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To book any Scorpion
bands please mail us at:
Scorpionbooking@aol.com
We are not currently looking for any more bands.
If you would like to send a press kit for future consideration
please do.
Scorpion Records
43 East Clinton Ave
Tenafly, NJ 07670
Scorpion Records was started in 1999 after dealing with a growing
number of people in the music industry as well as show promoters. It
became obvious, bands (unfortunately) need label backing to succeed.
Although, sometimes the backing goes as quickly as it came if the
bands don't produce enough money for the label. We decided to try
and create something unique. A label that acts like a family, with
bands that help support each other to achieve their goals. A label
that gives the artist freedom to create what they believe in while
giving them the backing of a label that so many industry people
insist you need. We don't limit ourselves to any one style band nor
do we ever plan to. In an industry that is too often "what can you
do for me" we try and take the stand, "how can we help each other"?
Mail the HNIC:
scorpionrec@aol.com
Advice: So, you think your band is
real good and want to get on a label? You and a billion (and I
really mean at least 1 billion) bands out there think the same
thing! But your good right? So are about 1% of them.
And even with it only being 1%, that still leaves a crap load of
bands. Now most labels will tell you "you have to tour"!
Sounds great right? All bands want to tour. And chances
are, when you do without a label, your gonna play a ton of crappy
shows for next to no people. But hey, Mr. Label guy tells you
that you have to. Now if your good, chances are people will
notice and start to like your band and want you to come back.
But remember, when you try to book again, that kid that did the
first show is a year older and grew out of the scene. So find a new
guy. You work hard, get another show and all the kids that saw
you the first time don't come back! Why? They're into
emo now. Damn it, right?!? But you do it again and tell
Mr. Label guy you did. He then says "well, how many kids are
you drawing"? and your like "well, since no one knows us and
big label package tours come thru every city we go to, the kids are
minimal at our shows". "But we're even better now and those
kids love us"!! So Mr. Label guys says "well, that's all well
and good, but we needs bands that will sell cd's". And you
say...... "But if you just put us on your label kids would hear us,
like us, and we would sell CD's"!!! Hello, hello, Mr. Label
guy? Are you still there?
Nope, he's not. Why you ask? Cause he just signed his
friends band who A. has members of other bands who are popular, or
B. found another band that's just as good but he knows them, so he
signed them instead! If you were friends with the right people
you could get a deal too. But your not, so your here reading
this rant from a label guy, the Enemy!
Well, I'm not your enemy, I'm a small time label guy trying to help
out bands that I can. And most of all trying to give you the
harsh reality and make you smile. If I had the resources to
help out all the good bands I come across I would. So where
does that leave you? Chances are, nowhere with Scorpion.
But hey, there are a billion ways you can gain success on your own.
Or at least put yourself in the position to get noticed.
1. Work your ass off by practicing! There are soooo many
shitty bands out there. Kids get a guitar for christmas and by
spring they have a band and are playing out. Yeah that's great
that you can get 50 kids from your high school to come see you play,
but god damn it, for the sake of the rest of us, Learn how to play!
If your serious about a career in music understand this, the bands
that get to the top are not there because they simply know people,
they know people AND they can play. You may not like what they
play, but trust me, they are good musicians.
2. Once your good, write and play out as much as you can.
Every year you will look back at the last and say "God damn, we
weren't as good as we thought"!
3. Don't be a Rock Star!! When you gig out be professional!
Show up on time and stay after you play. If your friends come
just to see you and then file out when your done, tell them they're
making you look bad. And if you do the same, you suck and
should quit music today! Be prepared! No one likes to
wait 20 minutes while some jack ass drummer starts taking his kit
out of the bags and bringing the drums on stage ONE at a time.
Same goes for when your done. GET OFF THE STAGE!! You
can break down your gear on the side. and for the love of all
things holy, play your set time. When they say "1 more", play
1 and get the hell off!! The band after you will appreciate it
and the next time your the one waiting, just maybe they're
reciprocate.
4. Stay humble. The people who support you now are the ones
who really count. They don't like you cause your on popular
Label A. and even if you do get on the label you always
wanted, Always give the fans what they deserve! Even if
there's 10 kids at a show, those 10 kids paid to see you play!
Don't be pissy at them, be mad at the ones who didn't show! A
good show no matter how many or what the circumstances are can be
worth it's weight in gold. Ya never know when a label guy
might be there.......
This is all opinion kids. If I
knew anything for sure I'd be rich! The one thing I know for
sure and can pass along to you..... The music industry isn't purely
about talent. It's a lot of who ya know, how hard you work, being in
the right place at the right time and what can you do for me.
It's a real tuff way to make a living, or even to break even.
I love to watch those VH1 specials about bands who "made it" by hard
work and determination. Hard work only guarantees you one
thing. That you'll be able to look yourself in the mirror if you
fail and say "I did my best". Success in music is like playing
the lottery. You must LOVE playing, you must LIVE for playing,
anything less will make you crazy!
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