New York Music Review

A band with a terrible review responds-

2010-11-19T06:56:00.000-08:00

A band with a terrible review responds-
You might ask, what happens when a band gets a bad review and responds?
Well. This...
First read the review-http://www.yourband.info/index.php?q=node/134
Then read the responsehttp://www.yourband.info/index.php?q=node/137

Reasons Your Band Should Break Up- Top Ten

2010-09-09T11:28:00.001-07:00

Reasons Your Band Should Break Up- Top Ten

Everyone who plays guitar, drums or bass have been in a band at one time or another. Most of these bands suck. Really suck. Maybe you are in a band and you want to know if you should break up. Here is a list of the top ten reasons your band should break up. If any of these apply to you; call it quits.

1. If you play any of these songs: Wild thing, sweet home Alabama, or Louie Louie. now don't get me wrong. These songs are actually pretty good songs. However, they are simple songs to play. There are thousands of songs that your band could pick to play. If you picked one of the easiest songs ever written then you must suck. Quit now before you mention Jimi Hendrix.

2. Your last three shows were for your friends in your basement: Your friends don't really want to hear you play. They never do. EVER. They may say "you're great" and come to your shows, but they don't like your music. In fact your girlfriend called me last night and she doesn't even like your music. She thought it was cute when you first started dating but now she wishes you spent less time promoting your crap band. Quit now before she dumps you and starts dating that insurance sales guy who makes 6 figures and goes to the gym.

3. You have ever said "we are unique": you are not. Seriously, someone else has done exactly what you are doing 1000 times before you and they did it better. You are not reinventing the wheel here. Calling yourself unique just means you can't play. Go home, have a good cry and set your guitar on fire.

4. Your mom comes to your shows: Heck, I love your mom too but leave her out of it. If your mom is coming to your shows then you must be pretty desperate for fans to fill that venue you are playing at. Drugged out dads are ok though.

6. You have kids: Once you have had kids you give up your right to be a rocker. if you mention John Lennon had a kid when he was in the beatles well... he kept that fact a secret. SOOO, if 99 percent of the people who know you have no clue you have kids, you can be in a band. Oh, and that world's best dad coffee mug is on backorder.

7. If your band switches instruments during your set: OH how I hate this. you are basically saying; this guy wasn't good enough to learn this part so we need to switch. Switching instruments is like having an open relationship; It might sound like a good idea but really it is just a sign of other problems.

8. If you Google your band name and the first link is not you: You could have just picked a new name but if you were not smart enough to figure it out until now... please put down the guitar and walk away.

9 and 10. you are over 35: You are old. get it into your head.

http://www.yourband.info
local music forum
music
best site ever

How To Get More Fans To Like Your Bands Facebook Page

2010-08-31T07:13:00.001-07:00

How to get more fans on your bands Facebook page.

Facebook is the highest visited website in the United States. Capturing these people to become fans of your bands Facebook page is a great way to get your music to more people. There are a few very good tricks to getting more fans to like your bands Facebook page. Some are fairly simple and you may already be doing them. Other strategies are a little more time consuming. In the end, the key to getting more people to like your bands Facebook page is effort.

Suggest your Facebook page to your friends- The first step is simple but is key. You need to suggest your Facebook page to all your personal friends. Depending on how many friends your personal Facebook page has, you will get around only 100 people by doing this.

Set up a personal Facebookpage for your band- You will not want to crowd up your personal Facebook page with 1000 friends so set up a 2nd account. Use this account to add people (don't over add or Facebook will ban you). Use this account to suggest your bands Facebook page to more fans!

Link your twitter account to your facebook account- If you do not have twitter, sign up now. You can link your Facebook account to your twitter account. This will post all updates across platforms.

Join Facebook groups- there are a ton of Facebook groups. JOIN THEM. Search for Facebook groups for adding fans, join those groups.

Put a link to you Facebook page on your Website- Does your band have a website? maybe sure that your bands website has a link to your Facebook page asking people to become a fan of it.

Post status updates asking people to suggest your band- fans of your bands web page can be your greatest asset. Post ever few weeks asking your fans to suggest your bands Facebook page to their friends. A good idea is to say something like, "We have 1450 fans. Once 1500 fans like our Facebookwe will give a secret prize!!!" This Prize could be a newly recorded song, free tickets to a show, or a picture. Anything! Just be creative.

There are a million other things you can do but these simple steps will help your Facebookpage get more fans!

new website looking for local bands to feature

2010-07-13T07:16:00.001-07:00

take a look at http://www.yourband.info They are a new social networking site for bands. They are looking to feature a few local bands. if you are interested, go to http://www.yourband.info and contact them via their contact page. You get free promotion for your band. Give it a try!

HOW TO EFFECTIVELY PROMOTE YOUR BAND’S GIGS IN BOSTON

2010-05-07T06:11:00.001-07:00

HOW TO EFFECTIVELY PROMOTE YOUR BAND’S GIGS IN BOSTON
(and in other markets)

Greetings Bands/Artists, Dan Millen here. As a talent buyer / Promoter, I get tons of questions on how to effectively promote your band. I’ve developed this document to assist you and myself in developing YOUR band. Please check your ego and rely on the years of practice I’ve had. I know these nuggets of wisdom work, I’ve seen them work, and they’ll work for you if you are ready to achieve. Remember that It is not lack of information that causes bands/artists not to achieve, it’s lack of
followthrough. We all have the same info, and after you read this you will be chock full of new info so now there’s no excuse not to achieve results! Get ready to FOLLOWTHROUGH! This document and its companion documents are copyright 2004 by Dan Millen. Disseminate and post at will, but always be cool and give me the credit. The principles in this document, though they are Boston-centric, are universal, so start here, but keep your eye on growth. Companion documents to this one are Bostonmedia.doc and for those of you who wish to dig a bit deeper – see the end of this document for info on getting advice you can trust, and hiring a publicist and promoter who’ll get you results and not run away with your money.

SO – YOU’VE BOOKED A SHOW IN BOSTON, NOW WHAT?
Before we get to actually promoting your shows, as a young band you need to understand that you must SPACE OUT YOUR PLAYS. YOU CAN NOT PLAY THIS MARKET ONCE A WEEK OR ONCE EVERY 2 WEEKS. By market, I mean Boston / Cambridge / Somerville / Brighton /Allston / JP – anywhere where the same group of people would be expected to go see your band. You should put 3 weeks between gigs, preferably 4+ and when you get to be a big draw you willw ant to put 8-12 weeks between plays. Additionally, only list THE NEXT GIG on your webpage,in your emails, and in any snail mail or press releases you put out. “But Dan, I want everyone to know we are playing a bunch of gigs” you say – tough – if you want to see a bunch of gigs listed
on your webpage and in your emails, go book Worcester, providence, Burlington VT, NYC, etc. Why, you ask - If you give your fans the impression that they can just see you in a couple weeks someplace else, you'll split your draw and start to dilute each gig you play. You'll start to hear things like "Well, i just saw you last week, I was tired and I figured I'll see you guys in a couple
weeks at tt's anyway..." or “I didn’t wanna miss Survivor or Friends” or some other silly bullpoopyexcuse like that.

You want EVERY FAN to come see you EVERY TIME you play, and therefore you MUST
PROMOTE EVERY SHOW LIKE IT’S THE ONLY SHOW. We promoters know this, and there’s
no surer way to piss off a promoter than to play too often and dilute your market.
The principle that sums all of this up that you need to understand:
If you do not promote your shows, nobody will come to them. If nobody
comes to them, you aren’t going to get another shot. Period, if you book a show you must do EVERYTHING WITHIN YOUR POWER TO GET PEOPLE TO PAY TO SEE YOU. From the promoter or club’s point of view, you are not playing shows because you make good music, you are playing shows so that you can draw fans and sell
beer and tickets for the venue. If you happen to pack the place and you are a great band as well, so much the better. We always hope that’s the case, but it ain’t always, so get over yourself and understand that this is a business. The business is fueled by tickets and booze. Get this ingrained in your head, and your shows will be a lot more successful and you’ll start getting more
of them.

What does doing Everything within your power to get people to pay to see you entail?
1. Personal interaction with friends and fans

a. You and all of your band members must become SHAMELESS SELF
PROMOTION MACHINES. Invite everyone you know and bust their chops to
come see your shows. Make flyers with show info on them, and hand them to
total strangers, cute girls/boys, go to parties with flyers in hand, go to other
shows at the venue you are playing and talk with fans of other bands. Get
creative. People will think you are cool because you play in a band and you are
playing a cool club where people want to go. (note – do not openly pass out
flyers for another venue inside a competing venue, it’s tacky and shows a lack of
class, most places will kick you out for that, so don’t do it)

b. TEASER DISCS – One of the smartest things you can do for your band is to take
your 2 or 3 best songs and burn a huge quantity of teaser cds. They are cheap
and really effective. Make sure you put your webpage and contact info on every
one of them. You may as well use them as demos. Carry 8 or 10 of them with
you wherever you go, with a show flyer inserted in the sleeve, c’mon, this is what
being a shameless self promoter is all about. Send 50 of them to every venue
you are playing with show info marked on them or flyers inserted in them for your
upcoming show. Joe or Jane at the club grabs one, takes it home, likes what she
hears and winds up at your show. Ding Ding you won!

c. EMAIL – send all your friends and fans regular email announcements about
upcoming gigs, evites, etc. Make them hip and easy to read, and PUT EVERY
LAST BIT OF INFO ABOUT THE SHOW. Age time cover, club address etc…
don’t assume that people know where the club is. Always put your band name in
the subject line so that they know whom it’s from. Otherwise people will think it’s
spam and delete it.

d. GET YOUR FANS TO WORK FOR YOU – Develop ‘fan reps’ – offer your most
committed fans free admission to your shows in exchange for passing out flyers
in their dorms, to their friends etc. Give them all teaser cds, have them post
messages on other band’s message boards, have them email mp3s to their
friends – get a cult of personality brewing to help push you forward. This is
powerful shit if you can get it happening. Someplace in each of your emails
should be a “Do you wanna help out” section with info on how to get in touch with
you to become a fan rep. Guster is a classic example of a band who developed
the fan rep system across the nation and built it into a huge career. This works
for ALL STYLES OF MUSIC, so don’t give me that “we’re nothing like Guster”
crapola.

2. THE NUTS AND BOLTS OF SHOW PROMOTION

a. POSTERS/FLYERS/TEASERS AND OTHER PROMO MATERIAL – Make a
powerful, goodlooking poster and send a dozen of them to the venue with your
date marked on them (the guy putting the posters up may not be the guy who
booked the date, so don’t assume he has the right info, put the date on your
posters before you send them), along with flyers and teaser discs – THERE IS
NO GREATER WAY TO SAY TO A CLUB THAT YOU CARE ABOUT PACKING
THEIR ROOM THAN BY SENDING THEM PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS AS
SOON AS YOU CONFIRM THE SHOW!

b. POSTERING – Bear in mind that it is unlawful in the city of Boston and
Cambridge to stick your posters up on public property and nonsanctioned private
property, punishable by a $300 fine per incident which you will surely pay. BUT –
There are plenty of legal locations, record stores, coffee shops, lifestyle locations
where you can put posters up, leave flyers and teasers around. Do it smart and
do it legal.

c. PRESS – Being a young band, it’s less than likely that you will get top notch
press in the Boston Globe, Herald, or Phoenix, but there are many outlets for
getting press (see bostonmedia.doc) and as you grow, your pressworthiness will
grow with you so you want to start early in getting the press to know you - Ask
the promoter/booking agent for their Media List and work it! When working
press, make sure you have an electronic bio, color jpegs, high resolution, and
have it easily accessible – many bands do this by posting them up on their
webpages, a very good idea. Be patient and don’t let those press bastards get
you down, be cool if you get rejected, but keep bugging them for lovin.

d. RADIO – See bostonmedia.doc - Boston has a ton of college radio stations that
will play your music – in addition – depending on what style of music you play –
many commercial stations like WBCN, WFNX, WBOS, WXRV, and WAAF have
local and unsigned band specialty shows. The DJs who host those shows are
very selective about what they play, so make sure your demo is good before you
send. If your demo sounds like crap, chances are you won’t get love. Do some
research and know what shows you are pitching to, you don’t wanna send a
metal CD to the folk show. DJ’s like it when you listen to their shows, so if you
know what they are spinning, makes you look cool. You should encourage the
stations who are spinning your music to give away tickets to the show in
exchange for plugging it on the air, and see if they’ll let you on the air for an
interview or a call in. Tell them you want to “support the stations that support
your band”, that always closes the deal..

I’m sure there’s a few things I missed, but these are the basics, if you put the work in to get all of the above going for yourself, especially if you begin to apply the basic principles to all the other markets you play in, you will begin to see dramatic changes in the amount of fans who show up to see you at every show, the quality of shows you get will increase, and you’ll begin to see a
financial reward as well.

SO GET CRACKIN’, and - MAY ALL YOUR ROCK N’ ROLL DREAMS COME TRUE!
Dan Millen
RockOn! Concerts – Making Rock n’ Roll Dreams Come True!
www.rockonconcerts.com
www.harpersferryboston.com
dan@rockonconcerts.com

If you are interested in checking out our always expanding Boston Media List, please send an email to the above addres with “Please Send Me Your Media List” in the subject line. Please don’t send your life story along with it though.

The following are LOCAL BOSTON companies that I take great pleasure in recommending. I have no problem attaching my name and reputation to these recommendations because I work closely with these companies and I know they GET RESULTS.

AUTOMATED BOOKING AND PROMOTION THAT WILL MAKE EVERYTHING I HAVE SAID ABOVE EASY AS PIE! Onlinegigs is an incredibly powerful tool for musicians, agents, record companies and managers. This subscription service will virtually automate the administration of booking and promoting your band or bands. With features such as: A huge directory of music industry contacts, the ability to track correspondences with each contact, schedule reminders for important follow ups, print labels, issue contracts, automatically update any website with gig information, automatically have a tour itinerary with driving directions generated, and issue press releases to the local media in any market in the country. http://www.onlinegigs.com

HIRE SOMEONE TO HELP YOU GET YOUR POOP TOGETHER:
ATTN: Developing artists and aspiring music business people- Are you onto something good
and in need of advice you can trust? Ask the people you already know! MWGlobal Artist
Development is a BOSTON BASED music business consultation firm, whose associates have
PROVEN success in the industry and SPECIALIZE in cultivating talent. We'll give you the tools
you need to get the edge you seek. The rates are reasonable and the returns are priceless!
Send an email to dan@rockonconcerts.com with “Please send me Consulting Info” in the subject
if you wanna know more.

PUBLICITY AND RADIO PROMOTION FROM A NAME YOU CAN TRUST – Guys, I can’t tell
you how many times a Publicist has taken my money and ran and gotten me and my bands
nothing. The right PR campaign is crucial. I’ve gotten hundreds of solicitations from
unscrupulous radio promoters promising me commercial airplay or charting on CMJ and heard
horror stories from bands who’ve blown their lifesavings on unrealistic radio campaigns.
Powderfinger Promotions is a full service PR/Radio company specializing in helping Indie Bands
get their name and music out there. I’ve worked with them on several projects and I know they
GET RESULTS or they won’t take your money. If you are interested in finding out more, send an email to dan@rockonconcerts.com with “Powderfinger Info” in the subject.

GRAPHICS AND LOGO DESIGN THAT WILL KNOCK YOU OUT WITHOUT KNOCKING OUT
YOUR WALLET - Alphabet Arm Design is a full service design studio who's focus is unique,
creative & distinctive design solutions for a variety of clients & industries, although has built a
niche market specializing in music-based design; CD Art Direction, Logo design for bands,
musicians & record labels, Tour Poster design, Merchandise design, etc. Plenty of samples online
@ www.alphabetarmdesign.com

Version 2.5 - Copyright 2004 – Dan Millen – For free distribution – please do not alter or post without credit.
http://www.themusicboard.info

How to get more fans at your bands next show

2010-04-29T06:48:00.001-07:00

How to get more fans at your bands next show

Have you been playing gigs and not getting anymore fans to your shows? Have you been searching the internet for an answer and they all say the same things that don’t work? Yes, get a myspace page, get a facebook page, send out e-mails, and call your friends. Here is some other stuff that no one ever tells you about.

Music- You need to have a band that is playing at least tolerable music. The music does not have to be great but it shouldn’t annoy anyone. As long as you are not annoying the heck out of everyone; the music is secondary.

Invite your friends- If you have not been inviting your friends to your show… START NOW.

Go To Other Shows- This is the most important thing. You should be going to at least one show of other local acts every week. Introduce yourself to the band, bring a hand bill for your next show and give it to each member of the band (we’ll get into hand bills in a second). Getting fans is no more then getting friends. Start off with the bands. Most local bands go see other local bands. If you make it a point to go to other local shows, well, they will come to yours.

Hand Bills- For each show print up 100-200 handbills. You should be able to fit four on a regular piece of paper. Print them up at home! Really cheap. Or bring them to Kincos. Go to a website that offers free digital pictures (flickr.com) and use of of the public domain pictures. Download the picture to your computer and use it in your picture program. Then just place the text of you show on the bill; date, time, band name ETC.

Posters- Don’t go crazy with these. Three for each show are more then enough(make sure to put one at the club). Unless you are a known band already no one is going to see your poster and decide to go to your see your band.

Give away CDs- Wait, but you want to sell them. NO. NO you can’t. Give them away. If you spent 1000 bucks on a recording, then 1000 on printing CDs, Don’t give those away, sell those. However, you should print up 300 or more CDs with your home computer. You can get CDRs for very cheap today. For example when this article was written (4-28-2010) Staples has a spindle of 100 CDRs on sale for $14.98. So for 45 dollars you can have 300 CDs printed up. Now, these CDs are not fancy like factory created ones. You need to get creative. Decorate them with a sharpie or other ink. You will also need to put them in a case. NOT A JEWEL CASE. No no no, we are giving these CDs away. Take a piece of paper and cut it in half.. Now, fold it in half. This will be your CD sleeve. Put the CD inside it and staple the upper two corners. Blamo. You have a very cheap CD to give away. Make sure on this cover you have printed your band name web address and upcoming show. Go to a local show where a band is playing that sounds like yours. Go nuts and give away a bunch of free CDs.

How to hand out handbills and CDs- NEVER just hand something to someone and walk away. You need to make a connection with them. If you don’t make a connection they will not care what you have to give them and you have just wasted your time. Talk to the person first. A good conversation starter “boy, this band is good” also, to make them at ease that you are not hitting on them (boy or girl) mention your significant other immediately some how in the conversation. Basically, you are trying to make a quick new friend that when you give them a CD they will not just toss it in the trash.

E-mail- Make sure you have an e-mail list. Follow this link for information on E-mail lists
http://boston-music.blogspot.com/2010/04/promote-your-band-with-e-mail.html
http://boston-music.blogspot.com/2010/04/promote-your-band-with-e-mail.html

How to Record Your Band for Under $300

2010-04-26T13:11:00.000-07:00

How to Record Your Band for Under $300
What you need!

You are going to first need a band.

Location: You are going to need someplace to record it. A house or an apartment will do just fine. If you are in a house don’t do it in the unfinished basement or the garage. These two places normally have way to much natural reverb. If you can, record in a carpeted living room.

Gear:
Interface: First you will need a digital interface to connect to your computer . If you don’t have a computer, welcome t the 20th century… and how are you reading this? You should buy a used interface with 4 inputs.

Audio Program: If you have a computer the next step is to download Audacity. It is the best free multi track recorder for your computer. You can find the download at http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

Mics: Next you will need a few mic. Get one USED Shure sm57s and two NEW MXL 990s. This set up will allow you to record your drums and all vocals and guitars/bass.

RecordingTechnique:

Order: You will need to record each instrument sepertely. Start with Drums, then bass, then guitar, last vocals. The guitar/bass order can be changed if needed but if at all possible drumds should be done first.

Mic Placement:
Drums: put one sm57 under the snare drum pointing up This mics only real purpose is to record the snare. The other two MXLs will be spread out over the set. Place one over the high hat about 2 feet over the high hat pointing down to between the high hat an dfirst cymbal. Place the other MXL almost right on top of the floor tom pointing up ever so slightly toward the other toms.

Guitar: use the sm57 up super close/ touching the amp. Place it on the corner of the speaker but angle it towards the center of the amp.

Bass: Use the SM57 as described above. Also run a direct line from your bass amp to the recording.

Voclas: Use the MXL 990. make sure you have a pop filer placed in front of the mic. If you don’t have one; a worn out sock, cut in half can be a nice do it yourself… but wash it first.

Mixing:
When mixing put the vocals panned to the center. Pan the snare drum slightly off to the right or left. Pan one MXL mic on the drums 70% left, the other 70% right. Bass, panned left or right a little; opposite of the snare. Guitar, copy the track twice in Audacity, move the track off time by Hundreths of a second. Pan one hard left one hard right.

Using Mailing Lists to Promote Your Band

2010-04-22T08:21:00.000-07:00

Make sure your band has an e-mail list. These are very useful for getting the word out for a show, that a new song available for download, or for asking with help moving a dead body. A few tips for making the most out of your mailing list.

Get a band e-mail account- Use G-mail or yahoo if you don’t already have another account. You should use YOURBANDNAME@gmail.com . If the address is already taken, best to get a new band name. G-mail allows you to e-mail to 500 people a day but if you BCC about 20 in an e-mail. Anything over that and they disable your account from sending mail for 24 hours.

Collect E-mails- Start by putting all of your bands friends on the e-mail list. Make sure you ask their permission, no one likes spam. At every show you play make sure you have a clipboard with a “sign up for our mailing list sheet.” Don’t just put the clipboard on a table and leave it there; solicit people! How??? During your set make sure you tell people you have a list and they can sign up. If you have a cute friend; have them walk around while you are playing and ask people to sign up. Some people may not want to harass people into signing up BUT, if they don’t want to sign up, they won’t or will give you a fake address. You’ll know when you get the mailed returned as undeliverable.

Don’t e-mail to often- Don’t send an e-mail unless you actually have something to say. More then once a week is too much. And if you don’t have anything to say; once a week can be to often

Keep your list up to date- Make sure you delete people when you get a returned e-mail. Continuing to send to a disabled E-mail might make google/yahoo think you are sending spam and disable your account.

Formatting- make your e-mails short, too much information and people will stop reading. Always have a link to your web page at the bottom of the e-mail. If you are announcing a show make sure you include the venue name, time, cover change, address and a link to Google maps with the address for directions. Always say thank you!

5 quick DON’Ts- Don’t swear; don’t TALK IN ALL CAPS; don’t send 4 e-mails for the same show; Don’t allow people to see the other people’s email (use BCC); don’t forget to use spell check.

E-mail Example:
Hey Everyone,

has a show coming up on at the . The show starts at and is at the door. You must be . We will be playing with .

The venue is located at ,. If you need directions here is a link to the address on Google maps Make sure you put it on your calendar!!!

Again that’s, , on at,.

Thank you,

Top 5 Things Your New Band Needs To Do

2009-11-24T11:46:00.001-08:00

1. Pracitce- Well this goes without saying, but if you are going to be playing some music, practice. Practice should be one or two times a week. if you band needs more then that to get some songs together; you are not good enough.

2. Record- Before you can get your first gig you need to get a few songs recorded. Three to five songs would be the perfect amount. They do not need to be done in a pro studio but you should also not be using your 1982 fisher price mic into a Boom Box. You can do some fine recordings with some cheap gear.

3. Website- You should get a yourbandname.com. If that name is not available, then maybe you should change your name because I would bet that some other band is using it. You can register and set up the website via Godaddy.com. if you don't know how to code a website, have the link point to a Myspace page. Your band should have a myspace page anyways.

4. Promote- once you get a show make sure you promote that show. You should make sure it is advertised on any and all websites you can update with the information. Most local papers have an online form for submitted events. You can also contact their "Arts" department and ask for a full story. You would be surprised how many local papers are dying to write a full length article about your band.

5. Gear- Everyone in your band should have decent gear. Does it need to be top of the line? NO! but it does need to be reliable. It may be time for an upgrade if a band memeber has a 1997 squire strat with original strings plugged into a small practice amp.

Ampeg BA115 Bass Combo

2009-07-02T11:04:00.001-07:00

What a great amp for a cheap price. It has 100 watts of power so this is great for playing out, recording or at home practicing.

If you are playing out with a band, this is the amp for you. It has a balanced xlr output so no need to use a direct box! If you are playing out you are most likely going to be using the XLR output to run direct to the board and then also mic'ing your amp (with a sm57). It also has enough power to give you a nice monitor for your sound. plus IT IS LIGHT! So you won't toss out your back when you are dragging it from your basement to your car and then into the club.

Tone: It has the tone that you would except from an Ampeg. However, the tone switch is really just a piece of crap. There are 5 tones settings, that I guess you could use, But I did not like them. It takes a while to fine a good tone and these switches just seemed to mess is all up. I suggest using the three control knobs for the best control.

Check out Musicians Friend to buy your own!

http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Ampeg-BA115-Bass-Amp-Series-Combo?sku=481777#new

Daddies Junky Music

2009-06-26T12:34:00.001-07:00

This is something that has bothered me for a number of years. I LOVE going to music shops, and I do spend a lot of money at them. However, The service generally sucks. The store I am picking on today is Daddies Junky Music. I should mention that I am primarily referring to the Manchester location since this is the one I frequent the most.

Now, I understand that a majority of the employee's that work here are making less money then what I made at my part time job in high school but that doesn't mean that they get the right to be mean. They are just sometimes the rudest people and have no sense of customer service. They think that because the work at a music store they are automatically given some license to be rude to people. They also think they know more then you.. and let me tell you... they don't.

I recently went looking for a Shure SM57. If you don't know what one is, then you need to read up on them... but basically it is the most popular mic...ever. It is like looking for a Fender Strat or something like that (if you do not know what a Fender Strat is, then well... Maybe you can get a Job at Daddies). So I am getting off topic; anyway, I asked if they had an SM57. Then proceeded to tell me how that was a piece of junk and I needed to get a *(&&***** instead (i wish I could tell you what he suggested but stopped listening to him). I wanted an SM57 I know they are not the best mic, i know they are overrated, I know all of this... but everyone NEEDs to own a few; just like you NEED to have a strat. It is just standard equipment.

Lets get to the major problem of the customer service, it is not that they should not suggest other pieces of equipment but it is that he is wrong. Just wrong. The basis of his evaluation was that "everyone likes sm57s; so I can't like SM57s" You know the type. They need to not like something just because other people like it.

Now, you might be thinking you disagree with me, you might think SM57s suck, well I agree with you... I own quite a few mic that are cheaper and better. but you NEED SM57s.. go buy one!

MXL 990 Condenser Microphone

2009-06-25T05:25:00.001-07:00

The MXL 990 Condenser Microphone is a must have for any band or do it yourself recording person. It is a cheap mic with a great sound. If your band is doing a DIY release and thinking of recording on your own, use this mic. It rocks. Just make sure you have phantom power!

I used this mic in combination with a Roland VS-1880 and was very please with its performance with recording a wide variety of instruments and vocals. I started off by using in on a vocal track.

For vocals the mic is great. You definitely need to get a pop filter or you will peak the meters on your P's. The mic has no color added and it will sound exactly as your ear hears it. Don't expect for the MXL 990 to add color like a tube or ribbon mic.

Next I tried this on a bass and electric guitar. It worked for both very well but much better on the bass. I experimented with a number of different locations but I could never get a great sound on the guitar. For the bass though, no matter where the mic was placed, the sound was great.

Wanting to see how this baby would be as a solo mic for a band to record an entire album, i tried it on the drums. I used two of these as overheads and got pretty much what I expected. the snare and cymbals rang out and the toms were very soft in the mix. next I tried one mic placed about 20 feet away from the drums and 3 feet off the ground. BOY WAS I SURPRISED. The drums actually sounded pretty good. It would not be the way i would normally record drums but if you NEEDED to , you definitely could record the drums this way.

if you are looking to buy one take a look at Musicians Friend....

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/MXL-MXL-990-Condenser-Microphone-with-Shockmount?sku=273156

If you need Internent radio play

2009-06-24T07:58:00.001-07:00

Check out WitchezBrew.Com

Review: Black Suit Youth

2008-10-24T05:38:00.000-07:00

Black Suit Youth
Web: myspace.com/blacksuityouth

The problem with lots of local bands is that the vocals suck. A lot of time you have to sort of ignore the vocals and look past the sucky singing. Saying things like "emotional vocal" hide the real truth, "this band has a singer who should take a vow of silence." Black Suit Youth does not have this problem. The singer has some serious pipes.

Could Black Suit Youth be punk? Could they be metal? Could they be post modern bla bla bla... yeah they could be classified that way. Who cares, it doesn't matter because it is amazingly good. If Blink 182 met Tubring in a back alley, Black Suit Youth would be the product.

The music has nice use of changes to prevent you from getting bored. The drummer is one of the more entertaining drummers I have heard in a while. He does not over play, does not under play.

Do yourself a favor, check em out.

Review: Lost In October

2008-10-23T07:49:00.000-07:00

Lost In October
Web: myspace.com/lostinoctober

There are very few bands that understand their instruments and how to play them. Lots of bands know how to play but very few bands understand the idea of not playing. Lost In October show that they understand completely how to layer their parts to achieve a great composition.

Each song is like sitting on the edge of the ocean and staring out to the nothingness beyond the horizon. Do yourself a favor, Listen to Lost in October with your significant other while frolicking in the sand. Kiss...

Waylan Daniel

2008-10-23T07:23:00.000-07:00

Waylan Daniel
Web: myspace.com/waylandaniel

FUN.. TONS of FUN. Do you want to have fun? I love having fun. One time I had lots of fun, I smiled. Waylan Daniel is fun, he is a big smile.

If you are a fan of "Neutral Milk Hotel" you will be a fan of Waylan Daniel. The music is extremely eclectic and almost as easily acceptable as pop.

Do you want to join the party, go check out Waylan Daniel.

Review Black Rebel Indians

2008-10-23T07:02:00.000-07:00

Black Rebel Indians

Web: myspace.com/blackrebelindians

I hate writing bad reviews. Who am I to say a band sucks. BUT... that being said. If you want to know what I think of this band? I think they are the next reincarnation of the worst band EVER... Complete. If you don't know who the band Complete is, I have placed a you tube video below.

Now you might say, I am being mean. But seriously, if you listen to "Reggae and Hip Hop" by Black Rebel Indians then watch the below video by the band Complete, you will see... they have the EXACT same chord progression.

Oh my....

Does your band need a review?

2008-10-23T05:54:00.001-07:00

Do you need a review?

Hey! We'll write one for you!!! How much does it cost? NOTHING!

Leave a comment on this post. Put a link to your band's myspace page. We'll contact you!!!!

It is just that easy! Really.

Just Click here to leave a comment

Three Day Threshold

2008-10-23T05:53:00.000-07:00

Three Day Threshold
Against the grain
threedaythreshold.com

Three Day Threshold sent me a few mp3s from their album Against the grain.

I am NOT going to review them. Nope, Sorry guys. I refuse to review this "cowboy, fast-almost-punk, toe tapping, dancing in a circle, get drunk, get in a fight" music. Just because I like the songs, it DOESN'T mean I am going to tell YOU that.

I am going to go put my head phones on, sit in my closet and get really really drunk while listening to Three Day Threshold... then maybe I'll go stab my neighbor or get a tattoo on my ass. F@ck you.

The Rationales

2008-10-23T05:52:00.002-07:00

The Rationales
The Going and The Gone
www.therationales.com/

When I do reviews, I NEVER talk about the production quality, I never talk about the recording method, and I never talk about mixing. I feel it is unfair to judge local acts on recording gear and say, "hey this doesn't sound pro" Well of course not you fool; the band isn't pro. They most likely recorded their tracks in a bathroom, with a Fisher Price mic, and that mic was plugged into a 1980's cassette deck... one of the really cheap cassette decks, the ones that only had a fast forward and no rewind. So, as a rule, I NEVER talk about recording quality. Well, this review is the exception that proves the rule.

This album was recorded at Q Division and produced by Ed Valauskas. Ed, I have a little note... You ARE a pro, and the recordings are pro; but turn down the lead vocal just a smidgen. That is it. carry on.

Now, I have totally offended The Rationales by insulting their mixing preferences and I doubt they will be inviting me over their house for a game of Monopoly any time soon.... but lets see if I can win them back. Maybe if they keep reading they'll forgive me, they might even like me, and maybe send me some money for this cool pyramid scam... i mean, money investment tool, I found.

The music by The Rationales is great. No no... lets use a better word then great... how about, Honorificabilitudinitatibus. (meaning "the state of being able to achieve honors." See, I can be pretentious and use big words). The arrangement of each song is full. They have a wall of sound aproach without all the doubling and sounds great. (crap, i used the wordgreat again). Lets try this; The meiotic undertones... nah screw it... The album sounds great!

If pop music, the Stones and alt county were to get mixed with the band the Oneders... You might approach the sound of the Rationales... but really just think Wilco. oh, and if you don't know the Oneders(pronounced Wonders); Tom Hanks will come stab you in the ear with an ice skate.

Go check them out live... Make sure to yell Honorificabilitudinitatibus at the stage.

http://www.therationales.com/

Apple Betty

2008-10-23T05:52:00.001-07:00

http://www.myspace.com/applebettyrox
First off, i need to say these ladies are very nice in person. Now, normally when someone starts a review like that, they proceed to bash the band. Well, I am not going to do that.

I like em. mix punk with a little rockabilly. And, yeah, mix in girls singing. The tunes are a little pop but not in that annoying Hanson way.

Why is it that when I hear or see a "girl band" I almost always get turned off immediately. It is not the term, you could call them "chick band; dickless; boobie empowered; band of only woman" WHATEVER. It is not the term, but the entire concept of only girls in a band. I always assume that it must be some marketing thing. Sort of like when a band claims Frank Zappa as their major influence. I don't dislike girl bands, it just always makes me think of what their "musicians wanted" ad looked like "Girl drummer and guitarist looking for chick bass player that rocks and has pro gear."

They have just released a new album ABCD and based on the tracks avaible on their myspace page. Go take a listen, it is pretty good!

http://www.myspace.com/applebettyrox