Oh Brother... Here We Go Again

["The Freq"]

Ok.. Honestly.. am I the only one that gets tired of the constant snubbing of bands in the Sault by our local media? I thought the past 2 years were pretty pathetic but just when you can't throw up in your Corn Flakes anymore, the new year starts with news reporting of the same bands at the same bar by Sootoday. Please tell me I'm not living in a time warp. I mean it's down right pathetic. What makes it really bad is that the bands contain almost all the same musicians. Don't know what I mean? It's simple.. Band one contains 4 musicians, then, band two contains 3 of band one's members but call it something else. Then, band three contains 2 members from band one, one guy from band two and a one extra guy. After the same people get 12 bands with different names, the media writes about them for a year, while not once talking about any other bands outside this weird little loop. Yes folks... shake your heads in disbelief but it happens. To top it off, all this action happens at the same bar. Does it bother me the bar does this or books like this.. Not really but it does alienate a lot of other worthy musicians from getting exposure. It's the media pumping this shit that makes me laugh. As for my opinion on the same musicians playing in multiple bands only changing the name I will say this.. "Stop boring the snot out of people"!!! The sad part is that the same people go see all these same bands. Add the media who are also part of this fun little club and you have what I believe is called "a clique". That is some weird shit let me tell ya. I never realized it much until the past 4 years but then I couldn't stop laughing. Sadly, for musicians like yours truly, you or I will NEVER have one breath written about in local media unless you find a way to join this little circle of armpit hairs. In all honesty and personally, I don't want local press coverage anyways, but others definitely deserve it. BUT until then I will continue to center people out until they get their heads out of their asses and write about OTHER and more worthy people than the same lot that have been milked to death in local media. Of course I always get a small bit of "flack" for mouthing off about this topic but it's obvious local media isn't learning and they continue to be snobby little pukes. Take a chance local media.. I dare you. Write about local bands and musicians that aren't involved in the little clique and do so for 6 months... Hell, I'll even settle for 3 months without mentioning the same musicians you always write about and that same bar you always favour. I dare you!!! If you write about bands and musicians and not once mention "that" bar or "those bands" for 6 months (3 months if you're too weak to do 6), I will forever shut my mouth about local media.. haha Kids, they will never be able to do it. It's like they're all connected by an umbilical cord and if you cut one away, they'll melt together. ;-) Sure, I've been told numerous times I have a big mouth, but at least I talk about OTHER musicians than the Sootoday clique.

So here we are into the first few weeks of 2014 and guess what Sootoday writes about??? You think I'm kidding with this shit? Hell NO! This little soap opera of media love just continues to favour the same people ALL the time.
You can ask, beg or pray for Sootoday to write about you but it won't happen. They and the other media would rather talk about a variety of paint chips at your local hardware store than give one struggling and in most cases BETTER musician a break in an article.

So for the start of 2014 I bring you the continuing saga of local media's lack of interest in anything you have to offer musically unless you're part of the club. That means all metal, country, prog rock bands, punk bands, you're not worthy of media attention. I will admit, I have never tried bribing local media. haha. If anyone has had any luck at bribing Sootoday for an article please let me know. I'd love to hear it haha.

Now, without any further yapping from me, I bring you the start of 2014's Sootoday clique coverage of the same people you've heard about for the "umteenth time" in past years at the same bar at the same time of year. Set your watches kids.. the snubbery fest continues. This shit just makes me laugh my ass off but it's true. If you don't believe I'm right on this... watch local media each and every day. You will soon be a believer.

Here's the article. www.sootoday.com/content/news/details.asp?c=66375

FREQ out!

[floyds machine]

I'm sure I read that same 12 musicians of Christmas article last year? Sorry if I got the title wrong. I lied. I'm not sorry.

Freq, I'm sure you'll get some love over your wonderful post. Once again, you've written from your balls and nailed it. Why is it that a drummer is more in tune with local musicians than our own city media? Oh I know why. It's because you're a musician. You would think if local media needed help reporting about the local music scene, they would ask a lot of musicians city wide to contribute. I must admit, seeing Jay Case written about every week on Sootoday is getting rather redundant.

Your Facebook page is also full of love I see. You're the best Freq. F.U.C.K media. Let's start a revolution.

[Sgt. Bilko]

LMAO. You two are on a tear. Funny Funny Funny. It is true about Sootoday. I saw posts through the holidays about gigs at Lop Lops and the same musicians were there and reported again in this new post. I don't get it. You have to be a total moron to think that readers aren't going to get the fact the media loves that bar and those bands that play there or like Freq says, the same 4 musicians. That's hilarious Freq but true.

This is my problem with all of this. When the media reports on the same small group of musicians at the same bar repeatedly and ignore the other wonderful musicians we have locally, the readers think that the only musicians we have in the Soo are what's posted. You may laugh at this but I think it's true. Imagine Sootoday talking about the same musicians for say 5 or 6 years like Freq says, never reporting the other bands outside of this so called circle, how will an city wide audience have a clue they exist? That to me is bad reporting on such a huge scale. If I were a musician I would find this highly insulting and I'm sure that's exactly how they feel. It's a shame but also a bit dirty, don't you think?

["The Freq"]

The dumb thing about this is that Sootoday and the other media outlets know they're snubbing these other bands but they growl hiss and spit when they are challenged.. It's an act because you have to be a complete moron like "Bilko" says not to notice this biased reporting. I'm already hearing of a few reporters being pissed at my post on here and the one on my Facebook page. Like Pleeeeeeeeeeeease. You created this situation. I didn't. I'm just calling you on it.

Bilko.. you are right. This shitty reporting gives the impression that there are no other musicians around but the ones they report about over and over. I'm talking about folks that aren't musicians who are just reading Sootoday in general. If you feed them the same plate of food each week for years, some will think that's all we have. On the other hand, people like me say "holy crap, not roast beef again. I'm going to throw up. Give me something different". Whatever happened to "fairness and variety". That's not even part of the local media equation.

Honestly.. does anyone think the music scene is great here at this point in time? Let's compare it to say, 20 years ago? It's crap now and the media helped to screw it up.

Now.. I've gotten a few messages about a local reporter ranting about my post. I've told this person years ago about having tunnel vision in music reporting and after a number of years, my opinion still stands. You can be a great writer and this person is pretty good, but if you write the same book over and over and over.... NO ONE in their right mind will continue to buy the next book even if you just change the cover. Same bands, different names. Get it???

Let's get something else straight... I don't hate this reporter and I really don't know this person but for some reason this reporter thinks they are always the prime subject of my posts. That is not true at all. It's media in general and it just happens that this reporter is part of media. I said this exact same thing to them before and they still don't get it. It's not personal... it's general.

Now here's a wrap up. Now I want everyone reading this including our wonderful local media to understand this little story I'm going to tell.

For years I have asked local media to write something about certain bands I've been a part of. I've done charity shows to raise money for MDA in the past. I've done shows for MS on the old Chief Shingwauk (sp),
I've done shows with my band Flat Stanley where we gave all our money earned to the Alzheimers Society.
I've recorded numerous CD's with local bands that had release parties along with a band that did first time shows at Laird and more. I've also opened for Great Big Sea and Blackie and the Rodeo Kings at the Northern Lights Festival. I've played with an all original band called Wishbone with 2 CD's out that was in Rotaryfest on both occasions never got reported on. After asking for a simple write ups by local media, I got nothing.. zip... zero. So I did the best thing possible and I recommend this to any struggling musician. Become self sustaining. Do it all yourself. Be in charge of your own destiny because our local media will not notice you unless you fall into their super narrow beam of tunnel vision or unless you are in their circle of friends. When I took full charge of my music career and my forum and websites, I realized that I never needed the local media for my own music. Yes, if the media played ball, bands doing great things should be recognized but that doesn't have to be music related. It could be charities they support or concert they're part of. I am fighting for that for my fellow musicians only. I want nothing from local media for myself. I don't give a rats ass about them but I do care about my fellow musicians and getting recognition.

So, here we are. For years and years media couldn't give me the time of day or the bands I played in or the charities I gave money too or played for. I was snubbed for years and then something funny and wonderful happened. Once I started ranting on this forum and my Facebook page, low and behold some of the local media suddenly started listening. Sure, they're pissed and back peddling on their own private Facebook pages and such but the fact remains, my big mouth alone got them talking. This is proof that you can still get your point across without media. So this mystery remains: Beg the media for a few words in a write up with a photo plugging a creative thing and get sweet bugger all, and on the flipside, start a closed forum and say one negative thing about the media and watch the shit hit the fan. Yup, one post and tons of musicians feel exactly how I feel about media. It's time to wake up. ;-)

Over the years the music I've created with friends and strangers via internet recording or in my studio have made it to England, the US, Australia and of course Canada. Sites like Reverbnation can help get that music noticed like it did for me. You don't need local media for this. They probably don't even know what it is and even if they did, they don't care about your music and who it goes to. Keep that in your head. It's true and if you don't see that quite yet, you will in time. ;-) (Right now media snobs are searching Google for Reverbnation haha)

That's all kids. I want to leave you all with a new song written by the amazing local guitarist Mike Cliffe and myself. It is called "Snarg". It's an instrumental song and it features Mike Cliffe on guitar, and me, Glen the Freq on bass guitar and drums. Click the link to listen. As for local media... Don't bother clicking the link because 1. You don't know who Mike Cliffe is even though he's written 100's of songs. He's also recorded with a singer out of Sweden named Karin Beckerus with yours truly, the Freq on drums ;-). He's also started music promotion site and online broadcast program Audio Fumes. Yeah, don't talk about media snobs 2. You don't care anyways and god forbid we waste your precious time. 3. It's too late to start kissing ass now.. haha

Here's the link to the song. www.reverbnation.com/glenthefreqthomas/song/19726262-mike-cliffe-glen-thomas-snarg

["The Freq"]

I am blown away by the responses on my Facebook page over this. The private messages keep coming in.. Pretty amazing for a dickhead with no media coverage I'd say. haha So far, over 40 musicians have sent me messages feeling the same as I do and this is not including those posting on my Facebook page. Keep it coming kids. Always nice to start the New Year off right. ;-)

For those reading Freq's Music Planet including the loose cannon media reporters, my forum is a closed forum which simply means you can only read the posts. Unless you are a member, which there aren't many (by my choice) you cannot reply. Just read and weep. ;-)

[Finger_Bang]

You've got to be kidding. It's so obvious that article in particular by Donna Hopper is a blatant, and rather sickening attempt to pat her wonderful clubhouse and members on the back. She's quoting people that have been locked into that club for years. How quaint is that? Her ego sure shows it that rather stomach turning piece of reporting. Judging by the near hundred posts on your Facebook Freq, and the messages you got, there are others sick to death of her rhetoric. That was one tough article to read without a trip to the washroom. It was like chewing on a rubber steak.

Freq, you're the best.

["The Freq"]

hahaha.. A rubber steak.. :-) T'is true!

Well, the Facebook discussion is ongoing and my message box is jammed full of comments. There are well over 80 posts on the Facebook page and I have at least 25 comments in my Facebook message box from others that aren't posting on the actual thread. This doesn't include the emails and messages here from private members. I'll tell you right now. local media is not a friend of these people and the sooner they get that in their lazy fat heads, the better off the local music scene will be.

I heard from numerous people that Hopper was losing her mind over this. I also heard of 2 others flipping out. I don't know these two. Why the anger? You all had years to simply fix this by being fair and by doing some open minded reporting. Are you all that thick in the heads with ego that you can't absorb this small fact? You work for a news media outfits with names like "SOO today" and "SAULT star". So do reporting on "SOO" bands or "SAULT" bands. It's not called Lop Lops Today. It's not called Lop Lops Star. Give us all a friggin break.

Here.. I'm going to bait the hook for you biased reporters. Let's see which one of you does a story on let's say... "Rob Figures" of the Sault Metal Scene, Or.... Mike Cliffe of Audio Fumes. Get the thumb out of your ass and research these two. I DARE any of you to research what they do and do an article on them. And please.... no more Lop Lops bands.. Please.. Spare us for at least one year. We know these guys are good musicians but holy shit, we don't need to know what kind of underwear they have. Spare us the constant barrage of Lop Lops local musicians for once!!! Tell us about others that were born with a name and talent. They're here in the Sault.. I know.. I've seen them. I"ve heard them.

Did I mention local media sucks? haha

["The Freq"]

News Flash....

My Facebook thread on this is now closed. Lots of playback and debate but sadly people kept going off topic. I had to keep Lop Lops owner on topic. Fun guy to debate with though. I'm sure he's loving all the PR. Good or bad PR over this subject gets him free advertising no matter how you look at it. Many think Sootoday and Lop Lops are connected anyways. I don't know but sometimes it looks like it. The discussion on my Facebook page got "weird" for a while and there are also some that can't read. haha A few kept focusing on me in general which was really goofy. It was pretty clear they had no clue on who I was or the music I create. Good rule of thumb is to know a little about the people you post about. |O| Anyways.. the discussion was good for a bit and then it tanked out. Ironically, some of the private messages I received hint to the same thing which is that Sootoday and Lop Lops keep a hand in each others pocket. Most said that posting by the owner helped confirm that. It definitely makes you scratch your chin and go.... hmmmmmmmmm.
Is this a clique? Sure looks like it. I'll never know nor do I want any part of it. One thing I do know is that Sootoday will not change. I have noticed a change in their writing though. Not quite sure why. I assume a change in the people behind the keyboard. Not sure, but something is different.

The funny part about the debate was how the focus kept centering on Donna Hopper. It boggles my mind on how upset this woman gets when I talk. Even when I'm not talking about her reporting I'm sure she's pissed at me. The owner of Lop Lops hinted to me "hating her". Those are strong words and I suspect he was fishing for info. Let's say, baiting the hook. I don't like her and she doesn't like me. That's it. It's not rocket science. I don't know her personally and don't care too. I'm sure she feels the same. No brainer. Do I hate her biased reporting?? Well, that's another story. Her ego was dripping in that last Sootoday article which if I read it twice the results would have had ill affects on my bowels. It's sad to say that the group of musicians she loves and protects and nurtures in her writing will never think there is anything wrong. Free press on a regular basis? Of course they'll love it and keep quiet when I'm ranting. They're in a nice little self sustaining sphere. I don't care about the musicians in that sphere. They are talented.. That's just not the issue. The issue is that media needs to cover what's in the sphere and outside of the sphere. ;-)

It's funny, someone suggested that everyone start their own news site and bar so they could start their own club. I guess that's how it will play out because Sootoday will never change. I laughed in one message I got where the person said Sootoday's music coverage is like regurgitation. They keep eating what they put out, over and over. Cute eh?

There were some that thought some of us were acting like little girls taking a tantrum. I had that reference tossed at me also. These few just fail to understand that we play as musicians just as much as these musicians covered in the media, sometimes more. We play and get bookings without media coverage. It's not like we're going to die without it. We're looking for a little common "courtesy". That's it. Share the wealth. ;-)

A few think it's jealousy or frustration or envy that is eating us up. HA! Spare me. Please. It's just nauseating to see the same name in the news every other article for 6 years. Yes, we know their good players but please,, stop making us eat that knowledge every friggin week. Blah!

The good thing from all of this... people are watching the media now. I have almost 600 friends on my Facebook page and some who were following my rant said they are going to watch how this unfolds. You can bet "rant 2" is coming. haha

[floyds machine]

Yes sir, that was quite the rant on Facebook. That Steve guy stuck up for Sootoday from start to finish. Painted a clear picture for me. Others too, I bet. It's a business and he's got it made so he's guarding his turf. Any fool could see that on that thread. His posts only fueled the fire in the people who already think Sootoday and his bar are in bed together. That part backfired for him. Don't understand why he wouldn't play that down. When people are pissed off, don't give them more to chew on. Verdict, Sootoday loves Lop Lops, and Lop Lops love Sootoday. Done deal. Ain't no one changing that. If Screwtoday ever did start rapping about other bands outside that happy house of cards, they'd only f**k you guys over anyways. The other media joke, The Sault Fart was always horrible with local band coverage. Half the time they can't spell peoples names right. Screw the Screw Star.

Freq, you always bring things to the front. It's not always pretty but it's honest. That rant opened some eyes I'm sure. I learned from it. That media/ bar love affair is a bit spooky. I wouldn't have thought that until I saw that Steve guy posting. He just couldn't stay on topic. That Jimmie guy was a dickhead. Like lay off the headgames with that 3 year old nephew shit and stick to topic. F u c k I hate trolls railroading a thread. Good for you, you got press, now pissoff. We're talking about those that don't.
Who was the guy with the fact sheet? Shit. I can hardly wait until he posts the previous 5 years. What's with the little princess on there? Rhylee or something like that. Shit, she missed the boat on you. I think she thought you were a nobody beginner. Do you think she even downloaded your song? Priceless Freq. Man, people just didn't get the topic of that thread.
K I'm done. If anyone doesn't like what I said, kiss my ass. Now I have to lighten my bladder.

[Sgt. Bilko]

that thread was craaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaazy alright.
Close to 200 posts. You and that bar guy seemed to have fun with it but some of the others took things the wrong way. That is the problem with texting. Misinterpreting the other persons words. Floyds right, it painted a picture that the bar and Sootoday are connected some how, for music anyways. That was made obvious in that thread. Floyd is also on to something when he says Sootoday would probably mess it up for you guys if you ever did get coverage. I'm not sure that angle was considered. My head is still shaking from some of those posts. Too bad a few were just being sarcastic goofs. That Mike Caruso guy use to cover lots of bands. I've seen his videos on Youtube. I wonder what his story is because I'm sure he worked for Local 2 at some point. His site has about 100 videos. Lots from Rotaryfest.

I hope that princess girl downloaded that song Freq. it's awesome. How can she be on your friends list and not know who you are or what you do? Puzzling.

Nice to see Rob Figures enter in on the thread but sometimes his playing safe and staying neutral doesn't work. I know he doesn't want to make waves but it was close to being a little ass kissing with Lop Lops on that thread last night. Glad you gave him praise Freq. He deserves it. I just wish he had a little more backbone on discussions like that.

Sootoday and Sault Star won't change. We're pretty much in agreement on that. Bummer. It's not going to happen with Hopper and the ranks. It will be same old same old. Jay Case this, Jay Case that. There's a photo of Jay Case and a big band. His name and letters huge everywhere. Perhaps all the press went to his head. He was such a cool kid when he was with Freq in the Crank Shop band. Wore a baseball cap, played edgy guitar. Simple but cool. He's morphed into something but I'm not sure what it is. Too bad the media didn't cover you guys in those days Freq. Maybe these musicians getting all the press don't realize a change is happening to them. Too much of a good thing isn't always good.

[Finger_Bang]

It's all a joke. Hopper knows she favors those musicians. Admit it and move on and or fix the problem. If she's pissed, it's her own fault. If you can't take criticism get out of the business. If the media snubbed musicians, make up for it and make it right. There's no excuses. This came up years ago with her and she decided to just sit on her ass and do nothing. Now, this surfaces again and she's pissed again. A woman scorned? I think not. She's stuck on herself and powertripping. If I'm wrong, let's see her prove it in articles that don't get saturated with her home crew. You may think she can write Freq, but I don't. Just my opinion.

It looks like I'm with you guys. If Sootoday does articles on outsider local bands they've ignored in the past, they'll bugger it up. Catch 22? Possibly.
The internet has been my source of good music for years and eventually, rags like Sootoday will fail. Someone on here mentioned they noticed a change in Sootoday and I agree. The writing is different. Either somebody left that use to govern the writing, or they are experimenting. In either case they still haven't got a clue on fair reporting in a music scene they think they care about. That's a total lie and we know it.

Freq does what he does and so do these other outsider bands. We know them and respect them because they're the real deal. I'm not sure what this little club is with Sootoday, Lop Lops and it's musicians, but it sounds pretty f**ked up. Reminds me of a movie I believe was called Village of the Damned where there were these creepy little kids that all looked alike trying to overpower a town with little mind games. Feels like that to me.

Freq luv ya

["The Freq"]

Jan 13, 2014 13:32:51 GMT -5 floyds machine said:

Yes sir, that was quite the rant on Facebook. That Steve guy stuck up for Sootoday from start to finish. Painted a clear picture for me. Others too, I bet. It's a business and he's got it made so he's guarding his turf.

I don't think anyone thought any different in that he would stick up for Sootoday. Even after I started that thread I got a few messages saying "it's only a matter of time before he starts sticking up for Sootoday". It's free press and he knows it. Business wise, you can't knock it. Media wise, we can. haha.

["The Freq"]

Jan 13, 2014 13:32:51 GMT -5 floyds machine said:

Freq, you always bring things to the front. It's not always pretty but it's honest. That rant opened some eyes I'm sure. I learned from it. That media/ bar love affair is a bit spooky. I wouldn't have thought that until I saw that Steve guy posting. He just couldn't stay on topic. That Jimmie guy was a dickhead. Like lay off the headgames with that 3 year old nephew shit and stick to topic. F u c k I hate trolls railroading a thread. Good for you, you got press, now pissoff. We're talking about those that don't.
Who was the guy with the fact sheet? Shit. I can hardly wait until he posts the previous 5 years. What's with the little princess on there? Rhylee or something like that. Shit, she missed the boat on you. I think she thought you were a nobody beginner. Do you think she even downloaded your song? Priceless Freq. Man, people just didn't get the topic of that thread.
K I'm done. If anyone doesn't like what I said, kiss my ass. Now I have to lighten my bladder.

Thanks for the compliment. I just say what I feel. Some lie their faces off, I prefer to say what's on my mind.

Yeah Jimmie is ok.. he was adding sarcastic humour in there and yes it was a game. I let him play it thus my comment on letting them have a little leash. He came in later with subject matter that was on topic but until then, it was annoying people.

Rihkee, or as you call her, "the Princess" doesn't know my music that's for sure or what i do. That's fine, but you're right, you can't cut me down on what I do in music if you don't have a clue on what I do. I doubt she downloaded the song but she never made a peep after that so I don't know what to think.

As for the fact guy.. that's Johnny a local promoter. I don't know him that well. Seems like a nice guy. He posted a fact sheet of what was mentioned in Sootoday articles in the past year where as my original post said "6 years". I am also more concerned at the number of bands that "were not" mentioned in Sootoday in that time frame. Did anyone have a fact sheet on that?? Of course not because the number of bands snubbed far out weighs the ones mentnioned. That's what is important and most people on that thread missed that point. A single number "6" was missed by the Sootoday lovers. haha. That's why I couldn't take many seriously because they missed the topic of my original post.

["The Freq"]

Jan 13, 2014 14:25:53 GMT -5 Sgt. Bilko said:

that thread was craaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaazy alright.
Close to 200 posts. You and that bar guy seemed to have fun with it but some of the others took things the wrong way. That is the problem with texting. Misinterpreting the other persons words. Floyds right, it painted a picture that the bar and Sootoday are connected some how, for music anyways. That was made obvious in that thread. Floyd is also on to something when he says Sootoday would probably mess it up for you guys if you ever did get coverage. I'm not sure that angle was considered. My head is still shaking from some of those posts. Too bad a few were just being sarcastic goofs. That Mike Caruso guy use to cover lots of bands. I've seen his videos on Youtube. I wonder what his story is because I'm sure he worked for Local 2 at some point. His site has about 100 videos. Lots from Rotaryfest.

I hope that princess girl downloaded that song Freq. it's awesome. How can she be on your friends list and not know who you are or what you do? Puzzling.

Nice to see Rob Figures enter in on the thread but sometimes his playing safe and staying neutral doesn't work. I know he doesn't want to make waves but it was close to being a little ass kissing with Lop Lops on that thread last night. Glad you gave him praise Freq. He deserves it. I just wish he had a little more backbone on discussions like that.

Sootoday and Sault Star won't change. We're pretty much in agreement on that. Bummer. It's not going to happen with Hopper and the ranks. It will be same old same old. Jay Case this, Jay Case that. There's a photo of Jay Case and a big band. His name and letters huge everywhere. Perhaps all the press went to his head. He was such a cool kid when he was with Freq in the Crank Shop band. Wore a baseball cap, played edgy guitar. Simple but cool. He's morphed into something but I'm not sure what it is. Too bad the media didn't cover you guys in those days Freq. Maybe these musicians getting all the press don't realize a change is happening to them. Too much of a good thing isn't always good.

I'll be honest.. Stephen is fun to yap with. He is well spoken even though he kept trying to pull the thread his way. haha He loves his bar and I had to keep him on topic more than once. I don't know the man and have nothing against him. I don't care what he thinks of me either. If the two of us can have a debate and post 200 sentences without killing each other, he's an "ok Joe". ;-) What his bar does, means zip to me. The topic was Sootoday and media not his bar. ;-) Yes, it was clear Stephen loves Sootoday but like I mentioned earlier, free press saves him a ton of money. Why mess with that. ;-)

Mike Caruso is a super nice guy. I've met him a few times and he loves local musicians. He worked for local media in years past. I'm sure he got screwed over by local media and I say that judging by how nice he is. Local media people seem like complete snobs and he isn't like that from what I can tell. He probably didn't fit in. That's a guess but if I had to choose a date between two reporters say, Mike or Hopper... I'd choose Mike. haha. Mike listens, Hopper ignores. :-)

Rob is like Bill Clinton.. He likes the middle. That is where he and I differ. You're right about being neutral but that is his choice. He has his reasons and I respect that. Being neutral will get you in trouble at some point when it comes down to having to make a decision and you have to choose one way or the other but as blog writer, I'm not sure it's all that crucial to choose sides.

Jay Case and I have a history. Some good, some bad. Musician wise, very talented. He joined the project "the Crank Shop" I had with Ravlich in the late 90's and he was just a kid. I agree, that is my favourite memory of him. Has he changed? Music wise, most definitely. Personally, I have no clue as we don't see each other but if you have a friend in the media pumping you constantly and a bar pumping you constantly I think it's only a matter of time before your ego swells. The JC big band was a little thick and like you, it was a turn off but some dig it I guess. I will agree with you in that I liked the edge of the early Jay. Morphed is an interesting term to use Bilko.. :-) I'm not sure if he's "morphed" or not but I'm not into what he's doing now. Just my taste though.

["The Freq"]

Jan 13, 2014 14:59:37 GMT -5 Finger_Bang said:

It's all a joke. Hopper knows she favors those musicians. Admit it and move on and or fix the problem. If she's pissed, it's her own fault. If you can't take criticism get out of the business. If the media snubbed musicians, make up for it and make it right. There's no excuses. This came up years ago with her and she decided to just sit on her ass and do nothing. Now, this surfaces again and she's pissed again. A woman scorned? I think not. She's stuck on herself and powertripping. If I'm wrong, let's see her prove it in articles that don't get saturated with her home crew. You may think she can write Freq, but I don't. Just my opinion.

It looks like I'm with you guys. If Sootoday does articles on outsider local bands they've ignored in the past, they'll bugger it up. Catch 22? Possibly.
The internet has been my source of good music for years and eventually, rags like Sootoday will fail. Someone on here mentioned they noticed a change in Sootoday and I agree. The writing is different. Either somebody left that use to govern the writing, or they are experimenting. In either case they still haven't got a clue on fair reporting in a music scene they think they care about. That's a total lie and we know it.

Freq does what he does and so do these other outsider bands. We know them and respect them because they're the real deal. I'm not sure what this little club is with Sootoday, Lop Lops and it's musicians, but it sounds pretty f**ked up. Reminds me of a movie I believe was called Village of the Damned where there were these creepy little kids that all looked alike trying to overpower a town with little mind games. Feels like that to me.

Freq luv ya

|O| "Village of the Damned" creeped the shit out of me. haha. Very funny.
All I'll say about the Sootoday, Lop Lops, House Musicians thing is that it's odd, and very tight knit. I'm not into groups so even if I was invited, I'd decline. I prefer being anti-social. haha Again.. That's their thing.. I do mine. Makes no difference to me what so ever.

Honestly Fingerbang.. I don't know Hopper at all. We talked a few times and I tried to feel her out but I realized she's just not someone I could, or want to associate with. We can't love everybody ya know.. ;-) After 4 attempts at getting Wishbone coverage, the love affair was over. :-) The other odd thing is that she always snubbed my wife. Everyone knows my wife is the complete opposite to me and everyone likes her including some of Hoppers closest friends but for some reason, she would never say hi to my wife. There's something going on in Hoppers head and it wasn't something I wanted to tap into. It wasn't worth the effort for lack of a better term. So I pulled the plug. I've asked that women for a number of things and rather than give a simple answer, she'd just ignore me. No need for those kind of people in my life. You'd think if you're in the media, communication would be a key part. ;-) I remember asking for Wishbone press, and I remember asking her for photos of the Huckster band that she took years ago which I would have paid for but..... messages all went unanswered. Two jobs she does, media and photo and this is how you deal with it? It's little things like that, that make you say to yourself... it's not worth it. I was asked if I hate her on that thread the other night. Answer is no. Disappointed in her.. yes. Do I like her. No. That's it. Oh, and, she's a "snob". :-) I dislike snobs. ;-)

I guess you guys are right. If Sootoday was to start covering the outsider bands, we'd have to hold our breath to see if they did it right. It's hard to trust someone after 6 plus years of snubbery right?

I'd like to see coverage of other musicians. That's what my rants are about.
As for me, I want nothing. I don't believe in having to beg over and over and over only to get ignored. Many have felt that as I have. For me, I've found a system and it works for me. Not everyone has the resources I do so having the media help would be great. Once you can self sustain on your own like me, you may find your own way. You are right Fingerbang in saying that Sootoday and Local2 will decline. People want video these days and typing like this will be a thing of the past. Most can't read 3 lines of my yapping without falling asleep haha.

Good luck with getting media coverage folks... I hope you achieve it. I'll fire this up in a year and see if anything has changed. I will also keep tabs on Sootoday's coverage of "local" musicians this year and post my findings under a new topic heading. Stay tuned for that. ;-)