This song is a bit more aggressive, bordering on hardcore. It was recorded within 4 hours time back in 1995, but the vocals were later redone. It was recorded on a 4 Track Cassette recorder, with minimal bouncing of tracks, but still has that lo-fi sound due to the limitations of the source.

However, this song still has enough intensity to give someone whiplash at a loud enough volume, so we suggest turning it up to 11.

Written and Performed by Mack Daniels
©2000 CraFD Recordings. All Rights Reserved.

FORMER-70 - Down On My World

This song is a simple recording: 2 guitars and one voice. Recorded in 1995 onto 4 Track Cassette, everything was pretty much recorded in one take, as to get it done quickly & sent off to a college station that was playing Former-70 at the time.

This is a very different contrast to all of the rest of the Former-70 recordings, but remains a fave to this day.

Written & Performed by Mack Daniels
©2004 Dead Cowboy Music Ltd. All Rights Disturbed.

Former-70 - Free

This is an endearing cover...
"After countless hours of having heard this song in clubs & ohter places forcibly, I was finally so sick of hearing 'ROBO-CHER' that it made me want to puke & scream my guts out at the same time. Well, one night it happened. I whipped out the guitar & picked it out, and decided I was gonna do Cher. I was gonna do her hardcore. I was gonna tear it up! And so, once again on the trusty 4 Track, I hammered it out, and even though the sonics are low - people go nuts when they hear this song. It's definitely different than the original, that much is certain."

No Keyboards or small animals were used in the making of this cover. We promise.
All instruments & vocals by Mack Daniels

FORMER-70 - Believe

This song grew into a monster. Recorded onto 4-Track Cassette, with only a guitar processor running direct, and a beater microphone. Managing to squeeze 12 tracks into 4, some things got buried that, if you listen close, you'll hear beyond the sonics some of the gems of this tune.

First off, there are no keyboards on this. Just guitars & vocalism for effects. The time changes are harrowing, and the flow of the song is a roller coaster ride that has remained a fave for many years. Written & Recorded in 1997, it stands the test of time.

Written & Performed by Mack Daniels
©2000 CraFD Recordings. All Rights Preserved.

FORMER-70 - Sleeper

This song was written in 1996, but was never recorded until November '99 when I borrowed yet another 4-Track Cassette recorder, after killing the trusty Tascam Porta-One for so many years.

As the recording began, it started taking a different form, and the end result is what you hear. The time change and harmony guitars are among the new-ness that came as the recording began. Though the sound quality is lo-fi, the song itself has stood the test of time.

Written & Performed by Mack Daniels
©2000 CraFD Recordings. All Rights Reserved.

FORMER-70 - Fail You

This song was also recorded onto 4-Track Cassette, and truly shows the limitations of the medium - but out of it something very cool happened.
The drums were recorded, then the bass, and as the bass was being done, it was noticed that the tape ran out just before the very end of the song, thus cutting off the ending as was intended. Instead of re-recording to a fresh tape, a new idea emerged to let it build... and just cut off. The end result (pun intended), is what became the final choice for the song.
Also, the extended solo replaced a mini-verse that was to come after the solo, but the solo just happened.

The guitar was alot of fun in this song, incorporating the harmonies into the verses, and overlapping one another. This is yet one of many audio-thrill-rides that is lo-fi, but the song is there!

Music & Lyrics written & performed by Mack Daniels
©2004 D.C.M. / CraFD Recordings

FORMER-70 - The World Behind

Someone once described the vibe of this song as "Foo Fighters meets Motorhead with a shreddin' guitarist." Listening to it back, it kinda does in some sort of freakish bastardized way.
Written & Recorded one day in December 1995, it was hammered out almost in no time.

Recorded to 4-Track Cassette, the source reveals the many limitations of the medium, however lo-fi the sound, the song is still an ass kicker. The mad soloing you hear was all done in one take, except the ending solo which took 4 takes. One highlight is the harmony guitars all throughout the song. It's is definitely not the typical 3 chord song, as it is all over the place.

Music & Lyrics written and performed by Mack Daniels
©2004 D.C.M. / CraFD Recordings

Former-70 - Own Up To It

"Atrosphere" was recorded on the same 4-Track as "Within" a few months later in late 2000. Once again, limited to an A.R.T. SGX 2000 processor ran direct & a cheap mic for vocals, the sonics are low.
The energy of this song however, is not. In fact, this song is very 'hi-energy' and apocalyptic in the lyrics, and turned out heavier than expected - thus bringing about more intense vocals than originally intended. One of many songs that evolved during the recording process, which took two days.

Written & Performed by Mack Daniels
©2001 D.C.M Recordings. All Rights Reserved.

FORMER-70 - Atrosphere

"Out of all of the songs I've recorded during the FORMER-70 years, this is the one that everyone went crazy for. It's one of those songs that just stays with people. I wrote it in 1996, but the song still resonates strong as if it were written just yesterday. That is why I have plans to re-record this song for my latest album under the name 'Dead Cowboy Rebellion.' 

It starts with a simple enough hook, but the chorus is a whalloper! One of my old bands used to rehearse this song, but never played it until our final show as an encore. I was shocked when we got to the chorus, and the crowd was yelling 'Corporate America' back at us. Everyone there knew the song. That was just a cassette demo sold by word of mouth.

The sonics are low due to the meduim used, but the power of the song and message is there loud and clear!" - Mack

Written & Performed by Mack Daniels
©2000 CraFD Recoprdings. All Rights Reserved.

FORMER-70 - Corporate America #4

Written out of the frustration of dealing with a rare medical condition called 'Cluster Headaches' (aka the 'Suicide Headache'), the song later came to fruition with the help of a friend.

"Basically I had been out drinking one night and got lucky. Got home at 8am, fell asleep for an hour and a buddy called. 'I'm only working a half shift today so, if you want to come over and use my recorder, you're more than welcome.'
I had been wanting to record this song for ages, so snagged up what little gear I could, and in the process of 3 1/2 hours time, had the song finished and ready for mixdown. All I had was an A.R.T. SGX 2000 running direct into a 4-Track digital recorder, a no name bass, my Jackson and an Alesis SR - 16. Once setup, everything was recorded in one take, as I knew I had limited time. What I didn't expect was the outcome. One of my most dynamic songs range-wise that also captured the agnst in which it was written. It was the 2nd to last FORMER-70 song recorded, and possibly my favorite" - Mack

Written and Performed by Mack Daniels
©2004 D.C.M. / CraFD Recordings. All Rights Reserved.

FORMER-70 - Within

FORMER-70 is Mack Daniels, playing everything as a one man band. These recordings were made between November 1995 - November 2000, and were recorded on a half-working 4-Track Cassette with minimal equipment.
While the sonics are lo-fi and some tracks got buried while ping-ponging tracks back and forth to get the most out of the 4 tracks (sometimes up to 12 tracks), the songs themselves shine through.
With many varied influences &amp; styles of music, FORMER-70 doesn't really sound like anyone else.
Some of these songs are brutal, and others just a journey; while there is "Free" that is just vocal and guitar. Also, there is the oldschool punk cover of Cher's 'Believe' in the mix as well. It is a definite must-hear!
Out of 89 songs recorded, these were the "Top 25" that are considered 'must-listens.' All songs are downloadable.
Look for Mack's new musical entity, "Dead Cowboy Rebellion" to begin wreaking havoc in the coming year. Some of these songs will be recorded in the future by D.C.R. - beginning with the cult classic "Corporate America #4" which will be on "The Dark Half" coming in 2012!

