Andy produced this album for the LA-based band for legendary independent label I.R.S.

The Balancing Act, 1983-1989, was a Los Angeles quartet, exploring an irreverent blend of lo-fi rock, folk, and garage-jazz. Signing to I.R.S. Records in 1985, the band produced one EP and one LP for the label and was prepping to record their second album in 1987.

Guitarist/vocalist Jeff Davis recalled working with Andy in a message he sent to Andy’s widow Catherine in July 2022:

“I.R.S. offered us the opportunity to choose our ‘dream producer’. After much discussion, we came up with a list of four: Elvis Costello, Andy Partridge, Tom Waits, and Andy Gill. The label sent out missives to the list.

“One late night, my phone rang, and a distant voice on a crackly connection spoke.

“‘Hello. It’s Andy. Andy Gill. I’ve heard your albums, and the material is good, but I think we can make a record with more sonic impact. I’ll be coming over to Los Angeles next month. We should meet.’

“Scraping myself off the ceiling, I rushed to ring my bandmates and our manager. Gang Of Four fans all, we were overjoyed with the possibility of working with one our heroes.

“A few weeks later, Andy arrived in Los Angeles. We met for dinner at a Mexican dive. We all clicked, enjoyed lots of laughs, and agreed to make an album together. Sessions were booked beginning in the spring of 1987.

“On the third day of recording, at Hollywood’s El Dorado Studio, our already grouchy first-engineer, Ronny Champagne, arrived to the session on crutches, with a massive cast on his right leg, having failed at home the previous evening to successfully transport a refrigerator down a flight of stairs without injury.  He hobbled and lurched around the studio for the remainder of the sessions, none too pleased about any of it. Andy had brought over an early Akai sampler, and it took at least a week for the injured engineer to figure out how to make it interface with the board. Eventually, that got sorted, and over the next six weeks, the record got made — Andy behind the board, and playing ferocious and soaring guitars on ‘Can You Get To That’ and ‘Generator’.

“The sessions were challenging, but Andy was always a gent.  After completing ‘Curtains’, he stayed in LA, working on a record for Addie Brik, and on material for what was to later become the GO4 ‘Mall’ LP. He guested onstage with The Balancing Act at the Roxy, playing a mind-blowing guitar solo on his gold Stratocaster. He and I hung out, talked music, cars and motorcycles, shot pool in bars, and grew closer as friends.

“The band and I will always cherish the memories of learning from and working alongside such a brilliant innovator and legend. Always smart, cool, and unflappable, he remains our hero.

Thank you, Andy.”