1998
was a tumultuous year
for GSW. It involved the first major personnel changes in the band's
history, as Tom Osander (drums) and Jon Bevo (keyboards) were replaced
by Aubrey Dayle and Peter Levin. It also involved a record company
hassle that made the band's previous difficulties with Geffen Records
seem like a cakewalk, as their label, Mercury, was sold along with
the rest of Polygram to Seagram's/Universal.
In the midst of all this
the guys cut a record, which is as yet unfinished and unreleased.
It was recorded with the 2 new members, plus Jon Bevo, and John Woody
guesting on percussion, at Long View Farms, the live-in studio in
rural Massachusetts. Basic tracks and overdubs were completed on at
least 18 songs, which included new songs, early GSW songs, and songwriting
contributions by all members of the group.
The mixes that
came out of Long View farms were intended for reference only, and
the band's budget dried up before a satisfactory mixing solution could
be found. Then all hell broke loose as Mercury was sold, the band
went on the road in the fall, and the recording project went on the
back burner for a while. Since then the band has worked on the tracks
sporadically (at their own expense).
The current plan
is for the album to come out in the fall of '99. Much discussion has
been given to the idea of releasing the album initially in downloadable
electronic form.
The songs recorded
at Long View farms include: When She Go, Epiphany, Beautiful Lies,
Souvenir, Faith On Parade, Nadine, 8 Ball, Applesauce, Electrocute,
Stupid Hat, When The Melody Plays, Straight Line, My Good Side, Slinky,
Burger Special, You Know Me Best, All Systems Clear, Maybe I'm Amazed
(the Paul McCartney song), A Spoonful Of Sugar, and possibly a couple
more....
