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The Weisstronauts - Question Mark

from Chorus vs. Solos: A Tribute to Charlie Chesterman by Various Artists

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Original version appears on the Chaz & the Motorbikes' Skunk On The Loose album

I've had the privilege of working with Charlie on all of his solo records and I always admired (and tried to play into) his loose-cannon, anything goes, bang-it-out approach to studio recording. Charlie's version of "Question Mark" holds amazing memories for me. Not only is it a fantastic garage-pop song, full of rapid-fire, hilarious wordplay and push/pull swing-punk rhythms... It's also one of his most spontaneous recordings. The instrumental basic track was recorded on the first take, with Andy Pastore's incendiary guitar solo going down live (not overdubbed) with the band. Charlie's lead vocal was a first take as well (with some lyrics being changed just moments before the tape rolled). The Farfisa that I added took me two takes (doh!) And the mix that was used on the album was actually the original rough mix made simply for reference/evaluation. All this "don't think too much" stuff adds up to the track forcing itself out of the speakers and into the listener's psyche. When the Weisstronauts were asked to submit a track for this collection, our first choice was of course "Question Mark." And we knew we had our work cut out for us (especially with the fact that we are normally an instrumental band!) And we sure had a blast trying to do this CC classic some justice!

credits

from Chorus vs. Solos: A Tribute to Charlie Chesterman, released February 29, 2012
Written by Charles E. Chesterman, Jim Faris, Gary Gendron, and Andy Pastore (Big Sloppy Kiss Music, BMI)

Pete Weiss: vocals, guitar, harmonica, Farfisa organ
Kenny Lafler: lead guitar, backup vocals
Kevin Quinn: bass, backup vocals
Nathan Logus: drums, backup vocals
Jeff Norcross: tambourine, backup vocals
George Hall: spiritual guidance

Recorded & mixed by Pete Weiss at Verdant Studio, Athens VT
www.weisstronauts.com

Photo copyright Michael J. Charles

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Chorus vs. Solos: A Tribute to Charlie Chesterman Boston, Massachusetts

Artists cover songs of Scruffy the Cat frontman & Roots-Pop/Alt-country pioneer Charlie Chesterman to raise money to help in his battle with cancer.

“Chesterman is one of the best American songwriters of the last 25 years.” --Alex Green, Caught In The Carousel
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