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I Don't Know What to Do...

post #1 of 17
5/13/06 at 3:48am
Thread Starter 
OK guys. Â*I was reluctant to post this because I didn't want to make a big fuss- and there's the overwhelming possibility it won't ever happen...

...BUT, there is a slight chance that I might get my 15 minutes of fame. Â*And the sad irony is that now, if it happens, I don't know if I want it!

Here's the scoop. Â* A few years ago, I was really disgusted with my previous job bartending at the airport and after one particularly bad night, I sat down alone with a guitar and a microphone and recorded an impromptu blues rant about my job. Â*It is very crude and obscene and full of me wishing bad things on people. Â*Really bad. Â*I never intended for anyone else to hear it. Â*It was just me blowing smoke. Â*But the song is really bad. Â*I sing about true things I've done to people as revenge(Once I threw some guy's airplane ticket in the trash, I intentionally gave several people diarrhea by putting soap in their draught beer glasses...) I don't do those things any more, but believe me, I used to excel at kharmic realignment...

Anyway, I had never let anyone EVER hear that song. Â*Until a few months ago. Â*A guy came into my bar at the hotel I work in and he was really cool. After three nights of him drinking at my bar and being a really good tipper, I decided to share something with him. Â*I brought him a CD of that song. Â*I told him not to judge me based on the song, as it was a novelty... but I thought he might get a kick out of it. Â*Well, he did get a kick out of it. Â*He loved it immensely. Â*He played it for some airport bartenders on his laptop, during layovers. Â*He played it for a bunch of people. Â*And he said that everyone who listens to it rolls over in stitches.

Long story short, this song (which trust me, is a real piece of SH*T! I can barely listen to it without cringing at all the horrible stuff I've done to people...) really made an impression on this guy. Â*He thinks I'm a genius. Â*He is very determined and persistent that he wants to get me my "break"...

Well, it turns out that he has (without my knowledge) contacted the production staff of a VERY famous radio/TV shock jock( I don't want to jinx myself by saying his name)...and told them about my song, and about me. Â*They have in return contacted him and told him to send them the song for their consideration...

The guy that I gave the CD to is REALLY gung-ho. Â*He thinks he can get me flown to NY to play the song LIVE on TV or Radio... I told him HELL NO! to that. Â*There is NO way I would do such a thing EVER. Â*I HATE that song, and told him that I'm not opposed to them airing it, but I'll never play it live, under ANY circumstances. Â*I'm lukewarm about the whole thing in general, since this isn't my ambition, rather this guy is trying to get my song on the radio. Â*And he is HELL BENT! Â*

Plus, the song is not copyrighted- but I don't care, since I hate the song Â*and to me, its a total throwaway. Â*It would be cool if it happens but I don't care either way. Â*But I can't help thinking about the possibilities if they did play this song on the air and it got a buzz. Â*It's really terrible, but as a "found object" like something you see on ebaum's world or something, I guess it is rather amusing in the way you can't tear yourself away from looking at a really bad wreck.

Again, I don't want to get anyone's hopes up that "Indie_Guy" is gonna be on the airwaves any time soon. Â*But at the same time, this guy has a DEATHWISH to get this song on Howard Stern (there I said it). Â*He just won't let it go. Â*I don't want to seem ungrateful to this guy, because he really believes in me for some reason (and it astounds me that he latched on to the WORST thing I've ever recorded). Â*

So I guess I'll just wait and see if anything develops. Â*They may contact me and they might not. Â*Like I said, I think the song is a piece of sh*t, but then again I'm not exactly neutral to it. Â* I'm in limbo right now. Â*They'll either like the song or they'll pass on it. Â*My gut feeling says they'll pass on it... but then again, it IS crude, obscene, hateful, honest, unrehearsed, funny (both intentionally and UNintentionally and it does land on its feet now and again. Who knows?
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post #2 of 17
5/13/06 at 4:39am
This sounds like good news to me, since I understand music is what you want to work with! Take it cool, see what happens, and make your decisions when you see how things develope!

I just wanted to wish you good luck!! Don`t worry, be happy :-*
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post #3 of 17
5/13/06 at 5:25am
Thread Starter 
thanks. It probably won't happen, but it could. It's just fun thinking about it.

Maybe SIXCATS and I can release a "split ep". What was the name of his old band? I forgot, but the name was funny. Something like "Streetwalker" or "Womankiller" or something like that. WAIT! was it "Womanizer?" I think it was.
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post #4 of 17
5/13/06 at 7:17am
WOW Indie! What a good news!
First of all you should make your "piece of SH*T" a copyrighted piece of SH*T©
There plenty of people that were celebrities for 15 minutes and still gain from right on a single song! So don't loose the train!
After all you have nothing to loose! People don't really know (except 5000 basenoters + guests) that you really are a redeemed naughty boy!
My advice is to strike while the iron is hot and don't waste the chance!
Who knows, maybe soon we all would see the Worldwide Basenotes Indie Tour!
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post #5 of 17
5/13/06 at 8:41am
Hey Indie, post it on the web and let us here. I happen to be a guitar virtuoso so if you ever need help with refinement of the song, let me know!
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post #6 of 17
5/13/06 at 9:24am
I really would like to hear that song.
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post #7 of 17
5/13/06 at 10:29am
Plus, the song is not copyrighted-

It's my understanding that ANY intellectual property that you produce is copywritten under your name unless you explicitly sign away rights to it:

In the United States, copyright has relatively recently been made automatic, which has had the effect of making it more like a property right. Thus, as with property, a copyright need not be granted or obtained through official registration with the government. Once an idea has been reduced to tangible form, for example by securing it in a fixed medium (such as a drawing, sheet music, photograph, a videotape or a letter), the copyright holder is entitled to enforce his or her exclusive rights. However, while a copyright need not be officially registered for the copyright owner to begin exercising his exclusive rights, registration of works (where the laws of that jurisdiction provide for registration) does have its benefits: serving as prima facie evidence of a valid copyright and enabling the copyright holder to seek statutory damages and attorney's fees (whereas in the USA, for instance, registering after an infringement only enables one to receive actual damages and lost profits).



Here's my advice- Tell the guy that you've grown as an artist. Tell him that while you don't feel comfortable performing that particular song, that you'd be happy to perform or compose a different song in the same vein as the first- a song that you'd feel more comfortable playing. Tell him that if he thinks that you're so talented, then he should give you the freedom to come up with something different but equally creative.

Then you both get what you want (although I'm having a hard time understanding just WHAT he wants out of this...)


So there you have it: my 2 cents.

-Ben
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post #8 of 17
5/13/06 at 3:26pm
it sounds like you care too much what other people might think of you... I think you should let loose.
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post #9 of 17
5/15/06 at 2:52pm
Copyright the piece of shit. Lots of writers have songs out there they loathe; however, it sweetens the deal a bit when you make money off it. Please tell me the bar guy does not have the only copy of the song. You having the original copy should be enough. It's not necessary to formally copyright it, true, but you might want to just because if any issues did arise then your attorney (I'll represent you, Indie!) will be able to establish a prima facie case in your favor.

Indie, can I be your manager?
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post #10 of 17
5/15/06 at 3:41pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by tiffanyandco

Copyright the piece of shit. Lots of writers have songs out there they loathe; however, it sweetens the deal a bit when you make money off it. Please tell me the bar guy does not have the only copy of the song. You having the original copy should be enough. It's not necessary to formally copyright it, true, but you might want to just because if any issues did arise then your attorney (I'll represent you, Indie!) will be able to establish a prima facie case in your favor.

Indie, can I be your manager?


Well, I do have the multitrack masters on some backup disc around here somewhere- and they're time and date coded. So they can tell me exactly what day and what time and what year I actually sat down and recorded the piece of shit. So I'm not worried. Plus I mention myself by name in the song.

I guess what I'm afraid of it this: I got a really bad panic attack after I got that email from the guy. Here's the deal - In the last few years, I think I have given up my desire to "make it". So it would be terrifying IF somebody came knocking at this point, and I just didn't have my shit together...
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post #11 of 17
5/15/06 at 4:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Indie_Guy


I guess what I'm afraid of it this: I got a really bad panic attack after I got that email from the guy. Here's the deal - In the last few years, I think I have given up my desire to "make it". So it would be terrifying IF somebody came knocking at this point, and I just didn't have my shit together...


I'm not trying to be dismissive of your feelings, because I think what you are feeling is completely normal, but relax and try to stop stressing. There are so many things in life that can happen to someone when they don't have their shit together--you just have to go with the flow if you decide you want it bad enough. And trust me, I NEVER say go with the flow bc I am seriously anal, but in some cases you just gotta do what you gotta do. And think of it this way, you might regret passing on an opportunity, and even though you hate the shitty song, it could be a platform for bigger things. One day when you're famous you can look back and laugh at the shitty ditty that gave you your start. But, yeah, I totally understand the whole situation is a bit daunting since you thought that segment of your life was over. But better late than never, eh?

And if you decide this is something you are POSITIVE you don't want and will never regret passing on, just politely thank the guy and firmly tell him of your decision.
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post #12 of 17
5/15/06 at 10:32pm
If you can use this as a foot in the door for bigger and better stuff, then so be it.

But do you really want to be linked to this song for eternity? If it makes it, this song WILL be what people know about you. I'd be real leery of people wanting to use you for their amusement and trying to squeeze a few bucks out of your humor and originality. No need to give up any dreams, but if your best break is for a song you hate, just think how much fun you will have when people request you to play it for them for the rest of your life. I played in a band once, just for fun, that played noisy trash with catchy lyrics like "snorkeling through a pool of p*ss", but it's scarcely what I'd want to be known for now. For the folks who want to promote this song, see if they have any interest in any of your other material--what you like. If they just want you for shock value, I doubt this will bring you any great joy in the long run.

P.S. I would be enchanted if you would email me this song! I do have friends who have worked for record labels and others who have put out their own recordings independently in case that would be helpful.
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post #13 of 17
5/15/06 at 11:49pm
What exactly is it that you are worried about?

Let me ask you one question - one, two, three or four or more years down the track - are you going to look back at this moment and regret that you didn't take the chance? And have lot's of "if only, who knows what could have happened, probably nothing but.... " type thoughts?

If not, fine.

If so - well you know what it might be fun to go and do.

Didn't Bruce Willis start out as a bartender?
Renato
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post #14 of 17
5/16/06 at 5:13am
Thread Starter 
Well, I guess I have to wait. Â*If they DO like the song, they'll call me.

As far as the "what ifs"... Well, I got a call from my dad yesterday morning. Â*He and my mom had finally listened to the song because my brother let them hear it. Â*My folks actually loved it and laughed their asses off. Â*My parents liking it = Instant kiss of death. Â*Well, maybe not, but anyway... My dad sounded really happy and actually proud of me. Â*And something occurred to me... Maybe if I ever got the opportunity to do something cool, I should do it for my parents. Â*I used to fight alot with my folks. Â*They never really pressured me to get a "good job" or anything, but there was always friction. Â*My relationship with my parents has been wonderful in the last few years. Â*But I always have that feeling like, "Man, I wish I could give my folks something cool to brag about." Â*And here's my dad, a real working-class guy, and he's on the phone telling me how much he loved my f*bomb riddled "song" and how he wants copies to play for his buddies at work. Â*And he's telling me that if I do get the chance to do something, I should just do it. Â*So maybe I should try to do things with my parents in mind. Â*They're getting into their sixties and they seem desperate for entertainment. Â*

So whether or not anything ever comes of the whole deal, I'm happy that I gave my parents something to enjoy... Â* Just to hear the giddyness in my dad's voice after he heard my song, it was one of those moments I want to remember for a long time.

So, as it is now...I'm just gonna go on like normal. Â*If the phone ever rings, cool. Â*If not, well, no big loss.

Thanks for the advice guys. Â*I was thinking. What's the WORST that can happen? Â*Well, pretty bad things can happen. Â*A person could wind up like the "Fat Star Wars Kid" who videotaped himself doing Jedi moves with a mophandle in the school gym. I'll bet that kid is hating life right now... Â*Still, as bad as that is, someday he'll be able to turn that into something when he's trying to pick up chicks (provided he gets his act together.) Mmmmmm. Chicks.

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post #15 of 17
5/16/06 at 10:23pm
Here are some very old sound waves from a few years ago where I play my guitar. I am much, much better now so don't take this link too seriously!

http://www.geocities.com/aikiburade/index18.html
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post #16 of 17
5/16/06 at 10:39pm
MAY THE PHONE RING FOR YOU WITH GREAT NEWS!

Break a leg,

Mario
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post #17 of 17
5/17/06 at 1:26am
Use your best judgment on this, but understand that if you are not proud
of the song, once it is released on such a show you can't pull it back. It's a
part of posterity. I'll be a contrarian here, and recommend you don't go through
with it.
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