the newer realtracks also have a direct option available. If you click that option you will get the straight guitar audio with no processing whatsoever, so you can feed it into your own amp sim/FX chain, might be worth looking into.

Thanks Greg,
I'll get there eventually.

Ta Torrey,
I've tightened it a bit more in the latest version.. a couple of retakes and some sliding helped.
I tweaked that in n out guitar today but think I'll go back to how you liked it.

Thanks Leon,
It was a brain spurt lyric probably festering in my head with the pending Royal Letter release.

Thanks Robert,
It's the RealDrum track that gives things the edge- way, way better than a program or machine.
I hope to find someone, a bit if 1975 Dismissal fire in the belly would add some urgency.

Thanks jptx3,
I am holding back from a melody at present because all I can manage is a walk along the chords.

Dave, thanks for the kind words and THANKS for the tip.
I don't, as a rule, use amp sims but I can always rig up a remap chain.
I'm not opposed to sims though...just haven't really used them since I acquired an interface that would allow me mic the stuff I have. Mind you, I used to tool around with GuitarRig2 for a while and it wasn't too bad.
I'll try re-amping and then sims if needed if I have success finding a solo that works.
CHEERS.

Ray,
Solid bones! Very good playing. Interesting to see where vocals would take it. I listened to original and 2b versions. I liked the original better because I could hear more things in it. Last revision seem to suppress some items. Especially heard at around 0:55+ when comparing the two.. to my ears. Thank you for sharing!

Misha.

"Distortion laden" RT solos ... do you mean even when generated DI?

Oops just read what Dave said. Logic Pro X, our DAW, has scores of amps, cabinets and mics. I don't know what I'm doing but I like to dink around with DI RT's.

This is quite the bed! Looking for a gritty hard hitting vocal to deliver those lyrics. They beg for it!

Cool.

J&B

Ray,

A great start!
I entirely agree with floyd.
The guitars are nicely "present" - clean, yet Punk-y, a great blend.
Terrific pumping bass - at a perfect level.
I am looking forward to hearing the vocal.
Enjoyed my listen a lot.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

rayc,

Love what you have so far . . . the opening is killer, guitars sounding just right, full, rich, and raw. Very Nirvana like. Keep working it!

Best regards,

Deej

Ah, I can't edit the OP. Here's an update...it's taken an age because I'm trying to sing this one as I've not found a volunteer.
I've added a crunchy guitar one one side but am not convinced it's a keeper. The chorus is worked out but not properly recorded. I'm now spending energy trying to sing the verses as well as rewrite them to a less uncomfortably twee level.
UPDATE