In 2000, Blue October signed to Universal Records and released the album Consent To Treatment. The single that was chosen did very little at radio, and the band was consequently dropped about a year later. In 2003, Blue October released independently their follow up record History For Sale with much success, picking up lots of regional rock support and national AC support when the single ‘Calling You’ was added to the American Wedding soundtrack. The band re-signed with Universal and re-released the independent record and more recently their latest endeavor ‘Foiled.’ Their new single ‘Hate Me’ has been charting in the top 5 for about 8 weeks and the record has been selling consistently beyond expectation. Obvious questions arise.

“We suspected Consent to Treatment wouldn’t do well when we made it,��? says guitarist CB Hudson. “Radio was completely overtaken by Limp Bizkit and rap rock, there really wasn’t a place for a band like ours. We didn’t have creative control on the record and made a lot of changes for the label and the whole thing just wasn’t right. Not the right timing.��? After being dropped from the label, the band continued to tour heavily in support of the release. They then turned to their manager’s label, Brando Records, for the release of their second album. “We were able to work with Dave Castell and we had full creative control of the record. We had grown a lot from being on the road and we were just better all around.��?

The success of the single ‘Calling You’ grabbed the attention of many labels, not just their former home. “We had a lot of label interest around that time and were doing a lot of showcases. Normally labels send out one or two people to check out the set and then take off, but Universal brought practically their entire staff. There were about a hundred people there and everyone was really excited! That really impressed us. Getting on a new label, you have to deal with all of the marketing issues of developing a story and finding out what the band is about. We had a previous relationship with Universal, so seeing their excitement let us know we could hit the ground running.��?

This renewed relationship with the label came with a few changes, primarily creative control. “We recorded some in LA, Dallas and Austin. We did it at our own pace and with our own people. The label brought some producers in and we worked with them a little, but out of all the songs we worked on with them, we kept maybe one of them. Justin [Furstenfeld] is a true artist and he already knows in his head where something should go. There is a vision for the songs and working with Dave Castell again we were able to capture what we really wanted. This record is exactly how it was envisioned.��?

The result of this creative freedom is the most critically acclaimed album of their careers, propelling the band to a level of success they began to question was possible. There is a lesson in here, but I am not sure if it’s for the major labels or the artists. Perhaps both. Blue October is called to their art and they have never wavered in their commitment to creating honest and compelling music. Being dropped and picked back up has had little effect on what they create and they kept on as if they’d never have another deal. Universal recognized their mistake in dropping the band prematurely and went way above and beyond to get them back and then gave them the freedom they needed. Not every band deserves a great label, and not every label deserves a great band, but when all are worthy and cooperative in their efforts, the outcome can be inspiring.

AJ, KOAR

AFI – 182,337
Angels & Airwaves – 34,445
Panic! At The Disco – 34,399
Blue October – 23,742
Buckcherry – 19,020
Live – 18,008

Alternative rockers AFI hold the #1 position on Billboard with first week sales of 182,337.

Los Angeles glam act Buckcherry jumps to 19k this week. The band released their self titled debut in 1999 to critical praise and wrote 3 big hits including Lit Up, CheckYour Head, and For The Movies. Their follow up album Time Bomb in 2001 flopped and everybody abandoned them. They came back with a third record Fifteen (Eleven Seven Music)wrote another big hit “Crazy Bitch” landing in the top 50. This was organic without the major label marketing hype. Lava/Atlantic didn’t pick up the band until the track was a proven hit. This is proof that a great song will break the political barriers….sooooo stop complaining and blaming majors labels and starting writing “great” songs that people actually want to buy.

According to the Associated Press, News Corp. could let one of the larger Web search engines, like Google Inc., Yahoo Inc. or Microsoft Corp.’s MSN, take over the search function on MySpace.

“Speaking at the Deutsche Bank Media & Telecom Conference, Peter Chernin, News Corp.’s CEO, said such a move would be one of the most lucrative ways to monetize MySpace, the popular online destination that News Corp. acquired last year.”

Last Year News Corp bought Myspace for 580 million. News Corp is currently looking at ways to profit without appearing “uncool”.

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The CEO of The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) believes that the illegal swapping of copyrighted music online has been “contained,” claiming that legal digital downloads continues to grow while unauthorized music trading online has seen no growth.

“The problem has not been eliminated,” says RIAA CEO Mitch Bainwol. “But we believe digital downloads have emerged into a growing, thriving business, and file-trading is flat.” Apple’s iTunes Music Store (which has sold over one billion tracks), has greatly assisted the rise of digital music, according to industry executives.

One second commercials?
Clear Channel is considering make its Less Is More campaign much more about less. The radio giant is developing Blink, which would showcase one-second commercials. Senior VP-creative for Clear Channel Radio, said that the purpose of the potential initiative is “to find new uses of radio for advertisers who are continually asking us to demonstrate that our medium can successfully extend brands

Bonnaroo’s allotment of 80,000 tickets was sold entirely through the festival’s Web site. Headliners include Radiohead, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and Phil Lesh and Friends, Bonnaroo will present well over 100 acts on its nine stages.

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Orange County alt rock act Great Glass Elevator who we posted in KOAR’s Higher Learning has signed to Atlantic. They self released an EP All In The Golden Afternoon in April 2005 which has sold over 1,200 CD’s. This band strives for spontaneity, admirably pushing itself into new territory. This proves that some young bands still have original ideas within this generically boring music scene. Listen to the tribal influenced track Fike PhilophobiaÂ

Coolfer reports that Suzanne Vega has signed to Blue Note. She released Solitude Standing in 1987 which garnered critical and commercial success including two successful singles; “Tom’s Diner“, and “Luka“.

American Idol finalist Katharine McPhee signed with RCA Records and 19 RecordingLimited. She will begin working with famed songwriter and producer Diane Warren who has worked with Heart and Cher. Each contestant signs a contract with one of Bertelsmann’s music labels because Bertelsmann owns half of Sony BMG. American Idol is managed by 19 Entertainment which is owned by the international joint venture CKX, Inc.