PETER DOHERTY III - "THE FULL MONTY"

Well, it’s time to close this chapter and, I’ll do it the way I always try to do on this blog – with accuracy and trying to go a little bit further on the understanding of this music business and the people who live around it.

Off course there’s always the sentence – “Once upon a time” – and that time was last Summer when Jake Fior (produced Pete’s “For Lovers”), asked me if I knew a good studio around here. The purpose was to record the first Pete’s solo effort. At that time everything was almost prepared with EMI-UK - studio, hotels, etc but there was a change of plans and the Portuguese recordings project stopped there.

Well, life goes on and when you treat people with respect and in a professional way, stories tend to end the way this one did.

The gig in this Portuguese student’s festival was announced and from that moment I started to move towards the action. It was tough but on the Wednesday before the gig I was at the phone with Adrian Hunter, Pete’s Manager and meeting was settled for Thursday afternoon.

Adrian was aware I was the one that has the studio connections from last year contacts.

We chatted a little with the company of a pair of pints and presentations were made.  Adrian told me that Peter was always writing and didn’t knew if he wanted to record some demos. I believe that for Adrian it was a relief that I was not just someone press related trying to score points and seeking for “blood”. But, to Adrian we’ll get back shortly in a fully presentation of the -“gang”.

So, after that moment I became part of the above mentioned gang.

On the gig day, I met them late at the Hotel – where I met Peter for the first time – and we went altogether to the venue.  I saw the gig at the stage and after it ends we went backstage for drinks and more chat were I told Peter that if he wanted I could try to fix the Studio. It was time also for meeting fans and sign some records, tickets, and take some snaps.

It was almost done. It was getting late and time to return to the Hotel. Everyone was tired and there was only time for “see ya next time, nice to meet you….”

Then, the funniest side of the story: A different way to book a studio and close a deal. It was Saturday night about 10.30 pm and I was taking a walk with Buddy my dog when Adrian texted me – “Can you get studio tomorrow?” Even knowing that “tomorrow” was Sunday, I’ve texted João from the Studios and he tells me he’s away at a gig and he’d be back Porto near dawn. Somehow I manage to link the two parts and by Midnight everything was settled for Sunday afternoon.

I was a fine experience, to see Peter recording, to be among a very professional team, both Pete’s and the Studio. I believe there will be a next time for sure. For the record, after studio sessions, I left them all at the Hotel and they went to see FC Porto game with tickets provided by gig promoter Emerson.

So, now, the value added part of this post. Let’s meet the gang and discover what their function on the team is:

ADRIAN HUNTER:

http://www.myspace.com/lazyeyeartists

http://lazyeyemanagement.blogspot.com/

Manager: Co-founder of Lazy Eye Management

Adrian takes care of almost everything with his partner regarding the management of Pete and also the Babyshambles. He has a long term relationship with Pete with the usual highs and lows and apparently it was on one of the lows, after last year’s known management problems, that he “grabbed by the neck” the Pete’s solo record project. As a manager he as to deal with press, contracts, label communications and budget and also live shows. Always around his blackberry.  There was a funny episode after the first Pete’s solo shows when record producer, Stephen Street leaves the stage thumbs up as asks Adrian “Was that ok?” – And Adrian said to me “The almighty Stephen Street is asking me if I thought it was okay??” You can get for this the good environment around the album recordings. Very professional and down to earth fellow.

IAIN SLATER:

 myspace.com/apbtheband

myspace.com/loveless1992

 

Live sound engineer:

Iain is Peter and also Babyshambles  live sound engineer since October 2007.
As per Iain’s words “before that, I worked with various different bands since 1994 when I started doing it for a living”.
 Before 1994 Iain was always in bands since school. Check is Myspace page.

KENNY PATERSON

Guitar Tech:

The man it was responsible for getting me one used Pete’s guitar string form my collection.

He takes care of all the guitars.

THE BALLERINAS:

Both French, added a good vibe to a couple of tunes at the gig, namely “Salomé”. Their names are Celine and Octavie plus the mysterious and lovely Christine.

JOÃO  BESSA:

http://www.boomstudios.pt

Chief Engineer:

João was the man behind the wheel that afternoon. He is the chief engineer of Boom Studios, owned by a famous Portuguese performer and musician, Pedro Abrunhosa. Very professional approach also and a relation to last.

PETER DOHERTY:

Well, everything that is to know about Pete is on the internet. Regarding is person, he was very polite, very down to earth and we chatted like mates. We even joked around my nick name, King_leer since he asked me if I knew the meaning of Leer (I do). Then he started talking about the Morrissey album title, Alma Matters.

In the studio he was very committed and he finished “The Ballad of Grimaldi” after I believe seven takes and always paying attention to Iain’s guidance. After that it was pizza time to everybody.

On music, I hope he continues to compose (he’s always writing) and the best compliment I can give is to say that “A Little Death Around The Eyes” it’s a work of Art!

KING_LEER:

Well, that one is me and, I hope you all to return to this blog and comment whatever you like and I hope it’s contents are worthy of your time.

Love

KL

Note: “Except gig photo and Kenny's, all the others are owned by Luzikz.com!”