Although it’s true that the rose, the object in question, would not physically change if it were to be renamed, the meaning associated with it would be altered. When the term “rose” is mentioned in conversation, various connotations and symbols with which it’s associated come to mind. If this word were to be replaced with another, those meanings could potentially be lost.

Words are more than just letters strung together to create sounds. They evoke emotion and/or action. Therefore, putting serious consideration into your band’s name selection process is essential.

Your band name should be catchy, easy to pronounce, universally understood, but most importantly, it needs to mean something to the band. One of the most frequently asked questions in interviews, is “What is the story behind your band name?” or “What does your band name mean?” If there is no rationale behind the choice of your band name, the media may get the impression that you aren’t taking your music career very seriously. Though there are some bands that chose names for their humour or shock value, I honestly believe that there should be something more to it. Comedic value and controversy will only go so far, and being left to explain a lame story regarding your band’s name selection, year after year, will get old fast.

When it comes to band name selection, looking through a dictionary, or thesaurus can often assist with brainstorming, but be wary of deciding upon something without researching first to see if there’s already an established act that goes by that name. If you want to avoid band name hassles, the Internet can definitely help. Conducting a preliminary search in various band directories is a good starting point.

Keep in mind that there are several bands that share the same or similar names. The only time when this will become an issue is when, for example: Band A from Canada decides to tour Europe where another act named Band A resides.

In such a situation, the Canadian Band A legally would be required to adopt an alias when touring that region, or in extreme cases, may be required to forfeit their rights to their band name altogether if reasonable evidence can prove that the European act was established previously, and holds the registration rights to the band name. I’m sure some of you remember the infamous Bush X incident some years back, in which they were required to drop the “X” out of their name because of this very situation.

Unfortunately there is no such thing as a law that can copyright a name, whether it be the title of a book, a movie heading, or a band name. However, band name registration, the next best thing, is widely available. There are fantastic sites such as http://www.bandname.com/, which allow musicians to register their band name in a worldwide directory for a minimal fee.

As the website notes, “establishing prior usage is a key component in protecting your name and unwelcome legal challenges. The Worldwide Registry notifies artists and labels where potential territorial name conflicts exists and registers your historical claim to ‘name’ usage”. Although sites such as one this exist, unfortunately not every band utilizes them or is even aware of their presence. Irrespective of this, I do recommend registering your band name through some avenue because if you ever find yourself in a legal battle, having a paper trail will definitely add credibility to your argument.

As an extension of your band’s name, “tag-lines” (similar to slogans) are often used in association with promotional purposes. These tag-lines are either derived from notable press quotes or they are a summation of how the band wants to be identified by the public. Short and sweet will really win the ticket here, as well as creativity, but be careful not to go overboard. Do NOT state that your band is the best thing since sliced bread. The premise behind tag-lines is to make your band identifiable: to associate a catch phrase with it, that makes you stick out from the rest.

A common practice is to draw a comparison between your band and a well respected/ renowned act of the past with an added twist. If you are unfamiliar with this practice, I can offer you a personal anecdote. My band Anti-Hero has been tagged “The 21st Century Answer to Nirvana” by CoverZone Magazine, USA. The editor of this magazine made an allusion to Nirvana because she feels that our music speaks to youth culture and their concerns, does not follow suit with the current popular trends or conventions, and is unapologetic in its hard-hitting honesty much like Nirvana was in the early 90s. Whether you agree with this comparison or not is up to your discretion, however, it’s become a great promotional tool for us, and we’ve found more often than not, that fans and reviewers alike feel we live up to the reputation.

Establishing an unforgettable name and solid tag-line is really half the battle to managing your band’s image, so leave something with people that they can remember and tell to all of their friends.

This beautiful reissue (or will it be as dated in 10 years as the 90s cover) caught my eye in the supermarket, so I picked it up.   Not having read Loretta Chase before, I was impressed by the high accolades she has received.

This is a fan favorite, but one I had a hard time swallowing.  Overall it was well crafted, but I didn't really like the characters.  Scenes meant to be funny seemed a little rough and sad to me.

Comparing it to the likes of Georgette Heyer, as some fans are wont to do, seems a bit far fetched.  And although I love the anti-hero, this character is a real blackguard.

However, I can honestly say that I read this one several months ago and have little to no recollection of it.  So, in order to give it a fair shake, I am going to reread and re-report....

Stay tuned!

<a href="http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?2acrzkmnfjg"><img src="http://www.interpunk.com/itemimages2/98090.jpg" alt="null" />
<strong>1000 nights of chaos</strong></a>

<a href="http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?m5fg5glak0o"><img src="http://www.ghetto-rock.com/Afbeeldingen/produkten/antiheros.jpg" alt="null" />
<strong>Thats right! Don't tread on me</strong></a>

<a href="http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?ktg22ycjgzy"><img src="http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B000000EV8.01.MZZZZZZZ.jpg" alt="null" />
<strong>American pie</strong></a>

Influence Meter: ++++++++

Now usually I don't do this, but uh, I'm gonna go ahead and make a second post today seeing as O'Dell put up three pages worth of photos from the Girl/Anti Hero "Beauty & the Beast" tour... with possibly more to come I guess.

Depending upon a band’s experience, and allotted promotional budget, the level of sophistication and quality of their practices may vary, but essentially, all bands, even those with representation, employ these tactics in order to self-promote, build their reputation, and attain recognition.

Why? Because if executed properly, they can work. However, it must be taken into consideration that the primary target market for bands, the youth generation/concert goers, are being bombarded by thousands of these messages each day through every possible medium. Understandably, media avoidance and desensitization are common. Therefore, recognizing how to make an impression and stick out from the rest of the pack is essential for success and survival. Getting your name out there has become an art-form in itself.

Within the constant haze of advertisements that pervade every sector of our lives, there are sometimes moments in which you will stumble upon a poster, or an event listing that really catches your eye. Somehow, amongst the clutter, an ad was able to make a statement, grab your attention, and maintain interest in order to get its point across.

There are various schemes that advertisers undertake in order to ensure that their message will be received such as: preying on human emotion, appealing to archetypes, and implementing dramatic effect. Regardless of which avenue advertisers choose, all of these methods share a common bond: they make ads memorable. This is important because if a company’s promotional materials are memorable, it will more than likely spark the interest of consumers which in turn creates a rise in profits, resulting in success for the organization.

So how does this relate to marketing your band? Simply, the same approach needs to be implemented. The first thing a new band should ask itself is, “What makes us unique?” If you find yourself struggling to find an answer to this question because your music, image, and name all play on the current “flavours of the week”, then I hate to break it to you, but your act, if success is achieved, will probably end up becoming a one-hit wonder. There is only so much room for copycat bands in the industry, and eventually, even the best of trends lose their popularity. The surviving bands are those that are able to reinvent themselves, they are not the acts that just “jump on the bandwagon” as it were.

However, if your response to this question replicates the standard, “We are like nothing you’ve ever heard before” - again, you are deluding yourself. By default, every original act produces something “original” because individual influences, member collaboration, and the creative process is varied in nature, but everyone is influenced by someone or something of the past. For that matter, it is impossible to be aware of every artistic movement that currently exists or has taken place across the globe. Even if you can’t think of another act to which you are comparable, it does not mean that they don’t exist.

Still, several bands market themselves in this fashion, and unfortunately for them, they are sooner or later called on their shit.

So how do I come up with a creative marketing approach? Easily, you just need to put some thought into it.

1) Consider your band’s name, image, and sound carefully. Each of these components can make or break a band. Therefore, not only should their inspiration be creative, but as well it needs to be meaningful (more on this next week).

2) Avoid typecasting yourself into a certain genre as it may deter listeners from checking you out. Allow your audience to develop their own perceptions by providing enough information so that they are intrigued, but not so much that they will end up feeling as though there is nothing left to uncover.

3) At all times, act professional because word of mouth is one of the most powerful forces in this industry. Be aware that effective self-promotion is not only a viable means to expand your band’s fanbase, but as well, it can often grab the attention of the industry’s movers and shakers. This industry is all about connections, therefore maintaining business-like conduct in all situations is crucial. (You never know who you might meet.)

4) Most importantly, be respectful and appreciative of both your fans, and any media outlet that provides you with coverage. Your fans allow you the opportunity to go on tour through the purchasing of your merchandise, and the media allows you to reach worldwide audiences that you cannot on your own.

Remember you need them in order to exist, but they don’t need you.

About the Author:

Her band ANTI-HERO has toured extensively across North America playing notable festivals such as Warped Tour, Canadian Music Week, NorthbyNorthEast, Wakefest, and MEANYFest.

Now imagine watching the beginning of this film. A band of hoods pull a midnight robbery. The leader tells a kid among them to kill a pursuer. The kid only wounds the guy.

Back at the ranch, we discover it's a family of bandits. The brothers want to kill the youngest, but the father says they can't kill a relative, they'll have to find someone else to "take him on a ride and he never comes back." They write a letter to Powder River looking for a bad ass to do it.

Cut to: A bar in Powder River. A bad ass is given the job, and the letter by way of introduction. A drunk cowboy (Charley) is sleeping it off in the bar.

Cut to: A man dressed all in black bushwhacks the bad ass and takes the letter.

Charley shows up in town, posing as the bad ass, to kill the son.

Real gritty, anti-hero sort of stuff.

Not in 1947. Not in the world of the Durango Kid.

However, this is a pretty good one. There are some fun twists, some cool riding, and what passes as suspense in this films. And Charley drives the action.

Though Roaring Rangers (1946), is the first teaming of Starrett/Smiley, this would have made a real nice introduction. Smiley prefers his buttermilk to whiskey and some rustlers are ready to plug him for it, when Steve Lacey jumps in and beats them up. Smiley invites Steve to bunk at his place, and spends some time trying to figure out if Steve is the Durango Kid. (There is surprisingly little of this in this series, I mean, people wondering who the Durango Kid is.)

In fact, the bad guys figure out that Steve IS the Durango Kid, but he plugs them before they can spread the news.

Some cool gunplay in this. Charley shoots double-fisted in one shoot-out, fans his pistol in another.

Come to think of it, this IS one of DK's grittier films. He kills four people (not the usual wing 'em or shoot-the-gun-outta-hands bit.) He even leaves one young guy to bleed out on a cellar floor. Cold!

Paul Campbell plays Tommy, one of nine films he did with Charley. Good looking fellow too.

Music is by The Cass County Boys, who played on nine episodes of the Gene Autry show as The Flying A Ranch Hands.

Reparto principal:
Eli Wallach ... Tuco
Clint Eastwood ... Rubio
Lee Van Cleef ... Sentenza / Ojos de ángel

Fotografía:
Tonino Delli Colli

Música original:
Ennio Morricone

Montaje:
Eugenio Alabiso
Nino Baragli
Joe D'Augustine

También conocida como:
El bueno, el malo y el feo

Palabras clave:
1860s, Action, Adult Situations, Adventure, American Civil War, Amputee, Anti Hero, Army, Assassin, bad-guy, Bandit, Bathtub Scene, Betrayal, Blood, Bounty Hunter, Bounty Hunters, Bridge, Brother Brother Relationship, Buried Gold, Buried Treasure, Catholic Mission, Cemetery, Child Murder, Civil-War [US], Coat, Compassion, con/scam, Contract Killer, Cult Western, Death, Deep Focus, Dehydration, Demolition, Desert, Double Amputee, Drama, Duster, Dynamite, Epic Western, Exploding Bridge, Explosion, Fall From Height, Famous Opening Theme, Famous Score, Firing Squad, Friendship, Fugitive, Gold, Good Versus Evil, good-guy, Grave Robbing, Greed, Gun Fu, Gun Store, Gunfight, Hanging, Hitman, Honor, Hotel, Humorous, Impersonation, Interrupted Hanging, Irreverent, Kindness, Legless Person, Lone Wolves, lynching, Male Nudity, Man With No Name, Marauder, Marksman, Mexican Standoff, Moral Ambiguity, Murder, New Mexico, Noose, Not For Children, Nude With A Gun, One Armed Man, Outlaw, Outlaw (Gunfighter) Film, outlaw [Western], Paraplegic, Part Of Trilogy, partner, Political Unrest, Priest, Prisoner Of War Camp, Public Execution, Quirky, Revisionist Western, Robbery, Sabotage, Satirical, Saved From Hanging, Scam, search, Sequel, Shooting Gallery, Shot In The Chest, Shot In The Face, Shot To Death, Showdown, Skeleton, Small Town, Spaghetti Western, Spit In The Face, Stagecoach, Stolen Money, Texas, Thirst, Torture, Tough Guys, Train, Treasure, Treasure Hunts, Trilogy, U.S. Civil War, Very Little Dialogue, Violence, Vulgarity, Warrior, Western, Western Violence

Will smith really can play thousand roles but man... poor whale (and that greenpeace boat) rofl~

But the new costume remind me of Indonesia's long forgotten "Panci Manusia Aluminium" or Batman's Robin.

Definitely a must see~

As I stated before, when money gets involved, everything changes. Thus, creating a band contract is not only a good way to protect everyone’s rights and contributions, but as well, can serve as a means to avoid conflicts about profit-sharing in the future if they do rise (and they will). Although costly, I highly recommend involving a lawyer to ensure that your contract is legally sound.

Your band contract should outline the following: Everyone’s responsibilities and/or roles within the band: not only is it pertinent that each member’s musical role is expressed, but as well, any management functions taken on by members needs to be mentioned.

Second, it’s important to establish both songwriting shares as well as song ownership. Often these categories overlap as the greatest percentage in both respects is usually accorded to the member who contributed the most. Songwriting shares refer to the division of royalties for song publishing (i.e. when a track is selected to be used on a movie soundtrack, royalties are allotted to the composer each time the track is played).

Thirdly, continuing on the subject of compensation, a system of profit-sharing needs to be devised to establish the division of funds produced from the sale of merchandise, and cds, as well as the division of gig earnings. Within this section, it is important to note that no profit-sharing should take place UNTIL all debts incurred are paid off. Furthermore, a contingency plan should be put in place in the event that the band remains unprofitable. If investors are involved (a subject which I will address later), it is essential to mention that a ) they will be paid off first and foremost and b) if the band remains unprofitable, no member(s) will be held accountable for the investor’s financial losses. All remaining assets, if any, are to be divided accordingly to each member’s contribution.

Last, but not least, ensure that you include a clause which outlines the appropriate measures to be taken if for any reason a band member is terminated from the group, and/or if a band member chooses to resign from their position. Behaviours that would result in expulsion from the group must be explained. Regarding the latter, your agreement should also outline a member’s entitlement if they willingly chose to leave the group.

These and all of the aforementioned parameters are up to your discretion, but above all, ensure that all members understand, and agree to comply with the contract. Provide each member with a final copy that is signed by everyone, a witness, and your lawyer.

Along with establishing a band contract, it is necessary to create a band fund to which all members contribute equally and regularly. A band fund is used to cover travelling expenses, merchandise/cd manufacturing, recording and production expenses, promotional fees, and any unexpected costs that come up along the way.

Initially, a system should be in place that requires each member to contribute a nominal amount on a weekly basis: $15 is usually a good starting figure as it is quite manageable, and as well, it will add up quickly. Weekly contributions should continue until the band is able to self-generate funds either through merchandise sales, and/or gig compensation. It may however, be in your best interest to continue weekly contributions as often unanticipated costs come up, promoters fail to follow through with their promises, and there will be many times your band plays shows in which your expenses outweigh the profits. Thus, being prepared for the worst case scenario is always a great piece of advice.

As all members of your band have a stake in its future, it is only fair that everyone contributes in each aspect. I’ve witnessed many bands fall apart due to a member being disgruntled because they have taken the onus upon themselves to pay for all the merchandise, and gas expenses, yet their fellow members expect gig money to be divided evenly. This is a system that will undoubtedly merit problems in the future, and if I can offer you only one piece of advice that you chose to heed, let it be this: do not under any circumstance divvy up money after shows.

Let’s say you have a four piece act, and you get paid $50 for a show. If you chose to divide this money, that would mean each member would earn $12.50 for their time. Most likely, if the division of money takes place directly after your performance, these funds will go towards buying a few drinks. The problem with this scenario is that the big picture is not being realized. Twelve dollars may not be a large sum of money individually, but $50 collectively could determine whether or not you are able to accept your next out-of-town gig offer. So long as all members maintain jobs outside of the band that assist them with covering their own personal expenses, this system should work quite effectively.

To most musicians, I’m aware that the notion of creating both a band contract and a band fund sound as though I’m speaking in a foreign language, but trust me on this one, it is necessary, and you will thank me for the suggestion.

In my first group, neither of these ideas were implemented. Consequently, it not only lead to frequent problems, but as well, it resulted in one of the messiest breakups that I’ve ever encountered (note of course that I’m including all of the idiots that I’ve dated in that analogy).

About the Author: 

http://www.anti-hero.ca/ or http://www.rosecoraperry.com/

http://www.anti-hero.ca/ or http://www.rosecoraperry.com/

As with any successful business venture, one person within the group must have a take-charge attitude that naturally places them within the leadership role. Most often in bands, I’ve found that the leaders (those in charge of management, bookings, promotion, scheduling) are usually the front person of the group as they have a naturally inclination to direct others. As well, when taking on the leadership role, one must realize that along with the good comes the bad. You will be the center of attention, but you will also be the one at which all of the criticism is directed. It is not an easy role, and I do not recommend it for those who are thin-skinned.

The reason as to why this kind of setup is in conflict with having friends in your band is fairly self-explanatory. Although there is respect among friends, it is difficult to think of someone within your clique as being “the boss” as people form friendships with those whom they feel are at the same level as them. As well, friendships are usually quite casual, and easygoing in terms of interaction, whereas business settings demand an authoritative leader/compliant worker-type relationship in order to function most productively. I’m sure you can understand then why conflicts easily arise in this scenario, and why I don’t recommend it.

So now you’re probably thinking, forming a band with complete strangers, that’s going to be odd and uncomfortable as musical expression is a very intimate personal thing? I agree. Initially, things will be a little sketchy until everyone gets a feel for each other. Ground rules will need to be established, a leader must be elected, and you will need to figure out everyone’s capabilities and how each member works the best. However, once you get past the initial stage of awkwardness, working together will be a breeze.

I’m sure your next question is, “How do I find the right people?” With the advent of the Internet, there are tons of valuable resources for musicians such as http://www.overhear.com/, http://www.kijiji.ca/, and http://www.bandmix.com/ which allow free classified ad posting for that very purpose. For those of you who do not have regular access to the Internet, posting ads in local music stores remains a popular means of networking, along with mingling at concerts. On the same note, with the popularity of programs such as Music Industry Arts offered by several universities and colleges across the globe including London’s very own Fanshawe College, finding musicians is easier than you can imagine. This does not necessarily mean you will find the right man or woman for the job right away, however, London, (and even more so in larger metropolises), is buzzing with local talent, you just need to look in the right places.

So what do you look for in a potential band member? Most importantly, your goals need to be in check. Everyone in your band needs to be on the same page, at similar talent levels and willing to make a huge commitment. Another quality, which is often overlooked, is image. You need to have a look, a style, something that will work for you as a trademark in terms of marketing your act, (but I will get into that more at another time).

Lastly, I recommend that finding people at the same age and maturity level would be in your best interest. Younger musicians tend to have more extracurricular activities in their lives, and often their parents are not thrilled about the idea of them forming a band. Also, in the future, when you are ready to book shows, having an underager in your act could pose some problems. Working with musicians that have ten years on you, has its downsides as well.

Older “seasoned” musicians usually expect monetary compensation for their time, have little tolerance for bands that are still trying to get their act together, and from my experience, seem to have a preference for playing in cover/tribute bands.

I believe the key to success in this industry is finding the right people that you can work well with. There are tons of musicians out there, but not a lot of good ones (and by good I am not referring to musical abilities).

It cannot be debated that every band definitely requires a strong leader. However, even with a strong leader, if the other members are not just as focused, and determined to make it, it’s not going to happen. Respect, professionalism, and teamwork are essential, and if you can achieve this kind of relationship among your best friends, all the power to you, but remember this, money changes everything. The moment your band obtains even the slightest degree of success, your friendships will be put to their greatest test.

Her band ANTI-HERO has toured extensively across North America playing notable festivals such as Warped Tour, Canadian Music Week, NorthbyNorthEast, Wakefest, and MEANYFest.

Titles listed in purple are on my "MUST See" list. Any thing listed in Red was added after publishing.

June

Kung Fu Panda: June 6th

Genre: Animation, Action, Comedy, Family

MPAA Rating: PG (for sequences of martial arts action)

Starring:Jack Black, Jackie Chan, Dustin Hoffman, Lucy Liu, Angelina Jolie, Michael Clarke Duncan and many more.

The Happening: June 13th

Genre:Drama, Sci-Fi

MPAA Rating: Not yet available (Probably PG-13 but maybe PG or R)

Starring:Mark Wahlberg and John Leguizamo

Get Smart: June 20th 

Genre: Action, Comedy, Crime

MPAA Rating: PG-13 (for some rude humor, action violence and language)

Starring:Steve Carell, Anne Hathaway, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Alan Arkin and Bill Murray

The Love Guru: June 20th  I just saw a preview for this movie and it made me decide this is a renter.

Genre: Comedy

MPAA Rating: Not yet rated (almost definitely PG-13)

Starring:Jessica Alba, Mike Myers, Ben Kingsley, Jessica Simpson, Justin Timberlake, Verne Troyer and many others

Wall•E: June 27th  

Genre:Animation, Comedy, Family, Romance, Sci-Fi

MPAA Rating: Not yet rated (My thoughts are G or PG)

Starring:Sigourney Weaver (rumored), John Ratzenberger (rumored), Kathy Najimy (rumored), Fred Willard, and Jeff Garlin

Wanted: June 27th 

Genre: Action, Thriller

MPAA Rating: This Film is not yet rated (I will guess PG-13 or R)

Starring:James McAvoy, Morgan Freeman, Terence Stamp, Thomas Kretschmann, Common, Angelina Jolie, David O'Hara and more

The Incredible Hulk: June 13th  

Genre:Action, Fantasy, Sci-Fi

MPAA Rating: Not yet rated (but probably, PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi action violence, disturbing images, and some drug use)

Starring:Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, Tim Roth, William Hurt and some others with a cameo by Robert Downey Jr. - As his character The Iron Man (and possibly an appearance by Stan Lee)

July

Hancock: July 2nd

Genre: Action, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy

MPAA Rating: not yet rated (I'll say PG..possibly PG-13)

Starring:Will Smith, Charlize Theron and Jason Bateman

Hellboy II: The Golden Army: July 11th  I also saw this movie's preview tonight and I will wait for video.

Genre:Action, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Sci-Fi

MPAA Rating: This film is also not yet rated (My thought is PG-13)

Starring:Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, Thomas Kretschmann, John Hurt and many others

Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D: July 11th

Genre:Action, Adventure, Family, Fantasy, Sci-Fi

MPAA Rating: PG (for intense adventure action and some scary moments)

Starring:Brendan Fraser, Josh Hutcherson, Anita Briem

The Dark Knight: July 18th

Genre: Action, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller

MPAA Rating: Not yet rated (I say it will be PG-13 or R)

Starring:Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman and a few others

The X-Files: I Want to Believe: July 25th

Genre:Mystery, Sci-Fi

MPAA Rating: This Film is not yet rated (probably going to be PG-13)

Starring:David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Amanda Peet, and Billy Connolly

I hate this damn building.

The elevator stank like you’d expect. Not for the first time I wondered when the last maintenance check had been done on it.

The doors opened up to a half lit hallway, gotta talk to the damn super again about the damn lights. Lazy slob that he is, perfect super for this damn building.

If it weren’t for the cheap rent, I’d be gone in a minute.

As I made my way to the door, dragging my suitcase behind me, Slink heard me and meowed back. How’d I get stuck with a damn cat? I hate cats…ok maybe not Slink. I unconsciously slid the key in and opened the door; home, such as it is.

Slink slid in for a quick pet and then away again, just like a cat, more interested in confirming I existed in her world than in actual contact. “I missed you too.” I said to her raised tail as she walked into the kitchen fully expecting me to follow. Damn cat.

I filled her food and water and then ignored her as she ignored me, we were a perfect match.

Routine, routine, routine. I picked up the remote and flipped on the tv letting the noise fill the background; tickers streaming at the bottom of Fox news. I walked out and pulled my suitcase into the bedroom flopped it on the bed and then stripped and showered.

By the time I came out of the shower sunbeams blinded me through the half closed shades. Sunset or sunrise, it took me a minute to remember, sunset…I think. I just got back to this side of the world an hour ago, I was tired but I needed to unload the stash first.

I opened the case and dumped the clothes on the bed. The data was woven into the fabric of the liner. No microchip, no silicon even, nothing to sniff for, nothing to detect. Carbon nano-tubes, grown with the data as part of their matrix. It was a time consuming process, but it let you hide so much data from so many prying eyes that for the right purpose it made economic sense.

Usually that purpose wasn’t quite legal, I lie to myself and call it a gray area.

I’m just a delivery boy. But a highly trained and valuable delivery boy; there are probably seven or eight people in the world that can do what I do. Friends and enemies all.

I pulled out my knife and cut out the liner, held it up to the sunbeams and  just barely saw the ten threads of different color and weight. I took the square meter of fabric out to the main room of the apartment, Slink was nowhere to be seen. Fox news was still going on about the latest bombing in Bangalore. I carefully laid the fabric sheet on my well lit drafting table.

Got a beer and changed the channel to ESPN.

It only took about an hour to extract the threads. Then another to feed them into the data recapture equipment. Before I hit the hay I had everything recompiled and burnt on two standard 128 gigabyte key fobs.

One for my client and one for me. You know, insurance.

I may be a valuable delivery boy, but I’m also a risk and you gotta look out for number one. My clients all know how discrete I am, but they also know I cover my ass. I gotta. Who’d feed Slink if I got wacked?

Blade Runner

More Film Downloads

I thought I had it all figured out. An idealistic, and talented, musician with over a decade of training, I am someone who thought that talent, passion, and the desire to write inspirational lyrics and social commentary actually mattered.

My name is Rose Perry, and let me tell you that there is no such thing as an educational program that can ever prepare you for the harsh reality of how the music industry actually functions. Furthermore, no longer does a prerequisite for talent exist in order for you to be a successful top-selling musician. Just as any other business functions, at the end of the day; money talks.

You may be the greatest innovator and songwriter since John Lennon, but if you can't sell 10,000 CDs without label support, good luck and God-speed. However, if you do manage to reach this unreasonable (and impossible for most) expectation, don't fool yourself into thinking that your hard work is over.

One of the biggest misconceptions about the music industry is that once you are signed, your work ends. Wrong....it gets harder, because now you are competing in the big leagues with bands who are not only signed, but have full time publicists and booking agents working around the clock to get their name out there.

Oh wait... I'm sure you thought that a label would provide you with a booking agent and publicist once you signed a contract with them right? Wrong again.

If you want to be successful on any level in the music biz, the first thing you need to realize is that NO ONE, and I mean no one, will work harder than you on promoting your music and/or band. So, if you don't have much of a work ethic, I suggest you pursue other interests.

Secondly, if you think that being a musician will lead to immediate gratification and financial remuneration, you couldn't be more off, especially if you are an original act. Believe it or not, in general, cover and tribute acts (without representation) are compensated about 10 times that of an original act for a single show. While you are out there trying to sell yourself, and your music to a often less than interested crowd for a measly $50 a show (often your compensation fails to cover expenses of getting to the gig, there are times in which you receive nothing at all), tribute acts are successfully selling someone else's music and image.

I also suggest all the band members have jobs on the side, because I can guarantee there will be no way to substantiate everyone's lifestyles off the petty amount of compensation you receive from shows.

Again on the subject of making money, I know that everyone has seen at least one biography program on a rockstar that made it to the top effortlessly and in a remarkably short period of time. However, what you are viewing on these programs is what the record labels want you to believe, NOT the actual truth. In order to attain a position of financial and career stability (of course, it can never be entirely stable), musicians often work for 10 - 15 years and then finally, just when they think they've had enough, they break.

But in saying that, there is always the risk of becoming a one- hit-wonder. As I said, labels, plain and simply, just want to make money, and musicians are a dime-a -dozen. Don't think for a second that they care about your integrity, dignity, or the longevity of your career. If a label can make the most profit off of one single, than that is the route they will take.

Music is one of, if not the most, cutthroat industries in existence, and you will have to fight tooth and nail the whole way to get to the top. It is not for the weak of heart, and many will fail along the way, because it truly tests your limits in every sense of the word.

The word "fair" does not exist in this industry, nor does "honesty." Promises are broken everyday, and as I said before, I cannot stress enough how important it is to realize that the music industry functions as any big business.

If you are not marketable (i.e. labels cannot make money off either your music or your image), you will not be successful, especially in the age where labels have less and less money to invest in new projects, due to their substantial losses from internet downloading. Music industry execs don't want to take risks with something that may or may not sell. Hence, the reason why you see trends constantly regurgitated (they've worked in the past, they will work again mentality), and why next to every band on the radio sounds the same.

Put it this way, it's easier to sell the public a carbon copy of something they already like, than to change their minds, and introduce something new.

So, if you can handle all of this, and swallow your pride, I suggest that you do, because there is nothing more fulfilling than pursuing a dream that is close to your heart. I will also contest that anything that is really worth fighting for, will never be easy. But, please heed my advice, take it from someone who has been there, it's an ongoing uphill battle and everything you can imagine and more will occur.

My goal in writing this column is to share with other aspiring musicians what I have learned from my experiences, and hopefully help others avoid making the same mistakes that I have made.

In saying that, I would like to invite YOU (the readers) to contact me if you have a question or subject that you would like me to address in an upcoming issue.

A liberdade ainda incomoda àqueles que não a conseguem.

De vez em quando bate uma sessão nostalgia. Numa de rever filmes que de certa forma fizeram a diferença. Então, após rever "Um Estranho no Ninho", e talvez motivada pela performance de Jack Nicholson, pulo para esse: "Sem Destino".

Após revenderem cocaína para um milionário... A dupla, Wiatt (Peter Fonda) e Billy (Dennis Hopper), compram duas Harley Davidson e caem na estrada ao som de "Born To Be Wild". Mas antes, Wiatt joga fora seu relógio de pulso. Simbolizando que o que queriam mesmo é aproveitar o percurso, saindo de Los Angeles com destino a News Orleans. E o que a maioria deveria fazer: viver o presente. (Os nomes dos personagens vieram de dois fora-da-lei do velho-oeste americano: Wiatt Earp e Billy The Kid.)

Creio que a cena inicial não apenas toca fundo em quem gosta de andar de motos. Esses, pelo prazer de sentir o vento no corpo. Ou como falou um amigo: em fazer parte da paisagem. Seja sob um sol escaldante, ou uma chuva cortante, em cima da moto vivencia-se tudo isso. Como também esse momento do filme toca a todos que amam por o pé na estrada. Ou que sonham com isso.

Mas nem tudo são flores para esses dois. No meio do caminho tinha mais que uma pedra. Se atualmente ainda há muito preconceitos com os motoqueiros (Até entre eles também, porque alguns impõem a diferenciação entre motociclistas e motoqueiros.) que dirá naquela época. Revoltantes, o que fazem com eles e um outro personagem.

Um terceiro personagem pontuou no filme. O então jovem Jack Nicholson. Seu personagem, George Hanson, encontra-se com a dupla na prisão. Ele é advogado. Um jovem rico e mimado. Que transgride as regras da sociedade local pela bebida. Mas por ser filho de quem é, a prisão é quase um albergue para curar a bebedeira. Um local onde passar a noite longe das vistas do pai.

Como também, é um jovem que nunca ousou cruzar a fronteira, apesar de sonhar com isso. Daí resolve cruzá-la com a dupla. Pois ficaram amigos na manhã seguinte. Sendo advogado consegue a soltura dos novos amigos.

Longe de casa, acaba sentido também o peso do preconceito. Por também ter se tornado um forasteiro. Não como antes quando a sua rebeldia era acobertada por conta do peso do sobrenome.

Mesmo assim, ele era um jovem consciente. Como demonstra nessa fala:

"Eles não têm medo de vocês, mas do que vocês representam. Para eles vocês representam a liberdade. Mas falar dela e vivê-la são duas coisas diferentes. É difícil ser livre quando se é comprado e vendido no mercado. Mas nunca diga a alguém que ele não é livre porque ele vai tratar de matar e aleijar para provar que é. Eles falam sem parar de liberdade individual, mas quando vêem um indivíduo livre ficam com medo."

Quase 40 anos depois, ainda presenciamos esse temor.

A trilha sonora é muito show!!

E confessando que exclamei um sonoro pu-ta-que-o-pa-riu nas cenas finais...

Filmaço! Vale a pena rever! Nota: 10.

Por: Valéria Miguez.

Sem Destino (Easy Rider) .EUA. 1969. Direção: Dennis Hopper. Roteiro: Dennis Hopper e Peter Fonta. Com: Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper, Jack Nicholson. Gênero: Aventura, Drama. Duração: 95 minutos.

I made a new pose set!! The Juicy Anti-Hero pose set is now on sale at my new location on Juicy. :)

Since my knowledge of Photoshop is pretty basic, I didn't add any of the cool visual effects I had envisioned while making this set. So yeah.. imagine fireballs, and glowy things.. and all the cool stuff you can do with these poses :)

Tp to Juicy!

Kiss songs this week...

Inappropriate funeral songs in list form.

The AV Club also joins the rest of the world in loving Rez HD.

Unlikely heroes on television from The Guardian following the premiere in the UK of Mad Men.

Can Hillary scare you into voting for her?

Hell Angels tried to kill Jagger in 1969?! Yet no one has tried after the solo albums...

Hillary Clinton has gained the ringing endorsement of Jack Nicholson.

Zefron poses with Richard Linklater as they together create Me & Orson Welles.

PopSugar UK has a preview of Forgetting Sarah Marshall which, of course, stars Jason Segel. Once, he did this, and it was good.

Michael Chabon contributes an essay to The New Yorker.

Obama's less seasoned campaigners are holding their own in Texas.

I say, where the flip is Vicki Iseman?

I love Marion Cotillard, but this is not good.

Here's two tracks from Wilco on SNL.

McCain's run has taken a little stumble at the first.

Tim Allen is directing a film.

After a long long night of a fruitless quarrel with eBay customer service I passed out in disgust. How hard is it to explain that you are who you say you are? It's all about identity and protection. On one end you have the large corporation not listening to the human being, and on the other hand you have the human being not listening to the corporation.

Kind of like...

Marvel Civil War: Iron Man Review

This was a good one. Iron Man is the perceived enemy in the Civil War conflict. He takes up the cause of the government under pressure of losing his lucrative defense contracts that have made him so wealthy. Not that he's greedy, but his money does support most of the major super hero teams like the Avengers. So no money, no Avengers. In the real world security costs a lot of money.

Morally ambiguous protagonists have always been fascinating. The idea of moral ambiguity allows you to idolize characters like Darth Vader or any of Frank Miller's characters and not feel like a total jerk. And that's who Iron Man is, the pseudo-hero who always walks the line between doing what he wants, and doing what's right.

In Marvel's Civil War, he's doing just that. Walking the fine line. But like all heroes, he falls down and crosses over to the dark-side. And it costs him his oldest friend's life. He's then left to pick up the pieces and rebuild his confidence and moral compass. Just in time for a feature debut this spring...

Pics: Marvel Civil War: Iron Man.