ORIGINAL SONGS The songs on this page were all written between 1991 and 1995 (except "Spinning Wheel"). The "Studio Rough Mix" recordings were recorded at Sleepless Nights studios in 1995 but have yet to be mixed down into a final product. The "Home Demo" recordings were recorded in 1993 and 1994 on my Tascam Portastudio 424 four-track recorder. All MP3s were made from a cassette that had been sitting in a drawer for several years. As a result they are flawed with a lot of tape hiss, occassional warbling and some uneven levels due to poorly mixed stereo effects. Additional Musicians: Vocalist Ron Platt was the lead singer of the popular Chicago-based cover band ARRA at the time when he sang for me at Sleepless Nights studios. Drummer Von Eric caught my attention as a member of the progressive metal trio Stoenhaven in 1993. Vocalist Wade Otis was a member of the original hard rock band Badwolf when he contributed his voice to my demos. He currently performs with The Wade Otis Band. Vocalist Kenny "Gonzo" Keith enjoyed a career as the lead singer of the band Predator in the 1980s. At the time of these recordings, he was a popular night club owner. Vocalist George LeGros was a founding member of The Buckinghams back in the 1960s and later spent many years with The Shakers. He died of cancer in 2001. Violist David Becker is my father. Aftershock Lyrics Music and Lyrics by Josh Becker Studio Rough Mix MP3 (4:17)    Ron Platt: Vocals    Von Eric: Drums    Josh Becker: Guitars, Keyboards, Bass Original Home Demo MP3 (4:15)    Kenny "Gonzo" Keith: Vocals    Josh Becker: Guitars, Keyboards, Bass, Drum Programming This is a mostly straight-forward rock tune with somewhat progressive instrumental sections. When I Saw You Cry Lyrics Music and Lyrics by Josh Becker Studio Rough Mix MP3 (4:21)    Ron Platt: Vocals    Von Eric: Drums    Josh Becker: Guitars, Keyboards, Bass Original Home Demo MP3 (4:13)    Wade Otis: Vocals    Josh Becker: Guitars, Keyboards, Bass, Drum Programming This was meant to be a radio-friendly formula power pop ballad from the start, right down to the sappy lyrics. On the Run Lyrics Music and Lyrics by Josh Becker Studio Rough Mix MP3 (3:24)    Ron Platt: Vocals    Von Eric: Drums    Josh Becker: Guitars, Keyboards, Bass The original instrumental demo for this song was the first thing I created with my Tascam Portastudio 424 after I bought it in 1993. The lyrics, which are among my favorite, came much later after many of the other songs were already completed. Spinning Wheel Lyrics Music and Lyrics by David Clayton-Thomas Originally recorded by Blood Sweat & Tears ©1969 BMI Home Demo MP3 (3:40)    George LeGros: Vocals    Josh Becker: Guitars, Keyboards, Bass, Drum Programming The brass parts of the original Blood, Sweat & Tears classic are replaced here by aggressive guitar and keyboards. George LeGros was the perfect choice to do justice to this song�s distinctive vocal part. Also, note that the guitar solo is faithful, note-for-note, to the original trumpet solo by Lew Soloff. Can You Recall / Afterburn Lyrics Music and Lyrics by Josh Becker Home Demo MP3 (6:46)    Kenny "Gonzo" Keith: Vocals    David Becker: Viola    Josh Becker: Guitars, Keyboards, Flute, Bass, Drum Programming Another version of Can You Recall is on my Solo Acoustic Page Can You Recall is a sad piano ballad that I wrote in 1991 and presented to my band The Cheeters. We recorded my music with someone else's lyrics under the name "Afraid". Later, I reunited my notes with my words in this recording, adding a piano intro, classical instruments and Afterburn, an up-tempo instrumental built on the already established piano themes. Incubus Lyrics Music and Lyrics by Josh Becker Home Demo MP3 (7:10)    Kenny "Gonzo" Keith: Vocals    Josh Becker: Guitars, Keyboards, Bass, Drum Programming This is a prog-rock epic that is meant to appeal to fans of Dream Theater, Ronnie James Dio and Queensryche. Follow Me Lyrics Music and Lyrics by Josh Becker Home Demo MP3 (3:33)    Wade Otis: Vocals    Josh Becker: Guitars, Keyboards, Bass, Drum Programming I originally came up with the verses and chorus while still a member of The Cheeters in 1992. The idea was that this song would be a high-energy set opener for our live show but that never came to be. Later, after the band disbanded, I salvaged the song and added the very "Kansas-like" instrumental bridge before recording it. Mad City Lyrics Music and Lyrics by Josh Becker Home Demo MP3 (3:37)    George LeGros: Vocals    Josh Becker: Guitars, Flute, Bass, Drum Programming Obviously influenced by early Jethro Tull, this bluesy rocker was originally written as an entry for the "Mad City Anthem" contest sponsored by WIBA 101.5 FM of Madison, Wisconsin back in 1994. [Home Page]