Don’t miss the Drama,
Run down to the Hothouse!

You Can Hide, but You Can't Run from the "Rundown"

Back from parts unknown (apparently an empty warehouse somewhere) returned our old friends, the hottest young raggae-rock band in the southland, "Rundown." Manny (guit), Mike (bass), Hector (drum), and Joven (voc/guit) play a choice selection of originals and covers (both traditional and new wave) that not only rock, but grooooove too (think "Sublime," or "311"). One of my personal favorites to ever grace the halls of the Hothouse, "Rundown" is in the process of completing their newest recordings, and will be playing the Key Club next month. Check them out!

Don't be a Drama(rama) Queen!

Tonight, "Dramarama" is currently in our Studio M. Nights like these blow my mind just a little bit. What a pleasure and gift it is to work here when the studio is graced by rock and roll professionals such as these, not only to bask in their reflected professional glow, but also to learn a little from them. And what I've learned so far is that even if you've travelled around the world, played for thousands upon thousands of people, written a hit song, and even played for Ellen (Degeneres) as her special guest on her freakin' birthday, you can still be a cool, mellow, amiable cat, and even bum a ciggarette to a lowly know-nothing, done-nothing shmoe like myself. Thanks guys.
- Kirk at the Hothouse ... where music grows

RunDown - Mai Tai Bar and HothouseStudios

Thursday night I was at this really happening bar called the Mai Tai (97 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, Ca). What I really like about the Mai Tai is bands can perform there and not have to sell tickets or pay to play. It was packed, I mean packed with young people who were there to mingle, have fun, listen to live and house music and dance. What a concept. I was there to see our long time friends in the band Rundown perform their unique alternative/reggae music and to set up their sound. The stage is perfect for a four piece band, the PA and monitor system was awesome. Allen Health mixing board, QSC powered speakers and a 16 channel snake. Very cool. I would suggest bringing your own microphones, mic cables and stands though. The house only provides 1 microphone, cable and stand.

You have to get your sound check on the fly, this bar is in movement and the music must never stop in the middle of the night to get a bands’ sound check. It’s best to know your settings prior to any gig. That’s what some of your rehearsal time is about. Perfecting your amp settings and learning how heavy a drum stroke is needed for that balanced pro sound.

At the end of the show I was approached by the bar manager Ike. I was pleasantly surprise by his comments to me. In brief what he said to me was, he hadn’t heard such a balanced band sound in the years he’s been managing the bar and if I could show him how I did it and what the settings on the mixing board were. So I did gladly.
To find out exactly how I achieved this, read the entire blog here.

All the Best
Richard Morales
Hothouse Rehearsal Studios
www.hothousestudios.com
Rehearsal Video
www.RehearsalVIDEO.com