Ron is in red.
John is in Navy Blue.
What happened was that your name came up in a discussion about the
business, and someone mentioned this genius out in California - Sympathy
for the record industry - what a great name! Someone needs to have
some sympathy -- cuz things are messed up! How long have you been in biz?
15 years!
What got you started?
Previous to this, I was a writer, wrote for local papers, co-edited
a free newspaper called "Endless Party" so I went from being a
writer and an intense record collector to one day putting out
records myself.
Who was your influence?
Ralph records, who was the Resident's label, with an incredible
style, and Stiff records, in England, my favorite label - the first
ones to release people like Elvis Costello, the Damned, Nick Lowe (fg
note - and DEVO) and I really admired that. And that's what Sympathy
is. I didn't pattern after stuff, but they're the closest.
How do you hook up with bands?
Mostly from associations with other people. rarely through the mail.
I have a criteria -- if I open a package, and there's a name I don't
like - that's it. Or a picture i don't like - it's over. If
there's a cd, and I actually put it on, that first track better be
pretty damned amazing. I don't have time or tolerance for these
things. The most recent thing I have found is a band from buffalo NY
called the "Bloody Hollies" - 3 piece band, really great, very
excited about them
They sent you a package in the mail?
They sent me emails previously and started contact, I really liked
the name, I'm a rather sarcastic guy -- I got the cd, checked it
out, and they were great. I'm doing a record with them now.
I've been A/R and Exec Prod. If it doesn't get my ears right
away.... Right. If the band doesn't know enough to put their best track
first....
What do your groups need to do to support their records?
The most important thing a group can do is tour.
People have to
be able to see them. Great records are nice, but how is anyone
supposed to know if they cant get out there and see the band. All
the radio/interviews in the world are great, but without live
shows....
They need to have things happening before you'd even deal with
them then? Most of the people I get involved with don't have a means of
doing any substantial touring. if I sat around and waited for a band
to have all the little boxes checked before I did anything with
them, I don't think I'd have any records to put out. I put out what
I like, I don't have anyone to discuss it with. I do what I want
when I want to do it. No criteria other than my interests.
Is there any particular part of the
country where you specifically look for talent?
No. matter of fact, when people zero in on something like that
- ie, the whole detroit thing - i've had lots of bands from
detroit. I think every city has it's own thing. Detroit got
notoriety, but i don't think there's anything inherently special
about the city. It's not unique, it's just gotten some focus. There
are as many great and talented bands in every city in the US and
every country around the world.
One of the things I say about hit records -- there may be 100
hits on the chart, there were artists represented from across the
country but not just one city...
Tell me about White Stripes.
I put out their first 3 albums. All they'd had out were 2 little
7" records on a little Detroit label.
How do you distribute/sell records?
I go through Mordam in Sacramento (so do the Dead Kennedys - FG)
they sell directly to chains and to the mom/pops.
What about the internet?
Mordam handles net sales as well. it's very minor, but they're
trying.
What do you think about the computer music thing?
I've never downloaded an mp3 - i don't listen to music on my
computer. If other people want to share and trade my records, great!
That may get someone to go out and pick up a record. I worry about
the people who can't afford music - to pay $18-19 for a cd. My cds
are priced to retail at $10.99 tops. That gives people incentive to
buy something. when records are 17-18-19 bucks, I really have a soft
spot for people who can't afford it. What? cause you can't afford it
you cant have music?? They're not getting all the pretties - the
artwork, the case, but if they want music, I say let them have it!
Tower etc has no problem with your list prices?
I have no control over what the stores ACTUALLy price them at,
but mine invariably end up cheaper in stores like that because
they're BUYING them cheaper. If you're looking at 2 cds, one is $19,
one is $11, if you're debating over which to buy, chances are
they're going to buy mine. I like to give people a good deal. At
$17.99, someone is GOUGING the public -- being greedy motherf......s
- if I could put together a cd for a couple bucks at MY level, then
major label level - they're probably paying 50 cents. if they're
paying fu.....g 50 cents, then why are they retailing for $18?
Greed. once a group has been successful in the indie area,
should they move up to major level?
There are limitations to what someone like myself can do -
working out of the house by myself - but it has a certain appeal.
It's a big trade off. A band goes from indie to major and what they
pick up is better distribution in some areas and what they lose is
distribution in OTHER areas. the majors don't have ins with mom/pop
stores.....you get something, you lose something.
Have you ever had a partner?
No, never had one. never had an employee. I guess the bottom
line consideration is that I don't think i could afford help, and
I'm completely stubborn. I don't want to discuss things. I work on
impulse.
You're going to Boston?
To see 2 of my groups out there - people are getting excited
about them - and I have this brand new band -- again, the Bloody
Hollies. Mr. Airplane man (in Boston) are my absolute favorite
thing right now. It's blues based - the name comes from Howlin'
Wolf. They do it really well. I'm not sure where to "place" it --
they're a really talented 2 piece band.
What is your release schedule?
For a while, it was one a week. 15 years, 700 releases.
Phenomenal! That shows commitment and dedication.
I've had to curtail that sort of enthusiasm. last year I
destroyed several hundred thou worth of records that never sold.
Distributors are sick of holding them.
Are you more conservative now?
I'm trying to be more discerning. I used to just do things with
friends. I've paid for projects in the last 6 months that I've
turned around and decided not to even put it out. I'm better off
losing THAT money than paying for manufacturing and having it go
nowhere. I'd rather lose X dollars than X times 2.... Competition is
fierce. My distributor has around 30 labels. even within my own dist
-- let's say they have 30 new records a month. They call up the
stores, mention the records, and the stores say "who's that? I've
never heard of that, I don't want those" I need a different MO for
working with bands...
What do you do when an act gets major label interest?
When something comes up, I call on the bands to be fair...the
minute attorneys and managers get involved and wave fu....g carrots
in front of their faces, they forget (FG Note: No shit...) and STILL
scream that they're independent the whole time. They need that street
credibility, but they don't really want it, they jump at the first
opportunity to become some big major label act. Dont fu....g pretend
that you're on this little subsidiary of this big fu....g monolith.
you're STILL on that big label. You're working for the fu.....g MAN!
- trying to have the best of both worlds...
I'm pretty reclusive. I don't have too much to do with other
people. I'm really busy - don't have a lot of time - I do what I do,
and if someone likes it, great. If not, oh well....I'm completely
unwilling to change for anyone. I have no plans. I'm starting up a
toy company right now called "Necessaries Toy Foundation" I'm
working with established artists to create vinyl figures - I'm a big
toy collector - just like I did with records, now I'm going to
manufacture/create/distribute toys. I see that being very
successful.
How old are you? - 51.
You sound around 30! All those young bands keeping you young!
This toy thing sounds great! I'm certain its going to be a success. I'm working with a lot of
great people on that. Sculptors/artists. The first batch should be
out around Christmas. Not in toys r us.....there's another whole
world. Just like there's a world outside of Virgin/Tower, it's toys r
us versus the 2-3 little comic book shops in each town. That's what
I'm aiming for.
You're impulsive - you need that freedom that having someone
else around wouldn't provide. Well, thank you, this has been great
Check out the
Sympathy For The Record Industry
Site.
|
