12
Poppermost News Dec 2002
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Index
1:
Welcome to the Popperlist
2:
Popperstuff - The Gift of Giving
3:
Poppertales - Wrapped in Romance
4:
Alex Pops Off - He Got It via J.C.
5:
Cheerio
6:
Contact
7:
Subscribe / Unsubscribe
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Welcome
to the Popperlist
Ho!
Ho! Ho! Welcome to the M.C. & H.N.Y. edition of
the
Poppermost newsletter. Last month was the season to give
thanks,
but with today being 'twas-the-night-before, 'tis the season to give,
period. This issue is about what we'd like to give to you.
For all you new subscribers who don't yet know the who and
how of
Poppermost, visit our web site http://www.poppermost.com/
for some history, pictures, music, and more.
Popperstuff
We're giving away free CDs --
the only way
you'll be able
to see what that's all about is to come see us perform. Not
so
hard, huh? If you're reading this, then you already know you
like
our music or you wouldn't have signed up in the first place.
So
bring your party and come join us (and dance the night away) this
weekend at Club 50 (formerly Legends Lounge) located at the southeast
corner of Lamb & Washington, 865 N Lamb, here in Las Vegas NV
and
we'll be there Friday & Saturday, December 27 & 28 from
8pm to
midnight. 21 and over only. No cover.
702-437-9674.
If
you've checked out the web site recently, you'll have noticed a
major change in the picture on the front page. When you come
out
to see Poppermost at Club 50 this weekend, you'll see the change when
we give you our new drummer, Phil Kaz. Seems like every time
we
tell you guys about a new addition to the Poppermost family, something
happens and we're back to duo. So we figure somebody out
there in
Popperfanland is jinxing us. STOP IT!! STOP JINXING
US
RIGHT NOW!! Whoever you are. We want to keep this
one,
please!
Alex
will be performing solo at the Iowa Cafe (300 E Charleston #101,
366-1882) on January 3, 2003. The fun starts about 7:30 pm
with
lots of other local artists added to the mix throughout the evening.
We
missed being able to tell many of you about performing at Acoustic
Asylum in the Palapa Lounge at the PALMS last week where they shot a
great VH1-style video of the performance (intense lighting, smoke, the
works). The problem with only doing a major mailing once a
month
is that several of our gigs fall through the "announcement cracks" that
way. In the past when a fan has asked to get our newsletter,
part
of our agreement to you has always been that we wouldn't bother you but
once a month, and we work very hard to honor that agreement.
We
know, however that there are some of you who wouldn't mind the
occasional extra note, and we even know who some of you are (the ones
who did hear about the Palapa Lounge and our first gig at Club 50 last
weekend), but we'd like to know who the rest of you are. So
please write and tell us if it's okay to drop you an extra line.
Thanks.
Poppertales
Last
month we started a series about ways to add a little spark to a
sputtering romance and it's time to give you a couple more
tips.
By the way, if anyone tried tip #46 from last month, please write us
and tell us which texture, taste, or temperature you chose.
In
the spirit of gift giving, try wrapping up the notes in #7 in Christmas
paper for a fun touch, and #32 makes a great present to hang on the
Christmas tree.
#7
- Leave special little love notes around the house for your mate to
find -- next to the toothbrush, in the underwear drawer, in the lunch
bag, in the briefcase, with that big presentation they have to give
that day, etc. Whether it's a note of encouragement for a
project
on which they're working, or simply an unexpected "I love you," the
result will be a "warm fuzzy" feeling that will reap nice rewards.
Don't make it just a one-time occurrence though, do it on a
semi-regular basis -- sporadically, so that it doesn't lose its
surprise value.
#32
- Make a coupon book of special services that you might not
normally do, i.e., a massage, cooking a special dinner, washing the
dishes, a hug, a movie, mowing the lawn, reading a book out loud,
cleaning the bathroom or windows, taking out the garbage, detailing the
car, or anything at all. Use your imagination, then give the
coupon book to your mate to be redeemed whenever.
Remember,
communication is paramount in any relationship that involves
two or more parties, whether it be lovers, spouse, co-workers, family,
or even band mates. Most problems can be resolved if people
stay
alert for adverse reactions and discuss them before brick walls of
misunderstanding get built too high.
And
speaking of insights, would you believe that one year ago this
month we introduced a new section of our newsletter as follows... "we
have a cool new editorial section from Alex. He insisted on
some
space and since he's bigger than the rest of us, we weren't going to
argue! Besides, he promised to keep it short and sweet.
If
he doesn't appear in next month's edition, you'll know he blew
it!" Well it hasn't always been short, and is rarely sweet,
but
there have been so many wonderful compliments from our readers that the
section is now a permanent fixture where both Alex and Roy can share
their stories and insights with you, so without further ado, heeere's.
Alex Pops Off
O.K.
I'll admit it. I'm a John Cusack nut.
It's
widely known that I go to see movies to hear its soundtrack, not to get
lost in its plot, subplots, twists, and turns. Cusack's
movies
always have great soundtracks, plus his characters are always
interesting and eerily, I learn something about myself every time I
watch a Cusack movie. I recently bought a copy of "Grosse
Point
Blank." Simple plot: Cusack plays a hit man who goes back to
his
old hometown to "do his job" as well as attend his high school reunion.
His high school sweetheart, played by Minnie Driver, is a
disc
jockey who, in honor of the reunion, plays an all vinyl, all 80's
weekend show. I graduated high school in '87, and hated most
of
the music radio had to offer: warmed over Michael Jackson, sappy
ballads by Anita Baker and Whitney Houston, and power ballads that made
me ill.
I'm
always stating that there were "probably 5 or 6 great bands from
the 80's and very few were played on the radio." The
soundtrack
to this movie reminded me that there was indeed music that mattered.
The movie soundtrack features the likes of the Clash, the
Jam,
the English Beat, Pete Townshend, early music by Faith No More, and ska
from Toots and the Maytals. Cool stuff, indeed. It
reminded
me that every decade has great music, as well as a bunch of garbage
that's best not discussed (i.e. Michael Jackson's "Bad," sorry, but
THAT was crap). Maybe, at the ripe old age of 34, I'm getting
a
bit sentimental about acne, lack of facial hair, illegal chemical
intake, and book reports on Dovstoyevsky novels that meant nothing to
me. But when I think of U2, the Police, the Replacements,
R.E.M.,
Husker Du, Adam and the Ants, and the 80's in general, musically, it
was a great time. Why didn't I get that from L.A. commercial
radio? Why did I have to get it from a Cusack film?
Who
knows? Who cares? I got it! Got it?
Good!
Cheerio
Now
that Alex got it, it's your turn. You, too can GET IT --
the
music, your life, our CD, whatever -- as long as you get it -- whatever
IT happens to be. We're rooting for good discoveries from
each
and every one of you guys, especially since the time for New Year's
resolutions is right around the corner. When you do find and
get
IT, be sure to call or write us and let us know what your IT, your
revelation is/was. Then we'll see you again right here --
same
Pop channel -- next month. We wish for you all a safe and
wonderful holiday season and as always, thanks for joining us!
Contact
email: pop@poppermost.com
web: http://www.poppermost.com/, http://www.mp3.com/poppermost,
http://www.cdbaby.com/poppermost
Alex
Oliver, Suicide Pop! Records, http://www.thefaro.com/suicidepop.html,
702-384-0306, 1700 S Main St PMB 188 Las Vegas NV 89104 USA
Roy
Al Rendahl, Trimordial Studio, http://www.thefaro.com/,
702-340-6748
Subscribe / Unsubscribe
If
you wish to be removed from the Poppermost email list, please reply
to this message and let us know. If you know someone who may
be
interested in receiving messages about Poppermost, please forward this
message to them and tell them to let us know.
Thank
you and Happy Holidays!
Alex,
Roy, Phil, Debbie, & Farrah
Return to Top
11 Poppermost
News Nov 2002
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Index
1:
Welcome to the Popperlist
2:
Popperstuff - news, events, and stuff
3:
Poppertales - stories, anecdotes, and help
4:
Alex and Roy Pop Off - column/editorial
5:
Cheerio
6:
Contact
7:
Subscribe / Unsubscribe
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Welcome to the Popperlist
Hello,
and Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Ah, 'tis the season
to
get stuffed... with all your holiday favorites (my, oh my! think of all
of that pie!). Just remember to snack carefully and try your
best
not to eat and drive. The results could be catastrophic!
For all you new subscribers who don't yet know the who and
how of
Poppermost, visit our web site http://www.poppermost.com/
for some history, pictures, music, and more.
Popperstuff
It
would seem that the first order of business (other than to give
thanks, that comes later) is to expound a little on the new contact
information for Poppermost we mentioned briefly last month.
Our
new web site address is http://www.poppermost.com/
and, as you may have already noticed from the return address above, our
new (main) email address is pop@poppermost.com.
There is also alex@poppermost.com
and roy@poppermost.com,
no doubt you can figure out what that's all about!
We
would like to announce the birth of a bouncing new baby Poppermost
single! Entitled "Erika," our new song was released November
8th,
and takes an aggressive "get back to roots" approach to
instrumentation, performance, and recording. The "B-side" consists of 3
songs from our first CD, Poppermost, as well as a great QuickTime video
of "Where The Guilty Prayed," which was conceived, filmed, and produced
by our own Roy Al Rendahl. You can order the new CD single
through our web site, or win a free copy by answering a trivia question
at one of our performances!
On
a sad note, we'd like to announce that November 9th marked the end
of our run at the Thunderbird Lounge. We would personally
like to
thank all of those who were involved in making every Saturday night a
magical, danceable, and memorable experience for us. Very
special
thanks to Robin Dzvonick, for giving Poppermost the chance to grow and
develop in her fine establishment, as well as to barkeeps Terry, Jeff,
and Dana. Thank you for always making us feel at home.
You're in our hearts and not far from our thoughts.
Catch
Poppermost in December at:
*
The Iowa Cafe,12/6, 6-10p (Several local artists such as Anne
Donohue, Dylan Moses, and Roadside Prophets. Poppermost at
8p)
300 E Charleston, #101 (Charleston and 3rd St), Las Vegas.
702-366-1882. FREE admission. All ages.
*
Acoustic Asylum A2 in the Palapa Lounge at the PALMS, 12/17,
10:30-11p. 4321 W Flamingo, Las Vegas.
702-942-7777.
FREE admission. 21 and over.
We
wanted to share a little about what folks are saying about
Poppermost and our CD that we keep touting. We recognize the
necessity of tooting our own horn, and now others are joining in... so
hey, "BEEP! BEEP!"
From
the press:
"Demands
repeated play because of its infectious rhythm and lyrics."
Las Vegas Weekly
"A
force to be reckoned with." Southern Nevada Entertainment
Magazine
"Duo
having fun on the way up." The View (Las Vegas
Review-Journal insert)
"Damn
good CD by the way." Derek Sivers (founder of CD Baby,
an online CD distributor)
From
the fans:
"...such
powerful lyrics. They really move me."
Steven K.
"The
music is addictive and I never get tired of listening to it."
Noble B.
"Excellent
guitar work. Thought I had stepped into a time
machine... back to 1968." Kelly J.
"...uplifting
and moving -- I listen to it all the time at work."
Emilse G.
"We
cruise Monterey Bay with the windows open and Poppermost cranked
up." Tim B.
Poppertales
And
now for something completely different... the first in a series of
tips we'll bring you each month to add a little spark to a sputtering
romance. Not all of these tips will be appropriate for
everyone,
so only use the ones with which you feel comfortable, and always
remember to be sensitive to your partner's reactions when trying
something new.
#38
- Take out an ad in the paper announcing your love and devotion to
your mate. You don't have to wait for Valentine's Day.
#16
- Take a shower together -- save energy. (This is ideal
after tip #46.)
#46
- Open the jars in your refrigerator and cupboards.
Anything
gooey, pourable, or spreadable on any part of your body is fair game --
experiment with textures, tastes, and temperatures.
#1
- Set aside at least 5 minutes every day for yourselves alone --
kiss, hug, be close, look deep into each other's eyes, no words needed.
Before
you get too hot and bothered, and go off to play with these
ideas, you probably saw the "give thanks" reference earlier in the
newsletter, and we do have a lot for which to be thankful, so
heeere's...
Alex Pops Off
Normally,
I would run off at the fingertips about music, music, or
music. I would tell you about how the soundtrack to "Grosse
Pointe Blank" changed my opinions about the dismal state of 80's music,
or talk about how I started to feel like an old man after hearing that
the Police, Elvis Costello and the Attractions, and the Clash were all
inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Maybe next
month,
but not this time. This time, I'd like to give thanks.
Seems to be the perfect time for it.
There
are so many people in my life to whom I'm grateful, starting with
those of you who continually call, write, and come to see us perform.
Thanks for supporting Poppermost. Without you, we
couldn't
make it all happen, so I send out a great big Dating-Game kiss to our
fans and friends, the media (radio and print), promoters, and all of
you who believe in us enough to keep bringing us back. Have a
great holiday. Since I'm on the edge of getting "verklempt,"
I'll
just say, "Th-th-th-th-th that's all, folks."
Cheerio
We
wish for you and your loved ones a safe and happy Thanksgiving
weekend. Let us know who popped who during the family football feuds
tomorrow. Then we'll see whoever's left (alive and kicking,
that is)
right here -- same Pop channel -- same Pop time -- next month.
As always,
thanks!
Contact
email: pop@poppermost.com
web: http://www.poppermost.com/, http://www.mp3.com/poppermost,
http://www.cdbaby.com/poppermost
Alex
Oliver, Suicide Pop! Records, http://www.thefaro.com/suicidepop.html,
702-384-0306, 1700 S Main St
PMB 188 Las Vegas NV 89104 USA
Roy
Al Rendahl, Trimordial Studio, http://www.thefaro.com/,
702-340-6748
Subscribe / Unsubscribe
If
you wish to be removed from the Poppermost email list, please reply
to this message and let us know. If you know someone who may be
interested in receiving messages about Poppermost, please forward this
message to them and tell them to let us know.
Thank
you!
Alex,
Roy, Debbie, & Farrah
Return to Top
10 Poppermost
News Sep 2002
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Index
1:
Welcome to the Popperlist
2:
Popperstuff - news, events, and stuff
3:
Poppertales - artist stories, anecdotes, and help
4:
Alex and Roy Pop Off - column/editorial
5:
Cheerio
6:
Contact
7:
Subscribe / Unsubscribe
*
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Welcome to the Popperlist
Welcome
to the September issue of the Poppermost newsletter.
This month
we'll cover a couple of changes, and a whole bunch of good fortune.
So
many things happening around here these days. So go get your
coffee and
settle in with us for a couple of minutes of relaxation away from all
the violence and nastiness you see out there in the world.
For all you
new subscribers who don't yet know the who and how of Poppermost, visit
our website http://www.poppermost.com/
to get our measure, including
ways to hear our music online.
Popperstuff
What
an incredible month it has been! Not only have wonderful
things
been happening for us -- it seems to be contagious because we're
hearing
good news about many of our friends and fellow musicians lately.
Record
deals, great gigs, new CDs, video jobs, weddings, babies, and so much
more -- congratulations to all of you, and, of course, to us, too!
Between
all four of us, it seems like we only have three feet on the
ground. Since last month's newsletter, we landed a regular
gig, our CD
got an excellent review, we had our first official newspaper interview,
we're once again seeking the right drummer and vocalist, and more.
So
much material, so little space... so for now, believe it or not,
here's the short version.
The
regular (though still on a trial basis) gig is at the Thunderbird
Lounge, 1215 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, 702-383-3100, ext 0, on
Saturday nights 9pm to 1am. FREE admission. 21 and
over. Now that
we've got our foot in the door, we're trying to keep it there, so
please come on down and check out the new lounge. Alex has a
strange,
must-see stunt planned for your entertainment this week, but the only
way you'll ever know about it is to show up and bring your friends,
maybe you better bring your video camera, too. For those of
you who've
only heard our "acoustic duo" style, you'll be amazed when you hear our
"full-band" sound. Also, you don't want to miss the lounge's
new
ultra-chic decor designed for the enjoyment of a relaxing evening or
dancing the night away. PRIZES.
Next
we'll be jamming, along with Not Amused, http://www.notamusedmusic.com/
for Vegas Unplugged at the Iowa Cafe on
Friday October 4, 2002 at 7:30pm, 300 E Charleston, #101, Las Vegas,
702-366-1882. FREE admission. All ages.
Nothing like good food, music,
and friends for fun.
At
our N. Rainbow Borders gig last week we made many new friends, and
got some help from one of them. See Poppertales below for the
story.
We'll be at Borders again, this time for the new Summerlin
store's
Grand Opening Celebration, 10950 W Charleston Blvd, Las Vegas
(Charleston & I-215), 702-382-6101, Saturday, October 12, 2002,
1pm to
3pm. FREE admission. All ages. Come early
and make it a family affair
by taking part in the kids events going on all morning long, then enjoy
the music of Poppermost.
We're
having fun in the media this month. Everybody has
milestones in
their career, and we're no different. It was exciting when
our first
one came in the form of a fantastic review of our CD, Poppermost.
Along
with other wonderful thoughts, Las Vegas Weekly
states that the music
"demands repeated play because of its infectious rhythm and lyrics."
Read the whole review at http://www.lasvegasweekly.com/2002/08_29/music_soundcheck.html
or on
page 27 of the 8-29-02 issue. Then please run right out and
buy the CD
at the two Borders stores mentioned above, the Iowa Cafe, or at http://www.cdbaby.com/poppermost.
The next milestone was also exciting
-- our first official newspaper interview / story. According
to Ginger
Mikkelsen of the View (the neighborhood insert of The
Las
VegasReview-Journal) Poppermost is a "Duo having fun on the
way up."
Read all about it in the 9-25-02 Green Valley/Henderson
edition of the View, http://www.viewnews.com/2002/VIEW-Sep-25-Wed-2002/Henderson/19662894.html.
Another article about the band will be in the October edition
of Southern Nevada Entertainment Magazine, so be
sure to pick it up at
your local newsstands.
New
Poppermost T-shirts and other neat items are now available at http://www.cafepress.com/poppermost.
More new designs and merchandise
will be available later, so be sure and bookmark the page to check out
the changes.
Poppertales
This
section is to share music tips and experiences that will
entertain, enlighten, and encourage musicians and non-musicians alike.
This
month we'd like to direct your attention to Christopher Knab, a
music business consultant. While anyone can call himself a
consultant,
this guy has the credentials and expertise to back up the title.
His
well-written insights are published consistently in the major music
e-zines. One of his articles, "The Need For Approval,"
appears at http://www.galaris.com/articles?id=167.
Do yourself a favor -- read it,
then access some of his other columns at http://www.knab.com/indie_column.cfm.
More free info can be found on
his website, http://www.4frontmusic.com/
where he addresses the four
fronts of the music business. 1. Artist and Product
Development Front -
from songwriting and recording, to distribution and selling, prepare
your music for the marketplace; 2. Promotion Front - get airplay for
your music on the radio, TV, and the Internet; 3. Publicity Front -
prepare and publicize your music through print and broadcast media; 4.
Performance Front - use live performances effectively to build your
career.
Now
for the fun story you guys like so much. This one
actually comes
from a recent Poppermost performance and is truly a "Tal-tale."
What is
it with 3-year-olds? Why is it that children go to such
extremes?
Either they're timid and shy, peeking from behind mama's
skirts, or
they want to be Frank or Barbra, belting out ditties on how the "wheels
on the bus go 'round and 'round." At our first Borders show,
we had the
privilege of meeting one of those non-timid toddlers, a 3-year-old by
the name of Tal. He was the perfect singer. He knew
what he was going
to sing, grabbed the microphone, and started wailing a tune, nothing
could deter him. He was totally unaware, and didn't care
about the fact
that EVERYONE in the store could hear him. He was having fun
on HIS
terms. Thank goodness he's still at that age where he is
totally
unaware of the pitfalls of the music industry.
Maybe
Tal will grow up to be the next generation's answer to the
American Idol, but while we wait, let's get into some heady, heartfelt
reflections with our own personal American idol as he shares a touching
memory of one of his idols, so heeere's.
Alex Pops Off
It
hurt to listen to "Imagine." It tore my heart to pieces
whenever I
heard the opening piano line to one of John Lennon's most beautiful
musical statements. I bought the single as a 12-year-old kid,
just days
before Lennon was murdered back in December 1980. After the
news came
that he was gone, the song was everywhere. It was on every
radio
station in Los Angeles. "Imagine" was on every televised
tribute I saw
that month. I heard the song, my mouth went dry, my heart
began to
pound, and tears would fill my eyes halfway before staining my "chubby
little boy" cheeks. As a teen, I bought a copy of the
"Imagine" album
(remember vinyl?) and played every song, except the title track.
I was
not going show emotion! That was not cool!
15-year-old kids don't cry.
They hide.
Fast
forward 21 years later, and "Imagine" is played on the radio as a
tribute to those who lost their lives in New York City's Twin Towers.
Someone suggests that we learn the song. We learn
how to play it, and I
am deathly afraid to sing it. I don't want to cry in public.
I don't
want to lose control while performing in front of a live
audience. My
fear of the unknown forced me to learn the song, and perform it in
public. I learned that our audience members had not forgotten
the man,
the song, or the message. They share with me their memories
of Lennon
and that song. The hurt is still there, but I learned that
the message
in that song transcends pain and hurt. It continues to force
people to
"Imagine." And I realize that I am not the only person with
one less
hero in the world.
Cheerio
A
few months ago we adopted the cheery-sounding English form of "saying
bye," partly because of our Beatle-influenced name, but never before
has it seemed so appropriate as it does now. Finding and
keeping a
positive, cheery attitude, even when overwhelmed by sadness and pain,
is what helps us through the day in this often nasty and negative world
around us. We'll see you again right here -- same Pop channel
-- next
month when we'll tell you all about the "sprinkled bride." As
always,
thanks!
Contact
email: poppermost@thefaro.com
web: http://www.poppermost.com/, http://www.mp3.com/poppermost,
http://www.cdbaby.com/poppermost
Alex
Oliver, Suicide Pop! Records, http://www.thefaro.com/suicidepop.html,
702-384-0306, 1700 S Main St
PMB 188 Las Vegas NV 89104 USA
Roy
Al Rendahl, Trimordial Studio, http://www.thefaro.com/,
702-340-6748
Subscribe / Unsubscribe
If
you wish to be removed from the Poppermost email list, please reply
to this message and let us know. If you know someone who may
be
interested in receiving messages about Poppermost, please forward this
message to them and tell them to let us know.
Thank
you!
Alex,
Roy, Debbie, & Farrah
Return to Top
9 Poppermost News
Aug 2002
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Index
1:
Welcome to the Popperlist
2:
Popperstuff - news, events, and stuff
3:
Poppertales - artist stories, anecdotes, and help
4:
Alex and Roy Pop Off - column/editorial
5:
Cheerio
6:
Contact
7:
Subscribe / Unsubscribe
*
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Welcome to the Popperlist
Oh,
come all ye faithful... and no, it's not Christmas in July!
For
starters, it's August, silly. But mainly, it's just a herald,
a welcome
to the hold-your-nose-and-take-a-drink-of-love-potion-number-9th
edition of the Poppermost newsletter. It's for all our
wonderful,
faithful fans who keep popping up and in for us, and for all our new
addicts, too. Yes, our music has now earned the label of
being
"addictive" and "fun." Cool, huh? That "love
potion" really works! For
all you new subscribers who don't yet know the who and how of
Poppermost, visit our web site http://www.poppermost.com/
to get a
little bit of history on the band and to find out ways to hear our
music.
Popperstuff
If
you missed the news about our CD Release Party last month, then you
missed a great party. Thank you to everyone: fans, friends,
co-workers,
cafe staff, helpers, etc. that joined us and helped to make it a great
time for all. We also want to say thanks to Steven Kalas http://www.cdbaby.com/kalas2
and Anne Donohue http://www.annedonohue.net/
who lent their outstanding musical talents
to make the night a complete success. Steven was also our man
of the
hour when he provided an overhead projector so we could display our
logo. There were some folks in the crowd that we didn't
recognize, so
we would be forever grateful if you could take a look at some pictures
of the Party at http://www.poppermost.com/popperparty1.html
and help us
identify you. You can also get a glimpse of us in the KOMP
92.3 FM
studio with Laurie Steele at http://www.poppermost.com/popperkomp.html.
As
we promised last month, for all you big spenders that lost the
budget opportunity of buying the Poppermost CD before the official
release, here is a description of the nearly 45 minutes of brilliantly
refreshing music you'll hear when you buy it now.
1.
"Bang Bang" - A quirky up-tempo song about longing for something
different and special.
2.
"Cinnamon Sunshine" - An up-beat world beat piece about finding
"perfect love."
3.
"Farrah" - Mid-tempo piano-driven pop ode to the hard working modern
woman.
4.
"Lady-In-Waiting" - A mid-tempo rock ballad written about a young
woman's lost battle with cancer.
5.
"Rose-Coloured" - Love strikes again in this mid tempo song about
the many moods of a young girl.
6.
"Sialia" - A moody acoustic instrumental piece that soars like a
high-flying bird.
7.
"Stickfigure Girlfriend" - An up-tempo pop/rock song about a man who
creates the "ultimate" girl using pencil and crayons.
8.
"This Time Tomorrow" - A tribal-drum based rocker condemning the
lies and secrets of a past lover.
9.
"Where the Guilty Prayed" - A commentary on religion, guilt, and
redemption, with orchestra and choir.
10.
"Wishing Well" - Up-tempo flamenco-styled "call-to-love."
To
hear three of the songs in their entirety, our Poppermusic page http://www.poppermost.com/poppermusic.html
will direct you to the
different sites where you can listen, and then you can buy the CD
online from CD Baby. Locally our CDs are available from
Borders Books
on N Rainbow at Lake Mead, or the Iowa Cafe on Charleston at 3rd St, or
directly from us.
Our
CD, Bare(the uplugged version of Poppermost), is also available to
those of you (like agents, venues, fans, etc.) who are in a position to
help us get paying gigs and need or want to know how we sound live!
Hint! Hint!
We'll
be whipping up the crowd at Borders Books, 2190 N Rainbow (N
Rainbow & Lake Mead), Las Vegas, 702-638-7866 on Thursday,
September 12, 2002, 7-9 p.m. FREE admission. What
does it take to get
YOU whipped up? We love a challenge, so come join us -- put a
glide in
your stride, a dip in your hip, and connect to the Poppership.
Let's
see what you're made of! Considering that most everyone we
know,
including ourselves, has to get up and go to work the next morning, the
early show will make it easy for you and your whole family to stop by
and enjoy some free music and fun.
If
you've already got plans for that day, try this new one on for size,
and remember to mark it on your calendars. Borders Books is
opening a
new store in Summerlin (Charleston & I-215) and as a part of
their
Grand Opening celebration we'll be performing on Saturday, October 12,
2002 from 1-3 p.m. In addition to kids events in the morning,
and a lot
of great music in the afternoon and evening, there will be bargains
"bustin' out all over" as only a Grand Opening event can allow.
Now who
can afford to miss all that?
There
is a big event called AcousticPalooza on August 31, 2002 from 12
noon till about 10 p.m. at Sunset Amphitheater in Henderson. To get
more info on location, tickets, and all the great local, regional, and
national talent that will be performing, check out http://www.AcousticPalooza.com/.
Poppertales
This
section is to share music tips and experiences that will
entertain, enlighten, and encourage musicians and non-musicians alike.
One
of the points we've continually tried to make to our fellow artists
(fledgling or otherwise) is to be true to your music and the rest will
follow -- with hard work, of course. Blu Realm, a Las
Vegas-based groove
duo, bears out this point beautifully with their attitude towards music
-- they perform for themselves FIRST and foremost. Like any
other
artist, the two have experienced audience indifference, but because
they let the music rule, the audience tends to come around.
"I
ADORE music, man. There's nothing I can say about it,
other than I
am totally in love with music," says Jay Taylor, the
lyricist / vocalist." Lonnie James, the composer / bassist,
is quick to
point out that he searches for the perfect beat and the perfect "tone"
in his bass, which compliments Jay's four-octave vocal range.
"If that
tone is not there, it's just not happening. We go up there,
and try our
best to communicate musically with each other, period. If
people care
to listen, that's fine. We're just up there perfecting our
craft.
That's what we do, man. Music is like a canvas.
You can make it
anything you want it to be."
And
now, for something a little different... Radio 101. Like
any
regular job when you're just starting out in that field, it only makes
sense that you start at the bottom and work your way up.
That's the
basic philosophy behind an ongoing series of articles by Bryan Farrish
on MusicDish about how radio works and what to do once you get on it.
Learn about working hard and smart to get on the radio, doing
your
research and aiming for the right market. This series along
with other
"career tips" from other music experts can be found at http://musicdish.com/mag/archive.php3?cat_nb=5.
Also check out our
Popperlinks page at http://www.poppermost.com/popperlinks.html
for
links to more musicians' resources and other interesting sites.
Speaking
of getting your music played, Alex originally felt the need to
vent a little, but then decided to tone it down a bit, so fortunately
or unfortunately, you get the PG-13 version, so heeere's.
Alex Pops Off
Recently
the members of Poppermost took a road trip to the city of
Fresno, California. It was a "double mission" of sorts.
We went to pay
our respects to Roy's family (his mother Merle celebrated another year
on Mother Earth), as well as scout venues in which to perform.
I must
admit that I didn't expect to find too many opportunities in Fresno.
As
an "Angeleno," I came to think that the prize music markets would be
located about 400 miles south of central California. Guess
what!
Contrary to my own beliefs, I DON'T know everything.
(This bit of
information now scares me.) I say all of this in order to
tell you,
fellow musicians, the following:
Get
out of Vegas for a few days! Take a road trip, and see
where it
takes you. Look for the regions that respect local artists
and their
music. Go to other cities and perform. Take the
lead from our local
music leaders (I won't name names, but you know who you are, guys and
gals) and use Las Vegas for your springboard, not your platform.
Don't
wait for someone in the press to tell you how good or bad you are.
Take
it outside the city and see if you can fly. Take a road trip
to Los
Angeles, or San Francisco, or Fresno, and get people to listen.
Pay
attention to the details in the running of your organization.
Continue
to find new ways of creating exciting, refreshing music.
Become your
dreams. Above all, take your time to craft and hone your art.
Do your
thing, and let opportunity open a door for you!
Cheerio
If
you decide you want to hear the undiluted version, just let us know.
We'll consider sharing it with you on an individual basis --
IF you
think you can handle it. Be sure to come see us at Borders
Books on
Sept. 12. When we see you again right here -- same Pop
channel -- next
month, we'll let you know who won the car. As always, thanks!
Contact
email: poppermost@thefaro.com
web: http://www.poppermost.com/, http://www.mp3.com/poppermost,
http://www.cdbaby.com/poppermost
Alex
Oliver, Suicide Pop! Records, http://www.thefaro.com/suicidepop.html,
702-384-0306, 1700 S Main St
PMB 188 Las Vegas NV 89104 USA
Roy
Al Rendahl, Trimordial Studio, http://www.thefaro.com/,
702-340-6748
Subscribe / Unsubscribe
If
you wish to be removed from the Poppermost email list, please reply
to this message and let us know. If you know someone who may
be
interested in receiving messages about Poppermost, please forward this
message to them and tell them to let us know.
Thank
you!
Alex,
Roy, Debbie, & Farrah
Return to Top
8 Poppermost News
Jul 2002
*
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Index
1:
Welcome to the Popperlist
2:
Popperstuff - news, events, and stuff
3:
Poppertales - artist stories, anecdotes, and help
4:
Alex and Roy Pop Off - column/editorial
5:
Cheerio
6:
Contact
7:
Subscribe / Unsubscribe
*
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Welcome to the Popperlist
All
right guys -- we're going to make Poppermost history here -- a
short
newsletter! Imagine that! Whether grief or glee is
your reaction --
don't worry -- you'll get over it next month when we go back to
whatever
passes for normal. So without further adieu, welcome to the
eighth
edition of the Popperlist. There are only two items here: the
P.C.D.R.P. and J. E. For all you new subscribers who don't
yet know the
who and how of Poppermost, visit http://www.thefaro.com/poppermost.html
to get a little bit of history on the band and to find out ways to hear
our music.
Popperstuff
Naturally,
our BIG news is the momentous occasion of our Poppermost CD
Release Party coming up this Friday, July 12 at 6:30 pm at the Iowa
Cafe on the SE corner of Charleston and 3rd (300 E Charleston,
#101). If
you haven't already RSVP'd, please do so now using the contact info
below. Come have a fantastic time with us at the party where
everybody
will be a winner when they partake of the great music, prizes, and free
food. Our friends Anne Donohue and Steven Kalas will also be
performing
that night at 8 & 9 pm respectively.
Also
pertaining to the party is the thrill we had last Sunday night
when Laurie Steele invited us to come on The Homegrown Show on KOMP
92.3 FM to promote the CD Release by doing an interview and an
in-studio performance. She is one of those great folks out
there doing
so much to support the local Las Vegas music scene. Thanks
Laurie for
allowing us to be a part of your show. We had lots of fun!
We're
delighted that we got our first official "press quote" from none
other than Derek Sivers, founder of CD Baby, who says, "Damn good CD."
Yes, this means that you can now buy it online from CD Baby http://www.cdbaby.com/poppermost.
Remember, though, getting your copy
though us right now is your last chance to take advantage of the
special pre-release price of $10. For all you rich holdouts
that just
love paying full price for stuff, we'll give you a brief description of
each song that's on the CD next month to further entice your purchase.
Poppertales
This
section is to share music tips and experiences that will
entertain, enlighten, and encourage musicians and non-musicians alike.
Since we promised a short issue, we'll skip this section for now, but
never fear -- it will return next month with a great story for your
pleasure. If you want to see your story here, just e-mail us
and we'll
fix you right up. In the meantime, both Alex and Roy had a
couple of
thoughts they wanted to share about The Who's late John Entwistle, so
heeere's.
Alex and Roy Pop Off
Alex:
It is with sadness that this month I write about the tragic loss
of WHO bassist John Entwistle, also known as "the Ox" to his many fans.
My memories are flooded with WHO incidents. I first
learned to play
bass 20 or so years ago to The Who's recordings. I took a lot
of flack
back in junior high school for being a black kid who LOVED the music of
The Who. I even got suspended for breaking a kid's nose
because he
dared to insult a picture I had pinned in my locker of Entwistle and
Pete Townshend. I could go on; I wish I had more space to
tell you
about my love of this musician. I will miss him.
Roy:
I forgot what an influence The Who and John Entwistle was to me
until I recently heard part of an old live Who concert on the Lyon's
Den show on KUNV 90.1 FM here in Las Vegas. Song after song
was
important to me because of the connection to the time when I was
learning to play bass in some of my first bands during high school.
Little
known facts: Entwistle played a beautiful French horn (listen to
"Pictures of Lily" and "Overture from 'Tommy'"). He was the
writer for
The Who's most requested live song, "Boris the Spider," as well as
"Cousin Kevin," the hilarious "My Wife," "Whiskey Man," and "Dr. Jekyll
& Mr. Hyde." He was the band's humor.
Cheerio
...Says
it all. We'll see you at the Party, and again right
here --
same Pop channel -- same Pop time next month when we let you know how
to
see the radio and party pictures. As always, thanks!
Contact
email: poppermost@thefaro.com
web: http://www.thefaro.com/poppermost.html,
http://www.cdbaby.com/poppermost
Alex
Oliver, http://www.thefaro.com/suicidepop.html,
702-384-0306, 1700 S Main St PMB 188 Las Vegas NV 89104 USA
Roy
Al Rendahl, http://www.thefaro.com/,
702-340-6748
Subscribe / Unsubscribe
If
you wish to be removed from the Poppermost email list, please reply
to this message and let us know. If you know someone who may
be
interested in receiving messages about Poppermost, please forward this
message to them and tell them to let us know.
Thank
you!
Alex,
Roy, Debbie, & Farrah
Return to Top
7 Poppermost News
Jun 2002
*
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Index
1:
Welcome to the Popperlist
2:
Popperstuff - news, events, and stuff
3:
Poppertales - artist stories, anecdotes, and help
4:
Alex and Roy Pop Off - column/editorial
5:
Cheerio
6:
Contact
7:
Subscribe / Unsubscribe
*
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Welcome to the Popperlist
They
say seven is a lucky number and so we welcome you to the lucky
seventh edition of the Poppermost newsletter. Lucky?
How? It's easy --
in this edition you'll find out how to get a great deal, listen to
great music, and have a great time laughing your butt off during an
"interview" with the boys. Keep reading and if you didn't
smile at
least twice by the time you're done, we'll gladly refund the exorbitant
fee you paid for this bulletin. For all you new subscribers
who don't
yet know the who and how of Poppermost, visit our web site
<http://www.thefaro.com/poppermost.html>
to get a little bit of
history on the band and to find out ways to hear our music.
Popperstuff
There's
a party goin' on... and you're invited. Come help us
celebrate the release of our first full-length CD,
Poppermost. "What's
in it for me?" you ask. There is free food, great
entertainment,
prizes, and lots of fun. "This is Vegas, big deal; I can get
that
anywhere," you say. "Why should I come to your party?"
Simple, it IS a
big deal. If you miss this fantastic party, you'll scold
yourself
later, saying, "Why didn't I accept that invitation? Why
didn't I take
just a few minutes on my way to that other appointment that sucked
anyway? Why didn't I stop in for a few minutes for some fun
after work
instead of getting stuck on I-15 with all the traffic bums?"
It will be
a night to remember with dynamic performances, and in addition to free
food and some surprises, you'll even get to see Alex doing stupid human
tricks from high above the crowd, and see Roy playing mad-scientist in
his mobile Lab.
ANNOUNCING!!
A
party for the first Poppermost full-length CD!!
*
When: Friday, July 12, 2001 at 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
*
Where: Iowa Cafe, 300 E Charleston, #101, Las Vegas NV 89104 USA (SE
corner of Charleston and 3rd St, easily accessible from I-15)
*
Venue contact: Renee - 702-366-1882 or <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/iowacafe>
RSVP
requested so just call 702-384-0306, 702-340-6748, or email poppermost@thefaro.com
and we'll arrange your invitation.
We're
offering a special pre-release price of $10 for the CD with free
S&H to all you early birds. After the official
release, the cost
will be $15 plus S&H. Someone had to be the first
buyer, and our
friend Noble procured that honor -- thanks Noble for your continued and
unfailing support. You too can be the proud owner of this
brilliant
collection of music so act now and take advantage of the low
pre-release price of $10. To order, email us at poppermost@thefaro.com
and we'll give you the details.
Performing
at the House of Blues again was great -- for those of you
who
missed it, you cheated yourself out of a fantastic time.
There is a lot
of outstanding music out there, and much of it is free. Don't
believe
everything you hear about "you get what you pay for," because sometimes
it just doesn't get any better than FREE, so get out there and support
the local music scene.
To
continue on that note, last month we told you about Worldfolk
Foundation's Battle of the Bands (B.O.B.) happening now through July 6,
2002 in Las Vegas. They've got bands lined up, although it
isn't too
late for last minute registrations to compete, but now they need fans
and spectators and judges and just bodies in general. Get on
down to
<http://www.realbiglife.com/bob>
to find out who is playing where
and when, and check out the current scores. Other contacts
are bob2002wf@aol.com
or 702-227-5017. At the risk of making Roy blush,
he's doing a great job running sound when a sound man is needed at some
of the venues, so be sure to say hi when you see him there.
Poppertales
This
section is to share music tips and experiences that will
entertain, enlighten, and encourage musicians and non-musicians alike.
Lets
talk about SongRamp. Want a chance to have a say in the
music you
hear? A chance to tell an artist their music is fabulous or
mediocre or
just plain-out sucks? Then check out <http://www.songramp.com/>.
For the musician and the aficionado, it's a great way to
listen to
music and have the opportunity to review a CD before you buy it.
There
is an Open Mic section where the listener can vote for the music they
like -- it's a great way to get your music reviewed. You can
find all
kinds of indie music in any genre. To participate, you have
to be a
member, but it's free.
In
fact you can help us out by accessing SongRamp from the link at the
bottom of the <http://www.thefaro.com/poppermost.html>
page and
going to the Open Mic link. Then look in the Pop/Rock section
for
"Lady-In-Waiting" and "Wishing Well," and in the Americana section for
"Bang Bang," and vote for them (if you like them, of course) and add
your comments. We appreciate all opinions.
On
the entertainment side of the music, we all have been embarrassed by
problems that are often the natural pitfalls of performing live.
This
month we share a story from our friend and faithful fan, Terri, who had
one of those mortifying moments during her debut as
"director-for-the-day" for her church choir (her normal duty was guitar
player). The choir was doing a call-and-response type song
and being
nervous about leading, Terri got started on the wrong note of the
"call" and the whole key was off. Unfortunately, she froze in
that
off-key groove and even more unfortunately, the choir followed along
and did the "response" EXACTLY the same way -- for the entire song.
One
could look at the experience a number of ways.
Professionalism comes in
many different forms -- the choir followed their leader -- this is
good,
albeit sometimes embarrassing. The upside of this story is
that Terri
learned from the experience that even the worst mistakes are not so bad
-- she survived to tell the story and was able to laugh at the whole
thing eventually. As a result, she doesn't get nervous
performing in
front of people any more.
We
decided to have some fun and play the "Wow, We Just Made It Big And
Now We're In Our First BIGTIME Interview" game. Soon, we'll
follow the
advice of one of those articles we keep telling you about and send the
whole interview to an e-zine somewhere, but in the meantime we thought
you might enjoy a couple of the cooler results, so heeere's...
Alex and Roy Pop Off
Ladies
and gentlemen, this is Brenda Putznaure with the Daily
Tablaturian bringing you those sensational boys of that hot band,
Poppermost, Alex Oliver and Roy Al Rendahl. The meeting took
place in
Roy's recording studio, affectionately nicknamed "The Lab," where
Poppermost works their magic. After an extensive interview,
it is this
reporter's opinion that there is not one single solitary serious bone
in their bodies with the exception of one thing -- their total love of
quality music. See for yourself in a few of the questions I
have picked
for your review.
BP:
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
AO:
Paying my Girl-Friday to spank me with a gold flyswatter and light
my cigarettes with a hundred dollar bill.
RAR:
Me personally? Hopefully not in a rest home or jail, but spending
my millions on a Caribbean beach. With Poppermost? Hopefully
not in a
rest home or jail, but on a jet to the Caribbean to do the last concert
of our world tour, then celebrate our 10th #1 at the beach.
BP:
Do you ever disagree on how your music goes together and if so, how
do you resolve the conflict?
AO:
We have this rule that we try ANYTHING while recording a song, and
then weigh any differences of opinion side by side and whoever has the
best idea, we go with that one, but I usually win -- psychology major
you know.
RAR:
Naturally we have a few minor disagreements, but for the most part
we agree. If something seems to be more important to one of
us than the
other, we go that direction. We do what makes the most sense,
but I
usually win because I make the most sense. Besides, I'm the one working
the controls.
BP:
How do you guys respond to the recurring rumors that Alex is gay?
AO:
The third of every single month at 10:04 am I announce to everyone
around me, 'I am not gay.' Not that there's anything wrong
with being
gay. Of course, that doesn't explain the dream I had about
Rufus
Wainwright the other night, but I didn't kiss him or anything.
RAR:
By laughing. And by retelling any old rumors I might
have heard.
BP:
What's the silliest or strangest thing you've done in the name of
music?
AO:
Went on stage dressed as a blonde bombshell. I looked
like a photo negative.
RAR:
I've never done anything strange or foolish with music -- I'm the
model of decorum. [BP's note: a sheepish grin from Roy and a
rude snort
from Alex accompanied this statement, so I must conclude that Roy is
fibbing.]
BP:
How far would you go to get your music heard?
AO:
To the moon and back again. Around the sun and back again.
RAR:
Up to, but NOT including, running down the Strip [the Las Vegas
Strip] nude.
BP:
What difficulties have you experienced in trying to get a foot in
the music door?
AO:
Getting the music heard when commercial radio wants to force
Brittany Spears and *NSYNC down your throat. Nobody cares
about music --
they care about faces; it sucks!
RAR:
Can't find the door.
BP:
How would you describe your success as a musician in relation to
your mating habits?
AO
and RAR: We're successful at not being murdered in our sleep...
our mating habits involve letting our eyes roam (with permission), but
keeping our hands to ourselves because we love our mates just as much
as we love our music!
Cheerio
Once
again our time with you comes to a close, but we'll be back again
next month on the same Pop-channel with more adventures and events.
We
still want your personal stories, anecdotes, experiences, and tales
related to music performances, so give your fingers some exercise and
send us your thoughts. Remember to call or email us about
coming to our
party and getting your copy of the CD while the price is right.
Thanks
again for all your support.
Contact
email: poppermost@thefaro.com
web:
<http://www.thefaro.com/poppermost.html>,
<http://www.mp3.com/poppermost>
Alex
Oliver, Suicide Pop! Records,
<http://www.thefaro.com/suicidepop.html>,
702-384-0306, 1700 S
Main St PMB 188 Las Vegas NV 89104 USA
Roy
Al Rendahl, Trimordial Studio, <http://www.thefaro.com/>,
702-340-6748
Subscribe / Unsubscribe
If
you wish to be removed from the Poppermost email list, please reply
to this message and let us know. If you know someone who may
be
interested in receiving messages about Poppermost, please forward this
message to them and tell them to let us know.
Thank
you!
Alex,
Roy, Debbie, & Farrah
Return to Top
6 Poppermost News
May 2002
*
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Index
1:
Welcome to the Popperlist
2:
Popperstuff - news, events, and stuff
3:
Poppertales - artist stories, anecdotes, and help
4:
Alex Pops Off - column/editorial
5:
Cheerio
6:
Contact
7:
Subscribe / Unsubscribe
*
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Welcome to the Popperlist
Don't
touch that dial -- prepare yourself for the sixth edition of the
Poppermost newsletter where you'll find the answers to your burning
questions: Who broke Alex's heart? What happened to that cute
little
singer they had? When are they ever going to show their faces
again?
Where do indie musicians go to battle the evil corporate
robber barons?
Why do they call Roy a little mad scientist -- is it his
hair? Stay
tuned for all this and more as you proceed into the Popperzone.
For all
you new subscribers who don't yet know the who and how of Poppermost,
visit our web site <http://www.thefaro.com/poppermost.html>
to
get a little bit of history on the band and to find out ways to hear
our music.
Popperstuff
We're
playing the House of Blues Acoustic Asylum again, and we're
pleased to have been invited back. At the risk of tooting our
own horn,
we're proud to say we "rocked the House" last time we were there and
many folks felt we set the tone for a really rockin' evening.
Point is,
we want a chance to wow you again, so "popperdown" and join us
The
event: A2 Acoustic Asylum
The
venue: House of Blues Crossroads Stage, Mandalay Bay Resort
& Casino, Las Vegas NV
The
date and time: Wednesday, May 29, 2002 starting at 9 PM
Our
other major news involves Kathy Miller. She has decided
to explore
a new path, taking her away from Poppermost, possibly all the way to
Japan. Please join us in offering congratulations and well
wishes in
her new endeavors. To those of you who wish to send a
personal note to
Kathy, simply reply to this e-mail and we'll pass along your messages.
We
also wish to express our many thanks to all the fans that came out
and showed their support for us at Patio Nites last month. It
was a
great success and even the wind couldn't compete with all us blowhards
up there. We had a blast and we hope you enjoyed it, too.
And
finally, as we mentioned in a previous issue, we've been busy
working on our first full-length album (okay, CD if ya'gotta be so
technical about it!) and we can finally see the light at the end of the
release-date-tunnel. We're taking pre-orders now and with any
luck,
copies will be available for your buying pleasure when we perform at
the House of Blues on the 29th. The show info is above if you
were rude
enough to skip over it.
Poppertales
This
section is to share music tips and experiences that will
entertain, enlighten and encourage musicians and non-musicians alike.
In
the last issue we mentioned Bob Baker's The Buzz Factor
<http://www.thebuzzfactor.com/>
for help on the business side of
your music. Here are some similar sites to check out.
<http://www.musicdish.com/>,
<http://www.indiebiz.com/>,
<http://www.mi2n.com/>,
<http://www.indie-music.com/>.
We've
found all kinds of wonderful free information in the lessons, quotes of
the day, news, and more. If your computer is slow, be
patient, they are
worth the wait. There are tons of web sites dedicated to
helping indie
musicians -- don't miss out on any resources -- get online and learn.
Check out our Popperlinks page at
<http://www.thefaro.com/popperlinks.html>.
A
cool example of an IndieBiz Music Industry Quote of the Day comes
from Andy Martin, President, Deep South Records. "I'm always
looking
for the best of the best, no matter what genre it is. Sales
is always a
sure way to get an A&R reps attention, but not the only way.
The
last band we signed was off a two song demo cassette and their record
is about to go gold -- so there is no formula. Play music
because you
really enjoy it, if not you're wasting your time."
May
31 - July 6, 2002 is WorldFolk Foundation's 4th annual Battle of
the Bands (B.O.B.) in Las Vegas. It's open to all styles and
genres
from solo artists to duos and bands. Your band can gain
valuable
experience and see how it compares to other bands, meet industry reps,
promote yourselves, and get new fans by participating. There
will be 27
nights of competition at Brickhouse, Cooler Lounge, Boston, Crown
&
Anchor, Hooters, GameWorks, and Planet Hollywood. Last year
over 100
bands / artists from Nevada, Utah, California, and Arizona dueled for
cash and prizes. To get registration forms and FAQs, visit
<http://www.realbiglife.com/bob>.
Other contacts are bob2002wf@aol.com
or 702-227-5017. Roy will be running sound again this
year, so out of fairness to everyone else we won't be competing, but we
hope to see you there.
On
the entertainment side of the music we decided to go with an
offering from Alex that also serves to bring home a valuable point of
performing, so heeere's.
Alex Pops Off
My
first band, Junetown, and I were set to play our very first gig.
I
was scared. I thought that, despite all of our intense garage
band
practice, I would be the one who would make us fail. I didn't
think
that much of my singing voice, or my guitar playing, or the songs I
wrote. I felt that I would be exposed as a wanna-be, and fail
miserably. Then, something wonderful happened. I
was dumped by my
girlfriend for a handsome lifeguard on the day of our performance.
I
went to my best friend, who said, "Whatever! You got a show
to do. Use
your anger. Use your frustration."
I
went onstage and gave it all the energy I had, and we were good.
It
came time for us to perform the love song I had written for the girl
who broke my heart. I used the stage to tell my family and
friends that
she had jilted me for someone else. The audience was quiet.
As I played
the guitar intro I started to cry. I couldn't wipe away the
tears, so I
continued and ended up singing through a very pained voice.
The
audience sat silently and let me get it all out of my system.
The
song ended, and I felt like a failure, both on stage and in my
personal life. There was a prolonged silence... and suddenly,
I
noticed people in the audience standing up. Our band got a
standing
ovation, a lot of compliments on how "real" we were, and an invitation
from the owners of the venue to come back and play. I also
got a lot of
phone numbers from women in the audience who liked the fact that I
"shared my feelings, and didn't try to be some tough guy with a fake
macho stance."
If
you want to connect to your audience, be yourself, be honest, and be
real.
Cheerio
Time
to say bye for now, but be sure to tune in again next month to the
same Pop-channel when we'll discuss the mating habits of successful
musicians, along with other interesting stories and events.
We still
want your personal stories, anecdotes, experiences, and tales related
to
music performances, so give your fingers some exercise and send us your
thoughts. We'll see you at House of Blues Crossroads and
bring your
dancin' shoes. Thanks for sharing this time with us.
Contact
email: poppermost@thefaro.com
web:
<http://www.thefaro.com/poppermost.html>,
<http://www.mp3.com/poppermost>
Alex
Oliver, Suicide Pop! Records, <http://www.thefaro.com/suicidepop.html>,
702-384-0306
Roy
Al Rendahl, Trimordial Studio, <http://www.thefaro.com/>,
702-340-6748
Subscribe / Unsubscribe
If
you wish to be removed from the Poppermost email list, please reply
to this message and let us know. If you know someone who may
be
interested in receiving messages about Poppermost, please forward this
message to them and tell them to let us know.
Thank
you!
Alex,
Roy, Debbie, & Farrah
Return to Top
5 Poppermost News
Mar 2002
*
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Index
1:
Welcome to the Popperlist
2:
Popperstuff
3:
Poppertales
4:
Roy Pops Off
5:
Cheerio
6:
Contact
7:
Subscribe / Unsubscribe
*
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Welcome to the Popperlist
Welcome,
welcome, lads and lassies, to the fifth (of Irish whiskey)
edition of the Poppermost newsletter. Since you survived all
the green
beer and little green leprechauns of St. Patrick's Day, come in and
claim your pot of Poppergold at the end of the Popperlist rainbow.
You
might even find your lucky charm in Poppertales, the new stories and
pointers section. Also, in the Popperstuff section, find out
how to
make a little visit to Paddy O'Furniture at Patio Nites on April 27th.
For all you new subscribers who don't yet know the who and
how of
Poppermost, visit our recently remodeled web site
<http://www.thefaro.com/poppermost.html>
to get a little bit of
history on the band and to find out ways to hear our music.
Popperstuff
We've
been busy writing new material and recording up a storm and are
looking forward to having a full album one of these days. To
whet your
appetite during the interlude, a couple more songs, "Rose-Coloured"
written by Alex and "If I Could" written by Kathy, have been put up on
the Internet, so be sure to look for them. Find the links to
some of
our music at <http://www.thefaro.com/poppermusic.html>.
In
addition to recording, we are playing out whenever feasible, and in
the last issue we promised you some more information on Patio Nites.
It's a courtyard party with good friends and great music
where you can
bring a picnic dinner or snacks and your favorite soft drinks, wine, or
beer to enjoy, so come have a good time with us. Admission is
FREE, but
donations are accepted. Also featured along with Poppermost
will be
Steven Kalas and Kirsten Keilty.
The
date: Saturday, April 27, 2002
The
time: Doors open at 6 PM, music starts at 6:30 PM
The
place: Christ Church Episcopal Courtyard, 2000 S Maryland Pkwy, Las
Vegas (SW corner of Maryland Pkwy & St Louis)
Contact:
735-7655, ext. 204
Don't
let the church part throw you. It is a non-religious
event and
takes place outside the church in a beautiful courtyard with the most
terrific ambiance and acoustics in town.
Poppertales (Stories and
pointers for and
about artists)
Previously,
we put out a request for stories and advice about stage
presence. We're still in the process of taking more stories
about that
same subject, so keep your ideas coming in, please. To those
of you who
decided to get off their duffs and respond, we thank you.
Next month
we'll share. In honor, however, of a fellow musician's
comment of
"Long...;)" try clicking
here for the XXX version
to get the real scoop
on long! LOL
In
the meantime, we'll share something else of benefit to all, a great
way to look at life and success. "Our lives are simply a
reflection of
our thoughts. There's a great quote that goes something like:
'We
become what we think about most of the time.' The problem
with people
living dead-end lives is that they think dead-end thoughts.
People who
enjoy creative and successful lives, think creative and successful
thoughts -- and then follow those thoughts up with positive action.
True progress won't occur in your life until you apply new
ideas on a
consistent basis. You know you have the talent. You
know you have the
drive. The only question that remains is: What will you do
with them?"
(Bob Baker)
The
preceding thoughts were condensed from an article about turning
your creativity into cash. We've found several cool web sites
that
provide excellent free information and newsletters designed to help
artists with resources and ideas. Bob Baker's The Buzz Factor
is one of
those sites and features free marketing and self-promotion ideas for
songwriters, musicians, and bands on a budget. Visit
<http://www.TheBuzzFactor.com/>
for free details.
Okay,
now that you have a head start on where to get some help for
improving band business or just life in general, we've finally reached
a long awaited moment. You've had a chance to get to know a
little
about Alex these past couple of months, so now it's Roy's turn.
For all
you "Roy fans" out there, there's more to the man than spouting off
about monopoly Micro$oft. Now, now -- don't be getting any
ideas -- only
Farrah can attest to just HOW much more, so heeere's.
Roy Pops Off
The
Name Game
Picking
a band name (or any business name) is difficult. You
want
something different, but usually something pronounceable,
too. Just
like web site addresses, all the "good" names are taken. In
fact, some
companies end up combining or creating new words to form "made-up"
names in order to have a unique name. If you have a name that
another
person or group is using in a different region or area, it could lead
to problems down the line if either one gets big enough to reach into
the other's local territory.
When
Alex first brought up our name, "Poppermost," I thought, "OK,
that's not too bad, it could be worse." Now after researching
the name
on the Internet for months, I really like it! So far, I have
not found
anyone on the web using that name for a band. This does not
prove that
no one else is using our name, but if there is, they are not using one
of the best ways today to get a name out there. I have been
registering
"Poppermost" on every music and band name web site I can find because
the first group using a name somewhere usually has the right to keep
using that name in that area. And with the Internet, that
area is now
the world.
A
good way to check your prospective name is to do web searches on the
major Internet search engines, like Google
<http://www.google.com/>,
Lycos <http://www.lycos.com/>,
and
others. For "Poppermost," the search returns are usually our
band and Beatles' fan pages. If another company is already
using your name
or the name you want, you should be concerned about future problems
when you get famous, even if the company is not related to your line of
business. It could be expensive to keep a contested name, and
you could
even lose the right to use it!
Cheerio
Undoubtedly,
you want to keep on reading all this great wisdom, but
alas, 'tis time to say cheerio until the next issue at the same
Pop-time, same Pop-channel. Remember to mark your calendars
for Patio
Nites on April 27th at 6:00 PM and if you're a musician, we're still
taking submissions about stage presence for Poppertales.
Thanks for
joining us.
Contact
email: poppermost@thefaro.com
web:
<http://www.thefaro.com/poppermost.html>,
<http://www.mp3.com/poppermost>
Alex
Oliver, Suicide Pop! Records, 702-384-0306
Roy
Al Rendahl, Trimordial Studio, <http://www.thefaro.com/>,
702-340-6748
Subscribe / Unsubscribe
If
you wish to be removed from the Poppermost email list, please reply
to this message and let us know. If you know someone who may
be
interested in receiving messages about Poppermost, please forward this
message to them and tell them to let us know.
Thank
you!
Alex,
Roy, Kathy, Debbie, & Farrah
Return to Top
4 Poppermost News
Feb 2002
*
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Index
1:
Welcome to the Popperlist
2:
They're Playing Our Song
3:
Testing 1...2...3...
4:
Alex Pops Off
5:
Cheerio
6:
Contact
7:
Subscribe / Unsubscribe
*
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Welcome to the Popperlist
Come
hither, oh ye fans of good music (also known as Poppermusic), and
make yourself at home with the fourth edition of the Poppermost
newsletter. Removal instructions, if you want them, are at
the end, but
before you automatically jump there, please note, this isn't your
typical newsletter. You won't be bothered all the time as it
only
appears once a month and the style is always new and different, so give
it a try, especially if you're in need of a smile. For all
you new
subscribers who don't yet know the who and how of Poppermost, visit
<http://www.thefaro.com/poppermost.html>
to get a little bit of
history on the band and to find out ways to hear our music.
They're Playing Our Song
WOW
-- we've been played on the radio for the first time!
While the
feeling is not entirely indescribable, we're trying to keep this issue
a little shorter than the last one, so suffice it to say, "WOW, oh WOW,
oh WOW!!" Do you know how hard it is to get to sleep with a
big grin on
your face? We'd like to thank Laurie Steele for playing our
song,
"Farrah," on her Homegrown Show on Las Vegas' KOMP 92.3 FM last Sunday
night, Feb 17, 2002. Be sure and tune in Sundays from 10 pm
to midnight
to hear music from local artists, and get the skinny on where and when
you can see them perform. To hear us on the radio again,
please call
Laurie on the request line at 702-876-FM92 (3692) or visit her online
at <http://www.komp.com/>
In
addition to being on the radio, looks like we might be on TV, too.
We recently had a lot of fun doing a pilot for a cable access
TV show
spotlighting local artists. Currently it's being marketed to
Boulder
City Cable, with the goal of being a regular weekly show designed to
help local artists get exposure. Any proceeds that might come
of it go
to help "Angels At Work," a non-profit organization "empowering youth
in a positive direction." If you'd like to learn more about
this
program, contact Bob Harris at wervideo@vegasnet.net
or 702-558-6714.
Our
other important news is the newest member of Poppermost who, as we
mentioned last month, sings like a wicked angel. It would
appear that
she still likes us, so as promised we're going to share a little more
about her with you.
As
a maybe-not-so-typical-ball-of-energy Air Force brat, pleasing her
parents was Kathleen Miller's original motivation to start
singing. At
four, a fledgling artist was born when Kathy started mimicking her
mother, the leader of their church choir, because she saw that singing
made her mom feel good. Later, a comment from her dad steered
her in
the direction of imitating his favorite artists like Sinatra and Dean
Martin, then she fell so in love with "The Sound of Music" that he
bought her a toy piano and songbooks so she could learn the music.
Additional exposure to a variety of musical influences while
growing up
in multiple US and UK locales resulted in a wickedly angelic sound all
her own, with the ability to utilize many styles of music when she sang
in choruses and shows all through school. When Kathy needed
an outlet
for dealing with a rough time in her life, she started writing music
and learning how to play the guitar. During that time, she
moved to Las
Vegas and became a part of two bands, The Monsters and Scenic
Route.
Eventually wanting to move in a new direction, Kathy put out feelers
for starting a new band and hooked up with us last month, adding her
vocal, guitar, and songwriting talents to the mix. Welcome
Kathy!
Testing 1... 2... 3...
Okay
guys... this is a test to see who is actually reading this
material. Yeah, you just thought you left behind those pesky
tests when
you got out of school. HA! Doesn't work that way!
Seriously though,
we're adding a new section to our newsletter devoted to an artists-help
series. The idea is to share useful and interesting
music-related
information with our fellow songbirds so that everyone can benefit from
each other's experiences and knowledge, with topics ranging from funny
fiascoes to business backing. Whether or not you're a
musician, you'll
be able to enjoy and appreciate the many amusing anecdotes that will
pop up in the new section. Some of the articles will be
generated from
our own adventures, but others will be the result of your great stories
and advice.
To
kick off the series next month, the first topic for discussion will
be about stage presence. It's all very simple -- just respond
to this
e-mail. Please tell us about any interesting or humorous
moments you've
had on stage. How did you overcome your fears about
performing? Did you
always have "presence," and if not, how did you get it?
Anything you
can think of that relates to this subject will be welcomed.
We'll
include the best stories or ideas in the next issue, giving credit
where credit is due, of course. Thanks in advance for your
submissions;
we look forward to hearing from you. This is your big chance!
What a
way to get yourself "out there!"
Time
to let Alex continue telling you about different musicians who
have influenced his life. This month it's about the first
time he heard
Steve Miller. So heeere's.
Alex Pops Off
I
probably sound like a broken record, talking about my life at age
seven all the time, but there was something magical about the summer of
1976 for me and it all started with a small experiment. One
day, as
usual, I was told to come inside of our house because I was outside
"being a bad boy." Meaning? According to my
grandmother, I was probably
outside in the backyard getting a little too "out-of-control" for a
seven-year-old. But that was okay. Inside was
good. Inside, I had
television, and I had the stereo.
Not
just any stereo, but my mom's brand new, state-of-the-art
quadraphonic stereo system. It had 4 speakers, and was the
best type of
system for its time. I had always listened to AM radio where
I heard
the songs that were on the pop charts: "You Sexy Thing" by Hot
Chocolate; "Oh, What a Night" by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons;
"Love Will Keep Us Together" by the Captain and Tenille.
While
experimenting with the buttons, trying to figure out how to work
this cool new stereo, I hit a switch and my AM stations vanished.
All I
heard was static. I turned another knob, and suddenly I heard
the most
incredible voice telling me to sit back, relax, and enjoy the sounds of
a brand new recording from some guy by the name of Steve Miller.
"This
is Jim Ladd," he said, "and here is a cut from the new 'Fly Like An
Eagle' album. This is 'Rock N' Me' on 94.7, KMET."
Then I heard that
beautiful sputtering drum and guitar intro.
It
was like in "The Wizard of Oz," when Dorothy and Toto's house
landed, and everything went from black-and-white to glorious
color. I
was glued to the radio and powerless. "I went from Phoenix
Arizona, all
the way to Tacoma, Philadelphia, Atlanta, L.A." The feeling
was
powerful. It was like one of those times in your life when
everything
in your limited vision comes into focus, and you could see beyond what
you knew. I felt connected to something more powerful than
the ugly,
anti-climactic strains of "Disco Duck." I had heard the beat
of the
mighty tribal drum that is ROCK!
Led
Zeppelin, Fleetwood Mac, the Eagles, Aerosmith... this wasn't
AM, and I wasn't "in Kansas anymore, Toto." From then on, I
made it my
main piece of business to get next to that stereo and listen closely to
the music that would, for me, mark the beginning of my life.
Cheerio
Last,
but certainly not least, here's something to mark on your
calendars. This is just a quick super-advance notice that on
the
evening of April 27th, 2002, we'll be playing with several other local
artists for Patio Nites here in Las Vegas. Patio Nites is a
courtyard
party with good friends and great music where you can bring a picnic
dinner or snacks and your favorite soft drinks, wine, or beer to enjoy.
Admission is FREE, but donations are accepted.
We'll provide more
details when you tune in next month at the same Pop-time, same
Pop-channel.
On
that note, it's time to say cheerio. If you're a musician,
don't
forget to write us with your experiences and/or advice on stage
presence / fright as soon as possible. Thanks for joining us.
Contact
Alex
Oliver, Suicide Pop! Records, 702-384-0306
Roy
Al Rendahl, Trimordial Studio, <http://www.thefaro.com/>
email: poppermost@thefaro.com
web:
<http://www.thefaro.com/poppermost.html>,
<http://www.mp3.com/poppermost>
Subscribe / Unsubscribe
If
you wish to be removed from the Poppermost email list, please reply
to this message and let us know. If you know someone who may
be
interested in receiving messages about Poppermost, please forward this
message to them and tell them to let us know.
Thank
you!
Alex,
Roy, Kathy, Debbie, & Farrah
Return to Top
3
Poppermost News Jan 2002
*
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Index
1:
Welcome to the Popperlist
2:
The Year in Rewind
3:
Happenings and Acknowledgments
4:
Alex Pops Off
5:
Cheerio
6:
Contact
7:
Subscribe / Unsubscribe
*
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Welcome to the Popperlist
Hi
music lovers, welcome to the third edition of the Poppermost
newsletter. Removal instructions, if you want them, are at
the bottom
of this email. Oh jaded ones, before you automatically jump
to the
bottom, please note, this isn't your typical newsletter. For
starters,
it only pops up once a month so you won't be bothered all the
time. It
also follows a slightly different and oftentimes warped, humorous
style, so give it a try. This one is a little longer than
usual, but it
reads fast, so enjoy.
Wow,
it's a brand new year, the holiday hecticiousness is finally over,
and everyone, naturally, is inclined to look back and see what the past
year meant to them. In this issue we, too, will jump on the
reflective
bandwagon for a short trip as well as clue you in on our newest
happenings and do a little sucking up. And last but not
least, we heard
your enthusiastic responses to the last newsletter (thanks, BTW), so
we're going to let Alex have his spot again this month. As
soon as Roy
has something he wants to share, we'll give him a shot. For
all you new
subscribers who don't yet know the who and how of Poppermost, visit
<http://www.thefaro.com/poppermost.html>
to get a little bit of
history on the band and to find out ways to hear our music.
The Year in Rewind
What
a great year we've had. Don't get us wrong, we've had
our share of
troubles just like everyone else, but when you sit down and think about
it, there have been many wonderful times for all of us. First
of all,
we formed a fantastic band. Okay, granted, so far we only
have two
members (maybe three -- keep reading to find out about her) that fit
like the glove we envision, but trial and error is a wonderful thing.
We learn!
Recently,
seeing a documentary about Fleetwood Mac served to remind us
that the formation of a great group takes time and lots of people to
try on for the right fit. Over the course of the last few
months, we've
had an assortment of wonderfully talented artists audition for us.
To
all the musicians we've encountered during the band's progressive
growth period, we wish to say thank you for the experiences you gave
us. Talent comes in many different styles; just because your
vision
doesn't blend with ours, don't let that discourage you from pursuing
your dreams, you're all great. Whether you gave us pleasure
or even the
knowledge of what we didn't desire or require -- you've helped us grow.
Thanks.
With
the help of an interim drummer and our new female
vocalist / guitarist (Alex wants some help -- of all the nerve!), we're
gearing up to get out there and get a paying gig in the lounges, bars,
and/or casinos. Last month we invited everyone to the party /
shooting of
our to-get-a-job video. Everything went off well with only a
couple of
hitches, we all had a lot of fun, and Roy produced two beautiful videos
out of the footage. One is for use as an audition tape, and
the other
one is a concept tape that was used to enter a video contest.
Wish us
luck and thanks again to those who showed up to support us.
If anyone
out there has any suggestions or knows any good contacts that you're
willing to share, please, please let us know. On another
note, if
anyone needs to shoot a video or pictures for your band or whatever,
you can't get a better artiste than Roy -- at reasonable prices, too.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, so we stuck some shameless advertising in
here;
you'll get over it!
2001
also found Roy and Alex joining up with the women they love.
Extra
bodies come in handy when a support team is needed. Sometimes
we women
are considered pains in the butt, but since a good man is only as good
as the woman behind him, that means that these men are
fantastic. Heh,
heh, heh, can you guess who writes the newsletter? Other high
spots
include Roy going to the Stevie Nicks concert (significance explained
later in the newsletter), and Alex spending his birthday in a studio,
recording with friend, Seven Kalas. To him, there was no
better way to
celebrate his birthday.
Naturally,
the whole life-balance thing means that gains include loss,
and loss brings on gain eventually, in the process of finding one, we
learn how to deal with the other. The musical union of Alex and Roy has
brought us the gains of recording, performing at prestigious venues
like the House of Blues, a growing friendship between our families, and
so much more. Before we received that gain, though, we
endured the loss
of what we originally thought was going to be the perfect band.
Turns
out that the phoenix currently rising from the ashes is far more
beautiful than the original ever could have been. That just
brings us
back to what we are learning from the history of other great bands
about taking it one step at a time to the top the toppermost of the
Poppermost!
Happenings and
Acknowledgments
In
addition to being an interesting past year for us, it has also been
a fantastic year for the Las Vegas local music scene with lots of help
coming from several areas of the music industry. Our thanks
go out to
the people like Michael Soli <http://www.michaelsoli.com/>,
Rick
Duarte <http://www.newfieldmusic.com/>,
Mike Fouts, Shawn Eiferman
<http://www.shawneiferman.com/>,
and Doc Dockery who are hosting
acoustic open mikes and invitational jams that allow singer /
songwriters
to get their music out there. Of course, that couldn't happen
without
the support of the venues like Money Plays, House of Blues, the late
Tropics, The Fiesta Henderson (formerly The Reserve), Island Grill,
Cheyenne Saloon, Brendan's Irish Pub at The Orleans, and Honest John's.
There are, of course, many more folks and venues involved in
the
support of local acoustic music, but these are just a few of the ones
with which we are personally familiar. Others we haven't
visited yet,
but will as soon as we can fit everything into our schedules, are Ed
Jeffers at Mt Charleston Lodge, Eric Velayo at Spirits, and Lenn
Marella at Moose McGillycuddy's. They are all wonderful
musicians and
we wish them well in their endeavors.
Other
forms of support come as a result of radio stations like 96.3
KKLZ and KOMP 92.3. Until a couple of weeks ago, Smilin' Ted
and Dan
Lea from KKLZ <http://www.963kklz.com/>
were at The Fiesta
Henderson on Thursday nights in support of the acoustic scene where, in
conjunction with Mars Music, they provided CDs of each performer.
One
lucky artist each week would also win a $200 Mars merchandise
certificate. Unfortunately, these outside associations are
being
restructured, but the artists are still getting those recordings and we
are grateful for them because they give us the chance to hear and
improve our live performances. Laurie Steele's Homegrown Show
every
Sunday night on KOMP <http://www.komp.com/>
literally puts local
bands on the radio map where we might not get a chance to be heard
otherwise. Lordy mercy, this is sounding an awful lot like an
acceptance speech at the Grammys. We apologize to anyone we
ended up
forgetting; these are just the ones with which we're most familiar at
this time. To learn more about the whos, wheres, whens, and
hows of
hearing and supporting local music here in Las Vegas, visit
<http://www.lvlocalmusicscene.com/>.
Okay,
now that we're done sucking up for the moment (just kidding --
they all deserve every bit of acknowledgment we can give them for the
wonderful job they do), we'll let Alex have a quick word.
Last month he
talked about George Harrison, this month is Fleetwood Mac and next
month, if he doesn't get preempted by Roy, the subject will be Steve
Miller. In case you haven't guessed, these musicians
influenced Alex's
life and he likes to share. So heeere's.
Alex Pops Off
"The
Big Mac Attack! (Fleetwood, that is!)"
Friday
Night / Saturday morning, 12:30 am ~~ I was on my way to the
bathroom when it happened, I swear! I once again managed to
get past my
sleeping aunts and in front of the television. It's sometime
in 1976,
on a Friday night, and I have to keep the volume down so that my aunts
won't go off on me for being up late again. Tonight's the
night, baby,
because Fleetwood Mac is on "The Midnight Special." Yes, even
at the
age of 7, I would sit through Wolfman Jack's entire schtick to get to
see Christine McVie. What a dreamboat! She reminds
me of Ms. Cosgrove,
my first grade teacher.
Saturday
morning, 1:16 am ~~ Commercial break -- it's time to raid the
fridge. Bologna and ketchup sandwich, and a bowl of Cap'n
Crunch. Life
is good at this point -- somebody else is paying for the food.
Saturday
morning, 2:00 am ~~ Well, the show is over, and I am now a
devoted Fleetwood Mac fan. It was all about Lindsey
Buckingham, man!
That guy is the greatest! Cool, now I can go the
bathroom and flush
without worry! I no longer care if I wake the grown-ups; I
was, if you
remember, on my way to the bathroom.
I
don't know just how many young black kids wanted to grow up to be
Lindsay Buckingham. I was one. I had never heard a
more
earth-shattering sound than the tone of his guitar. I had
never seen
anyone play with that kind of intensity before, and it made me want to
play a guitar like a god. Christine McVie always had a great
song that
related to "everyone." Remember, she's the one who wrote,
"Don't Stop"
and "You Make Loving Fun." Because of her and Stevie Nicks, I
learned
that I love women who carry songs in their heart. Mick
Fleetwood and
John McVie are the epitome of the term "rhythm section." This
dynamic
duo carried Fleetwood Mac through 33 years, and 13 different versions
of the mighty Mac.
In
short, that early period of my life saw the development of my love
for Fleetwood Mac, the inability to eat bologna after learning its
"true" ingredients, and getting busted by my mom who heard me making
"kissy sounds" sounds at Christine McVie's image on the screen.
The
only difference between then and now is that I don't get busted anymore.
Cheerio
Earlier
you probably figured out how well Alex and Roy work together,
part of that is because they think the same way musically, but they
have a few differences, too. One of them came to light when
Roy saw
Alex's column for the first time; he realized that they liked the same
band, but for totally different reasons. You read how Alex
feels about
Christine McVie -- turns out that Roy feels exactly the same way about
Stevie Nicks. The first time he saw Fleetwood Mac on "Don
Kirschner's
Rock concert" in the 70's, he saw Stevie on the screen, and for him,
she WAS Fleetwood Mac. It's been a love affair ever since.
Now you
understand the significance mentioned earlier. Good thing we
girls
aren't the jealous types.
One
last thing before we sign off. An incident at Alex's job
recently
brought the subject of racial prejudice and intolerance to the
foreground in our lives. We'd like to invite everyone to make
a
resolution that involves learning to live with each other's differences
and accept people of all cultures and beliefs for who they are.
Without
a doubt we're all human, and sometimes it's not easy to deal with
people's differences and deficiencies, but variety is what make us
interesting. We at Poppermost believe in acceptance and
tolerance of
our fellow beings and do not wish to bring harm or injustice to any
living thing. One day, hopefully, the rest of the world will
catch up.
On
that note, we'll say cheerio for now. Be sure and tune in next
month, same Pop-time, same Pop-channel to hear more about Kathleen
Miller, our newest member who sings like a wicked angel (we sure hope
she still likes us by then) and to see what other surprises we have up
our sleeves. Thanks for listening.
Contact
Alex
Oliver, Suicide Pop! Records, 702-384-0306
Roy
Al Rendahl, Trimordial Studio, <http://www.thefaro.com/>
email: poppermost@thefaro.com
web:
<http://www.thefaro.com/poppermost.html>,
<http://www.mp3.com/poppermost>
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Thank
you!
Alex,
Roy, Debbie, & Farrah
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