Roughing it – March 22, 2010 by Sean Geraghty Greg Franco, Lead Singer of Rough Church, took me to Grandma's Recording Studio last week. In between recording some vocals, he told me about some of the inspirations behind this new album. "The Wow! Signal" That's the name of the new album. It comes from a narrowband signal heard in the Big Ear radio telescope for the SETI project back in 1977. When Greg started writing for this album, the focus was on looking forward and getting through the storm. This optimism is echoed in the SETI project; it brings hope that something is out there. Recording Engineer Andrew Bush played back some of the tracks that Rough Church had recorded back in February. Greg had an interesting idea, “Records should be given to people to mix on their own.” Basically, he feels that there are so many different ways to enjoy what they do, that the listener should be able to hear all of it. They are the consumer, they make the final decision on how it sounds. This idea was brought on by the fact that he felt his vocals was interrupting one of 5Track's solos. In response to that, Greg said, “People love the vocals, but (Greg) needs to shut up now.” One of the things that I found interesting is the use of so many sound bites. Greg carries a pocket recorder with him, and he recorded a lot of unusual sounds for the album. These sounds will be heard as segues between songs as well as integrated into the songs too. While listening back to “52 Miles to Tuscon”, Greg mentioned that the sounds of waves crashing on the beach were recorded at Refugio State Beach. I've been doing a lot of traveling back and forth to Santa Maria, and I pass that beach all of the time. In fact, the last time I drove by, I was listening to this very song. That was a little serendipitous for me. Observations and overheard in the studio: While talking about the vocals, Greg admits that Curtis Mayfield is a huge influence on this album. “One of the hardest things to do is laydown live – to get a vibe.” As a musician, you want to “grab your audience member by the balls and make them submit – like MMA fighting.” Greg's lyrics are not predictable. He says things one way and then changes them later in the song. “When I was a kid, Elton John was like a god to me. He and Bernie Taupin were super heroes. How can mere mortals do what they do?” In regards to the whole recording/mixing/releasing process, Greg has this to say, “The process is fun, but at this point, let's get so something else.” The something else is playing live. Rough Church is ready to start playing gigs, and we're ready to see them. Roughing it – March 19, 2010 by Sean Geraghty This is the first in an ongoing series of my thoughts about and interactions with Rough Church. I've known Rough Church lead singer Greg Franco for about 10 years, and although I knew he was a musician, I had never listened to his music before this year (shame on me). Greg and I worked together, and we got to know each other because of common interests. We both grew up in the area, went to UCLA, are crazy liberals and have a similar sense of humor. Recently, Greg came to one of my networking events. We talked about Rough Church and my Social Networking. He liked the idea of making roughchurch.com more active and the whole idea of Social Networking. So, that brings us to where we are now. If you aren't already doing so, you should follow Rough Church on Twitter and join the Fan Page on Facebook. Gloria & Greg The other day, Greg invited me to hang out with him during a recording session. I arrived at his place around lunchtime, so we went down to a local eatery: La Abeja – The Bee. As we walked in, Greg was greeted by a few of the workers; they knew him very well. Gloria took our order, and we talked about what the plan was for the day. He was feeling in good voice, so he was going to double some of his vocals. We chowed down, and La Abeja has damn good Mexican Food. Plus, it was really inexpensive. I highly recommend it if you're in the area. We got to the recording studio, Grandma's, and I was introduced to Andrew Bush. He is engineering Rough Church's latest album - “The Wow Signal”. Andrew was working on “52 Miles to Tuscon”. This is one of my favorites. I've been doing a lot of traveling lately, and this is a great traveling song. Andrew was making some changes in Pro Tools. He had added Harmonica and some sound effects of a railroad crossing. This increases the tension, and definitely adds to the “setting” of the song. Greg and Andrew discussed removing some shakers, but ultimately leave them in. As we listened to the instrumentation, Greg asks Andrew to lay off a copy of the song without vocals. As this went down to tape, I envisioned this being used in the soundtrack of some southwestern movie. It's really cool stuff. Well, that's all for now. Next up – Greg doubles the vocals on a few songs.   February 2010 - Grandma's Warehouse Photographs by Chrissy Long Click on above picture to see photo album November 2009 - Grandma's Warehouse Click on above picture to see photo album   Check out Falling James's Review! See Greg rejoin his original Band Ferdinand Sunday Nov. 23, 2008 Spaceland 1717 Silver Lake Blvd. with Patria Jacobs, Double Naught Spy Car, BollWeevil Check out Greg's slideshow on the blog page of MAY/JUNE 2008 Solo Tour of New Zealand and Australia!

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The new Greg Franco's Rough Church album is called
“The White Dove Of The Desert”
Powertool Records, May 2008. It is a mix of new and old songs, dating back to 2003.

“White Dove” starts off with the songs played by the collective known as "Rough Church." The first track is called "The Book Junkies," A "wake up and smell the coffee" rocker, punctuated with diamond toned lead guitar riffs. Franco provides chunky and full bodied rhythms, plus a strong and locked in vocal.
Lyrically, Franco also sings about longing for a deeper connection through knowledge. Not only is it a un requited love song, but a shout out to great works of literature.

Next up is "Oriole," another catchy indie pop rock, by way of Led Zeppelin. Adeptly it addresses some rough times Franco had with loss and his own demons. He is sympathetically eluding to our own. Other songs reflect Greg’s high spirited passions, such as Baseball, History, and Politics. For instance, he praises Baseball pitcher Fernando Valenzuela in a song called "He Threw Kryptonite." A Mexican born sports legend, Fernando helped heal cultural wounds by being a latin hero in the "American pastime".

Also, Greg's band Rough Church covers tunes by songwriters like D. Boon of the Minutemen, Neil Finn, and Joe Strummer. R.C. elucidates relatively unknown songs with a certain unique approach, highlighting the lyrics. The Split Enz cover called "Message to My Girl" is done here with a Velvet Underground touch, slowing the tempo down to almost a heartbeat, and starkly emphasizing the words about maturity and love.

The Minutemen cover "Corona" is played with acoustic instruments only. It aims to emphasize the Haiku like lyric written by D. Boon who by many accounts was a "punk rock genius". Boon asserted that a growing and widening economic and social gap was occurring in America during the then president Ronald Reagan's term in the 1980's. Franco reaffirms this notion by covering the song. He seems to be saying that Boon was a prophet because the "trickle down" economic policies continue to this day unabated. The musical interpretation however, is more latin sounding, a cross between Herb Alpert and Johnny Cash.

Jef Hogan, who joined with Greg and Jon to start R.C. in 2004 plays on almost all of the tracks. In addition, New Zealander Daniel Bosher plays swift and hungry drumming, giving Jon Franco the opportunity to switch over to play the lead guitarist role.

Thus, the two pronged guitar attack of Jon and Greg is heard on “Thanks for the Pen.” It's angry song , with full tilt “johnny on the spot” changes and dynamics. It alternates between a jazzy laid back verses featuring melodica, and vibes, to blistering chorus's full of Franco's piss and vinegar vocals. It all results in electric guitars, bass and drums, hurdling into oblivion.

Another track called “Not Pissed Not Hurt” was written by Franco, he says, “to calm my dark sensibilities about love during a fallow time”. It could be called California "cow punk". Featured here is the steady and passionate drumming of Mr. Bosher.

On “You Are a Comet,” Franco sings “it shocked us all when you faded.” It is a tribute to inspiring, but self-destructive writers Spading Grey and Elliot Smith.

Some of the songs were recorded just after the tour, in April 2007. They are presented as raw and live tracks untouched by overdubs. They were recorded by Bob Frisbee in Auckland. Another song called "Reg" is a Neil Young meets The Minutemen inspired indie rocker. It is a song about Greg's grandfather whom he never met, but Franco says he somehow feels his presence.

Also included are out takes from the 2006 "Wandering Bear" sessions. On this remix, Bob Scott plays thunderous bass on "Guarantees." It is a instrumental version, with hip shaking drumming by Tane Tokona, and slither-y Wah Wah guitar by David Kilgour. D.K. who also sang a bit, and played a steady handed tambourine. It has a up tempo sixties feel, relaxed and layered by David's guitar. It surrounds the listener with a kind of psychedelic ether. Lastly, there is a acoustic guitars and harmonica laden instrumental version of "Absolution Song," this time the emphasis is on a sojourn of stark natural sound and space.

What a trip it is for us, as it has been for Franco and friends. Greg Franco's Rough Church and Wandering Bear have taken us on an all encompassing journey. They have collected these songs at various cities and recording studios in Los Angeles, and New Zealand. Rough and Wandering? maybe, but somehow it all comes together sounding more carefully guided than not. It has a natural ending, landing and resting place by the last track called "Sparks From The Universe."

"The White Dove Of The Desert," is solidly in the spirit of indie rocking and mature song writing. It hits "above the mark," with completeness and competency.

Greg Franco returns to New Zealand on May 21st through June 8th to play 20 dates with with Otis Mace. He is coming on to bring his "White Dove of the Desert," solo tour. Mainly he will sing and play acoustic and electric guitar, plus some electronics. He will also read some of his short stories. Greg says he reserves the right to employ a band with bass and drums anytime, if the crowd demands it. Thus on hand to play will be Andrew Mai Tai, drummer for "Otis Mace", plus perhaps Otis himself joining in at the end. Also featured in some towns will be Kedron Parker on viola, melodica and vocals. "The White Dove" is finally yours.