PHILIP H. ANSELMO Talks Record Store Day and the Comeback of Vinyl Records with FORBES MAGAZINE
Earlier this week, Forbes Magazine (Forbes.com) posted an in-depth piece on the comeback of vinyl and Record Store Day, written by Tim Clark. In a time where people are quick to label the current state of the music industry as “failing” or “experiencing a downfall”, Tim Clark points out that the independent record store experience illustrates otherwise.
Down vocalist and Housecore Records CEO Philip H. Anselmo was interviewed for the piece, and gave his personal thoughts on the rise in record store activity and how it supports growth in the music business and community. As one of the leading voices of the recent indie label and independent music takeover, Forbes looked to Anselmo has a voice of authority.
From Forbes piece: “When he was younger, Anselmo used to constantly scour underground record stores and to this day still believes in the vinyl format. “Record Store Day promotes this type of passion of having the actual product in your hand instead of just a download,” said Anselmo. “I love having the full album, art, lyrics and I think vinyl sounds better. And as a label owner, it makes me happy to see that people slowly but surely want to have this tangible copy in their hands instead of a free [expletive] download, which is driving me [expletive] bananas.”
Record Store Day is now celebrated on the third Saturday every April is the one day that all of the independently owned record stores come together with artists to celebrate the art of music. Forbes calls Record Store Day, “an industry phenomenon.”
During a discussion yesterday about the impact of music on our lives the topic of defining songs came up. The question was posed “What single song defines who you are?” I pondered this question for a bit and came to only one conclusion, Rainbow- “Long Live Rock N’ Roll”. It simply states my feelings on the music I love. There is not a second of any day when a song is not running through my head. Someone once told me that if they were to cut me music notes would bleed out of me. “Long Live Rock N’ Roll” indeed!
I met Randy a few years back and was amazed by his playing and his style. I stayed in sort of a disjointed contact with him through the internet throughout that time. I found out in passing that we shared some common friends in the music world. Randy even played on my good friends Scattered Hamlets’ new release Skeleton Dixie. Randy and I finally caught up and had a great conversation about the events in his life. Enjoy and leave some feedback!
A very cool series from the Boss himself. Now if only we had some Black Label Crunch cereal or Skully Charms with marshmallow guitars to go with it!!! Enjoy, my BLS Family, and GI/FD!
Special Announcement: WORNSTAR CLOTHING has a new secret weapon. Kurt Arft officially joins the Wornstar team as GM. Kurt has been a big supporter since the beginning and has volunteered his time over the past couple of years and stepped up to help Stephen and Sylvia without question. He’s been a true loyal friend so it was easy to bring him on board as an essential piece to our ever growing puzzle. Join us in officially welcoming Kurt to the team. www.facebook.com/kurt.arft
I want to personally congratulate my good friend Kurt. There is no one more deserving than this hard working guy! I know he will take Wornstar even further than they have already gone! I am a Wornstar for life!!!
Great interview with the legendary Stacey Blades. We talked about the past, present, and future of Stacey’s endeavors. Very personable guy easy to talk with, and very humble. I was lucky enough to run into him at NAMM 2013.
Enjoy this awesome interview and support this hard working rocker! Here is the link to the interview:
I have met many great people in the music community Chad Erickson is one of them. He has made awesome leather works for a lot of people in the music world. He recently made a custom leather cuff for me with the Hellion logo. Check out his page and give him a like at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carvedrockleather/
Adam Joad from Scattered Hamlet guitar strap.
Randy “The Arsonist” Cooper guitar strap
the Hellion custom cuff
custom strap for Justin Manning from Crowned By Fire!
Focusing on North America, the film reinforces the idea to act locally to infuse global action. The documentary lays out specific solutions and global ideas, illustrating a blueprint for a better way forward. It presents solutions to the planet’s currently dire situation by enacting proven methods of independent and sustainable living through community involvement, art and music. Ultimately it reveals how a new culture that utilizes the best of both native and non-native’s views of governing, managing economy and spiritual balance is possible……http://shadowtrainmovie.com/
Please vote for SHADOWTRAIN (Under a crooked sky). A film by George Lynch featuring New Mexico’s own Gregg Analla. This film is too important to ignore. If you support music, Common sense change and the indigenous peoples of New Mexico and beyond, now is a great opportunity to make a difference.
*A portion of the proceeds will go to support the Boot Campaign*
On April 24th, an all-star cast of musicians will perform at the legendary Whisky A Go Go in Hollywood, CA as part of a benefit concert for the Boot Campaign and their support of our military veterans. In a rare appearance, these alternative rock stars will appear together, performing songs off the “Battlefield of the Mind”documentary soundtrack, releasing on the same day on Chill (www.chill.com/botm). April 24th is also the official release date of the documentary.
“Battlefield of the Mind”, a film ArtistDirect calls, “the most powerful documentary of the decade,” is a full-length documentary that tells the raw and tragic details of what life is like as an Iraq and Afghanistan veteran today. Many veterans suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and among them are those whose lives have fallen apart and have become homeless as a result. Severe PTSD leaves these returning heroes on a downward spiral into their own personal hell. The documentary is available to stream and download at: http://chill.com/fran_strine/battlefield-of-the-mind
The musicians performing together for ONE NIGHT ONLY in support of the film and the cause include:
– David Ellefson of MEGADETH
– Troy McLawhorn of EVANESCENCE
– Sal G of STAIND
– Pete Murray of LO-PRO
– Neil Godfrey of LO-PRO
– Headliners EYE EMPIRE, featuring Corey Lowery (STUCK MOJO /STEREOMUD /DARK NEW DAY) and B.C. Kochmit (SWITCHED) and Ryan Bennett (TEXAS HIPPIE COALITION) and military veteran Donald ‘DC’ Carpenter (SUBMERSED)
Event Details
The event will open at 7:00pm with filmmaker and participant interaction, exclusive look at the documentary, and Q&A. At 8:30pm the doors will re-open for the all-star jam and performance from Eye Empire.
*A taste of the music from the soundtrack can be found here. (The track is “No Words” Featuring Mike Mushok, Pete Murray, David Ellefson and Sal G.)
Tickets are $20 for full access, $15 for performance only.
VIP tickets (which include early access to soundcheck) are made available at www.chill.com/botm.
The Documentary
Narrated by David Ellefson (MEGADETH), Co-produced by Aaron Lewis (STAIND), this documentary by Fran Strine takes on a tragic truth – that those men that put their lives on the line to defend our freedom have come home to a world plagued by PTSD and homelessness. 1 in 7 homeless adults are veterans and over ¼ of homeless veterans suffer from mental illness, physical illness and substance abuse at the same time.
These sad truths moved a concerned public to donate en masse to get the film made leading to a rousing KICKSTARTER success. The film raised 190% of its funding goal with the soundtrack raising 120% of its funding goal. The film is currently available on CHILL (chill.com/botm) and will see its official physical release along with its soundtrack on April 24th.
“After engaging in conversations with these veterans living on the streets and hearing their stories, I knew this was the documentary I had to make and show that we, as citizens can make a difference,” says director and co-producer Fran Strine. The VA was approved $1.35 billion for the homeless in 2013 – a mere 0.035% of the $8.3 trillion US budget, says The White House Office of Management & Budget. Forbes adds that providing permanent housing for the chronic homeless would save taxpayers $3 billion.
The soundtrack for the film features members of many prominent rock bands. DC of EYE EMPIRE, a former soldier himself, said of his band’s involvement, “I have always been sensitive to issues that face our troops Stateside & abroad. When our good friend Fran mentioned that he and Aaron were going to be making this film and that he would like for us to be involved with the music, we were very humbled.” Vocalist, Pete Murray (previously of ULTRASPANK) called working with the likes of Ellefson and Mike Mushok of STAIND “…an amazing experience. Working with other musicians with different backgrounds and influences has been an incredible opportunity.”
In addition to his narration duties, MEGADETH’s David Ellefson contributed to the soundtrack. He explains the synergy between the music and the film, “Lyrically these songs were inspired directly by the film and the people portrayed in it. In many ways, the Soundtrack continues the narrative of the film in music form. I am proud that the songs and people involved in making them took the subject matter to heart and used it as the springboard for our songwriting.” Composing score and soundtrack music was a labor of love for STAIND’s Mike Mushok. “In writing music to the film, I got to watch a scene and express how I feel about it by writing music to it,” explains Mushok. “It was something that I really enjoyed doing and am happy with the way it ultimately turned out.”
Spread the information about the plight of these veterans by purchasing the film and soundtrack and sharing it with your friends and family. Information is power and “Battlefield Of The Mind” is the ultimate ammunition in battling veteran homelessness and PTSD.
The Soundtrack
Track listing:
1. War Isn’t Over Yet – Eye Empire
2. Give Me Life – LoPro
3. Tear It Down – Feat. Mike Mushok, Pete Murray, David Ellefson & Sal G.
4. Wake of War – Feat. Troy McLawhorn, D.C., Mike Mushok, Corey Lowery & Mike Froedge
5. No Words – Feat. Mike Mushok, Pete Murray, David Ellefson & Sal G.
6. Not Like You – Feat. Troy McLawhorn, Pete Murray & Mike Froedge
7. When – Life on planet 0
8. Witness – Viasava
9. Drop us in hell – Feat. Sal G & Joseph Dougherty
10. Awakening – When earth awakes
11. Wake up – Feat. Michael Benedetto & Keith Caro
12. Save me – Feat. Michael Benedetto & Keith Caro
13. Ask McFly – The Dreaded Marco
14. Hollow Destination – Otan Vargas
For press inquiries and additional information, please contact Adrenaline PR and Maria Ferrero at 732-462-4262 or maria@adrenalinepr.com.
About Boot Campaign:
The Boot Campaign is a grassroots initiative started by five women from Texas known as The Boot Girls. The campaign encourages everyone to ‘get their boots on’ providing an easy and tangible way for Americans to show appreciation for troops, cultivate awareness of the challenges they face upon return and raise funds for military programs meeting the physical and emotional needs of our heroes. What better way to say “Thank You” to our troops than wearing a pair of boots just like theirs? Proceeds from boot sales combined with donations and corporate sponsorships help us to assist wounded military and their families with job placement, mortgage free homes, PTSD counseling, adaptive clothing and so much more.
About Chill:
Chill is the premier video platform and marketplace to find entertainment content distributed for a global audience direct from artists, comedians and filmmakers. Consumers can stream or download-to-own top films, docs, series and comedy specials in HD quality to any device and transact worldwide. Chill recently released the critically acclaimed Maria Bamford: Special, Special, Special. Based in Los Angeles, CA, the company is backed by venture funding from Kleiner Perkins, William Morris Endeavor (WME), 500 Startups, Redpoint Ventures, Crunchfund, Science Media, Troy Carter and Atlas Venture. Chill is founded by Brian Norgard and Daniel Gould.
the Hellion Rocks 