Sketches

Sketches

2002

In December of 2001 we started recording demos for some new songs that were quickly written. The recordings were all done on Mike's old Yamaha four track and most of the instruments were played live as in all together at the same time. We'd come up with an idea and put it down to tape as fast as we could. Garrett and I were in total sync with each other in our playing. He had the perfect lead complement for my simple chord progressions. Mike learned to ad lib on the drum machine which he had going through an array of effects including the cherished KAOSS PAD. The recordings had a unique sound to them and I dug them. I played some of them to Jim at 3WK and he liked them also, so much so that he offered to promote them on his station. I was thrilled. We put together a CD and called it "Sketches" cause that's what the songs were and it began heavy rotation on 3WK. This was a great boost but the group began to fracture.

Musically we were all going in different directions with our personal tastes and influences. This at first creates incredible tension that can be utilized to great effect. However, after a time the tension can become too much and things don't work out so well. By August Cloister consisted of just Mike and I. We had worked out a deal with Chris Deckard for him to engineer and produce our next CD at his studio Radio Penny. In September we played what was to be our last show at the Way Out Club on Jefferson with The BaySayBoos. While unloading for that show I broke my foot and ankle. By November Cloister no longer existed.

Tracks 1 - 4, 6 - 8, 11
Mike Cook - drum machine programming, keyboard, moog, vocals
Garrett Fronabarger - guitars
Dana Smith - guitars, keyboard, vocals

Track 5
Garrett Fronabarger - guitar
Martin Garner - bass, harmonica
Dana Smith - guitar, drums, vocals

Tracks 9 - 10
Garrett Fronabarger - guitars
Craig Goodson - bass
Dana Smith - drums, guitars, vocals

Track listing

1. Attention Span

2. Goodbye

3. Keep It To Yourself

4. Go To College

5. Westmere

6. Orange Juice

7. My Window

8. In This Way

9. Stuffed Fish

10. Mad Hatter

11. Illusions of Culture