On the Precipice of Greatness: The Too Big to Fail Diaries: Day One

Photo by Skizz / Jersey Beat

What’s it like to be on the precipice of greatness, on the verge of creating a lasting work? Kurt Vonnegut about to begin Slaughterhouse Five or Buster Keaton embarking upon The General? Until today I’ve only been able to imagine what such experience would be like.

Egghead, for whom I play drums, begins rehearsing this week. We haven’t played on a regular basis since ’97. I’ve flown out to L.A. for three days of practice followed by three days in the studio. 13 songs. Our debut full-length. Working title: Too Big to Fail.

My bandmates, guitarist Johnny Reno and bassist John Ross Bowie, recorded demos a few months ago. I’ve been listening to them when I drive to work. The new songs are excellent. As a drummer who doesn’t write songs (aka a drummer in a band) I’m kind of like a fan within the band. I thought it would be interesting to document the process of rehearsing and recording this monumental record, Too Big to Fail, for the dozens of Egghead fans eagerly awaiting the album (or in many cases, informing them that such a record is in the works so that they may commence awaiting).

Day one

I’m staying with Reno for the week. His bungalow is in West Hollywood. It’s cozy but there’s a weird vibe. I think Andy Dick used to live here. Before Reno moved in. Last night we watched the Olympics. Reno and I. (There shall be no more Andy Dick references, implied or otherwise.) Or rather fast forwarded through three hours of Tivo to watch a few minutes of biathalon. He wore sunglasses and insisted on turning off the lights. He hadn’t shaved in days. It was like I was hanging out with Howard Hughes. We talked about going grocery shopping this morning but around ten o’clock he stumbled downstairs clutching his eye. He mumbled something about an appointment with "the only doctor who can help me right now." I pressed for details but got nothing in return. The doctor’s credentials are suspect. This made me feel like I’m hanging out with Lenny Bruce. Genius is hard to decode.

He seemed better when he returned a few hours later. We drove down to San Pedro, to the Killer Dreamer house, where we were rehearsing. John, our bassist, was already there. I played drums for much of the afternoon but can’t recall more than one or two songs wherein both Reno and Bowie played at the same time. Reno was coming and going all day because his “eye medication” kept wearing off and Bowie did a lot of Twittering. The bits I managed to read over his shoulder full of vitriolic anti-tax rants. I think he’s going Tea Party.

Tomorrow holds great promise.

— Mike Faloon

Comments

[Chelsea (cc0237922)]

Very excited to hear about the new album and I really hope to see you all again at Insub 2010.