Record Labels

[Combat Chuck]

Alright folks, here's a little story.

I was browsing Amazon.com just a few days ago, hoping to hook myself up with a brand spankin new Compacto Disco, and not really seeing any prices that I found to my liking. See, even online, I keep my CD purchasing to a maximum of around $13 dollars a piece. If the band is really good though, and I can't find the album anywhere, then I purchase within reasonable terms, but that's another story.

Anyway, I was looking for Coheed and Cambria's CD, Second Stage Turbine Blade. I was looking through the reviews, realizing that I didn't want to pay $16 for the CD....and then I came upon the name of the label they were a part of.

So I visited the label's site, and whaddya know. It was available for $10. I anted up and bought this little gem, as well as with another great sexbear, Armor For Sleep.

I went through the first few pages in the ordering process, and then came across a little bump in the ol' road. Shipping was $7.38. For a $20 order. WTF? I hesitated....but continued with the transaction. I was then informed that it would take around 2 weeks to get to me.

Needless to say, I was a little unhappy, but then I realized I just got two great albums for $20.

Then came the surprise, and the point of this topic. In a total of 3 days later, I had the CD's. But that's not all folks. I also had an EP from another band on Equal Vision's label, Fairweather. This was awesome, so I was happy. Then I opened up the Coheed and Cambria CD to discover that there was not just one little round flat disc in the case....but two. The other one was an Equal Vision sampler, containing 9 songs from most of Equal Vision's line-up.

Therefore, I have deemed Equal Vision to be my heroes for the week. I was ecstatic to say the least, and very pleased that I was not ripped off by the shipping and handling.

Thing is though, this is a regular thing when you order from record labels. I ordered the Brandtson CD from Deep Elm, got a shitload of free stickers, and a catalog with sale prices for all their other stuff.

Needless to say, my big ol' point is....not all record labels are shit eaters. It's just when they get money, they become shit eaters and stingy little bastards. Seriously, I find it funny that little indie labels always throw Easter Eggs into your order, while big labels'll just give ya your CD and think that you're going to come back for more, just cause they have the line-up.

Now, I realize that these indie labels want to get the word out about their other artists on their label, but it still shows some balls to give freebies and go the extra mile.

So hats off to indie labels and their actual congeniality to their customers and to their music. They rock in every sense of the term.

Oh, and have any of you had similar surprises from great record labels in the past? Also, what record labels stand out as solid presenters of great music? Thank you for your time.

[ July 13, 2003, 04:08 PM: Message edited by: Combat Chuck ]

[Ugly Bastard]

Chuck, that's a lot of money you could've saved had you just downloaded instead.

-Ugly Bastard

[Alpha]

Vagrant Records, Chuck... Vagrant Records. That label not only has one of the most amazing line ups I can name for any "underground" label. They have Alkaline Trio signed to them, not to mention Saves the Day still has ties to them, Dashboard Confessional is signed to them, and they just recently aquired the mighty and terrific From Autumn to Ashes.
CD's from them range from 10 to 12 dollars (of course shipping applies). But they also like to give a shitload of stuff away. I preordered Alkaline Trio's CD online from their site and was suprised to recieve not just that CD, but also a badass sampler, stickers, and my very own Alkaline Trio and Vagrant 1 inch buttons.
With bands like The Get Up Kids and Reggie and the Full Effect, I'm sure that you'd find music to your liking Chuck. Next time shop Vagrant.

[ July 13, 2003, 06:09 PM: Message edited by: Alpha ]

[Fruitacious B]

I agree with Alpha there, Vagrant has a line up that almost makes me splooge when i think of it. Another label or two that has some goodies would be the also excellent Victory Records, Nitro Records, or the almighty Drive-Thru Records.

[Dr. Seuss]

It's not surprising that they give away free stuff. For one, they get to advertise some of the lesser known bands in hopes that maybe you'll like them and get their CD, and for two, giving away free stuff if like an added incentive to buy more stuff from them. I'm sure the record companies make more money by directly selling you the CD rather than you buying the CD off the shelves of Best Buy. Interpunk gives free stuff away, too.

7.38 for shipping is ridiculous, though. You shouldn't have had to pay more than $3.00 through the first class. Even if the CD's were insanely cheap, I would've hesitated buying them knowing that the company is trying to rip you off with shipping.

And Ugly Bastard is right. Downloading is the way to go. If you want to support the artist, go to their shows and/or buy some of their other merch.

[StabMaster Arson]

Alternative Tentacles have been my favorite for a long time now... a line-up that includes: Wesley Willis, Pitchshifter, the Butthole Surfers, Brujeria, Nomeansno, and spoken word releases from Jello Biafra, Noam Chomskey, and Howard Zinn.

even though it's distributed through Epitaph, I think you can still consider Hellcat Records somewhat indie... and kick ass. Bands: Rancid, Dropkick Murphy's, Transplants, the Bastards, Tiger Army, Necromatix, Hepcat, and U.S. Bombs to name a few.

Locally: Johan's Face and Beer City always give away a ton of free shit whenever you even act interested in them.

Honorable Mention: Kung-fu.

[Combat Chuck]

Yeah, Fruit and Alpha, I am quite aware of Vagrant Records, due to me visiting their website every so often. I was going to get the Hey Mercedes and Further Seems Forever albums off of their site, but decided against it.

Anyway, UB, I already downloaded their stuff. I wanted the real deal. I can't stand how people download shit, then never even think about supporting the band. Buying a CD = supporting the band. I'm all for the authentic deal too, because I can't take my computer with me in the car, and I ain't about to buy a high price mp3 player.

I love buying fucking CD's, even if they cost me money.

And here I just wasted my 1000th post.

[Orgazmo]

I ain't about to buy a high price mp3 play

The kings could hook you up with a portable mp3 player + car hookups for $30. Settle down, I jest

Congrats on a grand.

[Combat Chuck]

Oh man, you just got a HUGE laugh out of me. Might even warrant a ROFL.

[silver and cold]

I really like Vagrant Records, I would much rather buy it there, then at any old store, plus they have lots of great bands!!!

[Combat Chuck]

That they do. That they do.

[the_butcher]

victory records and solidstate records.

two of the best damn labels around.

[fat_retard]

Originally posted by the_butcher:
victory records and solidstate records.
two of the best damn labels around.

Yes indeed, Zao and Norma Jean are some of my favorite bands. Another awesome label is Trustkill. They used to have Poison the well, but they also have Nora, Hopesfall, eighteen visions and bleeding through. Yeah, Trustkill rules.

[Combat Chuck]

Mmmmm....hopesfall....