Yessir, that little Groovies record, and the joyous singles (and albums) (and magazines) Bomp faithfully sent my way throughout the Ford and Carter administrations – while those less fortunate amongst us were stuck listening to the Cars and pondering the fate of J.R., just to put things in their improper hysterical perspective – duly inspired this here Rock and Roll Report-er to start my own fanzine. Then my own band. Then even my own record label! You could say, then, that “You Tore Me Down” single-in-handedly spared me from a life of University study and squarely set me down the road to where I type today.

And then, when Bomp founder / mastermind / domo-major Greg Shaw Himself actually blew my way in early 1978, his raw, unbridled enthusiasm instantly swept aloft all of us riding the then-new Toronto punk wave, in turn inspiring such things as, oh, off the top of my once-buzz-cut scalp, Teenage Head (the band), SCTV (the television show), and possibly even Maggie and Ronnie (the weekend that almost brought down a Canadian Prime Minister, via that guy in the once-Rolling Stones).

So! Just who was this Greg Shaw fella then, you might well be asking?

He was born in San Francisco in 1949, raised on a healthy diet of Elvis, Fats Domino and sci-fi zines, and when not hovering backdoors at the touring Rock ‘n’ Roll Revues of the day could be found not only hanging with such folk as Robert Silverberg and Philip K. Dick, but immortalizing all of his thoughts and adventures of same in a series of crude, mimeographed broadsheets he fearlessly circulated to an ever-growing circle of friends, fans and followers.

Why, he’d soon published over 200 such “fanzines,” as today they’d be called, one of which (entitled Entmoot, an early Tolkien epistle) even earned him a write-up in the Saturday Evening Post! But lest Greg end up just another Trekkie-in-training, come 1966 he happened upon a nearby street-corner labeled “Haight” and “Ashbury.” Talk about yer crossroads: needless to say the next Shaw fanzine, Mojo-Navigator Rock & Roll News, became no less than the socio-musical template upon which another local rag, Rolling Stone, was soon to be intrinsically based.

Too bad. As usual, Greg was there first. But the scene, and the spoils, went Jann Wenner’s way. Drat!

Blueprint ruthlessly high-jacked, but energy and enthusiasm stubbornly unbowed, Greg by the Seventies had joined that elite-and-then-some tiny circle of scribes (alongside such hallowed personages as Ed Ward, Nick Kent, and – pause for reverence – Lester Bangs) who not only knew, but actually wrote about such things as Raw Power and the still-New York Dolls …and in publications that us fellow music addicts could actually unearth and devour at the neighborhood newsstand! Consequently, Greg’s newest publication – and soon label – Bomp! quickly found a rabid, wide-eared audience which truly transcribed the globe …and then some. And it should also be remembered right about here that for most of the musical events now considered pivotal during this era (very roughly speaking? the first Nuggets album, the creation of the Runaways, and the Sex Pistols’ first paying gig) Shaw was There. No, not Malcolm McLaren. Not even Kim Fowley. And CERTAINLY not Rolling Stone. No. It was Greg Shaw.

Lest those ill-informed now be wont to cast all things Bomp onto the nostalgia heap alongside “I Hate Pink Floyd” t-shirts and Sid Vicious EP’s, here’s a short-list of just some of the bands Greg helped bring to our attention in those long years since that oh-so-fateful Summer of Hate. Ready?

Devo, The Plimsouls, The Romantics, The Barracudas, The Shoes, The Soft Boys, Black Flag, Redd Kross, The Pandoras, The Chesterfield Kings, Bad Religion, Lazy Cowgirls, Ray Campi, Spacemen 3, Ant Bee, Brian Jonestown Massacre, The Black Keys.

OK then: some names therein you may not be intimately familiar with, but each and every one of ‘em are without a doubt acts which have proven, and shall continue to prove, instrumental in laying groundwork for most every pop ‘n’ rock genre-du-jour (ie: Goth, Grunge, Hardcore, Rave, Industrial, alt. C&W, Power Pop, insert your own pigeonhole here). And once again, each and every one of those acts, to varying degrees, owe their influence – not to mention their initial recording contracts – to, do we note a pattern developing here, Greg Shaw.

Closing words? They should really belong to The Man Himself. Listen closely, all of you (especially those who deign to nurture musical talent in whatever capacity yourselves). For here was a man who knew of what he spoke:

“I guess I’d most like Bomp to be remembered as a label utterly dedicated to the people who care most about music: the fans and collectors. I think it comes down to the fact that Bomp is an outgrowth of my love for music. Where many would view it as a marginal business that barely breaks even, I prefer to see it as a hobby that’s profitable enough to allow me to build my life around it. The opportunity to make more money elsewhere has never once tempted me – but it has drawn many talented people AWAY from this business.

“But we’re still here, doing what we want, on our own terms, answering to nobody, dealing with people in an old-fashioned “mom and pop” kind of way. It’s a satisfying life that I’d never trade for, say, David Geffen’s.

“If nothing else, maybe we’ve set an example that might offer an alternative to this increasingly corporate, impersonal society. Or maybe not. At least we’ve had a good time trying…

“…and we’re not done yet.”

Greg Shaw passed away five years ago, October 19th.

http://www.bomp.com

http://www.GaryPigGold.com

In the late spring of 2010, Versailles Records will release ‘Time Warp: A Metal Tribute to the Rocky Horror Picture Show’, which will feature metal renditions of the full film soundtrack, featuring current/former members of Lillian Axe, Fuel, Mountain, Steelheart, Megadeth, Alice Cooper Band, Black Sabbath, My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult, Pigface, Macabre, Ozzy Osbourne Band, L.A. Guns, Warrant, the Cro Mags, Kiss, Badlands, and others to be announced. The Tribute will additionally include a bonus CD entitled ‘Horror Rock Vol. 1/2′, featuring original bands whose sound could include any variety of Industrial Metal, Death Metal, Goth Metal, Rocky Horror-esque tribute band (with original music), Black/Progressive Metal, Rocktronica (i.e. Rob Zombie, etc), Punk-Rock, Post-Punk, or any other genre of hard rock or metal with a darker theme to the song/sound. Interested groups in the bonus sampler should email a myspace link to horrorrock09@yahoo.com.

RRR: How long has the label been around?

The first Perris Records release was my band CHERRY ST. 1992. The band broke up in 1993 and I started doing Perris Records full time as a job.

How did it get started?

It started because of me doing the band business and I set up distro through Important/Relativity records distroed our Cherry St. 3 song tape that sold over 8000 tapes. So we started our own label to release our music to have 100% control over the business.

Once the band broke up I just started signing bands and it grew from there.

RRR: What kind of music does the label release?

Hard rock and melodic rock and glam.

RRR: How many bands call Perris Records home?

I’ve had well over 150 bands since I started.

RRR: Name some of the best-known bands on the label.

Roxx Gang, L.A. Guns, Helix, Enuff Z’nuff, Stephen Pearcy, Bang Tango all of these were on major labels in the past.

RRR: What are some of the current releases being promoted right now by the label?

Dynazty (Sweden), XXX (Sweden), Seventh Rize (USA), Dirty Looks (USA), I sign many bands from Sweden as there are great music writers there.

RRR: What releases are going to be released in the near future?

Next release now won’t be till Jan. and Feb. of 2010 I’m promote and work the releases for 6 months before signing and new bands.

RRR: How does the label release its music (music formats)?

CDs and digital

RRR: Biggest plans for the future of the label?

Pushing bands in my newspaper and TV show ROCKNATION.

RRR: The industry is going through some trying times with CD sales dropping. How does Perris deal with this?

I started my own newspaper and TV show. The TV show is nationwide on Time Warner/Comcast and other cable networks in many major cities more details below. I don’t have to rely on anybody else as I created my own network to promote my bands.

RRR: What sets Perris apart from other labels?

I don’t know of any labels that have a TV show or newspaper

RRR: What should rock and roll fans know when checking out your bands?

It is just great music that gives you energy when you listen to it.

RRR: Do you accept demo submissions from bands? They can send me a myspace link first before sending anything.

I actually find most of the bands with my worldwide network of people I know. Since I started Rocknation I get hundreds of bands a day I don’t have time to check them all out. Almost every band I’ve signed has been because they knew somebody I know and checked them out because they were recommended.

RRR: Anything you want to add?

Here are the details of Rocknation and RockNation TV:

ROCKNATION TV

Rocknation TV is a weekly 30-minute metal program featuring videos such as Halford, Devil Driver, Lamb Of God, Jetboy, Megadeth & more. The TV show is online and aired nationwide on Time Warner, Comcast, Service Electric and Charter Communications. Some of the cities airing the show include Manhattan-NY, Houston-TX, Anaheim-CA, Chicago-IL, Austin-TX, Denver-CO, Atlanta-GA, Cleveland-OH, Dallas-TX and Sacramento-CA.

Rocknation TV has had exclusive TV interviews with Judas Priest, Shinedown, Duff McKagan’s Loaded, Buckcherry, Heaven and Hell, Blue October, Testament, Deep Purple, Black Stone Cherry, Static X, Halestorm, Saliva, Story Of The Year, MXPX, Dream Theater and more.

ROCKNATION FREE MUSIC NEWSPAPER

Planned circulation is: 100,000 copies

ISSUE 13 will feature a exclusive interview with SAMMY HAGAR regarding his new band CHICKENFOOT. Also LOADED featuring DUFF MCKAGAN, Swedens newest rock sensation DYNAZTY, ROCK ON THE RANGE feature with SHINEDOWN, BLUE OCTOBER, SALIVA, STATIC X, ALL THAT REMAINS, HOOBASTANK, FRAMING HANLEY, ROYAL BLISS and more.

Rocknation is a free music newspaper which features notable names and up and coming artist the music scene. Past issues have had interviews with Judas Priest, Buckcherry, Linkin Park, 3 Doors Down, Halford, Disturbed, Hinder, Seether, Three Days Grace, Lamb Of God, Lit, Joe Perry, Shinedown, Puddle Of Mudd, Finger Eleven, Shadows Fall, Machine Head, Symphony X, Black Tide, Devil Driver, Nightwish, Heaven And Hell, Enuff Z’Nuff, Dirty Looks, Chimaira, Queensryche, Clutch, Otep, Hellyeah, Testament, Triumph, Sebastian Bach, Warrant and members of Black Sabbath, AC/DC, Dio, Megadeth, Dokken, David Lee Roth and Alice Cooper. ‘Rocknation’ has featured exclusive concert photos of Foo Fighters, Linkin Park, Hinder, Papa Roach, Buckcherry, Evanescence, Stone Temple Pilots, Dragonforce, Mudvayne, Saliva, Trivium and Alice Cooper

http://www.perrisrecords.com/

Rock and Roll Report: How long has the label been around? How did it get started?

Ivan Pena: I formed MBR in March 2008 out of need. I got tired of waiting for a label to come discover my band, so I put my business and marketing knowledge to work.

RRR: What kind of music does the label release?

IP: So far our releases have been Alternative and Rock mostly, but we hope to expand into Jazz and Hip Hop soon. It is my opinion that a label should never limit itself to a genre. I try to keep a Tony Wilson in “24 Hour Party People” approach in that MBR is an experiment in human nature and creativity. But we have contracts.

RRR: How many bands call Mohawk Bomb home? Name some of the best-known bands on the label.

IP: We have 2 types of bands: roster bands (Soulfound, The Redlight Stare, Rise of Saturn, Ascending to Avalon) and compilation bands (among them 900 Pound Gorilla, Drew Street Mary and Bull Lee). We are mostly working with local bands trying to build up the profile of their music scenes.

RRR: 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?

IP: Our Spring releases were Soulfound “Live at Zen Recording” EP and our No Lip Vol. 2 compilation. In the summer, we hope to have a release from Ascending to Avalon and from Rise of Saturn, plus I have begun working on No Lip Vol. 3. Bands can submit to be on No Lip Vol. 3 through Sonicbids: http://www.sonicbids.com/nolipvol3

Also, The Redlight Stare is working on recording and releasing 1 song per day for the entire month of May, but we are not sure if that will fly yet. We are working out logistics and how to monetize it.

RRR: How does the label release its music (music formats)?

IP: We usually press at least 1,000 CDs to send to press and to use as giveaways and incentives for people to come to shows/CD release events. Our bands are trying to take advantage of the digital revolution as much as possible. We offer distribution on iTunes, Napster, Amazon, etc…

RRR: Biggest plans for the future of the label?

IP: To make Tampa Bay into the “Austin of the East” through our releases, bi-monthly showcases and innovative promotions strategies.

RRR: The industry is going through some trying times with CD sales dropping. How does Mohawk Bomb deal with this?

IP: Going digital helps cut costs, but thankfully our artists still sell CDs at shows. This has not impacted us as much as we have not had a big revenue stream from CDs. They are usually giveaways for us. Our revenues are low right now, but we are still developing our business plan and have big plans for 2009.

RRR: What sets Mohawk Bomb apart from other labels? What should rock and roll fans know when checking out your bands?

IP: Mohawk Bomb Records is a new kind of records label, focused on sharing all music with the World using social networking and Web 2.0 technologies. Also, we are an artist-centric promotions and advertising house designed to help new and unsigned artists spread the word about their music. We are driven to succeed on our own terms and bring new texture to the bland pourage that is the pop music sonicscape. We believe in 1) open communication 2) transparent accounting 3) using technology to drive music distribution and 4) reinvesting in our bands. Our motto is “Enjoy. Share.”

RRR: Do you accept demo submissions from bands?

IP: Always. For info on how to do this, go to http://mohawkbomb.com/about/

RRR: Cool name! What’s the story behind it? Can you even tell it? LOL

IP: Not much of a story. When I was brainstorming for names, I wanted something punchy and unique. I was hanging with my buddy Shane from Knowing Stu (band) and he had a mohawk and I was like… “what about… Mohawk Spike…. Mohawk Blast… Mohawk BOMB!”. I did want to call is “No Lip Records” but the .com was taken.

RRR: Anything you want to add.

IP: We are currently working on a South by Southwest style conference in Tampa in June called the “Homemade Music Symposium”. If it goes according to plan, it will be the biggest and best represented music conference to ever happen in Tampa Bay. I will be part of panels, we will have a demo listening session and 2 or 3 venue showcases. Please visit the website www.artistsandwritersgroup.com for more information.
RRR: Thanks Ivan!

IP: Thanks!

http://mohawkbomb.com/

Versailles Records is excited to announce the release of ‘Rock & Roll Train: A Millennium Tribute to AC/DC,’ due in the fall of 2009 in stores nationwide. The record will feature current/former members of the Alice Cooper Band, Guns N’ Roses, Dangerous Toys, Lillian Axe, Circle Jerks, Fuel, Steelheart, Heart, Michael Shanker Group, Warrant, LA Guns, White Lion, MC5, Slash’s Snakepit, Mountain, and others to be announced shortly. The tribute also features a bonus CD Sampler featuring millennium rock/metal bands influenced by AC/DC who sound derivatively alike or similar to AC/DC in some manner (be it songwriting, vocal range, riffs, etc) performing an original song. Interested bands should email acdctribute09@yahoo.com with a myspace or related web link.

Later in life, after I had absorbed tons of music from the so-called “big names” in soul music I had started searching more obscure artists out. Each name led to another. Al Green led to Willie Mitchell and his other Hi Records acts, Stax led to Muscle Shoals which led to Eddie Hinton and tons of others – tons of obscure soul artists who made music that would rip your heart out it was so good. When I was young these records were very hard to find, almost impossible – until rap came along. Now, I love all kinds of music but there’s little about rap I can stomach. The one good thing about rap is that the real good DJ’s and crate diggers used obscure soul samples that made soul fans like myself want to dig up the original records and listen to them. Smart record labels realized there were more people like me and thankfully started reissuing old soul by the bushel full. Now, thanks equally to the great reissue labels and the internet, these formerly rare releases are a lot easier to find. Dusty Groove is one of these great reissue labels. Already they have reissued about thirty very hard-to-find essential rare groove soul releases that are must hears for any true soul fans. The two I have chosen for this review are a couple of the best (and my personal faves) from that big batch: Ronnie McNeir and Johnny Pate!

A self-taught piano player from his teens onward, McNeir left Detroit for California and musical fame and fortune. Picking up a job as a church keyboard player, McNeir eventually met former Motown star Kim Weston who allowed him to use her studio to record his first album, the self-titled Ronnie McNeir, which Dusty Groove America has just re-released. On the strength of this album, McNeir was eventually signed with Motown and released one album for that label and several more decent but poorly-selling albums over the next thirty-plus years. In between his sporadic solo albums, McNeir also became a respected session musician, songwriter, producer and served as the musical director for The Four Tops for many years. A true R&B journeyman, McNeir has nonetheless carved out a niche for himself that has led to him being involved with several decent hits for other artists while maintaining his own separate career which has made him a marketable commodity in Europe, if not famous in the US. Hopefully the re-release of his very first album will rectify that and put McNeir in a loftier echelon. Probably won’t, but the music business is never fair is it? This album is so widely loved because it’s more like a concept album than a collection of songs, though it is definitely the latter but McNeir’s talent at sequencing and flair for adding little interludes to make the songs flow make it seem like a cohesive work. Only 22 when the album was recorded, McNeir’s keyboard prowess and sweet tenor was in full effect and the songs show a maturity much older than his chronological years. The only thing the album lacks is a snappy single, the album possibly too smooth for it’s own good, though the crate-diggers and deep soul fans know how good it really is and have kept the demand for original vinyl copies high (as is their price when auctioned). Thank God Dusty Groove America have seen fit to make this available on CD for the first time. Though no one would consider this the best soul album ever, there is very much to love about this album and one listen will tell why it is held in such high regard by soul freaks.

Pate had a childhood filled with music, learning the piano and tuba as a child and eventually learning to play bass and arrange music while serving in the Army. Following up his term of service with more service, this time for bandleaders Coleridge Davis and Stuff Smith in the late ’40’s, Pate eventually signed with the Federal label and scored a decent hit for them in 1957 with the song Swinging Shepherd Blues under the name of The Johnny Pate Quintet. On the strength of this hit, Pate was lured away from Federal by the Okeh label, who signed him to write arrangements for their roster of artists. Soon, Pate was working with Curtis Mayfield and The Impressions and helped them with several singles, the most notable being Keep On Pushing in 1964. The label heads liked what they were hearing and the money they were counting and promoted Pate to head of A&R in the label’s newly-opened Chicago office. While singing acts like The Marvelows and Betty Everett, Pate’s work with Mayfield and The Impressions continued with hits like People Get Ready, Women’s Got Soul, We’re A Winner – and many, many others. By the end of the ’60’s, Mayfield had hired Pate to work for the Curtom Label where he stayed until 1972 when he left to work freelance for other artists/labels and movie soundtracks. Pate has worked with tons of heavyweights on sessions ranging from blues to soul to pop and all the while releasing solo albums throughout his career, of which his 1970 release Outrageous is probably the best – bridging the gap between Pate’s early big-band and orchestral experiences with his later years spent toiling as one of soul music’s most prolific arrangers. The music is written, arranged and produced by Pate, who was required to record at least one album under his own name by MGM while working for the label. Knowing some of the best session players in soul music, Pate called a bunch of them in on this recording: drummer Bernard Purdie, guitarists Joe Beck and Cornell Dupree, bassist Chuck Rainey – to name but a few of the ringers on this great album. Using a thirteen piece orchestra to create his musical magic, Pate delivers a masterstroke of R&B and jazz, using the players perfectly and exquisitely and making the album his own despite not playing a note on it himself. Quincy Jones would give his soul to create an album this good and Pate makes it seem so easy, each flute or sax solo perfect, the electric guitars creating stabbing rhythms or scintillatingly funky leads, Purdie playing hit kit as if it was to be his last session. You simply must hear this for yourself. I thought I had a soul collection until I heard this album and realized it wasn’t shit without Outrageous in it.

I thank God for labels and websites like Dusty Groove whose faithful employess work tirelessly to seek out and re-release the best of America’s obscure soul music. There are so many great artists who never got their due yet who made music just as good and deep and soulful as any of the well-known acts who sold tons of records and received massive amounts of airplay. These are but two of them. I am sure you know about some yourself. Keep the faith and until your faves get their props, check out these releases and many more from Dusty Groove and “dance until the world gets right”. Or something like that.

http://www.dustygroove.com/

Scott

Rock and Roll Report: How long has the label been around? How did it get started?

RBR: Red Blue Records began May 31st 2006 as a vehicle for Gone Baby Gone, the band of its founder, Mike Krilivsky. It has since grown into a multi-band label and booking company.

RRR: What kind of music does the label release?

RBR: Red Blue releases everything from pop-punk (Phone Calls From Home, Gone Baby Gone) to riff-heavy screamo (Ice Nine Kills).

RRR: How many bands call Red Blue Records home? Name some of the best-known bands on the label.

RBR: There are currently five bands signed (including Ice Nine Kills, Phone Calls From Home, The Venetia Fair, Lannen Fall, and Brunswick), though this year will see will see rapid and exciting expansion to the Red Blue Records roster.

RRR: 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?

RBR: Ice Nine Kills recently released a 7-song EP called “The Burning”. Phone Calls From Home also recently released their own 6-song self-titled EP. Both bands are currently working on full-lenghts due out in June 09!

RRR: How does the label release its music (music formats)?

RBR: Red Blue Records artists release music in both physical CDs and Digital formats (itunes, etc.).

RRR: Biggest plans for the future of the label?

RBR: The theme for the future of Red Blue seems to be “going national”. Not only will there be signings of artists from beyond the New England area, but Red Blue will expand through national partnerships. Some big things that Red Blue Records and our artists are up to: Taste of Chaos, SXSW, Bamboozle, Warped Tour, tours w/ some well known bands like Paramore, Underoath, The Almost, Saosin.

RRR: The industry is going through some trying times with CD sales dropping. How does Red Blue deal with this?

RBR: CD sales are still 75% of the business, so they are still a large percentage. However, as mentioned, they are dropping and new revenue streams are rising – like digital. It’s very hard to compete, so you have to work hard for your money!

RRR: What sets Red Blue apart from other labels? What should rock and roll fans know when checking out your bands?

RBR: Unlike other labels, Red Blue Records is completely dedicated to the music and letting the artists determine what is best for their band, whether it be non-stop touring, or taking time off to develop as musicians. Rock and roll fans should know that though Red Blue Records may seem distant and small by comparison to other labels, it does whatever it can to reach out to fans through extensive touring (nationwide tours, the Vans Warped Tour), Myspace and an online merchandise store, and even locally promoted multi-band festivals (like Ragefest)!

RRR: Do you accept demo submissions from bands?

RBR: Red Blue Records is always open to new music, and will (and does) absolutely accept demo submissions from bands – now only in the form of internet myspace link and press sheet (we are going green and saving the environment!!!)

RRR: Anything significant about the name?

RBR: The colors Red and Blue mean music for life – what I’ve always wanted!

RRR: Anything you want to add?

RBR: Sure – we signed an amazing band today – The Venetia Fair (myspace.com/thevenetiafair)! Please congratulate these guys on their myspace and welcome the most diverse band on the label! They sound like Panic on the Disco’s 1st record on Acid – or even the first record The Used or the first record My Chemical Romance ….except even more interesting! I’m very pumped about TVF!

We also proudly represent our sponsors – rentgreenvans.com – FUZE Beverage – Rockstar Energy Drink – Guitar Mangan Guitar Strings – Silverfox Drumsticks

Also, everyone always asks if we need interns and what to do. If you would like to gain more knowledge of the music industry, help a growing label become bigger, be part of a great team, please email: jess@redbluerecords.com with your resume!

http://www.redbluerecords.com/
http://www.myspace.com/redbluerecords

Rock and Roll Report: How long has the label been around? How did it get started?

Mark MacDougall: The label has just celebrated it’s third year. In that time we have done 56 releases. We started back in 2001 with the music review site (www.75orLess.com). We receive about 1,200 submissions per year and we were getting some great music by bands who had no means of getting their music heard by more people. We also were seeing a ton of great bands in Providence. It finally hit us that we would be helping out all the bands with more exposure by combining all of them on one label.

RRR: What kind of music does the label release?

MM: Punk, indie, noise, experimental, singer songwriter, rock, electronic and anything else that sounds interesting and original. We do not stick to genres but we know good stuff when we hear it.

RRR: How many bands call 75orLess Records home?

MM: There are about 40 bands with their own releases and we have released three compilations with almost 100 different bands between them.

RRR: Name some of the best-known bands on the label.

MM: For the most part, all of our bands are equally unknown.

RRR: What are some of the current releases being promoted right now by the label?

MM: We have put out twelve releases since October and the promo copies were just mailed out this week. These include Six Star General, The Inclined, Nate Laban, The Diggers, the No Qualms 2XCD compilation, Alien Father, Coma Coma, Nathan Xander, Gunataard and MW Ensemble. Nature/Nurture, Minky Starshine came out the last week in January 2009.

RRR: What releases are going to be released in the near future?

MM: The Propellers “2″, Coma Coma “Live at Jake’s”, von Doom “The Descender” will all be out by the end of March.

RRR: How does the label release its music (music formats)?

MM: We stick to compact disc and digital distribution.

RRR: Biggest plans for the future of the label?

MM: No real big plans, just to keep building the roster with bands who could use the exposure.

RRR: The industry is going through some trying times with CD sales dropping. How does 75orLess deal with this?

MM: Let’s face it, the music industry was in trouble before the economy collapsed. The smart bands and labels have adjusted the typical release structure to include pre-orders with bonus tracks and lower prices. If there has been a benefit to fans of music, it’s that bands are realizing they may need to perform more live shows to make as much money as they used to.

We have realistic expectations for the label no illusions about how much money we make each month – which is to say, very little. We consider ourselves lucky to all have regular jobs to pay the bills and do not rely on the label profits to put food in our mouths.

RRR: What sets 75orLess apart from other labels?

MM: We offer lower prices, numbered limited copies of our releases, screenprinted jackets and we host live showcases with 3-4 bands every month in Providence for less than a five dollar cover charge.

RRR: What should rock and roll fans know when checking out your bands?

MM: Most of the bands are knocking out their recordings in very small amounts of time and are extremely passionate about making music.

RRR: Do you accept demo submissions from bands?

MM: All the time. Most of them come into our hands because they want to be reviewed but sometimes we write them back about doing a release.

RRR: What is the story about the name 75 or Less?

MM: We took the name from our music review website, writing all of our music reviews in 75 words or less.

RRR: Anything you want to add?

MM: Send your music to

75orLess Music
23 Laurel Lane
Warren, RI 02885.

Don’t ask us for money, we have none.

http://www.75orlessrecords.com/