Red Mosquito

I thought this deserved its own thread.
A thread where we discuss the change in producers. And their choice to work with Josh Evans.

First, what do we know about Josh Evans. Not much actually. You can find his website here:

https://ricecrackermusic.com/

His working experience can be found here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-evans-7577406

It seems that he's on the payroll within the Pearl Jam organization. He doesn't have much experience in producing, he did produce Mike's favorite new band Thunderpussy. And he produced some live records, but the producer role for a live record is not creative.
He mostly worked as a engineer. He worked as a studio-engineer on King Animal aswell as the 'Can't deny me sessions',Engineering is also not a creative roll. He also worked as a tech for 10 years for the PJ, Soundgarden en TOTD tours.

Apart from those Thunderpussy records he also mixed Jeff's latest release 'Heaven/Hell'. That record sounds amazing and probably got him the gig. But it's still a very surprising choice for the band. They are taking a risk here, PJ is a huge band. They trust him and they probably know him very well. He probably a lot lot cheaper than BO'B. But that's probably not a factor.

The main reason why they could have picked him could have been the fact that he already works in the PJ organization. What does that mean for the band? They can go record with a producer whenever they can. On their own terms, Im pretty sure that's not possible with a producer like BO'B. BO'B is always busy, I wouldnt be suprised that he was also booked for possible albums for AC/DC, Guns n Roses or RATM. And since PJ was taking forever they needed to work around his schedule aswell. Whereas with Josh Evans they can probably call him in for a session in the middle of night. Since Josh is probably young and ambitious he probably worked a lot on this record.

Ok, I find this all very interesting. There is alot that can be discussed.

seems like you use this guy if you dont want an external personality influencing your choices

stip wrote:seems like you use this guy if you dont want an external personality influencing your choices

And do you think that's good or bad??


I was also thinking what this all could mean for live shows. If there are more keyboards and sounds on this record. Will Boom pull this of live? He's not really a modern player. Maybe Josh will also play keyboards n thoe road from now on....

I think the main reason they picked him is because they needed someone that would be around for a long period of time, and that they trusted him from previous work. How large his influence has been, is difficult to tell, certainly without hearing any of the music.

joostone wrote: The main reason why they could have picked him could have been the fact that he already works in the PJ organization. What does that mean for the band? They can go record with a producer whenever they can. On their own terms, Im pretty sure that's not possible with a producer like BO'B. BO'B is always busy, I wouldnt be suprised that he was also booked for possible albums for AC/DC, Guns n Roses or RATM.

I'm pretty sure it's been suggested before that O'Brien strongly prefers to work out of his preferred studios (in LA or wherever) and won't come to Seattle, so that's probably a factor if the band wanted a more relaxed schedule where they could work closer to home at their own speed.

joostone wrote:

stip wrote:seems like you use this guy if you dont want an external personality influencing your choices

And do you think that's good or bad??


I was also thinking what this all could mean for live shows. If there are more keyboards and sounds on this record. Will Boom pull this of live? He's not really a modern player. Maybe Josh will also play keyboards n thoe road from now on....

it will be a good thing if it is a good record. it does probably make it less likely to be a classicist pj album. Lightning Bolt has some interesting songwriting choices but they are run through the pearl jam anthem filter which sanded down some of the character. I attach that to BoB. we will see if thats the case.

another variable - the last 3 albums were informed in part by a desire to write songs that translate live. that will lead you to make certain types of choices. That may not be a concern as much anymore

He's mostly just a name and man at the buttons. They'll be in full control this time of how it all sounds, without BO'B's influence.

I fucking love this possibility.

Yes, combined the band has more experience than Metusaleh.

Did the new guy put a little fixinin’ on the album?

I guess he will be there mostly to record and mix the band kinda like Adam Kasper did. But he wont mess with the music.

I went ahead and reached out to this guy and he had some interesting things to say, including that he posts on this board! He told me not to share most of what he said. The album will be interesting, though...

tree_ wrote:I went ahead and reached out to this guy and he had some interesting things to say, including that he posts on this board! He told me not to share most of what he said. The album will be interesting, though...

E.H. Ruddock wrote:

tree_ wrote:I went ahead and reached out to this guy and he had some interesting things to say, including that he posts on this board! He told me not to share most of what he said. The album will be interesting, though...

You forgot to login to your stupid second account, ya drongo.

Sgt. Crackpot wrote:

E.H. Ruddock wrote:

tree_ wrote:I went ahead and reached out to this guy and he had some interesting things to say, including that he posts on this board! He told me not to share most of what he said. The album will be interesting, though...

You forgot to login to your stupid second account, ya drongo.

WHAT

Guys, he sounded intriguing/intrigued. I said is this as Radiohead/Kid A as the band will ever be? and he said maybe or most likely. I hope you guys like that stuff. I do. I've really already said more than he said I should so I'll shut up now. If you want to hear more from the horse's mouth, contact him yourself.

Sgt. Crackpot wrote:He's mostly just a name and man at the buttons. They'll be in full control this time of how it all sounds, without BO'B's influence.

I fucking love this possibility.

agree with this. also hope that Ed was out surfing while most of this album was being made.

I still think that Heaven/Hell is a good starting point. This was mixed by Josh and has new wave vibes.

Dammit I’m starting to tell myself this album is gonna be good.

It doesn't matter.

I am a big fan of Heaven/Hell. That would be good news. I think I even wrote back then that I wished that was the new Pearl Jam album.

liebzz wrote:I am a big fan of Heaven/Hell. That would be good news. I think I even wrote back then that I wished that was the new Pearl Jam album.

hell yes