Whiskey Bayou Records proudly releases Pain By Numbers, the new album by acclaimed guitarist-vocalist, Eric McFadden.
Guitar Player Magazine writes, “If San Francisco is home to anyone approaching the abilities of a modern Jimi Hendrix, it’s Eric McFadden.” Produced by famed musician (and Whiskey Bayou Records co-owner) Tab Benoit, “Pain by Numbers” is twelve tracks of dark gospel, compelling rock, and dirty blues.
Encompassing three decades of recording and performing live, McFadden has created his own original style. His music is dirty, his guitar is dirty, and his attitude is dirty. Not in a “screw you” way but in the gut-wrenching, no-holds-barred, breaking-all-the-rules way. This all brings an unleashed passion to his songwriting, guitar playing, and his endless, creative Pain By Numbers journey.
McFadden enlists some renowned musicians on Pain By Numbers: Doug Wimbish (from legendary rock band Living Color) on bass; Terrence Higgins (Warren Haynes, Ani DiFranco) on drums; and the aforementioned Tab Benoit on keyboards. Pain By Numbers represents an artist exposing his own vulnerability with unmatched expression, style, delivery, and above all, originality. While delivering the goods with the same energy as the Clash and the Ramones, Eric McFadden’s Blues seek its own musical footprint on Pain By Numbers.
Blues-E-News recently interviewed McFadden for its 5 Quick Questions series, here’s how it went.
BEN: What are the main take-aways you’ve lived and learned from being in the music business for as long as you have?
EM: I learned early on that success is not equatable to talent or ability. I learned that it’s important to remember why I do this. I didn’t get into music for any other reason other than that I felt utterly compelled to play it. I play for the love of it, I play for people. The business is just a necessary evil. As Col. Bruce Hampton said, you have to be insane to do this unless you have no choice. I am grateful that I get to do what I do. I have to play music, so I have to make a living playing music. I also know that you have to give everything you’ve got, every time. You have to mean it.
BEN: Talk about your new album “Pain By Numbers,” produced by well-known musician Tab Benoit, how much fun did you guys have recording the album, and how did the decision-making process go, when it came to the final mix on each song?
EM: Though many of these songs were born of pain, the recording process was completely painless. I had my brother, Doug Wimbish on bass, and the mighty Terence Higgins on drums. You can’t go wrong with a rhythm section like that. It was fluid and effortless with them. Doug and Terence are such deep, intuitive players and real pros. Tab Benoit’s objective was to get a the most passionate and genuine performance out of the players. It’s pretty much just three guys playing in a room. We got Tab playing on a few tracks. He plays organ, guitar, drums, and does some singing. Also got my good man, Carl Dufrene to do some singing. Tab didn’t suggest a lot of changes, but when he spoke up it was always right on point. When it came to mixing, I just trusted in Tab to do it. I already knew he had a good ear and knows how to make shit sound right. We recorded the album in less than three days. Very few overdubs, and no more than two takes of any song. The most fun might have been hanging with Tab after the sessions from about 2am to 6am just talking and listening to music, whether it be Buddy Guy or Himalayan throat singers.
BEN: Do you still enjoy going out on the road on tour, as much as you did in the beginning?
EM: Touring is a very different thing now than it was than. I’m not out here to get laid or high, It’s just about the music. There’s nothing quite like the excitement of first going on the road. seeing new places for the first time, meeting new people, sleeping on people’s floors, waking up in a dress next to a goat on mushrooms. I was on mushrooms, not the goat. I still love touring, though, it’s nice to have a little downtime now and then. I’d like to hit some new destinations. Perhaps Thailand, New Zealand, Brazil, Neptune.
BEN: Looking back on your long career, who are some of the musicians you’ve had the most enjoyment playing with through the years?
EM: Besides the aforementioned people, I’ve had some great experiences playing with, George Clinton and P-Funk, Jim Campilongo, Nels Cline, Skerik, Bernie Worrell, Bo Diddly, Carla Kiltsted, Joe Strummer, Paulo Baldi, James Whiton, Les Claypool, Eddie Roberts, Wally Ingram, David Schools, Jerry Joseph, James Hall, Pat mAcdonald, Norwood Fisher, Angelo Moore, Carla Bozulich, Michael Jerome, Mike Watt, Broun Fellinis, Leo Nocentelli, Jackson Browne, Gov’t Mule, Zigaboo, Keb Mo, Anders, Brady Blade, The Coup, Josh Zee, Bryan Kehoe and the Reverend Horton Heat, to name a few. I’ve had the good fortune of playing with some great people.
BEN: What’s up in the near future for Eric McFadden, recording- and/or touring-wise?
EM: I have a duo record in the can that I recorded with Omar Torrez in Chollula, Mexico in the spring. We will be touring through Russia, the Balkans and other parts of Europe later in the year. I’ll be touring the new record “Pain By Numbers”, throughout the States and Europe quite a bit in the coming year. I’ve also got a new project with Eddie Roberts, Wally Ingram, Jeff Franca, Miles Tacket and Chris Spies called the Sophistikits. We just released our first single on Color Red records. Will also be doing some stuff with my brother, Skerik. Look out for an upcoming Tasty Face video featuring me, Queen delphine, Angelo Moore and Jesse Hughes, as well as an all-acoustic AC/DC tribute record to be released on the French Label, Bad Reputation. Also looking forward to doing another record with Tab next year. I feel better when I’m doing stuff. Why stop when you can go? www.ericmcfadden.com/ www.whiskeybayourecords.com.
