We did it.....
I want to take a moment to thank each of you who have either pledged and made a donation and statement with me as well as all the well-wishers worldwide who supported me over the last 3 weeks... this is a transition that can only make things better for me as I steer the course with new music for this Fall
I really didn't know what to expect when I started the Kickstarter campaign, honestly....but I can see who did answer the call to help me put the nonsense and fuckery aside so I can focus on what needs to get done versus being in doubt and wonder in regards to support and product availability along with being treated like a dog looking for scraps....FOH with that noise
Now.....it's time to get to work and show progress as promised both here as well as on the process of legitimizing myself into a company....as promised I'll also publish how I did it for future bands to follow...and give as much as I can back to this thing of ours so it can thrive and have a future
I'll also publish the names of everyone who stood up with me....all pledge rewards will start to go out within 2 weeks as I wait for funding(2 weeks)....in the meantime I will start my paperwork and focus on a release date for TRUTHandRIGHTS "LIES and SLEIGHTS" LP...I have plenty of ideas but this LP is priority now along with booking shows in The Blue Room since I joined TRIPSQUAD Productions promoting shows in New Jersey....I'll be playing there soon as well we're waiting for renovations and shows will start October 9th....wait for announcements
That's pretty much it....there's 15 hours left if you still wish to make a pledge....I'm excited to get to it already....this is all new to me but I'm positive I can do the same job some of these clowns do....and then we can start to weed out the real from the fake, co-opting bottom feeders who have no interest but their own
Stay tuned....I've been given a great opportunity and better things are ahead
Tuesday, August 30, 2016
Sunday, August 21, 2016
CENTURY MEDIA....only a 26 year business and definitely no century here...
...I reached the halfway point on Kickstarter thanks to roughly 14 donors, and without them I couldn't have reached this point, and I'm truly grateful, but we still have $600 to go in roughly 9 days so I'm still worrying....I'm asking people to just make a small pledge and I don't expect a miracle.
I'm definitely watching to see who actually does support me because I've went out of my way for a great deal of people the past few years, and I'm beginning to think they're just the usual types who want, but never give back or show appreciation....they'll be dealt quid quo pro from now on
Now....Century Media....this is a label that has a staff and services available, but they use that creative accounting process as an excuse, or in my case they outright do not pay publishing royalties due to me, at least because I've yet to receive anything from them after Shadow's Fall recorded Mark of the Squealer....more on that later...
The first time I heard of this label was when Leeway first went to Europe in 1991....a band they signed from New York signed on to the label, and one member who was handling their budget and advances came close to bankrupting them....I wish now that it actually happened because maybe my time and energy would not have been wasted with them and they would've just dried up and turned to dust....but, they didn't...like most labels in Europe I guess daddy had some deep pockets to support you Holly-Hobby ass.
My first true experience with them came with Merauder around 1998 when Jorge left for El Nino(the first with this name) and SOB asked me to join since Leeway was out of commission at the time after Open Mouth Kiss for close to 2 years
As we started to rehearse I asked the guys to give me a copy of their contract so I could have my lawyer at the time translate it into easier layman terms to see what they were tied to, and it looked to me pretty much like the usual chattel-type deal and prepared me for what was ahead.....Gordon's dad was giving me that memorable quote then in my head as he still does today.
Despite the difficulties I endured during rehearsals trying to work harder, and the necessary changes on drums that I felt were imperative we went into Fast Lane Studios to record a demo so we could show Century Media which direction we were going at the time....nothing was set in stone on my end I was simply laying down particular ideas towards making a stand out album and to hear what was working and what wasn't working.....this would become the Merauder demo which was shared and copied over a 10 year period, and today has an actual following besides it's controversy and opinions from both Merauder and Leeway fans....the purists and the open-minded, and I'm glad everyone got to listen to it and download it for free due to the fuckery of Century Media
After being charged $1K to read the band's contract and their obligations contractually, I was told that Century would not compensate me for the monies spent on said contract...but they also wanted me to just sign away half of what matters to ALL artists in contract, MY publishing....sign half away for nothing?! I told them to get under my scrotum as I ejaculated....but in a more street term, of course
They held the majority reason why I stepped away.....I already went through this with Profile Records, but at least they offered something back....if I did this it would stand on me to just look like a desperate fool who's willing to settle for nothing just to get a label to put me on....this is when it all started throughout the industry and bands/artists started to settle for NOTHING but a box of CDs or vinyl just to have a label put them out, and without any compensation or budget....this is when the majority began to cheapen themselves and a solid reason why we are where we are today, currently
Eight years later...the guys in Shadow's Fall (members of Stigmata with singer Brain Fairy) wanted to record Leeway's "Mark of the Squealer" and we allowed it....Brian Fairy would contact me, and blow smoke up my ass as I gave him the lyrics, and you can find the recording online to listen....we did one good show with them up in Mass. and me and AJ went up and did the song with them, and that was pretty much it from then on....we never received, or at least I haven't received what is every artists right, and that's my publishing royalties from ASCAP....I tried to make contact 5 years ago through SF's management, and they directed me to some asshole with CM in their New York office, but he just bullshitted me the first call and avoided me afterwards.....the typical duck and cover game these garbage pails play with everyone....even Greg Ginn did it to Daryl and Doc when SST released I against I....it's scumbaggery and fuckery at it's finest, and a true definition as to what not to do if you're actually an honorable man
The band members replied, but the Fairy ignored every message I sent to him, and it shows how much of a mutt and label-HO he became....where is he now?
I never expected to get rich even though it would've been appreciative if I was able to simply get what I signed for and received the balanced I simply earned.....in example, Shadow's Fall sold close to 60-100K in units which means I should've been able to receive just an equal amount of what would've been a few months rent....everyone would appreciate that, but each and every label out there uses creative accounting just so they can itemize and nickel/dime the shit out of each and every one....this isn't the days where you could have Alan(or Allen) Klein show up at their offices and audit them into payment....EVERY LABEL knows it's pointless for you to retain a lawyer and take them to court because the lawyer fees will decimate the balance due to each band or artist....they can also just litigate you out of the box because you definitely don't have the equal resources that the label has....there's never a low-priced head-hunter or rainmaker for us....remember what Gordon's father said; "we're just the prostitutes"
This was MY REALITY, and this is why I'm seriously thinking my label should be called MY REALITY RECORDS since Reality in Belgium not only didn't provide any true service, and nickel/dimed me, and couldn't mail a box he promised in over a half/year.....and this is my FED UP moment after sacrificing everything to stay afloat....the other labels just held out what was earned....this guy expected me to pay for every dime, and sweat, bleed, and endure every obstacle in front of me as he sat behind a table instead of whatever hole he calls an office, and has lied and bullshitted his own industry overseas
A verbal and handshake deal is supposed to be man to man, and gets settled man to man....that's what's up here, and believe me when I say this is going to get handled and dealt with face to face no matter how long I wait....if I don't do this then I'm just a sucker and a HO
I need everyone to find my Kickstarter page and simply just make a small pledge towards donation because without this I cannot start my label until the end of the year because my job is helping me climb out of debt and I have nothing to pay for the paperwork and press the first run of CDs....I'm not asking for a handout I will give something in return for each and every donation....I believe in giving back, and I will publish the progress here and help educate and break down the fuckery and history of this business and I'll offer steps to bands who have no idea what to do in order to attain independence
Thanks to everyone who stops by and reads....even all you haters...y'all are still talking shit which promotes this story, and you may not realize it but you're doing just what I wanted...how'do ya like them apples
I'm definitely watching to see who actually does support me because I've went out of my way for a great deal of people the past few years, and I'm beginning to think they're just the usual types who want, but never give back or show appreciation....they'll be dealt quid quo pro from now on
Now....Century Media....this is a label that has a staff and services available, but they use that creative accounting process as an excuse, or in my case they outright do not pay publishing royalties due to me, at least because I've yet to receive anything from them after Shadow's Fall recorded Mark of the Squealer....more on that later...
The first time I heard of this label was when Leeway first went to Europe in 1991....a band they signed from New York signed on to the label, and one member who was handling their budget and advances came close to bankrupting them....I wish now that it actually happened because maybe my time and energy would not have been wasted with them and they would've just dried up and turned to dust....but, they didn't...like most labels in Europe I guess daddy had some deep pockets to support you Holly-Hobby ass.
My first true experience with them came with Merauder around 1998 when Jorge left for El Nino(the first with this name) and SOB asked me to join since Leeway was out of commission at the time after Open Mouth Kiss for close to 2 years
As we started to rehearse I asked the guys to give me a copy of their contract so I could have my lawyer at the time translate it into easier layman terms to see what they were tied to, and it looked to me pretty much like the usual chattel-type deal and prepared me for what was ahead.....Gordon's dad was giving me that memorable quote then in my head as he still does today.
Despite the difficulties I endured during rehearsals trying to work harder, and the necessary changes on drums that I felt were imperative we went into Fast Lane Studios to record a demo so we could show Century Media which direction we were going at the time....nothing was set in stone on my end I was simply laying down particular ideas towards making a stand out album and to hear what was working and what wasn't working.....this would become the Merauder demo which was shared and copied over a 10 year period, and today has an actual following besides it's controversy and opinions from both Merauder and Leeway fans....the purists and the open-minded, and I'm glad everyone got to listen to it and download it for free due to the fuckery of Century Media
After being charged $1K to read the band's contract and their obligations contractually, I was told that Century would not compensate me for the monies spent on said contract...but they also wanted me to just sign away half of what matters to ALL artists in contract, MY publishing....sign half away for nothing?! I told them to get under my scrotum as I ejaculated....but in a more street term, of course
They held the majority reason why I stepped away.....I already went through this with Profile Records, but at least they offered something back....if I did this it would stand on me to just look like a desperate fool who's willing to settle for nothing just to get a label to put me on....this is when it all started throughout the industry and bands/artists started to settle for NOTHING but a box of CDs or vinyl just to have a label put them out, and without any compensation or budget....this is when the majority began to cheapen themselves and a solid reason why we are where we are today, currently
Eight years later...the guys in Shadow's Fall (members of Stigmata with singer Brain Fairy) wanted to record Leeway's "Mark of the Squealer" and we allowed it....Brian Fairy would contact me, and blow smoke up my ass as I gave him the lyrics, and you can find the recording online to listen....we did one good show with them up in Mass. and me and AJ went up and did the song with them, and that was pretty much it from then on....we never received, or at least I haven't received what is every artists right, and that's my publishing royalties from ASCAP....I tried to make contact 5 years ago through SF's management, and they directed me to some asshole with CM in their New York office, but he just bullshitted me the first call and avoided me afterwards.....the typical duck and cover game these garbage pails play with everyone....even Greg Ginn did it to Daryl and Doc when SST released I against I....it's scumbaggery and fuckery at it's finest, and a true definition as to what not to do if you're actually an honorable man
The band members replied, but the Fairy ignored every message I sent to him, and it shows how much of a mutt and label-HO he became....where is he now?
I never expected to get rich even though it would've been appreciative if I was able to simply get what I signed for and received the balanced I simply earned.....in example, Shadow's Fall sold close to 60-100K in units which means I should've been able to receive just an equal amount of what would've been a few months rent....everyone would appreciate that, but each and every label out there uses creative accounting just so they can itemize and nickel/dime the shit out of each and every one....this isn't the days where you could have Alan(or Allen) Klein show up at their offices and audit them into payment....EVERY LABEL knows it's pointless for you to retain a lawyer and take them to court because the lawyer fees will decimate the balance due to each band or artist....they can also just litigate you out of the box because you definitely don't have the equal resources that the label has....there's never a low-priced head-hunter or rainmaker for us....remember what Gordon's father said; "we're just the prostitutes"
This was MY REALITY, and this is why I'm seriously thinking my label should be called MY REALITY RECORDS since Reality in Belgium not only didn't provide any true service, and nickel/dimed me, and couldn't mail a box he promised in over a half/year.....and this is my FED UP moment after sacrificing everything to stay afloat....the other labels just held out what was earned....this guy expected me to pay for every dime, and sweat, bleed, and endure every obstacle in front of me as he sat behind a table instead of whatever hole he calls an office, and has lied and bullshitted his own industry overseas
A verbal and handshake deal is supposed to be man to man, and gets settled man to man....that's what's up here, and believe me when I say this is going to get handled and dealt with face to face no matter how long I wait....if I don't do this then I'm just a sucker and a HO
I need everyone to find my Kickstarter page and simply just make a small pledge towards donation because without this I cannot start my label until the end of the year because my job is helping me climb out of debt and I have nothing to pay for the paperwork and press the first run of CDs....I'm not asking for a handout I will give something in return for each and every donation....I believe in giving back, and I will publish the progress here and help educate and break down the fuckery and history of this business and I'll offer steps to bands who have no idea what to do in order to attain independence
Thanks to everyone who stops by and reads....even all you haters...y'all are still talking shit which promotes this story, and you may not realize it but you're doing just what I wanted...how'do ya like them apples
Thursday, August 18, 2016
CURRENT PROGRESS in KickStarter and the politics of slam-dancing...
I have a hard time sleeping at night, lately with everything on my mind, and what I'm working on myself or with others, put in work, and try to make up for all the neglect I've given to what matters most in my life because of these half-assed, half-steppers in this business...I re-organized my priorities, and putting all the time in to get this right and quickly off the ground
I know I was supposed to move forward with my knowledge of experience and facts relating to being in Leeway after Profile and with other bands besides Leeway, but I figured it's time to give you an idea of what's transpired since I started all of this, and try and start looking at the solutions and the positive aspects before I delve back and open the doors to the piles of the music business.
My friend Gordon, who played with Leeway and AF before us, we were reviewing our offer from Profile on the phone when he put his dad on the phone...his dad was long-time roommates with Rodney Dangerfield when they both were on their own after marriage and raising a family, and he told us "The music business is prostitution...you're prostituting yourselves".
You don't forget a conversation like that.
Since I started I've had positive information from other men who are way ahead of me and we discussed the latter industry and the now, and I spent everything I had the past year getting a grasp of the current tour game, and I paid close attention to my so-called agreement as well as what everyone else was doing....Chris Milnes from Mucky Pup gave me some direction...Pete Fluid of 24-Spyz debated some and agreed on much more....and Tim McMurtrie reached me today and I joined his production team...to name a few
With this funding I've asked for I can have the distribution that I need through the needed help once I'm established....I have to be incorporated first, but it will be a well respected national opportunity IF I CAN GET STARTED...that's the key
I've acquired a lawyer to help me with the initial paperwork, and he's not a shyster....just a fan that offered his services because of a dear friend we were close to who's no longer with us...Johnny Dudeck came in as a fan of HC, and he built one of the most successful distro companies through the 90's....his wisdom and friendship would have made everything easier with this transition, but he's making the connection from the spirit world and offering guidance here because he brought quite a few friends to me and have shown me full-on solid support with this, and I'm so humbled
When I broke my neck 10 years ago I literally had to start all over, and by myself I recovered from the injury....I went back into jamming and playing with the 2 guns from Agents of Man, and then DIMI jumped in and we found something...I tried a few shows, then re-established a full merch and mail order that was completely jammed and has forced me to make serious refunds and honor each fan due to this failure who sits behind a table, and calls himself a label while bullshitting all the industry people in HC-Europe with tall tales about what "he's doing" and speaks about what he's paying bands....But, the thing I learned is that I'm not GETTING HALF of what he's telling people, and he doesn't know how to mail a fukking box...that's MY REALITY.....you hear me, Europe....Tommy Boy is fulla shit....curious to see if it gets properly addressed and something is done about this lack of ethic
I know what I'm doing...
I know, I start going off, what can I say? What I do mean is, aside from spouts of rant I will be publishing the progress as I said I will, and for any current or future band needs a little understanding(of what to do yourself), even if it's relatively simple, there will be information available so they can just start off right and cut away the bullshit before the bull even gets to squat
It sounded good...I know bulls don't squat
I'm sure there's information all over the internet, but I will try to simplify it and help to make it easy in steps
Keep talking about this, everyone, like a lot have been because a serious dose of integrity, and the man to man honor of an agreement must be re-installed so we have only the properly-run record labels....one man cannot run a label...it takes staffing or at the minimum a few people helping...that's for me to assure, and I have it planned....I maybe a man with flaws, but there's no question I can do better just on sheer will and passion, and I already have music to release
With the last half of funding still needed I know we can make a statement and I know some of you are just on the rails watching, but I believe in bringing the fun back into doing my thing and taking responsibility for everything good comes, and will face what I do wrong...But, I know what needs to be done to stay honest with everyone, and that's what matters most...you can come off the rail and show support and bring something to the table instead of toy hater comments and bringing nothing to the party...the lack of heart is what brings all the nonsensical noise and problems...like they say; be part of the solution instead of the problem....been spittin that one out for weeks
I'll be closing this summer strong with Matty Pasta, Mark Thousands, DIMI, and Rey-Rey with the last show for the summer is in one week...with the funding closing 72 hours approximately after the show I'll be able to close and hit September with the next stage of momentum as planned...I have faith and will keep pushing every chance I can get online and working as well
I know I'm not performing in a remake of the movie REDS here trying to be too dramatic....but I'm trying to get y'all in on this that see this through with me....this shit has got to stop*
I know I was supposed to move forward with my knowledge of experience and facts relating to being in Leeway after Profile and with other bands besides Leeway, but I figured it's time to give you an idea of what's transpired since I started all of this, and try and start looking at the solutions and the positive aspects before I delve back and open the doors to the piles of the music business.
My friend Gordon, who played with Leeway and AF before us, we were reviewing our offer from Profile on the phone when he put his dad on the phone...his dad was long-time roommates with Rodney Dangerfield when they both were on their own after marriage and raising a family, and he told us "The music business is prostitution...you're prostituting yourselves".
You don't forget a conversation like that.
Since I started I've had positive information from other men who are way ahead of me and we discussed the latter industry and the now, and I spent everything I had the past year getting a grasp of the current tour game, and I paid close attention to my so-called agreement as well as what everyone else was doing....Chris Milnes from Mucky Pup gave me some direction...Pete Fluid of 24-Spyz debated some and agreed on much more....and Tim McMurtrie reached me today and I joined his production team...to name a few
With this funding I've asked for I can have the distribution that I need through the needed help once I'm established....I have to be incorporated first, but it will be a well respected national opportunity IF I CAN GET STARTED...that's the key
I've acquired a lawyer to help me with the initial paperwork, and he's not a shyster....just a fan that offered his services because of a dear friend we were close to who's no longer with us...Johnny Dudeck came in as a fan of HC, and he built one of the most successful distro companies through the 90's....his wisdom and friendship would have made everything easier with this transition, but he's making the connection from the spirit world and offering guidance here because he brought quite a few friends to me and have shown me full-on solid support with this, and I'm so humbled
When I broke my neck 10 years ago I literally had to start all over, and by myself I recovered from the injury....I went back into jamming and playing with the 2 guns from Agents of Man, and then DIMI jumped in and we found something...I tried a few shows, then re-established a full merch and mail order that was completely jammed and has forced me to make serious refunds and honor each fan due to this failure who sits behind a table, and calls himself a label while bullshitting all the industry people in HC-Europe with tall tales about what "he's doing" and speaks about what he's paying bands....But, the thing I learned is that I'm not GETTING HALF of what he's telling people, and he doesn't know how to mail a fukking box...that's MY REALITY.....you hear me, Europe....Tommy Boy is fulla shit....curious to see if it gets properly addressed and something is done about this lack of ethic
I know what I'm doing...
I know, I start going off, what can I say? What I do mean is, aside from spouts of rant I will be publishing the progress as I said I will, and for any current or future band needs a little understanding(of what to do yourself), even if it's relatively simple, there will be information available so they can just start off right and cut away the bullshit before the bull even gets to squat
It sounded good...I know bulls don't squat
I'm sure there's information all over the internet, but I will try to simplify it and help to make it easy in steps
Keep talking about this, everyone, like a lot have been because a serious dose of integrity, and the man to man honor of an agreement must be re-installed so we have only the properly-run record labels....one man cannot run a label...it takes staffing or at the minimum a few people helping...that's for me to assure, and I have it planned....I maybe a man with flaws, but there's no question I can do better just on sheer will and passion, and I already have music to release
With the last half of funding still needed I know we can make a statement and I know some of you are just on the rails watching, but I believe in bringing the fun back into doing my thing and taking responsibility for everything good comes, and will face what I do wrong...But, I know what needs to be done to stay honest with everyone, and that's what matters most...you can come off the rail and show support and bring something to the table instead of toy hater comments and bringing nothing to the party...the lack of heart is what brings all the nonsensical noise and problems...like they say; be part of the solution instead of the problem....been spittin that one out for weeks
I'll be closing this summer strong with Matty Pasta, Mark Thousands, DIMI, and Rey-Rey with the last show for the summer is in one week...with the funding closing 72 hours approximately after the show I'll be able to close and hit September with the next stage of momentum as planned...I have faith and will keep pushing every chance I can get online and working as well
I know I'm not performing in a remake of the movie REDS here trying to be too dramatic....but I'm trying to get y'all in on this that see this through with me....this shit has got to stop*
CURRENT PROGRESS in KickStarter and the politics of slam-dancing...
I have a hard time sleeping at night, lately with everything on my mind, and what I'm working on myself or with others, put in work, and try to make up for all the neglect I've given to what matters most in my life because of this half-assed business...I re-organized my priorities, and putting all the time in to get this right and quickly off the ground
I know I was supposed to move forward with my knowledge of experience and facts relating to being in Leeway after Profile and with other bands besides Leeway, but I figured it's time to give you an idea of what's transpired since I started all of this, and try and start looking at the solutions and the positive aspects before I delve back and open the doors to the piles of the music business.
My friend Gordon, who played with Leeway and AF before us, we were reviewing our offer from Profile on the phone when he put his dad on the phone...his dad was long-time roommates with Rodney Dangerfield when they both were on their own after marriage and raising a family, and he told us "The music business is prostitution...you're prostituting yourselves".
You don't forget a conversation like that.
Since I started I've had positive information from other men who are way ahead of me and we discussed the latter industry and the now, and I spent everything I had the past year getting a grasp of the current tour game, and I paid close attention to my so-called agreement as well as what everyone else was doing....Chris Milnes from Mucky Pup gave me some direction...Pete Fluid of 24-Spyz debated some and agreed on much more....and Tim McMurtrie reached me today and I joined his production team...to name a few
With this funding I've asked for I can have the distribution that I need through the needed help once I'm established....I have to be incorporated first, but it will be a well respected national opportunity IF I CAN GET STARTED...that's the key
I've acquired a lawyer to help me with the initial paperwork, and he's not a shyster....just a fan that offered his services because of a dear friend we were close to who's no longer with us...Johnny Dudeck came in as a fan of HC, and he built one of the most successful distro companies through the 90's....his wisdom and friendship would have made everything easier with this transition, but he's making the connection from the spirit world and offering guidance here because he brought quite a few friends to me and have shown me full-on solid support with this, and I'm so humbled
When I broke my neck 10 years ago I literally had to start all over, and by myself I recovered from the injury....I went back into jamming and playing with the 2 guns from Agents of Man, and then DIMI jumped in and we found something...I tried a few shows, then re-established a full merch and mail order that was completely jammed and has forced me to make serious refunds and honor each fan due to this failure who sits behind a table, and calls himself a label while bullshitting all the industry people in HC-Europe with tall tales about what "he's doing" and speaks about what he's paying bands....But, the thing I learned is that I'm not GETTING HALF of what he's telling people, and he doesn't know how to mail a fukking box...that's MY REALITY.....you hear me, Europe....Tommy Boy is fulla shit....curious to see if it gets properly addressed and something is done about this lack of ethic
I know what I'm doing...
I know, I start going off, what can I say? What I do mean is, aside from spouts of rant I will be publishing the progress as I said I will, and for any current or future band needs a little understanding(of what to do yourself), even if it's relatively simple, there will be information available so they can just start off right and cut away the bullshit before the bull even gets to squat
It sounded good...I know bulls don't squat
I'm sure there's information all over the internet, but I will try to simplify it and help to make it easy in steps
Keep talking about this, everyone, like a lot have been because a serious dose of integrity, and the man to man honor of an agreement must be re-installed so we have only the properly-run record labels....one man cannot run a label...it takes staffing or at the minimum a few people helping...that's for me to assure, and I have it planned....I maybe a man with flaws, but there's no question I can do better just on sheer will and passion, and I already have music to release
With the last half of funding still needed I know we can make a statement and I know some of you are just on the rails watching, but I believe in bringing the fun back into doing my thing and taking responsibility for everything good comes, and will face what I do wrong...But, I know what needs to be done to stay honest with everyone, and that's what matters most...you can come off the rail and show support and bring something to the table instead of toy hater comments and bringing nothing to the party...the lack of heart is what brings all the nonsensical noise and problems...like they say; be part of the solution instead of the problem....been spittin that one out for weeks
I'll be closing this summer strong with Matty Pasta, Mark Thousands, DIMI, and Rey-Rey with the last show for the summer is in one week...with the funding closing 72 hours approximately after the show I'll be able to close and hit September with the next stage of momentum as planned...I have faith and will keep pushing every chance I can get online and working as well
I know I'm not performing in a remake of the movie REDS here trying to be too dramatic....but I'm trying to get y'all in on this and see this through with me....this shit has got to stop*
I know I was supposed to move forward with my knowledge of experience and facts relating to being in Leeway after Profile and with other bands besides Leeway, but I figured it's time to give you an idea of what's transpired since I started all of this, and try and start looking at the solutions and the positive aspects before I delve back and open the doors to the piles of the music business.
My friend Gordon, who played with Leeway and AF before us, we were reviewing our offer from Profile on the phone when he put his dad on the phone...his dad was long-time roommates with Rodney Dangerfield when they both were on their own after marriage and raising a family, and he told us "The music business is prostitution...you're prostituting yourselves".
You don't forget a conversation like that.
Since I started I've had positive information from other men who are way ahead of me and we discussed the latter industry and the now, and I spent everything I had the past year getting a grasp of the current tour game, and I paid close attention to my so-called agreement as well as what everyone else was doing....Chris Milnes from Mucky Pup gave me some direction...Pete Fluid of 24-Spyz debated some and agreed on much more....and Tim McMurtrie reached me today and I joined his production team...to name a few
With this funding I've asked for I can have the distribution that I need through the needed help once I'm established....I have to be incorporated first, but it will be a well respected national opportunity IF I CAN GET STARTED...that's the key
I've acquired a lawyer to help me with the initial paperwork, and he's not a shyster....just a fan that offered his services because of a dear friend we were close to who's no longer with us...Johnny Dudeck came in as a fan of HC, and he built one of the most successful distro companies through the 90's....his wisdom and friendship would have made everything easier with this transition, but he's making the connection from the spirit world and offering guidance here because he brought quite a few friends to me and have shown me full-on solid support with this, and I'm so humbled
When I broke my neck 10 years ago I literally had to start all over, and by myself I recovered from the injury....I went back into jamming and playing with the 2 guns from Agents of Man, and then DIMI jumped in and we found something...I tried a few shows, then re-established a full merch and mail order that was completely jammed and has forced me to make serious refunds and honor each fan due to this failure who sits behind a table, and calls himself a label while bullshitting all the industry people in HC-Europe with tall tales about what "he's doing" and speaks about what he's paying bands....But, the thing I learned is that I'm not GETTING HALF of what he's telling people, and he doesn't know how to mail a fukking box...that's MY REALITY.....you hear me, Europe....Tommy Boy is fulla shit....curious to see if it gets properly addressed and something is done about this lack of ethic
I know what I'm doing...
I know, I start going off, what can I say? What I do mean is, aside from spouts of rant I will be publishing the progress as I said I will, and for any current or future band needs a little understanding(of what to do yourself), even if it's relatively simple, there will be information available so they can just start off right and cut away the bullshit before the bull even gets to squat
It sounded good...I know bulls don't squat
I'm sure there's information all over the internet, but I will try to simplify it and help to make it easy in steps
Keep talking about this, everyone, like a lot have been because a serious dose of integrity, and the man to man honor of an agreement must be re-installed so we have only the properly-run record labels....one man cannot run a label...it takes staffing or at the minimum a few people helping...that's for me to assure, and I have it planned....I maybe a man with flaws, but there's no question I can do better just on sheer will and passion, and I already have music to release
With the last half of funding still needed I know we can make a statement and I know some of you are just on the rails watching, but I believe in bringing the fun back into doing my thing and taking responsibility for everything good comes, and will face what I do wrong...But, I know what needs to be done to stay honest with everyone, and that's what matters most...you can come off the rail and show support and bring something to the table instead of toy hater comments and bringing nothing to the party...the lack of heart is what brings all the nonsensical noise and problems...like they say; be part of the solution instead of the problem....been spittin that one out for weeks
I'll be closing this summer strong with Matty Pasta, Mark Thousands, DIMI, and Rey-Rey with the last show for the summer is in one week...with the funding closing 72 hours approximately after the show I'll be able to close and hit September with the next stage of momentum as planned...I have faith and will keep pushing every chance I can get online and working as well
I know I'm not performing in a remake of the movie REDS here trying to be too dramatic....but I'm trying to get y'all in on this and see this through with me....this shit has got to stop*
Wednesday, August 17, 2016
WEEKEND UPDATES.....with your anchor-homie Eddie Leeway....
Good day, folks
You've been reading my rants from the past week as I started a new chapter as I try and hold it down and stay afloat now that my so-called label has lied again to me about a delivery of CDs and vinyl, and now forced again to make refunds to disappointed fans that only wanted to correspond and support me....the people I hate to let down especially when it's out of my control
I'll try and be more rational instead of plain venting from this point on
This weekend at IEPERFEST in Europe my blog was the talk of backstage with all the bands, crew, and industry there...Tom's reality is becoming more than just the name of his company...you cannot co-opt a music scene and then just lie through your teeth about what you're going to do and then NOT do it
The funny thing is he actually tried to get AJ, (who was there with the Mags) to stick up for him and say something about the current issue....and HE DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING OR COME TO HIS DEFENSE...I told Tom in one of my last messages that AJ cannot help or defend you now and you have to face this...you cannot hide from reality, Tom
As I tell you all about my experiences with labels through the decades I do intend to make steps towards rebuilding, and hopefully my KickStarter will reach it's small goal of $1200 so I can just move forward and have 2 releases out within 90 days digitally, and the CDs close behind....I'm not asking you folks to carry me as I go DIY I'm simply asking you all to just support the start of it so I don't lose the momentum I built up to this point...this label contributed greatly to the debt I fell into trying to tour and endure the usual Murphy's Law issues that come (for example; starting a Europe tour the night of the Paris attacks forcing dates to cancel) and the lost revenue that needs to be paid in full right then and there
The plan is to publish my progress and steps as I do them so other bands and artists who wish to go the same route and don't know what to do can follow what I intend to do for themselves and not have to go through the satire that is supposed to be a record label....in today's so-called industry there's no need to give a label your digital rights...they don't have to press or manufacture a product....it is posted online and you receive your pay....aside from a little accounting and payments to the right people and to ASCAP/BMI there's really nothing else...so, why give 3/4 away if your label doesn't set up any interviews or pay for any promotion other than a Facebook post or instagram? That's just plain ridiculous
I'm getting a lot of positive support, and people are sharing my posts rooting for me, and I'm humbled....I hope some of you can take the time to just donate $5 and I will be happy to contact you by phone or video call personally to show my appreciation....I DON'T EXPECT HANDOUTS which is why I did KickStarter over GoFundMe.....I have items for each donation that comes in that I will mail to show my appreciation and I will be able to use my bands and re-establish my mail order (Big Cartel is up) after having it destroyed by lying about shipped stock
I can understand a small envelope or package to get lost or if I had a stoop MAYBE someone stole the package, but that's not the case when you live in an apartment with a camera right above your door....postal services just don't lose a 50-pound package that you paid serious money to mail UNLESS THE PLANE GOES INTO THE OCEAN....it's just not realistic, Tommy Boy....who do you think you're bullshitting here
A little bird spoke in my ear this morning, and I may have found out new realities that Tom has been saying one thing about what I'm supposed to be getting as a royalty compared to what I'm actually receiving....that has me wondering but I cannot get the truth about it at this time....it still won't change the situation but it will make it even more serious when it's time to reap and face the music...my music
My next installment will be about CENTURY MEDIA....my experiences with them...a little history most don't know of, and the truth behind the MERAUDER demo and SHADOW'S FALL recording MARK OF THE SQUEALER, and what transpired afterwards....that should be interesting to a lot of you, and I will try and get it on here by tonight or tomorrow since I've been doing these around lunch-time...thanks for reading and please check out my KickStarter page and make a small donation towards my independence from this chattel scheme being played by these 'paper labels'....you might be able to call yourself a label because you're incorporated as one, but you don't do anything a label does to deserve 3/4 of sales
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/elleewayrecords/help-eddie-start-his-own-record-label-and-g?ref=user_menu
STAY TUNED....
You've been reading my rants from the past week as I started a new chapter as I try and hold it down and stay afloat now that my so-called label has lied again to me about a delivery of CDs and vinyl, and now forced again to make refunds to disappointed fans that only wanted to correspond and support me....the people I hate to let down especially when it's out of my control
I'll try and be more rational instead of plain venting from this point on
This weekend at IEPERFEST in Europe my blog was the talk of backstage with all the bands, crew, and industry there...Tom's reality is becoming more than just the name of his company...you cannot co-opt a music scene and then just lie through your teeth about what you're going to do and then NOT do it
The funny thing is he actually tried to get AJ, (who was there with the Mags) to stick up for him and say something about the current issue....and HE DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING OR COME TO HIS DEFENSE...I told Tom in one of my last messages that AJ cannot help or defend you now and you have to face this...you cannot hide from reality, Tom
As I tell you all about my experiences with labels through the decades I do intend to make steps towards rebuilding, and hopefully my KickStarter will reach it's small goal of $1200 so I can just move forward and have 2 releases out within 90 days digitally, and the CDs close behind....I'm not asking you folks to carry me as I go DIY I'm simply asking you all to just support the start of it so I don't lose the momentum I built up to this point...this label contributed greatly to the debt I fell into trying to tour and endure the usual Murphy's Law issues that come (for example; starting a Europe tour the night of the Paris attacks forcing dates to cancel) and the lost revenue that needs to be paid in full right then and there
The plan is to publish my progress and steps as I do them so other bands and artists who wish to go the same route and don't know what to do can follow what I intend to do for themselves and not have to go through the satire that is supposed to be a record label....in today's so-called industry there's no need to give a label your digital rights...they don't have to press or manufacture a product....it is posted online and you receive your pay....aside from a little accounting and payments to the right people and to ASCAP/BMI there's really nothing else...so, why give 3/4 away if your label doesn't set up any interviews or pay for any promotion other than a Facebook post or instagram? That's just plain ridiculous
I'm getting a lot of positive support, and people are sharing my posts rooting for me, and I'm humbled....I hope some of you can take the time to just donate $5 and I will be happy to contact you by phone or video call personally to show my appreciation....I DON'T EXPECT HANDOUTS which is why I did KickStarter over GoFundMe.....I have items for each donation that comes in that I will mail to show my appreciation and I will be able to use my bands and re-establish my mail order (Big Cartel is up) after having it destroyed by lying about shipped stock
I can understand a small envelope or package to get lost or if I had a stoop MAYBE someone stole the package, but that's not the case when you live in an apartment with a camera right above your door....postal services just don't lose a 50-pound package that you paid serious money to mail UNLESS THE PLANE GOES INTO THE OCEAN....it's just not realistic, Tommy Boy....who do you think you're bullshitting here
A little bird spoke in my ear this morning, and I may have found out new realities that Tom has been saying one thing about what I'm supposed to be getting as a royalty compared to what I'm actually receiving....that has me wondering but I cannot get the truth about it at this time....it still won't change the situation but it will make it even more serious when it's time to reap and face the music...my music
My next installment will be about CENTURY MEDIA....my experiences with them...a little history most don't know of, and the truth behind the MERAUDER demo and SHADOW'S FALL recording MARK OF THE SQUEALER, and what transpired afterwards....that should be interesting to a lot of you, and I will try and get it on here by tonight or tomorrow since I've been doing these around lunch-time...thanks for reading and please check out my KickStarter page and make a small donation towards my independence from this chattel scheme being played by these 'paper labels'....you might be able to call yourself a label because you're incorporated as one, but you don't do anything a label does to deserve 3/4 of sales
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/elleewayrecords/help-eddie-start-his-own-record-label-and-g?ref=user_menu
STAY TUNED....
Monday, August 15, 2016
PROFILE RECORDS....and my early education in playing the Game
A lot of NYHC fans have a partial knowledge about Profile Records, and the difficulties every band had dealing with them, but I'm going to try and set the record straight with facts to give you an honest understanding to the truth of it all over overblown assumptions that occur when people talk out of school with no true knowledge of any of it.
Leeway signed with Profile roughly in the late Spring with a couple of "courting" dinners just like they did back then, and they gave us the VIP treatment...we were psyched...we were signing with the label that RUN DMC built, and other label-mates were Cro-Mags, Murphy's Law, DD Ramone, Destruction, and eventually MOTORHEAD along with hiphop stars Dana Dane, DJ Quick, and more that escape me this moment
The contract we signed was the same deal RUN DMC signed and automatically most other artists/bands signed the same deal which was we had to give up 50% publishing....in a few years RUN DMC would go to court over this, but Profile had the best shysters in the business and they couldn't get out despite all their power and influence....they had a huge staff, and the publicist was a very nice woman, but she had no clue what to do with us
The budget we were offered was the biggest at the time, and I don't think many bands were getting as much as 18 grand to record....back then recording was crazy expensive to lock out a reputable analog studio with capable engineers, and on our debut release we did such a bang-up job with the overall sound and guitars that everyone and their mother went up to Normandy after us to try and capture that....even some felt threatened by us, and made that very clear to Chris Williamson...hahaha....I guess we really did make an impression if we scared some of the biggest egos in our thing.
Most of the HC bands in the country couldn't get our budget with their labels....even the average 3-album total budget bands received didn't come close....we were lucky, but it was just a matter of time for us to see this was the wrong label to be stuck with
In less than a year Chris Williamson's contract with Profile expired on his Rock Hotel subsidiary and Profile took complete control of all bands on the subsidiary, and this is when the tables turned....Born To Expire was released after an 18 month delay because Zowie left us for Circus of Flowers....a grungy NYC-based band with a horrible drummer, and a singer who had a wig in his leather biker cap....they were a major label act and they put Zowie on salary so he did what he thought was best because at this time he saw what Profile was about and I started self-medicating after I started making too much money bartending in nightclubs and chasing too much tail....I started to lose focus.
That summer we toured with BAD BRAINS for 11 of the 12 weeks they toured the QUICKNESS album, and it was the best summer I ever had being all over America showing them what we were all about...this was probably the last thing CW did right for us, but we starved and scrapped with each other most of the way in frustration....we were seeing that Profile was advertising us in newspapers in major cities at chain stores, BUT THE ALBUM WASN'T EVEN IN STOCK AT THESE STORES....it was turning into one of those SPINAL TAP routines
When we did Desperate Measure we went back up to Normandy and showed the world we weren't a flash in the pan and we finally did a video for Kingpin and got some attention from MTV....we started to establish a true fan-base, but after the Quickness tour we didn't have the chance to jump on a good tour because we didn't have any support...Profile was just going through the motions....it was like they just wanted us to blow up so they could collect but they weren't giving us any help other than the video....by today's standards if I was able to get what I was getting then I'd be a happy pig in shit
I became fed up and started acting out going in there almost daily to grab whatever wasn't nailed down to stay alive and keep a roof over my head I was the only band member living on my own, married, and even more reckless....I showed them my disgust and things just got worse....my actions were wrong, but I felt in limbo watching all these opportunities fly by it's kinda hard watching other bands get over on MTV with no talent and I just didn't understand why we couldn't go over just like them.....because we had no true support...a staff of about 35 people and nothing was getting done way before I acted out
The attitudes of label people are still the same...they all talk shit about artists especially the mail-room boys with their snide remarks like they had any position to talk this way....but, when the artist came into the office they were the first to slobber and show their skills in fellatio and how they controlled their gag-reflex better than the porn-stars back then....I always found it amazing how these talent-less hacks thought they were somebody who was in a position to talk that way and how they all thought that with a little money they can simply co-opt the art and think they were an integral part of the creating the art...No...just hacks getting in the way of a good thing....Fred Feldman was one of these guys who started in the mail-room and slithered his way into a higher position....I can still see that smirk of his today(as if he had us fooled or looked down on us), but he's gone now from our thing and probably wormed into something else....maybe someday I'll run into him
By the time Desperate Measures came out and we were about to fly to Europe for our first tour we were lucky they finally gave us our walking papers so we could go find a better opportunity and a better fit, but that never worked out....I went into 4 more years dealing with an addiction issue that I didn't start to climb out of until 1995 when treatment started to actually work for me and wanted recovery.
Because Profile had the rights they re-issued us on compilations and did a 2-album CD, but we got nothing....always, creative accounting always claimed they never recouped on us despite tens of thousands of unit sales and radio airplay....once in a while I'd receive a few hundred bucks in cash because I didn't even have a bank account then I was strictly street and cash having being shunned from opportunity and chance putting me against the law and establishing a criminal record as I floundered to get my life back and whatever was necessary to stay afloat....the industry loves a desperate artist so they can control everything....this only works with newjacks who are just happy to be there getting attention....it's a con they play while blowing smoke up your ass
Over time I became more and more rebellious against the industry and they all knew I had their number....and when this happens most of them won't even fuck with you because they don't want you to publicly reveal their practices and have you prove it so they avoid you and keep you down like being black-balled, if you know the word.....AJ also stopped letting me do most of the larger interviews because I wouldn't keep my mouth shut and play along....I think he wanted to be with the so-called beautiful people that control the purse-strings...I don't know....we don't talk nowadays because he thinks he's too important and he doesn't respect his fan-base nor does he even interact with them which is completely wrong because it's the fans that keep this music alive and they give you the resources for you to live life the way you want to....if you can't respect the people you play for then why do it other than to take their money? I kept my mouth shut on some of this shit for too long because I didn't want to be like the other soap opera in NYHC but fans need to know what your heroes think of you so you don't waste your money on anyone that doesn't respect you
After 25 years to look back on it I feel I'm not as bitter as most when it comes to this label....they did contribute to our legacy by giving us a chance, but this was the first of many labels who showed little honesty and rarely provided answers or solutions....the owners were shifty and fulla shit, and Gary Pini, the head of A&R probably enjoyed being around the HC scene because when I worked at Tunnel and had all my boys around he was like a middle-aged Robert Plant around a bunch of groupies....only it was tattooed dudes that were half his age....pretty creepy
I could've been more graphic in ways here, but I'm trying to shake off the anger I've had the last several days since I became fed up with this current lying cunt I was coerced into dealing with along with all his fuckery, delay tactics, and outright lies regarding royalties and stock....I'm trying to give you a history...a Then/Now of how this system in the record industry is designed to keep the creative entity down like a slave, and today the artist or band can do better than some asshole who thinks he can co-opt and be a part of something he never was a part of....you can't buy your way into ANY SCENE...in due time EVERYONE will see what you're about....just because the paperwork says record label you still aren't a label if you can't provide the proper services and expect to be paid like a label and expect to collect a label's rate of up to 80%....that is plain bullshit
This is why I made the steps to start my own label....I not only have the TRUTHandRIGHTS album ready, but me and Matty Pasta decided to complete a LIVE ALBUM Project for LEEWAY NYC....an actual "Then and Now" release....with the support of my KickStarter page I can do the paperwork and be up and running immediately instead of waiting until the holidays or later to be able to finance this myself
I need help going DIY at this time, and I already have the band-mates behind me to do this and I already have a bigger staff than this thief hiding in Belgium thinking this issue is going away....I told him numerous times a particular story to give him an example of what I will not tolerate, and I guess it got lost in the translation because I don't speak Flemish, but he seems to have a fair vocabulary in english so I'm holding him accountable....this was a man-to-man agreement and handshake so he has to eventually address this man to man no matter how long that takes....he eventually will have to face me
My KickStarter link;
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/elleewayrecords/help-eddie-start-his-own-record-label-and-g?ref=user_menu
Please help support me so I can now go DIY and take complete control of my career from this point on so I can give all my friends/fans more....I'm willing to share my steps towards this and also give my friends help with their music....you can be an honest label simply by being honest and letting them audit and see the books....it's simple, and with the passion of your own music you automatically will do a much better job...trust me...this isn't rocket science it just takes a little organisation
Leeway signed with Profile roughly in the late Spring with a couple of "courting" dinners just like they did back then, and they gave us the VIP treatment...we were psyched...we were signing with the label that RUN DMC built, and other label-mates were Cro-Mags, Murphy's Law, DD Ramone, Destruction, and eventually MOTORHEAD along with hiphop stars Dana Dane, DJ Quick, and more that escape me this moment
The contract we signed was the same deal RUN DMC signed and automatically most other artists/bands signed the same deal which was we had to give up 50% publishing....in a few years RUN DMC would go to court over this, but Profile had the best shysters in the business and they couldn't get out despite all their power and influence....they had a huge staff, and the publicist was a very nice woman, but she had no clue what to do with us
The budget we were offered was the biggest at the time, and I don't think many bands were getting as much as 18 grand to record....back then recording was crazy expensive to lock out a reputable analog studio with capable engineers, and on our debut release we did such a bang-up job with the overall sound and guitars that everyone and their mother went up to Normandy after us to try and capture that....even some felt threatened by us, and made that very clear to Chris Williamson...hahaha....I guess we really did make an impression if we scared some of the biggest egos in our thing.
Most of the HC bands in the country couldn't get our budget with their labels....even the average 3-album total budget bands received didn't come close....we were lucky, but it was just a matter of time for us to see this was the wrong label to be stuck with
In less than a year Chris Williamson's contract with Profile expired on his Rock Hotel subsidiary and Profile took complete control of all bands on the subsidiary, and this is when the tables turned....Born To Expire was released after an 18 month delay because Zowie left us for Circus of Flowers....a grungy NYC-based band with a horrible drummer, and a singer who had a wig in his leather biker cap....they were a major label act and they put Zowie on salary so he did what he thought was best because at this time he saw what Profile was about and I started self-medicating after I started making too much money bartending in nightclubs and chasing too much tail....I started to lose focus.
That summer we toured with BAD BRAINS for 11 of the 12 weeks they toured the QUICKNESS album, and it was the best summer I ever had being all over America showing them what we were all about...this was probably the last thing CW did right for us, but we starved and scrapped with each other most of the way in frustration....we were seeing that Profile was advertising us in newspapers in major cities at chain stores, BUT THE ALBUM WASN'T EVEN IN STOCK AT THESE STORES....it was turning into one of those SPINAL TAP routines
When we did Desperate Measure we went back up to Normandy and showed the world we weren't a flash in the pan and we finally did a video for Kingpin and got some attention from MTV....we started to establish a true fan-base, but after the Quickness tour we didn't have the chance to jump on a good tour because we didn't have any support...Profile was just going through the motions....it was like they just wanted us to blow up so they could collect but they weren't giving us any help other than the video....by today's standards if I was able to get what I was getting then I'd be a happy pig in shit
I became fed up and started acting out going in there almost daily to grab whatever wasn't nailed down to stay alive and keep a roof over my head I was the only band member living on my own, married, and even more reckless....I showed them my disgust and things just got worse....my actions were wrong, but I felt in limbo watching all these opportunities fly by it's kinda hard watching other bands get over on MTV with no talent and I just didn't understand why we couldn't go over just like them.....because we had no true support...a staff of about 35 people and nothing was getting done way before I acted out
The attitudes of label people are still the same...they all talk shit about artists especially the mail-room boys with their snide remarks like they had any position to talk this way....but, when the artist came into the office they were the first to slobber and show their skills in fellatio and how they controlled their gag-reflex better than the porn-stars back then....I always found it amazing how these talent-less hacks thought they were somebody who was in a position to talk that way and how they all thought that with a little money they can simply co-opt the art and think they were an integral part of the creating the art...No...just hacks getting in the way of a good thing....Fred Feldman was one of these guys who started in the mail-room and slithered his way into a higher position....I can still see that smirk of his today(as if he had us fooled or looked down on us), but he's gone now from our thing and probably wormed into something else....maybe someday I'll run into him
By the time Desperate Measures came out and we were about to fly to Europe for our first tour we were lucky they finally gave us our walking papers so we could go find a better opportunity and a better fit, but that never worked out....I went into 4 more years dealing with an addiction issue that I didn't start to climb out of until 1995 when treatment started to actually work for me and wanted recovery.
Because Profile had the rights they re-issued us on compilations and did a 2-album CD, but we got nothing....always, creative accounting always claimed they never recouped on us despite tens of thousands of unit sales and radio airplay....once in a while I'd receive a few hundred bucks in cash because I didn't even have a bank account then I was strictly street and cash having being shunned from opportunity and chance putting me against the law and establishing a criminal record as I floundered to get my life back and whatever was necessary to stay afloat....the industry loves a desperate artist so they can control everything....this only works with newjacks who are just happy to be there getting attention....it's a con they play while blowing smoke up your ass
Over time I became more and more rebellious against the industry and they all knew I had their number....and when this happens most of them won't even fuck with you because they don't want you to publicly reveal their practices and have you prove it so they avoid you and keep you down like being black-balled, if you know the word.....AJ also stopped letting me do most of the larger interviews because I wouldn't keep my mouth shut and play along....I think he wanted to be with the so-called beautiful people that control the purse-strings...I don't know....we don't talk nowadays because he thinks he's too important and he doesn't respect his fan-base nor does he even interact with them which is completely wrong because it's the fans that keep this music alive and they give you the resources for you to live life the way you want to....if you can't respect the people you play for then why do it other than to take their money? I kept my mouth shut on some of this shit for too long because I didn't want to be like the other soap opera in NYHC but fans need to know what your heroes think of you so you don't waste your money on anyone that doesn't respect you
After 25 years to look back on it I feel I'm not as bitter as most when it comes to this label....they did contribute to our legacy by giving us a chance, but this was the first of many labels who showed little honesty and rarely provided answers or solutions....the owners were shifty and fulla shit, and Gary Pini, the head of A&R probably enjoyed being around the HC scene because when I worked at Tunnel and had all my boys around he was like a middle-aged Robert Plant around a bunch of groupies....only it was tattooed dudes that were half his age....pretty creepy
I could've been more graphic in ways here, but I'm trying to shake off the anger I've had the last several days since I became fed up with this current lying cunt I was coerced into dealing with along with all his fuckery, delay tactics, and outright lies regarding royalties and stock....I'm trying to give you a history...a Then/Now of how this system in the record industry is designed to keep the creative entity down like a slave, and today the artist or band can do better than some asshole who thinks he can co-opt and be a part of something he never was a part of....you can't buy your way into ANY SCENE...in due time EVERYONE will see what you're about....just because the paperwork says record label you still aren't a label if you can't provide the proper services and expect to be paid like a label and expect to collect a label's rate of up to 80%....that is plain bullshit
This is why I made the steps to start my own label....I not only have the TRUTHandRIGHTS album ready, but me and Matty Pasta decided to complete a LIVE ALBUM Project for LEEWAY NYC....an actual "Then and Now" release....with the support of my KickStarter page I can do the paperwork and be up and running immediately instead of waiting until the holidays or later to be able to finance this myself
I need help going DIY at this time, and I already have the band-mates behind me to do this and I already have a bigger staff than this thief hiding in Belgium thinking this issue is going away....I told him numerous times a particular story to give him an example of what I will not tolerate, and I guess it got lost in the translation because I don't speak Flemish, but he seems to have a fair vocabulary in english so I'm holding him accountable....this was a man-to-man agreement and handshake so he has to eventually address this man to man no matter how long that takes....he eventually will have to face me
My KickStarter link;
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/elleewayrecords/help-eddie-start-his-own-record-label-and-g?ref=user_menu
Please help support me so I can now go DIY and take complete control of my career from this point on so I can give all my friends/fans more....I'm willing to share my steps towards this and also give my friends help with their music....you can be an honest label simply by being honest and letting them audit and see the books....it's simple, and with the passion of your own music you automatically will do a much better job...trust me...this isn't rocket science it just takes a little organisation
Saturday, August 13, 2016
NEVER TRUST A BUSINESSMAN WHO CALLS YOU BROTHER........and LEAVE CIV THE FUCK ALONE
Over the decades I became more and more wary of people that are promoters or label guys that don't really know you, but love to throw that word BROTHER around...others too.
I don't like the word....I call everyone B...for boss, buddy, Bo...and for brothers....my true brothers....it can also mean BITCH when I use it....depends on who I'm addressing
Every one of them eventually fucked me over....so much for brotherhood, huh? More like a scheming step-brother who has issues with your mom than being an actual sibling to you
I would try and adapt with every lesson learned,and the mistakes I've made but sometimes you have no choice but to work with what's available, and my kindness has always been a weakness....you should be able to try and show respect and be kind, but everyone acts like we're locked up in some penitentiary and just uses your kindness for an advantage to get over....and how do you allow that to happen without wanting to traumatically scar the mother-fucker?
So, don't call me brother, and tell me you love me and then pull some disrespectful nonsense because you spread yourself too thin, or you wanted to just make some point by promising one thing and then try to make a fool out of me by not providing what we agreed on, brother....I mean, what is this a Hulk Hogan impersonation contest?! Now why do you want to do that, brother?
Besides taking a stand on this record label issue I feel that there's a great deal of people who for some reason need their egos to be fed like some cliche' front-man who thinks he's God's gift to your scene and his head can't fit into the door because he's so full of the bullshit he's been fed by people, and he actually believes he's the center of the universe....we're not kids anymore, brother, and there's a way to do business and actually do the right thing as well.
This is why most shows don't have a decent draw, and all we can do is try to have big fest-style events because this and the violence has turned-off a great deal of people who could've been an integral part of our thing, but they either chose not to or ran away because no one wanted to put an arm around them....instead they put the arm on them and scared them off....or they simply saw the bullshit running down the walls and decided that's not something they would support...or want on their clothes.
As I said in a previous blog these "deals" are now handshakes....man to man.....there are no contracts....and I have to man up and meet my promised agreements and be held accountable...why not you? What makes you think I don't intend to see you for a face to face and settle it man to man? I mean, you chose to bring this on so how come you think it's not going to come back and bite you on the ass? Well, trust me here.... it will.
I've stopped working with plenty of people because they did me wrong and never apologized, and there are many I don't even talk to anymore and have been cut out of my life...cie le vie, moneygrip....talk all the shit you want I don't care because people know who I really am and they don't need to believe some lowlife fucking the game up for all of us.
I'm surgically removing another cancer off of me to live another day, and I want you younger bands to take notice as to what I do now....it's relatively simple and you just need organisation you can all share the work and do a better job, trust me because your passion will see it through....these other guys aren't smart they just have a few more dollars than you(which they never earned, mind you) and just exploit you....don't settle for that form of prostitution because it's not like the old days....THERE'S NO FINANCIAL SUPPORT ANYMORE so you have to go out and make it and stop trying to get down with these aliens to our thing.
Also.....LEAVE CIV ALONE.....what the fuck is wrong with you? Is this another YouTube conspiracy theory you're believing? There was nothing "between the lines" at TIHC that needs to be discussed it was just a decent man speaking his mind....what's wrong with that?
Back in the day, this music scene was built by misfits and outcasts who wanted NO TREND and NO CONFORMITY....but some of you pc, or elitist turds want to do nothing but inject TREND and CONFORMITY into this thing of ours and you demand us to follow the rhetoric you're preaching and make things fashionable as if you have all the answers.....give it a fucking rest and go to bed, already....you're tired, and you're fucking the game up with all your tired bullshit.
Back in the day we were allowed to say anything we wanted and had a fair right to speak out minds as long as it wasn't racist or outright evil, and all CIV did was try to say that we all matter not black or white, and it wasn't some secret code comment representing anyone but EVERYONE....and you're gonna make a big stink over nothing and try to make it into something else? GTFOH with your nonsensical noise already, and leave him and the Gorilla Biscuits alone...it's funny how y'all are so on the dick one day, and then you want to bring ridiculous drama the next....GO TO BED and go turn on your nite-lite and snuggle with your teddy, you fucking child.
I don't like the word....I call everyone B...for boss, buddy, Bo...and for brothers....my true brothers....it can also mean BITCH when I use it....depends on who I'm addressing
Every one of them eventually fucked me over....so much for brotherhood, huh? More like a scheming step-brother who has issues with your mom than being an actual sibling to you
I would try and adapt with every lesson learned,and the mistakes I've made but sometimes you have no choice but to work with what's available, and my kindness has always been a weakness....you should be able to try and show respect and be kind, but everyone acts like we're locked up in some penitentiary and just uses your kindness for an advantage to get over....and how do you allow that to happen without wanting to traumatically scar the mother-fucker?
So, don't call me brother, and tell me you love me and then pull some disrespectful nonsense because you spread yourself too thin, or you wanted to just make some point by promising one thing and then try to make a fool out of me by not providing what we agreed on, brother....I mean, what is this a Hulk Hogan impersonation contest?! Now why do you want to do that, brother?
Besides taking a stand on this record label issue I feel that there's a great deal of people who for some reason need their egos to be fed like some cliche' front-man who thinks he's God's gift to your scene and his head can't fit into the door because he's so full of the bullshit he's been fed by people, and he actually believes he's the center of the universe....we're not kids anymore, brother, and there's a way to do business and actually do the right thing as well.
This is why most shows don't have a decent draw, and all we can do is try to have big fest-style events because this and the violence has turned-off a great deal of people who could've been an integral part of our thing, but they either chose not to or ran away because no one wanted to put an arm around them....instead they put the arm on them and scared them off....or they simply saw the bullshit running down the walls and decided that's not something they would support...or want on their clothes.
As I said in a previous blog these "deals" are now handshakes....man to man.....there are no contracts....and I have to man up and meet my promised agreements and be held accountable...why not you? What makes you think I don't intend to see you for a face to face and settle it man to man? I mean, you chose to bring this on so how come you think it's not going to come back and bite you on the ass? Well, trust me here.... it will.
I've stopped working with plenty of people because they did me wrong and never apologized, and there are many I don't even talk to anymore and have been cut out of my life...cie le vie, moneygrip....talk all the shit you want I don't care because people know who I really am and they don't need to believe some lowlife fucking the game up for all of us.
I'm surgically removing another cancer off of me to live another day, and I want you younger bands to take notice as to what I do now....it's relatively simple and you just need organisation you can all share the work and do a better job, trust me because your passion will see it through....these other guys aren't smart they just have a few more dollars than you(which they never earned, mind you) and just exploit you....don't settle for that form of prostitution because it's not like the old days....THERE'S NO FINANCIAL SUPPORT ANYMORE so you have to go out and make it and stop trying to get down with these aliens to our thing.
Also.....LEAVE CIV ALONE.....what the fuck is wrong with you? Is this another YouTube conspiracy theory you're believing? There was nothing "between the lines" at TIHC that needs to be discussed it was just a decent man speaking his mind....what's wrong with that?
Back in the day, this music scene was built by misfits and outcasts who wanted NO TREND and NO CONFORMITY....but some of you pc, or elitist turds want to do nothing but inject TREND and CONFORMITY into this thing of ours and you demand us to follow the rhetoric you're preaching and make things fashionable as if you have all the answers.....give it a fucking rest and go to bed, already....you're tired, and you're fucking the game up with all your tired bullshit.
Back in the day we were allowed to say anything we wanted and had a fair right to speak out minds as long as it wasn't racist or outright evil, and all CIV did was try to say that we all matter not black or white, and it wasn't some secret code comment representing anyone but EVERYONE....and you're gonna make a big stink over nothing and try to make it into something else? GTFOH with your nonsensical noise already, and leave him and the Gorilla Biscuits alone...it's funny how y'all are so on the dick one day, and then you want to bring ridiculous drama the next....GO TO BED and go turn on your nite-lite and snuggle with your teddy, you fucking child.
Friday, August 12, 2016
A HUGE THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ MY DECLARATION FOR WAR vs. REALITY IT'S NOT RECORDS and the industry as a whole
After well over 2300 people read my post here yesterday about my Declaration I am floored by that response, and I thank each of you for taking the time....to my supporters; I will not let you down and I'm going to establish an alternative to having any need for these bottom feeding barnacles who claim to be a record label....to my non-supporters....keep hating...you're also part of the problem in this genre
I went back to my Facebook page last night for opinions from my friends and fans about start a Kickstarter page, which is a better choice than a GoFundMe-type campaign with what I'm trying to do....my goal is for $1200 just so I can file the papers to become legit, and to press the first release on my new label; TRUTHandRIGHTS full-length LIES and SLEIGHTS....we can do this in 10 weeks or less starting with digital release, and the remaining funds will go to the first pressing of the CD....the art and album are done
There are only one or two labels I ever respected, and one currently is MARQUEE RECORDS who distribute and press the Leeway albums for South America and Japan....this guy does it right and keeps an honest dialogue....he doesn't make promises he can't keep, and he doesn't string you along
This piece of shit in Belgium has done NOTHING but bullshit me about my ASCAP royalties and I've received only one statement from him which was close to 7-8 months old when he sent it....you can't tell someone you have a statement for them and then not send it until the term a woman goes through to have a baby....what the fuck is that? Why can't this guy pack a box of CDs and vinyl without the albums being damaged? Isn't he supposed to know how to ship his own product? How come there's no publicist or someone to bring me interviews and promotion or support? I do all this work, and along with touring it's put me in crazy debt and I'm maxed out.....this fukking festival troll just sits back at his table and takes full advantage of my blood, sweat, and tears and just expects a full record label rate while I go to the poor farm doing his job....No, this is gonna stop now
We all have to submit to basic handshake deals which leave us no position of control and we give away out musical rights entrusting them to do the right thing. That handshake is a MAN to MAN DEAL....and if you break that then expect to be called on MAN TO MAN to settle....one thing I don't do is quit easy, and if I have a problem with you you better be prepared to answer me....hiding just makes me even more mad, and it shows me what a measly worm you truly are
I intend to post steady now and get this blog rolling properly as I keep you updated with not just this label that screwed me, but I will keep everyone posted as I take the steps to take control of my musical destiny...the link to my Kickstarter page is here;
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/elleewayrecords/help-eddie-start-his-own-record-label-and-g?ref=user_menu
This ends on the last day of this month, August at midnight....my goal is for $1200 just to file the legitimate paperwork and to make the first pressing of the TRUTHandRIGHTS CD along with the digital releases... I don't expect a handout, and each donation receives a gift and letter of appreciation of support
I will also post stories about all the record labels I've dealt with through 30 years in contracts with real record labels and their tactics right down to this scumbag who thinks he has me fooled and has played with the wrong fukkin guy....I will not rest until I have TOTAL SATISFACTION and see his business take the same devastating hits he put on my hard work by lying about product delivery putting a serious hurt on my mail-order fanbase....I don't wish to have to rely on such an asshole anymore because I'm the one who's reputation gets damaged while he stands behind his table co-opting a music scene he was never part of for legitimacy...a guy like this DOESN'T CARE about the scenes worldwide nor does he care about any bands he dupes into his bullshit....a guy like this shouldn't be allowed to sell our music at festivals in Europe or online because it's all about him and what he can TAKE from every fan out there
So, stay tuned, and please support because I'm doing this for a better change in not my thing, but to show others how they can do it themselves legitimately without getting schemed and lied to....have a good weekend
I went back to my Facebook page last night for opinions from my friends and fans about start a Kickstarter page, which is a better choice than a GoFundMe-type campaign with what I'm trying to do....my goal is for $1200 just so I can file the papers to become legit, and to press the first release on my new label; TRUTHandRIGHTS full-length LIES and SLEIGHTS....we can do this in 10 weeks or less starting with digital release, and the remaining funds will go to the first pressing of the CD....the art and album are done
There are only one or two labels I ever respected, and one currently is MARQUEE RECORDS who distribute and press the Leeway albums for South America and Japan....this guy does it right and keeps an honest dialogue....he doesn't make promises he can't keep, and he doesn't string you along
This piece of shit in Belgium has done NOTHING but bullshit me about my ASCAP royalties and I've received only one statement from him which was close to 7-8 months old when he sent it....you can't tell someone you have a statement for them and then not send it until the term a woman goes through to have a baby....what the fuck is that? Why can't this guy pack a box of CDs and vinyl without the albums being damaged? Isn't he supposed to know how to ship his own product? How come there's no publicist or someone to bring me interviews and promotion or support? I do all this work, and along with touring it's put me in crazy debt and I'm maxed out.....this fukking festival troll just sits back at his table and takes full advantage of my blood, sweat, and tears and just expects a full record label rate while I go to the poor farm doing his job....No, this is gonna stop now
We all have to submit to basic handshake deals which leave us no position of control and we give away out musical rights entrusting them to do the right thing. That handshake is a MAN to MAN DEAL....and if you break that then expect to be called on MAN TO MAN to settle....one thing I don't do is quit easy, and if I have a problem with you you better be prepared to answer me....hiding just makes me even more mad, and it shows me what a measly worm you truly are
I intend to post steady now and get this blog rolling properly as I keep you updated with not just this label that screwed me, but I will keep everyone posted as I take the steps to take control of my musical destiny...the link to my Kickstarter page is here;
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/elleewayrecords/help-eddie-start-his-own-record-label-and-g?ref=user_menu
This ends on the last day of this month, August at midnight....my goal is for $1200 just to file the legitimate paperwork and to make the first pressing of the TRUTHandRIGHTS CD along with the digital releases... I don't expect a handout, and each donation receives a gift and letter of appreciation of support
I will also post stories about all the record labels I've dealt with through 30 years in contracts with real record labels and their tactics right down to this scumbag who thinks he has me fooled and has played with the wrong fukkin guy....I will not rest until I have TOTAL SATISFACTION and see his business take the same devastating hits he put on my hard work by lying about product delivery putting a serious hurt on my mail-order fanbase....I don't wish to have to rely on such an asshole anymore because I'm the one who's reputation gets damaged while he stands behind his table co-opting a music scene he was never part of for legitimacy...a guy like this DOESN'T CARE about the scenes worldwide nor does he care about any bands he dupes into his bullshit....a guy like this shouldn't be allowed to sell our music at festivals in Europe or online because it's all about him and what he can TAKE from every fan out there
So, stay tuned, and please support because I'm doing this for a better change in not my thing, but to show others how they can do it themselves legitimately without getting schemed and lied to....have a good weekend
Thursday, August 11, 2016
Going to War to Retain my Music and Call Out My So-called Label...call it "REALITY WRECKS CHECK"
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