-~.---- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------~ ISSUE 7 J o u R N A L an International Alternative Christian Music Journal r A special thanks to Lionel Vargas. Wim Boluyt. With each issue of this publication, we have tried to have tried to present enough information for our readers to John Thompson. Bill Power. Kevin Allison. incorporate suggestions from our readers. Many have said find the titles listed. Obviously they won't all be on the shelf Charles Gates. Anne Stephenson. Sincerely they enjoy our interviews, while other·have pointed out we at your local religious gift shop or record outlet. Therefor, Paul. Code of Ethics. Dig Hay Zoose. Greg Griffin. our advertisers and our subscribers. could be interviewing artists who are less known and more we've given you addresses for mail order stores, catalogues, alternative. So in this issue we've given you three interviews, and even many of the artists themselves. We've also listed two of which are unknown to many. addresses for other publications. We are the first to admit ACM JOURNAL Another frequent question concerns our product listing that we'll never be all things to all people. We've added two section. We began ACM Journal because there were no new musical categories - Rap and Alternative Dance. There Post Office Box 1273 publications that gave an overview of the international are also many new and upcoming projects listed. Sumner. WA 98390 alternative Christian music scene. Album reviews can be And finally, many of our readers are involved in music or (206) 863·0632 helpful to some, butthey are often filled with personal bias and have artistic friends. We will continue to print information fluff, many independent are never reviewed, while others are relative to the business end of the music industry, mentioned years after their product was released. Reviews emphasizing issues relevant to independent artists. If you Published February. June & October can be influenced by advertising pressures, real or imagined. have suggestions for future articles or interviews, or would You'll find no album reviews in this publication. Instead, we'll just like to share your ideas or opinions, please call or write. interview many of the most outstanding artists, feature their We look forward to your involvement as mature individually $5 Un ited States, A.P.O .. F.P .O. music on our annual compilation cd's, and highlight and as a publication. S7 Canada and MeXICO noteworthy projects in our product listing section. To make In Christian Service, $8 South America and Overseas a long explanation even longer, the music listings are based on Cilecks must be payable In U S Funds the premise that one cannot find what .one does not know --~---- ..._------ exists (a concept that has some parallels in Christianity). We ~ Pr int ed In Amer ica Copyright 1991 money. Even the Christian music industry is not exempt from underhanded business tactics. Those living in the greater SeattIe area have been faced with other major obstacles. No support from MISC. NOTES Christian radio, no major venues, no promotion, nor communica tion between bands and interested individuals. Now for some good news .. .November So, you're in a band. You've got a solid set and tape with inserts. Then you market the shirts, the practice and do more shows. marks the opening of the Solid Rock Cafe at Cal­ some shows under your belt. Through your hard tapes, a few stickers and some photos. By my Now what? Re-invest your money. Make more vary Fellowship of Seattle. Every Fridaynight, this work you've managed to scrape up about $4,000. estimate, after expenses, you'd have a profit of shirts and tapes. Start putting together a demo club will feature Northwest bands, dance nights, Aguy calls you upand tells you he wants to "help" about$5O. That may not sound like much,butyou package to send to record companies (Le. tape, open mikes and more. It has a new full-size stage you by taking your money. He, of course, promises now have $4,050 in the bank. Seventy people have photo, bio, sticker) if that is what you wish to and P.A., and an espresso bar. Also coming in you all sorts of wonderful things in return for your your tape, and they'll probably share it with 1 or2 pursue. Create an image and develop a following 1992: A music festival featuring rock, metal, alter­ investment. What do you do? You tell him to other people. That means, collectively, maybe 120 for your band. You might consider a responsible native, punk, and rap bands. We want to see this kindly find another fool who will fall for what is people are listening to your tunes. Forty-eight and reliable booking/ promotion company to help become an annual event. January/February will clearly a complete rip-off. In a day and age when people are wearing your t-shirts - free publicity! you with contacts. I strongly suggest you only be the starting point for the first NCMI Network some secular bands are spending 1 million dollars Are you beginning to get the picture? The idea is work with people that you thouroughly check out (Northwest Christian Music Industry) meeting. A to record their albums, what can you realistically to make your money work for you. first - don't ever deal with any individual or com­ time for studio people, musicians, bands, and pro­ do with your meager $4,000? Suprisinglyenough, Something else to keep in mind - if you don't pany that asks you to give them money upfront moters to get together to exchange numbers and you can really do a lot more than you think. To have the money togetquality merchandise, DON'T without a written contract promising a tangible share what they are involved in. Rumor has it that demonstrate, let's look at what you can do for DOlT! You'll be cutting your own throat. Nobody return on your investment. In other 'words, if there is strong support for a new Christian radio under $1 ,000. For example, with $890 you could wants to buy t-shirts that shrink so small after one you're not getting tapes, promo photos and so station with a balanced playlist. There is also start with 48 two-color t-shirts, 100 two-color 4 wash that you can't wear them. Nobody wants a forth, take your money elsewhere. Record/ book­ interest for a Christian music store (no, not a book­ inch square stickers, 500 black and white glossies, tape that sounds like it was recorded in a giant ing companies are businesses just like any other. store). Uyou have any questions about any of these cover studio time for a 16-track 3 song demo mixed soup can and falls apart in your tape deck. Save They need to make money to survive. Sometimes things, need booking or promotion infromation, or down to DAT, and walkaway with 70 copies of the your money until you can do it right. Meanwhile, they will go to extraordinary lengths to get that just want to talk, please call Bill at (206) 782-5407. which would translate a message through a se­ quence of relative events. Concert and stage shots have their place, in small doses, especially for those whose geographical status make it impos­ sible to view today's most popular acts in the live VIDEO KILLS setting. I'm sure that this opinion will be quickly extin­ The Buggies were for what they can'tachieveon DATorin concert by ries more weight than G-O-D in the eyes of today's guished with even the smallest sigh of disdain, yet its right my friends lip-syncing and air-brushing their way into our secular artist, management and label team. 'an eerie feeling that has been rustling through my ... and it's only taken VCR or video channel through elaborate sets, props As you can tell, video bores me to tears. In fact, soul for several months. Video certainly has the nine years for their and makeup. Reality quickly emerges, sad to say, if there were such a thing, I would much rather power to minister, edify and entertain; as almost any prophetic MTV track once they descend from the golden platform and watch a 24-hour channel devoted exclusively to medium does. However, it may also provide our Video Killed the Radio return to their humble surroundings. Hair exten­ fish cleaning and the history of bait. Sarcastic, yet nalveand absorbent masses with just another excuse Star to weave its in­ sionsare folded and tucked neatly intoa moth-free serious, I feel that this industry's vid-kings may to worship the little black container that lives inside evitable web around environment...the two rolls of duct tape that held want to re-evaluate their intentions before video the little black box thatkeeps the big black book in the an industry which in their gut must be surgically removed in order to kills the Christian radio and concert star. Begin by topdresserdrawer. I don'thatevideom;justcheeseball presently appears to pull off shiny rock boots and the quick tan lotion eliminating the ego barons whose soul desire is to video. I don't hate people; just the ones who star in be inches from the that would make Don Ho envious must be cleaned be the next Jon Bon Jovi or Kip Winger. U Jesus' cheesball video. In fact,! don't even hatecheeseballs; back door of Mdme. off with a forklift and blowtorch. were a modern day producer; he would probably just the ones that try tOjumpoutofthecanwhenI pop Tousseau'shouseof It's no secret that concept and concert video is concentrate on the concept (or parabalic) video open the safety cap ..