1. In 1996-97 Genesis had announced they were looking for a new drummer to replace Phil Collins. Out of curiosity I checked on line to see who people were suggesting and it was silly (like Ringo or Don Henley) so I posted "How about Nick D'Virgilio? He can play like Phil and tours with Tears for Fears, totally qualified..." and I accidentally posted to this newsgroup 10 times hitting the send button over and over because I didn't think it was showing up... then they all showed up! (Squids first spamming). Everyone was pissed at me saying "Who's that?" However, apparently Nick Davis (Genesis co-producer/engineer) saw the post and when Nick D'Virgilio asked for an audition Nick Davis actually remembered the post! They both told me later. NDV got to play on a bunch of tracks on that album... which must have been a thrill for him. Ironically the OTHER drummer on that album, Nir Z, does some stuff for Toontrack! Small world. Anyway, that's how I became friends with Nick Davis which led to a visit to The Farm to watch him mix Genesis box sets in 5.1 (amazing) and an eventual sample session of all of their instruments but I will get to that.
2. More than just stories, if you want to watch some videos go here http://www.sonicreality.tv
3. One of the coolest things was being invited to watch Genesis rehearsals in NYC at SIR in 2007. Up until the time I came there it seemed there was a chance it was going to be the original 5 members including Gabriel and Hackett. So I was REALLY nervous because Geoff, Tony's tech, wouldn't tell me one way or another. I found out by walking right in and seeing Chester and Darryl and the whole band looking at me while they were playing. Before that I had previously met Tony Banks and Chester Thompson but never Mike or Phil (despite the fact that Mike loves R.A.W. loops and IK/SR software!). But, it was during rehearsals that I became friends with Phil's son Simon who I later collaborated with on several songs (including one called "Big Bang" which I believe is the last song or one of the last with Phil Collins drumming... and like the old days too. Sounds like something off Duke meets something sort of trance I suppose... I did the quirky synths and sound design... in fact I used our new Cinema Sessions quite a bit for the orchestral effects... you can hear that track on our myspace page http://www.myspace.com/sonicreality as well as the cover I did with Simon of "Keep it Dark" ).
4. Being friends with Simon was an instant ticket to getting up close in ways I would never otherwise dare intrude (no pun intended for those that know). One was at rehearsal walking right up to Phil and Chester while they were playing and standing right behind him watching every hit. That you can actually see in the videos on our SRTV page or on youtube But then the same thing live in concert backstage. Just walking right up! However, the coolest thing was actually driving TO and FROM the New Jersey concert in Phil's van. Just tagging along. After the concert I got to give him a critique of the show. Pretty cool huh?
Now, I know some of you may even be bigger Rush, Peter Gabriel, Steely Dan or other artist fans and could argue that it'd be even cooler to have done a sample session with a Neil Peart or Billy Cobham or Jerry Marotta or any of the other incredible players in the series. I don't mean to put Phil or Genesis on a pedestal or anything. It is more of a childhood dream coming to life for me. The WHOLE THING is really... as you can imagine. But these experiences in particular are ones I already think back upon with a smile. I'm grateful to have had that opportunity and just in time because who knows what is happening -if anything - with those guys?
In any case, congrats to Genesis for being inducted into the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame. It's about time. Now if we can only get Ken Scott inducted under the producer category... what does a guy have to do? Think about it. He recorded The Beatles White Album and Magical Mystery Tour, he recorded and/or produced Jeff Beck, David Bowie, Elton John, Pink Floyd, America, Procol Harum, Lou Reed, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Stanley Clarke, Billy Cobham, Supertramp, Dixie Dregs, Missing Persons, Duran Duran, Devo, Happy the Man, George Harrison... that's not enough? To top it off he recorded CLASSICS like "Rocket Man" or "Helter Skelter" or the LAST song Floyd did with Syd Barrett and the first song with Gilmour... if anyone deserves to be inducted in that category you'd think he'd be on the list! But you'd be surprised at how picky they are. Anyway, that's a whole other story. Meanwile the Squids Mega Post is back!!!!!! A sign of good health.
