Fruit of Life features some of Wild Colonials' more popular early songs, including first single "Spark", "Victim" and "Rainbow." Most of the songs on the album were recorded during a single day at the Sunset Sound Factory in Hollywood, CA to see if the band worked well with Engineer/Producer Tchad Blake. The recordings were all done live to 24 track with the band in the same room and vocalists Angela McCluskey and Shark using the same mic. After a successful and productive day and wishing to continue recording there were some scheduling conflicts as Tchad Blake was about to start work in England with Elvis Costello and the reformed Attractions on what would become the album Brutal Youth. During a break in pre-production on the Elvis Costello album, Tchad Blake invited the Wild Colonials to England where the band recorded for a week at Peter Gabriel'sReal World Studios in Box, England. Reconvening later in Los Angeles they did some additional recording with Red Hot Chili Peppers' drummer Chad Smith.
Drummers Drumming
The album features many well known drummers. These include session musician and Edie Brickell & New Bohemians/Tori Amos drummer, Matt Chamberlain on the initial Hollywood sessions. Elvis Costello & The Attractions drummer Pete Thomas was brought in to record during the Real World sessions. On a break from touring, Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith played many gigs with the band during this time and can be heard on the track "Dear Mike". Argentine drummer Julio Ledezma from the band Huayucaltia can be heard on the track "Philadelphia Story". Playing percussion on several tracks is singer/percussionist Joel Virgel Vierset, who went on to play some gigs and Radio Sessions with the band around the time of the album's release. Touring behind the album's release, the band was joined by Thaddeaus Corea on drums/percussion who later became a full member.
Cover artwork
The cover art by vocalist Angela McCluskey is based on a number of hand made lyric books she put together as a thank you for several people who worked on the album and some Geffen Record executives. Each booklet featured a different hand tinted photo on its cover. The Fruit of Life album cover was chosen from one of the booklets. The cover photo is of a ceremony and features amongst the band, friends, Scottish actor Ian Buchanan, Café Largo club owner Mark Flanagan, painter Luciana Martinez Del La Rosa and original Wild Colonials drummer/percussionist Ian Bernard.
