Thursday, October 5, 2006
First Nickelback, Now Hinder; Weasels Forced to Look to the Right for Viable Rock Acts
By Rodel DelfinOur little piece last issue on the success of Hinder and producer Brian Howes prompted numerous phone calls and emails from your friendly-neighborhood A&R types to inquire about the other Red-State rock act that we were referring to in our blind item. What surprised us is the thought that maybe, just maybe, label folks are starting to warm up to the idea that kids—as well as the greater CD-buying public in the rest of the country outside L.A. and N.Y.—are listening to mainstream, straight-ahead rock acts rather than the indie/blog/emo flavors of the month. Meanwhile, Universal Republic act Hinder clocked around 80k in sales this week, which trends upward from their 70k total last week, and word on the street is that numerous labels are offering producer Howes a label deal. We’ll keep you posted on that one… So here are a couple Red-State tips: Go see the Howard Sadowsky-repped Revelation Theory. A Wheels fave since last year, the band has continued plugging away and building its fan base. Now they’re direct support for Evanescence’s tour. Expect weasels to be at their N.Y. show next week. See Buzz/gigs… Another act that label folks should not be sleeping on is the Sony/ATV Music-signed Embassy. Sony pub player Jon Nelson inked and developed these guys on the strength of their demos, which are ripe for Active Rock stations. He’s the same kid who signed Fall Out Boy’s publishing before their album blew up. We have a funny feeling about this one, so get on it… We hear several label reps flew down to Florida to check out Between the Trees. The Orlando-based group apparently packed a 2000-capacity venue for their most recent show. East Coast labels are reportedly bringing the band into the Big Apple for meetings… Buzz building on the Dan Hubbert-managed Poets & Pornstars, who beat out thousands of bands to secure an opening slot at KROQ’s Inland Invasion. The station has the band’s single “Monkey” in rotation. Stay tuned…On the producer tip, lots of publishing action surrounding the Doug Davis-repped/Ari Landau-managed producer Sundafu, as several pubcos are said to be in play with checkbooks open. Sundafu recently produced Pop/R&B singer Angela Via’s new album, which is coming out on Virgin… We hear calls continue to come in for teen sisters Tory and Taylor Thompson, with label showcases being scheduled. Barrister Tim Mandelbaum is handling legal duties. We’ll keep you posted… Buzzin’: Midnight Hour, Ozma and Motion City Soundtrack… Hit me up: [email protected]
BUZZ/GIGS:
REVELATION THEORY Mon., Oct. 9, 7 p.m., Hammerstein Ballroom, N.Y.
BETWEEN THE TREES Wed., Oct. 11, 6 p.m., Knitting Factory, N.Y.
NORTHERN Tues., Oct. 24, 7 p.m., Troubadour, N.Y.
