Wanna Be a Rock Star? Rock Label Seeking Unsigned/New Bands for ‘Anthem

(Press Release) U.S.-based hard rock label with national distribution seeking original compositions from new or up and coming millennium rock/metal acts, as well as any other rockers who have an anthematic rocker which
salutes the Rock & Metal genres for surviving as long as they have! The compilation will additionally feature name players from well-known rock/metal acts, and will hit stores in the late spring of 2009, and each participating band will receive promos upon release of the cd, as well as pic/bio in the cd booklet. Interested bands should submit a myspace (or other web link) with the specific tune they have in mind to anthemrock2008@yahoo.com

The Rock and Roll Report Record Label Focus is on Love Muffin Records

Cleveland-based Love Muffin Records is one of those labels that care about the type of music that it puts out. The label’s owner Adam Rich took the time to answer some questions about the history of the label itself and about the type of music the small, independent label releases.

1. How long has the label been around? How did it get started? Why the name “Love Muffin Records”?

Love Muffin was started in 1994 to release my first full-length cassette Virgin Freak while I was in college. I released my first cassette, a 4-song effort, in 1993 on my own Rich Records label but didn’t really like that name. It then occurred to me to use Love Muffin instead. Love Muffin is a nickname I picked up on my high school soccer team. I don’t remember exactly who gave it to me, but I have it narrowed down to 3 or 4 people. I created the logo using Microsoft Paint on my computer. It is a muffin with a red center – red for love. A couple years ago I had the logo redone by a professional graphic designer in Illustrator. I have an alternate design, which I’m starting to use more – an all red muffin with a glowing black circle background

I released my next cassette Flavor Savor in 1997 just before I graduated college. I also started selling other local bands projects on the label and taking a small cut. I guess that was my first attempt at distribution. I basically had a printed catalog. The Internet was just getting popular then, but I knew nothing about creating a website. I used my student email address, though. Some of the early cassettes/CD’s I remember selling were Margot O’Breslin, Junkqueen, and State Of Green. Sales were minimal, and I gave up on the distribution part. I moved back to Cleveland and joined a new band in 1998. We put out a 4 song CD in 1999 and I slapped the Love Muffin logo on it. The only action from around 2000 to 2006 was the release of 2 solo CD’s in 2002 and 2006.

I went back to college in the fall of 2005 and took a class on running a small business. Rejuvenated, I began distributing other bands CD’s again. I created a website and eventually got PayPal. I started trying to find old bands I had met over the past several years to see if they were still active and had current CD’s out. When I say distributing, I mean selling via the website and a printed mail order catalog.

2. What kind of music does the label release?

Anything I like.

3. How many bands call Love muffin home? Name some of the best-known bands on the label.

I currently sell 12 different CD’s. Most of them are different bands, but some are the same band with multiple CD’s. Most are active bands, but some are bands that have disbanded several years ago and had leftover copies of their CD laying around. TiLT 360 out of Youngstown and Skychief out of Akron are my two main bands. I also distribute CD’s by Toledo’s Pacemaker Jane and Cleveland’s Oliver Buck & The New Madrids, Calo, Hollywood Blondes, Mindscape & Drago

4. What are some of the current releases being promoted right now by the label? What releases are going to be released in the near future?

This summer, we will be releasing – not just distributing – new CD’s by TiLT 360 and Skychief. I have known both bands for several years, going back to 1999. I always dug TiLT 360 and tried to get whatever band I was in at the time to play shows with them. Their CD is called Day 11 and is available now. With Skychief, I had heard of them back then but we never actually met. They are the first two bands I thought of when I decided to start distributing CD’s again in 2005. I am really excited to be working with them. Their CD is called Auto Exciter and will be available in September.

TiLT 360 is going to be my main band on the label. In addition to releasing the CD, I will also be doing radio/press promotion for them and booking a small portion of their gigs.

5. How does the label release its music (music formats)?

CD. I haven’t gotten into selling songs digitally. That is something I may delve into in the future.

6. Biggest plans for the future of the label?

In 2007, in partnership with LarryMac at Domain Cleveland, I started putting on concerts featuring some of the bands I distributed. I did 3 of them staggered throughout the year. Some went well, some didn’t go so well. I called them Love Muffin Showcases according to the number – LMS1, LMS2, etc.. The most recent one was early May of this year, LMS4.

In January of this year (2008), the Euclid Tavern reopened. The place has been there for over 50 years, and was in its prime in the 1980’s and 1990’s. It closed in 2001, and I was very pleased to see it reopen. I plan to have several shows there starting in August when the surrounding colleges are back in session. For the summer, I plan to set up a couple shows at the Beachland Tavern. I’m also working on a sampler CD for 2008 which will have 1 song from each of the new releases/additions this year, as well as songs by bands I like that don’t have a CD out yet.

7. Anything you want to add (fill in the blanks here).

I’m always looking for good bands and decent venues .I try to get flat guarantees for payment whenever I can. A band should get paid something even it is gas money. Any interested bands that can draw people, feel free to contact me at info@lovemuffinrecords.com and check out the website www.lovemuffinrecords.com.

Matheson

American Laundromat Seeks New Original Songs By Unsigned Bands

(Press Release) Unsigned Bands Can Earn A Spot On “Songs For Film & TV 2” A Globally Distributed Compilation CD

Mystic, CT - April 30, 2008; American Laundromat Records invites unsigned artists and bands to submit for consideration an original song(s) for an upcoming compilation CD titled “Songs For Film & TV - Volume 2”. The CD will be released on American Laundromat Records and distributed worldwide at retail, online and through iTunes. It will also be sent to hundreds of music supervisors and filmmakers for placement consideration in film and television.

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Rock and Roll Report Podcast #11: A Feature on Fastlane Records

Podcast #11 is our first record label focus and we decided that it was only appropriate that it be Fastlane Records , one of our personal favourites and home to such Rock and Roll Report staples as American Anthem and Annex . We recently sat down with Shawn C. Lane, president of Fastlane for an interview which ended up lasting close to 3 hours and was more of enthusiastic conversation than interview that touched on everything from digital downloads, Cheap Trick and those billion dollar bills that came in every copy of Alice Cooper’s Billion Dollar Babies records “back in the day.” Of course the podcast features a hefty dose of rock and roll from a number of Fastlane Artists both past and present.

You can get more info on Fastlane Records on their website at www.fastlanerecords.com or their MySpace page at www.myspace.com/fastlanerecords .

We hope you enjoyed this indie record label feature on Fastlane Records and there are definitely more in the planning stages. If you liked what you heard, please buy the records, go see the bands live and continue to promote the amazing abundance of rock and roll being made each and every day literally around the world. Don’t forget to email your comments and suggestions to rockandrollreport@gmail.com or leave a voice comment on our comment line at 206-339-3646 .

If you want to subscribe to the podcast, just click either of the links below:

Subscribe to The Rock and Roll Report Podcast

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Rock and Roll Report Blitz: Smallman Records

Winnipeg, Manitoba’s Smallman Records is an amazing indie record label that has championed the little guy since it’s creation in 1997. Founded by Rob Krause and Jason Smith, Smallman has consistently supported bands that were just starting out, acting not only as their record label but taking on management duties for a number of the bands as well.

Check out their MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/smallmanrecords and have a listen to current signings Sick City, Broadway Calls, Sights and Sounds and Daggermouth for a taste of their punk rockin’ sound.

Later.

Mark

The Rock and Roll Report Record Label Focus is on Full Breach Kicks Records

I heard about Full Breach Kicks Records through the Rock and Roll Geek Show and the effect was instantaneous. Within an hour of downloading their label sampler from their Media page I had added the Street Brats’ Destination Nowhere to Monday night’s Rock and Roll Radio playlist and I will probably be including a number of songs on next month’s show and hopefully the podcast as well.

This is a very cool little rock and roll record label and I am both excited and a bit upset that I haven’t discovered them before now. Absolutely first rate rock and roll from a really eclectic selection of bands like The Joneses, Rock ‘n Roll Stormtroopers, Sick Fits and the Soda Pop Kids to name just a few. Download the sampler, play at maximum volume and then order some records from these folks. I can think of no better way to consume a six pack then to have some Full Breach Kicks music blaring on the stereo.

You can check out their MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/fullbreachkicks

Later.

Mark

The Rock and Roll Report Chats with Jeremy Morris of Jam Records

Jeremy Morris is a musician, independent record label owner and a genuinely nice guy. He was kind enough to answer some questions about running a record label, the future of music and maintaining your faith in the sometimes amoral world of rock and roll.

The Rock and Roll Report: How did you get involved in the music field?

Jeremy Morris: I grew up in it. My father is a professional musician to this day. So I had my first band at age 13 and was playing out professionally at a very young age. My father really helped me alot to get the ball rolling.

RRR: Who are your musical heroes and inspirations

JM: For me it really started with the Beatles and Stones. I was totally into their music, but in the later years I would discover a love for a lot of progressive and electronic music too! Groups like Yes, Genesis, Kayak, Gentle Giant, Pink Floyd, Camel, Barclay James Harvest, Tangerine Dream, Kraftwerk, Steve Hillage, Amazing Blondel, Gordon Giltrap, Anthony Phillips, Steve Hackett, Ashra, etc…These bands would carry on where the Beatles left off.

RRR: Tell me a bit about the label. How long its been going, what the mission of it is and what kind of music does Jam Recordings release?

JM: The label went public with official releases in 1984. We pressed up 6000 copies for my first album. A bit ambitious for the time when indie labels were not so common. The mission of the label has always been to put out good music and bring happiness to many people. The styles range from rock, progressive, power pop, electronic, Christian, instrumental, ambient, etc.. If it’s good and I love it, then I will probably release it. I don’t go by what is popular, I go by what I like.

RRR: What kind of distribution does Jam Recordings have? Are you playing in the digital space as well and how?

JM: Jam has world wide distribution with many small indie outlets all over the globe. I find the little guys to be more honest by experience, (While the big boys may move more units, they are less likely to pay you…sad but true) I am still a firm believer in the traditional cd and lp and will continue with that format as long as people want it. I have never downloaded a song. I am not into that at all. I want the full package, the artwork, the lyrics, the information. To me this whole downloading thing is the McDonalds land of fast food music! … and it really hurting the concept of “The album”—A collection of songs that is meant to be listened to as a complete experience.

RRR: With all the doom and gloom in the music industry these days about slumping sales, how do you compete or at least break even in this cut throat world?

JM: I carry on by faith. Of course, I think the industry has always been difficult from day one. I am on a mission to keep making and providing good music because I was made to do that. God has always taken care of me. Somehow it all works out, even though it defies logic, God will provide. The orders come in and I ship out the music. It’s in His hands.

RRR: Your faith is very important to you. I remember the first time I heard “What God Wants” (fantastic song by the way!) I thought it was some kind of metaphor for something else (hey, I’m not too swift!) but it didn’t take me long to realize that the song was about your faith. How do you reconcile your faith with the sometimes crazy, immoral world of rock and roll?

JM: I am glad you like the song! Thanks. I have been criticized for many years by the religious people for being a rock musician. Playing this music has never been a problem for me because I don’t associate it with immorality. People like to blame music for our cultures problems ( but the music is really a mirror of our culture) I have played rock music in bars since I was 15 years old. I never got into drugs, drinking, smoking , or any of that. To me that was of no interest at all. I was there for the music, not the party.

RRR: You have been referred to as one of the hardest working men in rock and roll and you even have a tribute album out dedicated to your music. Why do you do what you do?

JM: I have a conviction that I was born to do this. I have been passionate about music all my life. I would be forsaking my calling if I didn’t do music. One must be true to who they really are.

RRR: The music industry has evolved considerably in the last few years. All this Web 2.0 technology like MySpace and YouTube are giving indie artists better tools to get their music out there to potential fans. What are your thoughts on these developments? How are you as an artist and a record label owner taking advantage of these technologies?

JM: I am a big fan of both MySpace and YouTube. I think it’s a wonderful networking tool for both musicians and music fans. I am working strong on both of these fronts and find that these developments are helping truly independents reach a greater audience than ever before. I have alot of music videos up on YouTube for example. The response has been great!

RRR: What are your near term and long term plans for Jam Records and your music?

JM: I plan to continue releasing as much music on the label as I can. (Both my own and other artists as well) The label is about to release a 3 cd charity set for Hurricane Katrina victims called “Sweet Relief”. The cd has 74 bands from 12 countries around the world. The profits from the release will go to help the poor and the homeless. I am very excited about this project.

I also have a 5 cd career spanning Jeremy Box set coming soon…. 5 cds of original recordings from 1976–2005 called “SONLIGHT” They are also many other projects in the pipeline. I am certainly not bored. I will do as much as I can while I am still here. The best is yet to come.

You can visit the Jam Recording website by going to http://www.jamrecordings.com/ or listen to his music at his MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/jeremyamorris

Later.

Mark

Versailles Records is going to the race track and then plans to hit the skate park

Versailles Records have just announced that they will be releasing Race Track Rock Vol. I/II/III featuring a shitload of bands including One Bad Son and American Heartbreak, both of who have been played on Rock and Roll Report Radio as well as tracks featuring such guitarists as Jake E. Lee and Jimmy Crespo! God I remember when Crespo was playing in Aerosmith when Steve Tyler had no clue where the hell he was but be that as it may, there is a lot of cool looking stuff on the CD and it sounds like a lot of fun.

If that’s not enough, Versailles has also announced Skater Rock Vol. I/II which will be themed around and featuring the best in skateboarding rock and metal. According to their press release

The album will feature material from current/former members of Exodus, Dangerous Toys, Skid Row, Jetboy, Salty Dog, Watchtower, Saigon Kick, Black Sabbath, Dio, Axis, and others. In addition to the aforementioned material, the label is seeking original song submissions from up and coming, signed and unsigned millennium rock and metal bands. Each participating band will receive a photo and bio in the cd booklet, as well as promos. Interested bands should email inquiries to skateboardrock2007@yahoo.com.

Later.

Mark

Cool Record Label Spotlight: Bhurr Records

100% Canadian owned, Bhurr Records is the home to some very cool Canadian bands including two of my personal favorites, Galore and Crash Kelly (who are of to LA to record their new record with Gilby Clarke once again producing).

According to their site, Bhurr Records is most interested “in exploring the Alternative, Garage, Power Pop and last, but by no means least, Rock n Roll genres.” Using just the examples of Crash Kelly and Galore, they are a beacon of quality rock and roll in a field crowded often times crowded with mediocrity. The lable is part of RCD Music, a full service management firm that has “has worked with more than 100 Artists, produced more than 500 events at venues across Canada, licensed music for foreign distribution, placed music in film and television shows and developed corporate marketing programs that bring Bands and Brands together.”

Check out their music store to order any one of their quality releases.

Later.

Mark

Cool Record Label Spotlight: Idol Records

Based out of Dallas, Texas, Idol Records is a very cool record label with bucket loads of attitude and the bands to back it up. When I first heard the Idol Records band The Fags, I instantly became a fan as their Cheap Trick on steroids rock and roll swagger won me over song after song after song. Having recently signed Glen Reynolds to the fold, Idol Records boasts the aforementioned Fags and Reynolds in addition to Black Tie Dynasty, Mitra, PPT, Sponge, Watershed, Flickerstick and more. To whet your appetite, check out these cool MP3s:

The Fags: Truly, Truly

Black Tie Dynasty: I Like U

Mitra: Crucifixed

More can be found on their Audio page or check out their MySpace page for more music.

Later.

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