|
ask dr. fletch (1st batch) inspired?
aggrieved? or just plain nosey? (more recent questions are nearer the top of page) |
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| Topic | your questions | the doctor's answers |
| families | How do you guys manage to keep a healthy personal relationship with your families while on the road, (specially on looong tours)? Ain't that a serious handicap for any musician in your particular position? I can hardly imagine myself being away so long from the ones I love (I don´t mean to be intrusive about anyone's private life, so please, feel free not to answer if you think i'm being too 'curious' with this question) |
That's the most difficult aspect of touring....it's just something that is part of the profession. Not easy! |
| funny covers | Many bands do play funny covers of their own songs, in terms of parody, to release tensions before a gig or in between takes while rehearsing on studio. Have you ever, wheter with the 96ers, the NHB or with Dire Straits done so? | The Calling Elvis parody springs to mind. |
| stuff |
As a tour progresses each song does too. How do you work on new arrangements on the songs? Do you develop them on sound checks and rehearsals or do you just let them evolve day by day while making the live performances 'per se'? I think one of the best skills you all have on the band is that you definitely know the value of letting some spaces in between a progression. I mean being aware that a silence can be as important as any other note on music. As it is an obvious temptation to fill a song with more and more elements when one plays it everyday, how do you avoid 'overplaying'?
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Sound check development is an obvious way to keep things fresh. Obviously, if a song becomes overplayed, we drop it for a while. No point playing something you're not into...especially with such a catalog.
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| TOL | Tell me DOC, why one of the most demanded song of DS (Tunnel of love) has not been played live since a long time ago. It would be great to hear it on this new tour. Try to put it on the set list while Mark and Guy are not watching. Thanks!! | If we played all the requested songs, the set would be too long for anyone to enjoy. It's just a song which we're tired of. |
| MK AND JI | I can't sleep since I've seen Mark and John playing together again on the same picture. Is that serious ? What can I do ? | The camera never lies. Relax, it's just for charity. |
| recording | Doc, are you able to clarify the fans recording at the gigs this month? I know that the band have no objectoins to non proff equipment, but I have spoken with Shepherds Bush Empire and they say NO to any recording equipment and only will allow your basic, fancy free cameras. If I turn up with my mini disc recorder am I going to get it confiscated or can the Doc have a word??? Thank you. I awaityour diagnosis. | I can only say what I said on the whole of the last tour. we WILL inform the venues of our seemingly unique policy and beg them to comply. We don't mind non-pro. recording gear at all. |
| nosh | Having
been in the cooking profession for 15 years now, i'm always curious about what folks like to eat. So, Dr. F what do Guy and Mark like to chow down on the most??? |
Difficult one this as we eat just about everything that's placed before us, but favourites are Italian, especially antipasto, Mexican, Cajun and I'm partial to the odd Japanese (in particular, uni). |
| NHB | Dear Dr. Fletch, Any chance of another dose of Notting Hill Billies' music? I popped in "Missing..." last night and immediately felt how much I'd missed listening to it. The answer to "Will You Miss Me" is apparently, yes. Related question: Did Guy synth the drums, percussion, and/or bass with his keyboards on those gems? There are very few credits in the liner notes. |
I doubt there will be another record but we do love getting together and gigging. Yes, all the drums, perc and bass were programmed by Guy on a Synclavier system. It was good but I wouldn't do it again. There's no substitute for the real thing, I think you'll agree. |
| bonafide | Is
it really correct that MK recorded a song called Bonafide for StP? I haven't heard of it before someone mentioned it in a question to you. |
Yes, it was recorded, and it was great. Shame. It may appear at some point. |
| auto-pilot | I've
been quite shocked by the word "auto-pilot"... I wondered if you could explain what you mean about it, because auto-pilot is the opposite of what fans are expecting (or dreaming?)... as the venues will be packed up with fans this year, I can't see the point :-) Auto-pilot mode is what caused the ruin of French football team one month ago... |
Not quite the same kind of auto-pilot. What we refer to as A-P is more a muscle memory thing which enables you to get through a song when you're not in peak form...if you know what I mean. |
| ear pain | Doc,
Why wasn't Jim Cox on the STP tour and can we expect to see him next time around?
He was greatly missed! |
Jim couldn't tour because of a problem with his ears which prevented him from flying. He is aiming to resolve it for the next tour. |
| castrated | Dear Dr. Fletch. We all know from several interviews that Mark claims he doesn´t have a vocal range. But what about Guy? He seems to have a bit of a range. Is it him or John who sings the high harmonies on Walk of Life? The guy who is singing them is hitting the "A" just below the high "C", very good. | Yes, I concede, It is the Fletch. |
|
hate
the |
Dear Doc Are these keyboards on «Local Hero» (played live) really necessary? I know that many people think they sound awfully like long-forgotten sins of the 80's. Guitar alone would just suit this great, simple tune. Anyway, I just think that a more organic, less sterile sound (somewhere between STP and Dylans «Time out of Mind») would be the right thing for MK. Maybe it would give you the opportunity to play some real western saloon piano! | Kidding...right? |
| addict | Hello, I saw a few months ago a tv broadcast of 'On the night' and the way Mark played the guitar impressed me so much that I started learning the guitar, collect DS cd's, visit your site almost each day and come to the shepherds bush gig on 25th july even though i live in belgium. Is there a cure for this addiction ? | No, I'm afraid it's terminal. |
| skateboards | I
know you and some of the others windsurf, you were in a windsurfing magazine some
time back, if I'm not mistaken, have you ever tried skateboarding? It is the most
difficult thing I have ever attempted to do, but you can do it with no wind. Watch
Dogtown and Z-Boys, it's in the cinemas at the moment and it is fantastic. There
is a fair amount of normal surfing in it too.
Also, do you and MK (in particular) find it a shame that your popularity makes it more difficult to do things that you would have done in pre-fame days? I'm thinking of musical things like going to musician jam nights round London, playing in bars, etc. There's some great ones round London these days. I suppose for the sake of nostalgia alone that must be interesting. Speaking of which...you don't fancy guesting on Hammond with a lively blues band do you, Allman Brothers, that type of thing. Nope? Never mind. Also, I seem to recall you liking a bit of techno. I was laughed at in a record shop for buying a MK and Aphex Twin albums at the same time. Personally, I like a bit of Squarepusher. |
Yes Alan and I were in a mag. I've tried skateboarding and I like longboards as the short ones are treacherous. My 12 year old son Max is VERY good at it. what popularity? I love a bit of everything, techno, garage, thrash-polka etc. |
| Cameras? | I've seen on your page that (nonproffesional)recording gear is allowed this tour ....do you know if a digital (non-professional) videocamera is allowed to bring??? | Yes...NON-PROFESSIONAL recording equipment is ok with us. |
| sound | 1.
Were you a Dire Straits fan before playing with Mark? 2. What does it feel to play in a big tour like the On every street Tour with sold out gigs? 3. How could you get that perfect sound in OES tOur? It was perfect!!!! |
1.
no 2. nice, but you soon miss the intimacy of a club gig. 3. good sound crew (the best) and lots of rehearsals. |
| what doin' | What are you guys doing now? having a break!! is it reasonable to assume the Record will be out any time soon? | We're rehearsing, and yes. see pics |
| Auto-pilot | I guess the band has already started rehearsals these days. How does this go? Are they firstly discussing the setlist (MK decides which songs to play) and then they play the entire setlist everyday until the show is perfect? Can you tell us a little bit about the procedure? | We fumble our way through the pre-determined setlist (agreed by MK and me) and slowly but surely it all falls together. Actually, it's amazing how the old auto-pilot still works and it all comes flooding back. |
| Hair | Forget
about Dire Straits reunions and such... What I really wanna know, doc, is the
"history" of the way you guys looked like over the years. GF has proved
to be quite of a chameleon, judging from various pictures posted on his website:
from the "rebellious" and skinny look of the 80s, to the shaggy guy
with the hip goatee who now wears sweatpants (for that extra comfort...) But how
about MK? Has he ever had a beard? In the STP tour book there a couple of pictures
of him looking kinda... coarse - was that on purpose or maybe he didn't bother
shaving that day? And what made him get that "respectable" haircut?
The first time I saw him with the new haircut *I* felt 100 years older. Also,
is he bothered by the fact that giving up smoking had certain side-effects (such
as the fact that he had to get a new wardrobe :-))? And speaking of which, is any one of you guys on a diet? Just curious - |
On a diet..are you kidding. we're ALL on permanent diets. |
| charities | Dear Doc.-- When MK and company does a charity concert, who decides which charity? Is MK approached by an organization or does MK decide to do a concert and makes a choice which charity benefits?--Thanks. | MK is approached by the charities. |
| antics | 1.
When and where did you meet MK? 2. What was the last real Rock 'n' Roll antic you did? 3. Every gig I have seen with MK in it appears to be perfect (i.e. perfectly played). It is common knowledge that MK is a perfectionist but surely he has made big mistakes live - please tell? 4. If MK asked you which living person/band you would like to tour/play with who would it be? |
1.
I met MK in London in 1983. |
| is it live? | And
here is one thing I always wondered...You guys were here in Finland in Helsinki
on a charity concert 8.12 2000, and when you played the songs What it is and Silvertown
blues, they were playback, Why? The other wierd thing was that it was just you and Mark that I recognized. The other band members i've never seen before or after. |
The TV shows were 'playback' simply because A. the show is not set up for 'live' either because of space or technical limitations and B. because of time (rehearsing) and money. Some shows ARE live and that's great fun. The Band that night was basically part Hillbillies and partly the band that will be playing on the Charity shows in in a few weeks. |
|
DS reunion? |
I would like to know, what aren't you working with John (Illsley), Terry (Williams), Paul (Franklin) and Pick (Withers) anymore? Why don't you consider a DS reunion? Don't you get it - it's the best thing you can have right now - It do a better job than Mark's solo albums and the crowd would love it, you can ask your fans! Truly... | The
Doctor says.... Actually, Guy does get it.....He''d LOVE a DS reunion. However, the only reason most bands get back together... is to re-ignite thier mutual love and respect. The simple truth is...... it's Mark's call. |
| 'Bloods' | dear doc, I was a big fan of mike henderson & the bluebloods. but right after the mk tour, mike forms a new band in nashville minus glenn worf. no more bloods. i know, doc, you don't like to speak for anyone but do you have the inside info on this one? Yes it was felt by all in the 'Bloods' that it was time to call it a day. They've been together longer than they care to think about. | All I heard was that there was a mutual feeling that it was time to call it a day. They've (the Bluebloods) been at it for longer than they care to recall. |
| windswept
and interesting |
How has windusurfing influenced on GF music? Any concrete piece where we could say wind and sails are present? For example Brothers in Arms with those windy chords? Where does GF find inspiration? | The only thing I can safely say about this is that spending time on the water has the effect of 'cleansing the canvas' in preparation for work. I'm sure anyone who surfs or windsurfs can back me up here. |
| LOG | Doctor
Fletcher: I know you´ve said that you´ll not be answering questions about the style of the new album anymore, but since you said that it has an industrial/working kind of thematic subject (just like Love Over Gold), I´m dying to know if it also sounds like LOG (I mean big, powerful, somehow dark sound). This is pretty much a stupid question, but I know you are such a great doctor, and I know you´ll take care of all your patients; the bright and the dumb, the sympathetic and the annoying. You are a gentle profesionnal. Thanks a lot, |
Yes,
the album is indeed 'total LOG'. (Especially if you've ever seen Ren'n'Stimpy.) |
| stage fright | can you tell us what is the band usually doing during the last 90 min. before the shows? Are there any habits? Are GF and Mk nervous or affected by stage fright or is it more business as usual? | drinking ones-self towards oblivion was the done thing in days gone by, but these days we don't really get that nervous before a show. we used to play Scrabble in the DS days. |
| instruments | Apart from guitars, what other instruments does mr knopfler play and can he read music? And what other instruments do you play apart from keyboards? Also, do you record digital or analog? Thank you. |
Mark has tried his arm on the Sax, the pedal Steel and mandolin...oh and recently Bass guitar. I started on the bass and still play often, Also Hawaiian lap steel, guitar, harmonica, drums (a new one) See the studio diaries for the most recent recording process used. |
| set length | Despite the uncanny resemblance to Osymar Bed LInnen, I presume its safe to ask a question..... how long are the sets likely to be for us humble folk who have parted with money and will love every minute of the forthcoming shows? | The set length will be determined by how many songs we can remember to play in rehearsal. |
| moving stuff | Dr Fletch Im interested in the logisitics of the gigging/touring you do. For instance do you have all of your gear at home or stored somewhere? and how do you get it to places like Shepherds Bush Empire or the rehearsal rooms etc. If you are not comfortable with giving out this kind of information, you can just tell me to mind my own business. I'll understand. | We have a road crew who do all the lugging for us. Oh how I miss those days of carrying my own gear around in the back of the van! LOL |
| more gear! | Im
a gear freak, and I see on your studio project that your have gear plans. I know that MK have a Gibson Super 400, a realy expencive pece. So what's your most expencive instrument? (That you have payed for yourself) Was it worth the money? |
It's the Yamaha DX1 I bought in 1984 and used on Money For Nothing. It cost £9000. |
| tour types | Dear Doc, Could you tell me what the difference is between a 'promotional tour' and any other kind of tour? Why do you go on promotional tours before the world tour? Isn't any tour promotional by design/nature? Thank you, Doctor. | A promo tour is specifically for TV and Radio shows and is often just MK on his own. The tour 'proper' is still a promotional event but it's not quite so 'direct'. |
| historical | Hi
Doc, You never said what you got your degree in, so I'm hoping it's a doctorate in history: Do you know whether the OES song "Iron Hand" refers to a specific historical event? Or is it just a general description of the kinds of things that have happened repeatedly in the past, to make the point that "we haven't changed since ancient times"? Thanks. |
As far as I know, Iron Hand refers to the Miners strike in the UK in the 70's. |
| Secret synths | Dear Dr Fletch, One thing has bugging me for many years now....How come all the sythns used by Alan and Guy on the OES Tour were "De-badged", as in all of the Korg/Hammond/Roland logos etc, were covered up with gaffer tape? This hadn't been done on previous tours, and hasn't been done since...Having an answer to this will end my years of sleepless nights.... |
We de-badged the synths because some manufacturers were sponsoring us (thier names remained in view). Mark didn't like the idea of advertising on stage. Recently I just simply couldn't care less. |
| SAG | how much is the influence of 'A shot at glory' that we can find in the new album? | ASAG has no influence on the album, and stylistically, there really isn't much similarity except for possibly one or two tunes. You'll have to be the judge of that I guess. |
| The wall | With the July gigs I would like to visit. some DS interesting places. And i have seen on promotion video of the STP album which shows a wall with 'Love Over Gold' is painted on. So my question is where in London or in Deptfort can i find that wall. |
Pass. Anyone have any idea? It could have been a mock-up. |
| God-like | I will like to ask you some question. Are Alan Clark not god enough a player to be a part of the Goldenheard / Saling too philedelphia band and the new record.???? The question is mabe funny, but a lot of people are chatting about it, alan is a part of Dire Straits ( and in some people always will be ) but not good enough too the new record or the Straits shows next mount. I hope you will thell mark that alout of the Dire Straits fans will like too se " Mark - John - Alan and you together next mount. ( he is desapointing them whit nor have inviting Alan. ) | Yes, this gets asked a lot. It's not a question of being good enough...Mark chooses the musicians he wants to work with......and he has chosen not to use Alan for whatever reason, it's not for me to ask. Alan is a very close friend of mine, and indeed he and I still work on various projects together. Apart from all that, we still windsurf together whenever possible. |
| RARHOF | How many times has Mark said "Hell No" when asked to do a Dire Straits VH1 Behind the Music? Next year, Dire Straits will be eligible for the Rock and Roll Hall of fame - have y'all heard anything about an induction into the hall? | If I had a pound for every time......seriously, is that so?, I have no idea at all. |
| Chuck | Dear Doc: I´d like to know about Chuck Ainlay; how did you guys meet him? How´s being working with him? What happened with Neil Dorfsman? Do you people keep in touch with him? And, getting more concrete, who´s Mark´s guitar tech nowadays? Saggers? What happened with Ron Eve? I just wandered. This consultory is the best idea in the Occidental World since the creation of the Ernie Ball´s volume pedal. Thanks a lot. | Chuck first came over to work on "On every Sheep" and has become 'part of the furniture'. Regretably, we haven't spoken to Neil for quite some time although Chuck saw him last year at a Trade show. we all kinda miss him. Glen Saggers is MK's current gtr tech...and a stirling job he does too. (except that he broke his leg recently and is still on crutches...."get better soon Glen") |
| support | What's the likelihood that there will be a support act on the MK tour in 2003? And in case there may be one, would Guy consider listening to a "job application"? ;-)Whatever happened to the Braithwaites CD project? | I'm
sure there will be one however that's out of the Doctor's control I'm afraid. The Braithwaites CD should be available next week |
|
where
to buy A |
Hello Guy!I'm a Spanish girl, that I take trying for many months to buy the disc A shot at Glory, across shops of import, included Fnac, but I have not obtained it. How might do it? Excuses me for my English. Thank you. | Many of you have written in saying that ASAG is available at amazon.co.uk also towerrecords.co.uk |
| new songs? | Are there any plans to play some of the new songs on the charity gigs? Is it true that you and MK used to go to a race track with your's mclarens and race with them? | There
MAY be a new one or two, I can't guarantee it. It's true GF & MK both used to frequent the track but not with Mclarens! I used to race lawn-mowers. |
| choice venues | My question to you is who decides where you will play on a tour? Does MK control that or does management lay it out and you guys just follow? My brother thinks that management probably does it but I ( maybe wishful thinking ) is that you guys have a lot of input in it. | Management and agents will select venues based on availability, album sales and prior artist knowledge and preference, then the list of shows will be shown to Mark for the thumbs up. Of course any artist will give indications as to where he would prefer to perform. |
| rehearsal | How
much rehearsal time will be required to get ready for the charity gigs? With the variety of "friends" I assume that complicates rehearsal scheduling. Who's you barber? I'd love to get a "do" like yours!!! |
We're using 2 weeks rehearsal. My barber is a sharpie pen. |
| Deaf Armadillos | Hey
Doc, Last time on the STP tour I saw you at the Armadillo in Glasgow, I had the
Best seat in the house, the best view, (front row, right in front of Mark), but
the sound was AWFUL! Richards guitar was blowing everything else away... I think
I was getting all the stage sound, and not the mixed sound. Have there been any
other comments on the In-ear monitor set up? Is that just the way it is? Should
I sit further back next time? Danster, Glasgow |
Yes, that's guitarists for you. If everyone in the band used In-ears, it would solve this problem as you wouldn't need the amps to be so loud onstage. Some musicians just can't get to grips with the 'ears'. |
| getting a life | Any chance of putting some info of what's going on in folks lifes? Would be interesting to see how Mark/Guy occupy their spare time. | of course, me, I windsurf.... and collect small nocturnal rodents. Mark spends his spare time enjoying many and varied outdoor pursuits and activities. |
| Silvertoon | GF reported to us last year that the song 'Silvertown Blues' was difficult to record. The band never played that song live on the STP tour, because MK told us that it is not ready to be played. Can you tell us anything about similar difficulties with songs during the recording session this time? Is there a new song which could be remain a 'studio song'? | There are always songs which during thier evolvment, lose favour with Mark. As far as the new album is concerned, nothing so far comes to mind. We're pretty much happy with all the new songs. |
| REM | I saw recently a song on the internet claiming to be a duet between REM and DIRE Straits in 85 called have you ever seen the rain. Is this nonsense Dr Fletch. | I am going to stick my neck out here and claim it's utter rubbish. |
| Joe Meeks | On the website was a pic of MK with a couple of Joe Meeks. Are these used frequently? Thanks. | Yes, they're used nearly all of the time. After all........"If the solo peaks......compress with Meeks!" |
| next tour | When are you going to announce the countries that you'll visit in the next tour? |
I'm not. Oh all right then I will.....when I have permission. And before you ask, I don't know when that will be yet. |
| Recording |
Are any of the July charity shows likely to be recorded, e.g. for BBC Radio 2 for a live show slot? Have any fans been given access to the soundboard? |
Not as far as I'm aware. Access to the sound board during the show is generally considered a no-no. |
| themes | Hello Doctor Fletch, Other albums have had musical or lyrical themes (OES - loneliness, GH - Irish influenced, STP - American/English experiences) I just wondered what bound these new songs together as an album. - Will P.S. I greatly enjoyed your lap steel debut on your Birthday at Shepherd's Bush in 96! |
OK this is the last question I'm going to answer about the new album in terms of style/content/songwriting. If t here is a theme, I guess it's a working/industrial link between the songs. You'll see what I mean when you buy it. |
| 2 skinny | dear doc, i'm quite aggrieved i'll not be able to listen to "two skinny kids" in MK forthcoming album ! why don't you ask Guy to put a space in his website with some wonderful, un-released stuff?? | I'm sorry, but even the doctor isn't allowed to do that. |
| les Paul | I always wondered what's the amplification secret for Mark Les Paul to have a splendid Clean/Crunch sound on "Calling Elvis" during the STP Tour : it gives me headackes, Doctor, if you have the answer ! | There's no secret, it's just the guitar and the amp (Soldano) |
| DVD | Dear Doc. I am sure that you have had many questions regarding the DVD and obviously all the fans are eagerly awaiting its release. Has a situation like this happened before? Are there any other recorded gigs that never made it onto an official video release that may be released in the future? | Not as far as I'm aware. |
| Why aye | Has
anyone else noticed that it's named as "Why Aye Man" in the credits???
Why Aye Man! Anyone with half a brain knows you spell it "Wey Aye Man"..... Which is it? Why or Wey? And what does it mean? Is it some kind of 'slang' or just Australian English (sounds like it...)? |
It's
'why aye man' and is an old geordie (Northumberland/Newcastle) saying. Literally translated it means 'of course old chap!' |
| Fletch zone | Doctor Hair: Will your new studio will be exclusively the Fletch zone, or do you plan to produce/record select or occasional outside projects as well? | It will be for exclusive use of the Fletch AND friends. I'm sure outside projects will find thier way in eventually. |
| Emmylou | my question to Dr. Fletch is: Will the songs recorded with Emmylou Harris also be used for the upcoming album? Or will there be another album for its one with the duets? | These songs (of which only two have been recorded so far) will appear on a duet album that Mark wants to do with Emmy. The only question of course is - when? Probably after the 2003 tour. |
|
Why Aye correction |
I am from Denmark, Where can I hear the song "Why aye Man". (seems like everybody knows it).. | It
seems my earlier answer was incorrect.... The song cannot be completely downloaded, but on http://www.mark-knopfler-news.co.uk/web5.htm a bit to the bottom of the page there is a link to an extract from the song. As it is on Mark's own news page, this doesn't seem to me as an illegal file... Of course it's not the complete song, but it seems to me that it should give our Danish fan a nice idea about it. I know I loved to hear even this tiny part! thanks to Erik Janssen |
| Who played | I wanna know how many musicians were involved in the making of the new album, besides the regular 96´ers and the honorary one, Franklin. If there is only you, guys, that would be really news, since GH and STP had so many talented people involved in each track. I´d also wanna know how long are the songs (more or less); if they tend to go like "Nazareth" or if maybe they are all short ones. Beautiful is the chance to ask you questions. Thanks a lot. | That's it apart from Glen Duncan who played fiddle on a couple of tunes. Most of the songs are quite short, but inevitably there are a couple which just seem to go on and on and on and on and on and on and on and ..... |
| backstage | Hi
Doc, As we all know and guess, you've filmed quite a lot backstage material during the STP Tour. Do you peronally think the quality would be good enough to include parts of it as Bonus Material for the DVD? |
It was always my intention to include my feeble attempts at candid videoing in the DVD release. |
| Why Aye | I,
like many others on this planet, am suffering from a disease known as "Notenoughrock'n'rollontheradio".
I have an idea for a cure though: To campaign heavily for Why Aye Man single release and then get as many people as possible to buy it (aided by the modern communication wonders of the web) so it gets to number 1. That way they'll have to play it and we can all get better. Wha'd'ya think? You only need to sell about 50,000 odd copies and Jimmy Nail would by at least half...Paul. |
Sounds like a spiffing idea Paul. |
| Album |
Album
questions. |
17 songs were recorded for this album out of which we plan to use 14. Sorry, no prevoiusly recorded material will find it's way on. |
| title? | May you please tell us the title of the new MK album? | It's actually not been confirmed yet, but I can tell you it's not 'why aye man' |
| Jubilee | Many many fans have been wondering you guys did not participate in the Queens Jubilee show? | We weren't actually invited. |
| guitars | since
Guy did not replied in the FAQ section of his interesting web-site, I place the
same question to you:
"Which set of guitars have Mark and Richard used for the recording of the new album?" |
It's really been mostly the '58 les Paul and the collection of Martin acoustics. The National has also made a few appearances. Richard uses too many wierd and wonderful instruments for me or he to remember. |
| DVD | Dear Dr Fletch, Since you are a Doctor, do you have the authority to persuade Guy Fletcher and Mark Knopfler to release the whole STP concert on DVD and not just a selection of highlights and to add lots off extra stuff to reward those guys' fans for their patience? | Sorry, the Doctor only offers his advice on these matters. No actual authority. (but I'll do my best) |
| Amp cave | The amp cave with foam - one close-up mic inside or is there room for 2 mics (what distance, types)? | Plenty of room inside for more. An SM57 about 6 inces from the speaker slightly off axis and a Neumann U67 a little further back. |
| Pensa | has
Mark used his world-famous Pensa-Suhr on this record ? also, the fender vibroverb amp? or is it mostlely the soldano ? does glenn worf play the bass guitar through an amp (studio) or is it direct to soundboard? |
The Fender Amp and the Soldano have been used and Glenn plays thru an amp and a D.I. box. |
| Pyroman | Any inkling as to whether Pyroman or Two Skinny Kids have a chance of making it onto the new record? Also, is there a working album title? | Sorry, but right now Pyroman or Two Skinny Kids won't be on the new record. There's no working title but Mark does have an album title. Of course I'm not allowed to say what it is yet. |
| Cubase | I noticed that you have a screenshot of Cubase on your website from one of the songs. Just wondered what you use Cubase for when the songs where recorded with Nuendo? | I use it just for the keyboard overdubs |
| soundcard | Also...What soundcard do you use while editing and recording the songs? | we're using the Steinberg RME i/o's and also a couple of Myteks |
| acoustics | You record "live"? also with acoustic guitars.. don' t you get leakage between the vokal mic and the guitar-mic ? | Yes, but as long as each take is consistant comping isn't a problem. We actually like the slightly 'phasey' sound you get when using the two simultaneously. |
| phasey | Can you give your definition of 'phasey' and 'out of phase' when referring to a guitar sound? I haven't found anyone that really knows what the terms mean. | Yes. When you record one source with 2 mics. You get an inconsistancy with the phase of the signal. By moving the mics around and adjusting the level of each, you can play with that sound. The most common example of 'out of phase' is if your stereo speakers are wired wrong on one side. The effect is quite horrible and the first thing you notice is how the stereo imaging is lost and the sound seems to come from behind you! |
| mic's | what kind of mic's do you use on the acoustic guitars? and on the guitar amps ? shure SM 47? and how many ? | Chuck generally uses Audio Tecnica 4051's on acoustics and it's usually a Schure sm57 together with a Neumann U67 on the guitar amps |
| live | When Mark and Richard play acoustic in the studio, are they playing "live" in the same room ? | No, they are in seperate 'iso' booths. Mark is often in the main room though with screens around him. (as in the studio diary pics) |
| cameras | Are cameras allowed inside the venues for the charity shows in July? | YES |
| DVD | I am wondering if the StP live DVD will contain live video from one concert and live audio from another? | I really can't answer that until I've listened to everything. I would guess It would be a mixture but I'll make a point of stating which is which. |
| AWP | We love the music to Auf Weidersein Pet and wondered if this is a track that will appear on Mark's new album or is it on a past album (we can't find it if it is!) ?? | Why Aye Man WILL definately be appearing on the new record (I'm pushing it for a single!) |
| drummers | A question: Does your MK drummer play with or without notes? | He will often write his own notes but generally he plays with the number chart provided by Glenn Worf. |
| Greece | hello there! On behalf of all the Greek fans, I would like to know why you have stopped updating your site! Are you so busy these days? It must be your studio you are building hah? | err..oops..no. not that busy...I'm just a lazy git. |
| pic | What's the idea behind that ridiculous photo of you? | It's not me, it's Dr. Fletch |
| National | Hi there "doctor", I have always wanted to know how does MK amplify his National on stage. | The National has a transducer 'bug' inside which is DI'd directly into the sound desk. No other amps are involved. There is always a lot of eq'ing required to prevent feedback and it is to this day still the most difficult instrument to amplify live. In the studio it's easy - you just stick a mic in front of it. |
| Dr's | The other doctors from the 'defaced tour photo' competition last year. |
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