When everyone came back to Washington state, James already informed Chris Cornell about the new recording of an extended play (EP) to add to his repertoire. Chris Cornell followed through and after 2 weeks of recording "Screaming Life/Fopp" extended play at the newest recording studio, financed solely by James, James also went forward and did the producing of the songs. The studio cost James a little less than $500,000.00 but not less than $450,000.00.
James and ordered Joseph Kennedy Sr to keep it a secret to his parents because they would totally bombard him with lots of questions if they knew he financed his own recording studio. He would rather keep it a secret forever. They just need to know that the label is somehow floating and keeping operation. He knew his father was still monitoring the company secretly but he did not care. He got the system's money, so he should use it to his advantage.
What's the best use of it? Freakin' built his own professional recording studio in Westport City. Though secluded, it's better that way, he rather want mysticism in his label's location than be at those mainstream places like Seattle, Washington or Los Angeles, California.
And with his brain power, his meticulous learning of everything related to engineering and producing songs from experts in the industry through Joseph Kennedy Sr's help, finding people to tutor James back in January to February 1981, James became knowledgeable and easily reached the tutor's level.
And so, with an already available guide on how to sing the songs, tabs and music sheets for the hired drummer and guitarists. James guided everyone on how to complete the song properly.
And after two weeks, the recording finished and James tasked the label's staff to assist him in finalizing the masterization of the extended play (EP) "Screaming Life/Fopp", with him on the helm, of course.
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During the recording, Chris Cornell sang the song "Hunted Down".
James, along with the sessionist bassist and drummer, recorded the rhythm section of the song. And when they finished the whole set, with James's guidance and with the assistance of James's recording assistant, an engineer hired to help him, he continued to record the lead guitar part as well as some texture sounds in the song.
And after a whole day, they all finished the rhythm and lead section. Listening to the whole thing made all of them bob their heads so hard.
Chris Cornell, seated on the sofa and listening to the finished product, began to feel the song as he murmured the lyrics.
"Man, it is you next, make sure your voice is fully rested for tomorrow's recording." James smiled.
"It is all good, this song is just so good!' Chris Cornell fist bump with James.
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The next day, Chris Cornell was fully focused and in the recording room, James sat on the controller and just adjusted what was needed to adjust as Chris Cornell sang the song.
"Hooo!"
The guitar riff played.
"Oooh… they saw you today as you were leaving"
"Now they run to hunt you down"
"Dogs lead the chase as you are bleeding"
"They run to hunt you down"
The chorus dropped.
"Your narrow escape"
"Has wiped the smile right from your face"
"Those starved dogs howling"
"Run to hunt you down"
"As they run to hunt you down"
And then a short pause for the guitar riff.
The next verse came.
"Ooo, you smile as you look in the mirror"
"Tears have left your eyes"
"Your face has a different exterior"
"Permanent disguise"
Then the final chorus and outro played.
"Your narrow escape"
"Has wiped the smile right from your face"
"Those starved dogs howling"
"Run to hunt you down"
"I said"
"Run to hunt you down"
"Right now, ooo, right now, ooo, right now, right now, right now, right now"
"Right…!"
"Right…!"
"Right…!"
"Right…!"
"Right…!"
The sound faded as the song ended.
"Good take! Let's run it one more time." James spoke through the mic and Chris Cornell nodded for another take.
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The final week of May 1981 was used by Sub Pop Inc to make Chris Cornell and the hired sessionist band members to completely rehearse the songs from "Screaming Life/Fopp".
Good thing, the sessionist band members have been with the label since they were hired so they were quite familiar with the sound of the songs, plus James already sent them the rhythm and lead parts before the rehearsal week started, so they were quite familiar with it already.
As soon as the 1st of June 1981 came, Chris Cornell was fully energized, refreshed and ready to rock the whole of Washington State. And with the additional hire of a tour and booking manager by Joseph Kennedy Sr. everything went smoothly with the venue bookings as well as invitations from the connections of Jem Records.
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[NAME: LENNY "ROADMAP" RUSSO]
[AGE: 41]
[POSITION: TOUR AND BOOKING MANAGER]
[HISTORY]
[FORMER ROADIE AND TOUR COORDINATOR FOR MID-LEVEL HARD ROCK AND PUNK BANDS IN THE MID-70S (E.G., BLUE ÖYSTER CULT, DEAD BOYS, AND BRIEFLY MC5'S LATER YEARS). EARNED THE NICKNAME "ROADMAP" BECAUSE HE MEMORIZED VENUE ROUTES ACROSS 40 STATES BEFORE GPS AND COULD REROUTE A TOUR ON THE FLY.]
[PHYSICAL APPEARANCE]
[GREYING DARK HAIR TIED BACK IN A SHORT PONYTAIL, OLD LEATHER BOOTS, FADED DENIM JACKET WITH PATCHES FROM VENUES ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. CARRIES A CLIPBOARD, A ROAD ATLAS, AND ALWAYS CHEWS A TOOTHPICK.]
[PERSONALITY AND SKILLS]
[STREET-SMART, LOYAL, A LITTLE ROUGH AROUND THE EDGES]
[DOESN'T TAKE BS FROM PROMOTERS OR VENUE STAFF]
[HAS A SOFT SPOT FOR YOUNG TALENT, ESPECIALLY THOSE WITH WORK ETHIC]
[GREAT SENSE OF HUMOR UNDER PRESSURE]