Steve,

On your blog ealier this month you talked about Harvey Gerst using a cowbell in recording uptempo songs. Have you tried this? Any idea what sort of cowbell? Or does it really make much difference? I went to Musiciam's Friend's website and they have cowbells ranging in price from less than $10 to over $40. I'd like to get one and try this, but have no idea what to look for in a cowbell! Anyone have any experience?

Thanks,

Joel

Shades of a Sam Ash catalog from way back when they were a local NY and NJ chain, late 80's I think, and they had a whole friggin' page of cowbells. No kidding. Yes, it was the time and the place for hair metal.

I dunno about cowbell - even if it worked, I would have a strong counter-reaction.

Bear

Bad memories from the 80's????

alright, when is the "more cowbell" joke coming.

Hey Joel, I would personally head down to the music store and buy one. You may order one over the internets and it shows up all tinny sounding etc.

A good mid sized bell should be good.

That is unless you need






















































MORE COWBELL!!!!!!!!!!!!

War

Thanks Warren.

The only problem with heading "down to the local music store" is the fact the "localist" music store is 70 miles away! (remember I live out in the boonies!?!?!)

I am heading to the "city" this weekend, so I'll see what I can find. I've got a 50th birthday party to attend for a former bandmate and the wife wants to go furniture shopping. After all the new "toys" I've gotten recently(several mics, a Taylor 414CE, etc, etc), I can't argue with her!

I'm also adding to my PA rig. I recently landed a gig doing sound for THIS country music festival. No, I won't be doing sound for the main stage..... I wish.... but they have 2 beer tents where they have local bands playing between the big acts(we've been playing there for the last 4 years) and I'll do sound and lights for one of them. Four days of (hopefully) great fun!

Anyway, I'll look for a mid sized 'bell.

Joel
Studio 52

Some info on that skit...

Bruce Dickinson said, "I'll be honest fellas. It was sounding great. But, I could've used a little more cowbell."

Producer Bruce Dickinson did not produce that song.

The Gene Frenkle character played by Will Ferrell is pure fiction.

In reality, cowbell was added after the song was done to sort of glue it all together.

And supposedly BOC got a little career boost out of it with some renewed interest in their act! I also heard the band dug it.

War

.... I musta missed the whole "more cowbell" thing. What's the story?

I can't remember which DVD it's on, but it's on one of the Best of Saturday Night Live Will Ferrell editions. Oh man it's funny...

rock on
bford

You can find a link to the skit on this page:

http://blueoystercult.com/Media-main.html

Click on TV appearances and scroll down. It's not the whole thing but you get the idea.

Here is the whole deal...! Enjoy!!!!!!!!

http://mknx.com/v/cowbell.wmv

Chris Walken is one of the best guests they have on. I love Alex Baldwin's skits on SNL as well.

War

Thanks, Guys.

Now it all makes since!!

Joel

Guys guys, I think you're REALLY going to want that cowbell in that track!!!

War

http://www.radmonkeycowbells.com/

warren dent from 6A in barnstable?

We need a cowbell for "Honky Tonk Women", so I scored a 9-incher off eBay for $6.99. It is an EXO brand, whatever that is... I assume all you have to do is whack it, and it will sound like.. a cowbell.

Did he ever work at the Mashpee Center for the Perfoming Arts?

Guys, guys, ......


I finally got a COWBELL!!

It sounds just like the one on the video. Now I'll have to try it on a song to see if Harvey is right!?!

Later,

Joel

Holy sh!t. I was listening to "Pleased to Meet Me" this morning, and loud and clear, what is it that I hear all over the place? Cowbell. Never noticed before, but it's plain as day in the chorus of "Alex Chilton". The producer? Bruce Dickinson. I forget where else I was hearing it, but it's apparent elsewhere on the album.

Could SNL possibly be that right?

Bear

Ok, sorry I'm so late jumping in on this but I lost all my logins and I'm just now getting my computer finally working right. Now, about the cowbell trick:

First of all it's a "buried cowbell". That means that after everything is recorded, you go back and record a cowbell on an empty track, playing straight quarter notes, but pushing the beat slightly, like he's trying to get the band to speed up just a little.

Now, have the band leave the room just before the final mix, bring in the cowbell, then reduce the level until you can just barely hear it. Add some reverb, and bring in the band. Play the song and while you're playing it, mute the cowbell. The "intensity" of the song will drop several notches. Bring the cowbell back and listen to the song come back to life. It should be so low, you hafta strain to hear it in the mix, but it always works. Don't ask me why.

you know we're bored when we can stretch a question about cowbells into 20+ posts. and yes i do believe will ferrell may be god.

Hey Harvey, damn nice to see ya here!

War

http://www.radmonkeycowbells.com/

Bear

Just take some scissors out on your next cow tipping excursion and cut one off of a cow. This will surely provide the most authentic sonic experience as it'll be a real cow bell.