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Allen Smithee

P

Pops McSlappy

Jun 11, 2008
17
0
L.A.
#1
J. Ehmjay...

Wondering about something...in this day and age, how common is it for session pros to 'ghost' on people's records and either not have a credit listed or use an alias? I'm not thinking in terms like the 'wrecking crew' playing the Monkees parts on record and not getting props, but more specifically a session guy playing on something terrible and not WANTING to take credit.....wondering how far pride and credbility get stretched before that kind of measure is taken in the life of a studio professional.....
 
#2
Far, far less common, in fact. Very interesting...it seemed so commonplace back in the day. I've that once or twice, and that's it. In terms of ghost playing.

But as far as not wanting my name on something, I'm not too precious about it. I've played on lame stuff, but it's fine.

Best,
Justin
 
#3
jmjbassplayer said:
Far, far less common, in fact. Very interesting...it seemed so commonplace back in the day. I've that once or twice, and that's it. In terms of ghost playing.

But as far as not wanting my name on something, I'm not too precious about it. I've played on lame stuff, but it's fine.

Best,
Justin
Click to expand...

Thanks for this because I did a session for a young inexperienced band over the weekend and was thinking do I want to put my name to that since the drums are all over the place but the bass is pretty much on the click so something is going to get moved so either my bass is going to be put out of time or the drums are going to sound really wierd, but when I think about it I was proud of my playing on it, if it sounds terrible as a finished product so be it.

But you've cemented this for me.

Thanks
 
#5
I suppose in your position (and I'm sure for Josh Freese, Chris Cheney, Joey Waronker, Josh Klinghoffer, etc, etc, etc also...younger and hipper session peeps) that a part of getting hired some of the time is for the associations your involvement might bring to a project....I mean, in addition to the perfect lines, perfect tones, ultimate professionalism and peerless TASTE that is inherent ;)

Do you get the feeling that young artists or producers seek you out primarily for being "that Beck guy" or "that NIN guy" or whatever it may be? I would think that dynamic might put pressure on one's ability to 'ghost'...meaning that your name alone is earning some of the bread and butter.....
 
#6
I don't really think about it. People tend to call me for my own name and/or legacy as time goes on, and if they want to "use" me for a certain association and pay me well, I'm down. As long as the music doesn't suck b*@@s too much.

JMJ
 
#7
Actually, I suppose that might be the ultimate position to be in...people call and pay for you to be YOU! AND you get the challenge of squeezing yourself in and around what's going on there musically.....AND the people who follow your legacy will remember the good (hopefully) and forget the bad (2x hopefully!!). AND you laugh your way (well, at least halfway) to the bank! wow. The myriad charms in the life of a 'gun for hire'!
 
#8
There are tradeoffs. Sometimes, I get hired not exactly to "be me", but to be "good", because I have a resume. It depends.

Then, sometimes the money is bad, and sometimes you don't work all week. You know the deal.
 

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