Where Do The Cat Souls Go?
The curse of running a blog like this one, is that when absolutely nothing is going on, I have mountains of time to dedicate to documenting every little detail. The reverse has been the case lately, where every second is filled with crazy exciting things, and not nearly enough time to get them all done, let alone document them. It's really been insane over here. I am going to do a big Spring Tour recap, but that will have to wait.
I'm sitting in a really nice post-production studio doing the very last final work on The Panic Channel's first video, "Why Cry". We shot it a couple weeks ago, did the edit all last week, and now we are doing an eleventh hour tweak on the audio that happens in the intro before the song starts. The finished video I believe will be on MSN.com first, then spread out to the other video channels/outlets.
We're very happy with it. I don't want to ruin anything, so let's just keep it quiet until you see it. The whole experience from concept to finished video was the speediest and least obstacle-filled of anything involved with this record so far. It pretty much couldn't have gone better. We were really lucky to have Kate Miller over at Capitol overseeing the production, who introduced us to director Robert Hales, who turned out to be the perfect choice. He dug our concept and treatment and was a dream to work with.
Once the video is released, that will be the time to talk about it, but for now let's just move along...
The time since returning home from tour has been a blur wrapped in a email stamped with a deadline. We had a week to reassemble our lives, then we shot the "Why Cry" video on June 16th. After that marathon 16 hour day, the next night we played a show at our "home" in our hometown - "The Dragonfly". The show ended up being one of the best shows on the tour (we counted it as the last show on the tour, since most of our friends couldn't get into the Roxy show). It was also great to recharge after the hard road schedule - I sang a much better show at the Dragonfly than the week before at the Roxy.
The whole next week was editing the video. Ken, Robert's editor over at Sunset Edit did an incredible job. They let us be a part of the editing process all the way through, and couldn't have been more creative or open to collaborating with the band. In turn, we hipped Ken to "Trapped in the Closet" which we figure he will owe us forever for.
So now the video is done. On to Vegas.
Tomorrow night we play a big party-event thing at The Palms in Las Vegas. The magazine "944" is having its one year anniversary, and The Palms is opening a new 40 million dollar pool, so apparently it's going to be some giant shindig starting tomorrow and lasting until the 4th of July to celebrate. I'm fucking stoked. Haven't been to Vegas in about a year, and that's too long. The last time was when I sang a tune for a Camp Freddy gig at the Hard Rock Casino's 10th anniversary. That was my first free trip to Vegas. This will be number two. Free airfare, food, rooms, and God knows what else. I am taking the lady, and some good friends and Panic Agents are coming out to see the show from L.A.
The plan goes something like this: we get out tomorrow afternoon, then play an acoustic set for a radio station in LV, then soundcheck at the Palms, then The Panic Channel plays, then Camp Freddy (I am scheduled to sing The Cult's "She Sells Sanctuary"). Big day.
The bandstand is apparently outside under the stars around this new Uber-Pool. Afterwards, fireworks. Yeah, I know - it sounds pretty sick. It's one of those things that isn't possible to suck. Just not possible.
It's also a bit of happenstance that we are playing at a 944 magazine party, as in this month's issue G had a rememberance of her friend Dario (who was killed on his motorcycle last month) published. It was beyond tragic that someone so beloved by his friends was taken so young (28), and you can see the outpouring of affection on the last page.
Speaking of sad news, one of my two cats 'Yaphet" was killed by a coyote just after I got back from tour. He was born in my closet in '99, the one cat from the litter that I kept. The smart one, the attentive one. I loved that little guy so much. Don't really have anything clever to say about it. Just sucks.
Hope you all are well, and thanks for your patience while I was buzzing around the country playing shows and keeping thepanicchannel.com cracking along.
Comments
Sorry to hear about Yaphet. Losing a pet always sucks.
Have fun tonight Man. If there's anyway I could've been there I would've. I'm going to have to purposely avoid the reviews and comments for the next couple of days or I'll get seriously bummed. TPC, CF, Weiland, it don't get any better than that-a musical climax. Oh well, there's always next time, I guess. Enjoy yourselves. And the cat souls go to the same place the dog souls do. I gotta believe they'll all be there waiting for us when we get there.
Posted by: OLDSCHOOL | July 1, 2006 03:48 AM
...and the little animal souls come and pay us a visit every once in awhile too. I am so, so, sorry about Yaphet, Steve.
Now...I didn't think I could be any more stoked about Vegas until I read your blog this morning...TPC, CF and FIREWORKS!?!? I believe I have died and gone to heaven.
See you in Vegas...have a safe trip!!!
Posted by: Cori | July 1, 2006 05:13 AM
PS...I love this pic today
Posted by: Cori | July 1, 2006 05:14 AM
OH how sad! I'm so sorry to hear about Yaphet! Pets give us the unconditional love we don't always get from people which makes them such special souls.
Have a kick ass time in Vegas. I would've been there had this show been announced before the VR show at the end of the month. Two trips cross-country to Vegas is not in the budget!
Posted by: Robin | July 1, 2006 05:44 AM
Sorry to hear about Yaphet. From the photo I saw, he looked like a very intelligent and proud cat. It's always a sad time, and reminds me that the friends we make are not dictated by species.
Posted by: RecklessPrincess | July 1, 2006 05:54 AM
I'm so sorry to hear about Yaphet. I'm sure he's just lounging around and his little spirit will be back to pay visits from time to time just to check on his human. Have a great time in Vegas! I really wish I could make it to see all the kick ass music, but being on East Coast has it's diadavantages.
Posted by: Famingo | July 1, 2006 06:40 AM
is that the cover art??? it reminds me of the dragonfly. Anyhow sorry about the Yaphet
Posted by: wendybird | July 1, 2006 10:02 AM
Awww, Steve. I'm sorry about Yaphet. It's horrible to lose a baby kitty like that.
But tonight will be a blast, I'm sure. Really stoked to see you sing with CF!
Posted by: Theresa | July 1, 2006 10:14 AM
Steve-Sorry to hear about Yaphet.....Be safe and be well.
Posted by: brett | July 1, 2006 07:10 PM
Sorry bout your cat :(
Posted by: Twisted Angel | July 1, 2006 08:14 PM
steve...my most sincere and deepest condolences on the loss of yaphet and dario....both you and G are in my prayers....have a safe trip to vegas....L8R
Posted by: UC13 | July 1, 2006 08:48 PM
Glad 2 c ur back in action man, sorry to hear about Yaphet
Posted by: Mark | July 2, 2006 12:20 AM
Hi Steve-
Went to the show in Vegas, very cool. I wasn't able to catch you on the tour so it was a treat for me. My girlfriend and I had a nice time waiting in line with your father and his companion- obviously chatting about the band and random stuff. Not that you would remember, but we met you when you came out in line at grabbed them and took them in to the pool. Just nice to at least say hi in person after following you here and at TPC and 67 for about a year. Good luck and we'll see you when you hit the road this fall. Keep the blog up- it's nice to read up what you share on a personal level. Thanks again.
mark
Posted by: QQQ | July 2, 2006 07:04 PM
Hey, sorry to hear about G's friend and your cat.
btw love the pic, very pretty.
-Adriana
Posted by: AER | July 2, 2006 10:09 PM
Steve, so, so sorry about Yaphet, and G’s friend, I read about his accident…so tragic.
I’m glad that you are having good times, too. Fate has such a strange way of creating connections like that, I definitely believe it’s more than coincidence that you played the 944 party and that issue had Dario’s remembrance in it.
Anyway, best to you all. Can’t wait for the video AND the album!! Thanks for updating us during the chaos.
Love,
Sue
Posted by: Sue | July 3, 2006 08:43 AM
Oh, almost forgot--are you going to release actual CD singles? I collect them all the time, please at least put some up online for us to buy, preferably signed!!!
Posted by: Sue | July 3, 2006 08:44 AM
So sorry to hear about Yaphet. I lost a cat last year... you're right, it does suck.
Posted by: Caffeinated Sue | July 3, 2006 10:20 AM
Sorry about your cat...
Posted by: Mike | July 3, 2006 11:10 AM
Condolenscenses for the loss of Yaphet & your freind Dario...
a moment of silence~
Kisses
Posted by: Chrissy | July 3, 2006 01:23 PM
Oh no! aww, that totally sucks about Yaphet. :o(
Man I remember a few years ago when I had to put my cat to sleep (he was 20 years old), I was soooo bummed for quite a while after. He was a family pet and I grew up with the thing- had him for about 15 years. He was the smartest coolest fucking cat. Would literally look both ways before crossing the street.
Here's to past pet Cats!
May they rest in peace and may we be greatful for the gentle paw prints they left in our hearts.
On a brighter note, glad to hear everything went well with the video.
You were great in Vegas!
Hope you have a good 4th!
~Peace out homie~
Posted by: mortisha | July 3, 2006 09:42 PM
Steve, sounds like you're living up like you deserve to be! I'm hoping there will be some pictures from the Vegas show to be shared! Maybe you or Gianna can get some on your flickr accounts? I wish I could be there and I seriously thought about it, but I'm gonna wait 'til TPC tours again and go visit my fellow Agents in LA. I love those people. Thanks to you guys.
I am so stoked to see the Why Cry video! It's the first time I've ever WAITED for a video... or a CD for that matter.
I'm sorry to hear about Yaphet. Weird, I read another post today by LordK of The Project Hate and it was about his cat leaving him. Maybe they're chillin' together having some grade a tuna.
RIP Dario.
Posted by: Jenn | July 4, 2006 09:26 AM
Sorry to hear about your cat, Steve. I'm a huge animal person and it's hard to lose a pet. Unconditional love you can't get from anyone else.
Posted by: Dawn | July 5, 2006 09:04 AM
Steve - my condolences to you for the loss of Yaphet and to G, for the loss of her friend...
Take Care.
Posted by: Junebug | July 7, 2006 09:57 AM
oh steve i am very sorry for the loss of your kitty.
Posted by: moonrider613 | July 7, 2006 04:34 PM
Um...
I have a question:
Why is she called Molly?
I am veering towards an answer that blows something apart, and explains why there is still a certain link on Dave's site...
hmmmmmm.
RP
x
Posted by: RecklessPrincess | July 7, 2006 04:48 PM
Sorry to hear about your kitty....
Just saw the "WHY CRY" video on MSN and when I saw your opening shot....i thought...in the immortal words of David Cassidy "I think I love you!" ;-) Very nicely done video...you looked great as did the rest of the guys in the band...can't wait to hunt for and see the alternate versions!
Posted by: MB | July 9, 2006 11:56 AM
Steve Isaacs! My friend Chris and I took an animation class with you way back in 1986 at De Anza College in Cupertino... I've heard about you intermittently since then and only today found your site. Congrats on all the success you've had since you got the hell out of Cupertino! (I got the hell out too - I'm now a filmmaker in LA - feel free to check out my site and drop me a line if you dare, though I can't fault you if you don't remember me. 20 years is 20 years.)
Posted by: Mark Tapio Kines | July 9, 2006 11:58 AM
Congrats on the vid, it's amazing - I mean the whole concept, or story or whatever you want to call it...
I have so much I want to say about it, but I will resist the urge for now.
RP
x
Posted by: RecklessPrincess | July 9, 2006 02:07 PM
THANK YOU FOR PLUGGING FAILURE'S FANTASTIC PLANET! Ken Andrews is a GOD and nobody even knows it... Good day.
Posted by: Zotis | July 11, 2006 08:54 PM
I am so sorry about Yaphet.
I've seen the Why Cry video. It's great, can't wait for more and the tour!
Much love!
Posted by: Robin | July 28, 2006 06:20 PM