Hollywood, CA, February 2018 – Spinal Tap bassist Derek Smalls chose United Recording studio to track one of his newest songs, “Butt Call,” which is included on his first solo album, “Smalls Change.”
“Butt Call” is comprised of a series of heavy sound effects and features Bon Jovi guitarist Phil X and Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins. “In one lifetime, the telephone has gone from a miracle to a pain in the arse,” explained Smalls.
“Smalls Change” features a host of renowned musicians including Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Peter Frampton, Dweezil Zappa, Steve Lukather, Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, Richard Thompson, Donald Fagen, David Crosby, Rick Wakeman, and drummers Taylor Hawkins, Chad Smith, Jim Keltner, Gregg Bissonette and Todd Sucherman. The album is set for release on April 13 via Twanky/BMG.
The long-awaited LP is funded through a grant from the British Fund for Ageing Rockers. The album was produced by longtime music director and Spinal Tap keyboardist, CJ Vanston.
Vanston, a contributor to numerous albums by renowned artists like Prince, Barbra Streisand and Celine Dion, enjoys producing tracks at United Recording. “I’ve worked in Studio B many times in the past, but I’m still impressed with the acoustics of that room, especially the enormous drum sound,” Vanston said. “It’s well known how many drummers Spinal Tap has lost looking for that perfect sound. Derek was so moved by the experience, he stated, ‘Time and technology change everything, except the need for change’.”
Pictured at the drums under the United Recording “drumbrella” is Taylor Hawkins; Standing (L-R) are CJ Vanston, Ross Hogarth, Wesley Seidman and “Drum Doctor” Ross Garfield. Photo by David Goggin.
Pictured waiting for Derek Smalls in United Recording’s Studio B are cellist Gabriel Noel, producer CJ Vanston, vibraphonist Nick Mancini, recording engineer Ross Hogarth, percussionist T.J. Troy and United Recording’s staff engineer Wesley Seidman (L-R). Photo by David Goggin.