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Welcome to the Rancho de la Luna Dreambook, a place for memories, dreams, reflections...

If you have a minute, please share your thoughts with us.


Sunday, June 7th 2009 - 06:10:14 PM
Name: Ben Sokel
E-mail address: Sokelbbenny@live.com
Comments:  
ive never been to rancho, but i sure as hell know im gon live there one day and if thats not a possibility ill build an identical copy right next to it thats a foot and a half taller

austin texas may be the only good place in texas at all methinks and i want out of it even, so the ranch it is



Friday, March 13th 2009 - 12:46:28 PM
Name: POMPIQUE
Homepage URL: http://myspace.com/heartsgarage
Comments:  
Czesc, moim zdaniem zajebisty place. Wyjebane w kosmos ;-)



Friday, March 13th 2009 - 12:45:38 PM
Name: POMPIQUE
Homepage URL: http://myspace.com/heartsgarage
Comments:  
Czesc, moim zdaniem zajebisty place. Wyjebane w kosmos ;-)



Friday, February 6th 2009 - 10:31:58 PM
Name: mike callahan
Comments:  
just sitting here thinking back to when fred and kashmire would come through the "fred gate" at 6:30 a.m. before going home to get some sleep, of the new years eve parties and how fred made everyone feel special. the party with dave this year had the same vibe. you would have liked it fred.



Saturday, January 31st 2009 - 08:07:54 AM
Name: HUGH Harris
E-mail address: PAPaugo290@yahoo.co.uk
Comments:  
TEDDY PLEASE GET IN TOUCH WITH ME OR CHRISSIE ,FRED WAS A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE WE SHARE A SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE DESERT AND I WILL NOT HAVE MY NAME PUBLISHED IN ANY ARTICLES AS A PURVEYOR OF STUDIO EQIUPMENT , I DID NOT SELL OR BY , I SHARED , UP TO THIS POINT I WAS HAPPY TO LET THINGS RIDE ,BUT I CAN'T EMPHASISE HOW MUCH THAT ARTICLE UPSET ME , PLEASE UPDATE YOUR FILES , I WROTE HOUSE OF THE MOON , I CO WROTE RUNNING HOME AND PRODUCED AND PLAYED I'M SO LONE SOME , HH



Saturday, January 31st 2009 - 07:51:38 AM
Name: hugh Harris
E-mail address: papaugo290@yahoo.co.uk
Comments:  
dear rancho

read the article in tape op and have to say that i was very dissapointed to say the least , it mentioned that i sold fred studio equipment , the truth is , i gave and lent equipment to fred for more than a year , the first recordings to be made at the rancho were by fred and i the studio was set up by fred and i and operated for nearly 6 months until i came back to england my studio remained at the rancho for at least a year after i left and was picked up by rocket cargo ,teddy was around when this all happenned so the errors in dates and times are quite upsetting to me ,fred and i were very good friends and together recorded the first ever music at the ranch at a meteor shower party where house of the moon was written by me and sung by fred , we went on to co write many songs together over the six months i stayed there , the scars written about in house of the moon was about tanya, trina shoemaker who went on to win a grammy alison donald m.d at chrysalis we were all close to fred and there at the beginnig but seem never to be mentioned this so upsetting personnally to me because i remember talking many times to fred before he died , while he was in hospital because i was having my voice box removed at the same time due to cancer , i i produced for fred my one and only venture into country music ,''i'm so lonely i could die,teddy and his girl friend were writing '' angel baby?''......i played chess and drank wild turkey with lloyd often , every morning before recording sharing french toast . quoting from tape op , fred was sold some equipment by a musician hugh harris , this is ,was for lack of a better word a lie , ferd and i used my equipment to start the first rancho studio . we recorded among other things , house of the moon ....running home sometimes called sunbear after the cat hot blue and rightous ,and many more , i have the masters and pictures will scan them and send them on .
p.s teddy i am your i'm afraid very dissapointed friend, and i think fred would be too .


all good things HUGH A HARRIS



Thursday, January 29th 2009 - 08:19:55 AM
Name: Charles Drake
E-mail address: drake@processtecyhinc.net
Comments:  
1/29/09

Happy birthday Fred. As of yesterday, you turned 51 years. I spent the day turning over old memories. They are all jumbled together, but they are all happy. I remember day one when you came on the scene at 10 pounds and 14 ounces. Every one in the hospital was saying "get down to maternity and see the giant that was born today!"
I remember getting you a toy drum set for Christmas one year. Then I remember when you were thirteen, I gave you a deer rifle. You immediately traded it for a set of cymbals, and I knew then you were really serious about your music.
You became a very competent drummer and then mastered piano and guitar and then found your calling as a composer, performer and world known recording artist.
You founded Rancho de la Luna and put Joshua Tree on the map as the Mecca of Desert Music.

I'm pround to tell the world you are my son. I just wish you were still here so I could keep telling you how proud I am.

Charles Drake







Friday, December 5th 2008 - 11:10:24 PM
Name: Bailey Smith
E-mail address: toughghoste@hotmail.com
Comments:  
Your studio is beautiful! I read about you in Tape Op, and that article has been a constant inspiration to me. I am learning audio recording in college now, and I hope to someday own my own studio, and your studio's aesthetics and ideals are so inspiring to me, you have certainly helped me establish some goals for myself, and I wanted to thank you. Someday I hope I can come visit your beautiful studio to make some beautiful music come to life! Much love from Carson, CA!



Sunday, October 12th 2008 - 10:14:28 AM
Name: Robert
E-mail address: robert@telusplanet.net
Homepage URL: http://pether.web.fc2.com/vicodin/vicodin-cost.html
Comments:  
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Saturday, October 4th 2008 - 11:33:11 AM
Name: Mark
E-mail address: 777@io.com
Homepage URL: http://www.myspace.com/mkblack
Comments:  
Nice place you got there. I can understand why that makes the perfect spot for things such as the Desert Sessions. I grew up in the deserts of West Texas. I know how inspiring and thought provoking it can be. But I think it takes a certain kind of person to be "in tune" with the desert and to appreciate its simple beauty, and how life makes its fragile purchase in an environment constantly assaulting it. I miss it. It's hard trying to find the inspiration I need in the suburban settings of Austin. I want to write, record, and create but it feels like I got something stuck in my craw. Maybe I need to meditate on the desert. Yeah.

Cheers!
Mark Black



Saturday, September 27th 2008 - 06:53:23 AM
Name: Shane
E-mail address: shane@yahoo.ca
Homepage URL: http://moseny.web.fc2.com/estradiol/index.html
Comments:  
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Thursday, February 14th 2008 - 08:39:24 AM
Name: Joe Ramirez
E-mail address: jo3mr2000@yahoo.com
Comments:  
Below is a copy of an email I sent to Jack Williams. After some consideration I decided to post this memory of Fred here. Thank you all for keeping his memory alive so I can find him again....

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I am in Houston and was wondering how and old high school buddy was doing in the world today. With technology at our finger tips, I googled Fred Drake.

I found him, a bit too late but I found him.

Reading all the wonderful kind words people have written to him and about him reinforces the memories Fred and I had the summer of 1975.

We met at Northbrook High School in Spring Branch Texas (suburb of Houston) and had an automatic bond. You see, Sring Branch at that time was very "red neck" and Fred and I had hair longer than most of the girls.

We spent countless hours up in his room listening to Pink Floyd, smoking a fattie outside his bedroom window so his parents would'nt catch us.

I picked him up in the mornings for school in my beater of a VW (1968 I believe) and he met me with a cup of coffee and I waited for him to be ready.

This was a daily routine until one fatefull day we decided to ditch school. We headed to the near by mall to spend time and walked into the US Navy Recruiting Station. Both of us being 18 at that time we decided to take the test to see if we were suited for the Navy.

We were seated at the complete opposite of the testing room, took the 1 - 2 hour test, never speaking a word. Once we were finished we handed our tests back and was astounded to hear we had scored exactly the same - AND had missed exactly the same questions.

Amazing to say the least.

I joined the US Navy a week later, never to see Fred again. He has popped into my mind numerous times over the years as people that make an impact on your life do.

It makes me sorry that I did not see him again or contact each other but I do know that he lived a full life. made life long friends (me included) and is loved by many.

Thank you for posting your kind words on Fred Drake, so I could find him again.

Regards,

Joe Ramirez



Wednesday, February 6th 2008 - 09:23:46 AM
Name: Jack
E-mail address: bovine@bovinehost.com
Comments:  
Everytime I walk into my little home studio, I am reminded of how much I miss you, Fred. There's the goofy picture of you, me and Dean on the couch, the three of us playing an old Stingray bass. "Motor Skills". What a concept.

Happy birthday, a bit late. Not a day goes by that I don't think of you.

Houston: wearing the viking helmet and scaring the early morning suburban folks headed to church. Tossing drum cases off the balcony, recording the impact, slowing it down to make explosion noises. Staying up all night, listening to Pink Floyd. Coffee - vast oceans of coffee. Recording at Wells or Octave Sound or MRS....working out intricate timing sequences on bass & drums, things that no one but us would ever hear. The Hovercraft - a powder blue Ford wagon that had such bad shocks! Filled with drums and bass gear and a spare tire well that filled with rain so the whole car smelled like the Atchafalaya Basin. Prissy's dog eating all those brownies. Gigs with bands I now can't recall. Making rock & roll nachos with the Voices guys. Walking around the Common Market in a gas mask, taking photos and not worried that someone might think we were a bit off.

It seems hard to imagine that I met you thirty years ago.

I wish you and I and Dave C could dress up funny and run around the desert at night again. See how loud the amp room could get. Make a sandwich - and more coffee. Sit outside and feed leftover ribs to the road runners. Try to avoid being bitten by that goddamned Kashmir. Go buy some ice.

I'd sure like to see the Rancho again someday, if only because I know how happy you were there. And I know you're still keeping an eye on things.

Jack



Wednesday, January 30th 2008 - 02:16:02 PM
Name: Mike Corvin
E-mail address: judofortheblind@yahoo.com
Homepage URL: http://www.myspace.com/soundweststudio
Comments:  
Hi,
Soundcrafts Rule! Gotta Series600 and TS12! Yell nextdoor to Hutch and tell him Mike Corvin says hey! Much love and compression!



Monday, January 28th 2008 - 04:10:46 PM
Name: Fred Burke
Comments:  
Home in the rainswept desert for your bday, Fred. The cottonwood tree is pruned, and the wood is at the Hobe Chobe for our next sweat. Ted, Sage, and friends raked beneath and arranged all the little presents people have left through the years.

Saturday night, there was a fundraiser at the Playhouse called Desert Stories. Ted and Vic told tales of you, and the event ended with a screening of the God Is Good video.

Missing you something fierce...

Fred B.



Monday, January 28th 2008 - 02:26:09 PM
Name: Charles Drake
E-mail address: drake@processtechinc.net
Homepage URL: http://processtechinc.net
Comments:  
Happy birthday son. 50 years ago you showed up at a whopping 10 lb 12 oz addition to the world. and the world has never been the same since.
I miss you as much today as I did in June of 02. But I see you every day in your nieces, and I know that the song goes on. Hope to see you soon.

Dad



Sunday, January 27th 2008 - 05:54:50 AM
Name: Sean C
E-mail address: seano1988@yahoo.co.uk
Homepage URL: http://www.myspace.com-theatomicblues
Comments:  
Big fan of the Desert Sessions and anything Qotsa related. Wud luv to be able to go over and record in such an extraordinary place. Looks completely inspiring. Great site and a great studio

Sean(Ireland)



Thursday, January 17th 2008 - 09:55:10 AM
Name: Nick B.
E-mail address: Stealthrabbit127@earthlink.net
Homepage URL: http://www.qotsa.com
Comments:  
The legendary Rancho,

Someday I wish to come and revel in your splendor. I hope this is possible, I'd give my big toe for it.

I'd also give my big toe (possibly more, make me an offer) to meet Josh Homme, but that's not gonna happen.

Anyways, just wanted to send lots of Peace and Love to Dave and Chris, to Jessie and Josh, to Dean, Mikey, Alain, Joey, and Troy. And all the other Desert Rock pioneers out there.

Oh: First thing I do when I get to Palm Springs? Generator party. Anyone wanna come?


Peace, Love, and Death Metal;

Nick Bernstein



Monday, November 5th 2007 - 08:13:39 AM
Name: jason
E-mail address: boten607@mchsi.com
Homepage URL: http://www.myspace.com/hootisband
Comments:  
so I was busy sticking my nose up chris goss' backside and found this. fan of the catching. VERY tasty find. I'm an iowa boy that lives for all things from the land of sand . . . and the fine makers of music it produces. saw "Green Machine" on headbangers ball in '92 and have been a devoted junkie ever since. saw QOTSA three times on this tour. missed nick and mondo when midwest dates died. what you do for music is beyond valuable. . . it is essential. sweet fuzzy love.



Thursday, October 18th 2007 - 11:45:45 AM
Name: AndyB (sound engineer)
E-mail address: andy@syracuselivemusic.com
Homepage URL: http://www.syracuselivemusic.com
Comments:  
Drove 2.5 hours last night from Syracuse NY to Clifton Park NY to see QOTSA and it was like an homage for Don Giiva, my trusty passenger, and I. The club had some tough acoustics to work with and Hutch did great- good thing he brought his center fill!! Stuck around afterwards and met Hutch and Josh. COOL GUYS!! My only real question, though, was "how's Chris Goss to work with?" hahaha.

Hutch- thanks so much for talking with me. As a self-taught live sound engineer, it meant a lot to have met you.

AndyB



Friday, October 12th 2007 - 03:29:47 AM
Name: shane
E-mail address: shaneoyoungo@hotmail.com
Comments:  
thanx rancho 4 the beautiful music u produce. i cant say anymore. cheers shaneo



Thursday, August 16th 2007 - 08:55:06 AM
Name: Rachel M.
E-mail address: fcukoffha@yahoo.com
Comments:  
It's one of my greatest dreams to visit the Rancho one day. The desert is so inspiring and I can't wait to get down there. Hopefully I will soon, to see the place where many artists have left a hint of their genius. The Rancho looks beautiful!



Monday, August 13th 2007 - 02:03:20 PM
Name: Oliver Kientopp
E-mail address: okientopp@web.de
Comments:  
Hello you dear friends,
long time since I signed the guestbook.I`m still into your stuff and love it more than ever. The U.N.K.L.E. record is so amazing! I can feel the magic... This record really means much to me. I`m always happy about new recordings from out there.
Hope to meet someone anywhere on a gig in germany.
Keep the fire alive!
Greetings, Oliver



Thursday, June 21st 2007 - 05:33:07 PM
Name: Charles Drake
E-mail address: cdrake1@houston.rr.com
Comments:  
Yesterday was a sad day, the 5th anniversary of Fred's passing. Sometimes it seems like an eternity ago and on other days it is as raw and hurting as if it were happening again. I miss my son, but I am convinced that all his goodnes and talents are being used to make a better place for all of us who follow him. Thank all of you who knew him for what he really is.

Charles Drake



Thursday, April 12th 2007 - 02:12:28 PM
Name: John R
E-mail address: peacetalks@hotmail.com
Comments:  
One day im gonna visit rancho de la luna

one day....



Saturday, March 10th 2007 - 11:57:55 PM
Name: Jack
Comments:  
Fred,

How I wish you could have been here for my 50th birthday party.

How I wish I could have been there for yours.

Mine was fun. Sterling Ball threw me a big one, buddy. Dave LaRue, Steve Lukather (you'd love him, even if he is a Big Rock Star) and Chuck Rainey and.....and so on.

I try to keep up. Dean is crazy and I wish he weren't, but he is. He and I are just about the only ones left from the old days, I guess, in Houston.

I try to keep up with Dave and Teddy but it's hard. I was out in Palm Springs last month. How could I not think of you?

I tried to keep up with Vic but without you around, it's hard to know if she remembers me. Remember that morning when it was you and me and Vic and I think Andy Williams Jr at the Country Kitchen, and then we went out to the film location? What the hell was that?

I just sometimes like to come here and remember how much I love you, how much I still miss you. This is the only way I know to talk to you, and I realize how foolish that is.

But it's what we have, so "here we go".

I love you, my brother.

Jack



Tuesday, January 1st 2002 - 12:49:24 PM
Name: Nadj
E-mail address: nadjforce@yahoo.fr
Homepage URL: http://www.myspace.com/nadjnadj
Comments:  
hi here! from the mountains where I live in france, I dream about your rancho till last week, till I saw your pics... what's happen in my head, something calls me so strong, I opened your website, and it was like I'm gonna cry, really cry, big emotion: "here, I want to be here, I have to be here for my next album"... don't know why, but sometimes things speaks to me so deeply that I have to listen. so, i write to you this morning just to say how much I like the faces of people on the gallery, how i love stoner rock and rock'n roll, how i like dust and sun, how i like big sound and analogic things and how i'd loved to show to french people that it's possible for a french girl to make a good stoner rock record !!!! we fight here for a certain vision of rock'n roll... and on my first record, it was a mess, it's not what I wanted to show. if someone in the desert could hear my prays... cheers, love and light. thank you so much. nadj



Thursday, February 8th 2007 - 11:58:17 PM
Name: Josephine
E-mail address: loclangl@bigpond.net.au
Homepage URL: http://www.choirofhardknocks.com.au
Comments:  
o, I am having to me, what feels like such an enlessly distructive/baaad week trying to send my 12-year-old autistic son to "mainstream" highschool (he attended primary this way successfuly)and then, unfortunatly having him beaten up, literally within a week of school starting..and though, today has a beautiful hooot sun, which should be celebrated, I had felt, I had simply, had enough..but when it seems hopeless, Fred, I just stop and listen..just bathe in your voice and the essence of you it fills me with, I may never have known you, but I feel your heart, your soul, your true magic, your humour and also, though I can not see in the literal sense, I can see your smile..
thank you for turning this day in to your song and making/inspiring my voice to rise to sing along!
and so, I send, a belated, very happy birthday and know, you hear us all and continue to send your magic to all of us and always shall!:D

-J.M



Thursday, February 8th 2007 - 11:34:15 PM
Name: Josephine
E-mail address: loclangl@bigpond.net.au
Homepage URL: http://www.choirofhardknocks.com.au
Comments:  
o, I am having to me, what feels like such a baad week trying to send my 12-year-old autistic son to "mainstream" highschool and having him beaten up, literally within a week of school starting..today has a beautiful hooot sun and I had just had enough..but when it seems hopeless, Fred, I just stop and listen..just bathe in your voice and the essence of you it fills me with, I may never have known you, but I feel your heart, your soul, your true magic, your humour and also, though I can not see in the literal sense, I can see your smile..
thank you for turning this day in to your song and making/inspiring my voice rise to sing along!
and so, I send, a belated, very happy birthday and know, you hear us all and continue to send your magic to all of us!:D

-J.M



Sunday, January 28th 2007 - 11:49:55 AM
Name: ted quinn
E-mail address: tedquinn@nomadhouse.com
Homepage URL: http://nomadhouse.com
Comments:  
hey freddy dude-
thinking about you on your birthday. you're everywhere, around here. fred b, nurse linda & i just visited your cottonwood tree, after breakfast at country kitchen. last night i played a couple of your songs at a sneaky pete memorial. you should have him put some pedal steel tracks down on whatever you're working on now. i can only imagine how beautiful your music is now. thanks for everything. so many things in all of our lives wouldn't have happened without you, it's impossible to say.
we luv u.
ted



Sunday, January 21st 2007 - 09:13:18 AM
Name: hugh harris
E-mail address: papaugo290@yahoo.co.uk
Comments:  
its been a long time since i left the joshua tree , i still remember well pulling up with a truck full of equipment the end of 92, to a meteor shower party and setting up , and for six months or so making the first ever recordings at the house of the moon ,that night writing the lyrics for house of the moon and then recording the track with fred , and all the desrt orphans , the girl from the song with the scars , tanya .i remember her telling me about her car crash and her being moved by the lines in the song , subsequently fred and i co-wrote running home , which was first called sun bear after his cat ,
and recording i'm so lonsome together i remember fred getting off the phone and telling me it made his mother cry.i have still many recordings and jams fred and i had made on my old 1"inch 24 track, tascam and pictures of fred lloyd and me playing chess . i was proud to know him , to write for him and with him and look forward to seeing him again one day in the undiscovered country,i spoke to him in hospital just before he died from england and like fred he just wanted to know how i was , since having my voice taken away with throat cancer , we laughed together , the divine comedy was never wasted when we hooked up .p.s teddy , michele sends her love i'll be going out to see her in india soon,she always mentions the ranch and freddie she has lots of photo graphs of the time we spent there ,i'll get a few together and send them down to you.till then all good things , hugh harris



Tuesday, January 9th 2007 - 10:58:16 PM
Name: Jeff Wells
E-mail address: sarsjef@aol.com
Homepage URL: http://soundartsrecording.com
Comments:  
Yep, Fred was my friend, and also happened to be the badass drummer in my band Tempest, back in the days of 1976 in Houston, Texas. I have many pictures and videos and of course lots of multi-track recordings of us. We released 2 LPs "Tempest" and "Second Thoughts" with some of the best Texas rock to ever come out of this state! Not to mention some side projects, most noteable "The Rakes" green vinyl hand signed EP. We all miss you Fred. Anyone may feel free to contact me at sarsjef@aol.com Jeff Wells aka drjeffandthepainkillers.com



Monday, January 1st 2007 - 07:14:26 PM
Name: damen
E-mail address: damenkeller@yahoo.com
Homepage URL: http://www.myspace.com/electrodeschicago.com
Comments:  
well 3 yrs ago contacted dave about comin' out- had a band w/ me on gtr./vox, my (ex) wife on bass, my drummer spank...
just started getting to the point of tryin' to do it this yr. w/ new band and now spank is out.
8 piece fuckin' band, now we need a new drummer...always something...anyways, hope to try to come out in july or so (my b-day!) we'll see what happens...just feel drawn to the place as obviously so many are, and the raw creativity of Desert Sessions is just exciting and beutiful as the place itself...been in my dingy chicago basement for too long, need some fresh air!
take care-
-d



Tuesday, December 12th 2006 - 02:04:27 PM
Name: Tiago Guerreiro(Not spanish..fucking portuguese)
E-mail address: tiago_Sac23@hotmail.com
Homepage URL: http://myspace.com/tiagoms
Comments:  
If only i could go there on the xmas hollidays wow! it would be a dream come true:D but fuck hey...grow a little and off i go to joshua tree for some pain in the ass rock and roll in the sand. kissies and huggies from portugal



Monday, December 11th 2006 - 05:26:15 PM
Name: Tom Johnson
Comments:  
Rock 'n Roll in the desert...awesome



Wednesday, November 8th 2006 - 10:08:59 AM
Name: Manuel Jensa
E-mail address: JENSAJENERATOR@EMAIL.IT
Homepage URL: http://www.jensajenerator.com
Comments:  
We will remind Fred in our new product remastered after 10 years since its came out.
u can listen here:

http://www.jensajenerator.com
http://www.jensajenerator.com/ANGUSROCK.html


My dream its to find the true american sound of the desert landscapes...but actually its not easy to find the time and the good studio for it.

i had a talk with Mike Peffer (a wonderful musician and person..) and i found many things interesting listening 2 records of biblical proof of ufo's...
now i know the meaning of an "overproduction".

i found 2 great studios for to start this trip.

www.rsl-production.com
http://www.forwardstudios.it/

if someone its interested to do some holidays and to play music with us u will be our guest.

i stay in my fucking office doing my hard job..
but listening sometimes Earthlings and Fred Music...
if the music is the soundtrack of ourlife i think..
..Fred is part of me.




Tuesday, November 7th 2006 - 07:59:57 PM
Name: Nicholas Stejer
E-mail address: radek221@msn.com
Homepage URL: http://www.myspace.com/donvaliant
Comments:  
Someday, before I die, I will record a best-selling EP on that reel-to-reel at Rancho de la Luna, so keep those tapes rolling Diamond Dave.



Thursday, August 24th 2006 - 11:32:18 AM
Name: James Bridges
E-mail address: the3yeargoodbye@yahoo.com
Homepage URL: http://myspace.com/the3yeargoodbye
Comments:  
Hi all,
it's been a while, about 5 years since i was last at Rancho. The last time there we (the millionheirs) played a show at the beatnik, openning for Fatso Jetson. I used to assist Tony with some recording projects and fixing the old equipment with bubble-gum and rubber-bands. Anyway miss you...see you.

Thanks again for the wonderful memories.
James.



Tuesday, July 18th 2006 - 04:07:45 AM
Name: Jens Elberfeld
E-mail address: enfantterrible@arcor.de
Comments:  
Hello everybody!
Desert music, stoner stuff and fucking robot rock is blowing my mind since i have been 17 years old. Now,I`m a 28 year old guy from dortmund/germany.

I want to get merried at rancho de la luna!!! Is that possible?:-))
Fantastic photos, mind blowing music, great spirit and a wonderful landscape.
Is it possible to visit the rancho with a guitar for a little jamming? Perhaps I would spend my next holiday near Joshua Tree...
Keep on rocking for a free world:-)

Greetings from germany!
Jens



Wednesday, July 12th 2006 - 10:31:05 AM
Name: Mark Holt
E-mail address: mojaveheatbomb@aim.com
Homepage URL: http://mojaveheatbomb.com
Comments:  
I hope to spend some much needed time at the Rancho next year with the boys getting our album recorded. Hopefully I'll have that oportunity to share with my other colleagues. From what I've heard, it is a very spiritual experience in this unspiritual world.

Mark Holt



Monday, June 19th 2006 - 11:07:25 AM
Name: C. S. Clark
E-mail address: martinimaan@yahoo.com
Comments:  
Hope to Record there soon.



Friday, June 16th 2006 - 03:16:08 PM
Name: Gaelian
E-mail address: das_punk@hotmail.com
Homepage URL: http://www.myspace.com/viciouskiller38
Comments:  
DIAMOND DAVE CATCHING, I'll see you at pukkelpop man.



Wednesday, June 14th 2006 - 08:32:53 AM
Name: Manuel Jensa
E-mail address: jensajenerator@email.it
Homepage URL: http://www.jensajenerator.com
Comments:  
happy things to anyone.
We promoted Brant Bjork in roma in one of the best place and Venue in rome.
We had 2 fantastic days with Mike Peffer,Brant,Cortez,Dylan and Cale.
We reminded about Fred and his amazing way to be a great human beings..

we wish u the best..
we really had a nice time with your friends here.
we salute u wonderful people.


images of the show here.
http://www.jensajenerator.com/



Monday, May 22nd 2006 - 07:58:19 PM
Name: seany
E-mail address: sullivanzoo@yahoo.com
Comments:  
hello to all at the rancho! I just stumbled across this page looking at stuff on stonerrock.com and figured to drop a few words of grattitude to all you folks out there in the great mystical desert of So Cal.So many great albums by so many great bands have been recorded at this house:QOTSA, desert sessions,kyuss,nebula,fu manchu,brant bjork,lanegan,fatso jetson,etc.it just blows my mind at how many killer musicians have spawned from that part of the world to make such timeless music as all these guys and would have to assume that a lot of it has to do with this great looking and SOUNDING studio called rancho de la luna.Looking at pictures of this place just makes me want to get in my car here in colorado,grab all my good cds,some smoking utencils and head for the great mystical desert of nevada and california.This place just seems like as a musician,you could just relax,forget and record your soul onto an analog tape.Man,that sounds like a good idea!Anyways,thanks to all of you who have made all this great music that I have and am still searching for in one form or another!!Keep the tapes rolling!! Sean Westminster,COLO



Monday, May 15th 2006 - 04:16:52 AM
Name: Ricardo
E-mail address: cavitos@desertfoxrecords.com
Homepage URL: http://www.desertfoxrecords.com
Comments:  
greetings from Italy!!hope to play with David and eodm again sometime and somewhere in space...
in August i' will be there with my girlfriend,hope to see you !
cheers



Saturday, March 25th 2006 - 05:55:10 PM
Name: Flora
E-mail address: flora_jason@Hotmail.com
Comments:  
Just had a memory that I couldn't resist sharing:

"Your call may be recorded because this is a recording studio." and "There are only steers and queers in Texas, and you do not look like a steer to me. Heh heh heh."

From the answering machine, in that Stephen Hawking robot voice. Shit cracks me up!



Saturday, March 25th 2006 - 05:45:12 PM
Name: Flora
E-mail address: flora_jason@hotmail.com
Comments:  
Fred,

I'll be in J-Tree with the Dude and few buddies for the music festival in May. We'll drop by and say hello.



Saturday, March 25th 2006 - 05:54:01 AM
Name: giulia
E-mail address: black_mothervedderòyahoo.it
Comments:  
hello. my name is giulia, i'm nineteen years old and i come from italy. Rancho De La Luna is beautiful.



Saturday, February 11th 2006 - 12:46:27 AM
Name: Jack
E-mail address: bovinehost@comcast.net
Homepage URL: http://www.bovinehost.com
Comments:  
Happy belated birthday, Fred.

It's really hard to live without you, my brother. Wherever you are and whatever you are up to - and I assume it is something fun and subversive - I miss you.

Jeremy is four years old now - how I wanted him to meet you. I never thought I would reproduce...but you should see him. He is so ME. And that makes me think of how he would love you, and vice versa. I bought him a bass and a Strat and he couldn't care less....for now.

Hey, I'm in a band. You'd like it - "Cowpilot". We're all about the stuff you always loved, and while I adore our drummer, well - you know. You could teach him a lot about what it's really like to play with me.


Yesterday, I was thinking - for no good reason - about how you were the first person I knew who had an ATM card. And how the machine would usually say "We are sorry, Fred C Drake......"

You surely sucked with money.

But you were, from the very beginning, long ago in Houston, my best friend - and you still are, wherever you may be.

Fred Drake, I love you.

Jack







Saturday, January 28th 2006 - 03:57:27 PM
Name: Charles Drake
E-mail address: cdrake1@houston.rr.com
Comments:  
Happy birthday son.
Your mom and I miss you as much today as we did the day you left us.
Keep making more good music for us to listen to when it's time for us to join you. Save us a seat.

Mom and Dad



Friday, January 27th 2006 - 11:33:59 PM
Name: sTU bABY
E-mail address: stuarts@remax.net
Homepage URL: http://none
Comments:  
Dear Fred,
Happy Birthday
It's been some time since we spoke last.
I hope that things are going well for you.
I think of you more often than you know, or do you?

Thank you again,
Take care,
Peace and Love,
Stuart



Monday, January 23rd 2006 - 01:46:54 PM
Name: Andres Reyes
E-mail address: agasatrankao@hotmail.com
Homepage URL: http://no
Comments:  
The pleasure... the condition that imposes the pleasure is the total abandonment.






I´m spanish and i don´t speak english.
(Someday, i will play in el rancho de la luna)
salud




Sunday, January 8th 2006 - 01:46:04 PM
Name: Jennifer -AKA Jamila Belly Dancer
E-mail address: hipsfromhell@sbcglobal.net
Homepage URL: http://hipsfromhell.cabanova.com
Comments:  
When K8 and I visited a little over a year ago, we had the best time of our lives!!!

Ted took us in and hung out with us - showed us around and took us to some really cool places. Dave displayed his awesome talent for cooking - I never thought I'd ever like brussel sprouts. We even belly danced for the earthlings!!

Thanks guys!

Guess what?? I'm coming back!!! Beginning of February, I'm hittin' San Fran and then I'm coming down by you. I hope to rock out with you all again.

Jen



Thursday, January 5th 2006 - 09:24:42 AM
Name: Cesto
Comments:  
... I love EVERYthing, of course! My fucking head...



Thursday, January 5th 2006 - 09:23:05 AM
Name: Cesto
E-mail address: ziocesto@alice.it
Homepage URL: http://www.mumble-rimini.it/index.php?ind=blog&op=home&idu=3
Comments:  
Ola!
I'm an italian boy. I'm a bassman, i've a band (www.mumble-rimini.it), and I have a dream, a funkin' dream: to record a cd at Rancho de la Luna. I love onlything about this place: story, band, people. This is a magnific world of music and dreams. Rancho rulez!



Sunday, December 25th 2005 - 09:06:52 PM
Name: professor Pedroza
E-mail address: iruy666@hotmail
Comments:  
IAM A MEXICAN the only stoner in this great country saludos al rancho...espero comprendan español mas difusion en mexico saludos ..cabrones



Sunday, November 6th 2005 - 05:53:59 AM
Name: Jim Waterhouse
E-mail address: thelostartofkeepingasecret@hotmail.com
Homepage URL: http://www.ninehertz.co.uk
Comments:  
I've only just found this site after 4 or 5 years of loving most things stoner and desert - QOTSA, Lanegan, Kyuss, Masters Of Reality, Desert Session etc and being privelaged enough to see some off these acts. Just wanted to express my appreciation to a man and a place that obviously contributed to and inspired so much of the music I love.



Saturday, October 22nd 2005 - 03:25:10 AM
Name: Roger Morris
E-mail address: rogermorris@onetel.net
Comments:  
By chance I found this website, and so have only just learned of Fred's death. I knew him back in the early 1980's, and was fortunate enough to have him playing in our band. I lost touch with Fred in later years, but did visit him at Rancho de la Luna shortly after he moved there. I remember sleeping that night on the roof, something I recommend to anyone who has not yet done so. So many Fred stories ... what a lovely man he was.
Steady as you go old chap.
Love, Roger.



Thursday, October 20th 2005 - 08:16:21 PM
Name: Robb
E-mail address: skyforestrobb@msn.com
Homepage URL: http://www.myspace.com/skyforestrobb
Comments:  
I discovered your music when you opened for Screaming Trees years ago at The Roxy in Hollywood. That night was one I'll never forget as after your set Fred hung out with me and my friend for the Trees set. Good times were had, laughs were shared, and business cards were exchanged. We had planned on a camping trip out to see the studio and hang out some more with Fred but it never materialized. I still listen to the music and hold a special place in my heart for earthlings? and Fred. Thanks and here's to looking ahead and what the future holds....Robb



Wednesday, October 5th 2005 - 09:23:30 PM
Name: Ryan
E-mail address: set_the_idle@hotmail.com
Homepage URL: http://www.myspace.com/blacklightbarbarian
Comments:  
"Dreambook" is an appropriate name... I see Rancho De La Luna and the Joshua Tree/Twenty-Nine Palms sunset in my dreams on a nightly basis... hope to see you with my waking vision soon, my brothers.



Sunday, September 11th 2005 - 11:26:19 PM
Name: Tom
E-mail address: Thomas.Schneiter@bls.ch
Homepage URL: http://Nancyglowbus@hotmail.ch.vu
Comments:  
Hello healthy desert people
I'm very sad too, about the people of new orleans, but
the american fucked up goverment & the american people needs to be more careful with the natur, but they are blind for this cars're not guilty, industry, economie is not guilty, more tragical things like new orleans wil happen soon if america don't respect our mother earth!!!
a desperate cry from a swiss guy.
love
tom



Thursday, August 4th 2005 - 08:23:14 PM
Name: Bryna Golden
E-mail address: hipdeathgoddess@myfastmail.com
Homepage URL: http://www.babylonian-tiles.com
Comments:  
My band, Babylonian Tiles, had the wonderful experience of staying at the Rancho and working with Fred on our second album back in '94. We had recorded with him for the first time at Dominion Sound for our first album a couple of years earlier and we knew we wanted to work with him again. We will always have great memories from those times. We were so sorry to hear of Fred's passing. He was a truly unique, gifted and amazing person.



Wednesday, July 27th 2005 - 11:35:40 AM
Name: Jack
E-mail address: bovine@bovinehost.com
Homepage URL: http://www.bovinehost.com
Comments:  
Ah, Kashmir, you glorious, mean bastard.

Yin and yang are riding fast out there somewhere.

Jack



Wednesday, July 27th 2005 - 06:52:26 AM
Name: MANUEL JENSA
E-mail address: ipernova@email.it
Homepage URL: http://WWW.IPERNOVA.COM
Comments:  
Kashmir,
We salute u.
Your spirit will be "!into the hands of his Maker".
Thats for sure!

IF U MEET FRED SAY TO HIM :

we are working hard for a memorial of his great music and humanity...

and he can download a sample at www.audioglobe.com under the name "Guevara"

we will dance togheter again with stars and desert trees.
guitar and vocals are still missing but i will...
some part are incomplete but i will produce this stuff soon!

real drums...real bass...a lot of electronic stuff but we are goin to do of these sounds a rock project.


C'mon Kashmir,Ride fast....the milky way is on the ride!!!


IPERNOVA TM



Monday, July 25th 2005 - 11:27:53 PM
Name: Yanti
E-mail address: yantiturang@yahoo.com.au
Homepage URL: http://www.pocketfoxx.com
Comments:  
Here I am recording my first album at Rancho De La luna, with the incredible guidence, laughs and love by the one and only...dave catching, and engineered by the wonderful schneeby....he can get one hell of a kick ass drum sound....all my love, and good cups of tea
Yanti



Monday, July 25th 2005 - 11:06:59 PM
Name: travis koller
E-mail address: travis_koller@hotmail.com
Comments:  
In some half-hazzard way I have stumbled upon the dirt road I was invited to what seems like an entire warm body ago. I remember making great time through the a rain storm on the drops of a mojave3 song. A few pieces of my life fell into place years ago at the luna thanks to family who showed me more than a musical cowboy and his ranch in the sky. I remember fred, and remember him well...

I also remember the family,

Thanks Sherry, Matt and the two Freds



Thursday, June 23rd 2005 - 09:43:47 AM
Name: el Tiki
E-mail address: tiki@magnolia.ch
Homepage URL: http://www.magnolia.ch
Comments:  
I remember Fred very well - and I'm happy for the great Gig with him an' all the Earthlings? at the Reitschule some years ago ...
"Love is love and not fadeaway!"

All the Best
Sasha



Tuesday, June 21st 2005 - 10:02:31 AM
Name: Mario Carlucci
E-mail address: carluccimc@gmx.de
Homepage URL: http://www.7daysawake.org
Comments:  
Stop sleeping!Start dreaming!

We love Rancho de la Luna.

7 DAYSAWAKE (Europol)



Saturday, May 14th 2005 - 10:27:20 PM
Name: Jack
E-mail address: bovinehost@comcast.net
Homepage URL: http://www.bovinehost.com
Comments:  
Hey Fred Drake,

Your oldest and dearest friend here. I was going through some old stuff, tapes and whatnot, and listening to the two of us back when we were the hottest rhythm section in Houston.

Man, we did some lame stuff for money, but the stuff we did for love...it was fun, wasn't it?

I just wanted to tell you, as I sit here on a very comfy Saturday night in Dallas, that Jeremy is now three and a half and I do talk to him about his Uncle Fred. He told me the other day that he wanted to be a rock star - poor kid.

You don't mind if I check in here every now and then and write you a short note, do you? Because I miss you something fierce and I really don't know what to do with that sense of loss, usually.

So maybe this will work for me?

I sure wish that you had called me that last week. The conversation I had with Fred B was just awful. I needed closure, maybe, something like that, although I never doubted that you loved me. Through all the years, all the bands, the fun and the hard times and the changes and the moves and the general lunacy....there were so few constants, but our friendship was one of the few things I never doubted.

I walked out in the yard a few nights ago and begged you to talk to me - did you hear me? I'm sure I must have looked nuts. Luckily, no one saw me.

Did you?

love and kisses, fred c drake II

Jack




Thursday, April 28th 2005 - 01:42:17 PM
Name: nils
E-mail address: info@7everocks.com
Homepage URL: http://www.7evenrocks.com
Comments:  
.....the music recorded by you guys is a very big inspiration for us, hope you like what we do!!??.....thanks for all the good shit.....wroaaaack!!..... www.7evenrocks.com



Monday, April 25th 2005 - 01:50:37 PM
Name: THE SKIPPER
E-mail address: D_LUDWICK@MSN.COM
Comments:  
THE FRIENDS WHO KEEP THE RANCHO ALIVE AND WELL ARE SO IMPORTANT.I HAVE NEVER BEEN THERE,ALTHOUGH I FEEL I HAVE FROM THE PEACEFUL VIBES OF SUCH GREAT AND REAL MUSIC.
PEACE,DAVE



Tuesday, April 19th 2005 - 01:45:15 AM
Name: Amira
E-mail address: sisterchef@hotmail.com
Comments:  
I'm a chef; I sing and write music for fun on the acoustic...

The Desert Sessions records inspired me over the years..I sometimes wonder if those albums would have been made if Rancho De La Luna didn't exist..

This is a link to my version of 'I Think I Lost My Headache' by QOTSA:
http://s39.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=17YJVGCUW4BA20AMWG1TNUQCS8

..And this link is to an original track of mine called 'Candles and Robots':
http://s39.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=1FKFGHS7UVH290CLEJGUENTNS8

you can copy and paste them into your browser if you'd like take a listen...

I've decided after 20 years of playing guitar for a few dozen people and the walls in the house that I'm going to write an album...if I can collect my pennies maybe I'll come record it at Rancho :)

Thanks for everything...
Amira from Montreal...



Wednesday, April 6th 2005 - 07:46:27 AM
Name: Manuel Jensa
E-mail address: ipernova@email.it
Homepage URL: http://www.ipernova.com
Comments:  
We have a band Called Ipernova and in our project made and released around 2003 (prosperity to the rock) we wrote and dedicated a full song to Fred Drake And Andrea...

Since we were fans of this amazing musician we never said before of that moment.
i sincerely don't bealive in spam and promotion.

its was...
the project has been made
and now maybe i can let u know i did.

Its called Blue horizon and u can take mp3 at www.audioglobe.com under the name Ipernova

ipernova.com loves u and i will let u have at Rancio few copies soon


Manuel Jensa



Thursday, March 31st 2005 - 05:46:59 AM
Name: Luis Medeiros
E-mail address: medeiros_luis@hotmail.com
Comments:  
The world should be full of Ranchos such as this. Its for sure paradise on earth. One can realise that when listening to Mark or Josh and all the music beeing made there.
Thanks guys.


Luis Medeiros (Portugal)



Monday, March 28th 2005 - 04:03:22 PM
Name: Denis Bekkering
E-mail address: denisbekkering@hotmail.com
Comments:  
the music is warm and breezy,

make a label

please

sign me





Monday, March 21st 2005 - 06:58:10 AM
Name: olu ego
E-mail address: ngbada_eze@tidni.com
Comments:  
hello rancho i hope you guys will come
back again i love y



Saturday, March 5th 2005 - 04:33:54 AM
Name: MANUEL JENSA
E-mail address: IPERNOVA@EMAIL.IT
Homepage URL: http://WWW.IPERNOVA.COM
Comments:  
Since i found Fred and his Earthlings i loved his music.
I can't forget the first time i heard "Twice shy" cd he sent to me.
And with his departure for another dimension now only i decided to write few words in this guest book.

I am only a mediocre musicians but the first thing i did doing a rock record (my record) it was one years ago approx..Writing a song dedicated to Fred Drake.

Many times happen to find someone who wants to do false promotion for his music.
So u can understand me if i do this only now.

Our rock project " prosperity to the rock " came in 2003\2004 so righ now no promotion needed.

and i can say now u can download the song we dedicated to Fred.(if u like the idea)



u can go to www.audioglobe.com
with a click on the band name IPERNOVA u can see a song called BLUE HORIZON song.( a wish song for Andrea and Fred)

maybe if its work this link :

http://www.audioglobe.com/band.rxml?bandid=316&genreid=3

ps.to anyway writing me an email will receive a digipack cd
for free expecially if u was a friend of Fred.

www.ipernova.com never intended to spread our band name doing a Song for fred. Thats why i write here after 2 years approx.

if u think so go to hell.
cos in these things (MY THINGS) I AM ALWAYS SERIOUS.

MANUEL JENSA



Tuesday, February 15th 2005 - 10:59:45 PM
Name: Randall
E-mail address: flyersmind@hotmail.com
Comments:  
Hi, just stopping by to say hello. I love the desert. You can see the stars and trip on mescalito...cough I wish everyone who records here at Rancho the Best of times and best regards to all who visit this site.

Randall-Sacramento, Ca



Monday, February 14th 2005 - 02:53:13 PM
Name: Mati
E-mail address: foolerfc@yahoo.it
Comments:  
playing hattrick.. hearding the voice of mark lanegan...and silence's sound of the rancho....



Sunday, February 13th 2005 - 01:58:00 PM
Name: georg
E-mail address: georg@dead-letter.com
Homepage URL: http://www.dead-letter.com
Comments:  
just wanted to say that even for people like me who live in germany (most of the time), the rancho is one of the few magical places on earth since its pretty much the place where all low desert rock concentrates. weird thing is, I know I've been to joshua tree as a kid once, but I can't remember much. all I know was that the range the desert had was overwhelming to me. and just so you know, I'll be back ;) germany's way too wet and cold... need to feel the sun on my back

to dave: hey why don't you put up some more pics of the place, now that you even changed a couple things, just would be cool for people overseas who can't imagine most of the things happening there :)



Saturday, February 5th 2005 - 11:09:19 AM
Name: Rachid Atmai
E-mail address: whattodowhenyrehigh@msn.com
Comments:  
Hi broes!
I'm alone in my room and i was thinking about this beautiful place , the Rancho de la Luna .So i would like the thank Fred Drake and Dave Catching a lot for having created such a beautiful house and studio in the middle of the desert.This place reminds me my grand-father's house in Marocco with cacti and sand all around.....

My toughts go to Fred Drake, we miss you.



Friday, January 28th 2005 - 07:55:23 AM
Name: Charles Drake
E-mail address: cdrake1@houston.rr.com
Comments:  
Good morning,

Today is January 28th, and it's Fred's birthday. I just checked the weather there, and it is supposed to be mild and sunny. Fred would be taking Kashmir for a ride now if he were there. We are sure that he is at the Rancho in spirit every chance he gets.
We stil sorely miss him, but, but he's in a better place now. Don't ever forget him - and keep the water going to the cottonwood tree.

Charles Drake




Wednesday, January 19th 2005 - 11:41:56 AM
Name: julien
E-mail address: julien_triscos@yahoo.fr
Comments:  
hi!
Happy new year!
i'm french so sorry it's hard to say what i feel in english...
Rancho de la luna is a wonderfull place,i dream to play guitar in this magic house:one day... maybe!
I hope to see one day this place of my own eyes and to meet you...
Continue to make us dream with this place...thanks!!
Bye



Saturday, January 8th 2005 - 07:01:42 AM
Name: Esben Ahrens
E-mail address: commiebitch@yahoo.dk
Comments:  
I'm so sad to hear that you have to "close" the rancho, I understand that if there's no money to pay the bills, then you have to do what you have to do, and that you're doing that, but I still feel sad.
I stoped in this summer, and had a chat with Tony Mason, right before Woodshed draged in all their gear for a session, and I had this feeling that here was where I would make a record with my band, but this is the way it goes I guess.
Keep the music alive.



Friday, November 12th 2004 - 07:21:30 PM
Name: robert alexander
E-mail address: dobbin14@hotmail.com
Comments:  
Yahoo! The Sky Party is here!!!




Tuesday, October 12th 2004 - 02:43:33 AM
Name: patricia herlihy
E-mail address: herlihy@blueyonder.co.uk
Homepage URL: http://www.thebirdcagereview.co.uk
Comments:  
A band called sorijev are looking for a producer, any producers out there? Catch them at www.sorijev.com. Go on, surely you had a dream once too?



Thursday, September 16th 2004 - 01:32:17 PM
Name: willy
E-mail address: willy.g@wanadoo.fr
Comments:  
hey there. It's been a longtime since i have not written here. how are you everybody? I think you are fine in a place like yours. This place is astonishing!! My favourite music was made here in the desert. I was wondering... is it possible to send a tape, here at the rancho, of my own band? I want to send you my band's stuff. we want to live with music. We want to meet Josh, Mark, Ted, well everybody we love. Music is our souls and hearts. we would die just to play a gig in a bar... I keep watching Led Zeppelin's last DVD and I know that I will end my life on a stage like Jimmy Page... But life is difficult and it seems hard to me (i'm just a child who is twenty years old... I don't know anything about life.) I mean I want to be able to record a cd one day. Why not with you guys? It's like the quest for the holy grail for us. Don't be surprised if you recieve a tape (sorry we can't have a cd we don't have the appropriate stuff) one day from France and from Willy the littlepoo (that's my nickname). Our band's name is Jabberwocky (it's a Monty Phyton's movie) and we want to live mith music. We feed our music with QOTSA, Kyuss, LedZep, Mark Lanegan, Jimy Hendrix, Nirvana, everything that is true creation to us. I know we are just wankers next to these musicians but we want to be like them. That's all we want. I think we will come one day to see you on the other side of the ocean. ok it's time to leave you for the moment... have to compose and work my guitar... dreams dreams dreams, where will you lead us?... Love the last Mark Lanegan. The best voice of the new century to me. anyway see you in heaven or hell... or at your rancho. bye. love you... willy little poo.



Wednesday, September 15th 2004 - 07:47:30 PM
Name: Kate Harnedy
E-mail address: kateharnedy@yahoo.com
Comments:  
What a fantastic weekend in Joshua Tree. I've been dreaming of the desert and being able to see the Rancho for months and I finally got to do just that. The energy of that surrounds it is really incredible, and the presence of Fred Drake is overwhelming. Although I was never able to meet Fred, I feel like I know him now. Ted Quinn was not only a great tour guide but one of the sweetest, kindest and most sharing people I've met. Dave Catching made us feel at right at home, and his cooking is to die for! With the energies of such nice, talented people there, it is no wonder that the Rancho is an amazing place. Jen and I can't wait to come back, I wish Chicago wasn't so far away! Anyone from the Rancho who comes our way better let us know so we can make them some dinner.



Wednesday, September 15th 2004 - 03:59:42 PM
Name: r. alexander
E-mail address: dobbin14@hotmail.com
Comments:  
I just read the story of Robert, Nicole and Fred spending some time out in the Monument doing 'shrooms and watching the sunset on top of a fantastic rock formation - and then wandering around lost in the dark afterwards...

Well, reading that brought up powerful memories for me.

The story I'm going to relate here, Robert told a variation of at Fred's memorial. It's about a time when he and Fred came out to the Monument while I was working there as a wilderness guide.


The day was wonderful, with warm, sunny weather, clear, piercing blue skies and that magical quality in the air that makes the Joshua Tree one of the most amazing places on the face of this earth.

We went to one of my favorite parts of the monument; a place known as "The Virgin Isles". Here we scrambled to the top of a rock formation called "Star Wars". I went to work and set the ropes and anchors up for a rappel down an overhanging face. They both seemed to enjoy that particular brand of adrenaline and endorphins as well as the view from the top.

Afterwards we all ate some 'shrooms and passed the peace pipe. We then went to a place nearby where I knew if you had the vision, the patience, and the clarity of mind, you might just get lucky and be able to find quartz crystals hiding in plain view, so difficult to see since they're clear. Both Robert and Fred were able to find some. Not everyone can.

I vividly recall climbing an extremely difficult boulder problem while there that I'd only been able to do a couple of times before. The rock was shaped like the tip of a crystal as if you were inside of it looking out. When I got to the top, I had an emotional catharsis. Breaking into tears, my body shaking violently. So vulnerable and out of control, I took my time getting down off the rock, gathering myself back together and back to Robert and Fred since I really didn't care to be seen in that state.

The oddest part of it is that it was as if I had finally let go of having been in the grip of grief since a month previously I'd had a climbing partner fall and fracture his skull, him nearly dying in my arms. He fortunately lived.

After that horrible experience, I felt petrified whenever I went climbing by things that I previously took in stride. That's not a good place to be in when one is supposed to be the confident guide.

Later that day we migrated to the Cholla Gardens to watch the sun go down with those incredible cactus backlit so amazingly. Of course there was another peace pipe passed. The three of us then walked out of that cactus patch in the dark.

I remember Robert remarking how, here were both he and Fred picking stickers out of themselves while I had none and was even wearing sandals.

The desert has a way of getting it's point across, sometimes not so gently; PAY ATTENTION, Be Here Now, or else...

I don't think I would have had that breakthrough if it weren't for being with two people who I trusted and cared for and I may not have been able to continue doing the guiding and climbing that I loved so much.

Goes to show you just how strong is the healing power of friends, nature, music,(and the right chemistry!).

It was a breakthrough day for Fred too, because that was the day he decided to move to Joshua Tree and create the Rancho.

r. alexander








Sunday, August 29th 2004 - 05:45:37 AM
Name: andy.b
E-mail address: bassbull1@yahoo.com
Homepage URL: http://www.hombresimposible.com
Comments:  
well,i just got sacked for the first time in 15 years of working and with no cash and a dwindling social life i found refuge in my guitar and bass.when i play i think of vast scenes into which i can express myself without the feeling of limitations.i live in the SW of the UK and we have moorland an rollin hills and costal views across the english channel but its an island so that you know you can only go so far without fallin in the sea...we recorded a CD at sawmills studio in cornwall which is,i think,as close as we can get now to where you guys are.
i dreamt last night that i was walking with two girls i didnt know from a my town,up along HUGE cliffs that looked down on beautiful clear waters and then went on to their house which was like some GIGANTIC ocean liner made of timber that was stuck on shore.it was a whole town unto itself.if you lived at the top the views were immense but you only had a small space to live in.if you lived in the depths of the'ship'your living space was vast but much darker.....er...yea....wow....now i'm here looking at this hi-desert wonderland and thinking yea,we're going/coming.
anyways the 'shroom season is just about to kick in here along with late night sessions at hombreHQ(our rehearsal room)where dreams become reality and reality is a dream.
nothing is real,everything is possible.
see you guys within the year,peace love and...............



Thursday, August 26th 2004 - 11:14:38 AM
Name: Twitch
E-mail address: magrathea20@hotmail.com
Comments:  
My email was wrong on the last one.



Thursday, August 26th 2004 - 11:13:57 AM
Name: Twitch
E-mail address: magrathe20@hotmail.com
Comments:  
Wow.
I heard about Rancho De La Luna from an interveiw with Josh Homme.
This place sounds amazing and I'd like to visit it.
I'm still to young to go. (15) But I'm a (chick)guitar playey and I'd love to just sit and learn from the pro's to just see everything happen.
I'd dig it if I could like Say and do the dishes and clean or something.
I'm definatly coming down there.
Gimme A couple of years.




Saturday, August 14th 2004 - 06:37:22 PM
Name: Sunny Sun-Downer
E-mail address: conchustimes@yahoo.com
Homepage URL: http://www.conchustimes.org
Comments:  
OOPS! On the previous entry I listed the ConchUs Times website address with the ConchUs Times email address... So I wanted to correct it, especially because the next ConchUs Times Journal is currently in the works, with a special focus on the vast blossoming-like-a-lotus-out-of-the-death-of-cool Joshua Tree & High Desert music and arts scene! (So that blunder must've been unconchusly planned, for now I got a plug in for the CUT Journal... Ha-Ha!)-=0=-



Saturday, August 14th 2004 - 06:23:37 PM
Name: Sunny Sun-Downer
E-mail address: conchustimes@yahoo.com
Homepage URL: http://conchustimes@yahoo.com
Comments:  
Here's a memory I have from Pappy & Harriet's Pioneertown Palace springtime '04 show of Mark Olson, Victoria Williams & the Creekdippers (the night before they went off to their european tour)... After the killer show we were all sitting around verbating & herbating out back when a waitress brought out the phone to Mark & said it was the drummer Ray... Mark granted his request to go off partying with someone, but reprimanded him in advance about remembering to be there early in the morning for their departure & then broke into "Tomorrow" from the broadway hit "Annie," which the dozen or so people standing around all joined in with Mark accapella.



Tuesday, August 10th 2004 - 02:21:37 PM
Name: Jolan Lewis
E-mail address: joshhomme@msn.com
Comments:  
Hey.
Someday, man, someday. I swear to you, I will be in Rancho recording an album. It has been my dream for a few years now, and I will put all of my heart and soul into ensuring I spend some of my days there. I promise you all, I'll be seeing you someday.



Wednesday, July 21st 2004 - 10:51:49 PM
Name: Elizabeth
Comments:  
I got back to Los Angeles today from Pioneertown and the Daniel Lanois gig. A delicious, melodic show, a night to remember for all of us who were lucky enough to be there. I was blown away that Mr Lanois chose to put my photograph of Fred on the stage with him. I had just given him the print as I knew he and Fred were buds and I wanted to give him a picture of his friend as I love love love his work. Anyway, it was great to see our Mr Drake up on stage and acknowledged by his great friend as the wonderful man and sweet inspiration that he was. A reunion of sorts? I'm so happy.

Great to see Ted at the Rancho, to meet Billy and Blake.
Peace
Elizabeth



Monday, July 5th 2004 - 12:35:29 PM
Name: soundpainter12
E-mail address: soundpainter12@hotmail.com
Comments:  
It was the summer of 1992. Fred, Nicole and myself had gone up to the monument late one afternoon to do some hiking, exploring and frolicking in the wonderland of rocks. We found an exquisite place to climb up, and get a birds eye view of the approaching sunset. We climbed up, and up and found a perch high upon a sculpted rock formation. Prior to our climb, we had eaten only mushrooms for lunch. By the time we arrived at the top and found our sweet spot, we had already begun to feel altered!

We looked out over the vast desert floor in awe, and decided to immediately summon the spirits of our ancient, indian ancestors. So we sat in a semi circle and passed the sacred peace pipe. By the time we had drawn a deep breath and released all the stress and strife of the mundane world, we were quickly transported into the magical realm of the trickster.

At first we were all so elated to be in this sacred place, and in this sacred moment, that we praised the day and all the spirits of the desert. We laughed and opened our hearts to the abundant joy that was engulfing us. It was so easy to completely surrender to the magic of the moment, so we did.

We remained there for what may have been several hours as the eternal now descended upon us, and we lost ourselves deep within it. One of the things that I miss about Fred so much, is the quality of being with him. What I mean by that is that, we were able sit for long periods of time without saying a word and still feel totally connected. This is a quality that I share with few people but Fred was certainly one of them.

As we watched the sun go down in ecstatic wonder and bliss, we were not thinking that soon it would be dark, and we would have to climb down and also hike out without a flashlight! As the trickster would have it, there was a new moon, and therefore not much moonlight to navigate by.

As we began to make our decent, we lost our way and were forced to climb down rocks that were harrowing to say the least. Fred and I were trying to put on our brave faces, so as not to scare an already frightened Nicole. She was beginning to cry and we found ourselves totally lost and trying to reason our way out of it.

We reassured ourselves that our car was only a few hundred yards away, but we knew not in which direction. As we began to weigh the worst case scenarios, we continued to walk uncertain if we were moving in the right direction or not. I said " well even if we have to sleep out here we would be ok when the light returned ". That was not the right thing to say because it scared the shit out of Nicole.

It was funny that we both kidded her a little about our dire situation, albeit temporary. We started in one direction and then reversed ourselves. Started in another and second guessed it. It came to the point that both, Fred and I were seriously concerned about having wandered off in the desert without a flashlight or water. This was something that we both new should be the first things on the list of desert survival. After all... we were not inexperienced we had simply been careless and we both new it, and we kicked ourselves in the ass over and over again.

After we wandered around in circles for what could have been a couple of hours, we finally saw a car light in the distance. We decided to make our way toward it. As we began in that direction we saw another car light and yet another.

By the time we had found the dirt road that these cars were traveling on, we then had to decide which way we should follow it. Unsure of which way was north, south east or west, we decided to turn left.

We walked about a hundred yards until we saw a car coming our way. It was a red pick up truck and we flagged it down, and told the two apparent rock climbers that we had taken a wrong turn and gotten lost. We explained to them that "our red Honda was parked in a turn out and that could not find it".

One of them asked "is it a red Honda civic hatchback" ? "Yes" we replied and they told us to "jump in and they would take us to it". So we jumped in the back, and were taken not far from where we were, and dropped off. We expressed our heartfelt gratitude and they left.

To this day I will never forget it, and I have never gone anywhere, no matter how far from the car, without a flashlight or water. The trickster taught us a valuable lesson, the hard way, that summer night.

I cherish every moment that I ever spent with Fred and this is a memory that I will always treasure!

Your spirit lives on Fred!

Robert




Friday, June 11th 2004 - 03:03:20 PM
Name: Taylor Cook
E-mail address: SparkyGirl_2000@hotmail.com
Comments:  
Hello. I don't know exactly know what to say, but since June 20th was coming around again, I felt like I wanted to post something. I've never been able to come up to the Rancho, and I want to so badly. I miss Fred so much, and I know how much he loved it. I want to come and see why.
Hopefully I will be able to come out there sometime soon and fully understand what it is about the Rancho that's so mystifying and wonderful to everyone who's been captured by its beauty.
Hehe, again, I feel awkward leaving this little post because I've never had the pleasure of really getting to know anyone at the ranch save for Fred. I pray that'll change soon <3



Tuesday, June 8th 2004 - 06:09:08 AM
Name: Patricia Herlihy
E-mail address: herlihy@ blueyonder.co.uk
Homepage URL: http://www.herlihy.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk
Comments:  
The Tadpole Kid

I doubt you remember those dreams that I flew
A ragged little flag from any point of view
The last ray of sun before the rain
And I have to pack up and move on
Again and again

I found the truth the other day
There, in picture I’d packed away
Little girl, bad hair, bare foot and free
A lifetime and an ocean far away
Was that really me?

And in my eyes I can still see
All those fantastic escapes
I’d made for myself, a princess, a film star, a squillionaire…
But I knew that you knew
It was only hot air

You gave me that look as if to say
You’d heard it all before, anyway

I doubt you remember those dreams that I flew
But if, for one moment you do
Then I‘d just like to say
(though you made it and I never did)
I’m proud if you turned out to be the tadpole kid



Saturday, May 29th 2004 - 03:16:51 PM
Name: Kate
E-mail address: kateharnedy@yahoo.com
Comments:  
Although it is finally summer in Chicago, I still find myself sitting in this concrete jungle and dreaming of the desert.

The music that has come out of this place has filled me with so many feelings, I just can't get enough. The community you seem to have is really incredible, together you are able to capture the sound of the desert.

As a photographer, I want to be able to capture on film that same feeling.

I hope that one day soon, I can make it out to Joshua Tree and create some of my own "desert sessions" on film, and I hope one day I can see this place that was the start of so much beautiful music.

Thank you so much for the inspiration.



Thursday, May 13th 2004 - 01:08:23 PM
Name: John Higgins
E-mail address: so_high_so_low@hotmail.com
Comments:  
The pictures of this place are mind-blowing. I want to live there. I'm only nearly 18, but man, if you've got a job opening gimme a call, coz Scotland is gettin me down-the weather sucks. Also, Fre Drake; some cool photos of a man who seemed to have lived his life free, in the place he lived.Inspiring. I can't believe he's dead, having been a man involved with so many bands i love. Any way, you don't know me, and I don't know you, so I'm gonna quit while I'm behind before this gets weird. Adios, John Higgins



Friday, April 23rd 2004 - 05:37:40 AM
Name: thom
E-mail address: thomas.schneiter@bls.ch
Homepage URL: http://www.nancyglowbus.ch.vu
Comments:  
Hello brothers from the desert
last week i was at the brant bjork, nick oliveri show at Bad Bonn Düdingen (Switzerland). It was a 2 hours groovy desert dream. i gave nick a nancy glowbus demo cd, witch is my band. Hope he likes it and brings it to the rancho, where we dream to record it well. At the moment we build our own analog homestudio in our little house in Thun (Swiss), with winterstrong palms and mosaikstyles around the house (my inspiration of it is the rancho and the music around). But there's no desert and too much traffic in our small country. So we hope to be at rancho de la luna one day for living our dream with you. peace, love, and greetings from the snowy mountaintown!!!
thom



Monday, April 12th 2004 - 08:01:30 PM
Name: eddie warrener
E-mail address: ejwazza@hotmail.com
Comments:  
hi i bought the desert sessions vol 9+10 and i have to say its the best thing ive ever heard in my life! im only 15 and come from nottingham/uk and when i checked rancho de la luna i was inspired to write music and i havent looked back. i never thought just a recording studio would inspire me but ive seen some footage of the place and its amazing theres just people jammin in a random rooms, a fire burning in the corner its like a big freindly house!!! just wanna say keep it going!! its the best thing ive ever seen in my life and one day i hope to be there !!! from eddie warrener



Thursday, March 25th 2004 - 03:30:52 PM
Name: Grandpa Ducket
E-mail address: paducket@theduckets.com
Homepage URL: http://www.theduckets.com
Comments:  
Ahh yes dreams. Dreams of being able to record in the best sounding studio in the United States. Dreams though they are, for I am BROKE. But hey, DonkeyPunch Studios ain't so bad, and we can still record vox in the bathroom.

Thanks for creating that really cool drum sound, Rancho, we love you for it.

-Grandpa Ducket



Wednesday, March 17th 2004 - 01:24:45 PM
Name: willy
E-mail address: willy.g@wanadoo.fr
Comments:  
hello everyone. I'm writing today because I realised I've made a big mistake. In my last post, at the end, I wrote : "say hello to Fred Drake for me...". I didn't know at this time that he was dead two years ago. I can't tell you how I felt when I realised my mistake. So, Ted, forgive me, I'm sorry. I know how it feels when you lose someone you love especially when they go too soon. My brother died 6 years ago. He was twenty years old. That's much too soon. So that's why I felt really bad about my last post. My brother would have become a great pianist, he was a musician. Maybe Fred and my brother met and play music together somewhere up there... or in our hearts and minds... I like to think that. So be in peace Fred and William (that was his name) ... See you one day. Ok bye and I'm sorry again... willy.



Wednesday, March 17th 2004 - 06:13:07 AM
Name: j.j. bertuzzi
E-mail address: u-candies-foundation@india.com
Comments:  
Hi guys, how are u? The next June I'll come in the USA. I'm an italian drummer and, maybe, we can meet in your studios. Ciao



Saturday, March 6th 2004 - 01:02:57 PM
Name: willy
E-mail address: willy.g@wanadoo.fr
Comments:  
Hey! What a surprise this afternoon! I put on my computer go on the web, check out my mails... I've got a message. I tell myself that must be some shitty advertisements to buy dvds on the net or whatever. I click on it and I see : from Rancho de la Luna. Gosh I never expected!!! that gave me sunshine in my heart. So thanks for the message Ted. You know, for the song "Making a cross" I thought the same as you wrote. I was listening to it with my band mates and I said : "I'm sure they've played this song in the morning with a redsunrise over the desert at the end of the sessions."... I knew it. This song makes you feel like that after a good time with your friends, in the morning, you know it's over, and it gives you the blues. But you feel good cause you know it's gonna happen again. or when you break up with your girlfriend... "I'm making a cross of all you were and up on the hills I hear your name..." Very beautiful song. Love the voice of Alain Johannes. hey people if you don't feel good just listen to desert sessions especially "Making a cross" and the sunshine and smile will come back in your soul. Ok I'm sure I'll see ya one day Ted. Hey! Say hello to Joshua Homme, Chris Goss, Fred drake, Mark Lanegan and everyone for me and my friends and tell them we love them and what they do. Sincerely. Viva el Rancho... Thaaaaaaaaannnnnk Yooooooouuuuuuuu!!!!!! Keep rockin' Willy.



Wednesday, March 3rd 2004 - 01:08:11 PM
Name: willy
E-mail address: willy.g@wanadoo.fr
Comments:  
hello. something weird happened last night. I was in my bed listening to desert sessions 7 and 8 and I fell asleep. I dreamt that I was in the desert drinking with my friends, the song "making a cross" was playing (I think it was from my walkman), and I remember seeing the same trees that we can see on the rancho homepage... When I woke up in the morning I thought about this all the day. It made me, more than ever, want to come to the desert one day. I know I will. I like to think that its a sign. And maybe we will come to the rancho. That would be such woowiewozzziee (that means cool) thing to ever happen in my life. believe in your dreams keep rockin' willy.



Saturday, February 28th 2004 - 11:18:48 AM
Name: Billy B
E-mail address: bigb@k7.dion.ne.jp
Comments:  
So I’m walking around Osu Kannon, looking at guitars, you see I just bought my first guitar a few months ago….anyway now I’m jonesin’ for an electric….so that’s why I’m in Osu. And I’m at this store-called BigBoss, some guy was jamming in the corner. On the wall there’s a picture of one of my favorite places-Joshua Tree. And it’s this article on Rancho De Luna… it’s written in an ancient language….and I remembered reading about it somewhere, something to do with the desert scene. And I’m like yeah this is definitely the right thing to do, your in the right place at the right time…Sometime soon...the circle will come full swing and I’ll be back where I started, back in the desert…with guitars in hand….

Billy B
Nagoya Japan




Thursday, February 19th 2004 - 03:02:43 PM
Name: willy
E-mail address: willy.g@wanadoo.fr
Comments:  
Hi there! I'm french (or a froggy if you prefer, only joking) and I want to say that I fell in love with the music of kyuss, qotsa, masters of reality, desert sessions... not a longtime ago and I'm glad that I knew such real music. I mean all these bands are doing such a good and honest music! This is so good!!! Dude, you rock my friends!!! In two weeks I bought all the kyuss and qotsa cds and since they haven't left my player!! The thing I miss is a kyuss live. Will we have one day reeditions of kyuss lives? this would be so fuckin' great! I would really love to meet these guys one day, I mean Josh homme, Nick oliveri, John garcia... and just play one or two songs with them. If only, only (singing the song of qotsa...). Me and my band are trying to play some stoner rock and we really want to go further with that but that seems really difficult. Well we keep on feeding our dreams, drink beer, and play loud... see you on the road maybe one day... no one knows (still singing qotsa...) . don't fuck up don't fuck yourself and don't drink poison (alcohol is enough)... byebye



Sunday, February 15th 2004 - 02:56:40 PM
Name: Dave
E-mail address: fishguts183@hotmail.com
Comments:  
Absoloutely awesome, the work u guys are doin is so cool and some amazin bands and artists have created such cool songs in the studio. Soemtime in the near future I would hope to visit the Rancho de la luna and see the sites of the desert and witness the awesome vibe that everyone talks about.
Later
Dave

P.S KYUSS!!



Thursday, January 15th 2004 - 08:27:42 PM
Name: Tofu
E-mail address: tofuart@hotmail.com
Homepage URL: http://tofuart.com
Comments:  
I had an interesting Fredcident a few months back. Back in 2002 I made a little Fred icon and took it down to a community altar installation in a park in the Mission for Dia de los Muertos. I knew Freddie would be happy to be in a park frequented by cholo boys. So 2003 came along, and things got a little crazy. My dad passed away at the end of October. November 2nd ended up being the day I flew back to San Francisco after being on the East Coast dealing with that, being with my family, etc. That said, I was in no shape to do the procession in the Mission in 2003 - it was all a little too close to home. I always have an altar set up for the occasion in my home as well, I even didn't do that this time. Anyway, I walk into my apartment about 8:30 after traveling all day. I was surprised, but not overly shocked, to find the portrait of Fred on my wall all askew. A little spooky, but I told Freddie it just wasn't happening this year.
The portrait is at: http://tofuart.com/fred.html



Wednesday, January 7th 2004 - 03:39:42 AM
Name: David
E-mail address: mad.machine@web.de
Comments:  
Hey guys
Just wanted to say that I appreciate the job you're doing. The music I like the most was recorded at your studio!
Keep it that way!



Tuesday, January 6th 2004 - 05:13:27 AM
Name: bub
E-mail address: halo.jones@ntlworld.com
Comments:  
hi from the uk! not reaaly about Rancho De la luna but avout Hugh Harris. His 1989 album Words for our Years is one of my favourite albums ever i loved it and have recommended it to loads of friends over the years but i've never seen any other material. i think i heard hugh on the Kalifornia soundtrack but he wasn't on the soundtrack cd. Is there any stuff that he's recorded that i might be able to get hold of? I heard a live version of Her engine froze is the rest of the set out there? anyway even if i acn't get any more THANK YOU for beautiful and wonderful album



Monday, November 10th 2003 - 04:42:56 PM
Name: digital d n a 23
E-mail address: digitaldna23@yahoo.com
Homepage URL: http://www.stayhonest.com/x/jaIlbait
Comments:  
I forgot to put in stay honest in my url if anybody gives a flying joshua tree. now if you click it our real jailbait site comes up . a frown and a scoul and a kick in the jowl, the industrial strength dna.



Saturday, October 25th 2003 - 02:45:14 PM
Name: Kriss Brink
E-mail address: kbtexico@#aol.com
Comments:  
I just found out today about Fred Drake. I knew him about 25 years ago here in Kingwood Texas. I was a drummer doing clubs in Houston, and Fred was always going to some other place to jam. Only heard him play a few times but he was determined, and such a nice guy. His dad and my dad were in the Engineering business, and he mentioned to my dad about Fred. I hadn't heard his name in years and always wondered where he went, but I knew it was something with music, somewhere. So I came home and typed in his name and found this site. I just wanted to let people know out there that we are indeed all connected, and that music always seems to remain the constant factor of thread that bring the lovers of music together, even after such, it seems, long periods of time. Peace, Fred.

By the way, my little brother is on his way to Vegas to...record in a studio and perform. He plays everything and writes very good songs now. He got his film-scoring degree in Boston finally, and is headed west to follow his dream.



Friday, October 17th 2003 - 12:44:04 PM
Name: Oscar letelier
E-mail address: sabbath123@hotmail.com
Comments:  
At last....el Rancho is the place that i dream of....

i`m Chilean. sudamericano, and i lived 10 years in the desert of San pedro de Atacama. My favorite place....Moon valley. My favorite music.....Kyuss and 70`s.

Now a get it. The stars pointed at me.
No puedo dejar de contemplar la belleza espacial que tiene el desierto, se refleja lo que es el alma y lo que es el infinito.......

I´m in peace now........thanx Fred, thank you people of Rancho. Keep making real the dreams of bands and lifestyles. Me gustaria que conocieran mi pais para poder compartir......

Oscar.



Monday, September 15th 2003 - 01:23:48 PM
Name: Oliver Kientopp
E-mail address: olli@billyourneighbour.de
Homepage URL: http://www.billyourneighbour.de
Comments:  
Hey there,
greetings from Bielefeld/Germany. It took a long time to say hello, but I just went on the website and thought about the wonderful time we spent on the rancho.
It was a great gift to get to know Fred and all of you friendly guys. One or another of you i`ll meet when you are touring in Germany, but I really hope I can come to the rancho again.
Cheers to all of you!
See you,
Olli



Sunday, September 14th 2003 - 03:34:26 AM
Name: Esben Ahrens
E-mail address: commiebitch@yahoo.dk
Comments:  
I used to attend Yucca Valley High School, as an exchange student back in '95-'96, and during that year, the Morongo basin came to be the place that I love the most in the entire world, there is something so speciel about the way the air smells, how the light shines and how people are, that I haven't expirienced anywhere else.
I've been back to Yucca 4 times now, and it always feels like coming home, I feel grounded in the hi-desert.
Back in my high school days, I didn't know the Rancho existed, the first time I came back, not a clue, then I started playing with these guys that where old Kyuss and Screaming Trees fans, we started off doing Fu Manchu, Kyuss and Sloburn covers, and it really got me into all the good music that's been coming out of southern california, and especially the desert.
A lot has happend to the band, we replaced a drummer, lost a guitarist, had me learn all the songs on guitar as well as singing them, getting in to our own style, playing our first show.
I went back to Yucca last year to recharge, I was burnt out after 3 years of working almost non-stop, I wanted to go see the Rancho, feel the atmosphere surrounding the place, but I couldn't find it, nothing in the local phonebook, couldn't find this lovely site, so I went home "empty" handed, so now I'm saving up my hard earned money, so I can come hang out, and guess what... I might be bringing the band.
Thank you for being a place, where the "odd" people can make great music, and feel at home.
Oh by the way.. if you go to Pappy and Hariette's, please the Abi I said hi, she's the woman in the Minnie Pearl outfit.
Thanks a bunch, and see you soon.
Esben.



Friday, September 12th 2003 - 05:36:39 AM
Name: Sven Beukema
E-mail address: sven.beukema@webmail.lsop.nl
Comments:  
Wow,

I'm impressed. Just the complete story of Fred Drake and all the great artist visited the ranch is amazing.
You people are living life the way you suppose to.

Sun rissing greetings from the Netherlands,

Sven



Friday, September 12th 2003 - 01:31:08 AM
Name: bingo
Comments:  
Libresue~no

I saw the trees on TV the other night.
the cable wasn't connected right or something and it was four thirty in the morning.
I think it was the christer station..some kind of illegible verse stared back through my half-closed eyelids at me.
But I saw the Joshua trees and the color of the sand well enough.

I'll be home soon, about a week. Look forward to a cup of that coffee.

hey,
bing



Thursday, August 14th 2003 - 10:36:43 AM
Name: David Yandell(stereotank)
E-mail address: yandell studios2@aol.com
Comments:  
What can I say , We had such a great time.....David catch worked so hard for us , and everyone made us feel so at home , we soaked up the creative energy which was plentiful...David brought out the best in us... so patient and kind , encouraging....we feel we've made some true friends .....and we hope to be back soon............keep on rocking dudes!!!!!!!!!!!!!! David is truely a professional that knows how to nurture artists...............



Monday, June 30th 2003 - 09:34:24 AM
Name: Chris
E-mail address: burdenhand@aol.com
Homepage URL: http://hometown.aol.com/burdenhand
Comments:  
So much of the music I love was set on tape here. Keep up the good work guys.



Thursday, June 26th 2003 - 05:02:48 AM
Name: IénédégouèZ
E-mail address: hypnagogie@yahoo.fr
Comments:  
GREAT!
Waiting for more sessions with alien's inspiration!!



Monday, June 23rd 2003 - 01:10:34 PM
Name: Ray Comstock
E-mail address: catfish@bizx.info
Homepage URL: http://www.palmspringsguide.us
Comments:  
Very nice site! We didn't know about your studio until we saw this website. If we hear of anyone who needs a studio, we will let you know.

Catfish
Palm Springs, California Hotel and Resort Guide



Wednesday, June 4th 2003 - 10:32:10 PM
Name: andrew fitzpatrick
E-mail address: afitz@mindspring.com
Comments:  
hi fred burke.

just poking around cyberspace, found this site cause i'm listenin' to the desert sessions 7 and 8 cd. remembering walking down to the ranch where people were recording. don't know who they were or what they were doing but i walked in and they asked me with my tone deaf ear if it sounded right. i was like yeah, go for it. hey what happened to fred's songs about the moon that i listened to in your car going back to ontario? you still got that tape?

fitz



Tuesday, June 3rd 2003 - 07:12:47 PM
Name: John Ross
E-mail address: jr@zuperchicken.com
Homepage URL: http://www.bassgirl.com
Comments:  
I never have been to the studio, never had a chance to meet Fred - except through a story shared to me after the passing of my wife, Rana "BassGirl" Ross last month.

I grew up in the desert, miss the sunrise/sunsets. Fred did really good, I think.

Peace
John Ross
www.bassgirl.com
jr@zuperchicken.com




Thursday, May 29th 2003 - 12:56:33 PM
Name: Dave
E-mail address: skeletor1234@yahoo.com
Comments:  
My second trip to the Rancho was amazing. I thank you guys for a truly amazing experience. One night/morning had us watching an incredible sunrise over the house, playing every accoustic guitar song we know (kinda cliche, but very overwhelming) I dare anyone to visit and do what you love to do, in the Rancho's trademark atmosphere. What a great party...thanks again. I'm rambling now...bye



Wednesday, May 28th 2003 - 03:12:34 PM
Name: greg
E-mail address: gregsmilestyle@yahoo
Comments:  
Thanks Ted for the awesome tour of da ranch... The energy there is amazing... I especially liked Fred's garden around the tree... The JC statue you painted is really cool and that big buddha is very powerfull... Hope y'all had a great ten year anniversary party weekend..sorry i missed it... Thanks to Jeremy, (Mark?) and tony for sharing some of the music they were working on. it sounded great.. and like it would make great kitten killing music...ha... I just picked up the rockin'Stone Age cd that was done there and have been looking for Desert sessions, which hopefully i'll find soon... Anyway thanks again for the tour and for your incredible photo exhibit at the Beatnik.... I'm just roasting here in phoenix hoping to elevate out of here soon... I'll be back in JT sometime soon for court and hopefully will have a chance to kick it with you at the ranch or the beatnik... Special thanks to fred,you and all de la luna tics for all the music and the luv and for believing in the dream that one day things will change..

much luv
your homey
greg



Monday, May 26th 2003 - 11:01:32 AM
Name: Jared
E-mail address: jaredbg@hotmail.com
Comments:  
Tony, Ted, Digital D, Victoria, and everyone else I got to see again or meet for the first time: THANK YOU for a great night at the Beatnick, and at the Rancho. Anyone else notice the moon on Saturday night? A group of us gathered on the front steps noticed it, and were kinda humbled. It was an exact duplicate of the Rancho logo moon.......and a deep red. The only thing anyone said for awhile was "Thanks, Fred". Thank you Fred, indeed. And thank you to those that have chosen to keep everything running. Know that there are many, many people out here that appreciate all you've done and continue to do to keep the music coming. HAPPY 10 YEAR!!!!!!



Sunday, May 25th 2003 - 03:06:37 PM
Name: digital d
E-mail address: digitaldna23@yahoo.com
Comments:  
Hello Fred and other spirits, The Rancho is a fine home.



Wednesday, May 21st 2003 - 07:34:51 AM
Name: Fred Burke
Homepage URL: http://www.balloonhat.com/photoweek/week_36.html
Comments:  
Our friends Addi and Charlie share this wonderful Balloon Hat portrait of Fred and Kashmir. http://www.balloonhat.com/photoweek/week_36.html.



Wednesday, May 7th 2003 - 03:30:40 PM
Name: Fred Burke
E-mail address: fburke@netjaunt.com
Homepage URL: http://ranchodelaluna.com/rocksound/
Comments:  
Dani Garcia has shared with us the Rancho de la Luna articles from Rock Sound magazine in Spain, and they can be found at http://ranchodelaluna.com/rocksound/! Great stuff on Fred Drake, Chris Goss, Mark Lanegan, and Josh Homme. Thanks, Dani...



Friday, April 25th 2003 - 02:19:30 AM
Name: Bieke
E-mail address: boonbieke@pandora.be
Comments:  
Over here we try to create the same "desert feeling" in a very little undiscovered place called Belgium where we have great jam sessions in a big open place in the middle of the woods... But unfortunately mostly we miss the good weather... on the other hand jam'n in the rain gives another special feeling that I can't discribe (couse my English ain't good enough...:-)) Anyway, the magical music from the desert is always on our minds...



Monday, April 21st 2003 - 09:46:21 PM
Name: StompinPete
E-mail address: petedavidson@earthlink.net
Comments:  
Dear Dad,
I hope you found this note. This is the studio where I recorded with Dandy and his Orquesta del Desierto last week. It was easily the most comfortable studio I've ever worked in. Never have I felt more welcome by a few rooms. It was a great session, we lived and worked here for a week. The creativity soared. But listen to this...

You know the Masters of Reality cd that I gave you for your birthday. The one with Ginger Baker on drums. As you know, that music is one of my favorites and yours and it was a fluke that I found it. I didn't know the band and only got it because it was one of the only Ginger records that we don't own. That was years ago.

Last week, while I sat alone on the porch of Rancho de la Luna, waiting for the rest of the band to arrive the first day, a fella pulled up who I didn't recognize. He said, "Hi I'm Chris Goss, who are you?" I introduced myself and then I realized the name. He said that yes, he was from Masters of Reality! I couldn't believe it. I was hoping that something would happen that might connect you to this place, since you are my biggest fan and you're three thousand miles from here. Well, the very first thing that happened in this studio, feels to me as if you should have been here with us. You would like this place. Rancho and it's people are great, they would like you too, I'm sure.

So hopefully the music I helped to create will be something you like also. Dandy did a great job producing the session and he tells me that after I left, they had a fantastic finish on this part of the recording. I'll keep you posted.

So long,
Your son, Pete



Monday, April 14th 2003 - 04:41:33 PM
Name: Mariusz
E-mail address: marynat@poczta.onet.pl
Comments:  
Ok. It might seem little strange but here it goes.

I'm writing to you from Poland. Back in 1994/5 I used to live in LA. To make the story short, it was one of the most important, amazing, and influential period of my life. It changed my entire world, it changed me. There was a person that started it all, Lisa. And there was music... I have lost contact with Lisa, 6 years ago. And I have lost the tape with the music. I remember the trip to The Joshua Tree National Park, I remember one the most amazing nights in my life, I see it and can smell it. That night I was listening to the tape too... All I know is that artist's name was Hugh Harris, and that the music was recorded somewhere in the desert. Today I'm almost sure it was recorded at your studio and was never released. It was probably a demo tape. Unfortunately I am also almost sure it was recorded by Fred. I've spent many many hours trying to find Lisa, Hugh, or any sign of that recording. Finaly I foun Fred in the net, but too late.

I lost a little bit of my life with that tape. I know it may sound strange, but somehow I feel you can understand me.

If you can help me find that recording or Hugh himself I'll be extremely grateful. That music was magical. I think that big part of that magic came from the desert, from Fred. I got Hugh's record "Word for our years", and there are some nice songs there but.... it's not my magical tape.

Take care

Mariusz



Saturday, March 29th 2003 - 07:19:48 PM
Name: jude blevins
E-mail address: acquittedfelon@hotmail.com
Comments:  
hey all,im not much on words but i just want to express how much the music that has came from the rancho has inspired me.even though i havent been to the rancho,i still feel like a part of this place cause ive listened to the music so many times.maybe one day ill make it out there bring some friends and make new friends and record an album.may the spirit of fred live on..



Wednesday, March 26th 2003 - 12:21:28 PM
Name: good hands woman
E-mail address: goodhandswoman@hotmail.com
Comments:  
2§´2PP2^8?2? (?^L2§´ers are always with you. I have been truly blessed to have had you in my life. May the spirits of the south continue to lead you on your journey. I am a better person for having known you. Thank you for all your support and love with the Inipi. Many, many have come to know this ceremony through your vision. Thank you for allowing me to care for your physically, emotionally and spiritually in so many ways during the last two+ years of your life. Thank you for allow me the honor of pouring your "last" lodge and officating your memorial. A time will come very soon when I will ask you to "lead" another that I love through the south gate -- I know you will be there to help and guide them. Mitakuye Oyasin



Monday, March 24th 2003 - 09:52:28 AM
Name: Nobby
Comments:  
There is just something really special about this place and I can't put my finger on it. I've never been and probably never will but there is something really special about this place and I can't put my finger on it.



Wednesday, February 26th 2003 - 02:31:15 PM
Name: T.V.
Comments:  
Some much wonderful music comes from here. QOTSA and Master's of Reality are probaly two of the best band's ever. Anything Chris Goss work's on seem's to turn out nothing short of amazing.



Wednesday, February 26th 2003 - 03:28:23 AM
Name: mike watson
E-mail address: ampeg76@netzero.net
Comments:  
after kyuss broke up i discovered "the desert sessions!" i have read and heard stories of the mecca known as rancho de la luna. i'm happy to see that fred's vision is being carried on after his short time on earth. would love to come out some day and experience the the muse. thanks for the great music that has came out of the desert. wish i could be apart of it all!

cheers
mike
keep that ampeg cranking



Tuesday, February 25th 2003 - 03:05:42 AM
Name: Penny
E-mail address: ashraven@optusnet.com.au
Comments:  
When I was a really small child I used to travel in my head to this mysterious place I'd never known. Somewhere in that strange place between wakefulness and sleep I'd feel it. Strange animal sounds in the distance, the night air keening with the sense of an enormous madgesty, dark and almost overwhelming yet compellingly exciting. All my life I've wondered where that place was, and then I heard about the desert. The descriptions from others awoke something and the feeling of the forsaken time returned. The Desert Sessions too start that feeling deep in my blood, yes I came by this through Queens, nervously wondering what all this would be like, but now I've this sense that at some point I must come experience this place for myself. As an artistic person perhaps it appeals to that side that wants to connect with the earth etc, whatever, I just know that reading through your site only intensified the feeling. I have no vision so couldn't see the pictures, but you convey an atmosphere just the same. Good luck and may all that Fred Drake dreamed for Rancho become a reality.



Tuesday, February 25th 2003 - 12:49:25 AM
Name: Dorota
E-mail address: twiggy_dodi1@poczta.onet.pl
Comments:  
WoW! And... Wooooooooooooooooow!:P



Thursday, February 20th 2003 - 06:12:21 PM
Name: matt
E-mail address: mattdt83@blueyonder.co.uk
Comments:  
This place sounds incredible, i wish we could record our album there and not in the dingy hellhole that is liverpool, england.
anyways, my dream is to record at the ranch....
take it easy guys.



Wednesday, February 19th 2003 - 07:51:01 PM
Name: My Lahar
E-mail address: mylahar@hotmail.com
Comments:  
Ahhh......
I miss J.T.
I miss blue dawns
I miss packs of coyotes and they're respectful stares.
I miss the watertower
I miss tahquitz (horrible spelling)
I miss hidden valley and big rock
I miss the secret shows in pioneer town

I lived on the mesa for a few years.
I had almost forgot how much i miss that place.

I may come by for a visit......



Friday, February 14th 2003 - 11:51:26 PM
Name: Jenny
Comments:  
What a wonderful site.
Good luck with The Desert Sessions.
It sounds so beautiful there...one day I might catch a plane and visit



Thursday, February 13th 2003 - 10:33:38 PM
Name: Boston
Comments:  
Hey Guys, just wanted to say have fun with making this next Desert Sessions! I'm looking forward to enjoying it, have a blast! You guys make it worth while...



Tuesday, February 11th 2003 - 07:33:16 PM
Name: chris g
Comments:  
7:30pm des. sessions vol. 9 & 10 underway. homme, catching, polly harvey, joey c, and twiggy are at hutch and daves having dinner. tonite dean ween arrives. i'm a bit bored waiting and can't wait to jam...
this will be another good one. ciao



Friday, January 31st 2003 - 10:02:09 PM
Name: D. Brown
E-mail address: secretlife@inJT
Comments:  
Saw the peace demonstration this evening. Fucking beautiful work. Maybe, someday, there will be simpler solutions . . . I doubt it, but maybe.



Saturday, January 25th 2003 - 12:19:44 AM
Name: G. Cooper
Homepage URL: http://guestbooks.pathfinder.gr/read/garycooper?pass=&page=4
Comments:  
Thanks for this site and greetings from London!


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