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Mission Man's first live performance was, well...

    I don't know.  I enjoyed myself some.  It's good to get it out of the way.  I feel like I've taken a big step musically by doing so.  Only two people actually came to see me, but luckily I had a camera, so they taped it.  Other than that, I basically performed for the store employees, and one or two people looking for other people's CDs.  I guess I couldn't really expect more out of a first performance.  Better than blowing it in front of 18,000 people I suppose.  

    I did learn something from it, though.  I've learned I need some new material.  I've written about 40 songs now for Delve Deeper.   I'll probably keep about 10-15 of those.  I'll write another 40 or so, and keep 10-20 of those, and put out a double CD, hopefully by the end of next year.  I may just release it January 19, 2000, though.  That will be my 21st birthday, and will be the zero year.  It won't be a new millenium like some think, but it would still be pretty cool.  2001 is actually the beginning of the new millenium.

    Anyway, I'm going to start performing live more often in a few months, I imagine, after I get some new material and have a chance to practice it enough to perform live.  If any artist reading this e~zine would like to work with me, email me, and I'll try to get together with you.   I don't have the budget or the time to really go that far away from Oxford, but I can travel a little.  Maybe as far as Lexington, KY where my studio is.  Well, that's it on my first performance. 

Merseyside has a soft Beatles-esque sound

by Rachel Miller

    The British flag blaring proudly from the cover of Merseyside's latest ("Absent W/O Leave") says a lot to the would be listener. Kids, this definitely isn't the album you play when you get dumped to piss off your parents, it's more likely your parents will end up ganking it out of your car.

    There is most definitely unmistakable Beatles influence. The tunes drag their humble feet through such songs as "Help!" and "Please Please Me." There is even a cover of the old Lennon/McCartney tune "One After 909." Although the bands mentors made music history, there is no innovation on this particular record.

    The quality of the music, however not headline worthy, is a step up from the garage-band quality works the radio has been pumping out for months. The guitar work is simple, melodic, and pleasant to the ear. The record, when listened to as a whole, has a soothing effect. Though the individual tunes may not be distinctive from one another it's the perfect LP to play at a party with respectable guests, or when you need music to accompany your homework, and it even has the potential to be
the back drop for a romantic candle lit dinner.

     The vocals on the album are wholesome, much like the local church choir might be, but with that gritty rock twang. There is no screaming or gnashing of teeth on the record. It's obvious the band members have reached a level of maturity where they can rely on their talent and not their volume.

    The positive lyrics on "Absent W/O Leave" are a refreshing break from the doldrums of depressing tunes that seem to top the charts constantly. Anybody seeking refuge from celine dion ballads can find it here, in an up beat, gentle, adult contemporary haven for the calm at
heart.    - Rachel Miller, journalist, Underground Music Monthly

There's more to VoxPop than you know...

    The last article I wrote on VoxPop was not complete enough.  I wanted all of this information in that article, but due to my computer failure, I couldn't get it done.  As it is, the August issue was pretty late.   Anyway, let's start at the beginning, how VoxPop was started.

    The original idea behind VoxPop was John Paterson's.   He was talking to somebody who knew Howard Jones, the synth player and singer who had a series of chart topping albums a decade or so again. Apparently, he had figured out that he could make more money by selling albums direct. He sold fewer albums than through a standard deal with a major, but he kept
all the money he got ! No arguments about accounts and royalties. So that started the idea that for musicians, the music industry was pretty inefficient as a business. Too many people had to share the money. As far as the customers were concerned, why should they go to a record store if they could hear the music over the internet. I have to agree with both of those points, and say thanks John Paterson.  You have done a wonderful job so far.  Keep up the good work. 

    More on what kind of music is on VoxPop.  It focuses on metal, indie, dance and punk, but also includes rock, alternative and ambient.   I did not find any rap there, but that's not really that bad.  Even though I rap myself, most rap is not all that great.  Unless you have a rapper who is strong lyrically, it's just not worth it. 

    Using RealAudio you can listen to full length tracks and then build and purchase your own Custom CD from your selection of music on the site. Custom CDs are limited to ten tracks each, regardless of the lengths of the  tracks. Full Albums (seven tracks or more) are 8.50 English Pounds, Maxisingles/EPs (six tracks or less) are 4.25 British Pounds.. For orders with multiple CDs they only charge postage   & handling for one CD. For those of you who don't know (myself included before I asked), the exchange rate between US dollars and British Pounds is about 1.66. This makes albums about $14 US, Maxisingles $7 US and Custom CDs $21 US.

    To quote a representative for VoxPop directly, "VoxPop Music's mission is to change the way music is heard and distributed - away from large record companies and chain stores - using the Internet."

    So far so good on accomplishing the goal.  They now have about 16,000 hits per month, and over 600 musical tracks from over 60 independent artists.  They also have my vote as one of the best online record stores.   Certainly the best underground music record store I've seen online.  Way to go!

    If you want to check out the site for yourself, the address is www.VoxPop.co.uk.  Enjoy your online shopping experience.

Coming Soon to Underground Music Monthly

    Starting next month, there will be a letter to the artists section of the e~zine.  It's similar to the letters to the editor section that I began this month, except the letters will be to the artists.  In the subject line, write "Letters To The Artists" and then in the body of the message, write the question or comment you have for the artist(s) of your choice.  I'll forward it on to the artists, and if they have an answer, or time to give one, I'll post it in the upcoming issue.  I will try to make that a regular section, just like my letters to the editor section.  As always, any suggestions as to improve this site are welcome.  Just email me with your suggestions. 

    Also, I'm getting closer to finishing the distributors section of the webpage.  It will be up in October sometime.  If you distribute independent music, please email me with any important information about your company. 

    Well, you have now read the entire September 1998 Issue of Underground Music Monthly.  If you are Kenny Love, reading this issue, expecting to see your articles in them, please email me.   I lost your articles when my computer went down.  Please send them to me again so I can get them into a new issue soon.  They were going to be the cornerstone of this issue.   By the way, anyone else who I told would be in an upcoming issue before September 1st, please email me again with information about yourselves, your music, and your webpage.  Thank you.