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American Werewolf Academy - Triceratops

by Damnably

subscriber exclusive
1.
Jack Frost 01:53
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3.
Whether Not 02:22
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Wild Birds 02:30
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Happy Now 04:32
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about

AWA's third paranoid, fuzz laden record. Recorded in 2008 on a Fostex reel-to-reel in Aaron's backyard shed with additional recording and mixing by Matthew Barnhart at the Echo Lab in Denton, TX.

Fueled by Adderall and alcohol, the band recorded the basic tracks with very little knowledge of audio engineering on an ancient reel-to-reel tape machine. With varying degrees of experimental success, the band gave Matthew Barnhart (Superchunk, The New Year, The Great Tyrant) the tape reels and he was tasked with correcting and modifying audio mishaps at a proper studio, The Echo Lab.

Matt was AWA's constant companion in their past recording endeavors and was familiar with the band's approach to music and nuanced studio behavior. Apart from Matt's brother Jake now being in the band, he already had a long ongoing relationship with Aaron serving as a guide and mentor. This made him to obvious choice for the job. Matt was always a great studio presence, encouraging ideas as well as issuing the occasional "No" and the more often "Stop". Matt was happy stringing together the tapes as the basic tracks were complete. The only thing left was some additional overdubbing.

The always genial and sometimes manic Howard Draper (Tre Orsi, Mint Mile, Shearwater) popped in from time to time to provide some musical spackling. After giving Howard $100 and a few beers the band just let him do whatever he wanted. Blankets of hiss and fuzz were glazed with Howard's piano, organ, and lap steel contributions. The results clearly improved the song quality.

The album was released independently by the band in September of 2008 with very little notice or fanfare. Some viewed it as a bit of a rough listen, others familiar with AWA's previous work called it a 'grower' while a minor few claimed it as a new favorite. Whatever the case it did get the attention of George Gargan and Janice Li, owners of Damnably Records in London, UK. Damnably would later take on AWA onto its roster with bands such as Wussy, Shonen Knife, and Otoboke Beaver.

* Funny bit of trivia is the Fostex reel-to-reel machine used to record the basic tracks is the very same machine Mike Judge used to record the iconic theme to Beavis & Butthead. Aaron had bought it from his boss at a Dallas animation company.

credits

released October 5, 2008

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all rights reserved

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about

Damnably London, UK

Stratford, London based Record Label/Publisher. Est. 2006

Roster: Say Sue Me, Otoboke Beaver, Drinking Boys and Girls Choir, Grrrl Gang, Hiperson, Hazy Sour Cherry, 도그스타/Dogstar, David Boring, Former Utopia, Wussy, American Werewolf Academy, The Magic Words, smallgang, More Bad Times, Shonen Knife, Joel RL Phelps & The Downer Trio, Chris Brokaw, Geoff Farina, Leggy, Exit Verse, Lazarus Clamp.. ... more

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