Merry Christmas From Theocracy!

Matt Smith · December 13th, 2006, 07:44 PM

Hi Guys--
Well as I said before, I didn’t want to derail the album progress by doing another new Christmas song this year, but I wanted to at least do something for you guys. I was listening to the original Christmas Medley and thought, “Man, I really love this. Too bad the production stinks it up.” Then I thought, “Since that was done before I had an actual band, it sure would be cool to record Shawn playing drums on it and remix it…hey, that’s what I’ll do!”

Like anything, ALWAYS, it ended up being way more trouble and more time-consuming than I’d bargained for. I was shocked at how badly-recorded some of it was when I pulled up the masters (learned a lot in 3 years, I guess?), so there were certain things that had to be retracked because of either quality issues or tuning issues (or in a couple of cases, random missing files). In the end it wasn’t really that much less trouble than doing a whole new song, but hey, live and learn. And I think the end result is well worth it, because (if I may say so myself) I think it came out quite awesome!

Still making great progress on the album. This remix set me back a little, but not much, so I’m going to resume hitting it hard this weekend. I’ll try to post a video or two of my progress in the coming weeks.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY!!!

Theocracy Christmas Medley 2006 Mix

Kenneth R. · December 13th, 2006, 09:07 PM

Merry Christmas dudes! psyched to hear the new stuff

Metalmilita2000 · December 14th, 2006, 12:41 AM

Awesome Matt! Hey, if you are available from the 20th - 27th this month at all, I am coming home for Christmas, wanted to know if yall wanted to go get a bite to eat. Let me know, you have my number.

Webpoacher · December 14th, 2006, 06:09 AM

Sounds perfect! (Anyone still has the original so I can compare it?)

rdmtz007 · December 14th, 2006, 08:46 AM

wow! sounds great matt. can't wait for the new album.

rd

athensbum · December 14th, 2006, 02:30 PM

Sounds great, Matt! I'm so proud

Der Schriftsteller · December 14th, 2006, 03:22 PM

You're my hero, Matt! You just made my Christmas!

_Wes · December 15th, 2006, 10:45 AM

Matt - this 'song' is absolutely amazing! It has to be one of the best Christmas songs I have ever heard!!

Wow.

Had to come post and let you know.
Thanks & Merry Christmas!!

Wes
(ThumbGuy on CMR)

koffish · December 15th, 2006, 11:42 AM

It's more than awesome, Matt! It's perfect!!! Now I wish christmas was everyday so I could listen to this masterpiece! Keep up the GREAT work, Theocracy!

chrisw357 · December 16th, 2006, 02:57 AM

Thank you, Matt! After what you said in the "New Album" thread, this was quite the unexpected treat. I think I understand why you'd want to re-work the song. This, like any other song, is a labor of love. It sounds much better, too. Shawn's drumming sounds perfect in this!

@ Webpoacher: I have the original. I'll listen to them side-by-side tomorrow.

chrisw357 · December 16th, 2006, 03:29 PM

This new mix, compared to the original, sounds punchier... much more powerful. Sounds like the overall track levels were increased by 30% or more, if I'm not mistaken. The Shawndrums, being a vast improvement of course, add to the powerful feelings in the medley.

I'm going to be playing this one more often!

December 13th, 2006, 07:44 PM	#1 (permalink)
Matt Smith THEOCRACY Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Athens, GA Posts: 884	Merry Christmas From Theocracy! Hi Guys-- Well as I said before, I didn’t want to derail the album progress by doing another new Christmas song this year, but I wanted to at least do something for you guys. I was listening to the original Christmas Medley and thought, “Man, I really love this. Too bad the production stinks it up.” Then I thought, “Since that was done before I had an actual band, it sure would be cool to record Shawn playing drums on it and remix it…hey, that’s what I’ll do!” Like anything, ALWAYS, it ended up being way more trouble and more time-consuming than I’d bargained for. I was shocked at how badly-recorded some of it was when I pulled up the masters (learned a lot in 3 years, I guess?), so there were certain things that had to be retracked because of either quality issues or tuning issues (or in a couple of cases, random missing files). In the end it wasn’t really that much less trouble than doing a whole new song, but hey, live and learn. And I think the end result is well worth it, because (if I may say so myself) I think it came out quite awesome! Still making great progress on the album. This remix set me back a little, but not much, so I’m going to resume hitting it hard this weekend. I’ll try to post a video or two of my progress in the coming weeks. MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY!!! Theocracy Christmas Medley 2006 Mix __________________ Matt THEOCRACY

December 13th, 2006, 09:07 PM	#2 (permalink)
Kenneth R. Autumnstone Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Hallways of Always Posts: 15,494	Merry Christmas dudes! psyched to hear the new stuff __________________

December 14th, 2006, 12:41 AM	#3 (permalink)
Metalmilita2000 Schizos Are Never Alone Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Maplewood, Minnesota Posts: 964	Awesome Matt! Hey, if you are available from the 20th - 27th this month at all, I am coming home for Christmas, wanted to know if yall wanted to go get a bite to eat. Let me know, you have my number. __________________ "What Would Jack Burton Do?" www.myspace.com/brenterwin

December 14th, 2006, 08:46 AM	#5 (permalink)
rdmtz007 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 7	Theocracy ROCKS!!! wow! sounds great matt. can't wait for the new album. rd

December 14th, 2006, 02:30 PM	#6 (permalink)
athensbum Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: D-ville, GA Posts: 28	Way to go! Sounds great, Matt! I'm so proud

December 14th, 2006, 06:09 AM	#4 (permalink)
Webpoacher Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 25	Sounds perfect! (Anyone still has the original so I can compare it?)

December 14th, 2006, 03:22 PM	#7 (permalink)
Der Schriftsteller Author of the Aparillion Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Germany Posts: 96	You're my hero, Matt! You just made my Christmas! __________________ I once was a guitar solo.

December 15th, 2006, 10:45 AM	#8 (permalink)
_Wes StrangeBass Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 263	Matt - this 'song' is absolutely amazing! It has to be one of the best Christmas songs I have ever heard!! Wow. Had to come post and let you know. Thanks & Merry Christmas!! Wes (ThumbGuy on CMR) __________________ _Wes www.fretlessbassist.com www.StrangeLand.us

December 15th, 2006, 11:42 AM	#9 (permalink)
koffish Theocracized Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sweden Posts: 58	It's more than awesome, Matt! It's perfect!!! Now I wish christmas was everyday so I could listen to this masterpiece! Keep up the GREAT work, Theocracy!

December 16th, 2006, 02:57 AM	#10 (permalink)
chrisw357 Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: A little to the left of Avondale, AZ. Posts: 54	Thank you, Matt! After what you said in the "New Album" thread, this was quite the unexpected treat. I think I understand why you'd want to re-work the song. This, like any other song, is a labor of love. It sounds much better, too. Shawn's drumming sounds perfect in this! @ Webpoacher: I have the original. I'll listen to them side-by-side tomorrow. __________________ Click here for my personal blog! Visit my MySpace page

December 16th, 2006, 03:29 PM	#11 (permalink)
chrisw357 Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: A little to the left of Avondale, AZ. Posts: 54	Comparison This new mix, compared to the original, sounds punchier... much more powerful. Sounds like the overall track levels were increased by 30% or more, if I'm not mistaken. The Shawndrums, being a vast improvement of course, add to the powerful feelings in the medley. I'm going to be playing this one more often! __________________ Click here for my personal blog! Visit my MySpace page