Check out the Projects page for a new song from Sam Wartenbee & Friends. This tune features Ben Arp, Kellen Holte, Eric Munch and Evan Vaught.
(03/15/09): Capital ILL: Director's cut
Thanks to everyone who checked out the ILLusionists' debut video last week. It was slightly rushed so we could have it out before our last show.
Originally, Taylor Morden had planned some animation to work with the footage, but we didn't have time to put it all together at once. Now you can see the video as it was intended all along!
(03/08/09): Take 92 does video!
For years now, Take 92 has been partnered with Taylor Morden of Death Star Studios. He has done the graphic design on nearly every one of my albums since This Day's End.
I approached him about doing a music video for The ILLusionists, while -unbeknownst to us Bryce Hoeper had begun making videos for Aeolus and Of Mountains.
The interesting thing about that is that I recorded both the ILL and Aeolus tracks here, as well as Kellen's drums for Of Mountains. Aeolus was technically the first T92 song to make it onto a music video, but I'm glad to see this new medium being explored by local artists.
(01/01/09): New songs from Crosby Kneale
and Anna Bradley
Check out the Projects page to hear "My Finest Hour" from Crosby Kneale.
(01/01/09): Take 92 closed for 2009
After a year of focusing on my own material, I've decided to close Take 92 to the public. I've blown off a lot of people over the past 12 months and it's time that I make it official.
During that time I put out four full-length albums, an EP and a single for my cousin's independent zine.
It Is much more fulfilling to create music than to facilitate music as a business, which is what I've done for the better part of the last three years.
You should expect 2009 to bring more music from the Take 92 family (like Crosby Kneale and Anna Bradley) in addition to The ILLusionists, my solo work and whatever my next obsession might be.
The MySpace profile will exist to showcase the latest and greatest from Take 92, while this site will have a more extensive discography available.
Bands can still find affor dable recor ding at these fine locat ions:
(11/21/08): Both my latest albums are 90% "sold out" already. "Stolen Songs" moved 45 copies in its first 9 days. Thanks to everyone who supported this record with your musical talent, lyrical inspiration or honest feedback.
The ILLusionists have been slowly slipping into record collections around town. We haven't played a show since "Sleep Rocking" was available, so that's 40+ copies that have made their way out through word of mouth. There are a couple people in town who are beginning to back us up, so expect some live action VERY soon. (Our sophomore project is coming along nicely, but the current focus is taking it to the stage.)
Most importantly, I just finished an album with Anna Bradley. This may be the best album I've worked on this year (and I'm not just saying that because we're family). This is a debut to remember. CDs will be available via myself or Mrs. Bradley sometime in mid-December.
(11/04/08): Official track listing for Stolen Songs:
The Great Below (Reznor)
Sick of it All (Dalle)
Nazi Punks Fuck Off (Biafra)
Antennas (Armstrong)
Join The Ranks (McIlrath)
Always (Rankin) / Smash (Holland)
Mary (Nowell)
Lullaby (Maguire, Maines, Robison & Wilson)
The Mirror (Frusciante)
Disarm (Corgan)
Paper Bag (Apple)
Asylum (Johns)
Surface Wound (Spinelli)
The Long Black Veil (Cash)
Boss DJ (Nowell)
Redundant (Armstrong)
Cease (Graffin)
Featuring:
Crosby Kneale: Synthesizer, Backing Vocals, Harmonica
Leo London: Keyboards
Jonathan Moore: Backing Vocals
Eric Munch: Vocals, Drums
Jori Teran: Vocals
Sam Wartenbee: Vocals, Guitars, Upright Bass
(08/28/08):2008 is already the most productive year in my life. I've made five records and released four of them to date. That's pretty fuckin' cool. But somehow, it's never enough.
It would be safe to say that I will have two more albums this year alone.
On my third attempt, I finally recorded a collection of cover songs that I frequently include at my live shows. I tracked it in two sessions and sent it to Ryan Kocjan (who engineered "Days in the Dark") to mix.
In addition to that, my second hip-hop baby has yet to drop. The ILLusionists finished "Sleep Rocking" almost two months ago. We're enlisting outside help to book and promote the group, so it's been a slow start.
But this record was largely performed as a duo. Some of you may recall that we recruited Evan Vaught from the Streetlight Cardiacs as a second MC. Well Gabe's been feeding me tracks ever since (40+) and we're now beginning work on our first true collaboration as a trio.
I expect that this will be an EP of five or six tracks, but it's hard to say at this point. Gabe and I have demoed two songs, to which Evan is currently writing his parts. Beyond that, there are a few more crucial beats that I want to use, but that's it.
Crozz and I have been flirting with the idea of working together a little more, but I'm not sure where that's going either. It's safe to say that the acoustic covers and ILL EP will see the light of day before 2009, though. Here's my projection:
The ILLusionists - [TBA] EP
Sam Wartenbee - Stolen Songs
The ILLusionists - Sleep Rocking
Sam Wartenbee - Out of Step [Single] [Jesús and the Bunny magazine Vol. 3]
Sam Wartenbee - Days in the Dark EP
Dead Fucking Serious - S/T LP
Sam Wartenbee - Take 92 Presents: 99 Years
(03/06/08): UPDATES ON EVERY PAGE! New music from 800 Octane and Crosby Kneale on the PROJECTS page.
I'm also selling a couple of preamps if anybody's interested. And if you still haven't got a copy of "99 Years," then you're really missing out.
(01/31/08): The new Dead Fucking Serious album is finally finished. You can download the entire album at myspace.com/deadfuckingserious, or listen to "Hostile" on the PROJECTS page.
(01/25/08): "Take 92 Presents: 99 Years" is finally finished and the first single is circulating now. Check the Projects page for a first listen at God Hates America.
You may want to check out GodHatesFags.com and see exactly why I'm saying these things. This album is mostly in fun, but the inspiration for this song is all too real.
On that note, a very sincere goodbye is in order for Mr. Heath Ledger (the most recent target of the GHF bunch). R.I.P. Mr. Ledger. Thanks for having the courage to do what the fuck you want to do.
(12/14/07): It's been an interesting year between job changes and band break-ups. Last year, I released three CDs under Sam Wartenbee & Friends, Dead Fucking Serious, and This Day's End. More recently, it would appear that my focus has been on other bands.
2007 may become the first year since 2001 that I don't have a new album out, but it's not from any lack of trying. I'm currently putting the final touches on two records that will drop in early 2008 (four total). The first of which is called "99 Years."
I've played around with rap a couple of times in the past, and finally decided to make an album of violent rhymes that make me laugh. Between samples and live instrumentation, I pulled about five songs out of my ass. My friend (and long time collaborator) Munch thought it was pretty funny, too, and started sending me beats.
So now I have about 12 songs and they're just about ready for mass consumption. Should be pretty entertaining.
After that, you'll be seeing the long lost LP from Dead Fucking Serious. We recorded our first CD before we played our debut show and we recorded this one after our last show. Seems fitting.
The sad part was that most of our best material came out of a chaotic couple of months that resulted, ultimately, in our demise. I hope people will give it a fighting chance, because it really is the best punk record I've made.
Finally, I began writing the follow up to "Sequel of Me" on New Year's Day of '07. By the time winter came back around, I had developed a good handle on what it might be. I've already begun tracking, but I plan to use as many as eight different players to keep sharp contrast between each style (punk, country, acoustic).
In January, I will record a second disc of material, comprised of solo songs and various covers. They will released together.
(07/15/07):I've added nine mp3s to the Projects page. I'm a little behind on the site due to my upcoming solo record and Dead Fucking Serious, among other things. Hopefully the site will get a makeover in the near future.
The latest track is from I'm a Tornado, which is the newest thing from members of This Day's End, Jean Grey and Grounds For Assault. It'll have the hardcore kids dancing and the metalheads watching their fingers.
(02/09/07):Check out audio from The Birth Defects under the PROJECTS page.
(01/30/07):It's been a busy start to the year for me and my schedule's been booking up pretty solid. The first project of '07 was 800 Octane! You can hear a clip from them on the projects page.
We made demos for 18 songs in about twelve hours (drums, bass, two guitars, and vocals), so it's all very rough, but it's your first glimpse at their fourth full-length record due later this year.
Right now, I'm working on the Birth Defects from Cottage Grove. In the last year or so I've recorded almost ten projects from Eugene, and now I've got gigs from Portland, Seattle, and Cottage Grove all in a row. A welcome change of pace, I suppose.
I also posted a song from the This Day's End sessions in November. Technically it wasn't all done here, but I produced, co-mixed, and mastered it. Enjoy.
(12/21/06):Well I've been out of the game for the last few weeks due to neighbor complaints. We couldn't even get through the whole TDE set until the day of the show. It's been pretty bad, so I had to put both This Day's End and Dead Fucking Serious on brief hiatus until I could do something to fix the bleed.
This week, I put up a shit ton of rigid insulation and a few more sheets of Auralex to deaden the room a bit more, so we're going to try this shit again next week. The fix is not only good for my bands, but for yours, too.
In January and February, I have 800 Octane, The Birth Defects, and my friend Remy Munch scheduled to record. I'm especially excited about 800 Octane because we've been close for over five years now and it'll be my first time working in the studio with them. We're just doing preproduction for their new album, but it's cool nonetheless.
(08/01/06):It's August 1st, and I'm opening the doors to new bands. I'm going to be upgrading my setup as soon as I can afford to, so I'll need to take some jobs to get it going.
Bands: I don't have an hourly rate, so I'll need some info before I can offer a quote...
-List of players/instruments
-Number of songs
-Estimate days it would take to complete your parts
-Style of music or link to mp3s
I charge little or nothing for the mix & master, depending on how much material there is.
Send inquiries to Sam@Take92.com
(07/20/06):Apologies for the lack of updates, everyone. I've been working steadily on getting Dead Fucking Serious up and running. Our first show is this Sunday night (07/23) at Agate Hall with Streetlight and Grounds For Assault.
We also recorded a seven song EP with DFS. You can hear a song on the projects page now.
Jean Grey was in the studio again in June. We busted out three songs that sound a hell of a lot better than last time they were in. It seems we've both learned a little bit since that experience. Their new song is also up now.
For more freqent updates, go to myspace.com/Take92.
(05/16/06):Well friends, the time has come to go down to CD World and pick up a copy of "Sequel of Me." If you missed the performance last week, you'll get another chance to see Sam Wartenbee & Friends at the WOW Hall next Friday (5/26).
Thanks to those who came out to the release show and supported the album. Since everything went so well the first time, we're preparing a new song for the upcoming show. It's quite a bit more rockin' than most of the other stuff (comparable to "My Finest Hour," "Cease"). I hope you like it.
(04/16/06):Another new MP3 from Sam Wartenbee & Friends! Here's "My Finest Hour"
(04/10/06):New MP3s from Streetlight Cardiacs and My Serpentine on the Projects page.
(04/05/06):New MP3 from my forthcoming album, "Sequel of Me." You can find it on the Projects page. You can buy "Sequel of Me" exclusively at CD World beginning on Sunday, May 7th.
I'm just now gearing up to master the Streetlight Cardiacs' new full-length record. They recorded all parts for eleven songs in three short days, and I couldn't be happier with it at this point.
Unknown Horizons came and went very quickly, recording the instruments for five songs before resuming their quest to find a singer.
My Serpentine's demo is nearly finished, it's been awaiting my finishing touch and should be finished sometime next week.
And finally, Jean Grey will return to Take 92 in late May, after I return from vacation.
(03/03/06):What's new at Take 92? I just finished fine tuning the mix for my album, "Sequel of Me." I'm taking it to my friend Jonathan Moore (of Android Ethic fame) for the mastering process, and I should have it pressed in a few weeks. The release show is scheduled for May 26th; but more on that later.
My Serpentine came by for a vocal session this week, and we'll wrap up their demo in a couple weeks once we get the bass recorded.
Next week, Unknown Horizons will be in the studio to record the music for their upcoming EP. UH's frontman Ryan is taking audio production classes and is choosing to do the post production himself.
Check back for MP3 audio from "Sequel of Me" -- COMING SOON!
(01/18/06):MP3s posted on the Projects page (under "Artists We've Worked With"). And for those of you who like those myspace audio players, check out my new profile: myspace.com/take92.
As you may have heard, Jean Grey is finished recording and is now bringing their ridiculous riffage to the masses. The demo turned out well, and to follow it up, I got a surprise switcheroo in my clientele.
Steps to Lydia cancelled, which opened the doors for My Serpentine; the rock 'n' roll aftermath of Monkee Torture. One of their guitarists, Glenn, actually helped my band break into the scene five years ago (as with Jay & Kyle of GFA). Needless to say, I am excited to be working with them now.
To top it off, I've been working hard on my album, and have nearly completed all the guitars and vocals. Chris started his bass lines last night, and it's looking like this might get finished sooner than later. Stay tuned for the new tunes.
(01/07/06): Happy New Year! The Grounds For Assault demo is out now and creating all sorts of talk. You can get it at GFA shows or direct from the band (myspace.com/GroundsForAssault).
I am finally making some progress on my solo effort: now all the drums are done, guitars are over half way finished, and I've begun to record the vocals. There's more info about that on myspace.com/SingularXXX.
This week, I'll welcome Jean Grey (formerly Death of a Gunfighter, As Oceans Burn Red, etc.) for a three song project, and Steps to Lydia is slated to follow. I am currently booked through March and will be working on my own material in between projects. Check the projects page for details.
(12/08/05): Grounds For Assault just finished tracking their four-song demo (except the group shouts). Everything is sounding awesome, and I'll start mixing in the next few days. Also, I'm going to start tracking drums for my album, starting next week.
(11/20/05): Grounds For Assault will be making their digital debut at Take 92 next week. GFA is a collection of my good friends, whom you may remember from such bands as Outreach, Tempting Fate, Under Enuff, Whore, EPD, and the new This Day's End.
I may also be doing some work for a pair of now-defunct local punk bands (Monkee Torture, Streetlight Cardiacs), and have recently begun basic tracking for my solo album.
(11/01/05): More artists scheduled at Take 92: Unknown Horizons, and a secret project that will remain nameless for the moment.
In other news, Take 92 is now family-owned, and I will be able to make future improvements without a landlord's consent.
(10/03/05): TAKE 92 IS OFFICIALLY UP AND RUNNING! See www.myspace.com/SingularXXX for detailed updates.
First up at Take 92 will be As Oceans Burn Red, featuring members of the now-defunct hardcore outfit, Death of a Gunfighter.
At the same time, I will be working on tracking my first solo album, featuring Chris Wilson on bass (This Day's End), and Kelly Kombol on drums (Default, ex-007). I hope to complete it by the end of the year at the latest, so I can begin writing my next project.
