MySpace


MySpace.com | rss | sign in
BRENT EYESTONE

BRENT EYESTONE Eyestone


Last Updated: 9/11/2009

Send Message
Instant Message
Email to a Friend
Subscribe

Gender: Male
Status: Single
Age: 33
Sign: Leo

City: Fredericksburg
State: Virginia
Country: US
Signup Date: 10/30/2003

Blog Archive
[Older      Newer]
 /  / 
Friday, September 11, 2009 




MBL126 :  INTEGRITY  "VVALPÜRGISNACHT" BOX SET

- Hand-screened and #'d Vvalpürgisnacht CD
- 5-color spot printed "Sandra Good" organic cotton ringspun T-shirt
- Shipped to you in a hand-screened box numbered 1-100
- A collaboration between Magic Bullet Records and Shirts & Destroy limited to a strict edition of only 100 boxes
- 50 available from Magic Bullet, 50 available from Shirts & Destroy
- Sizes = Adult Small - Adult XXL

• To order this Box Set online, please visit http://www.magicbulletrecords.com/august09.html
• If paying by cash or money order, write info@magicbulletrecords.com for instructions
10:05 AM 
0 Comments
(Add Comment) |
Translate
Wednesday, September 02, 2009 
http://www.scenepointblank.com/reviews/2604
Forensics Sonic Victimization UnitDeathscreamPosted on Monday August 31st, 2009Forensics Sonic Victimization Unit - Deathscream ArtworkMagic Bullet, 2009Author: BobScore: 8.0 / 10Related LinksAbout the only comment that I could muster when I saw the existence of this release was an extremely emphatic, "NICE! A new Forensics record," before promptly heading over to the Magic Bullet web store and ordering the extremely limited CD (only 88 copies and a few additional that did not meet the artistic standards of the group). Even though Brent Eyestone (vocalist and guitarist of Forensics, sole member of Aughra, member of Meditative Sect) will be quick to point out that Deathscream is not a proper Forensics release but rather the result of quickly composing something for people when they played this past Mac Rock (all of the members could not play so the band improvised); this CD is the recording of the practices for that event. Renaming the release as Forensics Sonic Victimization Unit, Brent and Graham (from Souvenir's Young America) and Daniel (a former Magic Bullet intern) produce four sonic landscapes that comprise of guitars and circuit bending theatrics that really sound like a logical extension of Forensics' Hogback Mountain Sessions Vol. 1.

Part strange marriage of noisy guitar feedback and oscillating tape sounds, part ambient sound, Deathscream provides a harrowing mood for the short amount of time that this EP plays on one's choice of amplification. Personally, the ease of being able to lose one's self in the atmosphere that these three gentlemen create is both thrilling and disturbing at the same time. There were several times that by the middle of “The Infernal Machinations of Hell's Grim Tyrant” that I realized my mind was completely zoned out and not where it should be. The creepy sounds permeate through all four compositions and the nagging thought at the back of my mind is how crazy this release truly is. Seriously, all of this record is improvised and the individual pieces were culled from who knows how much material that the group played while gearing up for their performance. I am of the belief that this record is a whole, and even though there are four separate pieces, it is difficult to segregate these as “songs” and may even be a disservice to Deathscream to do so.

Deathscream is further evidence that Forensics (and Forensics Sonic Victimization Unit) has a breadth of collective ability that works in just about any form of output that the group produces; from their more “rock” oriented material found on works such as their album Things to do When You Should be Dead Anyway to the more free-form noise and soundscape material like this CD, the band seems comfortable in whatever skin it chooses to perform as. The artwork on this release is equally superb with silk screened covers and such that just adds to the overall presentation of the package and flat out unique quality. Magic Bullet truly offers releases that beg to be purchased and treasured by treating them as more than just music to be consumed but rather as art to be appreciated.
It looks like you're not registered! Click here to join so you can comment.

5:41 AM 
0 Comments
(Add Comment) |
Translate
Tuesday, September 01, 2009 
Notes on Austin Lucas "Putting the Hammer Down" : In keeping with the theme of going back and repressing killer Magic Bullet titles of both the distant and recent past, I decided to revisit the first record Austin did for the label.  When we first agreed to do it, there was a tour coming up quickly and the focus was on getting CD's out for it, plus 200 tour edition LP's.  The cover design for the tour LP was simple and functional.  While it did the job, it was far from what I wanted to be able to put the time into.  Well, that's all remedied now.  400 more copies of this LP now exist and it finally comes with a silkscreened cover design that I'm totally stoked on.  Metallic gold ink on a "hot fudge" stock, plus all kinds of different colors of vinyl (6 to be precise).  4 are available in the webstore now, 1 is only available from Austin on tour, and 1 is only available in independent record stores.  Enjoy.


MBL103-1 : AUSTIN LUCAS "PUTTING THE HAMMER DOWN" LP

- Reissue of the classic full-length
- Comes with complimentary digital download coupon of entire album
- You can try out/download the entire recording for free at: http://www.gimmesound.com/AustinLucas
- Exclusive silkscreened covers designed by Brent Eyestone
- Add the fully packaged CD version for only $3.00

• To order this LP online, please visit http://www.magicbulletrecords.com/august09.html
• If paying by cash or money order, write info@magicbulletrecords.com for instructions

--

Notes on The Paper Chase "Someday This Could All Be Yours" : I first met John Congleton a bit over a year ago when we were recording the This Will Destroy You/Lymbyc Systym split down in Dallas.  We both started playing in bands around the same time and have been through a lot of the same circles and have both endured the bizarre "evolution" of the underground ever since, so it wasn't hard to hit it off at all.  When I left Dallas, a pact was in place to continue crossing paths and collaborating on projects down the line.  So a few months later, when word came down that Kill Rock Stars wasn't going to do the vinyl version of The Paper Chase's newest record, it just seemed like a no-brainer that it should come out on Magic Bullet.


MBL114 : THE PAPER CHASE "SOMEDAY THIS COULD ALL BE YOURS" LP

- The Paper Chase's latest full length
- 180 gram vinyl

• To order this LP online, please visit http://www.magicbulletrecords.com/august09.html
• If paying by cash or money order, write info@magicbulletrecords.com for instructions

--

Next:

Christie Front Drive "Stereo" LP+DVD, CD+DVD, digital
Christie Front Drive "Discography" CD, 2xLP, digital
Forensics "You Don't Have To Win, But You Have To Fight" 10", CD
Integrity "Vvalpürgisnacht" CD/shirt box set
Integrity "Vvalpürgisnacht" skateboard deck
Loser Life "My Hell + More Hell" CD
Made Out of Babies "The Ruiner" LP

Thank you.
http://www.magicbulletrecords.com 
http://www.twitter.com/magicbulletrecs
http://www.gimmesound.com/magicbulletrecords (FREE full-album downloads!)
4:02 AM 
0 Comments
(Add Comment) |
Translate
Thursday, August 20, 2009 
I put together a playlist for my friend Tracy's radio show tonight - a two-hour special on Sigur Rós. Included will be some Sigur Rós rarities and live tracks, side projects, an interview, some of their peers, and some of the bands they've gone on to inspire. Very comprehensive, very fun.

Tune in tonight from 7-9PM EST on http://www.wrir.org


If you're in RVA, tune to 97.3. 


Thanks.
5:46 PM 
0 Comments
(Add Comment) |
Translate
Saturday, August 15, 2009 
Notes on Integrity "Vvalpürgisnacht" skateboard deck and CD : The latest collaboration between Integrity and Magic Bullet comes in the form of a skate deck!  We did a run of 100 of these on 4 different sizes.  They turned out great and each deck has a copy of the CD and a sticker under the shrinkwrap.  It's the same popular and battle-tested wood/shapes as the Boris decks I issued earlier this year, so rest assured that they can be thrashed HARD.


MBL126 : INTEGRITY "VVALPÜRGISNACHT" SKATEBOARD DECK & CD

- Comes shrinkwrapped with a free copy of the "Vvalpürgisnacht" CD and Magic Bullet sticker
- 100 made
- Available in 7.88", 8", 8.12", and 8.25" models 

• To order this deck online, please visit The Magic Bullet Webstore
• If paying by cash or money order, write info@magicbulletrecords.com for instructions

--

Notes on Kaospilot "Shadows" : While putting together all the Kaospilot LP's, I found a couple other weird color variations for anyone who missed out on "Salmon" or "Berry Blast" last week.  These things are pretty ugly, so get your mitts on UNICORN PUKE and PIXIE FART (there's 20 of each) before they're gone. 



MBL121 : KAOSPILOT "SHADOWS" LP+CD

- First pressing of the new full length from Norway's KAOSPILOT
- Coupon for free downloads included in every jacket
- You can try out/download the entire recording for free at: http://www.gimmesound.com/Kaospilot

• To order this LP online, please visit The Magic Bullet Webstore
• If paying by cash or money order, write info@magicbulletrecords.com for instructions

--

Notes on Golden City "S/T" 10" repress : Second pressing of the 10" is here, this time on translucent blue vinyl!  I ran 300.  If you're like me, you've probably already listened to this record 5,692 times this summer alone.  If not, you should definitely find out what you're missing out on.  GREAT band, GREAT debut.


MBL111-1 :  GOLDEN CITY "S/T" 10" (SECOND PRESS)

- Debut 8-song 10" from ex-members of CHRISTIE FRONT DRIVE, ANTARCTICA, and THE 101
- Comes with complimentary digital download coupon of entire album
- You can try out/download the entire recording for free at: http://www.gimmesound.com/GoldenCity
- Second Pressing: 300 copies on BLUE vinyl
- Add the fully packaged CD version for only $4.50

• To order this 10" online, please visit The Magic Bullet Webstore
• If paying by cash or money order, write info@magicbulletrecords.com for instructions

--

Notes on Loser Life "I Have Ghosts and I Have Ghosts" shirt : Steven and I have always talked about offering Loser Life shirts for mailorder, so I'm glad that this has finally come together.  Heavy 100% white cotton shirts with the new cover I put together for the repress of the LP.  Real stark, real eye-catching.  I wore this earlier in the week when skating through town and it was definitely a conversation piece.  50 of these were made in adult sizes.  50% off if you have a Raiders tattoo and can prove it.


LOSER LIFE "I HAVE GHOSTS..." T-SHIRT

- 1-sided black ink image on white Fruit of the Loom 
- Heavy 100% Cotton
- 50 made 
- Available in Adult Small, Medium, Large, and Extra Large 

• To order this shirt online, please visit The Magic Bullet Webstore
• If paying by cash or money order, write info@magicbulletrecords.com for instructions

--

Next:

Christie Front Drive "Stereo" LP+DVD, CD+DVD, digital
Christie Front Drive "Discography" CD, 2xLP, digital
Forensics "You Don't Have To Win, But You Have To Fight" 10", CD
Integrity "Vvalpürgisnacht" CD/shirt box set
Loser Life "My Hell + More Hell" CD
Made Out of Babies "The Ruiner" LP

Thank you.
http://www.magicbulletrecords.com 
http://www.twitter.com/magicbulletrecs
http://www.gimmesound.com/magicbulletrecords (FREE full-album downloads!)
Currently listening:
Golden City
By Various Artists
Release date: 2009-04-07
8:19 PM 
0 Comments
(Add Comment) |
Translate
Friday, August 07, 2009 
Notes on Kaospilot "Shadows" : Judging by the layout Kris put together for this record, I really need to go to Norway. I mean... just look the fucking thing. Anyway, Kaospilot hail from Norway and play a really emotional strain of heavy music probably more at home in what would be Norway's equivalent of a sweaty VFW hall or cramped DIY space versus a multi-stage festival sponsored by Monster or Dr. Scholl's or what have you. These guys are looking to come over for some stateside touring this winter, so be on the lookout. A CD version has been tossed into every copy of the album on this one.






MBL121 : KAOSPILOT "SHADOWS" LP+CD

- First pressing of the new full length from Norway's KAOSPILOT (includes both an LP and a CD)
- Additional coupon for free downloads included in every jacket
- You can try out/download the entire recording for free at: http://www.gimmesound.com/Kaospilot

• To order this LP+CD online, please visit http://www.magicbulletrecords.com/august09.html
• If paying by cash or money order, write info@magicbulletrecords.com for instructions

--

Notes on A City Safe From Sea "Throw Me Through Walls" : My friend Daniel makes some really cool artwork and gets hired to do all kind of concert posters and album covers, gallery shows, toys, all that stuff. Turns out he's also a huge guitar gear junkie and plays in a really cool band called A City Safe From Sea. He sent me demo tracks of stuff they were doing at practice years ago and I told him to just keep me up on future recordings. He held up that end of the bargain and now I'm pretty excited for people to hear what they've been up to for all these months. Gear nerds will certainly geek out on all of the batshit-crazy sonic tomfoolery, but at the heart of everything lies some super catchy songs that serve a fitting end to the summer season. Try the CD out for $5 ppd now or wait for the vinyl in the coming months.



MBL128 : A CITY SAFE FROM SEA "THROW ME THROUGH WALLS" CD

- Debut full length from a great new Boston band
- Features original art and layout by Jay Ryan
- You can try out/download the entire recording for free at: http://www.gimmesound.com/ACitySafeFromSea

• To order this CD online, please visit http://www.magicbulletrecords.com/august09.html
• If paying by cash or money order, write info@magicbulletrecords.com for instructions

--

Notes on The Paper Chase "Someday This Could All Be Yours" : I first met John Congleton a bit over a year ago when we were recording the This Will Destroy You/Lymbyc Systym split down in Dallas. We both started playing in bands around the same time and have been through a lot of the same circles and have both endured the bizarre "evolution" of the underground ever since, so it wasn't hard to hit it off at all. When I left Dallas, a pact was in place to continue crossing paths and collaborating on projects down the line. So a few months later, when word came down that Kill Rock Stars wasn't going to do the vinyl version of The Paper Chase's newest record, it just seemed like a no-brainer that it should come out on Magic Bullet.

I had originally intended to do a run of test presses for the band to sell on their summer tour before the album formally came out. Instead of that going down, the master got flagged and held up at the plant for an uncleared sample. Needless to say, it had to be moved to a different plant and, in doing so, we lost weeks in production and blew the tour. Thus, those 45 copies slated for the tour are now available for mailorder. You win? 180 gram black vinyl, hand-numbered out of 45, hand-stamped, and includes full album sleeve and insert. Snatch these up if you're a collector, or just wait a week or two and I'll have the regular edition.



MBL114 : THE PAPER CHASE "SOMEDAY THIS COULD ALL BE YOURS" LP (TEST PRESS EDITION)

- Limited Test Press edition of The Paper Chase's latest full length
- Hand numbered and stamped to 45 copies
- 180 gram vinyl
- Includes full sleeve and inserts

• To order this LP online, please visit http://www.magicbulletrecords.com/august09.html
• If paying by cash or money order, write info@magicbulletrecords.com for instructions

--

Next:

Christie Front Drive "Stereo" LP+DVD, CD+DVD, digital
Christie Front Drive "Discography" CD, 2xLP, digital
Forensics "You Don't Have To Win, But You Have To Fight" 10", CD
Integrity "Vvalpürgisnacht" CD/shirt box set
Integrity "Vvalpürgisnacht" skateboard deck
Loser Life "My Hell + More Hell" CD

Thank you.
http://www.magicbulletrecords.com
http://www.twitter.com/magicbulletrecs
http://www.gimmesound.com/magicbulletrecords (FREE full-album downloads!)
Currently listening:
Someday This Could All Be Yours, Vol. 1
By The Paper Chase
Release date: 2009-05-26
8:26 AM 
0 Comments
(Add Comment) |
Translate
Friday, August 07, 2009 
Notes on Majority Rule "Interviews With David Frost" and "Emergency Numbers" : I can't say I look back too much... In fact, I think it's safe to say that at any point, I genuinely feel like I've only been alive for 3 years. It's fuckin' retarded. Anything beyond that just kind of goes into deep storage and gets pulled out only on a rare frozen moment of introspection.

However, I can say with complete certainty that my absolute favorite time in life to reflect on centers around the period in which these two albums came out. It was without a doubt the most pure and altruistic time in the lives of the band, myself, our friends, their bands, and the things we were committed to. Anyone active in the DC/NoVA punk/hardcore scene of the time would probably tell you the same. When I think about these records in particular, I'm reminded of a rare moment in life where I actively felt a part of a thriving (local) community. It was very exciting waking up every day and knowing that you were going to see all of your friends and work on so many projects before returning to your bed (if you even went to sleep that day!). Things felt urgent and everyone's actions and behaviors followed suit.

In many ways, Majority Rule was the anchor for everyone during those times. Starting with the record release for "Interviews With David Frost" at the Wilson Center (w/pg.99, Darkest Hour, Waifle, and City of Caterpillar opening!), Majority Rule shows became these pulsing beacons of community pride where hundreds and hundreds of people would come to every show, know every single word to every song, and altogether combine to create a truly transcendent experience that left us all with.... hope? Motivation? Cathartic satisfaction? These three guys and their music definitely did something special for and to all of us living in the area at the time.

What's most amazing to me in the present day is how well both of these albums held up. Repressing them doesn't feel at all like a novelty or nostalgic kitsch in the slightest. I still get goosebumps. I still believe in what's going on from the point the needle touches down all the way until it picks back up. It's my sincerest hope that a lot of folks that weren't into DIY punk/hardcore back then (or maybe missed out on the whole DC/NoVA revival of the early 00's) will be able to pull even a sliver of what these records have already given so many people. You're in for a treat...






MBL014-1 : MAJORITY RULE "INTERVIEWS WITH DAVID FROST" LP

- Second pressing of the classic debut album from Washington DC's MAJORITY RULE
- Coupon for free downloads included in every jacket
- At checkout, you'll be able to add the CD version for only $4.00
- You can try out/download the entire recording for free at http://www.gimmesound.com/MajorityRule

• To order this LP online, please visit http://www.magicbulletrecords.com/august09.html
• If paying by cash or money order, write info@magicbulletrecords.com for instructions

--





MBL035-1 : MAJORITY RULE "EMERGENCY NUMBERS" LP

- Second pressing of the classic final full length album from Washington DC's MAJORITY RULE
- Coupon for free downloads included in every jacket
- At checkout, you'll be able to add the CD version for only $4.00
- You can try out/download the entire recording for free at http://www.gimmesound.com/MajorityRule

• To order this LP online, please visit http://www.magicbulletrecords.com/august09.html
• If paying by cash or money order, write info@magicbulletrecords.com for instructions

--

Notes on This Will Destroy You "S/T" : We're now on the 3rd pressing of this thing. It's kind of weird knowing that most people living in modern society have probably heard something by this band in just a few short years (whether they realize it or not)... be it in a movie trailer, a TV show (usually where "men" are crying and getting snot on their shirts), a commercial, a coffee shop's stereo, and on and on. It's definitely been an unexpected and educational ride to say the least. At the end of the day, they're still an actual band of 4 dudes driving around, playing shows, making records just like the rest of us. And this was/is a damn fine record at that. Some new marble-y color variations for this one... enjoy.





MBL100-1 : THIS WILL DESTROY YOU "S/T" 2xLP

- Third pressing of the critically-acclaimed full length album from Austin's THIS WILL DESTROY YOU
- Coupon for free downloads included in every jacket
- At checkout, you'll be able to add the CD version for only $5.00
- You can try out/download the entire recording for free at http://www.gimmiesound.com/ThisWillDestroyYou

• To order this 2xLP online, please visit http://www.magicbulletrecords.com/august09.html
• If paying by cash or money order, write info@magicbulletrecords.com for instructions

--

Next:

Christie Front Drive "Stereo" LP+DVD, CD+DVD, digital
Christie Front Drive "Discography" CD, 2xLP, digital
Forensics "You Don't Have To Win, But You Have To Fight" 10", CD
Integrity "Vvalpürgisnacht" CD/shirt box set
Integrity "Vvalpürgisnacht" skateboard deck
Loser Life "My Hell + More Hell" CD

Thank you.
http://www.magicbulletrecords.com
http://www.twitter.com/magicbulletrecs
http://www.gimmesound.com/magicbulletrecords (FREE full-album downloads!)
Currently listening:
Emergency Numbers
By Majority Rule
Release date: 2003-07-15
8:19 AM 
0 Comments
(Add Comment) |
Translate
Thursday, July 09, 2009 

(Original article can be viewed on the Vinyl Collective site).

Thu 2 Jul 2009

JULY VC LABEL OF THE MONTH: MAGIC BULLET RECORDINGS

Posted by virgil under ... Of the Month, Vinyl Collective 
1 Comment
brenteyestone
I am honored to bring you our July Label of the Month, Magic Bullet Recordings. Magic Bullet has put out so many incredible bands since their beginning in 1996 including Boy Sets Fire who “peer-pressured” Brent into putting out their first album. Since that first release, they have released records from a diverse number of bands from This Will Destroy You, Austin Lucas, Doomriders, Golden City, Boris, Ringfinger, and later this year, they will begin reissuing the Christie Front Drive catalog (stoked for this, used to see CFD back in the mid 90’s). Magic Bullet was started and continues to run on D.I.Y. ethics. And in their 13 year history, the label has long been releasing vinyl. Brent was kind enough to discuss what he looks for in a band, why he puts out vinyl, thoughts on variants, and much more.
Also worth noting is Magic Bullet’s recent announcement that they will be giving away much of their digital catalog away for free through a partnership with gimmesound.com who shares ad revenue with labels and artists for their legal, free downloads.
Thanks Brent for taking the time to answer these questions. Everyone please take a second to check out the feature, check out the label, and hell download some of their tracks for free.
VC: When did your label start? What inspired you to start the label? Where is your label based? Do you do the label full time? What don’t most people know about you/your label?
MB: The label started in 1996 out of my sophomore year apartment at Penn State. I was inspired to start the label when some buddies named Boy Sets Fire peer-pressured me into it (in order to put out their first CD). It’s currently located out of Fredericksburg, Virginia and it is my full-time “job.” Judging by the mail/demos I receive, I’d say most people don’t know that it’s a DIY/punk-rooted label run by a singular dude hanging out at his house. Thus, it’s really funny when people send EPK’s… or when bands I work with go get a manager or three and have them try to play “fake music industry” with me.
VC: What active bands are on your label?
MB: The latest releases have come from Loser Life, Golden City, Disappearer, Golden Holy, Boris, This Will Destroy You, Lymbyc Systym, Ringfinger. Upcoming stuff includes stuff by Integrity, Forensics, the Paper Chase, Kaospilot, and more. This year I’ll also reissue the Christie Front Drive discography, Jesuit discography, and Engine Kid discography.
VC: Why do you press vinyl? Do you collect vinyl?
MB: I’ve never really thought about it. It’s just something that I’ve always done since starting the label. Vinyl has always been an important part of the DIY/punk/hardcore scenes, so there was never a second thought about it. The fact that I grew up listening to my dad’s LP’s exclusively probably helped shape that too. And yes, I have a pretty excessive collection of my own after all these years. I have a “listening room” set up solely for playing records.
VC: What do you look for in a band? Have you ever signed a band from a demo? What advice do you have for bands trying to get your attention? What band or bands would you kill to work with?
MB: I’ve never gone for a “label sound.” I’ve always just put out whatever moves me to do so. Generally speaking, I tend to work with guys and girls that are funny people who like to party. Those are the best people in the long run. If you can hang out with a band and immediately hit it off, it’s going to work out. I really enjoy looking at album covers of stuff I’ve done and just getting immediately flooded with awesome memories of hanging out and playing with all these people.
Advice for getting my attention? Presentation and lack of pretension. I like seeing a band’s whole “vibe.” I don’t give a shit who you “shared the stage with.” I want to see artwork, read lyrics, and be blown away by the music.
Bands I’d kill to work with… I can honestly say that I’ve been lucky enough to already be in that position (aside from the killing). Christie Front Drive is one of my favorite bands of all time, so I’m bouncing off the walls as we’re planning out all the reissues. And the hardcore kid in my is circle-pitting over the Integrity stuff that’s coming up. Too many bands to name… I’m sure that many more good things will come along the journey.
VC: What manufacturer(s) do you press your records through? Do you recommend them?
MB: I’ve been at United Record Pressing since day one. I recommend that people use plants close to their homes. It saves a ton in terms of the natural resources burned up in shipping. Plus, it keeps jobs and industry in your region.
VC: What release is your best selling record? How many has it sold?
MB: Probably the Boy Sets Fire “This Crying, This Screaming, My Voice is Being Born” CD, which is the first thing I ever put out. It sold many tens of thousands… I guess in some ways you could say that it’s all been downhill from there? Ha.
VC: There are lots of opinions with regards to pressing numbers and number of variants with vinyl. I personally prefer to press 1,000 copies initially over 2 variants (300 of one and 700 of another). What is your thought on number of variants and pressing numbers? How about with represses?
MB: I just go with whatever the band wants. If they don’t have a preference, I’ll take a look at the band and what I perceive to be their audience (as well as the color scheme of the artwork) and work something out that way. For some of the more “serious” bands, it would just seem kind of weird to do anything but black or simple solids. As a collector/listener, I personally prefer black on everything in my personal collection. So I tend to have at least some of the pressing on black. I guess it’s a case by case basis. Generally speaking, I try not to go too overboard and keep it classic/simple… I feel like to much hoopla over the variants and splatters, etc. can detract from what we’re really trying to push: the music itself.
VC: Who handles your distribution?
MB: Naturally, Vinyl Collective has been helping out. Thanks Virgil! I like doing a lot of mailorder, so I push that a bit. Dischord handles a lot of store sales. I’ll also be working with some friends via a new thing called ILC. Overseas, Shellshock takes care of a lot of UK/EU sales and Disk Union brings stuff into Japan.
VC: What do you see as the future of music sales?
MB: Give it away for free on “officially licensed” sites, have corporate America foot the bill via movie trailers and commercials that the consumer sees while waiting for their downloads. The end user pays nothing, the label and bands get ad revenue.
VC: What is your stance on bundling mp3 coupons with your vinyl? Do your releases come with mp3 coupons?
MB: I’m way into it. Consumers are way into it too. Anybody who’s not doing this currently needs to catch up or sink.
VC: If you could tell the world to buy one release on your label, which one would you tell people to purchase? Why?
MB: That’s really a tough one since there’s around 125 things to pick from. I’m thinking Majority Rule’s “Interviews With David Frost” LP. Solely because it serves the functions of reminding me of a very pure and exciting time in my life while holding up musically.
Thanks.
7:31 AM 
0 Comments
(Add Comment) |
Translate
Thursday, July 09, 2009 
"Another Indie Label Goes the Totally Free Route"

Click the above link to read about the Magic Bullet/Gimmesound partnership on the Village Voice blog.

You can download full Magic Bullet albums at:


Thanks.
7:29 AM 
1 Comments
(Add Comment) |
Translate
Tuesday, July 07, 2009 
Interview with Eric Richter at Functionary Media

GOLDEN CITY: Once More Into The Breech!!
There seems to be stigma against all things ear-friendly these days. Melodic and pleasant tunes are snubbed by snobs and scenesters alike and labeled empty and sugary sweet garbage. This is only partly true. On the other end of the spectrum, there exists a school of thought that something can be made for the sake of sounding beautiful and nice, and in that mission, such works are a success. With bands whose talents, tastes and tunes have run the gambit from complicated instrumentalism to straightforward, verse-chorus-verse power- pop, Eric Richter is mindful of such criticisms, and has recently come to embrace them.
Guitarist, vocalist and primary songwriter for flagship indie bands, Christie Front Drive, Antarctica and, to a lesser extent, The 101, Richter and his band of merry men have seemingly done and heard it all. Now safely nestled in that one-horse town known as New York City, his latest endeavor, Golden City, is poised to do more. Functionary Media recently sat down with Eric to discuss his past, present and future, as well as to satisfy my own curiosity to discuss why Antarctica never released another record. Listen up kids, you might learn something, there is more than one type of veteran.
GM: So how was the Golden City built?
ER: Basically when our bass player from The 101 decided to leave and go back to school. Instead of getting another bass player, Jeremy and I decided to start something else instead of looking for a new bass player and playing the same songs. He basically said, 'I'm starting another band, you're welcome to be in it'. I wanted to do something differently this time. The main thing was to get another guitar player and write songs a little differently. It changes your writing dramatically when you're not the only guitar player.
GM: Do you feel the GC stuff is stronger creatively because of more personnel?
ER: It just gives me more room. I'm kind of in the same position I was with Christie Front Drive. I'm definitely a lot happier with my songwriting now. Playing with more people, I feel like I've been getting better and better. I felt real limited in The 101 because I couldn't really noodle around as much. I was basically just trying to fill the void.
(I mention that I have The 101's Numbers cued up on my Ipod and basically open up a can of worms).
ER: Yeah we didn't really seem to do too well with that record. People seemed to like the first EP (Green Street) a lot more. Afterwards people were saying that were kind of boring (laughs). We were always that band where people were just like, 'Well, they're alright'. We weren't really turning people on with The 101.
GM: You can really here your dilemma of having only three people in there and being the only guitar player. That being said, do you prefer to write or supplement what someone else is doing?
ER: I'm better at supplementing. But I've been writing songs since I was a kid. John Lennon actually said something interesting once (he's quick to point out that he's not comparing himself). People would always ask him basically how he did it and say he was so amazing and he was like, 'Well actually I'm not. It's just kind of something that comes naturally. Someone born in poverty who works their way through school and becomes something better, that's amazing.' I agree with him in that everybody has something that comes naturally to them. Sometimes I think it's too rewarded. It's just funny when you get a lot of praise because I don't really work that hard at it. I just always have songs going through my head. Sometimes I write songs in my dreams that I can never remember. I wrote November, on the last Christie Front Drive record without even picking up my guitar. I think I would go crazy if I couldn't write, honestly.
GM: So I know Christie Front Drive was from Denver and The 101 kind of moved all over. How long have you actually been in New York?
ER: The first band I started out was Antarctica, and The 101 was actually based here too, so I've been out here ever since CFD disbanded.
GM: How did you guys get hooked up with Magic Bullet Records?
ER: They actually wrote us on Myspace. And they said they liked the songs and said if we needed any help putting them out to let them know. It was perfect timing because we didn't want to start playing shows right away. We really just wanted to practice and write. Two of our members are still getting used to playing live. So we though we'd take it slow. We recorded some songs and just put them out for free. Then we had a meeting and said that maybe we should start shopping this around to some labels and literally the day after they wrote us. It was like serendipity.
GM: Are they the ideal situation?
ER: Yeah it's great I actually have some of their records. They were one of the labels I was thinking of getting in touch with. I like the way he runs it. There's something about MB that is very homey. I always fought very hard to not commercialize what I'm doing. And it seems to have worked because I've only ever lost money on music (laughs).
GM: You mentioned you have a 9-to-5. Do you mind if I ask what that is?
ER: I'm a preschool teacher.
GM: Indeed the perfect job for a musician, summers off to tour and things like that.
ER: Yeah that's great and I was always one of those people who are a sucker for kids and animals.
(We pause so that he can answer a call from his girlfriend who is also the keyboardist from Antarctica).
GM: Speaking of Antarctica, any hopes of a reunion?
ER: I don't think so. It would really be fun, but I doubt it. I love those people so much and they're so funny. I don't think Chris would ever want to repeat anything. It seems like it would be against our plan of attack and I don't know how it would go to.
GM: Well I'm having a lunching party for this thing in May so the invitation is there. Let's talk a little bit the future. What's the name of the new record?
ER: It's just self-titled. I don't really like naming things. I like to just put them out and let people name them.
GM: When is the release date?
ER: April 7. It should be on time, too.
GM: Any tour plans scheduled?
ER: We're basically glorified weekend warriors at this point. Living in NY makes it very difficult to tour. I'm kind of getting too old to throw caution to the wind and lose money on tour. If it seems like people want us to tour, we'll do it. But I'm not too anxious to lose money and play to noone. During the summer we're hoping to go to Europe with this band called Lukestar from Norway, but that might fall through. Philly is definitely something we will come out and do. It's so close and such a cool town to play. We're going to plan something there in the summer.
GM: Out of all your projects, what would you consider your most artistically rewarding?
ER: It's literally whatever I'm involved in at the time. Right now it's GC because it's what I've been thinking about. We went on a stretch where we wrote like five songs this week. It's great. I can only surmise that this is what heroine feels like.
GM: I'm talking to my friend on Ichat and he told me to tell you that he always resented how Jimmy Eat World ripped off CFD's sound and that Jim Atkins owes you mad dollars.
ER: No comment on that other than to say that The 101 played with them once and never got paid (laughs).
After this is some idle banter about gear that only nerds would appreciate. Eric also invites me to come see them in New York and promises to keep in touch when he comes to Philly. You can hear Eric and the new gang at myspace.com/therealgoldencity.
Currently listening:
Golden City
By Golden City
Release date: 2009-04-21
6:52 AM 
0 Comments
(Add Comment) |
Translate