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Setting
Levels
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Edited
by Paul "Pro" Pearson,
Ph.D.
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Making the Handle Jiggle
JC-Jack Comeau, front-of-house engineer for Jiggle the Handle Jiggle the Handle is one band that is no stranger to the jamband/festival scene in the Northeast. With their latest release on Phoenix Presents, "Live at the Stone Coast Brewing Company"-one of the best CD's I've had the pleasure of reviewing and listening to in recent months-their success is no fluke. One of the reasons JTH has been able to work their way up the ranks is the presence of dedicated ex-taper and sound engineer, Jack Comeau. I had the opportunity to interview Jack by email a month or two ago for Jambands.com and pick his brain about helping to create the JTH sound. SL-Tell me your story about how you became the sound guy for JTH. JC- Well, when I first saw Jiggle, I was taper. They really caught my attention with a rendition of 'Liz Reed' that was flawless. Then, at a show, there was a light board with nobody manning it, so I asked if I could play around. That was the birth of 'Larry the Light Guy'...a nickname given to me by Gary (our guitar player) that has since stuck (even though I do sound now). My mom even calls me Larry. I went out and bought a small lighting system (20 cans, truss, strobe, moonflowers, and fogger) and brought that into every show. Then I started delving into the world of monitors. We bought a monitor board and I would do monitors for the band on tour when there was no lighting system. Then in 98, we parted ways with our old front-of-house sound engineer, and I was given a shot at the position. I was always partial to be being a sound engineer, what with being a taper and all...I knew what I wanted to hear, so getting a chance to be in control of what I wanted to hear was a dream come true. SL-What formal/informal training you have? JC-I have actually had no formal training or schooling whatsoever. I have to give credit to Phil Davidson from Taft Sound . He allowed me to tag along to gigs with him, where I would just stand behind him, observe what he was doing, ask questions and take notes. Also Mick Foret of Foret Sound is a great resource, he's taught me quite a bit about gear. I also have to say I've learned quite a bit from Nat Koren from Strangefolk and Atomic Audio, he's taught me alot about doing things on a larger scale (3,000 seat venues and up) . The rest is all hands-on. SL-Why you think YOUR mix is better, and what do you try to bring to the JTH sound? JC-What I try to achieve at a show is to be able to close your eyes and hear everything on stage in its proper place. Lately I have been working on trying to get a more smoother, flowing mix happening, where in the past, I was more concerned with having all the instrumentation sounding the way it should. I think I am getting to the point now where its time to 'dance' with the mix...putting solo's where they should be, and intermingling the rhythm section and the comping for a more intricate, experimental type of mix . SL-Tell me more about the Stone Coast Brewing Company show and how it was mixed. JC-Being part of the Phoenix Presents series was a great experience. We were familiar with remote recording, our first disc (Mrs. White's Party) was a live disc, recorded from 2 shows. For the Phoenix Presents disc, a whole seperate 'show' was set up in a truck outside the venue. Everything was dumped onto 32 tracks ADAT, with a totally separate mix from what I was doing inside. Then we had the chance to go back and fine tune the mix by remixing off the ADATs in a studio. We chose the Stone Coast because of the acoustics of the room, the atmosphere, and we were just coming off a nationwide tour, so we were VERY warmed up. SL-Jiggle the Handle has done a number of festivals in the past few years. Care to relate a few of your experiences? JC-2 years ago, we had the pleasure of being part of the HORDE tour, and last year we did a few dates with the Allman Bros. Got a chance to work with Baker Lee (formerly of Tramps in NYC) who was a fantastic stage manager/system engineer. Also last year, we played High Sierra, which was a definite high point for me. We were scheduled for Mainstage at High Sierra this year, but had to cancel because our guitar player was having a baby. Also a lot of fun was Berkfest last year. I mixed the Grateful Dead Tribute late night, the band was an all-star mix of The Miracle Orchestra, Jiggle, the Rockett Band, and the Slip, as well as mixing Jiggle on both the Showcase stage (in the pouring rain) and the Mainstage. Looking forward to Berkfest this year, I hope to be quite active, maybe getting a chance to mix other bands. Jiggle is playing late night with the Slip, then a Showcase stage play (we're doing a surprise album-side), and the Mainstage to round out the weekend. Just last month we did the Ho-down with our good friends Schleigho in Wendell, MA... a beautiful setting and a great PA (provided by Moondog out of Upstate NY). Also, I'd like to mention the Central Square Worlds Fair in Cambridge, MA was quite a treat...our second time playing it. I believe there were over 20,000 people at the streetfest, I had the oppurtunity to mix both the Rockett Band and Jiggle. SL-Since you're an old taper, tell me about your dealings with tapers, the band's policy on taping, and do you tape/archive the band's work? JC- I love tapers! I have been a taper for years...250 Dead shows, and pretty much any show I went to, got taped. I have no problem giving board access to tapers, its a perfect way to get the music out to the people. Jiggle does archive shows...handled by Chuck Metchear, who has been with us for many, many shows... Thanks to Jack for his take on mixing one of the best live jambands in the scene today, Jiggle the Handle. I'd encourage you to check them out and be sure to bring your taping rig-you won't be disappointed. Comments? Have a topic for 'Setting Levels'? Want to put in your $.02 on taping, trading or mixing live music? Send me an email...
Pro Due to my exhaustive travel schedule this month, Newbie Nuggets will take a break. Please feel free to look at the Jambands.com archives for a selection if you are a new trader and need something to jump start your collection. OR, if you have something I've just gotta hear, let's work out a trade. Send me an email with your request... Pro@jambands.com Jiggle the Handle- http://www.jigglethehandle.com Check out Jack in his native habitat-behind the board for JTH. You can also find more JTH at: Lauan Records- http://www.lauan.com Check out "Three Sets" with JTH, Day By the River, and Vinyl. Pro is off to Hong Kong, Singapore and New Zealand....check him out at www.strangepleasures.com
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