Some bonus coverage. Bakko talks with the engineer of Pearl Jam Ten, Dave Hillis. Dave has plenty of amazing anecdotes from the making of one of the biggest records in Grunge and Rock music in general.
Dave Hillis started his career as a 17 year old guitarist for the legendary thrash metal band “MACE.” In the mid 80’s, they released two LP’s on Enigma Records in the US and Blackdragon Records in Europe. They were featured on Metalblade Records, “Metal Massacre V”and recognized in the “Thrash-Metal Encyclopedia” and fanzines around the world, as a pioneering force in heavy metal. To this day, there is still a huge following of this pioneering band. Led by Dave’s furious guitar work, they charted in the UK and Japan. Mace later toured with Slayer, Anthrax, Raven, Death Angel, and Testament.
Dave spent ten years as Chief Engineer, along side legendary producer Rick Parashar, at Seattle’s famed London Bridge Studios, during the birth of the Grunge Era. Dave worked as the Engineer on Pearl Jam’s debut album “Ten” , Assistant Engineer on the Self Titled “Mother Love Bone” album, the movie soundtrack for “Singles”, Alice in Chains, Blind Melon, The Seattle Symphony, Love On Ice, and many others.
As the years went by, developed his own producing and engineering skills and continued to work with multiple major label artists. During this time he co-produced, with Greg Dulli, The Afghan Whigs’ standout farewell single “66” , on the “1965 ” LP and the Twilight Singers “She Loves You” record.
Dave also continued to create and record his own music. Dave founded the alternative rock group, “Sybil Vane” , and was the guitarist and song writer. Sybil Vane was signed with both Polydor Records and Island Records. Their song “Sorry” was featured in the movie “Empire Records” , starring actress Liv Tyler.
In 2005, Dave founded, produced, mixed and engineered the Shoegaze group “Thee Heavenly Music Association” (Rehash Records US, Fierce Panda Records UK) , to much critical acclaim, where he also served as the group’s guitarist and songwriter. During this time, Dave also co-produced the Kevin Martin (Candlebox) solo record “The Possibility Of Being” on Gold Circle Entertainment and worked with comedian, Denis Leary on his live album. Dave continued playing and was hired as a live guitarist for Duff McKagen’s (Guns and Roses) band “Loaded”. While living in London, Dave worked with multi platinum artist James Blunt, on his writing demos for his hugely successful “Back to Bedlam” album, which included “You’re Beautiful” and, “Good Bye My Lover”. Dave is also credited with working on Britpop star, Chris Gentry’s (Menswear) solo recordings.
In 2011, Dave opened Starlodge Studios in the SODO neighborhood of Seattle; a private mix and overdub room featuring vintage and modern recording tools and his beloved AMPEX 1/2″ tape Machine for analog magic.
Most recently, Dave has crossed over to house and electronic music, with his alter-ego Lo-Rez. Lo-Rez has received critical acclaim and has been featured on major motion film soundtracks. The album “Infinity”, has been remastered and re-released in 2019.
Dave currently resides in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with his wife and daughter. He is currently working on new music, engineering, producing, participating in public speaking engagements and workshops.