It all started in 2005. I had just recorded the second album by my band LOCOMOTIVE BREATH, where we did a cover of "Can't Fake It" by TARGET (Jimi Jamison's old 70s band). Joe Romagnola of Grooveyard Records liked what I'd done to the song. He started harassing me about doing a cover album. I generally don't like cover albums, even though I've been on a few. I've never really figured why the world would need yet another umpteenth version of "Purple Haze" or, God forbid, "Sweet Home Alabama". We however discussed it back and forth and my only "demand" was that I could do songs that in some way have inspired me, songs I still love and can stand by, and songs that have never, or at least rarely, been covered before.
Late 2005 we started elaborating on the idea, bouncing songs back and forth. Joe had his suggestions and I had mine, we finally agreed (without fistfights). I started demoing the stuff, just programming drums and recording guitars and bass, and we decided if it was a possible candidate. Some songs I tried out but they didn't pass the needles eye, such as "Woman Tamer" (SIR LORD BALTIMORE), "Oh War" (MAX WEBSTER, "You Need A Woman" (TARGET), "Catch Your Train" (SCORPIONS), "Old Fashioned" (IRONHORSE), "Waves" (RESURRECTION BAND) and "Rockit To The Stars" (DRIVER). Some of these may appear on Vol 2, who knows? The story behind each track you will find on the upcoming website at www.mountainofpower.com.
In April 2006 we had decided on a set of songs that felt good. Songs we both felt strong for. Of course I couldn't do all the musical tricks myself, so I started thinking about what singer would fit what song, what guest guitarists would enhance what song, bass player and of course drummer. In May Peter Svensson (of heavy rockers FAITH, and formerly with me in OVERHEAT) started laying down the drum tracks. Actually even before this Dan Swanö had done his vocals, Tommy Denander his solos and Lori Linstruth some of her magic tricks to my click track. Just before the end of June Peter Svensson had finished all his drums, and Anders done his part, too.
The album was mixed in the beginning of September. I'd laid down most of my parts, but had to wait for some vocals and guest solos to lay down my final stuff. The same day I drove the 550 kilometers to to Pelle Saether and Studio Underground I downloaded some of the last files. The last actually arrived when we were mixing. Like Douglas Adams used to say - "I love deadlines, I love the sound of them swooshing by".
The mixing went great, even though it's quite a big project trying to hone in all the various bass, guitar, vocals and drum sounds! Pelle did an aweseome job! Hat's off to ya! Now we're finally finished and it feels great!!
Hope you like it too!
Janne Stark
Guitars / bass / arranger / founder. a generally busy guy!
To order the album go to: http://www.grooveyardrecords.com
