MMC10 recap and other things

I don’t think there is anything worse than being sick in the summertime. Hopefully whatever I have, will be gone so I can enjoy the long holiday weekend.

My heart fuckin bleeds for Mayor Reed and his promotional campaign to get corporate sponsors to help make up for the loss with American Musicfest. Just shut the fuck up and take it like a man. I’m sure you’ll make up for it with Kipona and the other vendor fleecing events you hold. Anybody want to guess what it cost to have a 10x10 space at those Riverfront events?

I was going to talk about the Gorgonites CD Release but I’ll save that for next time since it will be rather lengthy.

I would like to get out a few things since they are still fresh on the mind about the MMC.

Personally I enjoy the MMC. I get to meet some new people and also revisit with people I only see once a year. I also get a chance to check out some bands for future bookings with our shows. This year HBGOnline even had a table in the trade show area. So I was there for damn near the whole thing.

Here is what I noticed:

Noel and Anthony feud - From what I can tell Noel is a graphic artist that thinks he knows the music business. He has two website catering to musicians that gets no traffic what so ever. In fact the traffic is so low it’s not even rated by Alexa. Both site have been around since 1998. Anthony on the other hand is a musician and has some first hand knowledge about the biz. He has a magazine and a website that is ranked on Alexa. I think their feud began with the revamp attempt of the Philly Music Conference. Anthony didn’t like some of the things that were going down and voiced his opinions about them. Noel didn’t like it and from there it’s been going on for a few years between them. This year it boiled over into the MMC were as Anthony was told not to show up for the daytime trade show. WTF!!! How many bands played the MMC from the Philly area? I’m guessing more than from Central PA. Why wouldn’t someone from the Philly media be allowed?

Anthony has told me some strange stuff that has been going on between those two over the years. I just have to shake my head and wonder why. If Noel does want to be part of the music biz than he should know not everything goes your way. People always have opinions and like it or not, they also have connections that can help or hurt you. If Noel does want to be part of the music biz perhaps he should end his childish acts and start to build relationships instead of buying or destroying them. I don’t have anything against either one of these guys (yet) and hope they can workout a solution to this feud.

Most musicians are dumb asses - I was hoping to get some more bands to be part of our new website Vibez. The site will feature MP3’s for purchase from local and regional bands. I can’t tell you how many times I got the deer stuck in headlights look while explaining the concept. If you have a song on Vibez, we don’t want it to be available for FREE download elsewhere like MySpace or their own band website. DUH you would think that would be a no brainer, why would someone pay for something you can get for free. I had one guy state that’s how his band gets fans, by hearing their music. I mentioned that he could “stream” the songs instead of having the FREE downloads available. Again I got the look. This same guy told me about a disappointing CD Release Party his band had. He said they went into the studio, mastered the songs, put 4 of the CD’s 9 songs on their MySpace page (FREE Download) and then had the CD Release Party with a nice size crowd only selling about 10 CD’s. Over $10,000.00 was spent with only a fraction of the cost recouped. I asked him if the 4 songs he posted were the best songs from the CD. He said of course, they didn’t want to put up any “bad” songs. I asked him why would anyone want to buy a CD when you put up the best stuff for free. This time I got a light bulb over the head look vs. the deer stuck in headlight look.

In my opinion if you are giving your best stuff away for FREE, you will never make any money in this business. Learn about streaming, people can still hear the music they just can’t download it. If they really like it, they will PAY for it.

Excellent Showcases – As I said earlier MMC gives me an opportunity to see many bands in a few days. I saw some great bands and I saw some real pieces of work. My best of show this year is a tie between Hierosonic and Agents of the Sun. Both bands had their game on and put on a great set. Movies with Heroes was also tighter than a 14 year old on MySpace, and gets my Top 3 vote. Hopefully we can finally get them in a Twisted Tuesday event this year after the get back from Europe. I’ll round out my Top 5 with Julian Fist and Drama Club. Glad to see the blazing guitars of Julian Fist back together again. Hell it didn’t even look like they split up. I’m sure it won’t be long till they once again rise up to the pre break up days level. Drama Club was just fired up from the first song. I’ve known Nick for a few years and really think he has found his groove with Drama Club.

Running from Dharma, Maria Forgotten, Red Room and Jealousy Curve should also be mentioned for great sets too. As well as my metal brothers from Panacea and Till December. Oh and how can I forget to mention The Gorgonites.

Say what? – I had a lot of people asking me what I thought of The X’s. You know the band that has Bret from Fuel. I was honest and said I didn’t like them. I liked the first song, “Wishing Well” I think was the name. However it just went downhill from there. I had so many people tell me that I have to see them over and over to appreciate their music. Wait a minute here. So if I don’t like them the first time, I should like them maybe the 5th time seeing them. GIVE ME A BREAK!!! I think there must be a massive PR campaign from the band to have so many people tell me the same thing. Here’s what I’ll do, every time I do see them, I’ll say if they still suck or that I’ve finally came around and now like the band. Wouldn’t some of you locals want people to come out and see you even if they didn’t like you?

Diamond in the rough – I would like to put in a mention about 7th Layer. Their showcase was moved to the Crowne, so after years of build up about their shows on the message board, I finally got to see it. You know I was impressed. Being a fan of Wolfpac and Insane Clown Posse, I can see where they are going. They put on a very entertaining set although John H. pulled the plug on the flame throwing and probably more things they wanted to do on stage. The guys do have potentially with their music. As for where they can play, that’s another issue. Maybe someone will give them the opportunity to play a major venue so more people can get turned on to 7th Layer. If I can get Wolfpac in the area again, they WILL be on that bill for sure.

Nowhere Quick Therory - I ran into Jason and Mike of Nowhere Quick during the MMC. They read my article that mentioned their band. Funny thing is, instead of a black eye, they agreed with the article that the area does cycle and bands do need to stay ahead of it. I'll see Matt on Tuesday, so hopefully I'll stay black eye free. :) Seriously, it was good to see them and their involvement in the local music biz.

It’s about the music, not gimmicks – Everywhere you went at MMC you saw ads for the Cookie Cutter Girl. Hell they even had a projection ad on the parking garage across from the Crowne on Friday Night. Cookie Cutter Girl was supposed to be this superhero type act. She did look pretty hot in those tight pink shorts and white top, but that’s about it. I had the “honor” of hearing her at the trade show as they set up an amp and she plugged in for a few songs. Jesus Christ what was that coming from her mouth. Was this the real Cookie Cutter Girl? On promotional ability I’d give her an A+. However I do think she should take some lessons and get the music somewhere in the ballpark to at least be tolerable.

You lose!!! – You know there isn’t a week that goes by that I don’t get an email or talk to someone about some aspect of the music business. So I guess I was shocked at the local band turnout for the MMC business sessions. I don’t think there were even 5 bands total during the weekend that I noticed. WHY? Was it because it cost a little money? Is your music future not worth the investment? I know most bands aren’t spending money on promotional materials, so I have to ask what are you doing? Do you know how many bands from out of state invested money for the trip here and the registration for the business sessions? I didn’t hear one person tell me it was a bad investment. (and believe me I’d tell ya if I heard it) In fact many are eager to go back and put into practice what they learned at MMC. The trade show alone was worth it if you want to record your music, make a CD with your music and god forbid promote your music. Oh that’s right this is Central PA, the area that likes to bitch and moan about everyone and everything else except about themselves.

I applaud John Harris for taking on the mammoth task of putting together the MMC each year. That’s right, the guy that makes ALL THAT MONEY from the bands of MMC. You know I’ve put together some big events over the years and I can almost be assured that John is LOSING money on the MMC. That’s unfortunate, because it is a great event held right here in our own backyard. Hopefully the move back to the winter will reenergize the event and at least make it break even.

Finally I’d like to mention that this holiday weekend I’ll be another year older. 41 I’m proud to say. Other than this head cold, I feel great and I’m enjoying everyday like it’s my last. Unlike most, I like to make some goals to obtain before the next Bday. One of the goals I have this year is to “Pass the Torch” of HBGOnline. Don’t get the wrong idea!!! I’d still be involved but more as a back seat driver until the chosen one was ready to drive alone. I have a few people in mind and will feel them out. I’ve been doing this for 7 years now and have built an idea at a bar one night into this monster known as HBGOnline. I’ve always enjoyed doing behind the scene stuff but this recent explosion over the years with the website has pushed me into the public eye more than I wish to be. For some, that is what they crave, but for me I’m satisfied with putting together a show and at the end of the night hearing people talk about the “awesome show” they just attended. If you have an interest in driving HBGOnline, send me an email.

OH shit I almost forget!!! The July Twisted Tuesdays are the best lineup I think I have ever had. The whole month is SICK!!! Go to www.hbgonline.com/hardwarebar and see this awesome schedule!!!!

OK that’s all for now. Got to get some rest so I can feel better to consume massive quantities of Jager this weekend. Fuck the diet!!!!

Lator Gators – BigJim

Ps Here’s a photo that I couldn’t post to where it belonged. Enjoy!!!