URIZEN gets "All Jack'd Up"

This morning (aka "noon"), your humble UriMen made their way to TXA 21 Studios in Fort Worth to film a live performance for a DFW music show called "All Jack'd Up" (http://alljackduptv.com/). I have to say, from start to finish, this was one of the most pleasant professional experiences we have ever had! Come my children. Prepare yourselves. I've a tale; an impure tale to tell...

Our convoy of vehicles containing amps, instruments, armor, robots, Boxmen, and a spaceship arrived at TXA 21 Studios at noon. We checked in at the front desk and were greeted by Mark, the director of All Jack'd Up, who led us to the loading dock.

The loading dock

We weren't entirely sure why we had to first load in to the loading dock, then into the studio, but it became clear once we saw what was on the other side of the door...

Yeah... people with real jobs. So we quickly and quietly relocated our piles of shit from the loading dock into the studio, trying not to disturb people far more responsible than we. Once in the studio, it was time to cram 1000 pounds of URIZEN into a 500 pound sack... er, stage.

Gabe; our loyal slave... I mean helper...

Too Much Stuff

Matt wasn't nearly as excited about this as Thomas was

 We set about our usual tasks: setting up drums, amps, etc.; getting everything mic'd; tuning; checking lines; all the usual stuff. But the amazing thing about today was that we got to have fun while doing it! Two factors can totally ruin a band's experience: 1.) Not having enough time to set up and sound check, and 2.) Dealing with an asshole-y soundguy. At All Jack'd Up, we had ample time to fine tune, and the sound guy couldn't have possibly been any nicer or more helpful. It was like a damn fantasy land!

Boring street clothes soundcheck

Once we ran through the songs, we were invited back to the sound booth to listen to the mix, which sounded great! Again, a luxury that we are certainly not used to.

James presents: Mixing board

Back to the studio we went, where we made our astonishing transformation from guys in regular clothes to... GUYS IN WHITE JUMPSUITS AND ARMOR! SHABLAGOO!

Matt needs to relieve some"tension" before shows

Thomas is quite pleased with this robo-dressing

As was I!

Gabe in his weekend wear

With the lines checked, the levels set, and the suits donned, we were ready for them to unleash the camera operators. We couldn't help but feel like these people were questioning their life choices once they walked into the room and saw this:

A degree in Journalism will get you up close and personal with these gentlemen

The nature of the filming was as follows: Play "A New Revelation" so that the director can plan a course of action for the cameramen (and woman), then play it two more times (for realsies!) to hopefully at least capture a decent full take of the performance. Then do the whole thing over again, but with "Boxmen" instead of Revelation (I don't know why you would care to read about this, but hey, you're reading the fuckin' blog, not me!).

I decided to just watch the flatscreen instead of actually playing. Seemed easier.

We hit the last note of the third take of Boxmen, and the shoot was over. Right after we finished, one of the camera operators called us "the most entertaining band we've ever had in here," and I no longer felt like we were wasting their time, which was nice. And so, we began the whole process in reverse: break down, parade our wares in front of the TXA employees, pile up our junk in the loading dock, and toss it all back into the cars.

All in all, it was astoundingly fun, and refreshingly relaxed! We can't thank Mark and his crew enough, they were all awesome and good-humored, and they made the day a total blast. Our episode is scheduled (tentatively) to air at midnight on Saturday, December 11th, so be sure to set your DVRs if you're in the metroplex.

Catch "All Jack'd Up" on TXA 21 every Saturday at midnight, and watch videos online at AllJackdUpTV.com. Support this show and its awesome crew!