Return to bmusic.com.au home
Newletters
Return to bmusic.com.au home
A and R

Bands

Links

Product news

Marketing

Recording

Songwriting

Tech Tips

Theory

What's new
bmusic
Newsletter No.200
December 12th - December 18th 2005

Well, somehow we made it to 200 issues of the weekly bmusic Newsletter, picking up a few thousand subscribers along the way! Thanks to each and everyone of our readers, some who have been with us since day one, for your continued patronage of our little publication.

Sadly Gerry Humphreys, a pioneer of Australian rock with the group The Loved Ones, passed away in England last week at the age of 63. Younger punters may have a connection with the Gerry and his band through their song "Everlovin' Man", recently covered by Jet and released as the B-side to their "Cold Hard Bitch" single.

In other news this week, the wonderul ARIA accreditation system continues to bemuse. Australian Idol series three winner Kate DeAraugo had her first single go on sale this week, earning herself a platinum accreditation thanks to ARIA. 70,000 units is platinum of course. Well, her single went Number 1, somehow. You see, no where near 70,000 units actually made their way off the shelves and into the hands of fans. Around 20,000 units sold, making Casey Donovan's 35,000 unit first week sales look Beatle-esque in comparison!
I noted very little promotion at all for Kate's release. Either no one wanted to know about it at a radio and television level and therefore there was little on offer for promotion there, or the record company weren't keen to commit anything substantial to marketing, fearing a return on their investment was unlikely, or both!

Somehow with the madness of pre-Christmas trading and stepping out to check out Motorhead and Motley Crue during the past week (a show in which the PA crapped out spectacularly about four songs into the Crue set, demonstrating that it doesn't matter how good or expensive your PA is, it can still let you down at the most inopportune time) I managed to pen a new Where Are They Now? feature this week. A request for this subject came from subscriber Mark recently and it was a pleasure to put together as I recalled some of the powerful songs I know well from this band's back catalogue.
Regulars including Feature Article, The Week Ahead in Music History, Featured Artist and more are all inside Issue 200 of the bmusic Newsletter.
Links in the Table of contents below will launch your browser, so you'll need to be online to view the newsletter. If you are unable to receive html format e-mails then copy and paste the following link into your browser's address bar to view the newsletter:
http://www.bmusic.com.au/links/whatsnew/newsletters/archives/newsno200.html

Thanks to everyone for reading, we'll see you next week!

TABLE OF CONTENTS (You will need to be on-line to use the Table of Contents to jump through sections)
  • Where Are They Now? - Concrete Blonde
  • This week's Music Quote
  • Featured Product - Seymour Duncan Guitar & Bass Pickups
  • This week's Specials
  • This week's Feature Article - Increasing Your Odds of Getting Signed
  • This week's Feature Artist - Why Wednesday
  • Musicians Wanted
  • Gear Wanted
  • Band Links
  • The Week Ahead In Music History
               Events
               Births
               Deaths
  • Give us your suggestions
  • Don't want the bmusic Newsletter?
  • Privacy Statement
  • See you next week

  • WHERE ARE THEY NOW? - CONCRETE BLONDE

    Although a band Concrete Blonde really exists historically as the pairing of singer/songwriter and bassist Johnette Napolitano and guitarist Jim Mankey who met while working at a studio owned by legendary session musicians Leon Russell. The collaboration between Napolitano and Mankey was given the moniker Dream 6 and released an EP through a French indy label Happy Hermit, later reissued in the US by Capitol Records. It was labels like Capitol that avoided Dream 6/Concrete Blonde in their early years as the band, wanting complete artistic control of their work, were perceived by majors as potentially difficult to work with. Dream 6 had a third member of sorts that is rarely recognised, that being a former Sparks bandmate of Mankey's, his brother Earle.

    They eventually signed to a US label in 1987, IRS Records, and at the suggestion of their then label mate, Michael Stipe of R.E.M., changed their name to Concrete Blonde. A new member of the band was brought in on drums to record their major label debut, Harry Rushakoff. The debut self-titled album was followed soon after in 1990 by "Free", an album which spawned the college radio hit "God Is A Bullet". For that album Napolitano handed bass duties over to hired hand Alan Boch.

    The inimitable Concrete Blonde sound was found with the exit of Rushakoff, reportedly due to his personal battles with drug dependance, and introduction of former Roxy Music drummer/percussionist Paul Thompson. The first album recorded by this incarnation was 1990's "Bloodletting". Perhaps the most revered Concrete Blonde track was lifted from this album, the US Top 20 smash "Joey". The poignant tale of the tragedy of death from alcoholism showcased Napolitano's exceptional songwriting and emotive performance. Another track from the album, "Tomorrow, Wendy", a cover of an Andy Prieboy song, became as much a Concrete Blonde song as it was a Prieboy song with it's incredible delivery, the poignancy of the piece being articulated brilliantly by Napolitano.

    The trio of Concrete Blonde with Thompson on drums was set as the recognised Concrete Blonde line-up and giving Thompson equal right to a claim to fame as Concrete Blonde as his two bandmates. They recorded another album "Walking In London", released in 1992. This release was less successful than it's predecessor, fans of the band had been expecting great things after the brilliance that was "Bloodletting" but were left disappointed by "Walking In London". Whether the band felt pressure for this follow-up after the success of "Joey" and the accompanying album is a subject oft discussed and may well have contributed to the work that ended up "Walking In London".

    Napolitano, however, was not interested in going backwards and returning to whatever formula it was that made "Bloodletting" work, rather concentrating her new found enthusiasm for Hispanic music into the band's fifth long player "Mexican Moon". Whilst Concrete Blonde had lost momentum with the preceding release "Mexican Moon" is regarded by fans and critics of the band as one of their finest releases with incredible power, soul and inspired songwriting features of "Mexican Moon". Interestingly drumming duties on this album were shared between Paul Thompson and his predecessor Harry Rushakoff, presumably free of his demons at that time.

    Commercial success having eluded them since "Bloodletting" the decision was made that Concrete Blonde should come to an end around 1994. Now, ordinarily we'd out together the movements of each of the band members at this point since the band's end. But in this case, the story's not yet over for Concrete Blonde.

    Napolitano almost immediately resurfaced with the band Vowel Movement with Holly Vincent then, almost as quickly in Pretty & Twisted with former founding Wall of Voodoo guitarist Marc Moreland. But less than two years later Napolitano and Mankey were reunited to record the eponymous album with LA band Los Illegals. This wasn't the catalyst for a Concrete Blonde reunion however, and the band would remain disbanded.

    Speed ahead five years to 2001 when Mankey, Napolitano and pre-"Bloodletting" drummer Rushakoff reunited to record and release a brand new album, "Group Therapy", and tour extensively behind it in the US in 2002. Unfortunately the reformed almost original line-up was shortlived with Rushakoff being fired the same year for failing to show up to a number of rehearsals and performances. Enter drummer Gabriel Ramirez-Quezada.

    Jim Mankey suffered some mental problems in the period before the reformation of Concrete Blonde and, as a form of therapy for himself, decided to record a solo album in his basement. The result was "Jam", a collection of guitar-driven moody arrangements with evocative melodies that was released independently in 2003. The entire effort from penning of the songs to recording and mixing was the work of Jim Mankey, excepting the mixing of two songs by his brother and long-time Concrete Blonde associate Earle Mankey.

    In 2004 the new Concrete Blonde line-up recorded and released their final studio album to date, "Mojave". An extensiive greatest hits package was released earlier this year.

    So, for all intents and purposes Concrete Blonde still exist. Indeed, they have an up-to-date official web site at www.concreteblondeofficialwebsite.com. The site details the movements on the band and links, of much interest, to the official site of Johnette Napolitano and her myriad personal interests and causes she champions. She has done and continues to perform solo shows and her latest "side project" is with current Concrete Blonde drummer Gabriel Ramirez-Quezada, an outfit that segues somewhat nicely into something I touched on last week. That project, Catfish Scar, have a myspace page like, it seems, most every emerging band in existence these days. The page is less than a month old so it's an outfit you can see emrge before your eyes, as it were, with myspace. The Catfish Scar myspace page can be found HERE. Of course the band has an official site of their own also at www.catfishscar.com but that doesn't work!

    Drop us an e-mail if you'd like us to track down some of stars of the past for you and feature them in Where Are They Now? or if you have anything to add or correct from one of our features.

    BACK TO CONTENTS

    THIS WEEK'S MUSIC QUOTE

    "Off all the things I've lost, it's my mind I miss the most."
    - Ozzy Osbourne


    BACK TO CONTENTS

    FEATURED PRODUCT - SEYMOUR DUNCAN GUITAR & BASS PICKUPS

    Seymour Duncan
    There are now close to 200 different Seymour Duncan brand pickups online at bmusic.com.au with more being added almost every week. It's an exhausting catalogue and we could not even begin to touch on it all as part of this week's feature. So we have simply outlined the different series' of Seymour Duncan company pickups available and you can see more for yourself in your series of interest from there.

    Not only has the range available online at bmusic.com.au been extended greatly, but the entire Seymour Duncan range has undergone a significant price drop this past week. How does a humbucker that formerly retailed for $209.95 now available for $145.95 sound? Or Antiquity humbuckers that were selling for $399.95 a week ago now going for $250.00? Now that's what we call significant price drops. The changes are due, in part, to the stronger Australian dollar as well as negotiations with the Australian importer with Seymour Duncan for some price parity with the US. Combine that with out own new aggressive below retail pricing structure and Seymour Duncan for Aussies has never been better.

    Click HERE to see our wrap of the available range of Seymour Duncan guitar and bass pickups and to see just how nice the price of your favourite Seymour Duncan pickup is now.


    BACK TO CONTENTS

    SPECIALS AT bmusic

    ESP GUITARS AND BASSES ON SALE ALL DAY EVERY DAY!
    We aren't the ones to "match" prices - we set 'em! Compare our LIST prices with any in Australia, good ol' bmusic.com.au is the cheapest hands down. You see, we don't need to price match when we are the thing other stores are trying to match. There's a lot to be said for taking the lead instead of following.

    SCHECTER GUITARS AND BASSES ON SALE ALL DAY EVERY DAY!

    Just like with our industry leading ESP prices and reputation, with our new Schecter dedicated site we are stepping up the profile and dropping the prices to never before seen levels with Schecter. We are also landing some of the only Schecter models of their type in Australia, and some of the very few anywhere in the world throughout 2005.

    Specials this week include:
    FRAMUS DRAGON GUITAR HEAD - $3595 save $500 off RRP
    FRAMUS COBRA GUITAR HEAD - $3795 save $600 off RRP
    HUGHES & KETTNER ZENTERA HEAD - $4595 save $1100 off RRP
    HUGHES & KETTNER ALEX LIFESON TRIAMP - $4759 save $836 off RRP
    HUGHES & KETTNER TRIAMP MK II - $4275 save $1020 off RRP
    HUGHES & KETTNER TRILOGY HEAD - $2495 save $504 off RRP
    HUGHES & KETTNER PURETONE HEAD - $2795 save $700 off RRP
    HUGHES & KETTNER WARP-T HALF STACK - $3259 save $740 off RRP
    HUGHES & KETTNER MATRIX 100 HEAD - $725 save $170 off RRP
    HUGHES & KETTNER MATRIX 100 COMBO - $999 save $200 off RRP
    OVATION BALLADEER S771 - $1869 save $330 off RRP
    JIM DUNLOP ZAKK WYLDE WAH - $269 save $50 off RRP
    DIGITECH® GNX-4 GUITAR WORKSTATION - $1189 save $210 off RRP
    DIGITECH® SCOTT IAN BLACK-13 PEDAL - $339 save $60 off RRP
    HUGHES & KETTNER BASSFORCE 100 - $869 save $180 off RRP
    WARWICK TAKE 12 80 WATT BASS COMBO - $789 save $210 off RRP
    ROCKTRON GAINIAC 2 PREAMP - $339 save $60 off RRP
    ROCKTRON XPRESSION GUITAR EFFECTS - $679 save $120 off RRP
    ROCKTRON BLUE THUNDER BASS EFFECTS - $759 save $140 off RRP
    ROCKTRON PROPHESY PREAMP - $2359 save $540 off RRP
    ROCKTRON VOODU VALVE PREAMP - $1359 save $240 off RRP
    ROCKTRON HUSH SUPER C - $339 save $60 off RRP
    ROCKTRON VELOCITY 100 POWER AMP - $479 save $70 off RRP
    All prices include GST

    Check out our Specials page for more info on these specials.


    BACK TO CONTENTS

    THIS WEEK'S FEATURE ARTICLE - INCREASING YOUR ODDS OF GETTING SIGNED

    Increasing Your Odds Of Getting Signed by Bobby Borg can not be overlooked if you're in an original band. You may have read any number of our A & R articles without actually even realising what an A & R Rep is. We actually often get the question, "What does A & R mean?" Well, this article explains it all and more about how these guys and girls work, what they do, and some of the ways they find new talent.

    Click HERE to read "Increasing Your Odds Of Getting Signed".

    BACK TO CONTENTS

    FEATURED ARTIST - WHY WEDNESDAY

    Why Wednesday is a stadium rock band currently performing on the Perth live music circuit. The band originally formed mid 2003 and played our debut gig in December 2003 with Spencer Tracey and Staireo.Since then the band has played at The Rosemount, The Lookout, Back Betty's, The Foundry, Newport Hotel, White Sands, Indi Bar and the La Bog Fremantle & Northbridge.

    The band has also taken a strong liken to touring in regional WA and to date has gigged at Collie, Moora, Busselton, Kalgoolie and Dunsborough. The material being written is a true reflection of these guys youth based influences.

    Check out the official Why Wednesday web site at www.whywednesday.com to learn more about the band and check out their some of their original music.

    Each week's Feature Artist is selected from the Band Links page, so get on and list your favourite group at the Band Link page and they could be the Feature Artist at bmusic.com.au.

    BACK TO CONTENTS

    MUSICIANS WANTED

    Our 'Musicians Wanted' pages are getting more and more listings every week with musicians from across the country (and the globe) looking for singers and instrumentalists of all types.
    Get on over to Musicians Wanted to see all the new listings. Check back regularly as new listings are received almost every day.

    There are two simple sections at the FREE Musicians Wanted pages. 'Musicians Wanted by Bands' and 'Bands Wanted by Musicians'. If you fit one of these categories click HERE to see if there is a candidate to fit the bill. If not, then send us your new listing and we'll have it up inside a day. Just be sure to let us know if you fill the vacancy so we can remove it from the page.

    BACK TO CONTENTS

    GEAR WANTED

  • Ibanez Series 10 Pedals:
    Pretty short and to the point request from a bloke without the ability to type capitals on his keyboard it would appear :)
    "i'm looking for ibanez series 10 pedals most of all the ph10 bi mode phaser"
    Let us know if you can help. Who was it looking for this, we have located one and I've lost your contact details!


  • Guitar promo catalogues:
    A good friend of ours here at bmusic is after any old catalogues from days gone by. At the moment he's particularly keen to get a hold of any Washburn catalogues from the late '70's. Those that feature the Washburn Wing Series of basses and guitars would be of particular interest.

  • Second-hand saxes, clarinets and flutes. We are looking for good quality, good condition, saxophones, clarinets and flutes to help out those parents who are a little dubious about their child's level of commitment to their chosen instrument and, subsequently, don't want to spend a bomb on what might turn out to be a fad. If you or your kids have taken up the horn but chucked it in, don't take it to Cashies. Brands like Yamaha, Yanigasawa, Selmer, Buescher etc. are always welcome at bmusic.


  • Marshall JCM800's. That's right, we STILL want 'em. JCM800 2203 and 2204 models.


  • If there's something you've been trying to get your hands on, let us know and we will list it here for you. You never know.

    If you spot something in the U.S. or Canada you're keen on let us know. We have contacts in those territories who, for a small fee, can act on your behalf in any transactions and make sure you get your stuff safe and sound.

    BACK TO CONTENTS

    BAND LINKS

    Click HERE to visit the Band Links page and be sure to check back regularly to see new listings.
    If you're in a band or are a supporter of any local bands in your area, why not create a link for them on our FREE Band Links page. Each week's Featured Artist is selected from our Band Links pages. List your band and you could be the next bmusic Featured Artist.

    BACK TO CONTENTS

    THE WEEK AHEAD IN MUSIC

  • Events
  • In 1957, "Jingle Bell Rock" by Bobby Helms entered the U.S. pop chart for the first time. It re-entered in December 1958, 1960, 1961 and 1962.

    In 1966, Jimi Hendrix released "Hey Joe", his first single.

    In 1968, Janis Joplin made her first appearance after leaving Big Brother and the Holding Company. Joplin performed in Memphis at the "Yuletide Thing" event sponsored by the Stax-Volt record labels. Also on the bill were such leading Stax acts as the Bar-Kays, Booker T. and the M-G's and Rufus and Carla Thomas.

    In 1970, Tiny Tim, 40, married Miss Vicki, 17, on "The Tonight Show".

    In 1977, The Who performed a secret concert for longstanding fan club members and movie cameras filming for the Jeff Stein documentary "The Kids Are Alright" in London.

    In 1977, the Sex Pistols were denied visas to enter the U.S. two days before their scheduled appearance on U.S. TV show "Saturday Night Live". The Pistols were also getting set to kick off their first U.S. tour.

    In 1977, Elvis Costello and the Attractions appeared on "Saturday Night Live" in place of the Sex Pistols, who were refused visas to the U.S. two days earlier. The show's producer, Lorne Michaels, refused to allow Costello to perform "Radio, Radio" because of the song's criticism of the broadcasting industry, but a few measures into "Less than Zero" Costello stopped his group and went into "Radio, Radio". He was never invited back to appear on the show.

    In 1983, Keith Richards married model Patti Hansen during a ceremony in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Mick Jagger was the best man.

    In 1985 Phil Collins made his U.S. television acting debut when he appeared on "Miami Vice", playing a drug dealer.

    In 1985, James Taylor married actress Kathryn Walker.

    In 1986, Elton John recorded a live version of "Candle in the Wind" in Australia with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. The song was released as a single and hit top ten chart positions across the globe.

    In 1988, James Brown was sentenced to a six-year jail term for leading police on a late-night, two state car chase.

    In 1994, Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora married Melrose Place kitten Heather Locklear.

    In 1999, Rolling Stone guitarist Keith Richards stole a Fender Telecaster from an autograph seeker outside Richards birthday party at the Russian Tea Room in New York City. The owner of the guitar chased Richard's limo down the street shouting for his guitar back. Allegedly the Stones veteran leaned out the window and said "F@*! you, get a new guitar". No charges were laid with the guitar's rightful owner reportedly saying, "It's Keith, man".

    In 1999, Paul McCartney, Pink Floyd's David Gilmour and Deep Purple's Ian Paice, performed at the Cavern Club in Liverpool. McCartneys first time playing there since his days with the Beatles. The concert was broadcast live over the Internet and attracts 50 million hits.

    BACK TO CONTENTS
  • Births In 1943, Allman Brothers guitarist Dickey Betts.

    In 1948, Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, guitarist for the Doobie Brothers.

    In 1949, Paul Rodgers of Free and Bad Company.

    In 1938, Animals bass player Chas Chandler.

    In 1942, Dave Clark, drummer and leader of the Dave Clark 5.

    In 1943, Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards.

    In 1943, British guitarist Albert Lee.

    In 1944, Alvin Lee, guitarist and vocalist for Ten Years After.

    In 1946, hired gun and Vanilla Fudge drummer, Carmine Appice.

    In 1950, ZZ Top member and owner of a magnificent 1959 Gibson Les Paul Flame Top, Billy Gibbons.

    In 1951, guitarist Robben Ford.

    In 1956, R.E.M. bass player Mike Mills.

    BACK TO CONTENTS
  • Deaths In 1963, Dinah Washington died of an overdose of sleeping pills in Detroit. She started as a church pianist before singing jazz with Lionel Hampton's band. From the late '40s and into the '60s, she sang a wide variety of stuff from blues to country to pop. Throughout her career she had a bunch of R&B and pop hits. Dinah Washington was 39.

    In 1991, Joe Cole, a one-time roadie for punk group Black Flag, was killed while being robbed.

    In 1998, Jimmy Ellis, one of the world's most famous Elvis impersonators who worked with the likes of Jerry Lee Lewis and Loretta Lynn such was his reputation, was shot during a robbery at his pawn shop.

    In 2000, music teacher and inventor Harold Rhodes died at the age of 89. Rhodes was the inventor of the Rhodes electric piano, which helped the evolution of jazz rock.

    In 2000, Kristy MacColl (aka Mandy Doubt) was killed when she was hit by a speedboat while swimming. She was an English New Wave/Punk performer who performed notable pieces such as "There's A Guy Works Down The Chip Shop Swears He's Elvis" and "Walking Down Madison". She wrote and recorded "They Don't Know", which was later a hit for Tracey Ullman. MacColl Was a member of The Drug Addix and had worked with The Pogues, Simple Minds, Happy Mondays, The Smiths, The Rolling Stones, Talking Heads and Robert Plant. She was the daughter of folk songwriter Ewan MacColl and dancer and choreographer Jean Newlove. She was one time married to record producer Steve Lillywhite.

    In 2000, 10,000 Maniacs lead guitarist Robert Buck died of liver failure at the age of 42.

    In 2001, guitarist and singer Stuart Adamson (William Stuart Adamson) was found dead after being missing for a month. Adamson had hung himself. He was, most notably, lead singer for Big Country.

    BACK TO CONTENTS

    NEWSLETTER SUGGESTIONS

    If there's a segment or something you think bmusic should include in it's weekly newsletter just let us know. Drop us a line. After all, the newsletter is for you. If you have a story or an article you'd like to have considered for inclusion just e-mail it to FEEDBACK

    BACK TO CONTENTS

    DON’T WANT THE bmusic NEWSLETTER?

    If you’re sick of our boring newsletter, or you have wrongfully been placed on the Subscription list for bmusic, simply reply to this e-mail and replace the subject line with UNSUBSCRIBE and we won’t hassle you anymore.

    BACK TO CONTENTS

    PRIVACY

    You can rest assured that your e-mail address and any other details bmusic has about you will never be forwarded to parties outside the bmusic organization. We are as sick as you are of getting unauthorised, crap e-mails from some mail list. Credit card numbers are not stored by bmusic.

    BACK TO CONTENTS

    SEE YOU ALL NEXT WEEK!

    A free service brought to you by www.bmusic.com.au Copyright © 2005 bmusic.

    To receive the bmusic weekly e-newsletter simply click Here and send the e-mail.

    If you've missed a newsletter simply visit the bmusic newsletter Archive.

    BACK TO CONTENTS

    Copyright © 2005