"Around the World Volume 2"

Thanks to Ry and Phil for the tapes

copyright 2002 Top Beat Records
limited edition

#xxx/100

"Shades of Blue"

Notes on "SHADES OF BLUE"

These 9 songs came together in one night using a Teac reel to reel four track tape recorder and two microphones.  Sometimes that's all you need.  All songs were done in one take.  And we were drunk.  Smoke out.  Rock on.

NEW ORLEANS BLUES & GREENS was one of the songs conceived on a short vacation.  The Mississippi River can blow minds.  Jim sings and picks.  Marc plays bass and Jason keeps time.  BLUES #1 captures The Mack's blues as only his voice and guitar can.  Marc's bass rules while Jim plays slide and harp.  SHADES OF BLUE was recorded a few weeks earlier under a blood red high.  A spiritual.  PISTOL PACKIN' BLUES has The Shark tellin' you a story of love and guns.  Jim tries to help but doesn't know the words.  The story's twist at the end still puzzles Jason.  Be creative.  Make up your own hypnotic ebb and flow.  Don't be surprised if WHEN I'M ALONE I FEEL LIKE CRYIN' sounds familiar as the boys have been doing this one loud and "plugged" recently.  A killer.  Jim improvises lyrics on the spot and tells a funny tale on BLUES #2.  THE WAY I'M SUPPOSED TO DO was best summed up by The Mack when he said "Soul Blues".  Listen for a special surprise ending.  SHADES OF GRASS is a smoke break.  Closing is a gospel entitled WHAT CAN I SAY?  Thank you listeners.

Mother Superior is:
Jim Wilson
Marcus Blake
Jason Mackenroth

Top Beat Special Products
PO BOX 931274
Dept. TBSP
Los Angeles, CA  90093

"End of the World ... The Early 7"s"

The way I remember it (and I don't really) is the "RIGHT IN A ROW" demo CD first...
...then, there was a demo tape called "FLY ON BOMBAY, FLY ON".  DENNY BRUCE picked all of the "soul" songs and the band recorded on a Teac 4 track reel-to-reel and mixed in a closet in their apartment.  "USE ME" has overdubbed guitar solos and a hearty arrangement.  "YOU MADE ME CRY" (complete with Jim's Womack-style talking monologue) was recorded live at R&R Rehearsal Studios in Hollywood.  Jim brought the 4 track to the rehearsal and miked the band up using headphones to check the sound levels.  I remember BRUCE GARY, who would later mix "HEAVY SOUL EXPERIENCE" was there hanging out.  There was always beer, smoke and some chicks hanging around.  "HYPNOTIZED" found its way into a NATIONAL LAMPPON movie with the FONZ in it.  Jason had the sax part down and the organ was so smooth, they didn't even want the boys to re-record it for the movie.  The song was also released on the b-side of one of the MS Xmas 45s.  This early 4 track version of "PART TIME LOSER" (with slightly different lyrics) was strong enough to be featured in an episode of MTV's "ROAD RULES".  "WICKED WOMAN" is where it starts, really.  "I TRIED" was also recorded live at R&R Studios with some friends and lights down low.  No overdubs.  Raw soul.  That's originally why the band started a label, TOP BEAT RECORDS, because they needed to put a name on their 45 label.  TOP BEAT sounded good.  It sounded right.  The single got some good press and there was a great record release party.  The picture photo was taken at a school playground right after the band came home from the Tahiti tour.
"END OF THE WORLD" was a funky, rock & roll reggae song complete with "VERSION" on the b-side.  Everybody was buying LEE PERRY records and smoking.  Hey, LEE PERRY had a 4 track, right?!?!  They recorded the backing at R&R or at Jason's house because they wanted to get Marcus' bass real fat especially for the dub.  The vocals were recorded at the apartment and the VERSION vocal was recorded live to the mixdown DAT tape (no master tape exists).  It was experimentation.  First pressings of the single came with a photo/sticker.
NOEL RIVERS & THE FOUNTAINS recorded an album's worth of soul for the Top Beat label (their "An Album's Worth Of Soul" CD remains unreleased).  One vinyl 45 was released in 1997 before the band entered a legal battle that ended in drug money discrepancy gun battle that left all members tragically wounded, and/or dead.  A heavy OTIS REDDING/WILSON PICKETT romp called "A SONG ABOUT YOU" and a smooth ISLEYS/IMPRESSIONS love jam called "HEAVY WINDS" are the only recordings that exist.  The 45 pressing was limited but got into the hands of SONY who called the MS hotline asking to learn more about NOEL & THE FOUNTAINS and were shocked when they realized it was just a Mother Superior side project.  But before the band could turn their attention to finishing the NOEL project, they started working with HENRY ROLLINS on their "DEEP" CD and then became the ROLLINS BAND and then...
Lawrence DuBonte, Fall 2002

Compilation

Supervised by Dapank Pusay
Researched and restored by Hardik Enja
Digitally remastered by Art Wilson at Top Beat Studios
Art and Design by Rod Circumference

Tracks 1-4:
Recorded in Hollywood, CA 1994
Original issue:  "Fly On Bombay Fly On" MS002
cassette only

Tracks 5-6:
Recorded in Hollywood, CA 1995
Original issue:  "Wicked Woman/I Tried" MS003
7" 45 rpm only

Tracks 7 & 8
Recorded in Hollywood, CA 1995
Original issue:  "End of the World/(version)" MS004
7" 45 rpm only

Tracks 9 & 10
Recorded in Sherman Oaks, CA 1997
Original issue:  "A Song About You/Heavy Winds" MS011
by Noel Rivers and the Fountains - 7" 45 rpm only

P 1994, 1995, 1997 Top Beat Records
This compilation ©2002 Top Beat Records.  All rights reserved.
THIS PACKAGE CONSISTS OF PREVIOUSLY RELEASED MATERIAL.

"Ad Libidub"

Mother Superior is: Jim Wilson, Marcus Blake & Matt Tecu.

Recorded in 3 hours on a Teac 4 Track
Reel-To Reel tape recorder on May 26, 2004.
Mixed by Jim Wilson at Mothership on May 29, 2004.
Mastered by Peter Doell at Universal Mastering West
on June 4, 2004.
Front cover artwork by Raymond Pettibon.

Thanks to Brian for the microphones,
Chris for the extra effects & to Cole for the room.
Special thanks to Mike Jones for event coordination.

c 2004 Top Beat Records

topbeat@aol.com
www.mother-superior.com

CHRISTMAS GIFTS

"Mother Superior Christmas 2002"

All noises by Mother Superior.
Recorded at home and on location.
All songs written by Mother Superior (except as noted).
This CD is for promotional use only.  Not for sale.
Attention children under 16:
Please make sure your
parents are out of the room before
you play this CD.
Thank you for listening.
Happy holidays.

ROLLINS BAND

"Get Some Go Again" single

(Rollins Band) Be Drinkable Music (BMI)
Produced by Henry Rollins
Recorded and mixed by Clif Norell
Management: Three Artist Management, Los Angeles
Mastered by George Marino at Sterling Sound, New York
Tracked at Cherokee Studios, Los Angeles
Track 1 from the DreamWorks album Get Some Go Again

Band photo by Ralf Strathmann
Art direction by Kevin Reagan
Design by Kevin Reagan and Matthew Lindauer

"Illumination" single

Produced by Henry Rollins
Recorded and mixed by Clif Norrell
* remixed by Ben Grosse at the Mix Room, Los Angeles

Written by Rollins Band
Published by Be Drinkable Music (BMI)

Rollins Band:
Henry Rollins / Throat
Jim Wilson / Guitar, Piano
Marcus Blake / Bass
Jason Mackenroth / Drums

Management: Three Artist Management
Photography by Ralf Strathmann
Art direction by Kevin Reagan
Desgin by Kevin Reagan and Mathew Lindauer

"Get Some Go Again"

Produced by: Henry Rollins / Recorded and mixed by Clife Norrell / Mastered by George Marino at Sterling Sound, New York / Creative Consultant: Bob Ezrin / Tracked at: Cherokee Studios, Los Angeles / Engineered by Sander De Jong / Mixed at: Sunset Sound Factory, Los Angeles / Engineered by: Josh Turner, except "Illuminator" / Mixed by Ben Grosse at The Mix Room, Burbank, CA / All songs written by: Rollins Band and published 2000 Be Drinkable Music (BMI) except track 8 Gorham / Lynott Published by BYU Universal / Polygram International Publishing, Inc. DBA Pippin the Friendly Ranger (ASCAP) and Track 12 Rollins Band / Kramer Published by Be Drinkable Music / Rondor Music (BMI) / Management: Three Artist Management, Los Angeles / A&R: Michael Ostin
Photography: Ralf Strathmann / Art direction: Kevin Reagan / Design: Kevin Reagan, Matthew Lindauer

Rollins Band
Henry Rollins / Throat
Jim Wilson / Guitar, Piano
Marcus Blake / Bass
Jason Mackenroth / Drums, Sax

To purchase or get information on Henry Rollins books, CDs, t-shirts and videos contact: www.two1361.com / 2.13.61 - PO BOX 1910, Los Angeles, CA 90078

Henry would like to thank / Adam Somers, Kevin Murray, Michael Ostin and everyone at DreamWorks, Barbara Martinez at 3AM, Carol Bua at 2.13.61, Philomena Lynott, Richard Stockton, Jack Kontney and Ryan Smith at Shure Microphones, Joel Whitcomb and Mitch Bury of Adams Mass.

Jim thanks / mom & dad, Theresa & Kenny, Mike & Alex, Ashley, Kenny, Lacey, Michael, Justin, New York Ray the Cat (Thanks K), Alice, Clif, JCB, Mike Jones, Jim Laspesa, Keith Matherne, Dean Brown, David Lienhard at Dean Markley, Marcus, Jason, of course, Henry and y'all.  Jim uses Fender Stratocaster and Les Paul guitars, Marshall amplification and Dean Markley strings.

Marcus thanks / Mary Jill & Jim Marquess, Rene & Shirley Junca, Brad Junca, Stephan & Cindy Junca, Michelle Woodward, Uyen Tran, Jim Laspesa, Keith Matherne, Dean Brown, John Jackson, James Beaton, Jonsey, Clif & Sander and Alice Cooper and the boys in the band.  Marcus uses Fender Jazz and Rickenbacker basses, Mesa Boogie amplification and Dean Markley strings.

Jason thanks / without making this a big schmooze fest, the biggest thanks goes to my beautiful family, Janet, Javen and Jorem, mom & dad, key Tower personnel: Bob Feteri, Stan Goman, Randy Mendonsa, Dave & John Montes, Danny Miller, Marco Soccoli at Vic Firth, Jim, March and, of course, the man Henry.

The band would like to thank / Brian Kehew (additional keyboard on "Hold On"), Bob Ezrin, Mike Curtis, Darrell Bussino, Susan, The Robb's and the staff at Cherokee Studios.

Wayne Kramer / Additonal Guitar on "Hotter and Hotter"
Scott Gorham / Additional Guitar on "Are You Ready?"

JOE COLE 4.10.61 - 12.19.91

Note to our audience: when Jim, Marcus, and Jason aren't playing in this band, they have a rocking trio called Mother Superior.  If you want some serious rock and roll, go straight to them.  For discography and other info check them out at http://listen.to/mothersuperior

"A Clockwork Orange Stage"

Henry Rollins: Throat
Jim Wilson: Guitar
Marcus Blake: Bass
Jason Mackenroth: Drums
Mike Curtis: Road Manager
Darrell Bussino: Foh

Recorded and mixed by: Anders Dohn
Mastered by Phil Klum for Fourth Coast Productions
Layout and design: David Chapple - chappledesign.com
Photos of band at Roskilde Festival: Mike Curtis & Chris Romano

This is a document of show #100 from the get some go again tour. the tour tapped out at 123 shows/19 countries. there are no overdubs or fixes on this recording. what you hear is what we do. thanks for letting us be ourselves again. -Henry Rollins

Contact: www.21361.com
Check out Jim, Marcus and Jason's band Mother Superior:
http://listen.to/mothersuperior

1, 2, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16: Be Drinkable Music (BMI)
4: Be Drinkable Music (BMI) /Rrondor Music (BMI)
3, 6: Rhythm Wreck/Wrack It Jams/Emaciated Music/2.13.61 (BMI)
7: Rok Godz/Imago Songs
12: Universal/Polygram Int.
DBA Pippen the Friendly Ranger (ASCAP)
13 & 14: Polygram Music
17: Mam (ASCAP)

"Yellow Blues"

Marcus Blake: Bass
Jason Mackenroth: Drums
Jim Wilson: Guitar, Piano
Henry Rollins: Throat
Brian Kehew: Keyboard on Hold On

The original concept for the album "Get Some Go Again" was a two-CD set with the tracks sequenced to mix the rockin' stuff with the more, shall we say, esoteric material, but like a lot of things in life, it didn't go that way. So what you have here is all the rest of the "Get Some Go Again" sessions, along with the re-mix of "Illumination" that Dreamworks, in all their now classic "leisure executive style", left off of "Get Some Go Again". Now you get to hear the rest of the equation. We hope you dig it. In keeping with our last album,"A Clockwork Orange Stage", one dollar from each copy of "Yellow Blues" sold will go to the Southern Poverty Law Center who are putting the Ku Klux Klan and other racial hate groups on the ropes. More info can be found below. Thanks for checking us out. Keep rockin'. -Henry Rollins

All songs by Rollins Band / Be Drinkable Music (BMI) Recorded & mixed by Clif Norrell Produced by Henry Rollins Mastered by George Martino at Sterling Sound NYC Postproduction by Phil Klum for Fourth Coast Productions

Tracked at Cherokee Studios Los Angeles CA '98-'99. Engineer: Sander Van Jong Mixed at Sunset Sound Factory. Engineer: Josh Turner Track 1 mixed by Ben Grosse at the Mix Room in Burbank CA Creative consultant: Bob Ezrin

Photos by Henry Rollins
Design and inner tray photo: Dave Chapple, www.chappledesign.com

JOE COLE 4.10.61 - 12.19.91

For more info: www.21361.com

Rollins Band "Nice"

The band would like to thank: Mike Curtis, Darrell Bussino, Clif Norrell, Cherokee Studios - Susan, Adrian & the staff, the Robb's, Richard Stockton & Shure Bros. Microphones, Chris Romano and Black
Market Music, Dave Leinhard & Dean Markley Strings, Steve Riskin & Paiste Cymbals, Gene Provencio & TAMA Drums, Nick Chaires & Guitar Center, John Norris & Peterson Strobe Tuners, Seymour Duncan
pick-ups, Tien Lawrence & Mesa Boogie, Remo Drum Heads, Marco Soccoli & Vic Firth Drumsticks, Steve Clayton guitar picks, Pinnacle Entertainment, Free Trade Agency, 3 Artist Management & staff,
Carol Bua, our friends at MET-Rx, Our fantastic, hard rocking audience worldwide, James Beaton, Mitch Bury of Adams Mass.

Jim thanks: everyone who buys our CDs and comes to our shows, Ytak, LA Ray the cat, Mel K. & Lice... thanks to Mother Superior for continuing to rock and Henry for always making sure that we do... also my family, Fender, Gibson, Marshall and Mike "Smitty" Smith. Rock on.

Marcus thanks: Brad Junca, Uyen Tran, Mom, Dad and Stephan and their families, all at 3AM, Jim Lapesa, Keith Matherne, Tony Visconti, Jean Codianni, Mayanne Dacey, Jennifer Ballantyne and you.

Jason thanks: Janet, Javan, Joren, Mom & Dad, Kerim Imes, Danny Miller, Julie Lewis, Bob Feterl (again and again...), Chris Macias, Jake West, Bruce, Petter & Dean from Triple X, Nike Tkalac, Len Fagan, Dean Brown, Wayne Kramer, Dan Epstein and Brian Kehew. Jim, Marc & Henry, you guys rule!

Management: Richard Bishop
for 3 Artist Management
Legal: Gail Perry
Live Representation:
U.S. - Pinnacle Entertainment, New York
Rest of the World - Free Trade Agency, London

ROLLINS BAND
Henry Rollins: Throat
Jim Wilson: Guitar, Organ
Marcus Blake: Bass
Jason Mackenroth: Drums, Sax

JOE COLE 4.10.61 - 12.19.91

Produced by Henry Rollins / Recorded & Mixed by Clif Norrell / Mastered by Stephen Marcussen at Marcussen Mastering
All songs written by Rollins Band 2001 Be Drinkable Music (BMI)
Tracked at Cherokee Studios Los Angeles, CA 00-01 / Assistant Engineer: Sander De Jong / Mixed at Sunset Sound Recorders / Assistant Engineer: Chris Reynolds / Mixed at Skip Saylor Recording / Assistant Engineer: Paul Smith / Many of the great guitar sounds on this record were created by Mike Curtis / Backing vocals on "Up For It" & "I Want So Much More": Jackie Simley-Stevens, Valerie Pinkston, Maxayn Lewis, Suseann Carwell & Tyler Collins / Trumpet on "I Want So Much More: Clif Norrell

To purchase or get information on Henry Rollins books, CDs, t-shirts and videos, contact: www.henryrollins.com / 2.13.61 - P.O. BOX 1910, Los Angeles, CA 90078

Photographs by Ralf Strathmann
Design by Rania Alomar

"A Nicer Shade of Red"

Produced by Henry Rollins
Recorded & Mixed by Clif Norrell
Mastered by Stephen Marcussen at Marcussen Mastering
Postproduction work by Phil Klum for Fourth Coast Productions
Front cover photo by Henry Rollins
All songs written by Rollins Band 2001 BE DRINKABLE MUSIC (BMI). Except: Ain't It Fun - Chrome/Laughner

The band & crew:
Henry Rollins: Throat
Jim Wilson: Guitar, Piano
Marcus Blake: Bass
Jason Mackenroth: Drums
Mike Curtis: Road manager, knower of many things and whatnot
Darrell Bussino: FOH sound. The Way. Justice.

Tracked at Cherokee Studios Los Angeles, CA '00-'01
Assistant Engineer: Sander De Jong
Mixed at Sunset Sound Recorders
Assistant Engineer: Chris Reynolds
Mixed at Skip Saylor Recording
Assistant Engineer: Paul Smith
Kerim Imes: Additional percussion on Your Number Is One

Many of the great guitar sounds on this record were created by Mike Curtis

To purchase or get information on Henry Rollins books, CDs, t-shirts and videos, contact: http://www.henryrollins.com / 2.13.61 - P.O. Box 1910, Los Angeles, CA 90078

Thanks: Management, legal, agents, loaders, security, fans, Mitch Bury of Adams Mass

JOE COLE 4.10.61 - 12.19.91

We recorded a lot of music for the Nice album. We figured you might want to hear some of the stuff that wasn't included on the Nice album. Some of this material has appeared on other releases in Europe and other territories as CD and LP extras but this is all the stuff collected and then some. There's some strange and cool stuff here, and perhaps some over the top and indulgent material as well but what the hell, here it is. As it has been our habit of late, one dollar from each copy of this CD sold domestically is going to the Southern Poverty Law Center. This will be our third release that has generated money on behalf of this fine organization. It's your money that's going to them so it's you who are doing something to hit back against these creeps. Racism? It's only a temporary glitch in the system. We're going to win. We are having a great time playing in front of you and look forward to seeing you out there when next we meet. Without you there would be no records, shows and all the rest. We know. Thanks.
--- Henry, Marcus, Jim, Jason, Mike, Darrell.

The Southern Poverty Law Center is a non-profit organization that combats hate, intolerance and discrimination through education. Founded in 1971 as a small civil rights firm, the SPLC is widely known and respected today for its legal victories against white supremacist groups and its national tolerance education program. Please visit www.tolerance.org to learn more. 

"The Only Way To Know For Sure"

All my musical heroes were great live performers. When I joined Black Flag, it was pounded into my head that the live show demands your best. We worked very hard in the practice room getting it together so there would be no "warm up" show. We went out there and wrecked it nightly.

The Rollins Band always prided themselves in being a top shelf live unit.

Andrew, Sim, Chris, Melvin, Theo took all this very seriously and they all delivered magnificently and consistently.

The commitment level to the live show had not diminished in our camp.

Pre-tour practice goes for about a month in a small room with no air conditioning. This tempers the stamina, getting us ready for the usual high quantity of low quality air and overabundance of heat, which is our usual low-ceilinged playing environment. By the time we get out there, we're not wondering if we can do it - we're wondering how you're going to keep up with us.

On the festival circuit and the occasional corny outdoor multi-band radio-sponsored charades, we open for many contemporary, multi-platinum, much lauded groups and we keep seeing the same thing. A lot of these bands can't cut it live. What an insult to a paying audience.

"LIVE IS THE PROOF. LIVE IS THE ONLY WAY TO KNOW FOR SURE."

Management: Richard Bishop for 3 Artist Management
Legal: Gail Perry
Live Representation: U.S. - Pinnacle Entertainment, New York;
Rest of the World - Free Trade Agency, London

BAND AND CREW:

JIM WILSON - Guitar
JASON MACKENROTH - Drums
MARCUS BLAKE - Bass
HENRY ROLLINS - Throat
MIKE CURTIS - It's his world, we're only touring through it:
DARRELL BUSSINO - FOH sound, international sensation, connected
BRAIN BLUMEYER - Stage tech., has own mag light, will travel
SHAUN WILLMARTH - Merch. man supreme on loan from Wyoming
SIMON WELCH - Monitor engineer for the Chicago shows

About the making of this record:
We chose to record in Chicago for a couple of reasons. I really like the Metro as a venue. I did my first show there in 1982, I believe. The Chicago audience is 100% full-on. We brought out Clif Norrell to record. He has recorded and mixed this band for several years now.

To purchase or get information on Henry Rollins books, CDs, t-shirts and videos, contact: http://www.henryrollins.com
2.13.61 - P.O. Box 1910, Los Angeles, CA 90078

We taped analog and mixed analog. There were no overdubs made. A special thanks to Mike Curtis for helping us get such great guitar sounds onstage and in the studio.

We would like to thank you, our audience as our existence as a touring band depends entirely upon you.

-Henry Rollins

All songs written by Rollins Band / Be Drinkable Music (BMI)
Except
Disc One - Track 1, 11, & 15: Men-O-Rok/ Archetext Music / Imago Music Inc. (BMI)
Disc One Track 5, Disc Two - Track 5 & 7: Rhythm Wreck / Wrack It Jams / Emaciated Music / 2.13.61 Publishing (BMI)
"Do It": MAM (ASCAP)
"Are You Ready?": Universal/Polygram Int. DBA Pippen the Friendly Ranger (ASCAP)

Executive Producer: Henry Rollins
Produced by Clif Norrell
Recorded by Metro Mobile, Glenview IL
Engineered & Mixed by Clif Norrell
Assistant Engineers: Timothy R. Powell, Dan Glomski, Skinner Ways
Mastered by Stephen Marcussen at Marcussen Mastering

Thanks: Our audience worldwirde, Chicao, The Metro, their staff, Nick Miller and Jam Productions, Carol and Darcy at 2.13.61, Richard Bishop, 3 Artist Mgt., Gail Perry, Dave Leinhard @ Dean Markley, Jeff Wilkes @ MET-Rx, Steve Riskin & Danny Zimmerman @ Paiste Cymbals, Richard Stockton & Jack Kontney @ Shure Bros. Microphone, Steve Dachroeden @ St. Louis Music/Ampeg Bass Amps/Dan Armstrong Basses, Marco Soccoli @ Vic Firth Drumsticks, Mitch Bury of Adams Mass.

JOE COLE 4.10.61 - 12.19.91

Track mixed March 2002
Skip Saylor Recording, Los Angeles CA
Mixed by Henry Rollins & Clif Norrell
Engineered by Clif Norrell
Assistant Engineer: Paul Smith

"Rise Above - 24 Black Flag Songs to Benefit The West Memphis Three"

RISE ABOVE Vocals: Chuck D & Henry Rollins + Nick Oliveri, Josh Homme, Jim Wilson, Jason Mackenroth, Marcus Blake, Kira Roessler, Corey Taylor, Denny Harvey, Brad McDonald, Tim Armstrong, Lars Frederiksen, Matt Freeman / NERVOUS BREAKDOWNS Vocal: Keith Morris / FIX ME Vocal: Iggy Pop / I'VE HAD IT Vocal: Cedric Bixler Zavala / i'VE HEARD IT BEFORE Vocal: Jeff Moreira / AMERICAN WASTE Vocal: Neil Fallon / SLIP IT IN Vocals: Henry Rollins, Inger Lorre + Dean Ween on outro guitar / TV PARTY Vocals: Henry Rollins + Nick Oliveri, Josh Homme, Jim Wilson, Jason Mackenroth, Marcus Blake, Kira Roessler, Corey Taylor, Denny Harvey, Brad McDonald, Tim Armstrong, Lars Frederiksen, Matt Freeman, Tommie Vaugn, Ben Kersten, Matt Petrich, David "Pappy" Donaldson Sr. / JEALOUS AGAIN Vocal: Nick Oliveri / MY WAR Vocal: Henry Rollins / THIRSTY & MISERABLE Vocal: Lemmy / ROOM 13 Vocal: Corey Taylor / WASTED Vocals: Exene Cervenka & Henry Rollins / ANNIHILATE THIS WEEK Vocals: Henry Rollins & Kira Roessler + Nick Oliveri, Josh Homme, Jim Wilson, Jason Mackenroth, Marcus Blake, Corey Taylor, Denny Harvey / WHAT I SEE Vocal: Chuck Dukowski / NO VALUES Vocal: Hank III / GIMMIE GIMMIE GIMMIE Vocal: Dean Ween / DEPRESSION Vocal: Casey Chaos / SIX PACK Vocals: Mike Patton + Henry Rolllins, Nick Oliveri, Josh Homme, Jim Wilson, Jason Mackenroth, Marcus Blake, Kira Roessler, Corey Taylor, Denny Harvey, Brad McDonald, Tim Armstrong, Lars Frederiksen, Matt Freeman / POLICE STORY Vocal: Ice T / NERVOUS BREAKDOWN Performed by: Ryan Adams
All proceeds from this record go to the West Memphis Three Defense Fund

Marcus Blake: Bass on all tracks
Jim Wilson: Guitar on all tracks
Jason Mackenroth: Drums on all tracks

All songs published by Cesstone Music. All songs written by Greg Ginn except: "American Waste" by Chuck Dukowski; "I've Heard It Before" by Greg Ginn & Chuck Dukowski; "Room 13" by Greg Ginn & Medea; "Wasted" by Greg Ginn and Keith Morris; "Thirsty and Miserable" by Robo, Medea & Dez Cadena; "My War", "What I See" and "No More" by Chuck Dukowski.

Ryan Adams accompanies himself (courtesy of Lost Highway Records)

Basic tracks recorded at Cherokee Studios LA CA May 2002 / Overdubs done at Cherokee and various studios May - June 2002 / Basics engineered by: Dee Robb and Bruce Robb / Session engineers: Ben Kersten, Matt Petrich / Guitar set up, sound and maintenance: Mike Curtis / Mixed by: Clif Norrell at Skip Saylor’s June – July 2002 / Session engineer: Bill Bennett / Mastered by Stephen Marcussen July 2002 / Photos: Henry Rollins, Mike Curtis / Layout and design: Rania Alomar / Produced by Henry Rollins / Executive Producer: Heidi May / Project consultants: Sean E. DeMott & Bill Fold / Hook-up generator, all-level problem solver, 100% indispensable: Mike Curtis / legal: Gail Perry

JOE COLE 4.10.61 - 12.19.91

Thank You: All of our great singers who sang so amazing and who were so generous with their time.  Greg Ginn, Cherokee & The Robbs, Tommie Vaughn, Gail Perry, Richard Bishop, Carol Bua, Burk Sauls, Grove Pashley, Kathy Bakken, Lisa Fancher, Mara Leverit, Lorri Davis, Joe Azar @ Goldmountain, Pat Carney @ Jeff Hanson Mgmt., Todd Singerman @ Singerman Mgmt., Jorge Hinojosa & Mark Dienger @ Caliente Ent., Greg Werckman @ Ipecac Recordings, Chris LaSalle @ Hellcat Records, Dave Sloan, Jay & Kim @ Room 13 Apparel, Rob "Blasco" Nicholson, Glenda Okimura, John Fenton, Nigel Kopp, Sharon Osbourne & Ozz Fest, David Wolter @ Virgin Records, Frank Callari @ Lost Highway Records, Chris Carrol, Dave Leinhard @ Dean Markely Strings, Steve Dachroeden @ St. Louis Music, Bruce Monical & Adam Kopulsky @ Vintage Studio Rentals, Michelle Torres @ REMO and Mighty Marco Soccoli @ Vic Firth Drumsticks, Mitch Bury of Adams Mass, STREETWISE Marketing, Jimmy Pargas @ ADD Marketing, Marissa Marquez @ Red Bull and everybody else we may have forgotten.

There is not enough space in this format for me to say all the things I want to about Damien Echols, Jessie Misskelley and Jason Baldwin, otherwise known as the West Memphis Three and the scarcely believable situation they’re in, or Steven Branch, Christopher Byers and James Moore and their tragic deaths. Since there are more informed sources, WM3.org for example, I will concentrate on what will be effective here in this confined area.

I became aware of the case like many people, from watching Paradise Lost documentaries that HBO released. The first one shocked me and made me upset. The second one made me mad. Damien, Jessie and Jason were found guilty of murdering three boys and sent to prison. I didn’t agree with the verdict. I figured that to do nothing about that would be to align myself with the forces of injustice that got them pulled into this horrible situation.

One thing led to another and soon I was in contact with the West Memphis Three Support Group folks; Grove, Burke and Kathy and the plight of the WM3 became personal.

What could I do to help? I could send a check to aid in the boy’s defense. That’s nice, but it’s pretty quiet and I thought what this situation needed was volume and motion. I tried to think of things to do and it always came back to a benefit record.

Benefit records are well meant but anonymous and boring to me. If I were to put one together it would have to be one-of-a-kind, a must-have. One morning at around 0330 hours when I am at my best, I came up with the idea to make the record you now have. Like many brilliant ideas had at this hour, they fade with the dawn when sanity and an already daunting itinerary of things that must be done come back on line.

Great idea but I’m too busy I thought. Then I thought about the ages of the WM3, when they went into prison and how old they are now. Mid-teens to mid-twenties. Those were some great years for me. I spent them all over the world. They spent theirs in small rooms with no natural light for something they didn’t do. All of a sudden, my schedule opened up and I got busy. I talked to the guys at my label, Sanctuary Records in New York and they were totally into it.

First thing I had to do was to see if I had a band to do this thing with. I called Jim, Jason and Marcus, aka Mother Superior, aka 75% of the Rollins Band, and stated my case. They were on it immediately. Next phone call was to Heidi May. I knew that to pull this off, it was going to take a lot of connections and literally hundreds of phone calls.

That takes a certain kind of patience and tenacity that I don’t possess. Heidi’s got truckloads of both. She had to do this thing with me. Luckily, she was clear and immediately installed herself at my office and plunged in.

We made a wish list of singers to be on the record. Some were easy to contact. Keith Morris, one phone call, he’s in, he’s got ideas for other singers, some of them are on this record because he suggested them. Right after that call, our road went from uphill to almost vertical. Some managers don’t want their singers on stuff where there’s no money for them. Their clients are too busy we were told. We told the managers that the songs were only ninety seconds. Too busy. But these WM3 are fans of the singer and they’ve been salting away in prison for nearly a decade. Busy, busy busy!

Heidi brings in Sean E and Bill Fold. Two guys who seem to know everyone. They sit us down and rip our wish list to shreds. They have suggestions, they have access, they are into our cause. Lucky us. An example: "Sean, we have been trying for weeks to contact Tom Araya of Slayer but his manager won’t respond." Sean produces Tom’s cell number. We call Tom directly. Tom enthusiastically agrees to help out. In three minutes we have arranged a recording date. I tell him that we have been contacting his manager nonstop about this. He says he never heard a word about it. Tom comes into the studio a while later and blows the roof off the place with his performance. Thanks for being so cool and amazing, . And so it went.

Thankfully, not all the managers were like that. And without exception, all the singers were 100% cool, generous with their time and amazing in their performances. The passion and intensity with which these people laid into these songs are off the scale.

At the end of a lot of inspired work, we ended up with a record that is absolutely bulletproof. Support came from all corners, Marketing companies, publicists, online companies etc. etc. Everyone involved from the engineers to the equipment companies who donated goods, gave 100% and words cannot express my grattitude. The album is scheduled for release in October 8, 2002 on Sanctuary Records. It has been fun being the ringleader in this great conspiracy against injustice. By buying this record, you join us. In a situation like the one the WM3 are in, silence is the enemy and apathy is death. So let’s go.

Thanks.
Henry Rollins

For more information:
WM3.org
Devils Knot by Mara Leveritt
& HBO documentaries:
Paradise Lost I & II