This edition of Fallen Fridays is actually a very sad tale indeed and is part two to yesterday’s post – this is the original version of the song. When I was learning to play guitar I happened to really enjoy Guitar for the Practicing Musician magazine. There was a particular issue where the famed Joe Satriani picked the songs that got transcribed in the issue. One of the bands he chose to have transcribed was T-Ride and the song in question was Backdoor Romeo. I searched out the CD strictly because of the recommendation the guitarist in the band (Geoff Tyson) got from Satch. I found it and bought it. That afternoon I sat dumbfounded on the floor of my room.
The sounds that came off that CD were huge. It was ground breaking in originality it was insane how cool it was. Unfortunately they were signed to a label that has a problem with properly breaking any artist – Hollywood Records. I’ve known several ground-breaking or even just plain amazing bands that Hollywood managed to drop the ball on. Caroline’s Spine is one that I’ve blogged about before. I hold a certain reverence for a band that can really take a big chance on being original and yet sound so cool. T-Ride should have become mainstream, the had the talent, they had the songs, they had the sound. What they didn’t have is the right time and push for PR.
Later that year, I got to sneak into a venue to catch them play. Think the music sounds good recorded? They sounded just as huge live. Even more amazing is that it was just three guys. I remember watching the guitarist play stuff and what was coming out was entirely wacky sounds that shouldn’t have been the sounds for where his hands were. Well, after the show I hung around outside the venue hoping to meet the band like any little guitar god in training would do. I was able to befriend Geoff. He was very cool and actually answered all my questions and then some. He even went to far as to explain exactly how he was getting those sounds and how they did it. It was live, but all of his effects were sequenced with a click that was coming from the drummers rig. Geoff didn’t have to do a thing except play. It was very cool.
T-Ride broke up shortly afterwards. I found Geoff about two years ago in Hollywood. I called him up for a couple of reasons, one was to see if he’d remember meeting some kid when T-Ride was touring. Two was because I was looking for a mastering guy for my CD Practical Insanity and he was doing that kind of thing. So we corresponded. He claimed to remember me, or at least that night. Though he may have just been being nice. Then I had him master one of my songs. He really liked ‘Tabloid Affair’ so that’s the one I let him have a go at. We got to talking about T-Ride. Apparently there was a whole lot more material that was locked away that they had talked about releasing. I’m guessing it’ll never happen. I’ve since lost touch with Geoff again. Maybe at some point I’ll get to hear those recordings. I’d really love to. I know he had a band called Stimulator.
As for the other guys in the band, I don’t know what happened to Dan the Lead singer. The drummer Eric Valentine went on to achieve some big success with production Smash Mouth and 3rd Eye Blind. Eric is the production genius behind T-Ride. While this song is probably the shortest on the disc, it is also the most mellow. I figured I’d ease you into the world of T-Ride. Had I opened with say Backdoor Romeo, I probably would have just scared you to death with the sheer genius.
In order to get your hands on the full album you’ll likely have to find a used CD store. Or you could try contacting Geoff at geoff@stimulatorband.com. He may have a way for you to buy it, or offer you a better suggestion. I’m unhappy the Hollywood Records doesn’t have them on iTunes. It’s truly unfair. Seriously contact Geoff – get the album. You won’t be sorry. The harmonies are amazing, as is all the musical playing.