In my case, I actually got the psych degrees too, lol. However, my most interesting use of this was not producing, but while being produced.
This chap, who shall remain nameless, indeed had an arsenal of tricks and tools to play any and all of us in the band like a fiddle. Not only could he get us to see advice as if we had thought of it, or guide us in certain musical directions, but he could elicit emotions from us almost at will. When he wanted us angry, he pushed button A, and bam, we were angry, When he wanted ecstatic joy, he pushed button B, and got it.
He even had the gall to tell me flat out that he was doing it. He mentioned to me in pre-pro that he was studying us, to learn how to push our buttons. However, sometimes, even when you see that Oz is behind the curtain, you still respond to the big flaming green headed wizard.
After all was said and done though, I will tell you that there is one pitfall to all this...
The final album I made with that chap did not end up how I had hoped, not at all. I did not get what I wanted, because I did not know what I wanted until it was too late. The drummer knew what he wanted, the bassist knew what he wanted, the mooks knew what they wanted. But I did not. As a result, everyone just kinda filled in the empty spaces.
Still, it was a great learning experience.
Due to that experience, I now look very closely at bands, and see if anyone is supressing a deep desire to be going a different direction, or if anyone is getting shoved around by stronger personalities in the band or organization.
Working with bands and mooks and techs and managers and engineers and girlfriends and on and on...can be very hairy once all these persona's get in the ring. It isn't just Lucy and Ricky anymore, it is a frigging circus
lates,