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Track Record Studios
“Back then I was a grad student and I was commuting to school everyday in a s–tty car, driving through East LA Gangland central. I was there the day of the LA riots. So I was very aware of that part of the world, and a lot of that gun stuff came out in songs like ‘Come Out And Play.'”
Dexter Holland in an interview with Rolling Stone (2014)
The Offspring is now considered one of the most influential punk rock bands in the world. Yet the combo started small, forming in 1984, first with Dexter Holland and Greg K, joined by Doug Thompson and Jim Benton before they were replaced by Noodles and James Lilja. The latter would later leave his place to Ron Welty.
After two albums and a European tour with NOFX, the relationship with producer Thom Wilson became strained during the recording of the third album, in 1994. This one regrets that The Offspring moves away a little too much from the punk style. However, Dexter Holland and his companions resist in order to design the Smash
according to their convictions. While their previous release, Ignition, sold 50,000 copies, Smash sold over a million copies in just four months. The group reached worldwide fame and even today, the record holds the sales record for a single title for an independent label.
Did the young musicians envision such success? In any case, they did not spare their efforts. The album cost nearly $20,000. The studio gave them a discount on the condition that they give priority to groups paying full price. To make matters worse, the place was shaken by the Northridge earthquake in 1994, in the middle of the sessions. Smash was nevertheless completed in three weeks, Come Out and Play having concluded the work sessions.
It was in his car, on the way to Track Record Studios, during the monster traffic jams of Los Angeles, that Dexter Holland had the idea of this song, in memory of the riots in the City of Angels in 1992. The exchange of gunfire left its mark on the young man. A topic that is still hot in the United States today. But why record this title last? The singer, also a guitarist, was afraid that his ideas would be rejected by the other members of the group. In particular, he wanted to incorporate an oriental-sounding guitar riff and for their friend Jason McLean to regularly utter the phrase “You gotta keep ’em separated” Everything was accepted, and this title about gun violence in schools has become a classic.
During the recording of the album, in 1994, the studios were damaged by the spectacular Northridge earthquake.
Track Record Studios
Established in the 1970s, the discreet Track Record studios have hosted many artists whose albums have gone gold or platinum.
The Offspring with Smash, the Red Hot Chili Peppers with Mother’s Milk or Blink-182 with Dude Ranch… All have frequented the recording rooms of Track Record Studios. Just like Snoop Dogg, Tupac Shakur, System of a Down, Mötley Crüe or Scorpions. Bought in 2010 by Paramount Recording Studios, they remain a must in the business.
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Cult! music: 100 mythical music places [French Edition]
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Head to Melbourne, Australia for a stroll along AC/DC Lane before crossing the iconic Abbey Road pedestrian crossing in the company of The Beatles. Visit Janis Joplin‘s home in San Francisco and find out how Johnny Cash ended up playing his greatest hits to a crowd of prisoners in San Quentin. Travel the winding roads of Laurel Canyon in Los Angeles with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and stop in Japan to catch up with Deep Purple, Phil Collins and Daft Punk. Drive down the Tina Turner Highway before entering some of the most legendary studios in music history. Go back to the troubled origins of Billie Holiday and make a pact with Robert Johnson at the famous crossroads in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Embark immediately on an exhilarating world tour with some of music’s most iconic bands and artists! Relive the Jimi Hendrix concert on the Isle of Wight before paying tribute to Bob Marley in Jamaica.
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By Damien Duarte
Passionné par la culture pop depuis son enfance, ses références vont de Donald Duck à Batman en passant par Marty McFly. Fantripper dans l'âme, voyager sur les traces de Ghostbusters, James Bond ou des héros de romans comme Cotton Malone fait partie d'un séjour idéal et réussi !