2-cd set available through Galaxy 21 Music
Born in Ontario, Canada in 1961, Gene Eugene Andrusco moved to Southern California at an early age, where he soon became a actor on television programs such as "Bewitched, " "Gidget Gets Married," "Cannon, " and "The Bold Ones, " and on cartoons such as "Wait 'Til Your Father Gets Home, " "The Amazing Chan and the Chan Klan, " and "The Barkleys." In the mid '80s, under the pen name Gene Eugene, he started a second career as a Christian alternative rock producer, engineer, and musician (as a member of Adam Again, the Lost Dogs, and the Swirling Eddies). He died in his sleep at The Green Room, his fabled production studio in Huntington Beach, CA on March 20, 2000, apparently of natural causes.
Eugene was very involved in the foundational days of modern rock in Christian music. As a co-founder of Brainstorm Artists International, Gene was the involved with some of Christian music's first alternative bands through his production work for the Tooth & Nail label. The label's first album was recorded in his studio and he produced the first nine T&N albums, as well as engineering and mixing the projects including Plankeye's Spill project and the Silver debut of Starflyer 59. Eugene is credited on fifty-seven Tooth & Nail, BEC, Solid State, and Plastiq Music albums.
Brandon Ebel, the owner of T&N Records says on their web site that he believes "He (Gene) was always appreciated, but never totally recognized for all the things that he's done for musicians, for the fans -- for all of his friends. One thing's for sure: Tooth & Nail and BEC wouldn't be where they are today without him."
He was co-founder of Brainstorm, one of the first alternative music labels, distributed through Word and later by Diamante. Undercover and many other original alternative bands called Brainstorm home.
Gene Eugene will of course always be known from his own band, Adam Again, which was a favorite of the critics' through the 80s and early 90s and through being a part of the group Lost Dogs. At the same time, his outrageously funny contributions as "Prickly Disco" in the Swirling Eddies actually helped give that challenging band a foothold in the commercial marketplace.
The artist list that Eugene aided through playing, writing or technical work reads like a "Who's Who": Daniel Amos, Terry S. Taylor, Plankeye, Fanmail, Mike Knott, LSU, Jon Gibson, Crystal Lewis, Anointed, Randy Stonehill, The Choir, Starflyer 59, Bloomsday, Over the Rhine, Scatrd Few, Insyderz, Mortal, Poor Old Lu, Swing Praise, 77s, Undercover, Tourniquet, Joy Electric, and Fold Zandura -- among many others.
His Green Room Studios in Southern California -- immortalized on the Lost Dogs' Green Room Serenade -- was a haven for both aspiring new bands and well-experienced veterans.
In July 2000, friends and bandmates gathered together at Cornerstone to play their favorite Adam Again songs and reminiscence about Eugene. Mike Knott, Derri Daugherty, Steve Hindalong, Dan Michaels, Michael Roe, Riki Michele and Sim Wilson from Undercover, and many others celebrated the life of Gene in stories and song to the delight of onlookers.
The concert was recorded and will be packaged as A Tribute to Gene Eugene for the retail market along with Prayers and Low Songs, a solo album by Adam Again guitarist Greg Lawless. This enhanced 2-cd set includes video shot at the event, a full 15 tracks of AA classics, and even a new tune by band member (and Gene's ex-wife) Riki Michelle.
A Tribute to Gene Eugene is meticulously edited and mastered and is sure to be embraced by ardent Adam Again fans worldwide. Gene's legacy will always be lyrically introspective, strongly crafted pop songs, and this upcoming release does a great job of showcasing the extreme talent of a man who is missed by many.
Remixed at the Green Room by Chris Colbert
Enhanced with Gene Eugene tribute video to "River On Fire". Interview and concert footage video montage.
Exclusive B&W concert photos from Dinah K. Kotthoff
Artwork by Anna Cardenas
Strobe - Riki Michele w/ Karin Bergquist
Dance Around In Circles - Riki and Karin
Worldwide - Derri Daugherty
Hide Away - Steve Hindalong
Deep - Mike Roe
Dig - Mike Roe
Stone - Mike Roe
Don't Cry - Sim Wilson
Hopeless Etc. - Michael Knott
It Is What It Is - Michael Knott
Homeboys - Mike
Relapes - Mike
All You Lucky People - Mike
*Mystery In Me - Bonus new studio cut from Riki
Disc 2: Greg Lawless - Prayers and Lowsongs
Everytime A Child Dreams
This Blue Letter
With God As My Witness
The Puzzle or the Clue
Seven Fallen Angels
Carousel
So Blue and Cavalier
Prayers and Lowsongs
As Curious As Eve
Stumble Into Heaven
You Were Broken
How is this release different from the one M-8 put out?
A:
1. It was completely remixed, edited and mastered to the standards of the band.
2. It is enhanced with videos and photos.
3. Contains a brand new song just recorded by Riki Michele.
4. Has an 11 song solo acoustic album from Greg Lawless called "Prayers and Lowsongs".
5. New art and packaging
6. Half the price
7. The M8 release does have some bootleg concert recordings of Gene playing an acoustic show and some artist/fan audio interviews.