Fly On The Wall with James Michael - Episode 3 "Prayers For The Damned

[@garywhitehead532]

It sounds amazing! Cant wait to hear the rest of the song... but with all those guitar parts going on simultaneously, how are you going to reproduce it live? And also....Please announce Australian tour dates soon...we want to see you!

[@lovetheredguitar00]

Listening to this I'm picturing the 3 of you in a giant, beautiful abandoned cathedral...broken stained glass, shadows, vines growing through walls...that intro is hauntingly beautiful

[@mama2haileybug835]

I just cannot wait to see you guys play live!! I will be looking rather listening for all these inside glimpses into these track when I see you guys at Rockville on the 30th. Thank you for all you guys do for us. I cannot speak for everyone but I really appreciate the time you (all) take with the fans. Happy Monday James 🌺🤘🏻🤘🏻🌺

[@angelgirl89]

I didn't think I could get more excited for the albums, but after the tease of this song I am all the more excited! Awesome videos, James! Thanks so much for sharing with us!

[@kevingilmore185]

James, you add so much to the band, with your intelligence, feel & ear of tones (hard & soft), producing and voice ! I'm praying,...that you guys come to Lincoln or Omaha Nebraska !

[@hankepton943]

These are the coolest freaking videos. I've loved all of them.

[@ramonare6579]

You amaze me… plus i love your smile.🥰

[@jenpostawa]

James, you have amazing energy and a beautiful soul :) Thank you for everything you do for your fans. Great video, be well my friend :)

[@jessicahfhf]

I really love these behind-the-album videos coz I know the sound is full and I enjoyed it a lot but never know how to make these amazing sound in mixing or producing until these episodes is released. Thanks James and your efforts really means a lot, it really makes me think and listen more inside a song :D

[@GlammyGlamm]

Hi James. Thank you very much, once again, for letting us discover the new stages of this amazing process of creating a great music. Thanks to your explanations, I now understand much better the process of overlaying and mixing the different colors of sounds , which, when put together, give as a result an overall of a great sound. It´s truly an amazing journey. Can´t wait to see more. :)

[@carriemahoney3684]

Hi James, Thanks for another insightful episode on Sixx Am fly on the wall. l'm really learning a lot about music from you. lt's awesome how you can take a song and break it down, layer by layer, and then put it back together again, gaining the knowledge of how it was done. You're a wonderful person and a great teacher.

[@rogerenz]

Thank You James for making these videos! It is so awesome to get this insight on how you guys come up with your sound. I love this teaser of a new song, can't wait to hear the rest of it, sounds very dramatic!

[@198krydstogt]

Art rock. Putting it up in the most positive light. Love it!!! The grandiose sound, and the drama therein) And you manage(d?) to pull it of live, intervening the audio tricks!!! Class act!!!

[@TRADE-RUNNER]

Great Video and Series James - thanks so much for taking the time to break down everything getting heaps out of it! This track is awesome - takes me back to a classic dark Iron Maiden tune

[@june-babyjane1]

I'm loving these videos James. Thank you for taking the time out to do them. It really is interesting to see what goes on and to hear all the different parts coming together. I'm loving DJ's solo's in these new songs, he's really an exceptional guitarist and underrated at times. This album sounds like it's the best work you guys and gals have come up with. Roll on 29/4/2016

[@reyreymtz]

Thank you for doing all of that work. Making great songs for us to listen to and usually we have no idea of all the hard work it takes to make such beautiful music.

[@PrettyBirdRio]

can you please make a video on Belly of the Beast?? that track is so incredible and Nikki and DJ's parts get me every time I listen to it. thanks James! you guys are incredible

[@randyjohnson5426]

Great sound...cant wait for this to be available. Also fantastic video... giving everyone a chance to go inside mixing/separating the various instruments..very cool!

[@N1nestein]

Thanks James... am really enjoying this series! Excellent to see how you craft that rich full Sixx:A.M. sound.

[@lianek2984]

As I listened to the song today I thought it was so cool that I was able to pay attention to the guitar.. Thank you for those cool videos, they allow me to listen to your songs in another way! (Great song btw, best one of the album so far!)

[@Bamdan03]

So friggin excited about hearing this track after this snippet!

[@Brandon2940]

From Vol.1 of this album sounds like the sound that SIXX:A.M. had the entire time but were waiting for the right time to release it, can't wait for Vol.2

[@gsndhigh]

Jesus--you guys are fucking Masters. I had no idea this is what was in this song. VERY exciting to see/hear this breakdown on the production end. It's so exciting to learn these things. It brings a whole new level of appreciation for the music and what Sixx:A.M. is bringing to the table in general. Keep the videos coming. It's very appreciated. Thanks !

[@leslieshriver3738]

FANTASTIC!!!👍👍👍🎸🎸🎸🎵🎵🎵

[@bigdadyjason69]

Can't wait to hear the entire album and especially live. Great Job

[@avasbaba]

James your an amazing singer AND an amazing producer. This song is beautiful. This will help me layer my guitar tracks to add that orchestral feel..

[@corinna007]

I LOVE the song. The guitar, the bass, the vocals, the whole mood of the song; It's just amazing.

[@donnahill9783]

James, you're such a wonderful teacher. I'm learning so much which only makes me more obsessed with SixxAM!!!

[@mindyhuntbeach8026]

James - you are brilliant! I love seeing this! You are VERY good at your job!

[@markomarkovicgm]

I literally feel honored to be able to watch video like this. Thank you so much. Any chance you guys might visit Exit festival in Serbia? DJ has already been there with GnR so I can imagine he have great memories...

[@paulinepousar9684]

this is great! I love the "bell like" sound that you mention in the beginning. DJ really has a feel for the beautiful combinations of the sounds you can get out of the guitar. And your talent in finding the puzzles in it all creating a picture of sound. amazing

[@hirvillas]

Tanks James Michael for share!

[@prepetuallight]

Thank you for sharing these with us! can't wait to hear this song.

[@myrose5540]

great intro which sounds heavy. love it! really interesting hear all those differents sounds mixed all together. the result is awesome. Great job! Thank you so much to share those Fly On The Wall videos with us.

[@hisakosixx]

After watching this video , I could hear many guitar sounds of Dj playing. Very fantastic melody .... Thank you , James You make me to realize about many sound things

[@Opeckie]

This song already sounds SO BADASS! I LOVE these fly on the wall vids! Thank you so much for sharing!

[@pambryant05]

thanks for doing these, very cool to see the process and having everything explained. watching these videos I can tell the LOVE for music you have.

[@garrykingmusic]

Great stuff James, and a big thanks for all your work, Garry

[@paulinepousar9684]

listening to this song right now. I need thinking back to this video and I can really hear what your talking about with the different tones! amazing!

[@Edward-rd6oh]

Please do one for the devil's coming. I love the guitars. The whole song is awesome really.

[@geovanarebeque]

I just wanna thank you for the amazing and savior that you guys do! The songs are perfect! Thank you for everything! Big hugs from your fan from Brazil

[@joseevita]

Omg... I'm going to be in love with this song, no doubt. Thank you for sharing James!

[@lauren.3965]

+Josee Poirier-Evita This album will be so wonderful! I wasn't really fan of the last album (even if it was great), but this one, I'm sure that it will be wonderful! *o*

[@SuperStrangSshadow]

You are doing an amazing job:) Hope there will be more clips from you:)

[@KusabiTetsugoro]

Wow dude it's amazing! Already made a pre-order, now I'm waiting this like I never did. Thank you from all the Russian fans!

[@philsk84]

I really like these videos, very instructive! Wish you could even make more of em. Wish also you could make courses for beginners.... Anyway , love your work!

[@natasja3770]

This part is my favourite so far! ❤️😊

[@kerioleniach7062]

I am enjoying these, glad I found them. Thanks for doing these.

[@PetraSix]

It's very amazing James ☺ I need to learn it

[@observer7756]

love this song, and the lyrics, great work

[@catdancesmile]

I enjoyed it thank you for sharing this information i found it very interesting.

[@elizabethcaro4972]

LOVEEEEE it!!!

[@joepettit6533]

James, Can you discuss how you are able to play such a complex arrangement with multiple layers live. I know with Modern Vintage, DJ commented about how difficult it was to figure out how to arrange the songs for live production. It seems like he'll be challenged on this tour as well. Thanks, Joe

[@Acing86]

Love these videos, very interesting

[@AgilDogsVideo]

Loving these videos !

[@randalljax]

James very Cool episode you did an amazing job on this record Question can you Comment on the amps or models used On the cd Vol 1 Thanks so much

[@mattbriel4264]

As everyone else has said, the videos are an amazing glimpse into the development of the music. James - how long does it take you to put together a single song? The attention to detail pulling together multiple tracks stanza by stanza is impressive. I too look forward to the drum addition.

[@breedoubleday4582]

Love how you're so multi-talented , James! Can't wait to be able to meet you guys in Halifax! (Bought VIP) Dumb question..do y'all mind hugs? xD You're fricking epic!

[@VikenxRocker]

I love this videos, I'm really learning things... but, I've been wondering if there any chance of a video about how the drums where recording for the album (presets, drum machine, samples, etc or a drummer playing in the studio). I'm curious about it. Cheers from Chile! :)

[@JamesMichaelOfficial]

Yes! I have an episode coming soon which features drum recording and mixing! Stay tuned!

[@AxlKorsakov]

Yeah +James Michael !!! I'm really looking forward for a drum episode! great videos of a killer album! Best from Paraguay!

[@Vincenzo601]

Hi James, can you tell us if you have any favourites off the new album? I'm curious to know if you like anything more than this song, because to me it is the best Sixx:A.M. I've ever heard. Impossibly good!

[@brettmueller6045]

James, thanks for these videos!! I have also been enthralled with how songs are recorded / created and these have been so insightful. Question though: with all of those layers, how do you translate it when playing live or more specifically, how does DJ do all those parts? Thanks!

[@privaterkanal8600]

DJ = guitar god

[@redwinggirl5581]

So watching this again, and wondering, there are so many intricate parts just with DJ's guitar... How can the true sound of the song/music be translated into live music without it losing something?

[@JamesMichaelOfficial]

Great question! In live performances DJ creates guitar arrangements that incorporate elements of many of the parts. It's quite a challenge as you can imagine! DJ's incredible skills really show in live shows too!

[@redwinggirl5581]

+James Michael Everything you guys do intrigues me,I'm always blown away!! Dj is an absolute magician on guitar, Things he does always amazes me. Can't wait to see you guys live again, do doubt it'll be Killer. Thanks for responding James 😊 Have a great day! 😙💖 xo

[@phuongkimmai3294]

💝🌺

[@marcusantemarlind9035]

Thanks for these videos James, me myself as a learning student of mixing really find these videos helpful! Just curious about if you both record and mix in Pro Tools? Or do you use any other programs for different purposes? Cheers from Sweden!

[@nataliefarst5438]

Hi James, I am sure you have been asked this a million times but how did you learn the producing,mixing, etc. side of recording? Also, way to go with the tease for the new song.......cutting it off just as the verse starts. It's like offering a little kid chocolate then saying -nope, go to church instead!!

[@countervoid8628]

Cool layering of guitars, James! Are those Kempers off to your left???

[@JamesMichaelOfficial]

You bet! Whenever I'm tracking guitars, I keep the Kempers close by so that I can profile any amp and mic setups that I use. One Kemper has all of my profiles using a Shure 57, the other Kemper has all of my profiles using a Royer 122. So that I can blend them just like I would blend the mics on the original cab. It's not a replacement to the amp, just a great way to go back and recall an amp if you need to revise a performance later (Kind of like a safety net). The amps that I used for the majority of DJ's guitars are my two Bogner Shivas. Both have been modified to my specific needs. Both have been profiled extensively!

[@rickbartocetti847]

I wish you did this for all the six:am music.

[@nigeltre8335]

Brilliant, thank you so much for showing us but my question is how are you going to reproduce this live as there are so many layers from DJ playing different parts but at the same time?

[@JamesMichaelOfficial]

Great question! As you can imagine, it's quite a challenge! DJ creates arrangements for the Live show that incorporate many parts from the album. Many of the layers are intended for a stereo listening experience and wouldn't be heard in a live setting. His skills really shine in a live show too!

[@chasingparagon]

Nigel I saw them live in PA, they sound great and with the arrangements they do on stage you don't miss a thing. It is a great experience. James is right--DJ has mad guitar skills and it really stands out in a live show. He's amazing. James's voice also shines through as well in a live show. Lots of energy, feeling and stage presence. I can't WAIT to get to another show in the Jersey area.

[@nigeltre8335]

Thanks ANALOG KIDS - I'm really jealous that you have seen them AND are going to see them again! They are only going to play 2 festival shows in the UK but I want to see them in a more intimate environment. I'll just have to wait until hopefully they come back doing smaller venues. :)

[@cuzisaidso4985]

With all those parts that DJ does, how would you guys pull that off live? Or do you go back to basics?.........

[@rhondaminor7552]

Will Dj's guitar rig be able to run all these layers when you play live? Love the video series BTW.

[@ProphetTLK]

+Rhonda Minor Absolutely, guitarists usually have a pedal they can use to change the tone of their guitars on the fly. Sometimes they use an effect pedal or a switch box which stores a particular tone. DJ in his live facebook videos has shown us his rig and that includes his pedals and amp he'll be using on tour. I hope that answers your question

[@rhondaminor7552]

+Tranji Prophet Thank you. I know Dj uses pedal rigs, but I just don't know what they can do. I don't play guitar. Thanks for the clarification. I will try to check Dj's FB page soon.😊👍

[@ProphetTLK]

If you have twitter, you could try personal messaging DJ, even though he probably gets 100000 questions about his guitar set up daily. Or maybe next time james posts a FOTW (fly on the wall) video you could ask him and maybe he'll ask DJ personally for you.

[@rhondaminor7552]

Tranji Prophet​ Thanks. I do have Twitter & Dj actually follows me. I would just hate to ask him a stupid question considering how busy he is. That dude works his butt off with all the companies he owns & side projects. I feel sorry for his wife & furry animal family, having to squeeze in precious moments of quality time. :)

[@198krydstogt]

"The lead singer?" The Singer :) !

[@jennilawson8052]

How do all the layers work when a band plays live?

[@ProphetTLK]

+Jenni Lawson DJ will have a pedal or a switch board where he can change to that particular tone in a matter of seconds, he is a highly skilled guitarist and has been playing live for many years. Drums are a large element and I can imagine that Dustin will only need what is on his kit. Bass is the other large element of the song as bass+ drums = backbone of the band. As a bassist myself, I don't think nikki will need pedals or switchboard because the bass here is only outlining the chord tonics. James will have himself and his army of background singers to create the vocals. DJ plays lead so James most likely will play rhythm guitar, just like vince neil did for mick mars when required. If you can do it on a record you can do it live (to some degree)as James has answered below, some of it is intended for a stereo listening experience rather than live performance which is why I said to some degree for performing everything live I hope that answers your question

[@butterbrother1534]

What guitar tuning and what key is this song written in?

[@ProphetTLK]

+Butter Brother Drop D, I'd imagine D minor or G minor

[@tobiaswilken1187]

Hey Michael, just a quick question, which company made the board you are using? Noticed that you are using it for a while now and seems like a real workhorse...

[@JamesMichaelOfficial]

It's the Digidesign (Avid) D-control. Yes I've had it for several years. Definitely a work horse!

[@tobiaswilken1187]

Thanks for the reply James... great fan of your work... not only the Sixx A.M. records, also the recordings you did with the Scorpions and Mötley!

[@MartinJurus]

as good as these are, i don't think it's necceseary to explain what is this about. Sure, in episode 1, but who's gonna watch episode 3 and so on without knowing what they're watching ?

[@rhondaminor7552]

Oh, does Rocco get to go to the studio with his daddy?

[@evadesc]

This is a masterpiece; both the song and the album. A shame that this seems to be the least popular album in terms of sales. But this album reflects in some way the state of this country or even world--mostly somber with a few high points. There is a massive income inequality crisis with 50% of Americans earning $30k or less a year; less than 6% earn the "magical" 6 figures. And with the constant pressures of robotics/AI/automation technology, inflation, global competition, etc., its not hard to imagine America becoming more and more third world. The average per capita income in Los Angeles is $27k per year thats practically poverty level. So, it feels like prayers for the damned is for all those folks without a voice that are barely making ends meet living paycheck to paycheck just one disaster away from being homeless. There is potential for things to get much worse so programs like Universal Basic Income are being touted by guys like facebooks Mark Zuckerburg but who knows.

[@Aldanaa89]

James this has nothing to do with the video and I bet you're tired of reading this kind of comment s but dude I'm crazy about you 😯