THIS JUST IN: new “Internet Leak” from Al, a White Stripes spoof called CNR: http://tinyurl.com/kno97q

Coinciding with my interview with “Weird Al” Yankovic appearing in RELIX magazine, now on the newstands, I have just posted my new BonzFire Film of the conversation (scroll down for the links).   Here is an excerpt from the text interview:

There is a great tradition of musical parody in the history of American culture.  Such stars as Spike Jones and Stan Freberg achieved huge success through their talent for mocking the classic pop songs of the day.  “Weird Al” Yankovic is today’s reigning king of pop parody, gifted as a comedian, recording artist, concert performer and video director.

In the summer of 2009, Al decided to release four new songs individually as singles on June 16, July 14, August 4 and August 25.  These four and others will be included on his next album, slated to be released in 2010.  It was during the recording of these “singles” that we met up with Al at Westlake Recording Studios, and then again at Bernie Grundman Mastering.

BONZAI: These days are you recording analog or digital?
YANKOVIC: Now I am recording full digital.  For a long time I was deferring to the audiophiles who said there was something about analog tape.  There probably is, but I can’t hear it.  Most people today listen to crunchy MP3s or YouTube versions of songs and seem to be more inclined to getting music that is convenient as opposed to sonically superior.  But having said that, I just enjoy working with digital more.  It’s more convenient, more flexible.  I do not miss the tape.

Click to view the filmed interview in HD on YouTube and at MIX magazine.

To view more of the text interview, visit my Berklee College of Music Blog.

Read my interview with Al in Relix Magazine:  WeirdAl_MrB_RELIX

During this 25th Anniversary of the film and album This is Spinal Tap, the band has reunited to set the record straight, once and for all.  What a stupendous relief for the countless fans who empathized with Tap’s well-documented fall from grace and money.  All of the original album has been re-recorded along with much anticipated never-released material.  Tracking took place at The Village in LA with engineer Ed Cherney and longtime Tap collaborator CJ Vanston producing.  Guest artists include Phil Collen of Def Leppard; John Mayer; Keith Emerson of Emerson, Lake, and Palmer; and Steve Vai.

Cherney mixed half of the thunderous new album at his Studio Ed at The Village while Vanston mixed the ear-splitting remainder at his studio, The Treehouse.  Mastering was done by Gavin Lurssen with publicist Bobbi Fleckman peering over his shoulder, while the worldwide media onslaught is being orchestrated by the ambitious Paul “Big Iggy” Ignasinski (www.artist2market.com ).

Vanston explains, “Spinal Tap is re-recording the entire first album because they thought the original album was a hatchet job, just like the movie.”  With worldwide attention focused on Tap’s triumphant independent release of Back From the Dead on The Label Industry Records, a RockBand 2 music video game in the works, and a one-stop World Tour planned for London’s Wembley Stadium, this is surely one of the most anticipated juggernauts of comic/tragic music mayhem ever conceived and/or executed!

And now, join me at The Village with the blond and effervescent David St. Hubbins, the master of the big bottom bass Derek Smalls, the moody yet severely gifted Nigel Tufnel, and the natty tweakster CJ Vanston.

Read the entire story published in Mix magazine: spinaltap_by_mrb.

Read a great review of MUSIC SMARTS by Barry Rudolph for Music Connection here.

Spinal Tap’s 25th reunion album, Back From the Dead, arrives on June 16.  You’ve probably been wondering how they get that massive drum sound and those superhuman vocals.  Here is the secret, from my Mix magazine interview with the band’s producer/mixer CJ Vanston:

(L-R) David St. Hubbins, Nigel Tufnel, and Derek Smalls. Photos by Mr. Bonzai ©2009

BONZAI: How do you get that massive drum sound?
VANSTON: We have a massive drummer, Skippy Skuffleton. We really tried to fatten him up for this record.  He lives in a motor home that he parks outside the studio, and we send Mexican food out to him at regimented intervals. Of course it takes a special engineer to capture the sheer violence when Skippy is trying to finish the track to make a run for the loo. That would be Ed Cherney, the only guy Skippy will let closer than 10 feet to his drums.

BONZAI: How do you get those superhuman vocals?
VANSTON: Well, I insist on cutting them live, all three guys in the room, no tricks. Then we comp them, tune them, compress them, fix the timing issues, use special de-essers that take the natural harshness out of their voices, fly all the choruses, and re-cut whatever isn’t working. All in all we try and keep it natural and live.

To view my 2-part interview with the boys, click here.