Bob Rock Unveils Origins of Posthumous Gord Downie Collaboration “Greyboy Says”: Exclusive
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The post Bob Rock Unveils Origins of Posthumous Gord Downie Collaboration “Greyboy Says”: Exclusive appeared first on Consequence.
Origins is a recurring series giving artists a space to break down everything that went into their latest release. Today, producer Bob Rock digs into his posthumous Gord Downie collaboration “Greyboy Says.”
Prominent producer Bob Rock (Metallica, Motley Crüe, The Offspring) and Gord Downie, the late frontman of The Tragically Hip, have released “Greyboy Says,” the latest preview of their upcoming album, Lustre Parfait.
Downie worked with the producer for over a decade to create Lustre Parfait. Serving as the opening track of the album, “Greyboy Says” was inspired by the work of Led Zeppelin, Bo Diddley, David Bowie, and more.
After Downie’s passing, Rock retained the original vocals and tempo of the song while rearranging the instrumental aspects. “The track that Gord wrote the song to is not what you hear today,” Rock tells Consequence. “There was an uneasy feeling I had after hearing the melody and lyrics that Gord came up with which made me think that the music was not right, so I kept his vocal and a basic tempo map.”
The single harkens back to the glam rock of the ’80s with slick electric guitar and bombastic energy. Downie’s rousing vocals easily shift from a light falsetto to a hearty chest voice, while still retaining power with each change. Striking percussion centers the spirited track as Downie sings, “Whether laughter, sorrow, anger, tears/ You can do it and if you can’t, I’m here.”
Watch the music video for “Greyboy Says” and read Rock’s Origins breakdown of the single below.
Lustre Parfait is set for release on May 5th via Arts & Crafts. Pre-orders are ongoing.
Led Zeppelin – “Four Sticks”
Originally, the inspiration music and rhythm started out with “Four Sticks” from Led Zeppelin IV. It seems that a lot of what I write starts with Led Zeppelin and the ’60s to ’70s English blues bands which have had a huge influence on me and my writing.
The track that Gord wrote the song to is not what you hear today. There was an uneasy feeling I had after hearing the melody and lyrics that Gord came up with which made me think that the music was not right, so I kept his vocal and a basic tempo map.
I decided to rewrite the music and feel. It was obvious to me that the feel was a blues shuffle. Really, I discovered that through listening to Bo Diddley’s “I’m a Man,” Muddy Waters’ “Hoochie Coochie Man,” and the Yardbirds version of “I’m a Man.”
David Bowie – “The Jean Genie”
However, it wasn’t a blues song, so I went to my muse David Bowie and one of my favorite songs of all time, “The Jean Genie,” and [then] I knew what to do with the track. I even copped Mick Ronson’s guitar solo. I have no shame when it comes to Ronson. He’s my biggest influence! I needed to re-cut the drums, so I leaned on my close friend Abe Laboriel Jr. to play on the track. He took the whole record to another level with his performance.
Experimental Jazz:
Photo by Kobby Mendez via Unsplash
Who is Greyboy? Gord was the only person that could have answered that question. I have my thoughts about the lyric and what it means. I will keep that to myself, but everyone else will have their own idea of what it is about and what it means.
All I can say is Gord said the “Greyboy” title came from a scratching DJ that he heard, or heard of, while he was in San Francisco touring with the Hip. When I researched Greyboy, I found out he’s part of an experimental jazz scene in Southern California. How cool is that?
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band – “Midnight Moses”
Because “Greyboy” was the last track that was finished, there was no time to get other musicians involved other than Jamey Koch on bass and Abe Laboriel Jr. on drums, [while] Jamey and I did all the background vocals. I played all the guitars and keyboards, which is not something that happens all the time.
The guitar harmonies in the solo section are left over from the original music track, which was inspired by The Sensational Alex Harvey Band records. They were a favorite of Paul Hyde and myself. It was so much fun to play to Gord’s amazing vocal performance.
GoPro Camera:
Gord and I during the of making the record never really thought of archiving the process in photos and or video, which is a shame. Thanks to my son Mick’s habit of stealth-like shooting with his GoPro video camera when I am in the studio, we had some video to use in the “Greyboy” video. It shows — along with other footage — Gord and myself recording the songs and just hanging out.
We shot some additional video of the recording of the drums, bass, and guitar in Huntington Beach at The Offspring’s recording studio. It also includes a couple of very special guests that played the harmony guitars in the solo with me. But most importantly, the footage shows Gord’s love of making this record and how much fun it was for both of us.
Bob Rock Unveils Origins of Posthumous Gord Downie Collaboration “Greyboy Says”: Exclusive
Grace Ann Natanawan
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