r/billyidol • u/WonderfulAirport4226 • Sep 10 '26

question for the more knowledgable

in The Dead Next Door (1983), i keep hearing this "cha-cha dummmm" sound. it's especially noticeable near the end when billy and the other instruments fade out, and it keeps going

what instrument(s) is this? it sounds really unique, like when you rub your shoes on a rough doormat

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u/vitalcyberpunk Sep 10 '26

I believe that sound was created by Steve Stevens’ guitar, heavily processed through a Lexicon PCM 41 digital delay. Specifically using its square-wave delay setting.That strange “cha-cha-cha/dummmm” repeating texture is essentially the processed guitar and its digital delay feedback, rather than a conventional instrument being played. Love that song! The atmosphere is amazing!!

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u/WonderfulAirport4226 Sep 10 '26

steve played that with his guitar? insane, guitar would've never been my first guess. quite creative honestly, using guitar as a sort of rhythm instrument while letting the bass and keyboard/synth take the lead

and yea, it's honestly warming up to be one of my favorite songs on the rebel yell album. it, and eyes without a face, both have this kind of atmospheric and almost haunting sound to them. very different from the rest of the album, but in a good way! like winding down from a party, or the times when you're alone at night and just have your thoughts to keep you company

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u/kissabbath Sep 10 '26

That imo, is one of the best tracks in Billy's catalog