What do you get when you mix a overblown marketing budget, a control freak with a spending habit and an open checkbook? You get a band that was bent over and screwed without any lube by one of the most notorious female record producers in history.
The story goes a little like this.........
The dream of landing a US record deal is shared by many international artists around the world. So, when Australia's powerhouse trio, Cog, received an offer from the infamous producer Sylvia Massy (TOOL, Red Hot Chili Peppers, SOAD, etc) to release their album, The New Normal, on her newly created National Recorder label, they thought that dream was becoming a reality.
Massy also agreed to record their sophomore full length release, Sharing Space, in her Northern California recording studio, RadioStar Studios. They had every reason to believe it would be smooth sailing. This was, of course, the same studio and producer that yielded their successfully stunning debut, The New Normal.
The band spent over ten months overseas working on their new album. However, an unexpected falling-out with their producer made the process increasingly prolonged and extremely awkward. Towards the end of recording, the band was forced to become almost completely self-sufficient.
Unfortunately, the band realized that Massy's, National Recorder Label wasn't up to par in handling the The New Normal release in America. From seeing the warning signs while on their way to play at SXSW last year, Cog pulled out of the record deal.
Vocalist/Guitarist, Flynn Gower, stated "And, that was the trigger that started a deterioration in our relationship, and it continued to deteriorate right up until the time we left. During the last two or three months (of recording), we probably saw her for about twenty minutes in total."
Cog's severed relationship with Massy resulted in the band being relegated to a studio that had been converted out of a garage. The equipment was temperamental; the computer didn't have enough processing power and often failed; and there were crackles in the tracks. If adding insult to injury wasn't enough, the band was juggled with other recording artists who were working simultaneously. This left a bitter taste in the trio's mouth as their recording budget had been overblown, and they had secured their recording slot months in advance.
One could say, waiting for things to happen – and frustration - is the ever present theme of Sharing Space. Despite the adversity and time away from their families, the band members, Flynn Gower, Luke Gower and Lucius Borich, maintained a mutual commitment to their music and level-headed sense of professionalism about the job at hand.
There is no denying Cog's time spent in the US played an integral and positive role in the making of 'Sharing Space'. Although the road was long and painstaking, the album is a testament to their perseverance and creative synergy. It debuted at #2 in Australia upon release and is gaining momentum as the band is currently on tour.
Who knows, perhaps you'll gain another 'legitmate' chance in the United States. In the meantime, remember karma is a mutha and all good things come to those who wait.
Great work boys!
For more information, on these progressive rock wonders, check out: www.myspace.com/cogrockmusic or cog.com.au.
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