Album Notes

Marco Minnemann - “House Wife Dog And Two Kids”



International drumming sensation, Marco Minnemann has released many outstanding original recordings in his illustrious career as a solo artist, and with his former group, Illegal Aliens, but none so bold, adventurous, creative and pop oriented as his 2007 release “House Wife Dog And Two Kids.” Minnemann creatively blurs the lines between punk, metal, pop and instrumentally complex musical styles to create a fresh, innovative and entertaining collection of catchy, emotionally charged vocal and instrumental compositions. Minnemann plays all instruments on this thirty-one song, two-disc set and shares the creative vocal chores with the sweet and innocent pop vocal style of French model, Petra Lukovic.



Recognized as one of today’s top drummers in the world, Minnemann uses his deep rhythmic knowledge to create complex, rhythmic layers that compliment his forward-thinking, musical pop sensibility for creating strong hooks and, at the same time, unveiling mind-bending rhythmic melodies that qualify him as one of today’s most brilliant composers. His original concept for combining spoken-word dialog, using samples, loops, and all sorts of bizarre sounds with his advanced drumming skills are unequaled and cutting-edge.



Minnemann is way ahead of his time, musically and rhythmically. The material on “House Wife Dog And Two Kids” draws it’s many influences from a deep well of innovative musical masterminds such as Nine Inch Nails, Robert Fripp, Frank Zappa, and modern pop icons like Avril Lavigne and Green Day. But, “House Wife Dog And Two Kids” can be best described as “fresh, modern, cross-cultural pop music with brains, beauty and a sense of humor.”



Marco Minnemann is a modern day, musical Renaissance man and “House Wife Dog And Two Kids” is his most innovative masterpiece to date.







HOUSE WIFE DOG AND 2 KIDS by Marco Minnemann, July 2007

Brief but useful information about why these songs exist:



1."Woke Up Dreaming You": This song, and the last song on Disc Two, “Showdown Wagon,” of this 2-CD project are 'dream based'. On this track, I had the main riff running around in my head while sleeping, and it was clearly there for me to sing while waking up. So, I got up, sang it into my little MP3 recorder (I always have that one ready for capturing poppin' up ideas) and then immediately wrote down the things I saw while looking out of my window in Imperial Beach.....just a few visual memories of that moment along with recorded household items and instruments.



2.+3."President Pt.1 and 2"

I'm usually not the type of person talking and judging politics in my songs. However, I found that looking into that online library became a source of inspiration. I just had to use some of that. Now, I believe that “human beings and songs CAN coexist peacefully”!!



4."House Wife Dog And 2 Kids"

The title track. One important psychological aspect of life is to confront yourself with the things you fear the most. Seeing some of my neighbors going the HWDATK direction always made me wonder and think that somehow they eventually started to look and act older than they were. Or, is it just me, traveling and living the musician's life/dream, and then bringing home stories that often make them shake their heads in disbelief? One thing is for sure....I'm not one of 'em.....maybe someday I will be?



5."Sonora"

This is about the wild and sincere fans that dedicate their soul, their hearts and sometimes, part time-wise, their bodies :-) to their idols. We're all yours everyday....



6."Heathrow Express"

Written almost in real time: I recorded the drums on the spot, with no click, and no music, just imagining an arrangement while playing, and later put dirty guitars, dirty piano and clean vocals on top.



7."Caresse"

This one is based on a 5+7+9/16th pattern play---they randomly fly through the song, looking for their way of making sense.....eventually they get organized in the drum solo section towards the end. 1x 5, 1x7, 1x9. 2x 5, 7, 9. 3 x 5, 7, 9.

The lyrics are about letting go of things you love, or believe you love, and about taking over and having the confidence to stand up for yourself without 'embracing' yourself.



8."Then"

Recorded along with 'Caresse' in a small vacation hut in Aix en Provence, France, using an out-of-tune honky-tonk piano and some random drums. The drums were recorded with 4 mics....no Toms. A DW Subwoofer became the Kick drum. Somehow, the acoustics of the room made it all sound interesting. “Then” is about realizing mistakes. The word 'then' itself prepares and works out the future for you. Look ahead, you can deal with the past---and go from there.



9."Only"

Another word. Sometimes I wish I were the only one having the privilege of certain things in life.......but you still mean the world to me.

I like the hook of that song...very Pop.



10."Just"

The last of the single-word-song-trilogy. I wanted to create the most unusual blues on earth for this one. The word 'just': Well, a kiss is “just” a kiss....but, really nothing serious....that leaves a lot of room for interpretation.



11."Hotel Virginity"

When all hard work is done, baby you are the one. A bit edgy, but so is the music.



12."Time With You"

I’ve carried this riff around since the Mieze CD, but never thought the song was strong enough to make it. However, I kept playing this riff on the guitar for all these years.....So, finally, I had to let it out, to have it sitting there in front of me. And now....it sounds quite catchy to me.



13."Easy For You"

Is about ignorance and two faces. Something I still can't stand, but obviously can write about.



14."Heads Together"

Most of the time, while driving towards my studio, I pass by many homeless people. On a church billboard next to them it once said "Hear Good News Here.”

I extended that quote...."Hear good news, come here, but come!"

We've got to stick our heads together, now is a good time!







All songs written, performed and produced by MM

at Seacoast Drive, Imperial Beach.

Petra Lukovic sang on 1, 9 and 12.

true fans are true fans on 5.

Billy Liesegang plays a sologuitar on 10.

Mastered by Denis Blackham at Skymastering, Isle of Skyes