Rob Schnapf
Encyclopedia
Rob Schnapf is an American
record producer
and musician
. He was the co-producer (along with Tom Rothrock
) of Elliott Smith
's albums Either/Or
, XO
(on which he also played guitar on the song "Baby Britain
"), Figure 8
and From a Basement on the Hill
, for which he was recruited by Smith's family to complete after Smith's death.
Schnapf, along with Rothrock and partner Bradshaw Lambert, started Bong Load Custom Records
in the early 90s which is notable for releasing Beck
's "Loser" single. Schnapf first heard Beck as he was playing on the street during the annual Sunset Junction Fair. A week later Rothrock saw Beck jump onstage to play in between bands during a show at Jabberjaw and approached him afterwards about recording his songs. Together Rothrock, Schnapf, Beck and Karl Stephenson recorded the bulk of what would become "Loser", and subsequently Mellow Gold
, Beck's first major label album. Rothrock and Schnapf would continue to record with Beck working on material for what was intended to be his follow-up to Mellow Gold, a somber acoustic affair meant to silence detractors that claimed he was a one hit wonder joke act. Beck eventually had a change of heart and went on to record Odelay
with The Dust Brothers only using one song from the Rothrock/Schnapf sessions, "Ramshackle", as the album closer.
Rob and Tom produced the 1993 DOG SOCIETY album entitled "Test Your Own Eyes".
Schnapf later produced Guided By Voices
' second of two TVT Records releases; Isolation Drills
in 2001 and The Vines
debut album "Highly Evolved
" in 2002.
In 2003, he produced Saves The Day's album, "In Reverie".
Also, in 2005, he produced Nine Black Alps
' debut album "Everything Is
".
Schnapf as also worked in conjunction with Australian band Powderfinger
in the production of their sixth studio album Dream Days at the Hotel Existence
.
Schnapf produced Brooklyn based artist Kevin Devine
's major label debut Put Your Ghost to Rest
. Following the success of the partnership Schnapf was also recruited to produce Devine's Another Bag of Bones
a single released prior to Devine's follow up album.
This was followed by work with the The Whigs
on their debut Mission control for ATO Records
.
Schnapf worked with Australian rock band Kisschasy
on their third studio album, Seizures
and Wild Light
's debut for Startime International Records.
Schnapf then worked with Booker T. Jones
on his grammy winning Potato Hole
album featuring the Drive By Truckers and Neil Young
. He also worked with Dr. Dog
and Toadies
2010 release of Feeler.
Schnapf produced Canadian indie-rock band Tokyo Police Club
's 2010 sophomore album "Champ".
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
record producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
and musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
. He was the co-producer (along with Tom Rothrock
Tom Rothrock
Tom Rothrock is an international record producer, composer and musician. Tom Rothrock has produced albums with James Blunt, Badly Drawn Boy, R. L. Burnside, Yonder Mountain String Band, Athlete, Sloan and Roman Carter....
) of Elliott Smith
Elliott Smith
Steven Paul "Elliott" Smith was an American singer-songwriter and musician. Smith was born in Omaha, Nebraska, raised primarily in Texas, and resided for a significant portion of his life in Portland, Oregon, where he first gained popularity...
's albums Either/Or
Either/Or (album)
Either/Or is the name of the third album recorded by American singer-songwriter Elliott Smith. The album was released on Kill Rock Stars on February 25, 1997 on compact disc and vinyl LP....
, XO
XO (album)
XO is the name of the fourth album recorded by American singer-songwriter Elliott Smith. Smith's first work on a major label, it was released by DreamWorks Records on August 25, 1998. Bong Load Custom Records released it on vinyl LP, which has since gone out of print. Vinyl copies of XO remained...
(on which he also played guitar on the song "Baby Britain
Baby Britain
"Baby Britain" is a song written by Elliott Smith for his fourth studio album XO, released in 1998. The song was also released as a single in 1999.A remix version of "Baby Britain" was released on the Baby Britain promo CD...
"), Figure 8
Figure 8 (album)
Figure 8 is the fifth studio album by American singer-songwriter Elliott Smith. Released by DreamWorks Records on April 18, 2000, it became Smith's second release on a major label and the last album he would complete before his death...
and From a Basement on the Hill
From a Basement on the Hill
From a Basement on the Hill is the sixth and final studio album by the late singer-songwriter Elliott Smith. Released posthumously on October 19, 2004 by ANTI- Records in CD, double LP, and digital download, it peaked at #19 in the US and #41 in the UK....
, for which he was recruited by Smith's family to complete after Smith's death.
Schnapf, along with Rothrock and partner Bradshaw Lambert, started Bong Load Custom Records
Bong Load Custom Records
Bong Load Custom Records is an independent record label based in Los Angeles which was founded by producers Tom Rothrock, Rob Schnapf and partner Bradshaw Lambert. One of their biggest signings was Beck in 1991. Other notable bands from the original Bong Load Custom Records include Fu Manchu, Wool,...
in the early 90s which is notable for releasing Beck
Beck
Beck Hansen is an American musician, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, known by the stage name Beck...
's "Loser" single. Schnapf first heard Beck as he was playing on the street during the annual Sunset Junction Fair. A week later Rothrock saw Beck jump onstage to play in between bands during a show at Jabberjaw and approached him afterwards about recording his songs. Together Rothrock, Schnapf, Beck and Karl Stephenson recorded the bulk of what would become "Loser", and subsequently Mellow Gold
Mellow Gold
Mellow Gold is the third studio album by American alternative rock musician Beck, as well as his major label debut. Mellow Gold was released on March 1, 1994 on the strength of the surprise hit "Loser"...
, Beck's first major label album. Rothrock and Schnapf would continue to record with Beck working on material for what was intended to be his follow-up to Mellow Gold, a somber acoustic affair meant to silence detractors that claimed he was a one hit wonder joke act. Beck eventually had a change of heart and went on to record Odelay
Odelay
Odelay is the fifth studio album by American alternative rock artist Beck, originally released on June 18, 1996, by DGC Records.After the mainstream success of "Loser", Odelay featured several hit singles, including "Where It's At", "Devils Haircut", and "The New Pollution"...
with The Dust Brothers only using one song from the Rothrock/Schnapf sessions, "Ramshackle", as the album closer.
Rob and Tom produced the 1993 DOG SOCIETY album entitled "Test Your Own Eyes".
Schnapf later produced Guided By Voices
Guided by Voices
Guided by Voices is an American indie rock band originating from Dayton, Ohio. Beginning with the band's formation in 1983, it made frequent personnel changes but always maintained the presence of principal songwriter Robert Pollard...
' second of two TVT Records releases; Isolation Drills
Isolation Drills
Isolation Drills is the twelfth album by Dayton, Ohio indie rock group Guided by Voices. It was their second and final LP released under TVT Records and their second to feature a major rock producer in Rob Schnapf. The album was also their first to chart on the Billboard Top 200, peaking at #168...
in 2001 and The Vines
The Vines
https://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/Special:LandingCheck?landing_page=L11_1121_WMUK_Jimmy_DDOptimised&utm_medium=sitenotice&utm_campaign=C11_1121_WMUK_DDvOneOff&utm_source=B11_1121_WMUK_Jimmy&language=en&country=GB...
debut album "Highly Evolved
Highly Evolved
Highly Evolved is the debut album by Australian alternative rock band The Vines, released in July 2002. Produced by Rob Schnapf, Highly Evolved was an immensely popular debut, part of a trend towards garage rock revival bands known as much for the relentless hype from the UK music press as for...
" in 2002.
In 2003, he produced Saves The Day's album, "In Reverie".
Also, in 2005, he produced Nine Black Alps
Nine Black Alps
Nine Black Alps are an English alternative rock band formed in Manchester, named after a line in The Couriers by Sylvia Plath and fronted by Sam Forrest.-Career:...
' debut album "Everything Is
Everything Is
Everything Is is the debut album by English alternative rock band Nine Black Alps. The album generally received favorable reviews among critics, and heralded acclaim from portions of the British music press, earning the band a loyal fanbase following in the UK. The single Unsatisfied was featured...
".
Schnapf as also worked in conjunction with Australian band Powderfinger
Powderfinger
Powderfinger was an Australian rock band that formed in Brisbane in 1989. From 1992 until their breakup the band lineup consisted of vocalist Bernard Fanning, guitarists Darren Middleton and Ian Haug, bassist John Collins, and drummer Jon Coghill....
in the production of their sixth studio album Dream Days at the Hotel Existence
Dream Days at the Hotel Existence
Dream Days at the Hotel Existence is the sixth studio album by Australian rock band Powderfinger, released by Universal Music on 2 June 2007 in Australia, 19 November 2007 in the United Kingdom, and 11 November 2008 in the United States on the Dew Process label...
.
Schnapf produced Brooklyn based artist Kevin Devine
Kevin Devine
Kevin Devine is an American songwriter and musician from Brooklyn, New York, who is known for alternately introspective and political lyrics and melodic acoustic guitar songs...
's major label debut Put Your Ghost to Rest
Put Your Ghost to Rest
Put Your Ghost To Rest is Kevin Devine's fourth studio album. It was released on October 17, 2006 through Capitol Records. It was his first and only major label release as of 2009...
. Following the success of the partnership Schnapf was also recruited to produce Devine's Another Bag of Bones
Another Bag of Bones
Another Bag of Bones is a single by Kevin Devine released on August 20, 2008 via digital retailers and a 7" vinyl record on the label Academy Fight Song. The single features the song "Another Bag of Bones" and a lyrically revised cover of Phil Ochs' "Love Me, I'm a Liberal", inspired in part by...
a single released prior to Devine's follow up album.
This was followed by work with the The Whigs
The Whigs
The Whigs are an American garage rock band from Athens, Georgia, consisting of lead singer and guitarist Parker Gispert, drummer Julian Dorio and bassist Timothy Deaux.-Biography:...
on their debut Mission control for ATO Records
ATO Records
According to Our Records was founded in early 2000 by Dave Matthews , Coran Capshaw, Chris Tetzeli, and Michael McDonald as a division of RCA Records...
.
Schnapf worked with Australian rock band Kisschasy
Kisschasy
Kisschasy are an Australian rock band formed in Victoria, Australia, in 2002. Since forming, their line-up has consisted of lead vocalist Darren Cordeux, bassist Joel Vanderuit, guitarist Sean Thomas and drummer Karl Ammitzboll....
on their third studio album, Seizures
Seizures (album)
-Band:* Joel Vanderuit – bass* Karl Ammitzboll – drums, percussion* Sean Thomas – guitar* Darren Cordeux – lead vocals, guitar-Additional musicians:* Rob Schnapf – additional keys, guitars and vocals* The Steel Train Choir – gang vocals on "Turnaround"...
and Wild Light
Wild Light
Wild Light is a four-piece band from New Hampshire composed of multi-instrumentalists/vocalists Tim Kyle and Seth Pitman, guitarist/vocalist Jordan Alexander, and drummer Seth Kasper...
's debut for Startime International Records.
Schnapf then worked with Booker T. Jones
Booker T. Jones
Booker T. Jones is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, record producer and arranger, best known as the frontman of the band Booker T. and the MGs. He has also worked in the studios with many well-known artists of the 20th and 21st centuries, earning him a Grammy Award for lifetime...
on his grammy winning Potato Hole
Potato Hole
Potato Hole is a 2009 album by Booker T. Jones, recorded with Drive-By Truckers as the backing band and guitar accompaniment by Neil Young. The album was nominated for two Grammy awards: the album itself for Best Pop Instrumental Album, and the track "Warped Sister" for Best Rock InstrumentalOn...
album featuring the Drive By Truckers and Neil Young
Neil Young
Neil Percival Young, OC, OM is a Canadian singer-songwriter who is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of his generation...
. He also worked with Dr. Dog
Dr. Dog
Dr. Dog is a psychedelic rock band from West Grove, Pennsylvania. Its lineup currently consists of Toby Leaman , Scott McMicken , Frank McElroy , Zach Miller , and Eric Slick . Lead vocal duties are shared between Leaman and McMicken, with all members contributing harmonies...
and Toadies
Toadies
Toadies are an alternative rock band from Fort Worth, Texas, best known for the song "Possum Kingdom." The band's classic lineup consisted of Todd Lewis on vocals/guitar, Mark Reznicek on drums, Lisa Umbarger on bass, and Darrel Herbert on guitar. It formed in 1989 and disbanded in 2001 after...
2010 release of Feeler.
Schnapf produced Canadian indie-rock band Tokyo Police Club
Tokyo Police Club
Tokyo Police Club is an indie rock band from Newmarket, Ontario, Canada. It consists of vocalist and bassist David Monks , keyboardist Graham Wright, guitarist Josh Hook , and drummer Greg Alsop ....
's 2010 sophomore album "Champ".
Productions Discography
- 2001 – Stay What You AreStay What You AreStay What You Are is the third album release from Princeton, New Jersey, based rock band Saves the Day, released in 2001. Singles and videos from the album were "At Your Funeral" and "Freakish". At the time of the recording, Saves The Day consisted of Chris Conley, Dave Soloway, Ted Alexander, Eben...
by Saves the DaySaves the DaySaves the Day is an American rock band from Princeton, New Jersey, formed in 1994. The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Chris Conley, guitarist Arun Bali, bassist Rodrigo Palma, and drummer Claudio Rivera.... - 2003 – In ReverieIn Reverie-Unreleased tracks:There are three unreleased tracks that were recorded at the same time, but not released on the standard edition of the album: "Don't Go Outside", "Coconut", and "Blossom." The unreleased songs, however, could be downloaded for free on the band's homepage requiring only a legal...
by Saves the DaySaves the DaySaves the Day is an American rock band from Princeton, New Jersey, formed in 1994. The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Chris Conley, guitarist Arun Bali, bassist Rodrigo Palma, and drummer Claudio Rivera.... - 2006 – Put Your Ghost To RestPut Your Ghost to RestPut Your Ghost To Rest is Kevin Devine's fourth studio album. It was released on October 17, 2006 through Capitol Records. It was his first and only major label release as of 2009...
by KEVIN DEVINEKevin DevineKevin Devine is an American songwriter and musician from Brooklyn, New York, who is known for alternately introspective and political lyrics and melodic acoustic guitar songs... - 2007 – Scream And Light Up The Sky by THE HONORARY TITLEThe Honorary TitleThe Honorary Title was an indie rock band from Brooklyn, New York. The band released their first self titled Ep "The Honorary Title" in 2003 and then their first album in 2004, Anything Else But the Truth, which was later re-released with five additional songs and two bonus videos.In early 2007...
- 2007 – Heart Tuned To D.E.A.D.Heart Tuned to D.E.A.D.Heart Tuned to D.E.A.D. is the only album by the British indie rock band Switches. It was released in the UK on 23 April 2007. The album was released in the US as Lay Down the Law on March 18, 2008, with the omission of "Give Up the Ghost"....
by SWITCHESSwitches (band)Switches were an English indie rock band, consisting of members Matt Bishop , Ollie Thomas , Thom Kirkpatrick and Steve Godfrey .-Career:... - 2010 – "Sweet ThingSweet Thing"Sweet Thing" is a song written by David Bowie for the album Diamond Dogs in 1974. The song is split in two with "Candidate" in the middle.In the opening line, Sweet Thing contains the lowest note Bowie ever recorded in a studio album ....
by Sweet Thing (band)Sweet Thing (band)Sweet Thing are a Canadian pop rock band based in Toronto who have been signed to EMI Music Canada since 2008. They are best known for their singles "Dance Mother" and "Change of Seasons".- History :...
External links
- 10 Years of Mellow Gold Documentary (retrospective documentary done for the anniversary of Beck's first album, features interviews with Schnapf)