R.I.P. Copper Rocket (2006-2009)
Those of you who have been around a while may remember this post from three years ago where I was seeking suggestions for the all-Mormon cover band I had joined at the time. There were some really funny band names there so that thread is worth re-reading. Anyhow, the band eventually settled with the largely meaningless and safe name “Copper Rocket“. We practiced a lot and gigged a little over the next few years. When we did gig we mostly ended up playing outdoor events like block parties.
Copper Rocket was a fun band but we never really achieved liftoff. First, we could never settle in on a genre so the set list ended up being all over the place. The bigger problem was that we all have grown-up lives to lead and no one was able or willing to get out there and find us gigs. So we held on for a quite a while because we became friends but a few months back our drummer had to quit and that gave the bass player an out to call it quits too. At that point Copper Rocket finally crashed to earth for good.
But since we did slap together a quick demo I figured I would immortalize our little all-Mormon cover band in Arizona here at the Thang by posting those songs. (As usual I played sax in this band and handled most male lead vocals) Here they are in MP3 form:
Secret Agent Man (The band joked that we should call it Secret Asian Man because I slurred the title line. Over time the joke kinda stuck)
Back on the Chain Gang
Obladi Oblada
Video Killed the Radio Star (We sort of morphed the orginal version with the The PotUSA version)
Rest in peace Copper Rocket.
I may get the itch and start a new band again some time, but then again maybe I won’t…
I’ve always hoped my tuba could come out of retirement, but the most gigs I got were for the ward talent shows. Way to pick a semi-in-demand instrument. I’ll check out your mp3’s.
Comment by Kent (MC) — July 17, 2009 @ 4:38 pm
Don’t get your hopes up on the MP3’s Kent — they are nearly single take quickies. I just hated to have them go completely to waste.
Comment by Geoff J — July 17, 2009 @ 5:02 pm
I loved that thread. Some good times.
Comment by J. Stapley — July 17, 2009 @ 5:36 pm
Were you lead on all four of these? The lead seems so different.
Comment by Kim Siever — July 17, 2009 @ 8:25 pm
And on the same day that Walter Cronkite died.
Comment by Jacob J — July 17, 2009 @ 8:59 pm
Yep Kim — my range is legendary
Comment by Geoff J — July 17, 2009 @ 11:14 pm
Looks like you should have gone with The Kirtland Safety Society after all…
Comment by Ben Pratt — July 18, 2009 @ 9:08 pm
Geoff, for single take quickies these sound really good. Where did you record these? The sound quality and mixing is great. Our recordings always turned out terrible, but we were using microphones we could afford when we were 16 and recording in our bedroom, so…
Comment by Jacob J — July 19, 2009 @ 9:21 am
Jacob,
It was a small studio in Mesa owned by a Mormon guy that some of the band members knew. We knocked it all out in a few hours with a base track on each song and a few overdubs. But yeah having professional recording equipment and a sound guy makes all the difference.
Comment by Geoff J — July 19, 2009 @ 2:36 pm
You guys were pretty good.
Comment by Eric Nielson — July 20, 2009 @ 11:41 am
Thanks Eric. We were better live. Horns always make a bigger impact live.
Comment by Geoff J — July 20, 2009 @ 11:42 am
Those were some great single take tracks you laid down. Thanks for all the new memories.
Comment by Kent (MC) — July 20, 2009 @ 5:00 pm