This week we talk with with Brent Handy, the mastermind behind the new "Project Damage Control" album which features vocals from John Schlitt of Petra!
Do promise to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God?
Now, where is that King James Bible? Oh yeah! My left hand is on it and my other is up in the air.
Can you tell us what you've been up to and where can people go to find more about you?
HA! Recording has been a mobile recording company that captures bands in their element, live. This last year we also became an "indie" label. We want Christian and secular music to be beneficial to the work of Christ as it is heard in by the world, not the "churched" per se.
When I am not recording music, I am mixing bands on tours, or doing concert sound installations for churches. I moderate the live sound board at www.experiencingworship.com.
You recently released a new project, called "Project Damage Control." It features, of all people, Petra's John Schlitt and Louie Weaver. How did this CD come together and how well is it being recieved?
People can go to www.projectdamagecontrol.com to read the "in depth" history of the project. But to sum it up, we reunited members of an 80's rock/metal band called Heart Attack. (Heart Attack was actually an evolution of Picture This from Star Song Records. Picture This opened for Petra, Mylon LeFevre, Sheila Walsh, Morgan Cryar … you know, the Star Song artists.
When we got together to record our old songs, we thought about modernizing them a bit. So, we brought in some local boys to play. We let them listen about three times and said "Play it YOUR way," and they did. Then we got to thinking, "What if Louie could play? Man, that song sure would sound great with so and so on guitar, what if so and so could sing?"
We were going to have Michael Gleason (AD) sing. We talked to Kerry Livgren's manager about him playing guitar. We had all of these people lined up, but there was always a schedule conflict. The door closed on Michael and Kerry. Time was running out. We needed a heavy hitter who could belt it. So, we invited John to sing.
Feedback has been very positive. One guy e-mailed me and told me that he wished I could produce the next Petra record. I wish! "Bob, that's not your personal best. Play it THIS way. What's that? Too much guitar in the mix? It's too hard? Naaaah!"
Any plans of a tour to support it?
At this time there are no firm plans. John is up for it. Louie is busy recording and getting ready to tour with Viktor. The money would have to be there to pay for it. Maybe we could tour together? LOL
Okay, we have to ask. Was there, or is there any bad blood between John and Louie? Do you have any stories to tell from your sessions with them?
We got Louie in first. He was going through the third death in his family in a month, plus he didn't not have Petra income. It was a tough time for him. Still is. He needs our prayers. I encourage everyone to buy the snot out of Viktor when it comes out. All things considered, Louie was great! He wanted to play more than what we needed. I ran out of hard drive space (2 TB!) recording. Louie has ADD I think. I mean that in the best way. He is always thinking, keeping multiple conversations going at the same time. He's always cracking jokes! I was going to put all that stuff on the CD but I didn't. Maybe on a special Louie solo disc.
John and I talked about what we wanted vocally. I told him to sing like John. He was very, very kind, insightful and funny. He opened like I was a friend. In the interest of time, we had John use his son-in-law/engineer record John at his home studio. John still has the power and the range of his youth. I like his voice better now actually.
I have heard multiple versions of how Louie departed [from Petra]. John mentioned that he loves Louie as a brother in Christ and hopes that he does well with Viktor. John was happy for the world to see the two Christian brothers on the same CD.
Is there bad blood? Probably more from Louie's side. He told us things in confidence. All that I can say is that there are unique dynamics and relationships between anyone working together for 20+ years. To find out one day that you are no longer wanted is a tough pill to swallow, no matter who you are.
Where will this CD be available to be purchased?
The album will be released March 15 unless a tornado, mud slide, tsunami, volcano goes off in New Jersey where the plant is. We are taking orders via PayPal at www.projectdamagecontrol.com. Soon we hope to have it in LifeWay, Family Bookstore, Mardels, etc. Of course the direct orders will be the most expedient.
So why didn't you use all of Louie's tracks?
Louie is now at a time in his life where he likes to play pop/rock styles. Think Toto, etc. Sometimes his patterns or feel morphed the songs into something different. As other players were introduced, the changes didn't always fit. So we kept the scratch tracks of Christian Dean in some cases. Louie's tracks will not be wasted. They will show up on a future release, with the appropriate music for his patterns. Maybe we will do a Louie Weaver Drum Loop sample CD.
If money wasn't an issue and you could put together a dream band and singer who would be in it and why?
Some of this has been arranged:
Drums: Gregg Bissonnette
Bass: Matt Bissonnette,
Keys: Derek Sherinian
Vocals: John Schlitt, Steve Perry and Steve Walsh.
Rhythm Guitar: John Petrucci and Vivian Cambell.
Lead Guitar: Dweezil Zappa, Steve Lukather and Kerry Livgren. Dweezil is as close to Eddie Van Halen as I could get. Then I would hire a real orchestra as needed.
At The Petra Zone, you recently wrote about getting involved in the effort to have Petra's "Captured In Time and Space" album rereleased. How is this going and what is the latest news?
I tried … HARD! I developed a plan, called Jonathan David Brown (the original producer/engineer) to get him involved and then e-mailed Richard Greene, the chief counsel at EMI. I simultaneously sent that plan to Bob Hartman. Bob said don't make plans without checking with EMI. EMI said that they cannot do anything without reaching an agreement with the publisher (Bob). EMI says that the publishers are getting greedy, and that DVDs are not profitable. If it was profitable, they would do it!
There is talk about lost masters. It doesn't matter. Louie, Greg and others close to that project have copies of the master. Someone used one to make Inpop's "Revival" DVD. EMI has the audio masters. With todays technology, there is no reason why we shouldn't be watching a CITAS DVD is 5.1 surround!
Name the 3 highest points and the 3 lowest points of your musical career to date?
Highs: 1. Working for Christian bands, having an alter call and hords of people accepting Christ. I never saw my suited, screaming preachers doing that. 2. Touring/mixing for Steve Ripley and The Tractors. 3. Meeting and working with people smarter than I, who have been there and done that. I love older people!
Lows: None. I am greatful for being able to do what I do. Even if the money isn't always there, I love music!
The last of Brent Handy …
Last CD you bought
The Gospel Side of Elvis
Last song you wrote
Liar, Song No. 3
Last messageboard you visited
Last TV show you watched
Dr. Phil
Last time you played live
As opposed to playing dead?
Last time you prayed
Today, when the surgeon was pressing on my hernia.
What do you believe spiritually ?
How much bandwidth do you have? Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, the Life. There is no other way to get to God. I believe that if God is God enough to create a creation, judge a creation, redeem a creation, then He is God enough to do what He says, and that is preserve His Word for "all generations". If you want the truth, go to the Bible, and be picky about what kind you read! Find your purpose on earth, your ministry, and work it!
During our research for this interview we came across a message you posted as "lowdbrent" on Petra Rocks My World's messageboard. Here's what you said there about Liberty n' Justice's recent album "Welcome To The Revolution":
"I don't want to sway anyone from buying it, although you should REALLY listen to the clips first. The songs are terrible! All of them! I wonder what it was like for these guys to do these songs. I wonder if they were thinking, 'Yes, I am truly done now.' The musicians are not tight at all. Man I wanted this thing to be so different. But hey, it was done by a guy with some cash, who has put out one or two REALLY bad home-studio grade CD's. Again, I am not making this a personal attack. It is only my opinion. I am sure that Justin is a great guy. This project just needed great songs, different musicians and a great mix by someone like Chris Lord Alge or Michael Wagoner."
Well … any comment?
Well, they call me loud brent. I had to go with w instead of the u. Yeah, I am going to be judged in like manner. Now here I am getting an interview on your site. Well, there you go.
To be honest, I didn't care for it at first. I was reading about it elsewhere, and it was being PUMPED! I had such high expectations, as you were made out to have all the money in the world. So I expected my dream album. That was why I was so shocked. Then I start doing what you're doing (sort of) and find out that you're a guy just like me, with a mission and a love for music that people won't make anymore. Then I got used to stuffing my size 13's into your shoes. How God works to adapt our tastes to eat black obnoxious fowl.
Of the following, which do you prefer and why:
John Schlitt or Greg X Volz
Both. Two different guys. Two WAY different styles. Two different eras. That old stuff still holds up though doesn't it?
Bob Hartman or Eddie Van Halen
Wow. I saw Eddie this last year. Drunk, sloppy, vulgar, half-naked (yet buff for a guy my dad's age). I'm going with Bob.
Coke or Pepsi
Either with Vanilla
Guide to Petra or Petra Rocks My World!
PRMW. Some interesting theological stuff and my CITAS concert picks are on it. I have some of the More Power To Ya's years to submit.
"This Means War" or "Jekyll & Hyde"
This Means War. Just because of the times/life.
What does 2005 and beyond hold for Brent Handy?
Put off my hernia operation until 2006.
Make more music, maybe discover the next hot band.
Get back out on the road with somebody.
Get closer to God, be about his business. The time is tickin'.
And finally a LNJ 4-ALL Word Association. We mention a name or thing, and you give us your thoughts.
Alan Sandifer (Guitarist/ Keyboardist)
Friend, partner, visionary, musical, even tempered (so much so that it is maddening) fun, forgiving, problem solving, funny, LATE! haha.
John Schlitt (Petra)
Legendary, Great pipes, versitile, tone, texture, friendly, considerate, discerning
Kerry Livgren (Kansas)
Legendary, tone, inspiring, interesting, melodic, Digital Performer user (yuck).
George New (Guitars/Bassist)
Quiet, creative, resourceful, long-haired hippy haha
Sue Dempster (webmaster at www.johnwschlitt.com)
VERY helpful, mother hen of sorts, passionate, busy
Christian Dean (drummer)
Creative, syncopation man, resourceful
Greg X Volz (Petra)
Petra, red Reb Reebok high tops, some hair, no hair, lots of hair
John Lawry (Petra)
Joe English Band, AKA Band, arpeggio, je-je-je...je-je-je...(you hardcore fans know what that is)
There you have it, if you get a chance go visit his website www.projectdamagecontrol.com and make sure to buy a CD (I did!). And, for the record, before "Welcome To The Revolution" we released four bad CDs, not two. And after "Revolution" one soon to be classic!