RED SEPTEMBER - (First reviews in!)

[DirkBelig]

Thanks a lot, Kaworu!!! :+

(Just to make sure that I saw your order, are you in PA? Only reply if you aren't. Thanks again!)

[Zyph]

He's in PA, just like I am............but I have to wait to order mine until after christmas......since my family may get it for me. (hinting goes a long way I guess! )

[Kaworu]

(Just to make sure that I saw your order, are you in PA? Only reply if you aren't. Thanks again!)

Does that mean I'm banned from the thread?

[DirkBelig]

Why would that be?

It was just that the e-mail addy on the order didn't match your info here and if your order hadn't gone thru, I wanted to be able to catch it pronto, but didn't want to reveal any personal info that you may not have wanted put out there. That's all.

Zyph: Hint that they make great gifts for ALL music lovers! (The last couple of people I've sold copies to have bought extras for gifts. )

[Kaworu]

Mine came in today, listening to it right now

[DirkBelig]

Could those of you who've ordered and gotten yours please post what songs you (and anyone you've played it for) are digging most and what type of music you usually listen to. It's so we and the label can see what's hitting with the listeners the most. Thanks!

[sbp]

Graffiti and Killjoy are my favorites.


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heh, mosh pit.

Dirk is on the left singing.

Usually listen to hard rock.

[JMan]

I'll get my dad to get it for me for Christmas
Until then I guess I'm stuck with the measly OC ska scene

JMan

[DirkBelig]

Got some feedback from a couple of music industry lawyers who bought copies. One guy is a local attorney who is on the legal team of a prominent local rapper who I'll refer to as "Chubby Sunny". He called me up at home over the weekend to tell me that he'd been spinning it and really liked it. I dunno if this is going to mean something down the road, but it's nice to hear.

Next, I got this from the lawyer from the Big New York Music Law Firm:

I've listened several times now (which in itself says quite a bit) and I really enjoy it on a personal taste level. It certainly evokes some of my favorite bands, including our friend Bob's output. (Referring to Bob Mould of Husker Du and Sugar fame.) It also passes the "how many songs must I skip" test with flying colors since I've yet to feel compelled to hurdle over any of the tracks.

Beyond my personal taste, I just don't know. I suspect that the "chasing the lemmings" A&R community could give two shits about something fresh like Red Sept in this "does it sound like Creed?" day and age. Having said that, you should be proud of having made a terrific record.

All I can say is that you've made an exciting rock record that I have and will continue to enjoy. For that I thank you.

In follow-up correspondence, he told me that he'll be playing it for some radio folks at his New Year's get-together, so hopefully, next year will bring some good news.

Everyone else who's gotten a copy, don't forget to post your comments too. (Thanks sbp. KILLER mosh pit!)

[mcbiff]

As I said before #1 With a Bullet remains my absolute favorite track, I will never tire of it. But I really like all of the new ones too, my latest discoveries are Welcome to the Other Side and My God. Of course Graffiti is still a damn fine tune, and let's not forget Aquastealth. And hey, I almost forgot Killjoy. This is a damn fine record, and like that lawyer said, it sure passes the skip-track-test, I've had it in my CD-player all week and it's not getting out anytime soon. That's probably the best grade I can give an album, a week of two listenings/day.

I usually listen to Guns N' Roses, Metallica (Black Album and earlier), Pantera and also a lot of classic rock (Zeppelin, Stones etc.). Basically anything that isn't techno and/or hip-hop.

[DirkBelig]

Upcoming shows for those in the Detroit area:

This Fri., Dec. 21st - Lili's 21 in Hamatramck w/The Civilians and one other band. We're on about Midnight.

Sat., Jan 12th - The Liquor Box - Dearborn Hts. w/Chain Reaction and another. Time TBA

Fri., Jan. 25th - Jacoby's - w/TBA (formerly WSG)

I hear that ilove2bebarefoot is coming home from school for the holidays and may attend one of these shows, so if you wonder just how much he loves being barefoot, come on down to a show and ask him!

And buy a CD too! They make great last-minute Christmas gifts!!!

[Reg Kmet]

Hi Dirk, wishin you the best of luck with the disc! is there a simplistic way for us canucks to get ahold of your discs? IE i send you a cash stuffed envelope, you send me music cd ? let me know man, and good luck!

[ilike2bbarefoot]

Being barefoot is great, but I must limit it to saying that ilike2bbarefoot

We'll see about that Jan 12th show. I just found out that not only am I arriving on the 20th, I'm leaving on the 13th. I love my college's timing!! </bitterness>

[Rezillo]

Congrats. Damn, the drums on "graffiti" are awsome. I really like that song. They are damn tight (musically). I can especially appricate drums now, the past month I have been learning them. After them I will be able to play guitar, bass and drums.

[DirkBelig]

Haven't heard from the record company guy or the lawyer. Mr. A&R said that he'd listened to it and that it was on his desk, but didn't elaborate and I didn't ask. He did say that there wasn't a cold beverage sitting on it, so that's good, I guess.

Last week's show was a mess. OK club, but the management was total bullsh*t. For starters, they want all the bands to load in at 8 p.m. Usually, you'd load in starting at 9, with bands playing later in the evening sometimes not showing up until later.

The reason they wanted the bands early was that they didn't schedule the order beforehand, but would pull names from a hat when the bands got there. It was possible to have to show up at 8, only to sit around until midnight or later...

Which brings up the REAL reason they wanted the bands there early: They wanted the bands to sit around and DRINK. This was hammered home when we got back from dinner (ate elsewhere) and I asked for some ice water (I rarely drink before a show and it's hot work, rocking out). The bartender plunked a 16 oz. bottle down and asked for $1.50. I said I'm in the band. He looks at me. I asked, "The band's have to pay for water?" He says, "Did they give you any tickets?" "No." He looks annoyed and when I didn't reach for my money, walked away, taking the water with him.

WTF is THAT?!? I didn't want free bottled water! I just wanted a pitcher (heck, a plastic cup!) of water. From the tap. Whatever. We weren't asking for free beer and hookers! Jeez. Great treatment of the entertainment. Of course, they don't treat their employees any better. There were some girls at the restaurant and we asked them to come to the show. One of them said she occasionally waitressed there, but that she'd have to PAY if she stopped by. Whut tha fook?!?

I hang out at Jacoby's all the time and bands get pitcher deals and otherwise treated right, so either I'm spoiled, or this place SUCKED. (I'm thinking "B".)

So, iLIKE2bbarefoot, you didn't miss much. Our performance was about a C-, prolly due to the cruddy conditions. I got hit on by this one chick, so it wasn't a total waste. (Heh.)

Minor lineup adjustment: Frank, our bassist, has been gigging with some other money-making bands and has had to miss some RS shows. We had a guy named Don fill-in for this last one, but the next two shows will bring the return of Cliff Finch, the ORIGINAL bassist who left in 1996(!) when he work schedule made it impossible for him to practice or gig. We practiced last night and it sounded great. If you've got the CD (y'all got yours, right?), he played bass on tracks 7-10.

We're playing in Ypsilanti on Friday (1/18) at TC's Speakeasy and the 25th at Jacoby's. Be there or be elsewhere!

One final supercool bit: I got an e-mail from the booker of two great Chicago clubs, The Metro and Double Door asking if we were planning on playing Chicago and to give them a call. Hell yeah!!! When it happens, I'll post it here so everyone I missed at the PCA Party can come on up and say, "Howdy."