Shameless Rants: Where Bands Aren't Smart

I just picked up a book sitting around the office called Tour Smart (And Break the Band) by Martin Atkins. I thought it would give an interesting perspective on strategizing a tour - seems like so many bands just hit the road with a few Myspace posts to promote themselves, and that's all they do to build a fanbase or draw a "crowd" (though it frequently doesn't even qualify as such).

The funny thing was that I opened to a random page, and it happened to be one that emphasized the importance of bands creating a formal inter-band agreement. Really practical advice. And something I've read in every book I've picked up on the music biz. EVER. Still so many bands refuse to acknowledge the importance of this simple, and essential, step in treating their hobby as a legitimate business - and hopefully, ultimately, a career.

Case in point: my boyfriend's in a band and he, having read part of one of the many books littering our apartment, suggested that his band establish an agreement between themselves. Smart move - 10 points for my boy! The response he got from the two "ringleaders" of the band (and let me tell you, it is most definitely a circus!) was a brush-off at best. "Don't worry. Everyone will be taken care of." Uh, okay...

I haven't decided if they are
a) gonna screw their bandmates over (my boyfriend included) the first chance they get
b) so naive that they honestly think a silly little thing like money could not possibly come between them
c) just completely ignorant and think they can wait around for a label or manager to come along and take care of their "business" on their behalf.

I'm betting on option "a" myself in this case, but regardless of which, they're gonna have a great episode of Behind the Music in their futures. And it will be just like all the others that they could have learned from but refused to, because these guys are smarter than everyone else. Uh, right...

The thing is, these guys are a common example. I'm not singling them out because they are unique - quite the opposite actually. I'm understanding, the more bands I befriend, that they are quite common in their reluctance to take a professional and practical approach to their music. It's a shame because there are so many bands that have the talent, but not the sense, to make it in this tough industry.

New New Order

So it turns out that Captain, erm... Pete Hook forgot to consult his band mates before announcing the disbanding of New Order in May. As it happens, BBC has reported that the band (with 2 members remaining) is still together. Pete's just not a part of it anymore.

Ha! It's good to know that it's not just the local indie guys who can't seem to manage their business between them, communicate with one another, and who have one guy taking it upon himself to speak [falsely] on behalf of the entire group. It's also good to know that in the end (although, usually after way longer than it should take) said jack-offs are weeded out and on to other irrelevant projects, leaving the functional core of the group to finally (hopefully) produce something that the rest of us will actually be psyched to get on our desks.

A BUSINESSMAN INVOLVED IN MUSIC

CLIVE

INSIDE THE RECORD BUSINESS

"It was the end of 1970 and suddenly- after three years of stunning- a serious crisis loomed."

"Suddenly, in less than one year's time, all this threatened to become ashes. Janis Joplin dies. Simon & Garfunkel announced that they were splitting up. Andy Williams, Johnny Cash and Jim Nabors all came off television at the same time in a bloodletting of variety shows. Blood, Sweat & Tears were threatening a breakup. Dylan was not prolific. Sly had a highly publicized drug problem."(p.133)

Having seen music mogul Clive Davis speak a couple of years ago and coming away with bits of obscure trivial music knowledge and not much else, I wasn't sure what to expect when I recently picked up an old dusty copy of his 1974 autobiography CLIVE: INSIDE THE RECORD BUSINESS. Although I felt that Davis was a little overly diplomatic (yeah kettle that's right... I'm calling you black) in this autobiography, in all fairness I had to remind myself that he had just been ousted from Columbia and had not yet decided what his next career step would be (we all now know he went on to become Founder/Pres. of Arista and J Records and more recently Chairman/CEO of the BMG Music Group) so my guess is he was trying to keep his options open.

In the book there are many history making events touched upon such as Mike Curb's decision to drop all artists from the MGM roster that had anything to do with drugs which in turn made all of the other labels follow suit (a la Tipper Gore's Parental Advisory campaign of the 80's), among tales of band breakups, and contract negotiations.

As well as mentions of his dealings and interactions with the major artists of the day including his first glimpse of Janis Joplin (still with Big Brother & the Holding Company) at the Monterey Pop Festival. "She was electrifying. She strutted up and down the stage banging a tambourine, and as the audience got turned on, she got more turned on, almost childlike in her exhilaration. For me it was spine-tingling...awesome...hypnotic." (p.77) Davis goes on to speak about Joplin often (by the time I saw him speak he seemed to have replaced Joplin with Whitney Houston).


Overall the book is worth reading if not for more than to gain a better understanding of the evolution of the music industry from 30 years ago to nowadays from someone who has been present throughout all of the constant re-building and re-structuring that has since become common place.

When I Grow Up...

When I grow up I want to be a...



ROCK STAR!!!!





According to studies and polls over the years conducted by the Junior Achievement becoming an entertainer is still one of the top 5 ideal careers kids hope to become when they grow up.


The Rock 'n' Roll Star still beats out comedians, actor/actress, and magicians as the number one coveted career in entertainment.


In an effort to show the true rock'n'roll lifestyle here is a video the ever entertaining Rock'n'Roll Soldiers put out (that always manages to make me laugh as it brings to mind many band guys I know personally) in a "Cribs" style parody that somewhat manages to depict the life of a modern day band (or at least a lot better than MTV or VH1 ever will).

The Big GREEN Apple: CitySol

New York is doing its part this weekend, and all with the help of the bloggers at Brooklyn Vegan and ultra cool bands like Besnard Lakes, Les Savy Fav, and more! If you're in NYC this weekend be sure to drop by, check it out, and take a new habit home with you. Did I mention the best part: it's FREE!


[click above for more info]

CMJ Deadline Approaching

Hey indie bands! We know you're busy organizing your white belts, so we're keeping on top of the less important stuff for you. Like the deadline to submit yourselves for a CMJ showcase. July 16th is the last chance - that's only 3 days from now! - so get your butts to CMJ and start planning your trip to the Big Apple!

Happy Friday the 13th!

I swear Mercury must be in retrograde, but I don't want to look it up to confirm it. That would just mess with me too much if it wasn't. Most of the tech problems I've been having are solving themselves, but this blog is a mystery to me - one minute I can't login, then a few days later I go to login and I'm already there! So weird.

Anyway, to top it all off it's Friday the 13th. I have to admit, these are usually great days for me. Having been born on a date and at a time comprised almost entirely of 6's, 7's, and 13's, this is one supersition that can't touch me. Would you believe that I once met a guy who said he'd never date me once I revealed that fact? Good thing I never showed him my forked tail!

If you're daring to go out tonight, I wanted to tell you about a fun event in Venice that I highly recommend. Some folks I know have formed an art group called Bagavagabonds, and they're throwing a multi-media event in Venice complete with knife throwers, stilt walkers, and who knows what other kinds of fate-tempters. And proceeds from the night go to a great cause: For The Arts - definitely the kinda group we here at Shameless can get behind!

Is It Weird?

Is it weird that the song in the KENTUCKY Fried Chicken commercial is Sweet Home ALABAMA?