Watch Me Ruin Everything (2022 Version)

Robert James

This was by far my favorite song from the 2021 RPM Challenge, but I was really disappointed with the recording. I thought the rhythm guitars sounded like crap and the vocals were terrible.

This version sort of fixes the rhythm guitars but the vocals in the verses are still pretty pitchy. All in all I think I am really liking this new versions, though the mix has only been done for 10 minutes or so and I am already getting annoyed. I used a lot of fuzz throughout and I often have a hard time mixing fuzzy songs.

The found sound track is the exact same as the recording from last February, though I think I cut it in different places. It’s just a tape of a walk through Harvard Square in Cambridge, MA (the cultural center of the universe, and just across the street from Harvard Yard where there is no parking but there is a bike rack) and at one point a truck drives by. It didn’t bother me the first time around but I had to chop it out this time. The chirping you hear near the end of the song is a cross walk indicator. When it starts chirping you start crossing. When it stops, get out of the road because those bastards pulling onto Mass Ave will absolutely take you out if you’re moving slow.

Guitars… there are a bunch of different setups and there were supposed to be more but I ended up axing a few things. Everything was played on my Les Paul Standard. The cleanish rhythm tracks used a Walrus Audio The Depths into a Klon KTR into the 18 watt channel of a Fender Bassbreaker 18/30. The fuzzy rhythm tracks was a Wren and Cuff Tri Pi 70 into the KTR into the 18/30. Leads were a Dunlop Fuzz Face Mini into a Ryra the Klone into a Fender Bassbreaker 15. The backward echo thing during the outro was a Real McCoy Customs RMC10 wah into the Ryra into the boost side of a Keeley D&M Drive into the Bassbreaker 15. The actual solo at the end was The Depths into the Ryra into the D&M Boost into the Bassbreaker 15. I think that covers everything.

Verse 1

Giving in to everything

Is the only skill I bring

No reason why, it’s just what I do

Won’t make up for anything

Verse 2

Step into the emptiness

Give in to forgetfulness

Could be the guilt finally got to me

Leave me with my loneliness.

Chorus

Front row seat to my decay

Watch me ruin everything

Bury me, throw me away

To the dust where I belong


Raise your glass to one my day

One more chance to watch me fail

Nothing else for me to say

This is it, watch me crumble

The found sound track is from freesound.org.
https://freesound.org/people/themfish/sounds/33544/