Back on January 24, 2008, I did a post about hearing the song “I Wanna Be Sedated” by The Ramones at the supermarket and how it gave me such a pleasant JOLT while food shopping. Well guess what (and this is soooo exciting), the multi-platinum and Grammy winning producer/engineer/mixer who lovingly crafted that instantly recognizable “I Wanna Be Sedated” Ramones sound, ED STASIUM (that's Ed, pictured above) is working with me and my hubby Bill's band, The Villas, on our new and upcoming 3rd CD, “Fun Park USA!” http://www.edstasium.com/http://www.villasongs.com/
Ed Stasium's first Gold Record was for “Midnight Train To Georgia,” by Gladys Knight and The (“woo woo”) Pips!
Along the way, Ed Stasium has worked with The Smithereens, Mick Jagger, Joan Jett, Carly Simon, Talking Heads, Marshall Crenshaw, Soul Asylum, Living Colour, Freddy Mercury, Motor Head, The Ramones, Nils Lofgren, Clarence Clemmons, Martha Reeves, Reverend Horton Heat, The Plasmatics, and our mutual pal and great NYC recording artist Richard X. Heyman (http://www.richardxheyman.com/)
LIMITED TIME ONLY: Click here to hear Ed Stasium's great work on two songs from The Villas upcoming 3rd CD, “Fun Park USA!” We'll keep this link up here for two days only …
http://homepage.mac.com/edstasium/villas/FileSharing73.html
Photo credit: Amy Stasium
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51 comments:
Hellooo, Mrs. Dottie, wonderful post, and may I add that The Villas are receiving co-producing assistance on our 3rd CD ("Fun Park USA!") from the same great guy who helped us produce our 2nd CD ("Set For Life"), the multi-talented keyboardist, vocal harmony arranger, and Chen Arts Group (CHARGE) member, Dave Follweiler. Take a bow, Dave Follie ...
what the hey, everybody else in this here blogosphere is promoting an agenda, why not youse two too!! Great Songs, as usual, Best Villas Sound, ever. Call me ...
I'll vouch for Jesse Smith, his "I Love My Toys" CD is thee best and most ingenious kids music CD I've ever heard anywhere, **** 4-Stars, Highly Recommended.
Very nice--looking forward to hearing the whole album. And it should be noted that Ed Stasium has also produced another This Is Rock 'n' Roll fave rave, The Flashcubes. You're in good hands!
Hi Carl (and Dana) your hometown Syracuse, NY Flashcubes rule! Carl (and Dana) thanks (publicly) for all your spin support over the years; you must have played "Pull You Back" from our debut CD, "Secrets," well, we lost count how many times but it was a LOT of airplay. "Personal Property" from our 2nd CD was also a fave of yours ... oh ... and readers, who are speaking with here is, and are:
Dana & Carl, THIS IS ROCK 'N' ROLL RADIO, The Best Three Hours Of Radio On The Whole Friggin' Planet, every Sunday night from 9 to Midnight Eastern (with reruns during the day on Wednesday) on 90.5 WXXE-FM in Syracuse, NY, and on the web at www.wxxe.org.
Thanks again guys!!
Wow, you guys are rockin' and Rollin'! To hear he who will not be named tell it, all you do is hide in the basement plotting against the world...like he does.
And here I thought you ere evil trolls hiding under a bridge! LOL
You look like yu have active, vibrant lives to me. Guess you don't spend every waking moment of your existence on the Internet "Trolling" for speech criticizing you like some monsters. Good for you!
Skippy the Troll killer!
Skippy, don't believe anything that curmudgeon Paul McCartney says about us, he's just jealous but we still love, love him do ...
very cool angie and bill - hope to see/hear you again, soon ...
ph
Hey Paul, a whole lotta cool WOW happening here, man ...
> http://paulharryn.blogspot.com/
Great seeing you again recently!
WOW! It is good to hear those songs in their fully mixed glory!
The guitars are awesome! Angie's licks are tasteful and on the mark, as always. No, I lied, more on the mark than ever!
The vocals are perfect, expressive and moving. The bass & drums locked in nicely and support nicely along with the keys.
It all paints a very cool picture of the direction of the band... 'UP!'
I look forward to hearing more and hopefully seeing more of you all as well as playing in the 'Fun Park' as soon as the gates open!
Rock On!
We need a more detailed review from you, Dave ;) no seriously, thanks! And yes yes, we're also looking forward to playing with you again in the Fun Park USA!
Editor's Note: That's "Itz Me Dave" playing all those GREAT bass parts on The Villas 2nd CD, "Set For Life," which is available at all fine internet record stores and at The Villas website!
"The vocals are perfect ..." -Itz Me Dave
I noticed that too ...
I should introduce the players on these 2 new VillaSongs being "sampled" here today & tomorrow:
"Oh Shelli (with an i)"
and
"My Occupation" ...
on drums Dave Ferrara, on bass Marc Waldman, on keyboards Bill Wehbe and Dave Follweiler, on lead guitars, the "Chick with the (Guitar) Lick," Angie Villa, and that's me Bill Villa singing lead vocals and playing rhythm guitars. Oh and Angie and I sing all them backing harmony vocals under the astute direction of Dave Follweiler. Brian J. Anthony engineered the initial recordings (Brian also helped out with the Jazz Club sound effects on "Oh Shelli") and I played the cowbell which I love doing.
Anyone with half a brain and hips worth swingin' knows Ed Stasium's the rizzle shizzle. The guy's been involved with a boatload of killin' music and what a job he's done here
with those sophista-pop Villas. Tracks sound major-league and stupid good. Look out airwaves, the Villas are coming. Mommy, more Villasongs, please.
Thanks, Pat! Readers, former Allentonian and longtime Bahstan, Massachusetts resident Pat "Pally" Wallace goes way back with us, to before "The Villas" and to BV's 1980s recording project (with Kevin Curry), "The Fops." Pat played lead guitar and bass on some songs on The Fops "Hard Feelings" CD. Or tape I guess it was back then. Pat also co-wrote (with Bill) the song "Savoy Truffles" (not the Beatle one, a different one) on The Villas 2nd CD, "Set For Life." Pat Wallace was a longtime stage and studio favorite in the Lehigh Valley before winging North(East?) to Bahstan. You may remember TIKIT, a great great cover band Pat played in. Yo Pally, what, nothing to plug here? You're too modest, come back and plug something!
What a rollercoaster ride of emotions in these two tracks that you two have released.
The ambient epic that is 'My Occupation,' and such a fun time imagined during 'Oh Shelli.'
You Villas couldn't write a bad song if you tried!
As always, I love the songs and can't wait until "Fun Park USA!" is released.
P.S. These tracks are already in my MP3 player's playlist! Excellent!
Thanks J, we luv ya! That cool interview you did with us when you were a student at NCACC is still out there! See the link on The Villas "News" page. And give us a link to some JG music!
"What a rollercoaster ride of emotions in these two tracks that you two have released." -Jared
Well, you know, ya write what ya know. Hey J, it's been too long since we've seen you. You're in our Top 5 Best Souls we know. Please check in by phone or e-mail, we need a full report ...
"My Occupation" was a nearly full-band collaboration. I wrote the music and the melody and most of the lyrics. Then drummer Chris Joseph actually triggered the song idea and wrote verse 2. Angie provided some key one-word lyric tweaks. And our keyboard player Bill Wehbe suggested a single chord change that was so pivotal we thought it merited a co-write credit.
My Occupation (Villa/Villa/Wehbe/Joseph)
There's a sun dial in the desert
But the sun has disappeared
So we got no clue what time it is
Or when they want us out of here
Once a weekend warrior
Until my uncle called
I left my wife and family
For some U.S. vitriol
But it's just my occupation
It's just my job 8 days a week
Help the locals run for cover
Every time the vermin speak
There's no doubt about it
We know what they need
Well we told them we were coming
It'd be like nothing they'd ever seen
We came here for the freedom
We'll bring home some gasoline
But it's just my occupation
It's just my job 8 days a week
Watch the locals run for cover
Every time the humvees squeak
There's no doubt about it
We know what they need
[Angie's "Pink Floyd-esque" Guitar Solo]
But it's just my occupation
And as the liberators sleep
Watch the locals run for cover
And the mercy killers weep
There's no doubt about it
We know what they need
(C) 2008 Think Tank Records
"Oh Shelli (with an i)" is a true story about a grrl I was courting in the mid-90s before I met Angie. Shelli (with an i) never liked the song. Angie (with an ie) likes it very much.
Hey, 236 song downloads so far, that's a decent sized club-gig crowd.
So ... don't forget to tip your bartenders and waitresses here at the Naugahyde Nook at The Fabulous Altoona Holiday Inn, we're Misty Rainzz, and we're gonna take a short break and you are too (wink) be right back ..."
I got to do some "acting" on Oh Shelli. That's me recreating ("note for note") an actual Shelli answering machine message to Bill from like 1995 that Bill had used on a demo of the song.
Thanks to all who have listened, sent us e-mails, or commented here.
Please feel free to promote your own gigs and happenings at this post!
287 downloads and all FREE (ahem) I might add. Yer welcome. Get us to 300!
Hey folks--very much appreciate the plug for THIS IS ROCK 'N' ROLL RADIO, but I must update the URL: we're now at www.westcottradio.org. And we're STILL gonna keep playing The Villas on Westcott Radio.
Thanks flatfoot (Carl), you just saved me a whole lot of investigative work.
Thank you for sending the link.. I think of your family often... I love your new songs... I love all of your songs... I listen to my Villa CD's all the time.... Your music is so uplifting and moving... I look forward to seeing you perform again in the future! Best wishes with your new CD! Diane Longenhagen Milia
It was an honor to work with Ed Stasium, although for me it started off with a "big gulp" moment. I had made a DVD with all the Pro Tools (recording software) tracks (or so I thought) for these two songs, which Bill sent to Mr. Stasium so he could work his mixing magic. A few days later I came home from work to find three -- count 'em, three -- phone messages from Ed. In the first call, he told me that some of the sound files for "Oh Shelli" were missing from the DVD. In the second call, he informed me that some of the files for "My Occupation" were also missing. In the third call ... well, you get the idea. I'm sure he had hoped to start mixing that day, but it was not to be. Fortunately, I was able to upload the missing files to him, and things went pretty smoothly from there. He was very gracious and good-natured, and I hope I was able to redeem myself somewhat. When we heard his "Oh Shelli" mix, we knew we had the right guy. In an email, I told him: "I love how the lead AND harmony vocals are up front, and not buried in the mix (as has been the fashion for a while now). My organ parts are at just the right level, and the other instruments are where they should be too. Thanks for taking my suggestions regarding what to bring out in the mix ... everything is right there." It was an enjoyable experience and a sign of good, fun things to come. So, Bill, I guess I'll take that bow now, thanks ... Ouch, my back!
Diane, thank you, you and your whole family are such sweethearts. The last coupla times The Villas played Godfrey Daniels, there were more Longenhagens in the audience than Villas! We always really appreciate your family's support, musical and otherwise. And those Longenhagen brothers Rick, Glenn, and Story are amazing musicians and performers (Readers, you may, and should, remember the Catasauqua-based Longenhagen brothers' band "The Complaints," freakin' great band). And, a little bird (Glenn) told me in an e-mail earlier in the week that his band is playing The Main Gate TONITE so if you wanna see one of the best guitar players you'll ever see anywhere, catch Glenn Longenhagen at the Main Gate tonite! Diane, it was great seeing your keystrokes at Mrs. and Mr. Dottie's blog, hope to see you and the whole Longenhagen gang again soon, let's all keep rockin'!
"So, Bill, I guess I'll take that bow now, thanks ... Ouch, my back!" -Villas Co-Producer, Dave Follweiler
Well so now we see what CO-producers do; one worries and sweats every single one of the 10 zillion details involved in making a record (and that's Dave Follie ;) and the other co-producers just sing and play guitar! Such a deal!
But seriously, I must add that our amazingly skilled co-producer Dave Follweiler is a great songwriter too. Check out his beautiful orchestral maneuver "Now It Can Be Told" on The Villas 2nd CD "Set For Life" that it was my honor to sing, with just pivotally perfect harmony vocal assistance from the great Jon McNamara (St. John's Alliance) who also played 12-string guitar on Dave's song. It's a shiny gem. Just like Dave is.
Correction: Glen Longenhagen. One "n" in Glen.
Here's the Glen (with one n) Longenhagen web site:
http://commonbondband0.tripod.com/id9.html
Excuse me Mr. Dottie, but that's actually a link to the web site for Glen's band, "Common Bond," and speaking of common bonds, check out who their drummer is, none other than Chris Joseph, former Villas drummer, and co-writer of "My Occupation," one of our featured songs!
Wow, that is karmatic n' kool.
Well (hi everybody), we're gonna extend our "Limited Time Only" on the download availability of The Villas new single, "Oh Shelli (with an i)," and "My Occupation," through this weekend.
So far, 340+ of you have listened to our new songs and we've been getting many many e-mails from well wishers wishing us well now that we're "back" musically, and, quite frankly, WE'RE ENJOYING THE WARMTH (we needed it) and we don't want it to end too soon. So ... the Villas' new single give-a-way continues through this weekend.
Thanks to all, friends and fans alike ... we really appreciate your support ... xx
" ... we've been getting many many e-mails ..." -Mrs. Dottie
A lotta people don't get the 'blog/commenting' thang.
And that's okay. Just so they get the 'internet purchase' thang when our new CD is completed :)
Hey guys, glad to see things going well for you. I was at the IPO in Philly, I think 2003 or 2004, and saw you live. I was with Jeremy Morris, and you guys were awesome. I really liked everything from the "Set for Life" Cd. "Center of the Universe" was my favorite. Best Wishes, John Hendrix
Rock on my bro!
Does this mean a new album is coming soon? Ed stasium? You are getting around in your semi-retirement! Just downloaded them – will listen to when I grab a moment as I’m just in the office for a bit today.....fill me in!
Bruce Brodeen
Not Lame Recordings
P.O. Box 2266
Ft. Collins, CO 80522 USA
"Good Music For Good People"
www.notlame.com
* Hey John Hendrix, Jeremy's band (with you on guitar) closed (and completely stole) that IPO show! That was one of the most stunning performances I've ever seen. I do not believe that anyone, anywhere in the world, did a better set that night than Jeremy Morris did > www.jamrecordings.com/
* Steve Brosky, Longtime Lehigh Valley Legend and perennial winner of an armload of Lehigh Valley Music Awards, thanks!
* Bruce Brodeen, thanks for stocking The Villas at your super cool internet record store, Not Lame!
Check out Steve Brosky's web site:
www.stevebrosky.com
Nice tunes Bill. You have def caught the soul of Elvis Costello, Oh Shelli. I like My Occupation a lot…great guitar tones. Tele through a Fender Twin Reverb? light delay….very cool. I need to listen a few times to absorb the lyrics. Keep em coming. Sean
Readers, check out The Coloursound's web site:
> www.thecoloursound.com
Over night, we exceeded the (drum roll, please) 500 Free Downloads mark (cymbal crash!)
Hey Bill,
Rick Longenhagen here. Dealing with a corrupt computer, so I'm using Diane's to communicate. Heard the tracks you posted. Gorgeous. Had to listen to it multiple times. Hope you sent Adam a copy.
I could smell the freshly cut grass of Mr. Winkler's lawn, as I rode my Schwinn Apple Crate stingray bike with the 5 speed stickshift. It was also 1968, and the cool neighbor with the Shelby Mustang had his stereo on loud and windows open, with your tune streaming out to my ears and hitting some pleasure zone in my brain. I dropped the Schwinn into 2nd gear, leaned back on my banana seat and rode a wheelie all the way home hoping to hear that thing again on the radio.....so very cool.
Well there's that "jingle-jangle pop" Longenhagen brother checking in. Hey Rick, great visual, I can feel it! I also want that Shelby or at least a ride in it with your cool neighbor's wife (hey it's a fantasy, I'm allowed). Glad you enjoyed the new tunes Rick, and thanks for expressing your enjoyment so poetically, here. That was really nice. Hope to see you again soon. P.S. I did send a link to Adam Marsland ... but ... no Adam yet ... Adam? You out there? Drop by, there's a plug in it for you ;)
How you have managed to find the spirit, verve, drive and life to get another record out is something I can’t begin to attach words inside the unfathomable tragic experience of losing a child – you have probably heard enough words on the subject the last 2 1/2 years and I certainly can’t connect any that begin to fill the chasm you all must feel – but the sheer monument of achieving an upcoming release (and the quality of the few songs I heard) says something incredibly special about your strength to live......i type in sincere awe, bill.
Bruce Brodeen
Not Lame Recordings
P.O. Box 2266
Ft. Collins, CO 80522 USA
"Good Music For Good People"
www.notlame.com
Hi Bruce, we really appreciate you mentioning Sheena and our loss of her. Most people don't know what to say, and, favoring their own feelings of discomfort, instead of our feeling of loss, they don't say anything. I believe most people in my situation will likely tell you how much we appreciate just the effort (any effort) a person makes to mention the loss. It makes us feel better so thank you for having the courage to mention it.
We're probably several months away from delivering a completed 3rd CD. We were about 7-8 songs into recording it when Sheena got killed so we're revisiting those songs, keeping some, scrapping others, working on new new ones. The 2-song "digital single" was our way of kicking our butts back out on the stage again and to remind people that we haven't and won't be retiring.
And thanks again for stocking & selling The Villas CDs at Not Lame, Bruce!
Over night, The Villas 2 new songs exceeded the (drum roll, please) 600 Free Downloads mark (cymbal crash!)
Excellent songs! Cant wait to hear the rest. When will you be playing out next?
Hey Pete Cline, thanks, glad you enjoyed! The Villas will be back out there again soon.
In the meantime, ladies and gentlemen: Pete Cline is guitarist extraordinnaire in the way cool Lehigh Valley cover band THE WAVE. With two former Villas in the lineup (Dave Baun on bass and Lee Sandt on drums) and fronted by Jeff Kicska, THE WAVE plays favourites from Duran Duran, Snow Patrol, Van Halen, Tom Petty, The Cure, Billy Idol, The Rolling Stones, Cold Play, The Clash, Modern English, U2, Badfinger, The Verve, and much, much more.
Check out THE WAVE ...
http://www.thewaverocks.com/bio.htm
Special Note: PETE CLINE also accomplished the highly formidable challenge of replacing the late great SCOTT HOTT on lead guitar in the reunited DADDY LICKS BAND. I had the pleasure of managing THE DADDY LICKS BAND back in the early 1980s day, and it has been my great pleasure to have jump-started the DLB's permanent back togetherness in 2006. The DLB and The Villas have gigged together several times since and this is always a great thrill. I know the DLB is recording new material (yep) and they'll be out there again and rocking the Lehigh Valley and beyond like no other band from around these parts can.
Check out THE DADDY LICKS BAND ...
http://www.thedaddylicksband.com/index.html
Thanks for dropping by Pete Cline!
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