Sony Invalidates IODA's Independent Status
July 3, 2009 -- The
Independent Online Distribution Alliance became decidedly less
independent this week when Sony bought part of it. I'm thinking
they should be legally obligated to change their name. (More
at Wired)
Random Staccato
July 2, 2009 -- Haven't
paid much attention to the news lately. Let's see what's going
on. (More)
Starting Over
July 1, 2009 -- When
we did Hayden's Wall in 2002, the RIAA ended up inspiring us
to more or less give it away for free on the Internet. Now that
the entire music industry is irrelevant, a better plan is in
order. (More)
We're giving you a limited opportunity
to grab 6 tunes off of Hurricane Alley's Category One
(128k mp3s), most of which will be vapor once the record hits
retail. But it's certainly enough to give you a feel for the
album.
Elusive Jackalope Disappears
June 29, 2009 -- It's
kind of a bummer when you drive 150 miles or so to play a gig,
only to find out the club has been abandoned. This past weekend,
that bummer was named The Jackalope, a club in Nogales, Arizona.
(More)
Hurricane Alley's Category One
Released to Retail
June 23, 2009 -- It
seems like it took forever, but our new album is finally done
and delivered to retail. Now, it's time to consider all of those
things I've been dreading -- like selling it. And giving it away.
(More)
Follow-up --
June 30, 2009 -- Makin'
Copies.
ASCAP Calls In Another Really Bad Idea
June 19, 2009 -- I'm
starting to think that these guys have a box full of bad ideas
and once every week or so, they pull one out and give it a go.
Having already annoyed every Girl Scout camp, bar, dentist office,
mall, and even local bands with cover songs on their web sites,
ASCAP now wants to be paid every time your phone rings. (More)
$2 Million For 24 Songs?
June 19, 2009 -- This
is, of course, preposterous. My question is about the wisdom
(or lack thereof) of the jury. (More)
DRM Dimwits Still Trying to Kill Off Music
June 13, 2009 -- Saw
the headline at Slashdot, but didn't read the conversation or
the original article because any such plan still ignores basic
physics and thus is doomed to failure. And follow-up thoughts
about ASCAP. (More)
ASCAP Tries to Bill AzOz For Cover Songs
June 11, 2009 -- Riding
the back side of the RIAA's wave of stupid is ASCAP, which is
now apparently asking a minimum of $340 if your band's music
page has cover songs. Needless to say, our music page no longer
has any. (More)
RIAA Dares To Be Stupid
June 4, 2009 -- Jammie
Thomas, now married and with a new lawyer, gets ready for a new
trial, while the RIAA files motions asking for the same flawed
jury instructions that caused a mistrial the first go-round.
If they had a brain, they'd be dangerous. (More)
A Memorable Birthday Bash
June 1, 2009 -- A
report from my third show with Hurricane Alley, this time from
a private party in Rio Rico, Arizona, almost at the Mexican border.
(More)
News Briefs
June 1, 2009 -- Widely
repeated across the Internet today is the story that Jimi
Hendrix was murdered by his manager. If true, this is going
to screw up a lot of conspiracy theorists who have been saying
for years that the CIA did it.
Susan Boyle
-- A perfect example of how the record business has destroyed
music by insisting that female artists be little more than lip-syncing
strippers. Every time Boyle comes up in conversation and people
try to find a nice way to say they thought she was too unattractive
to have such a beautiful voice, I think, Hello? Has everyone
forgotten Janis Joplin? Patti Smith? Mama Cass? Compared
to Janis, Susan Boyle is a looker.
When image, sex and Autotune is everything,
the creativity and content have already joined talent in the
back seat.
Idle Chatter
May 22, 2009 -- Over
at CNN, "Little" Stevie Van Zandt is saying that
rock is almost dead because kids these days aren't doing it right.
He might be right, but there's a little more to it than that.
(More)
Step By Step...
May 17, 2009 -- Another
live show report, plus progress status on the album. (More)
Crooks and Liars
May 11, 2009 -- In
December, the RIAA told Congress that they weren't going to file
any new lawsuits. Turns out they were talking about something
else. But that's okay. Everyone lies to Congress and nothing
ever comes of it. (More)
Rocking Out With Vietnam Vets
May 5, 2009 -- Two
days ago, we played for a crowd of Tucson-area Vietnam Vets and
had such a great time that I just have to write about it. (More)
Peeking Out at the Real World
May 2, 2009 -- I
live in Phoenix. According to the media, the city is overrun
by Mexican drug cartels, who are buying assault weapons, selling
pot and kidnapping everyone in sight. Now there's the swine flu
story. I should be afraid to go outside. (More)
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