I don't know whether to laugh, cry, or sit in a corner and drown my in my sorrow with a nice bottle of tequila....
Last night, a work night mind you, some neighbors from a few homes down were standing in front of my place laughing and yacking and acting like drunk teenagers who've just have their first beers. Before I go on, I should mention that these neighbors are in fact drunk teenagers, no older than 18-19 years old. Seems their place (I'm sure their mother signed the lease for them) is the party house where all their friends congregate. Hey, that's cool, I was that age once and moved out at 19 myself and it seemed my place was the house all the friends would gather. And I'll bet a years salary that me and my friends partied much harder than these, in fact I can guarantee it. The big difference? We had respect for the neighbors....
Anyways, this has been going on for about a month now, everynight since they moved in. Everynight at 2, 3, even 4 in the morning out in front yack, yack, yack, ha, ha, ha! Now I'm pretty easy going, very easy going in fact, but it was the last straw when I went outside and there they were...several of my neighbors friends, sans the neighbors, cackling like hyenas... sitting on my BRAND NEW CAR! Camel's back officially broken.
So in an even tempered tone (not) I suggested that they should remove their little asses of my car and that they should return to their own little abode and to knock off this nightly crap and that they do not know who they are messing with. (I don't think I said "messing", something more to the effect of fornicating with, in it's abbreviated form)
Anyways, I start getting the typical and repetitive "I'm sorry, sir, I'm sorry" and they scurried on their little way. They open the door to my post-pubescent neighbors home and I hear them warn "Hey, this OLD MAN came out and told us we better be quiet"
Old man? OLD MAN? Christ, I'm 47 yeah, but OLD? Pull-eez! I look younger than many of my friends who are a good ten years my junior! And I've been called SIR before (and that makes me cringe), but never OLD! OLD? MOI? Hell, I can still out party those little shits......
Okay, I've made my decision.....I think I'll laugh about it :) Feel free to join me........
Epilogue.....I have not heard nor seen my neighbors hanging out front since........
The Passing of a Special Friend
Current mood: sad
Category: Life
Carolin (Swetnam) Behymer
May 27, 1963 - April 3, 2008
Tonight I learned of the passing of an old and very dear friend. Carolin was as sweet as sweet can be, a kind and loving soul and I can be content knowing heaven holds a special place for her. She will be constant in my prayers.
I first met Carolin in 1983 and we became instant friends. In short time, that friendship blossomed into an intimate relationship, albiet for only a relatively short time, but one whose memories I will always treasure. Even after we stopped dating, we still remained close friends and continued to enjoy our friendship for many more years. Unfortunately with career changes and other events in life, our paths went in different directions and we'd lost touch. But I'd always kept a special place for her in my heart as I do for all my closest friends.
Carolin was born in Kassel, Germany on May 27, 1963 to Robert and Irene Swetnam. God called her home on April 3, 2008. She is survived by her husband of almost 18 years, Joseph Wayne Behymer; her mother (Irene); sister (Brenda); brother (Bobby); niece and nephew (Kaley and Alex); step-daughters (Kristine and Jennifer); and one grandchild (Izabella).
Just put together a new reel of some of my latest artwork. It's set to the original music of my friend Carl Kennedy who goes by the name The Alchemist. The song "Westside" features lead vocals by guest artist Glenn Hughes (formerly of Deep Purple).
Many people have asked me about the Asperger Syndrome logo on my MySpace page. Well, I have a plain and simple answer, I am a single parent of two, one of whom has this condition. Basically, it is a milder form of autism. But don't tell my child that he's got obstacles and hurdles that most of us don't encounter, he'll just go that much further to prove you wrong, even going as far as graduating from high school and making the National Honor Roll. To see his name in print in the published NHR book.....well let's just say I couldn't be any prouder.
If you're not familiar with autism and it's many forms, I urge you to read on and enlighten yourself. I promise you, it's worth the read!
"Classic" Autism: - A complex condition, autism is the most commonly diagnosed pervasive developmental disorder. Autism impairs a person's ability to communicate, both verbally and non-verbally, to form relationships and to interact with others. It also typically results in a range of unusual and repetitive behaviors. A child with autism may initially appear to develop normally, but then withdraw and lose interest in others. Typically diagnosed by the time a child is age 3 or 4, autism can vary from mild to severe. Autism is frequently accompanied by mental retardation, but not always. In many cases, patients will show uneven levels of intelligence with highly developed talents in some areas.
Asperger Syndrome: - Often confused with high-functioning autism, Asperger Syndrome results in similar symptoms, but without the delays in language or the possibility of mental retardation seen in autism. Children with Asperger Syndrome often have impressive vocabularies and sharp cognitive skills, but display serious difficulties with social interaction. They may have an obsessive interest in a particular topic and become preoccupied with repetitive routines or behaviors. In addition, many children with Asperger Syndrome have a history of developmental delays in motor skills and display poor physical coordination.
Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS): - Also known as "atypical autism," PDD-NOS is a diagnosis given to children who exhibit some symptoms of autism or other pervasive developmental disorder, but do not meet the specific diagnostic criteria for any one disorder in particular. Children with PDD-NOS generally have impaired social skills, problems with verbal and non-verbal communication, and engage in highly repetitive behaviors. In many cases, children initially given a diagnosis of PDD-NOS are later confirmed to have an identifiable disorder.
Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD): - Also known as Heller's syndrome or regressive autism, CDD occurs more frequently in boys but is also found among girls. Children with CDD appear to develop normally in most areas until 2 to 4 years of age. At that point, a marked regression occurs, which may take place over a period of weeks or months. Previously learned skills, such as toilet training, language and social abilities, are lost. The child may stop speaking, become disinterested in play, and develop other characteristics typical of autism.
Rett Syndrome (Rare): - Thought to be a genetic disorder, Rett Syndrome is most commonly seen in females. The condition causes a steep developmental regression in children after 6 to 18 months of age. Until this time, many children appear to be developing normally, but then begin to undergo rapid behavioral changes, including loss of language, problems with balance, lack of interest in social relationships, sleep abnormalities and extended tantrums. In addition, the heads of children with Rett Syndrome fail to grow at a normal rate and most patients with the condition have mental retardation. Gradually they lose the purposeful use of their hands, which leads to repetitive "hand washing" movements, perhaps the most characteristic symptom of the disorder.
(Definitions as written in: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Yale University Child Study Center; National Alliance for Autism Research)
Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (Rare): - Very few children who have an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis meet the criteria for childhood disintegrative disorder (CDD). An estimate based on four surveys of ASD found fewer than two children per 100,000 with ASD could be classified as having CDD. This suggests that CDD is a very rare form of ASD. It has a strong male preponderance.** Symptoms may appear by age 2, but the average age of onset is between 3 and 4 years. Until this time, the child has age-appropriate skills in communication and social relationships. The long period of normal development before regression helps differentiate CDD from Rett syndrome. The loss of such skills as vocabulary are more dramatic in CDD than they are in classical autism. The diagnosis requires extensive and pronounced losses involving motor, language, and social skills.*** CDD is also accompanied by loss of bowel and bladder control and oftentimes seizures and a very low IQ.
*Rett syndrome. NIH Publication No. 01-4960. Rockville, MD: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, 2001. Available at http://www.nichd.nih.gov/publications/pubskey.cfm?from=autism
**Frombonne E. Prevalence of childhood disintegrative disorder. Autism, 2002; 6(2): 149-157.
***Volkmar RM and Rutter M. Childhood disintegrative disorder: Results of the DSM-IV autism field trial. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 1995; 34: 1092-1095.
ASD/PDD DETECTION:
*The autism spectrum disorders can often be reliably detected by the age of 3 years, and in some cases as early as 18 months.2 Studies suggest that many children eventually may be accurately identified by the age of 1 year or even younger. The appearance of any of the warning signs of ASD is reason to have a child evaluated by a professional specializing in these disorders.
Parents are usually the first to notice unusual behaviors in their child. In some cases, the baby seemed "different" from birth, unresponsive to people or focusing intently on one item for long periods of time. The first signs of an ASD can also appear in children who seem to have been developing normally. When an engaging, babbling toddler suddenly becomes silent, withdrawn, self-abusive, or indifferent to social overtures, something is wrong. Research has shown that parents are usually correct about noticing developmental problems, although they may not realize the specific nature or degree of the problem.
ASD/PDD Symptoms:
All children with ASD demonstrate deficits in (1) social interaction, (2) verbal and nonverbal communication, and (3) repetitive behaviors or interests. In addition, they will often have unusual responses to sensory experiences, such as certain sounds or the way objects look. Each of these symptoms runs the gamut from mild to severe. They will present in each individual child differently. For instance, a child may have little trouble learning to read but exhibit extremely poor social interaction. Each child will display communication, social, and behavioral patterns that are individual but fit into the overall diagnosis of ASD.
Children with ASD do not follow the typical patterns of child development. In some children, hints of future problems may be apparent from birth. In most cases, the problems in communication and social skills become more noticeable as the child lags further behind other children the same age. Some other children start off well enough. Oftentimes between 12 and 36 months old, the differences in the way they react to people and other unusual behaviors become apparent. Some parents report the change as being sudden, and that their children start to reject people, act strangely, and lose language and social skills they had previously acquired. In other cases, there is a plateau, or leveling, of progress so that the difference between the child with autism and other children the same age becomes more noticeable.
ASD is defined by a certain set of behaviors that can range from the very mild to the severe. The following possible indicators of ASD were identified on the Public Health Training Network Webcast, Autism Among Us.
Possible Indicators of Autism Spectrum Disorders
* Does not babble, point, or make meaningful gestures by 1 year of age * Does not speak one word by 16 months * Does not combine two words by 2 years * Does not respond to name * Loses language or social skills
Some Other Indicators
* Poor eye contact * Doesn't seem to know how to play with toys * Excessively lines up toys or other objects * Is attached to one particular toy or object * Doesn't smile * At times seems to be hearing impaired
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Scott Goddard / Surf Punk, Dickie...Valley Guy
Current mood: sad
Category: Goals, Plans, Hopes
Scott Goddard
1952-2006
It is with a heavy heart that I learned today of the passing of a dear old friend, Robert Scott Goddard. A true original, Scott left this life in Santa Barbara, California, succumbing to liver cancer.
I worked with Scott while he was a member of the Dickies and the Surf Punks. I was also involved with his three classic solo albums during my tenure at Enigma Records.
Born on July 9,1952 in Van Nuys, Scott lived many lives in his brief stay on Earth: surfer, hippie, punk rocker, counselor, born-again Christian, and family man.
An innovative musician, composer and producer, he worked with Leon Russell, The Spinners, Mike Johnstone, Kim Fowley, McCoo & Davis, Dennis Dragonand The Surf Punks, The Dickies, Danny Wilde and Art Laboe.
Scott also lived in Arcata, CA and Chicago but almost entirely in the San Fernando Valley. His affection and amusement at being a Valley guy is evident in his songs Panic in Van Nuys, Hair Club for Men, and Im a Valley. He sang for The Surf Punks, fronted his band Numnutz, and released three solo recordings: Your Fool (1984) with cult favorite Cowpunk, Eleventy Billion (1986), and You Break It, You Bought It (1995).
We love people who make us laugh, and we loved Scott for his incredible sense of humor. His take on life was wacky and wonderful, with keen observations of our cultural craziness. He was a master of storytelling, jokes, silliness, and impeccable timing. Everyone who knew Scott said he was the funniest guy theyd ever met.
For twenty years, Scott also counseled emotionally disturbed youths. With empathy, humor, and being like a kid himself, he turned around countless young lives.
Scott blossomed with sons Scott and Steve and devoted wife Merlinda. He found faith in Jesus and realized contentment in his final years.
His father Robert preceded Scott in death. Scott is survived by wife Merlinda, sons R. Scott and Steven, mother Gloria, brother Steven (wife Karen), sister Victoria Diamond (husband Allen), nieces and nephew Faith Goddard and Crystal and Taylor Diamond, former wives Robin Daley and Robbin Goddard, and many friends.
Robbin, my old friend and workmate, my prayers are with you and the kids....Scott will always live on in my heart.....
Interview With Steve Brownlee of Front Row Seat Media
Interview By Keith McDonald
Another Metal label hits the market with metal record sales actually climbing in a time when overall record sales are slipping, it’s probably a good time to have a record label that specializes in this genre. That’s exactly what Front Row Seat Media is trying to do. With a veteran like Steve Brownlee running the show, this label has a ton of potential. After working for so many years at the legendary Enigma Records, Steve is looking to make a mark on his own. I recently had the opportunity to speak with him about this new venture.
How did you get started in the music business?
All by accident really. I was 19 years old and in college studying theater, but needed to find a job, any job. So was going through industrial business parks going in every business asking for a job, I came into this little office with a tiny warehouse of a business call Greenworld Distribution. They distributed import vinyl, mostly German Prog-rock and Japanese pressings…. however Greenworld formed Enigma Records and the rest was history…probably the best independent label of all time. My first day at Greenworld was spent taking shrink-wrap off of returned records (mostly from Tower Records). Under guidance from my music business mentor, Alan Niven (who left Greenworld to manage Great White, Guns n Roses, Angel City), I worked my way up the ranks very fast becoming Sales & Marketing Manager and was heavily involved in A&R and promotion.
How did the label start?
I've been promoting and distributing independent recordings for 23 years. I helped line the pockets of many a wealthy label / distributor owners. After my last employer, M&K Sound, laid off 25 or so people, I said that's enough, I'm taking matters into my own hands. Originally I was forming a company with Paul Sabu, but as it turned out, he didn't have everything in order on his side. As I had already rounded up the initial releases and was ready to go, I set up shop myself and Front Row Seat Media was formed.
I see you worked at Enigma Records. How was that experience?
When I say I worked at Enigma, in the same breath I include Greenworld Records, as they were pretty much one in the same. Without a doubt, most of my fondest memories in this crazy business are from those years (1981-1990). I was fortunate to have made many lifelong friends and shared some wild experiences and worked with some of the best bands of that era. I was the original "heavy metal guy" at the label and was influential with the label widening its scope (originally the label was releasing synth-pop, new wave, and punk.). I really believe that Enigma Records was responsible for the whole 80s metal-mania. I mean we'd released the debut albums by Motley Crue, Great White, Ratt, Queensryche, Poison, Stryper, King Diamond, W.A.S.P.……and we had a P&D deal with Metal Blade Records so we also were putting out there stuff like Armored Saint, The Goo Goo Dolls…. there so many other great bands on the label. Best I ever worked for.
I see you specialize in marketing and promotion. How important is that in developing an artist's career?
Extremely important…. every band that is serious about making music their livelihood needs a firm business plan. You could have the most brilliant new album in the can, the next Sgt. Pepper, let's say, but if Joe Public doesn't know that it even exists, you can pretty much limit your CD sales to the handful you sell at a local gig. You need to create demand. An aggressive press (print & e-zines) and radio campaign backed with constant gigging and grassroots marketing can be very effective at the indie level.
Who is currently on your roster?
We kicked off distribution with the Vixen CD with Marty Friedman. Now I'll admit, this is a 20-year-old album, but it's the first time ever on CD with 7 unreleased tracks added. And yes, the CD sounds dated (it's old NWOBHM style), but many Marty Friedman and Megadeth fans have contacted me and thanked us for getting it out on CD. It's a great historical piece and there really is some amazing fretwork.
We have also released the CD by Tower called Turn the Page. Jerry's and old friend of mine through my work with Joshua Perahia (who Jerry also sings for). This has been getting rave reviews…I knew it would…Jerry's just that great of a singer. I'm also currently offering the Jesse Damon solo CD (Silent Rage singer) and The Alchemist (with Glenn Hughes) which I had released independently before at M&K, but these artists left M&K to work with me. We have a limited edition series of Takara CDs that are hand signed and numbered.
Later this month we're releasing the debut CD by Sick Trigger (one of the best crowd drawing metal bands in LA)…these guys are the needles in the haystack, but I found 'em…. think of Alice in Chain like harmonies over Zeppelin-esque melodies, backed by a freight train rhythm section, kinda Rush like. We have several other deals we're putting together and will be announcing shortly.
I see you have a Marty Friedman project (Vixen). How did that land at your label and how old is that album?
This is another one of those examples of everything coming full circle. The original EP Made in Hawaii was released on Azra Records in 1983. I was a good friend with Dave Reynolds who owned the label, so in turn we distributed his label through Greenworld Records, so I had sold thousands of those records back in the 80s.
The way it came back was when I booked Joshua Perahia at Stryper Expo. The band's regular keyboardist was off touring with Eric Burden & the new Animals, so I needed to hire a keyboardist as well as two female back-up singers. This turned out easier than I thought when I met up with Jim DeCicco (who has worked with Tower as well) and we hired him on to play keys, it just so happened that his wife and a good friend of hers were professional back-up singers and they worked out great! Well, months had passed and I get a call out of the blue from Jim and he tells me about the Vixen recordings. It turns out his wife is none other than Kim LaChance (Vixen singer). well, she owns the master recordings and has made arrangements with Marty for his royalties. They asked if I could do anything with these songs…plus they had 7 never before heard songs. Of course I jumped at the chance to distribute this; I knew that there are many collectors and guitar fans that would eat this up.
How extensive is your back catalog? How important is the catalog in the label's growth?
As we just commenced business in October 2003, right now I'm developing back catalogue so I'm only representing a dozen or so releases at the moment. However, as we grow, so will our back catalog. I'm a firm believer that back catalog should be the bulk of your sales…. new releases are icing on the cake.
How do you find new artists?
For the most part, artists approach me. A lot of it comes from referrals from bands I work with presently or in the past. I don't go out to as many live shows like I used to (in excess), so when I do get out, it's rare I see a band that I'd approach for signing. The music scene in LA…well, it's just not like it used to be…but once, in a while I do see something with that certain something extra…such is the case with Sick Trigger, a band I found in of all places, Bakersfield, CA. This is home to Korn and Adema (in fact, Sick Trigger guitarist Rick Trigger is the brother to the lead guitarist for Adema)….but who thought there would be this fantastic power metal band in the middle of nowhere? As I later found out, they're one of the current top draws on the Sunset Strip and have amassed quite a following.
Is metal the only genre you will sign or all genres?
Of course, I will consider all genres (except hip-hop/rap), but it seems it's the metal and hard rock where I've carved a niche. I do well with the prog-rockers too, having built up good relationships with many of the top prog rock distributors, mail orders, and shops. I mean. My roots are in the prog rock market (Greenworld were specialists in Prog Rock, distributing releases by the likes of Van Der Graf Generator, PFM, Banco, Sky, Can, and all that good stuff.
I see you have worked with some major artists (Crue, Stryper, RHCP). How was that and how does that help you with your label?
Well working with these "major artists" was rewarding because when I was involved with a lot of these artists, they were nobodies. The great publicity and promotion machine at Enigma Records changed all that for so many artists that went on to become multi-platinum artists (Enigma had more than our own share of multi-platinum releases too). In the heyday, these were the people that I was hanging out with (who else can say Great White played in their living room for their 23rd birthday), honestly, every single night of the week my comrades and I would know where some band was playing or where the "in" party was. Well, those were "a few" years ago and I've seemed to mellow with age, but I still keep in contact with lots of folks from "the day". Of course my experience and contacts developed over the years helps me a great deal, both in finding releases and getting them out to the public. I'm fairly well known in certain hard rock/metal circles, so that adds credibility when I put out a release.
How hard is it to run an independent rock label?
To get things off the ground was tedious and time consuming (business licenses, business plan, office equipment, phones. The day to day is actually fun as I'm always in contact with people I consider friends. I've been doing this so long that it's almost second nature.
What are your day-to-day events?
Everyday is different really. Sometimes I work all day long, sometimes I start working after dinner and work until 4-5 in the morning, it all depends on what task need attending to. I handle most press, marketing and sales duties. I'm also getting everything together for the Sick Trigger release. On top of that, I also own a local music publication, so some time gets devoted to that (selling advertising, layouts, writing, etc.).
Are you looking to develop artists for the long term or hope that they graduate to a bigger label and own their previous recordings?
Of course, I root for the success of the artist. At the level Front Row Seat Media is at the moment, we're somewhat of a "stepping stone", we'll get the band to the next plateau. I do not have bands sign the recording rights over to me, so they always own their recordings; I license the recordings for exclusive distribution. I'm also old school in that I believe in developing a band instead of dropping them if their debut album doesn't go platinum, so I welcome to develop the right artist for the long term. As the label grows, I would hope that many of are deals become long-term relationships.
Is it difficult to compete with the bigger rock labels like Sanctuary and Spitfire that have unlimited resources?
Actually, it's easy…I'm not in competition with them. Many of the releases we put out, while are of equal quality of any major label release, I call "for the collector." These are by artists who have had some sort of notoriety in the past and either has a buried gem or a great new release and are being ignored by the corporate giants who used to cater to their every whim and now deny their existence. I know my particular niche market. Then again, when it comes to newer acts, hopefully they will do well enough for Sanctuary or Spitfire to come knocking on my door and buy out a contract.
What's the future for your label?
The immediate future is to build up the catalog and widen our worldwide distribution network. I am in negotiations with several notable artists who should come aboard soon. I hope to have signed distribution deals with other indie labels to distribute they're titles through my channels. So by years end I'd like to have 20 new releases out through Front Row Seat Media and as many other sub-distributed titles as possible. If I have one-tenth the success with Front Row Seat as we did with Enigma, then I'll be a very happy man.
I've seen Iron Maiden in excess of 20 times and was fortunate to befriend Steve Harris back in the 80's and had a lot of cool times hanging with him and Dave Murray. Well the story goes like this.......
During the 80s I was working for Greenworld / Enigma Records (I still work in the industry and have since 1981). I was dating a gal at the time by the name of Jennifer Reed and her best friend happened to be Steve Harris' L.A. girlfriend (I say L.A. girlfriend cause I knew very well he had one in every major city). Anyway, the first time I met him was one day when my then girlfriend shows up at my office and sure-shittin' she had her girlfriend in tow along with Steve.....so I'm giving him a tour of our label's offices (everyone there's wiggin out) and we get to my desk and he see's a stack of Golden Earring albums sitting there (I'm a big fan of them) and he starts going "Where in the hell did you get these?" (It turns out Golden Earring is Steve's all time favorite band) I mentioned to him that we distributed their catalog and so I took him out to the warehouse and got him a copy of every record (yes, vinyl records....these were the days before CDs)....well he's just lovin' it so he says as a treat he'd like to take me and my girlfriend out that night to the Rainbow. So, like I'm gonna pass that up? Not!
The only hitch was he'd just landed in town that day (the band was between tours so only he and Dave Murray were in town) and hadn't rented a car yet so I said "Hey I'll drive" So the plans were set and I told him we'd pick him up later that night....
So off my girlfriend and I go to the Hyatt House in Hollywood (often referred to in the business as "The Riot House") and got to his room. He's there with his "girlfriend" and we drink a few bottles of champagne and then proceeded to head to the Rainbow.....we get to the parking lot and reach my car when Steve blurts out "What the hell is this?" Oh, did I forget to mention, at the time I drove a Ford Pinto? He's laughing and say's "You've got to be kidding" when then he sees the 12" round decal in my rear window...GOLDEN EARRING...so then he goes something like "Now that's cool, you're saving grace!" So we all got in and got to the Rainbow.
We get the large center table at the bar and within a half hour or so in walks Dave Murray, who of course joins us. The the guys from the band Heaven arrive and join us...a little bit later in comes Punky Meadows from the band Angel who joins us......well a few maxed out credit cards later, needless to say we are all hammered and stumbling and laughing our asses off...a great night of ligging i have to say............
After we left the bar, I could well have become a very infamous young man. Yes, I drove Steve back to the hotel and was far to drunk to be doing so...I ran a red light and if it weren't for the matter of 2-3 inches, Steve Harris (and myself and the girls included) would all be pushing up daisies right now. A car came to a screaching halt and missed smacking me in the side by that little...we literally would all be dead.......but thank God it was not our fate........I learned a BIG lesson that night and have NEVER driven drunk since.
The next day Steve shows up at my office with the girls in a rented Mercedes and asks what I'm doing that night. I mentioned to him that I was on the guest list for Robert Plant at the forum and was taking three of my buddies. He says he wanted to take me and the girls out for dinner and drinks as he had so much fun with us the night before but seeing Robert Plant sounded great....well. a light bulb goes off in my head.....a few apologetic phone calls later to my buds (my friends were very understanding) I come back out of my office and told him I just had a change of plans and how would he (and the girls) like to go to the Plant show with me. It was a go! We all go to the show together and end up running into the guys from Heaven there and Dave Murray's with them (very ironic, but true) and we all had a great time again drinking (and a few other assorted "consumables") and when the show ended, we all go to go backstage.....well, apparently Robert Plant wasn't in the mood for company, and while we all had backstage passes, Robert had closed off access to everyone and none of us, The Maiden guys included, were allowed back. Oh well, what can you do....hmmmm, rock stars!!!!
Anyway, so make this long story short we became good buds there for a while during the 80s and everytime Iron Maiden was in town, we were always on the guest list and invited backstage to party with the band......this lasted through the eighties (both in LA and we'd travel too to see 'em in other west coast cities)....it all came to an end when he got engaged (and subsequently married) to his UK girlfriend and he pretty much cut off all ties to his LA Girlfriend...hooked up with him twice in the late 90s through other channels but haven't seen him and lost contact with him since.....
but I'll say it again and again....I've worked with, partied with, and hung with many many bands (both major label and independent label bands), but Steve was one of the most friendly and gentlemanly of them all....a very, very cool guy.
giggly
sad
artistic
content
cheerful
Another Metal label hits the market with metal record sales actually climbing in a time when overall record sales are slipping, it’s probably a good time to have a record label that specializes in this genre. That’s exactly what Front Row Seat Media is trying to do. With a veteran like Steve Brownlee running the show, this label has a ton of potential. After working for so many years at the legendary Enigma Records, Steve is looking to make a mark on his own. I recently had the opportunity to speak with him about this new venture.
nostalgic