Dean DeLeo in Laughter Train

[Rik]

Dean produced and played guitar in a band called Laughter Train in 1998/1999, apparently they recorded a whole album for Sony and then Dean left the band and the whole project dissolved.


I hadn't searched around for this stuff for years (nothing was available online in the early 2000s) until I stumbled upon a new YouTube video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AKCr6B_VrM) today. Seems like recordings from this band have surfaced since I last looked for them.


Here's two links of songs. 'Gypsy' has been confirmed to be featuring Dean. The others, Minuet an Heavy Dog I just listened to and they feature signature Dean stuff, so I'm pretty confident they are from the same sessions as well. I'm engaging with the YouTube poster to find out more.


Gypsy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNSvh6V2_io
Minuet & Heavy Dog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YL4TjNZByco

update: all of the songs on this YouTube Channel feature Dean:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEZbwkjGGikOC2m2f6NAhqg

This is also supposed to be from the album:
https://archive.org/download/iuma-laughter_train

[Flyingmerpa]

Awesome find. Thanks for your efforts Rik

[foou33]

The singer sounds like Layne sometimes. Any word why this was shelved? It's pretty good.

[foou33]

The song "B-Side" is available on iTunes.

[Tyrant]

I interviewed a person connected to the project a few years ago. I think I also have all of the songs. I didn't end up posting it because of Scott's passing. Let me revisit this stuff. Thanks for reminding me.

[foou33]

Oh man if you could share these songs that would be awesome!

[IMJ]

"Gypsy" definitely sounds like a DeLeo riff.... whenever I hear these guitars, with Dean's signature on them I can't help but wonder what Weiland would've put to them lyrically.
I'd like to compile this material as well, if it is available somewhere...

[Rik]

I interviewed a person connected to the project a few years ago. I think I also have all of the songs. I didn't end up posting it because of Scott's passing. Let me revisit this stuff. Thanks for reminding me.

That would be awesome!

[seattlesound]

Great find!


Not into that singer at all. That riff on Gypsy is interesting. It actually made me think of the peace album for some reason.

[MAZZA26]

The funny thing is the production sounds amazing. Better than both self titled albums. Must have had a fair amount of money thrown at the project. Singer sounds like Coutts with a bit of cornell thrown in during the higher notes.

[Sklashboombash]

Cool. Listening now. Thanks for this.

Dean has such a distinct sound and style. I love it.

[Sklashboombash]

Here's a little more info on Laughter Train from a former guitarist of the band (prior to Dean, obviously)

https://youtu.be/5AKCr6B_VrM

Talks about the band prior to Dean and then touches upon the Dean stuff.
According to this guy, the band (which eventually became just the singer with a new group of guys) got picked up by Sony and recorded down at Sound City (with Dean) with a budget of $500K. After recording the album, Dean left the band. If this was circa 98-99, perhaps this was somewhere between Talk Show and No. 4.

Interesting tidbit.