Throttle Body influences - Thom Brisendine

Go ahead and Google the name, Thom Brisendine. You wont find much. At least regarding a Thom Brisendine that grew up in Federal Way, Washington in the 1970's. Thom isn't really part of this online world. But he's a big part of mine.

Growing up, Thom was simply the most gifted musician I ever met. He was one of those guys who could play anything on anything. He was gifted on piano and trumpet and drums and percussion. He was exceptional as a mallet percussionist. His dedication to music, and his lack of intimidation when approaching any instrument was an inspiration to me. His work ethic as a teenager was legendary. You know the whole 10,000 hours mantra of mastery? Thom was onto that long before it was fashionable.

I have such fond memories of making my earliest recordings with Thom, as well as some of my best. Before there was Throttle Body, there was Top Cat, and Thom was a fixture. He played or programmed drums for the tracks we recorded. He also contributed vibraphone, xylophone, drums, percussion, bass, harmonica, and vocals to many tracks. As he had purchased a Fostex 80-8 (1/4" 8-track recorder), and made me welcome in his Bremerton home at the time, I actually wouldn't have been able to record without his generosity. I'll get around to posting some tracks with his performances so you can understand what a gift he shared with me.

Thom and I continued making music together into the late 1980's, but then we had a falling out, which turned out to be more or less permanent. I regret it to this day.

I wish I could point you to a lot of his work, but Thom's gifts these days are seldom shared.

As an influence, Thom is quite simply one of the people who encouraged me to make music, to create and to grow as a musician. I wouldn't be the musician I am, had Thom not been a part of my life. There remains a part of me, that whenever I make new music, is hoping that if he ever hears it, he will approve.

The lyric project - Air Canada sessions - So Sure

And now we fast forward to 2004...The Air Canada sessions have begun. I am living in West Seattle, in the home of Rod Moody (of Sub Pop 200 Swallow and 17,014 other bands fame) and his wife, the artist Tina Anderson. They were on a two-year adventure on the US east coast, and I was in need of a place to live, and it all worked out swimmingly. I didn't have much to my name at this point - a few furnishings, a dog and a cat, but I had love in my life again, a little bit of cash and an itch to make music again, so I picked up a ProTools Digi 002 rack system, mated it with a Mackie mixer and a handful of good microphones and decided to give things a go again.

The first song out the gate was a solid rocker that essentially marked my rebirth. I love this tune and the recording of it. When I was in doubt of everything about myself, my Love was so sure of me.

So Sure

I'm not alone in my heretic bones
With my past full of sin
If you knew where I'd been
You'd all hate me
But someone loves me

I'm not asleep on my swim in the deep
Left my freedom ashore
If you knew anymore
You'd all hate me
But someone loves me

Someone loves me
Someone loves me
Someone loves me
And when I'm in doubt
She's so sure
She's so sure

I was adrift in my walk through the mist
With the pain I have caused
If you knew all the loss
You'd all hate me
But someone loves me

I was in doubt, but I figured it out
I'll endure all the pain
I'll put down all the shame
You can hate me
Cos' someone loves me

Someone loves me

Someone loves me

Someone needs me

She wont leave me

She calls me "baby"

Her love has saved me

Someone loves me

And when I'm in doubt

She's so sure

She's so sure

All songs Copyright Jerry Hammack, used by permission, published by Really Real Music, BMI