RELEASE DATE ; June 23rd 2020

Album recording notes

This album is my first solo album of new songs since the Panic Fire "Chrysalis" album (2018) and my first solo album since "Under Sedation" (2015).  Yes, it's been a few years!   The Covid lockdown gave me an opportunity to be super creative,  I made new backing tracks for my solo cover shows and wrote brand new songs and shot new video as well as doing Facebook live shows for donations.  

Gear used on this album:

Protools Digi002. Korg Trinity+ keyboard/sequencer.  Peavey XXL guitar amp head.  Behringer Ultra-G speaker simulator direct box.  BOSS GT-100 (on "The Cytokine Storm" only).  Modified Fender Stratocaster with DiMarzio Tone Zone and Air Norton pickups (on "The Cytokine Storm" only).  The Red and Swamp Ash Atomic guitars on everything else, loaded with DiMarzio Crunch Lab and Liquifire pickups.  Shure Beta58 for vocals.  Behringer B-1 mic for vocals on "Friendly Fire".  Dunlop Cry Baby Wha.  Keeley Compressor pedal for clean guitars and bass.  Fender Precision/Jazz 4 string Bass on most of the album.  Peavey Millennium 4 string bass on some.   

 

LYRICS

- - - - - - - - - -

ISOLATION 

Tired of the rude 
Tired of the sick 
Tired of the needy greedy wannabe dead and the quick   
Tired of the fast 
Tired of the slow
Tired of the indecisive stop and go 
Tired of the poor 
Tired of the rich 
Tired of the politician son of a bitch 
Tired of me 
Tired of you 
Tired of the everyday tales and excuses   

I’m going back 
I’m going back 
I’m going back into isolation 
I’m going back  
I’m going back  
I’m going back into isolation 

Tired of this 
Tired of that 
Tired of you ego fast talkers chewing the fat 
Tired of the biz 
Tired of the grind
Tired of moving forward and left behind   

I’m going back 
I’m going back 
I’m going back into isolation 
I’m going back 
I’m going back  
I’m going back into isolation 

Everyone’s getting sick 
No one wants to deal with it 
Ah, you ain’t gonna find me   

When you all start to behave 
Then I’ll come out of my cave 
You entertain the fear campaign
All that you can do is complain 

Talk about peace 
Tired of war 
Never gonna change
It's just like before 
Tired of the world 
Tired of the news 
Tired of my facebook friends singing the blues 

I'm going back
I'm going back
I'm going back into isolation
I’m going back  
I’m going back  
I’m going back into isolation 

Isolation
Never gonna find me

 

- - - - - - - - - -

 

THE CYTOKINE STORM (Instrumental)

 

- - - - - - - - - -

 

THERE"S A SPIDER IN THE HOUSE

There's a spider in the house 
There's a spider in the house 
There's a spider in the house 
There's a spider in the house 

Climbing up the wall across the chandelier 
Hide behind the bookcase 
I hope he disappears 
I know he’s in here somewhere 
So baby get behind me   

There’s a spider in the house 
There’s a spider in the house 
There’s a spider in the house 
There’s a spider in the house   

He crawled upon the couch 
Across the bathroom floor 
Hiding in the attic 
There's may be three or four 
Walking on the ceiling he makes a spinning web 
With all that work and effort he’s gonna end up dead 
I know he’s in here somewhere 
So baby get behind me 

There’s a spider in the house 
There’s a spider in the house 
There’s a spider in the house 
There’s a spider in the house   

He fell upon the bed from the ceiling fan 
I know he’s just as scared 
I hope he understands 
When I try to crush him 
With the frying pan 
I hope he doesn’t get lose 
That pesky little brown recluse 
Don’t you bite me 
I know he’s in here somewhere 
So baby stand behind me   

There’s a spider in the house 
There’s a spider in the house 
There’s a spider in the house 
There’s a spider in the house

 

- - - - - - - - - -

 

GHOSTS

Are there ghosts in my mind
I am stuck here all the time 
Are the ghosts in my head 
They will be there in my bed   

Stuck inside a room with shadows on the wall 
Strangers in the mirror 
And breathing down the hall 
Knocking at the doorway 
I balance on the fence 
Is there happy every after 
All I want is just a day of strength   

There are ghosts in your dreams 
Every nightmare or so it seems 
There are ghosts in your mind 
Can you see them or are you blind   

Stuck inside a room with shadows on the wall 
Strangers in the mirror 
And breathing down the hall 
Knocking at the doorway 
I balance on the fence 
Is there happy every after 
All I want is just a day of strength 

You have ghosts in your house 
Right behind you quiet as a mouse 
You have specters in your way 
Coming for you every night and day 

Stuck inside a room with shadows on the wall 
A strangers in the mirror 
And breathing down the hall 
Footsteps up the stairwell 
I gasp for breath at length 
Is there happy every after 
All I want is just a day of strength

 

- - - - - - - - - -

 

CELEBRITY SUICIDE 

Nobody notices the black cloud that surrounds me 
Nobody sees the skies are always dark 
Nobody talks with honest hearts wide open 
Nobody hears a cry for help in a song 
For "Peace Of Mind" now come along (for Brad Delp)   

It’s loo late now that I am gone 
It’s too late for all to sing along 
All the fantasies and happiness that I have promised you 
It’s too late
Oh it's too late   

Inspiration runs deep in the hearts of the broken 
Just "One Step Closer"  "In The End" (for Chester Bennington)
With a "Burden In My Hand" just "Let Me Drown" (for Chris Cornell) 
So so sorry ("All Apologies")
"Nevermind" (for Curt Cobain)
I just need a friend 
"I Need You Tonight" (for Michael Hutchence) 

It’s loo late now that I am gone 
It’s too late for all to sing along 
All the warning signs were hidden in plain sight 
It’s too late 
Oh it's too late  

It’s loo late now that I am gone 
It’s too late for all to sing along 
All the fantasies and happiness that I have promised you 
It’s too late   

Oh it’s loo late now that I am gone 
It’s too late for you to sing along 
All the warning signs were hidden right in front of you 
It’s too late
Oh it's too late

 

- - - - - - - - - -

 

FRIENDLY FIRE 

I’ve broken down along time ago 
I’m leaving town but you don’t wanna know 
I’ve made my peace but there comes a cost 
Of ones own way the way is lost 

Don’t bring me down just to pick me up 
Don’t hang around to watch me self destruct 
I am the one to take it 
I am the one to stand in the line 
Of friendly fire 

I’ve chipped away another piece of me 
But you can’t find me in all of this debris
I found a place where no one can go 
As long as you know and take it slow 

Don’t bring me down just to pick me up 
Don’t hang around to watch me self destruct 
I am the one to take it 
I am the one to stand in the line 
Of friendly fire 

Don’t bring me down just to pick me up  
Don’t hang around to watch me self destruct  
I am the one to take it  
I am the one to stand in the line  
Of friendly fire 

 

- - - - - - - - - -

 

IGNITION

I
I’ve waited here for you 
I have nothing left to lose 
I forgot who I was today 
I who am I to portray this   

Take and stock your ammunition 
Light the fire for my ignition 
Forge the miscommunication 
Light the fire for my ignition 

One challenge to ignore 
None
No peace upon myself anymore 

Take and stock your ammunition 
Light the fire for my ignition 
Forge the miscommunication 
Light the fire for my ignition 

You and I oppose conflicting 
Always viral contradicting 
No one else is intervening 
Always borderline misleading 

Two 
Too many false truths 
One singular act to excuse 

Take and stock your ammunition 
Light the fire for my ignition 
Forge the miscommunication 
Light the fire for my ignition 

Clear the room for intervention 
Stoke the fires for my ignition 
Full regret of my decisions 
Provoked the fires of my ignition   

Torn by human imperfection 
Thus the fire of my ignition 
Stay the course on this position 
Heed the fires of my ignition 

In the way of opposition 
Light the fire for my ignition 
Forgive my likely disposition 
It’s all a part of my ignition

 

- - - - - - - - - -

 

LOOKING DOWN 

Feeling like a spy 
The electric eye 
I can see your every move 
It’s the daily groove
Yeah  

I look upon your life 
The truths and the lies 
All your details are in the cloud 
It's the human lost and found 

Looking down on your friends and your family 
Conform or delete   
Looking down on what you’ve found 
You don’t wanna miss a thing 
You can't see the world around you looking down  

Communication breakdown 
Send an SMS 
Nothing’s on my mind 
But I ain’t got the time to text   

I’ve wasted too much time 
Always surfing online 
I need a faster fix 
Can I get more information quick 

Looking down at the ground 
It’s a tragedy 
CONTROL ALT DELETE 
Looking down is the cool thing 
It’s in fashion 
It’s elite 
You can't see the world around you looking down  

What did she say? 
Another meme today 
Will this ever end? 
Asking for a friend 

Looking down on your friends and your family  
Conform or delete    
Looking down on what you’ve found  
You don’t wanna miss a thing  
You cant see the world around you...

Looking down at the ground  
It’s a tragedy  
CONTROL ALT DELETE  
Looking down is the cool thing  
It’s in fashion  
It’s elite  
You cant see the world around you looking down  

 

- - - - - - - - - -

 

BATSHIT CRAZY 

You give me a reason to die 
But I’ve got a hundred reasons to live 
You give me a reason to die 
But I’ve got a hundred reasons to give 

You're a looney
You’re so crazy
You drive me crazy
You’re a looney
Batshit crazy
Batshit crazy 

You give me a reason to quit 
But I’ve got 100 reasons to win 
You give me a reason to quit 
But I’ve got 100 things to commit 

He's a looney 
He's so crazy
He drive me crazy 
He's a looney 
Batshit crazy 
Batshit crazy 

Dementia 

You give me a reason to stop 
But I’ve got a hundred reasons to go 
You give me a reason to stop 
But I’ve got a thousand reasons to show 

She's a looney  
She's so crazy 
She drive me crazy  
She's a looney  
Batshit crazy  
Batshit crazy 

Dementia 

 

- - - - - - - - - -

 

BREATHLESS 

I took a walk down a sunny lane 
To escape a world that I can't explain 
With a breath in my step I tune you out 
You don’t know what it’s all about 

I hang my head upon the sky 
No words or reply 
I hang my soul in the deepest of holes 
No stories told 
The view will leave you breathless 

I took a walk down an empty road 
I was hanging on by a broken rope 
With a song in my heart I tune you out 
You don’t know what its all about 

I hang my head upon the sky 
No words or reply 
I hang my soul in the deepest of holes 
No story told 
A view will leave you breathless 

You give me a reason to die
But I've got a hundred reasons to live
You give me a reason to die 
But I've got a hundred reasons to live
You give me a reason to die 
But I've got a hundred reasons to live 
You give me a reason to die  
But I've got a hundred reasons to live

No story told 

 

This album was written and recorded during the Coronavirus lockdown from April 22nd through May 12th for my own “write and album in one week” challenge. Though I wrote at least one song a day (except Saturdays and Sundays) it took 15 days to write and record 14 songs, only 10 of which made it to this album.   All songs written, performed, produced, mixed and mastered by Gary Schutt at Shut Up Studio III Clearwater FL USA.   “Celebrity Suicide” is dedicated to the rock stars who took their own lives. In the lyrics you can find titles from Chester, Cornell, Cobain and Delp. R.I.P.  - you are not forgotten. Also, you can probably tell the song is mostly an homage to Chester as the feel of the song is Linkin Park-ish and I did my best to sound like him in the choruses.   Thank You to those directly in my music life:

Harry Howard & Tim Mulqueeny at Atomic Guitar Works.  Wilson at DiMarzio Pickups. David Barnette, John Ferra, Fred Poole, Joe Ojeda at Peavey Electronics.  Joey Bravo, Kenny Wendland, Joe Ojeda at Hairdaze.  My extended Panic Fire family - Tracy Ferrell , Dan Martin, Cody Paige, Tim Cronin, Cannon McDonald.  Mike Carter at Zildjian Cymbals. Rob McCoy at Gator Cases.  Angie Campbell, Rob Bird, Rollie Feldman and Steve Farney at Den Of Thieves.  Erinmarie Christian, Amir DaBiri and  Eric Justice at Mr. Bella.  Bubba Gee at The Bottlehouse.  Kimber Trotter at Chasing Talent.  Jane McKee at Jane’s World.   Dennis Bailey at D.Bailey Management.  Rich Rubin at Maximum Bands.  Jeremy Runo.   Greg Billings and the Rock and Soul Breakfast Club gang!  Craig DeSimone.  Shannon Thomas.  Michael McBee.  Vivky Sullivan.  The families – the Miltenbergers, the Schutts, the Thomas’, the Heydenbergs, the Trammells.  Victor Lima.  Paul Costanzo.  Randy at Sound Coast Studios.  Carlos Rojas.  Charlie Humphries.  Jeff Scott Soto.     Kayla Trammell for being my #alwayssmiles. 

 

I am a proud endorsing artist with Atomic Guitars, Peavey Electronics, DiMarzio Pickups, Gator Cases, and Tremol-No. www.garyschutt.com                   www.palisaerecords.com This album is dedicated to Dr.Chuck Stevens.  R.I.P.  

 THANK YOU to everyone who digitally tipped and donated while watching my Facebook Live shows during the months of March through May 2020:

Alan Gottlieb, Amanda Blackmon, Amir DaBiri, Amy Gallastegui, Andrew Cabot, Breanna Ilchyna, Brian Stine, Bryan Austin, Carrie McMeulen, Carrie Reese, Casey Grillo, Casey Loveall, Charles Johnson, Cheryl Franklin, Christopher Scutt, Craig DeSimone, Dan Martin, Darren Malone, Darrin Clouse, Debbie Setliff, Dorrie Hustead, Elieen Humphreys, Eugene Hendry, Frederic Friar, Joe Hand, John Wells, Jon Cocio, Joseph Mure, Juan Perrone, Kelly Starman, Kelly Strong, Ken Gringas, Ken Miltenberger, Kenneth Barineau, Kevin Kouzes, Kurt Baldyga, Laura Fait, Lawrence Barnes, Linda Heydenburg, Lori Gigikos, Lucia Longo, Mark Tyler, Mark Warren, Matthew Powell, Michael Burns, Michael Cuccaro, Michael Peterman, Mike Trotto, MookieSports, Nat Barouch, Oliver Guilhem, Peter Beshuk, Rebecca August, Roland Feldman, Sandie Combs, Sandy Trammell, Scott Greenberg, Sean Bithell, Shannon Thomas, Shawn & Dena Lowery, Sheryl Thomas, Tab Patterns, Tammy Steed, Thomas Aydelott, Tim Morrell, Timothy A Goodrich, Timothy Schutt, Todd Legaspi, Tonya Gardner, Tyler Jamison, United Incentive Corp., Wayne Dawson, Wendy Willis, William Schutt.