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Miles Nielsen…It’s Not a Cheap Trick :)

Please excuse my terrible pun as a headline for this post.  Let’s let the music do the talking… do you like the Beatles?  Then you’ll dig this:

 

Ladies and Gentlemen, my I present to you Miles Nielsen, if you don’t know his name, that’s OK, but you know his dad, oh yes you know his dad.  His dad is legendary power pop song-smith Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick, yeah Cheap Trick!

I hope you clicked that link at YouTube, it will take you back to some classic rock that you will never forget.

 

OK so the history is out of the way, you maybe asking yourself, so how many other rock and roll children can deliver the goods like their parents?  Well from what I’ve heard of Miles debut CD he delivers and delivers in spades.  It’s a little country, it’s a lot pop.  He works with a myriad of talented musicians including members of Cheap Trick, Gov’t Mule and The Black Crowes.  In all the press I’ve seen on Miles they write him up as “Beatle-esque Cosmic Americana”, and well yeah I agree.  Hey but don’t take that from me, you can find out about Miles for yourself.  That’s right, Miles is gonna be in our neck of the woods this Friday night.  In Dubuque in fact.

 

Miles will be at Monk’s Kaffee Pub 373 Bluff Street.

 

If you’d like to hear more of Miles music hit his Myspacepage.  I’m really digging his album so far and I think you guys will too.  I recommend it to fans of The Beatles, Jellyfish, Drive-By Truckers and The Jayhawks.

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This post was written by Gabe Wilkinson on July 29, 2009

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Twenty One Years Later It’s All MINE!

Dateline: Weekday morning 1988, I’m getting ready to go to school and I’m listening to the radio.  Kathy Flynn’s voice is talking to me on 105.7, when it used to be a current hits station and not the classics station it is now (which actually means that the music they play now was current in 1988 as well).  AC/DC finishes up and on comes Big Pig’s big American hit single “Breakaway”.  I fall in love and it’s a love affair that has carried on for 21 years with mystery, intrigue and a star crossed lovers inability to ever meet… until Monday of this week.

You may remember the song, it was used in Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure.  If you don’t remember it, that’s OK they never had another US hit but if you’d like to refresh your memory just click the YouTube link Here, it’s OK, I’ll wait…

See it’s awesome isn’t it?  A great flipping song.  Well, since they never really broke big in America other than that song and they didn’t really do much after that I’ve always had a hard time finding the CD it came from.  Even when I worked at City Sound in Mason City I couldn’t find anything of theirs.  It was probably out of print by then and well out of sight out of mind.  Then a month or so ago a buddy of mine turned me onto SwapaCD.com and 21 years of searching finally came to an end and the point of this blog also comes into focus.  You see I have stumbled on something here that is revolutionary and honestly something everybody should be using.

We all have CDs in our collection that are gathering dust that we want to get rid of or we never listen to any more.  You have a couple of choices.  1. Take them to Goodwill, which is a great idea, but then if you’re like me you kind of hope to get something in return and it’s going to take a lot of CDs to be able to claim them on your taxes at the end of the year.  2. Take them to a used record store and sell them and hope that you get enough cash to either buy one new/used CD or a snickers bar.  I worked in a used CD store (see City Sound above) and folks they don’t pay a whole lot for used stuff, not only that if you have say Crash Test Dummies CD God Shuffled His Feet or Hootie and the Blowfishes Cracked Rearview Mirror I can tell you they have plenty of copies and you aren’t going to get a thing for it.  3. You could give the CD to your niece or nephew who are showing an aptitude for music but lack good taste, which is always fun to do but could ruin their lives permanently especially the Hootie and the Blowfish.

So you know who’s got your back?  SwapaCD.com that’s who.

You post 10 CDs in your collection that you don’t want any more.  You then get one credit.  Then you purchase SwapaCD cash.  You will spend $5 to get some cash in your account to be used later.  Then pick some CDs you want.  If the CD you want is available it will be shipped to you automatically if you have a credit and money in your account.  For every CD that is shipped to you, you will need $.49 in your account.  Next step in the process, when someone orders one of your CDs you print out the mailing label, slip it into the pre-made envelope they print for you, take it to the post office and mail it with in 2 business days.  When the other customer gets it, you get another credit and the cycle continues.  So basically all you pay for is the handling charge of $.49 per disc and the cost to ship the disc out which is around a dollar (give or take a little more depending on your packaging).

Folks this is brilliant.  And lets say you don’t want to sell any discs but get some stuff cheap.  Then you can purchase credits.  I think they are around $3.50 per credit.  So basically you’ll spend $4.00 for a used CD.  That is flipping cheap.  And say you get the CD and don’t like it… just add it back into the system and blamo you’re selling it and getting another credit for something else.  Really it doesn’t get any easier, cheaper or more rewarding than this.

There are a few drawbacks though that I should talk about.  First, if you have taste like mine, it’s kind of hard to find some of the more unusual stuff.  I’ve been on a Genghis Tron kick for a couple of months now and I only have one of their albums and I’ve been hoping someone will sell one of their other albums used.  No such luck yet…  Also if no one orders your stuff, no credits.  I got lucky almost all of my stuff was ordered so it worked out for me, I had lots of credits to use and have reaped the reward several times now on other stuff I’ve been looking for, including God Lives Underwater’s self-titled EP that I’ve been looking for for nearly 14 years!  Also, if you like complete privacy this isn’t a perfect model since it prints your name and address for the person that is sending you the CD.  But you get their name and address too.  So it’s a bit of a trade off.  Not sure how much the privacy thing will effect a lot of people, it doesn’t bother me a bit, but some people may be off put by something like that.

The also have two other clubs that I haven’t tried yet.  SwapaBook and SwapaDVD and the credits are interchangable.  So that would be another way to get rid of stuff you don’t want any more and get new stuff too.

So there you go folks, since our economy is still in the tank here is a quick, inexpensive and enjoyable way to get rid of some old stuff and get some new stuff!

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This post was written by Gabe Wilkinson on July 17, 2009

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KFMW Rock 108 Presents Unsigned & Unleashed!

 

Back in the day when I was playing music full time and working part time the one thing that was always a crux in my craw was that there was no local radio show in our area.  The Lazer in Des Moines had Local Licks and it seemed like every market I played in had a home grown show of local bands and musicians that got regular play.  I tried for years along with many other members of the Cedar Valley music community to get this to happen.  We were never successful but we had little bits of success here and there.  First, Rock 108 did a battle of the bands for a few years.  Cory Ford did some stuff with local bands once in awhile, but it never took off.  Nothing ever happened.  Then awhile ago my buddy Brian Marshall over at Rock 108 clued me into what he had cooking and boy was I interested.  But like many big ideas I never thought it would be anything more than a Myspace page or a Facebook group.  Well ladies and gentlemen that is about to change.  Brian along with a cast and crew of bands, venues and other people have finally brought the Cedar Valley their own local music show on Rock 108!  It’s with very proud and excited fingers that I write this blog today.  I needed to ask Brian a few questions to help get the word out on the street on his new show.  So folks, take a gander below at the exchange between Brian and myself about Unsigned & Unleashed only on Rock 108!

 

1. Explain a little bit about what you’ve been doing with Unsigned and Online?
For the last year we have featured local, unsigned, original acts on our website at Rock 108.com  Each month, we would interview a band in the studio. We would separate the interview into three segments and end them with a track from their latest work.  We started with Illegal Smile from Cedar Falls.  We just finished the UNSIGNED & ONLINE portion of this month by speaking with Marcato from Des Moines.

 

2. How were you able to get something to happen that many local musicians have been trying to do for years by getting a local music program on Rock 108?
I am not going to take credit for something that is a combined effort by all.  I’m just the point man.

The real story is this:  We began to play Destrophy’s “Way Of Your World” in regular rotation on ROCK 108.  Destrophy has a history with ROCK 108 as a winner of a Battle Of The Bands, along with opening on several of our ROCK 108 Presents shows.

I knew that by playing Destrophy, some other local acts would immediately ask, “why can’t I get my song on the air?”  So I went to Michael Cross (program director) and presented this idea to him.  He agreed to the idea of featuring local acts on our website.  We coordinated with our legal department to get the proper paperwork to feature bands online.  Then the process began of telling the bands about this opportunity.

We have had tremendous response and help along the way.  First off, the bands have been great in spreading the word about this show on their Myspace pages or by word of mouth.  Also some local bookers / club owners have helped out a bunch.  We were able to have our first UNSIGNED & ONLINE concert at 1stAve.Live in Cedar Rapids.  Rocky Wicher at 1stAve. Live, always has helped out local bands by giving them opportunities to play at his clubs.  He books local acts on national shows.  He gives local acts the opportunity to shine on a large stage, literally.  Tony Cassidy at Tornado’s in Cedar Rapids, along with Mike Trousdale from LMR Promotions put together 3 days of live music at Houby Days in Cedar Rapids.  One of those days was an UNSIGNED & ONLINE Showcase that was a rare all-ages show in Cedar Rapids. Another individual who has been helping out the local scene for a very long time in the Waterloo / Cedar Falls area is Cody Winther, the booker of Spicolis-Reverb in Waterloo.

Without these individuals providing a stage to local bands, no one would know who they are and this program would be useless.

With all of this assistance and the growing response from the listening public, we are able together to make this show possible.

 

3. What criteria are you looking for in local bands to be a part of Unsigned and Unleashed?
I am looking for bands that fit into the mold that we are doing right now. 

You need to not be on a record label or have national distribution of your CD into stores. 

I consider both of those to be the “next step.”  I am trying to help bands move to another level with this show by providing exposure.  It always helps to tell a promoter or club owner, “I am getting radio airplay.”

It also helps your cause if you send a bio with your CD or press kit.  If you just send a handwritten CD in a Media Mailer, that shows me that you don’t care enough to present a great package to me.  I will treat it accordingly.  Usually it will end up at the bottom of the “Listen-To Pile.”  If you send me a great presentation, with professionally produced CD, or look like you put some effort into it…guess what you move up in that Pile.  Think of it like a resume to a prospective employer.

 

4. What type of music are you going to focus on with Unsigned and Unleashed?
Everything that fits in the realm of what we are playing on ROCK 108.  But there might be a few surprises….

 

5. How would a band go about submitting their songs to be considered to be apart of this radio show?
I am asking that any unsigned, original act locally or within the United States, send me a CD with a bio or press kit.  The address is:

ROCK 108’s UNSIGNED & UNLEASHED
c/o Brian Marshall

514 Jefferson St.

Waterloo, IA  50701

Bands that are international or are based overseas, I will work something out.  Email the show at unsignedandunleashed@rock108.com

Please don’t ask me to go check out your Myspace page and rate your music.  Quite frankly, I do not have the time to do that.  If you spend the money to send me a CD, I know you are serious and actually care what I think.  I will review your music and perhaps put you on the show!

 

6. Will you be focusing on only local bands or will there be regional, national and global acts as well?
The MAIN focus will be unsigned acts from Iowa. Secondary focus on bands from the region and United States.  We may sprinkle in some worldwide bands from time to time.

 

7. What do you hope to accomplish with your show Unsigned and Unleashed?
I want to help unsigned bands get some exposure on our airwaves.  If this begins to take off, I have a few other ideas for projects surrounding this show.

 

8. Can you tell me at all about how the show will run?
In the first few months of the show, it will be music-intensive.  We only have 30 minutes, lets use it.  In the future, we may have segments inside the show that take things in a different direction.  We have to see how it works out in the first few months.

 

9. Will you be interviewing local artist in the studio for Unsigned and Unleashed?
The short answer is: YES.  The long answer is that it has to make sense for the program.  We have to have something to highlight.  If we have something to promote specifically.  I am not just going to interview a local artist because they are bugging me to do so.

 

10. Any advice for local bands that you’d like to give to help them access this great tool for getting their music heard on the local airwaves?
PROMOTE YOURSELF!  I have a hard time understanding why some bands don’t utilize free or low-cost tools that are available to them right now!  Myspace, Facebook, Twitter, flyers, street teams, stickers, single promotional CD to hand out after national shows, or any number of local individuals who will review your concert / your CD (including Gabe*) / or promote your event locally via the internet.

Ask questions of those in the business.  Get advice. Use that advice to your advantage.

 

11. Will you put my song on the radio?  J

Get me your CD and bio, and then we’ll talk…

 

12. Last question, what do you think is important to get across to the audience about Unsigned and Unleashed and perhaps Rock 108 as a whole?
This is a new project that will grow over time.  Be patient when you send in your materials.
If you are not hearing your songs on the air, there may be a reason.  It may be something simple.

This is an opportunity for unsigned, original bands to be heard here in Eastern Iowa.  Not many stations are offering this type of opportunity.  If they do, they are not doing it on as broad of a scale as we are planning to do this on.

Please visit Rock 108.com on the UNSIGNED & UNLEASHED Page.

We are also on Myspace at Unsigned & Unleashed

We also have a group on Facebook.  Just search for UNSIGNED & UNLEASHED.

 

Lastly, thank you Gabe for this forum to speak about this show.  I hope that with your help, it takes off like never before.  Get me your CD…J

 

BRIAN MARSHALL-Host of UNSIGNED & UNLEASHED

Saturday Nights at midnight on ROCK 108

I just want to give a big thank you to everyone involved with getting this off the ground and running.  While I’m not as much apart of the music scene as I used to be I see this as a great opportunity for local bands to get their stuff on the airwaves and maybe actually make a few fans.  I personally think this is a great thing and with a little bit of hard work on the bands part you could really make some things happen for you localy and perhaps beyond?  Thanks Brian for being the point man on this and I’ll get you that CD one of these days :)

 

*Local bands, if you would like your CD reviewed on KWWL.com too, send it my way.

Critical mass

C/O

Gabe Wilkinson

500 East 4th Street

Waterloo, Iowa 50703

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This post was written by Gabe Wilkinson on July 14, 2009

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Stebstock 2009!

It’s been nearly 10 years in the making and it’s finally coming to a local venue near you!

Like many people in the Cedar Valley, Steb’s Amuesment on the Hill in Cedar Falls held a very special place in my heart.  Not only was I a patron while going to college at UNI, but I was also an employee.  For five years I worked for Sherm and Dave at Steb’s.  First as a pick-up, which meant going around and picking up glasses and pitchers and just general keeping the place cleaned up on busy nights.  I soon graduated to Door Guy and got the added responsibility of keeping all those under 21 on the outside of the door.  Then I was Door Guy and Sherm’s Assistant Talent Buyer and finally the creme de la creme, Sherm’s Assistant and BARTENDER!  I loved Steb’s, you know how much I loved Steb’s?  I cried my eyes out the day we were there to tear the place down after it was sold.  Cried and cried and cried and cried.  For many reasons really.  First I knew it was the end of an era.  Second I knew it was the end of my youth.  That may sound dramatic, but as long as Steb’s was there I had an excuse to stay in the music business and stay up late and rock and roll.  After Steb’s closed well let’s just say it was time to grow up and get a real job…

But like Gordon Sumner once said (that’s Sting to every one else) “If you love somebody set them free…”  Steb’s was set free so many years ago and now it’s returning to me.  No, no before you get all excited that Sherm and Dave are back in business they’re not, but a Steb’s reunion is planned and is a go for July 24th and 25th at Spicoli’s Grill and the Reverb Rock Garden!  I’m very very excited for this.  For many reasons.  I’ll get to rub elbows and hob knob with generations of Stebites for the first time in nearly ten years.  Second, I’ll be hitting the stage under my musical moniker Microwaved!  That’s right, your favorite entertainment writer (to be) doesn’t just play a musician on TV but is one in real life too!  And before you all get carried away with my shameless self promotion I also wanted to give a big shout out to a few other bands getting back together for this event.

First off local hip hop legends and giants in their own minds ill Convoy will be returning to the stage.  Also a reunited Measure featuring local favorites Jon and Amy from The Snozzberriesand Solvent featuring Kevin of the Mittens and Bob’s Guitars!  OK that’s exciting enough but my old college roommate and one of my oldest friends Aaron Wherry is also coming all the way back from Bakersfield California to perform a set of hip-hop as Pseudo Sleep Project!  Folks this is going to be so much fun!

So here is the schedule of events for those two days as of today:

Friday July 24th Line-up and times:

INDOOR STAGE:
7:45-8:30 Washed Up (Guilty As Charged)
8:45-9:30 Moveable Feast
9:45-10:30 HarshMellows
10:45-11:30 Ramblers
11:45-12:30 Soul Fusion

OUTDOOR STAGE:
Checker & the Bluetones

Saturday July 25th:

INDOOR STAGE:
4:30 – 5:10 MICROWAVED (me with Tom Ogle of Lotus and Tyler Crew of various musical projects)
5:30 – 6:10 ill CONVOY
6:30 – 7:10 SOLVENT
7:30 – 8:10 GREEN 11 (which features Greg Gamet who helped organize this whole crazy thing)
8:30 – 9:10 DRASBURY
9:30 – 10:10 S.R. TURNER and the A. BOMBS
10:30 – 11:10 NONSTOP
11:30 – 12:10 MEASURE
12:30 – Close – MOJO’S Blues Jam

OUTSIDE STAGE:
4:45 – 5:30 JOEL BERRY
5:45 – 6:30 PSEUDO SLEEP PROJECT
6:45 – 7:30 UNCLE CHUCK
7:45 – 8:30 – THE FREDS
8:45 – 9:30 RALDO
9:45 – 10:30 TONY BROWN

This looks to be a great time and if you’d like more information you can always check out the Fans of Steb’s Facebook page or Spicoli’s Grill and The Reverb Rock Garden Website.

 

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This post was written by Gabe Wilkinson on July 9, 2009

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