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"We have East Coast staffers to see bands," scoffs one label prexy. "We’re not paying for our reps to go out there just to do some five-star dining with some trade-rag parasite and expense it."

WHEELS AND DEALS: LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL!

Our Intrepid A&R Columnist Ponders CMJ Perks in an Era of Downsizing
By Rodel Delfin

There were further industry casualties last week, as Universal Music Group laid off 800 staffers worldwide—190 in the U.S. alone. All departments saw cuts, including A&R. Three Island Def Jam reps were let go, while Universal trimmed its already skeletal A&R staff by one. At press time, Interscope, A&M and Geffen’s A&R staffs had not undergone any changes. Stand by.

Meanwhile, Professional Weaseling Season will probably close early this week—you have to draw the line somewhere, especially with less dough to throw around—with the always crowd-pleasin’ CMJ Music Marathon. This year’s convention once again offers a slate of talent (unknown and familiar), lovely New York fall weather and a whole bunch of panels at which you wouldn’t catch us on a dare.

Expect to see fewer Left Coast peeps this year, with major-label corporate heads said to be clamping down on Tinseltown weasels’ T&E. "We have East Coast staffers to see bands," scoffs one label prexy. "We’re not paying for our reps to go out there just to do some five-star dining with some trade-rag parasite and expense it." Oh well, looks like we’ll be grubbing the 75¢ hot dog at Gray’s Papaya this year. With that said, here are more CMJ picks:

Wednesday (10/22): ASCAP showcase @ Don Hill’s (with Lovedrug, Blackcar, Toothpick, The Killers, Menlo Park and Prosaics); The Fever @ Webster Hall; The Hiss @ Coral Room; Vexers @ Northsix; The Shins @ Maxwell’s; The National @ Fez; +/- (Plus/Minus) @ Luna Lounge; The Anniversary @ Northsix; This Day Forward @ Downtime; Everytime I Die @ Downtime; Anberlin @ Downtime; Washington Social Club @ Continental; Death Cab for Cutie @ Irving Plaza; Hero Pattern @ ACME Underground; The Agony Scene @ Downtime…

Thursday (10/23): SESAC showcase @ Tribeca Rock Club (with The Aeffect, River City High, Armor for Sleep, Retisonic and Vaux); Lot Six @ CBGB; Murder By Death @ Downtime; The Hong Kong @ Lit Lounge; Big Collapse @ Downtime; Anadivine @ Downtime; Copeland @ Downtime; The Love Scene @ Northsix; Steve Reynolds @ Lit Lounge; Ambulance, LTD @ Mercury Lounge; Fiery Furnaces @ Bowery Ballroom; Elcodrive @ Knitting Factory; Read Yellow @ Northsix; British Sea Power @ Bowery Ballroom; Tora! Tora! Torrance! @ Downtime; The Thrills @ Mercury Lounge; Detachment Kit @ Northsix; The Go @ Continental; Calla @ Mercury Lounge; The Cuts @ Continental…

Friday (10/24): BMI showcase/party @ Arlene Grocery (with Christiansen, Days Away and Fi-Lo Radio) Elefant @ Bowery Ballroom; Cooper Temple Clause @ Irving Plaza; Strike Anywhere @ Northsix; Washdown @ CBGB; Denali @ Northsix; Soviet @ Don Hill’s; Pilot To Gunner @ Pianos; Elkland @ CB’s 3113 Gallery; Your Enemies Friends @ CBGB…

Saturday (10/25): Helicopter Helicopter @ Luna Lounge; Persona @ Don Hill’s; The Stills @ Webster Hall; The Koreans @ Don Hill’s; Rocket Summer @ Northsix…

PRE-CMJ BUZZIN’: Death Cab for Cutie, Anberlin, Murder By Death, Lovedrug and Lot Six…

Hit me up: [email protected].

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