Dave Grohl On His Film Tribute to the Studio That Gave the World Nevermind

Categories: Music Bidness

Of course, neither analog nor digital technology is perfect. When it's suggested that cutting analog tape requires time and a certain precision, he counters with the reality that digital technology is "just ones and zeros and doesn't really exist."He adds his own digital-disaster horror story: Several songs from the Foos' 2005 In Your Honor were accidentally zapped from the studio computer's hard drive during recording.

According to Grohl, "The greatest advantage of recording to 2-inch tape is once you've recorded something, if you have to record it again, you hit rewind and it takes about 30 seconds to wind back. Those 30 seconds of peace and fucking quiet are priceless" because they "give you time to think and relax and focus."

As far as the Sound City documentary is concerned -- which, for the record, was not shot on film but digitally -- Grohl says, "The last thing I want to do is have the message of this film be misunderstood or misconstrued to say we have to do things as they were done in the past. Because I don't believe that. I only believe mostly that people connect with the sound of people, and that should be respected."

Using authentic voices and playing, he adds, is "like writing a love letter."

"If you were to write a love letter, would you do it in a text, would you do it in an email or would you write it out on a piece of paper, wrap a ribbon around it, fucking take a rose, stick it down the middle of it and hand it to the chick?" he asks. "That's going to be a lot more effective."

See also: Nirvana's Photographer Kirk Weddle Recalls The Day He Shot Nevermind's Cover (Plus Rare Photos)

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3 comments
steve1234
steve1234

If you are into music and the good old days of music you should see this film. The story behind the Neve board is amazing, it is amazing to see the people who had their careers skyrockt with the help of this board. Dave (lol wish I knew him well enough to call him Dave) has done a magnificent job of showcasing the industry from back on the day to present time. The new album sounds like a sure winner...I know I'll buy it..yes buy it and not download it..(call me a dinosauer) but I think that is what this is all about!! 

rhaaga
rhaaga

there goes my hero... be it dead or alive...

squaregar
squaregar

I love what DG has done. He's preserving something that could easily could have been lost .Analog electronics still reign as King in my book.Nothing will replace the crunch of a Marshall Amp. or the swirl of a B3 through a Leslie Cabinet.Marc Maron talks about the "Magic" of certain instruments and gear.Anyone who plays music knows what he's talking about.

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