I really really enjoy messing with people who think spam is an acceptable form of advertising.  It's not in the slightest of course, for starters because it's invasive to privacy AND the problem with unsolicited advertising is that the receiver never ever cares.  Chances are if crooks use the technique, then honest people really shouldn't.  So- my circular logic says:  People who spam are crooks.  They are people who are stealing space in my mailbox that someone else could use more effectively.

So- I used to just mark it as spam, but since that's pretty much the ONLY messages I get in my inbox anymore I tend to do things like the following:

Send them an even bigger flier:
              +They usually have our band picture on it and a respectful phrase like:
                              "Thanks, but no thanks."
                              "We're in Minnesota.  Your shows are not."
                              "Friend us yourself!" *okay that's not very nice, but very funny.

              +Size is negotiable too!  I once sent a flier that 1460x1280! (I used the "enlarge" function to make it that big so it was all pixelated and barely readable too.)

Reply to their message:
              +Usually just the same snarky comments as above, but I've done other things like:
                               "I listened to your music! It offended me."
                               "We review bands all the time!  Just buy our CD and we'll tell you anything you want to hear about it!"
                               "Dude!  OMG-  I'm buying the plane ticket right now, wait for me at the airport I'll be there at 7:00pm!"
                               "okay, but if you don't forward this link : http://www.stellarvector.com to 300 of your friends someone close to you will have to get a hair cut."

I've thought about doing other wicked things, like getting an internet possie of like 5 or 6 people and just comment spamming bands that spam all of us with a simple .jpg tag that says "This band like Spam" and then have the spam can or something.  But that takes too much effort and too much responsibility.  So I just stick to the fun stuff.  It's really neat when they reply.  Next time I get one I'll post my results.

Charles

I've decided that myspace.com should now be call bandspam.com.  I only get friend requests from bands, and they only advertise themselves.  Seems like the well is now officially dry.

Charles

Date/Location item was lost: June 19th at the Bedlam Theatre, during load out.

Item was in a black canvas shoulder bag. It is a 15" powerbook pro, the monitor is bordered black.

Item belongs to me (charles sadler)

Please email me if you know anyone who's looking for the owner of this item.

Aeireon{at}comcast{dot}net

-If there's still juice left in the battery, that person should technically be able to just use the email program and email myself.

REWARD

Charles

http://music.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=musi...

Made another playlist, feeling a little nostalgic tonight, most of these songs with the exception of a few where what I listened to in the mid 90's Charles

Borangutan reviews the Vast, Stellar Vector, Bella Koshka show

When a critic is at a show, there's a sort of weird fog in the air, like mustard gas really.  It isn't the critic's fault, it's secreted by us artists and it's really intended to knock out all critics so that they can't remember the bad parts of a show. 

At the Vast show last Monday, I didn't initially think that the Borangutan crew was going to cover us.  It was a VAST show after all, and Jon Crosby demands a lot of attention (well deserved attention no less!)  However, it seems from the review above, that I must have forgotten to turn on my mustard gas (for the better) because we got the rawest, most honest positive review I've ever seen.   It had only one left-field word in it and you know... I shouldn't judge weather it belonged there because it was aimed at my band, but screw it; it's a totally apropriate left-field word!

Reviews of reviews is kind of something I like to publicly voice, because usually it's because I get to pick apart an uninformed and mostly bad review.  I've had plenty of those!  This review makes me want to watch my band more, which- well, I'll never truely be able to enjoy in the same manner that someone like Skelly will be able to.

It is nice to get a glimpse of what that experience is like in a positive way, so thanks to the Borangutan team for recognizing our efforts.

Charles

If you were not already aware, Stellar Vector is playing a show this coming Monday with Vast and Bella Koshka.  Bella Koshka is a band that us boys are kind of hot for.  They've got a great sound, they've got fantastic people in it, it's really hard not to fall for it.  Here, find out for yourself:



So, anyway, if you've checked out that link you should have a pretty good idea of what I'm blogging about here.  The hotness is hard to deny, you just accept it. 

Well, I guess they've figured out that we're hot for them, because yesterday I recieved a facebook invite from them asking Stellar Vector to go with them to the goth prom after the show.  Of course, we all accepted.  So- if you're going out to goth prom on Monday night, expect to see Stellar Vector get courted by one of the sexiest bands in Minneapolis.

I know I shouldn't be rubbing it in or anything, but, well, if you were asked by Bella, you would be rubbing it in too.

Come to our show and see how bands prepare for dates!


Charles

The myspace advertising for music has our male artists bald, clenching a wad of money in their left hand, and showing off a fancy ring on their pinky and a big diamond chain.  This image used to be something that was in mockery of the commercial world (I.E. Public Enemy)  However, now I look at it and it doesn't look like a deliberate over the top slap in the face to the industry.  It looks like these artists want you to sincerely believe that they have 100's of dollars in cash and bling!

As we go in to record this album, I at this point am a little fearful of the consequences.  Of course, we move forward with our plan reguardless of the consequences (ask any prior band mate and they'll tell you I don't shy away from adversity.), but- I am a little worried that the album will not have the positive impact on the people I am attempting to reach out to as I had initally hoped.  The message is clear, and consise, and said in an abrasive but eloquent way as always; but- I wonder if the people I'm attempt to reach are now finally beyond listening. 

I wonder if the general populace has finally reached the point where they only understand commercialism, and art has no impact on them anymore.  When I was of the target market for rap, they used to show booze and women and parties.  Not anymore, now it's just money, and money related accessories.  Men are more blinged out than women even these days! 

Maybe we're going to ring the alarm and no one will hear it?  But- we have to ring the alarm nonetheless.  We have to get our message out to someone, and hopefully to people who haven't realized what's going on.  Our fans are great, and they understand our message.  This album is written for their amusement and validation, but it is also written for those who haven't noticed.

Are the oblivious beyond revival?

Charles

It has come to our attention that the following company is distributing our music for profit without our permission!  The company: Drop-Zone/Zone Platinum Ent. aquired our album, just like any of you could have; by downloading our creative commons licensed copy from our website or Jamendo.com.  They took it a step farther however, and decided to attempt to publish our work by distributing the album under a different name: TuneShout link and for a fee.

This violates all sorts of copywright laws and rest assured that we intend to persue this transgression to the fullest extent of the law.  Right now we are in the gathering data process, trying to figure out who they are working with, and who else they have stolen music from.  Once this is all done we will assess the damages and then take them to court. 

If you see these albums on Itunes, or any other pay site, remember; do not buy it!  You are not supporting us by doing so.  You are only supporting Drop-Zone/Platinum Ent.

Stay Vigilant,
Charles

We're down to the last couple of weeks of preparation before we go into Eric Lavold's recording studio to start taking tracks.   We have 14 songs that we're going to do (I really ought to get back into tellling the stories on these songs.) and we're going to try to do it over 2 weekends.  Both David and Eric seem pretty excited to be getting down and dirty on our music.  David's been mumbling Genesis to some people, and he's been asking me to let him borrow my copy of Selling England by the Pound.   So, basically everyone in the SV camp is gearing up for some really hard work.

We go in from May 9th-May 11th, and we also go in from May 15th-May 17th.  We would like to offer our die hard fans the opportunity to come on over and witness the recordings as they come to life during this particular process.  Just message me here on myspace, or Jonathan, Kevin, mike or Steve.  You know how to contact us.  We'll set you up with the opportunity should you wish to take it.

This album is going to be tough to cut down to 8 songs, that's all I'm going to add at this point.

Charles

Wow, me and Scotty sure know how to pull a last second party don't we?

I hope you had a blast at it, and thank you for your support.  After all that canceling nonsense I needed it.

Until next time!
Charles