Matt Cameron records "Fired Up" in Seattle on Monday, MLK Day

catalyst · January 2008

A friend of mine, Jon Bergevin called me up a few days ago and asked if I could help with a recording event he was producing. He and his brother Joe had written a song the week prior. It was inspired by a moment Joe had witnessed online in which Senator Obama spoke of someone who was "fired up and ready to go." That instigated a bunch more phone calls and a whole bunch of people asking, what can I do to help?

A group of friends (over 60 people), some old, some new, assembled at the Columbia City theater in Seattle to join in helping record and document the recording of the song "Fired UP, Ready to Go". Organized in less than ten days (from the first notes put to page written to the last notes sung on stage), the all-day recording session included Matt Cameron, Arturo Rodriguez and Seattle's mighty Pastor Pat Wright and her Total Experience Gospel Choir.

Matt, Pastor Wright, her Choir, all the musicians, studio engineers, photographers, video team, theater owner, caterers... gave to this project freely, without condition. Pretty cool, all on the shortest of notice. I was excited with how immediately, unconditionally and fully everyone jumped in. I think the song shows some of that juice.

The first studio cut can be previewed here:
http://www.myspace.com/bergevinbrothersmusic

Eventually we will have a final cut which can be downloaded and shared. Also, a video is in production which we'd like to have done by next week.

Anyone who's interested in pic's from the event can go here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephanschier/sets/72157603778004885/

Elderly Man · January 2008

matt's the man

otis mcfluster · January 2008

I'm not real hip with the MySpace, but I found the list of influences on Matt Cameron's page quite facinating: "Beefheart, Small Faces, Miles, Mingus, Monk, The Shaggs, Hella, Music Machine, The Zombies, Black Flag, Gone, Ravel, Harry Partch, Bowie, Elton John, Cheap Trick, CCR, Public Enemy, Ministry, MJQ, Earth, Niko Case, Eleven, Joni, Faith No More, Fela Kuti, the Roots, Nick Drake, Neu, Syd Barrett, Skip James, Slayer, Meat Puppets, Dino Jr., Wilco, M.I.A., Chic, Rufus, Mothers Finest, Kenny Burrell, Love, Kraftwerk, Black Sabbath, Husker Du"

*edit: by the way thanks for posting, I will be so damn happy if Obama gets the nomination

catalyst · January 2008

He is, the man, as were all who contributed. I loved that everyone was so willing to make a personal point of helping get this song produced in support of Obama. The spirit of the whole session was one of increasing collaboration. Most had only fully heard and/or rehearsed the song that day.

catalyst · January 2008

You are welcome Otis. This past week's experience cemented my desire to see Obama on the ticket.

FYI - Last night, Joe and Jon posted Matt's radio interview to their mySpace page.