You were completely right about the producing thing dude, and I guess I never really realized thats what producing is. I chose to do this project because these guys have been trying to book me since September and I thought I could use the experience recording a metal band (gotta practice my beat detective and drummagog skills) and get some cash for the holidays.
These kids weren't half bad. The guitars parts were really complex, and the guitarists were the best rock guitars I've ever recorded. I know I wasn't "producing" this band, but I kind of took the "Brandon Drury" approach to the session. I chose not to learn their names and referred to them as "dude" "hey" or whatever instrument they play. I yelled at them a lot to 1. intimidate them a little and 2. get them really pumped. The drummer was hitting his snare weak as shit so I told him he was hitting it like a pussy and to beat that fucking thing. He ended up breaking 4 pairs of sticks in four songs
. I know this approach wouldn't really work for a 8 year old recording a Christmas song for her family, but it worked great for a metal band.
I did fuck up really bad though and the day ended up being a complete waste. The band plays SUPER super fast with a bunch of tempo changes, and the drummer just could not play to a click. I had the rhythm guitarist play with the drummer with no click, and because the tempo varied so much and a lot of the take was feel, when it came time for overdubs, we just couldn't get certain parts to work. I gave the drummer my Boss metronome and told him to practice to a click and come back when he's ready. What should I have done?