Show Us Your Junk! Ep. 17 - Kurt Ballou (God City Studio, Converge) | EarthQuaker Devices

In the new Show Us Your Junk! we visited Converge guitarist, recording engineer, and GCI gear honcho Kurt Ballou at his God City Studio in the heart of Witch City - Salem, Massachusetts, USA.
Though Salem, MA is notorious for the brutal witch trials held in 1692-93, the city has in recent years become known for a new kind of brutality - the crushing riffs and intense high-gain guitar tones dialed in by Kurt and his friends in the Merrimack Valley hardcore scene that sprouted up in the late 90s around bands like Converge, Cave In, and Piebald. See more: eqd.rocks/Kurt...
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[@premierguitar]

Oh how do we love some Kurt Ballou and EQD! Keep em coming, guys!!

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

Back at ya! Thanks for watching!

[@michalwlosik3544]

Kurt Ballou to college math teacher transformation: 80% complete

[@paytonking4673]

Lol he literally looks like the math teacher I had senior year of high school

[@z.j.mcelwain2025]

I think we’re hitting at least 93% now

[@BookofCommonTerror]

Underrated comment

[@HiGlowie]

“I used to larp in the woods a lot as a kid” I like this guy.

[@punkbanjobob]

I swear, everything this man touches turns to gold. It took me a while after owning Nails, Code Orange and Cult Leader records that Kurt Ballou’s name was on every single one of them. When it comes to hardcore, the dude is a master at his craft.

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

if it's heavy, it says Kurt Ballou.

[@jakeybball]

Nails, Torche, Floor, Kvelertak, High on Fire, Converge, Russian Circles...

[@jackcravford8744]

@@jakeybball from parts unknown...that album is just brutal. best drum sound i ever heard in my life.

[@jbasti227]

Nowadays when you learn that guys like Kurt or Will Putney are producing something (which at this point is VERY often), you know it’s gonna be a banger

[@jensenjames7444]

As a plumber, it makes me anxious seeing Kurt's electronics bench being right under the sewer piping....

[@Yeomannn]

He's entitled to it

[@Yeomannn]

Based plumber

[@Yeomannn]

Average converge enjoyer

[@theghosty99]

11:47 is where he out of nowhere just gives away the secret to how all my favorite Mass HC bands got their sound. Wicked

[@drpibisback7680]

I've not listened to a lot of Converge, but Kurt Ballou clearly knows how to make a good punk record. Plus he did Orchid's first two albums, which is already enough to make him a dream producer for me. As some guy said on Rate Your Music, "Kurt Ballou could make your little brother's pop punk band sound like Nasum."

[@10yearssubs1]

Hahahahahah top comment

[@smelltheglove2038]

I saw converge at the TLA in Philly maybe a decade and a half ago. Started watching this video and didn’t even know this guy was in the band. To be fair, I’m not too big into that scene.

[@jamesdoctor8079]

I wish I had a degree in Aerosmith engineering

[@gkniffen]

james Doctor this comment is hilarious 😂

[@Crumboot]

I'm a year too late but this comment needs sooo much more love!

[@Tyrannosaurine]

Man, I would love to hear Kurt Ballou produce a Sleep record at GodCity. His ability to record heavy music but still get such an expansive and atmospheric sound that would lend itself well to Sleep’s style.

[@-k-b-]

Kurt is the unsung hero of metal mastering, he's mastered so many MASTAPIECES I can't begin to count them

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

totally!

[@BlixTheGoblin]

True that

[@billbradleymusic]

Fur sure.

[@jakeybball]

My faves are Kvelertak, Harmonicraft and all the Nails albums. Had no idea this guy was behind so many amazing records. Blew my mind when I saw the list.

[@heartprocess9099]

I really appreciate how hecking spooky that intro was

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

spooky as HECK, right?

[@Audiojunkk]

Excellent engineer and such a unique playing style! Love Kurt and Converge! + He looks like Ned Flanders

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

thanks for watching, neighborino! hey diddly-ho!

[@kh7955]

Kurt Ballou is by far one of the most innovative guitarists I've ever heard. Not to mention one of the greatest musical engineers ever

[@flapjack413]

His work on ETID's From Parts Unknown will forever be my favorite piece of sonic assault, or at least it will be for many years to come.

[@JWNLGamer]

Kurt Ballou who LARPed as a kid. This man is a god given gift.

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

+20 nerd score

[@TheRyanc490]

Grew up just north in the Sugar River Valley. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

[@rufusdtonebug4049]

That business card/PCB is one of the coolest ideas I've ever seen.

[@TheReverOcelot]

My favorite guitarist ever. Greetings from Russia! Also production of this video is superb, so thanks guys!

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

Awesome. Thanks for watching! Hello from Akron, Ohio!

[@amcaat]

I would check Converge out or book time at this studio based on Kurt Ballou's personality alone.

[@Caveira138]

From Southshore MA can 100% confirm the Aerosmith thing. basically anytime you buy something from an old guy on Craigslist it used to belong to someone in Aerosmith.

[@evanmcdoniels]

I love how he explains what the equipment means/does for him rather than what it is. Sometimes when the "show us your junk" people are just like "oh I have this thing" it doesn't really interest me (listening to a big list of things people have) but when the things they have connect with a story or a feeling or a history, it's way more powerful. This episode had a lot of that. In fairness, I love most of these episodes even when I don't really understand a certain realm of equipment as primarily a guitarist. I hope they let those kids out of the basement sometimes. :)

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

Thanks for watching our stuff Evan. We appreciate you! Have a great week.

[@juno3242]

Plagues has one of the coolest guitar sounds I’ve ever heard in heavy music. Kurt is an incredible sonic craftsman both behind the board and on the stage. Thanks for the vid!

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

thanks for watching!

[@bornslippy7834]

This is pretty awesome. I’ve always been a fan of his playing style and wondered what kind of person he was especially after all the recording he’s done. Absolute genius. Good stuff.

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

thanks for watching!

[@Fafafohi]

Kurt is the reason I bought my first tube amp recently. Orange Dual Terror and a vertical 2x12.

[@DeathTrapProductions]

Wanna know what else Salem is famous for? CRAZY PARKING TICKETS. THIS IS THE BEST EPISODE SO FAR!! GODCITY LOOKS LIKE SO MUCH FUN!

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

crazier parking tickets than Richmond, VA? moving the van every few hours is a drag when you're bummin' around town waiting to play a gig.

[@NicholasGreenwood]

Had no idea he had an aerospace engineering degree. Dang!

[@SandrodelGreco]

Aerosmith Engineering

[@christianfriisjensen2055]

He's a clever boy

[@jaggerrocks]

Yeah as an Electrical Engineering guy he definitely knows his stuff. What a bad ass.

[@adampierce7468]

This guy made Curl Up And Die sound absolutely epic. I don't think they ever took themselves seriously until they entered Godcity.

[@robmcneil]

Gave me goosebumps to come across this, only to learn that Thrasher Magazine and Jake fucking Phelps influenced and had a hand in shaping KB's early musical tastea. Skateboarding and heavy music made me the person I am. For better and for worse until the day I die. THANK YOU SKATEBOARDING, RIP PHELPER.

[@TheMadLicksBand]

"It is more of a conversation piece than a cymbal" =) =) =)

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

my favorite line in the whole thing!

[@Bork_In_Volcanic]

I guess some insane dark-hardcore guys might want to use it on a record.

[@drpibisback7680]

​@@Bork_In_VolcanicIt probably is just like a gong at that point, string it up (because I'm sure it would instantly topple any regular cymbal stand) and use it for an intro or something.

[@johnnyscifi]

Converge is my favourite hardcore band. It overtook black flag for me. Thank you Kurt, for everything you do

[@seanarooni]

love how its always the nicest calmest guys who make the heaviest music

[@sassulusmagnus]

Old Traynor amps in the background. Very cool.

[@michaeldoerksen2841]

Buddy rocking the Neil Young tee working on that Traynor, has to be the most Canadian Musician thing I've seen all week

[@ololwtf]

Kurt looks like Joaquin Phoenix in 'Her'

[@dadasha]

NAH HE IS NOT!

[@rdvgrd6]

No he looks like Ned Flanders

[@michaelestrella346]

I would love to pick Kurt's brain and get an idea of how he approaches writing. Super sick video.

[@ronanjenkins2323]

Kurt is such an inspiration love all the stuff he does from production to writing with converge. Hardcore/Metalcore has really reinvigorated my guitar playing, super awesome to see someone like this talk openly about all his production tactics and everything.

[@denverrandy7143]

This isn't Hoarding,its just Awesomeness.👍

[@MetalRush666]

Kurt is so humble but the man is a beast on guitar and in the studio.

[@yiannisfinch7217]

Such a smart and interesting guy. A lot of albums that I love have been recorded there

[@denverrandy7143]

This has to be my favorite episode!!!

[@hiqwertyhi]

"this is more of a conversation piece than a cymbal"

[@chingyun143]

love the sword casually hung behind the guitar!

[@mikedescoteaux1069]

Salem baby!! I'm from Vermont so go there once a year. High on Fire recorded there. I will make an album there, mark my words.

[@taejun9017]

Converge is the best heavy band to ever exist.

[@antiflo781]

LOL, is Kurt Ballou purposely going for that Ed Kemper look?

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

I hear they're casting for Mindhunter season 2

[@beepbeep2446]

A cross between the look Ed Kemper and the knowledgeability of Steve Albini

[@IHateMyAccountName]

MOTHER

[@woodbutcher]

😂😂😂

[@dougthealligator]

You guys need to do one with Will Yip at Studio 4 in Conshohocken

[@brendanbrown1204]

SOLID CHOICE! I’d love to see Will Yip on here.

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

thanks!

[@Soulpuddinghtx]

Absolutely amazing video, y’all. ARE. KILLIN. IT.

[@funeralbillii9172]

I have absolutely NO idea who this guy is, but any video showing us some hoarder's collection of gear and I'm stoked. This guy has some sweet stuff, I'll have to hear some of his music now to hear this equipment!! Thanks, Earthquaker!! I also think it's cool that you as a company don't try and force these people to only talk about your gear, very democratic of you, BRAVO!!

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

thanks for watching! we're gear nerds, and pedals aren't really a mac/pc thing - they're all compatible with each other, so why not?!

[@calwiggums3319]

I can't get enough of these video uploads. Learn something new every veiw! Thanks to all involved in making these. Sincerely

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

Thanks for checking 'em out, Cal!

[@sfn4702]

yes! I needed this today... yay gear and recording!

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

thanks for watching!

[@scottreid3540]

I love this show. EQD for the win. its super cool that they didn't cut his own handmade pedals out.

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

Thanks for watching! We show whatever people use in this series and our "Board to Death" videos. Check 'em out.

[@wulfshead]

One of my absolute hero’s

[@mojekh]

The idea with business card is ingenious!! ;-)

[@BlixTheGoblin]

Fuck yessss Kurt Ballou and EarthQuaker, cant go wrong here...

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

Thanks

[@sourceaudioeffects]

Great video. Thanks, EQD.

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

thanks for checking it out!

[@probotdrummer]

First!, and foremost thanks to earthquaker devices for exposing the younger generations to the masters, and Mr. Ballou is one of them, even tough you might not know it, he change underground music forever, thanks Kurt.

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

🙌🙌

[@openoceanrecords6984]

I've been waiting for this for so long !!!!

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

here it is! enjoy!

[@spaghettGREATJOB]

In case anyone wondered why his tone and riffs are so genius in every record... you get a taste of how intellectual and thoughtful he is. One of my favorite guitarists ever.

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

thanks for watching! i think every band needs an engineer to sweat the details so everyone else can rock.

[@middle_pickup]

I had no idea about the Boss OS-2 having that blend control. So neat.

[@michaeldoerksen2841]

It's a highly underrated Boss dirt pedal. I'm never getting rid of mine

[@MusssabM]

日本語字幕ありがとうございました！本当に役に立ちました！

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

見てくれてありがとう！

[@williampacheco6163]

love kurt love joyce manor love earthquaker perfect vid :)

[@jai97guit]

So cool that he recorded joyce manor, the new album sounds great! Much love to Kurt

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

it really does. thanks for watching!

[@vanyagorkov8438]

Seriously amazing editing and production guys. You deserve way more views as a channel. Not only do you guys make insane pedals but god I really love your videos guys.

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

thanks for the kind words!

[@vonslagle]

That's Fred Smith doing the tuck knee invert @3:21. He gave me my first tattoo in 1988. He is/was the coolest!

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

so rad!

[@mheberling5939]

Thats awesome! I had a Fred Smith board. The mini one.

[@corpseweed]

Saw that! Fred gave me my first one too, haha. He's got that picture framed in his shop.

[@vonslagle]

@@corpseweed Awesome!!

[@vonslagle]

@@mheberling5939 Sick!!

[@duhlike]

Bam Margera on the cover of that Thrasher. Full circle with my favorite peeps.

[@RockAudioExperiments]

If we could get an EQD and GodCity Instruments collab I think my heart would explode. I feel like kurt and Jamie have a similar love for everything filthy 🤘

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

woah!

[@jasonscott5639]

That GCI Craftsman guitar with the Lollar at the beginning is stunning. Even in the lowlight it looks amazing. Does anyone know if he’s making these?

[@freeecountryy]

I can't wait until the day I get to work with Kurt. It will happen! Converge was, and is, one of my favorite bands and Petitioning The Empty Sky blew my 16 year old head off when I first heard em playing the songs from it when they came through Northampton MA and I still can't think of a song from that era that comes close to "Farewell Note To This City." Man, I'm geeking out heavy, but this is awesome!

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

Thanks for watching! I hope you get your chance!

[@devilyoushy]

I LOVE how good these videos look now!

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

thanks so much!

[@natrick]

My favorite heavy guitar player ever who records my favorite sounding music ever. Such a boss.

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

thanks for watching, Nate!

[@siriusfun]

Watching this on Halloween with some hefty local craft ale and my Tele/Orange combo being flattered by your 'Afterneath' pedal. Tonight should really not ever end...

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

it really shouldn't

[@unlacedshoe]

happy to see this

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

thanks for watching!

[@hiqwertyhi]

I love that he has a honeytone in his amp room

[@MathcoreIndex]

That lint on his fucking sweater is driving me crazy

[@johnnyscifi]

He even produced the final Have Heart record, and it slays!!! and Cursed I

[@kianmacleod379]

Just casually mentions "Jane Doe" as if it isn't one of the most influential hardcore records of all time

[@samjardine1719]

Great video. Could listen to Kurt all day!

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

Thanks, Sam! I love Kurt's guitar playing and production work.

[@BeersAndBeatsPDX]

They happened in Old Salem Village which ecomoassed what is now Salem, Peabody, Danvers, and parts of Beverly. All of the witch stuff happened mostly in Danvers and Peabody but Salem is trying to get tourism money. And yes, everyone has an Aerosmith story. I went to school in Watertown and my teacher did the car audio for Steve Perry and Steven Tyler. They had some wild stories about dealing with them.

[@LUCA-ki3yi]

I feel spoiled with all this content, thank you for this one

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

more great content to come!

[@FedericoAscariAudio]

thanks for filming and sharing this! so interesting and insightful

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

it's our pleasure! thanks for watching.

[@bentolleson2585]

Recently I put some Seymour Duncan 50s style p90s in a sg special. I can't help but to pick it up and play when I walk into my room 😎

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

that's the guitar u need and have congrats

[@moodmusik]

These are awesome. Loved this episode. Keep it up!

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

thank you!

[@TempleOfTheMartyrs]

this geezer has got the most amazing amps

[@SinnetSongs]

Is that a Mustang with a Dean neck on it?!? That's unholy

[@punker-gamer-trucker-guy]

Yea this needs explanation and demonstration

[@simaojoseph]

Man! I love the credits 3D layer decomposing effect you use: Is there any tutorial out there?

[@tritriren]

Kurt is the most down to earth and nice person ever. His work on converge is bloody impressive, also it's hard not to speak about Cave In with Until Your Heart Stops or the brutal production of I Am King by Code Orange. Fucking awesome.

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

Totally. He changed the game for recording heavy music.

[@billbradleymusic]

Awesome!

[@jmeezle]

Ed Kemper has tons of gear.

[@triplesevensix291]

Awesome! Gear heaven. Great series this.

[@wheresallthezombies]

damn his guitars look awesome.

[@lockedowng]

I love this so much.

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

thanks!

[@tmitz73]

Great Video Guys!!!!

[@HillsSilent]

Love this! Big, big fan of Converge.

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

thanks for watching!

[@p.o.3889]

I came back 4 years later just to watch that few second clip featuring broken Peavey Dirty Dog. That pedal rules and there is not enough love or info going around about it. The only people I know that use it are Kurt Ballou and Dylan Carlson (and me, but who am I?) To spread the love: it was designed by James Brown. No, not that one, the one who later started Amptweaker. He also designed Peavey Bandit, and Dirty Dog used couple of tones from that amp. Also: Dirty Dog got its name from mr. Brown's band.

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

😈

[@p.o.3889]

@@EarthQuakerDevices What does that mean? Are you telling me there is something on the way? EQD The Somewhat Unclean Poodle?

[@madedharma1738]

Thank you for this!

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

you're welcome! thanks for watching!

[@evilwarnings2419]

This documentary is as rad as your pedals!

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

thanks so much!

[@ShredShed]

Kurt Ballou is the Man

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

he sure is

[@Gore171459]

I bought the Riffchild(low gain od to crazy distortion) when I saw them and holy hell it's the loudest pedal I've ever seen or used but I love how it pushes whatever I use along with it. Especially by adding just a little bit of gain. It's got a special sound and I wanna use it for everything.

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

Rad! Kurt makes good stuff.

[@Onamorata]

Just recorded drums there last week for my band Harborlights. Such a great room. Get will Putney on here!

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

Nice. It's a great sounding room.

[@devinpatrickmusic]

I'm a believer. Thanks EQD!

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

it's our pleasure. thanks for watching!

[@hludsonicmanipulation]

So many cool things!

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

thanks for watching!