Latest News
June '10
Mastered a new album for Ted Kirkpatrick of Tourniquet. A great new record of Ted drumming along to classical pieces.
We put the finishing touches on the final mixes for the new Cameron McGill & What Army album, mastering to follow soon. One of the best albums I've had the pleasure of being a part of.
Played gigs with both Screeching Weasel and Cory Chisel in Orlando, FL (Hard Rock Cafe) and northern MN.
Mastered projects for 1956, Ian Olvera, Nathan Mathes, D.C. Monroe, John Statz and The Hussy.
May '10
Miles Nielsen and Dan McMahon have been in working on some potential movie soundtrack stuff.
The new Sugar Stems album is mixed and mastered, it will be released on vinyl in the U.S. and Austria and on CD by a Japanese label, all by August this year.
I mixed and mastered an album for the Challenged from Brooklyn, which will be out on Rally Records in June.
Mixed an EP for the Wildbirds which was recorded by Shane at Howl St Recordings.
Thanks to Shane for providing such awesome sounding tracks to work with.
I took a break from the studio to run sound for Cory Chisel for a few live shows around Wisconsin, and to play bass for Screeching Weasel in Toronto at the Phoenix Theatre. Amazing city, great venue.
I also did plenty of mastering. including projects for Verona Grove, Cue The Violins, We Are Your Father, Mixmasta D, the Fingers and Tret Fure, Nate Lenz, Bob Burns and more.
April '10
Mastering work has been picking up quickly, this month I mastered projects for The Goodyear Pimps, Transgressions, Gilded Spade, King Friday, Blackberries and a few others.
Mixing for the Sugar Stems full-length has began. It is to be released on a few different labels in a few different formats by this summer.
I mixed the album I recorded last year with Bob Burns & the Breakups.
Mixed and mastered the newest album for Archie Powell & The Exports, they plan to release it later this year.
Working with Drugs Dragons on a few full-length, everything is recorded now, just need to find time to mix it.
I spent a few days working with Old American Junk recording some new songs and mixing some previously recorded stuff.
March '10
Finished up mixing and mastering for the new Jaill album which will probably be out by summertime on SubPop Records.
Nearly finished mixing the new Cameron McGill & What Army album, a few small adjustments and some mastering and it should be good to go.
Finished mixing the Muddy Udders album I recorded last year.
Finished up mixing and mastering the new Goodnight Loving album that will be out this summer on Dirtnap Records.
Did some final mix adjustments and mastering for the Riverdales 5th album entitled "Tarantula", it will be this summer on Recess Records.
I also did a bunch of mastering projects including Rocketboy 55, Group Of The Altos, Fahri, The Midwest Beat, This Specific Dream and Conrad Plymouth and Noah Harris.
Feb '10
The studio website is up....it's just a temporary page but it's a start.....You can see it HERE.
Cameron McGill and What Army have been here, hard at work finishing up the recording phase of their new record.
I just about wrapped up mixing the new Riverdales album "Tarantula" due out Recess Records by summer.
The Goodnight Loving have been in the Mystery Room recording the rest of their new album due out this summer.
I mastered several projects including new releases for The Eugene Smiles Project, At Latl, Trent Fox & The Tenants, Laura Llorens and more.
January '10
Onmilwaukee.com ran a nice story on the new studio, check it out here.
I did a quick interview for the UW Milwaukee Post about Smart Studios closing down, check it out here.
I spent a couple weeks recording a new album with the band Jaill from Milwaukee.
The album will be out on Sub Pop Records sometime in 2010.
I mixed a fabulous new EP for Noah Harris, expect to find it on vinyl soon.
I recorded drums for some new Danen Kane songs at Blast House Studios, which is becoming my new favorite drum room in Wisconsin.
I spent a day at my studio playing bass on about 6 songs for Nate Rusch. I will be mixing the album as soon as I can get to it.
I spent a couple more days with Archie Powell and the Exports, we finishing the recording phase of the album and it's turning out great, mixing will commence soon.
I recorded a live Riverdales show in Chicago, which will hopefully be properly mixed and used for a release sometime in the future.
I also mastered projects for Kyle Feerick, Sticks n Stones and the Highball Hooligans.
December '09
I opened up my own mixing, mastering and recording studio. It's called The Mystery Room Mastering and Recording Company. It's in the same room that was formerly Mastermind Productions in Milwaukee (Bayview).
Finished up most of the recording for Archie Powell and the Exports.
I flew up to Edmonton, AB Canada to play bass with Screeching Weasel.
Began recording the 5th Riverdales full-length album at Blast House Studios in Madison, WI.
I also mastered projects for Tim Schweiger, Quinn Scharber, Jonathan Burks and Sharking Hour.
November '09
I spent a week at Howl St. with the amazing Cameron McGill and What Army. We have drums, bass and some decent guitar tracks to work with, but there is a long road ahead to finish the record.
Finished up mixing the new Tim Schweiger and the Middle Men album, should be out in early '10.
I did a quick 2-day session at Howl Street with one of my favorites the Midwest Beat, which should produce 2 different singles due out next year.
I also started a new full-length project with Archie Powell and the Exports from Chicago, we're about to wrap up the rest of the recording this coming week. The drums were done at an amazing new room in Madison, WI called the Blast House. Can't say enough good things about that place.
October '09
October was another busy month.
I finished mixing and mastering the new Trapper Schoepp and the Shades album, it's called "Lived and Moved" and should be out in mid-November.
Played Riot Fest in Chicago with Screeching Weasel.
Helped the Highball Hooligans finish recording their record and got a good start on the mixes.
Finished the recording phase of the new Tenement record, as well as the new Tim Schweiger and the Middle Men record.
Hoping to get these mixed ASAP, they're turning out great.
September '09
Lotsa action going on around these parts.
Mixed and mastered the new Andy's Automatics album "The Evergreen Motel", which due out on Nov 27th.
I went up to Appleton to run sound for Cory Chisel's CD release show for "Death Won't Send a Letter".
Did a few quick sessions with Bob Burns, and Muddy Udders, both at Howl Street Studios.
Made a bit of progress on the Ian Olvera Trio record, but we still have some finishing touches to do before I start mixing it.
Also, I did some mixing work for Banshee Music.
August '09
The new Cory Chisel and The Wandering Sons album, which I did some mixing work for, is now out. Check it out here.
The new Dr. Frank 7" that goes along with his new book Andromeda Klein, you can check it out here.
Spent a good chunk of August working with the Trapper Schoepp Band, Ian Olvera Trio and mixing the Andy's Automatics new album.
I also did a few mastering projects for Direct Hit, Sleep Tight Co., Zygoteens, Drugs Dragons, Kieran Grogan and We Are Your Father.
July '09
I got asked to do an interview on the WUWM show Lake Effect. If you click this link and scroll to the bottom you should be able to listen to it.
I mixed the new Truthdealer record, Criminal IQ records will be releasing it on 10" vinyl later this year.
The Sugar Stems spent a few days at Howl Street recording about a dozen songs. They also recently had a nice write up in the Shepherd Express.
I mixed and mastered a full-length record for Ohio rockers Johnie 3 which will be out later this year on Knowhere Records.
The new Andy's Automatics album "Evergreen Motel" is all recorded and ready to be mixed. Recording was finished up in Appleton, WI at Rock Garden Studios. It's always nice to do vocals with a u47.
The Saltshakers new album is all mixed and ready to be mastered.
We redid the drums for the new Tenement record at Smart Studios, I'm definitely 100% more happy with the drums now, can't wait to get this album done and out to the people.
I finally got a chance to get started on the new Ian Olvera album, drums were done by Adam Cargin at Howl Street Studios, I'll be doing bass this week.
June '09
I got a last minute call to finish up a couple songs for Cory Chisel and the Wandering Sons. Cory's been working down in Nashville at Blackbird with Joe Chiccarelli, so it was great getting a chance to work on these songs. Thanks to Daniel at Burst HQ and J Christopher Hughes at Post Historic for the last minute studio accommodations. I'll be mixing the last 4 songs for the record in July and it should be out on Black Seal/RCA records in the fall.
I flew down to Austin, TX for a few days to play bass for a few shows with both Screeching Weasel and the Riverdales. I never knew how crazy downtown Austin can be on any given nite. I had a chance to go up by the university and get my photo taken in front of this famous Daniel Johnston mural he did on the side of restaurant. Anyway, the shows were outside but in a covered area so it was like playing in a sauna, but it was a great time, looking forward to Chicago and LA in the fall.
I mixed one more song and mastered an EP for Breakout Division, a great rock band I met when I was in Italy last year recording a different band. Should be out in August on 7" vinyl and digital download.
Tim Schweiger and the Middle Men came in for about a week to begin work on their next full-length. We battled van breakdowns, scheduling conflicts and a bad case of the flu, but we we're off to a good start, sounding great so far.
The Saltshakers and Blue, Seriously have been in at Howl Street working on their new releases due out in the fall.
The Onion/Decider published a story and interview I did with them a few weeks ago.
You can see it right HERE.
Paste Magazine did a story called "TEN PERFECTLY IMPERFECT MUSICAL OUTTAKES" and it features a song I recorded for Cory Chisel and the Wandering Sons. Right up there with Bob Dylan, Ryan Adams and Eminem. The version on the Paste website is not the same version...when we were recording Cory's live EP last year, he sprung a last minute idea on me to record a few songs while they play out in the crowd, so I grabbed the closest mic to me and put it in front of them, which is why there is also a ton of background noise (as mentioned in the article)....then the song ended up making in on the record, funny how things work sometimes.
May '09
I spent a couple days at Howl Street with Dr. Frank (of the Mr. T Experience). Frank is putting out his 2nd book later this summer and wanted to have a couple songs to go with it. If things go as planned, it'll be released on a 7" and iTunes.
Finished mixing the new Jetty Boys album, to be released on Rally Records later this summer.
Finished mixing the Candeliers album. We did the basic tracks last fall, then they did a lot of work on it themselves and brought it back to me for mixing and mastering.
I recieved a WAMI award for 2009 Producer of the year. I actually tied with Jeff Hamilton but close enough I guess....not really sure how that all works. I also recorded/produced and mixed the "album of the year" by Hindsight.
Tenement (who are one of my favorite bands to work with) came in to Howl St to start their first full-length release, so far so good.
Bear Proof Suit came in for a day and recorded their half of a split 12".
We finished up the music for the King Friday reunion EP, files have been sent off to Portland, OR so vocals can be added.
April ’09
I spent a weekend recording Chicago punk band The Methadones, we did 4 songs which will make up two 7” releases sometime this summer.
I spent a few days rehearsing for a show with the Riverdales down in Chicago..the show was a great time, looking forward to Austin in June
Mixed and mastered a 3 song live EP for Greg Cartwright (Reigning Sound), the songs were recorded live on WMSE in Milwaukee, Greg was backed up by the Goodnight Loving and it sounds awesome.
Finished up an EP that I have been working at on Smart Studios with singer-songwriter Nathaniel Waldschmidt, thanks to Nathaniel for letting me pick all my favorite musicians to play on it.
Spent a day at Howl Street recording drums for legendary Fox Valley band King Friday. I remember going to see these guys play back in the day when I was about 14 years old, so it’s great getting a chance to work with them.
Recording has begun for the new Andy’s Automatics full-length. I recorded their last album a few years back, and I’m happy to be doing their next one as well.
Recording the new Truthdealer record has begun as Howl Street as well. We did music and vocals for all 18 (or so) songs in just a day.
March ’09
I’ve been spending some days in the studio with Jentri Colello doing another batch of songs to complete her full length album coming out this summer.
Finished up mixing an mastering for the new Holy Shit! Release, which will be out on 10” vinyl later this year.
Flew out to LA to play two shows at the Knitting Factory in Hollywood playing bass for Ben Weasel. The shows were sold out and it was a great time and a great time, except the flight home which had to turn around and re-land at LAX, ended up getting home a day late but it was a good time overall.
Mastered a great record for a Minneapolis band Liarbirds.
I also mastered an EP for a Milwaukee band called Disguised As Birds, it’s a great sounding record recorded by Shane at Howl Street.
Spent a couple days at Howl Street recording new songs with the Goodnight Loving, this time we decided to use a Yamaha cassette 8-Track…it turned out great, we got 3 songs recorded and mixed. It’s refreshing to try recording on something with limits, like an 8-track as opposed to pro tools where you can for the most part, use as many tracks as you need. A few more sessions and we should have a new record done.
The end of March was spent mixing the newest Riverdales album.
It’s pretty much ready to go and will be out on CD and vinyl on Asian Man Records July 14th.
There is a nice review of the newest Mystery Girls record I recorded a few years ago now. The record was recently released on In The Red Records and you can check out the review on the Madison Ithsmus website.
Jan/Feb ’09
Members of the Midwest Beat and the Grizzlies came in to Howl Street and recorded a few songs, I’m not sure what the project will be called, but hopefully it will be out later this year.
Madison punk band The Transgressions came in last minute due to a cancellation and recorded about 6 songs averaging about 1 minute each…I will hopefully have a chance to mix this stuff soon.
I spent the first few days of February moving to a new place in Bayview. Then, most of Feb was spent in Madison recording a new record for The Riverdales, it will be out on Asian Man Records in June.
Winter ’09
The last half of December was quite busy, starting with a Riverdales rehearsal in Madison to see if things would work with a 4-piece line-up. It was fun.
Spent one day at Howl Street recording 6 songs with the Sugar Stems.
Spent one day at Howl Street recording the music for the new Holy Shit! Record.
Made a lot of progresss with the new Jetty Boys album, added tons of guitars, and got the bass and lead vocals all recorded.
I spent a day at Smart Studios in Madison recording 1 song with the etiquette. Had a great time using the 2” tape machine. It had been quite awhile since I had worked this way and really enjoyed it. It was great to work with a band that really wanted to take time and get things right and sounding good, on tape.
New Years Eve was a long but fun night. I was at Cranky Pat’s in Neenah doing sound for Cory Chisel and the Wandering Sons as well as Blueheels. I think the show got done around 3:30am, I was a bit tired. I can’t quite rock like I used to be able. I also turned 28 this night at midnight.
In early January I mixed 5 songs for Italian band Breakout Division. I met the singer Tommi when I was over in Italy, he had recoded the demos for the band I was working with over there.
I also mixed about 7 songs for a rock band from the Appleton area called Nerve. I thnk I started this project almost 2 years ago for Eric at Simple Studios and were finally getting around to finishing this thing.
I mastered a full-length for The Baseball Furies, who I believe are no longer a band but had an album that never came out but will be coming out soon now that it’s mastered.
The Goodnight Loving came back in to put the finishing touches on 2 songs that we recorded on 4-track last fall.
Early Winter ’08
Recorded 3 songs with one of my favorite newer bands Tenement @ Howl Street in Bayview. We recorded 3 entire songs in one day and I did the mixing at my place.
One of the songs “Earwig” is on their myspace page.
Recorded Blueheels live, two nites in a row at Cranky Pat’s in Neenah. Everything went really smooth and I have turned the files over to Landon, their bassist to handle the editing and mixing process.
Finished mixing and mastering the live Ben Weasel record, I recorded (and played bass for) 2 shows in August at Reggie’s in Chicago. We performed the classic Screeching Weasel album “My Brain Hurts” in it’s entirety two nites in a row and I took the best versions from each show and it will be released on Asian Man Records sometime in 2009.
Spent a weekend recording a great Milwaukee band called the Candliers They are taking the basic tracks home to finish the record up and then I will mix it in early ‘09
Resumed overdubs with Sheyboygan band The Jetty Boys @ Howl Street Recordings.
Fall ’08
Finished mixing the Heller-Mason record. This thing was started back in spring of ’06 and finally will be released this fall by Gilead Media.
Did a day of recording with Milwaukee band Rapid Adapter. They are taking the files home to finish up and mix them selves, but I think we got the project off to a great start.
Milwaukee band Jail came by to put the finishing touches on the mixes I did in Sept. I can’t believe I wasn’t aware of this band before now. Really great stuff. I’m not sure when the record will be out.
Spent 2 days @ Howl Street recording drums for the Jetty Boys new album for Rally Records.
Mixed a full-length record for a band for a great punk-rock band from the Netherlands called the Accelerators.
Spent a few days getting started on an EP for Jentri Collelo, a great singer/songwriter from Madison. I hope to have it finished and mixed in early ’09.
Spent a few days rehearsing for a couple Ben Weasel shows in Chicago.
The shows were great, and I again recorded both shows. A Seattle band called The Girls opened both shows and I recorded them as well and mixed one of their sets, I’m hoping they use it for something cause it sounds pretty good.
I had to get some acupuncture done, my right hand had become swollen and sore to the point where I could hardly move it, and my left hand mouse skills are pretty weak. I can’t believe how well, and quick the acupuncture worked on my hand. It’s a miracle.
Late Summer ’08
Studied up on some Blake Thomas songs on the flights home from Italy and played bass with him at the Cactus Club in Milwaukee the day after I got back.
After getting things in order from being gone for 3 weeks, I mixed The Razor Fist album. It’s called “Metal Minds” and will be out on Pure Steel Records in Germany sometime in early ’09. If you are into old-school sounding metal, there are a couple new songs on their myspace. “The Runner” is one of my favs.
Ran sound for Cory Chisel and the Wandering Sons at Lawrence Chapel in Appleton. It was a long day since we had to bring in all the sound stuff other than the speakers, but it was worth it. Lawrence Chapel is a beautiful sounding room and Cory and his band are amazing.
Started rehearsals for the Ben Weasel shows coming up. We’ll be performing the Screeching Weasel album “My Brain Hurts” in it’s entirety, plus a few others.
Spent a week and a half mixing the Bad (love) Experience album that I recorded in Italy. I think they have found a label to release the record in ’09, so they are holding off on posting any new songs.
Finished up overdubs for the Heller-Mason record, finally!
Spent a day @ Howl Street Recording, recording the Goodnight Loving. We did two songs and recorded them on their Tascam 4-track. It’s been awhile since I worked like that and had a blast. I think the plan is to do more songs, possibly their next record?? on a cassette 4 or 8-track.
Summer ’08
Recorded some metal leads with Razor Fist for their full-length.
Finished mixing the new Goodnight Loving record. It will be out on vinyl later this summer on Dusty Medical Records, and well as in Europe on Wild Honey Records and on CD in Australia.
Finished up overdubs on 5 unfinished Riverdales songs @ Smart Studios. These were songs that were recorded but never finished when they recorded their “Phase 3” record about 5 years ago.
Remixed and mastered the entire Riverdales “Phase 3” record. It’s being reissued on Asian Man Records with the bonus tracks.
Mixed a record for Milwaukee based band The Love Monkeys. They are mostly known for being a cover band around the region, but they have recently recorded an album of original material at their home studio.
I recorded a days worth of music at the main stage of Oshkosh’s Sawdust Days, some of the bands included, Blueheels, Tim Schweiger and the Middle Men and Cory Chisel.
Did FOH sound at Summerfest for Verona Grove.
Played bass for Blake Thomas’ CD release show in Madison. I recorded and mixed Blake’s new album and he is one of my favorite singer/songwriters of all time.
Spent almost 3 weeks in Italy recording the Italian band Bad (love) Experience. Had a great time and it was my first time outside the county other than Canada.
Spring ’08
Finished up final overdubs for The Color Truth EP @ Burst HQ.
Finished up mixing for the Blueheels record “Lessons In Sunday Driving”.
Finally got around to mixing Blake Thomas’ new record that was recorded live in the studio last year at Topsoil Studios in Oshkosh.
Finally got Josh Harty’s record mixed and mastered, another great singer songwriter from Madison.
Spent 1 day setting up and 2 days recording a live show in Appleton for Cory Chisel and The Wandering Sons. This will produce songs for Cory’s major-label debut on RCA Records. Thanks to Chris Hughes for coming up to help out with the project.
Got a last minute call to go to New York City with Cory Chisel to check out the mixing of songs for his EP. Michael Brauer did the mixing at Quad Studios in Times Square. It was great to be in such a legendary place, Cory and I played a lot of ping pong, ate a a lot of room service chicken sandwiches and spent more time out to dinner with Michael Brauer than in the control room, but it was a good time none the less.
Ended up remixing two of the songs for Cory’s EP myself. It should be out later this summer.
Mixed the Hindsight record.
Did some rehearsing for a show with Ben Weasel @ Reggie’s in Chicago.
Did bass and guitar overdubs with Razor Fist.
Winter ’07-08
Recorded drums @ Smart Studios with Hindsight for their debut full-length record.
Played lots of Blueheels shows around Wisconsin.
Moved to Milwaukee during a crazy blizzard.
Got to see one of my favorite live bands, The Figgs, play a show in Milwaukee.
Began work on The Color Truth EP @ Burst HQ
Took a train out to Boston to play a show with Blueheels opening up for Sarah Borges and the Broken Singles.
Spent 3 freezing cold days up in Green Bay @ Simple Studios recording new songs with The Goodnight Loving, one of my favorite Milwaukee bands.
Recorded one new song from scratch with Hindsight @ Burst HQ, I think it will be the opening song on the record, everybody is pretty excited about it.
Fall ’07
Recorded drums
Got started on the new Blueheels record. Drums were done @ Burst HQ in Wauwatosa. Overdubs were done @ Simple Studios and Smart Studios.
Saw an excellent Ryan Adams and The Cardinals show in Milwaukee.
Recorded a record for punk rock band The Guts from Maine. We did the record @ Smart Studios in Madison and it will be out sometime on Rally Records.
Played lots of Blueheels shows.
Got snowed in @ Simple Studios on Thanksgiving so I thought it would be a good time to do my bass tracks for the Blueheels record.
Summer ’07
Played lots of Blueheels shows around the state.
Did 2 Obsoletes shows. One @ Cranky Pat’s in Neenah, and on in Milwaukee with Decibully..this was a fun show.
Spring ’07
Recorded vocals and mixed the new Ben Weasel record. @ Smart Studios. It was produced by Mike Kennerty of The All-American Rejects.
Mixed a Goodnight Loving recording that was done last year up at their cabin.
Recorded a record for Chicago band The Javalinas @ Smart
Winter ’06-07
Recorded an EP @ Smart with a great Milwaukee band The Good Luck Joes.
Did a Yesterday’s Kids reunion show in Milwaukee, following the show somebody got shot outside, Milwaukee can be dangerous folks.
Spent some time @ Smart working with a great pop-punk band from Portland, Maine called the Leftovers. The record is called “On The Move” and will be out on Rally Records soon.
Recorded a great classic country band of 4 brothers called The Honky Tonk Twisters. The record was done over the course of a few weekends @ Smart Studios.
Did some sessions in Lake Geneva with Martha Berner. Dan McMahon was on drums and electric guitar, Noah Harris was on piano and organ and I played bass and engineered.