and a join date of may 2010.....hmmmmmmm....with a single post.....double hmmmmmm....can you say shill? sure you can....
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Band Promote... scam?
- Thread starter GearHeadBassMan
- Start date
I think asking for you to send an email to his boss, rather than doing it himself, is a legal thing because he's charging $20 for 'unsolicited' stuff. I think if the boss sends you a request it might well become something less exploitable under law.
sounds like a scam. we havent heard back from the poster defending mike galaxy....and does that sound like a porn name to anyone else?
Seems to me that any promoter worth a darn has bands beating down his door and doesn't have to go out and solicit.
EXACTLY! you think rick rubin charges kids $20 to listen to their music? hell no! he won't even listen to it...he'll just throw it away. why? because too many people want him to help them because he's legit.
looks like it possible that he's in a band called The Epilogues
Link Removed
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Epilogues/10198446203#!/pages/The-Epilogues/10198446203
HAHA... ok so unless you are signed or have a **** ton of tour history, good luck finding a "legit booking agency" that wont laugh in your face when you ask them for help.
The fact is, being in a band is HARD... we all know this... so it's important to surround yourself with people that will support you. And so far mike galaxy has been one of those people.
I'm in a band with "jmswoboda" and yes, we did sign up for mike galaxy's services... Honestly, I regret not working with him sooner. Like jeff said, we've already made back what we paid him with ONE of the shows that he's booked for us...
That's not even the point though... Fact is, we signed up with mike for promotions... not booking. Yet, he has gone out of his way to get us some shows in California so we can come out and play for the very people that he set us up with in the first place...
He has done more than everything he said he would do... and I am happy to pay him for his services... and that's how it should be. If someone does their job right, they should get paid.
The distribution alone has made this completely worth it... I don't know how many of you have tried to "make it" without a label... but it's hard... and it's expensive! If you believe that you're magically going to succeed based on talent... you're absolutely crazy...
You have to PAY people to get things done... i know there are always exceptions... but for the most part these are just facts of life:
A: you have to record an album/ EP - about 10K minimum if you want it done right...
B: you have to hire a publicist so people can hear about your album - $500 - $1000/ month
C: distribution - depends - but you've got to press the disks yourself for about $1 a piece... so you can at least expect to drop at least $1000- $5,000 initially.
And that's just for the music... I'm not even going to get into vans, tour costs, etc...
My goal isn't to sound pretentious or preachy... I'm just trying to defend a guy that has done nothing but great things for us... I'm not saying we're the most successful band in the world... dear god, we are far from it... but we are gaining momentum... and people like mike galaxy are making things a lot easier for us.
so take it or leave it... I can only assume this will provoke a **** storm of catty remarks... but hey, that's what the internet is for...
The fact is, being in a band is HARD... we all know this... so it's important to surround yourself with people that will support you. And so far mike galaxy has been one of those people.
I'm in a band with "jmswoboda" and yes, we did sign up for mike galaxy's services... Honestly, I regret not working with him sooner. Like jeff said, we've already made back what we paid him with ONE of the shows that he's booked for us...
That's not even the point though... Fact is, we signed up with mike for promotions... not booking. Yet, he has gone out of his way to get us some shows in California so we can come out and play for the very people that he set us up with in the first place...
He has done more than everything he said he would do... and I am happy to pay him for his services... and that's how it should be. If someone does their job right, they should get paid.
The distribution alone has made this completely worth it... I don't know how many of you have tried to "make it" without a label... but it's hard... and it's expensive! If you believe that you're magically going to succeed based on talent... you're absolutely crazy...
You have to PAY people to get things done... i know there are always exceptions... but for the most part these are just facts of life:
A: you have to record an album/ EP - about 10K minimum if you want it done right...
B: you have to hire a publicist so people can hear about your album - $500 - $1000/ month
C: distribution - depends - but you've got to press the disks yourself for about $1 a piece... so you can at least expect to drop at least $1000- $5,000 initially.
And that's just for the music... I'm not even going to get into vans, tour costs, etc...
My goal isn't to sound pretentious or preachy... I'm just trying to defend a guy that has done nothing but great things for us... I'm not saying we're the most successful band in the world... dear god, we are far from it... but we are gaining momentum... and people like mike galaxy are making things a lot easier for us.
so take it or leave it... I can only assume this will provoke a **** storm of catty remarks... but hey, that's what the internet is for...
thank you for the comments chris and jm. now is there anyone who didn't sign up to tb for the express purpose of saying how good this mike galaxy is that will say how good he is?
i can wait.
i can wait.
Invalid Link Removed
The fact that Mike Galaxy is a real person doesn't mean this isn't a scam... could just mean that someone is using Mike's name as part of their scam. When you start getting people signing up to forums and posting in defense of something very specific.... that doesn't really pass the smell test either.
The fact that Mike Galaxy is a real person doesn't mean this isn't a scam... could just mean that someone is using Mike's name as part of their scam. When you start getting people signing up to forums and posting in defense of something very specific.... that doesn't really pass the smell test either.
Alright, I can see that I obviously caused a bit of a commotion with my post. I apologize that I didn't reply to anything earlier, but, as I stated in my original post, "please e-mail me if you have any questions or would like more information." I didn't receive a single e-mail, and thus, didn't think too much about it. I apologize if my first post was vague, or if any part of it led you to believe that I was someone on a payroll trying to cover anything up. I kept the details about myself pretty minimal because I didn't think it was necessary at the time. Please allow me to clear things up.
My name is Jeff Swoboda, and I am the bassist for a Denver-based band called The Epilogues. If you feel it necessary to check any of this out, our myspace is Link Removed. We are not a national name by any means, but we do have a lot of experience (I'm not going to list any of our accolades because that seems tacky, but if anyone needs to hear more, please let me know and I'll be more specific). Feel free to google us or whatever you may do and form your own opinions. In fact, if you do check us out, and like any of it, you can download our albums for free at http://theepilogues.blogspot.com/ (however, if you don't like it please it to yourself. You're entitled to your opinion, but let's keep this respectful). Now on to the so-called Mike Galaxy scam...
First thing's first... Yes, he is a real person. I have met him. He is polite and organized. Case closed. As far as his name, I couldn't tell you if it's real or a stage name, but seeing as this is a bass forum, how much stock are we really putting in names? is Flea a pretty cool name? how about Sting? Geddy Lee? Sid Vicious? My point is, who cares? If that's what you're basing your argument on, I guess I'm just not going to win with you. My last name is Swoboda, you can laugh at that if you'd like to.
Yes, I only joined this forum to post my comment in defense of Mike Galaxy. I stumbled upon this while trying to track down pictures from the Mike Galaxy SxSW party. My only purpose for the comment was that someone asked if anyone had any information and it appeared that no one had worked with him on here. I thought I could offer helpful information. Also, if you worked with someone that had helped you out significantly, and you saw their name being tarnished by people that, quite frankly, had no real basis or experience working with them, would you not want to defend that person. I'm only stating what he has done for my band. If you don't think it's worth it, then by all means, don't work with him. Again, he probably won't get you signed (but that's not a promoter's job), and he's not going to be able to make a bad band good. But he does have services to offer (mainly promotions, networking, and distribution help). So far, my experience working with him has been more than worth it, but that's just me. If anyone here has actually worked with him, and has anything negative to say, that would probably be very helpful for people to hear. But if you just want to trash him because of his name, or how you were approached regarding his company, then I guess nothing that I say is going to change your mind.
Regardless of all the name calling, I hope that at least some people that read this find it helpful. As always, feel free to e-mail me if you have anymore questions ([email protected]). Take care guys.
My name is Jeff Swoboda, and I am the bassist for a Denver-based band called The Epilogues. If you feel it necessary to check any of this out, our myspace is Link Removed. We are not a national name by any means, but we do have a lot of experience (I'm not going to list any of our accolades because that seems tacky, but if anyone needs to hear more, please let me know and I'll be more specific). Feel free to google us or whatever you may do and form your own opinions. In fact, if you do check us out, and like any of it, you can download our albums for free at http://theepilogues.blogspot.com/ (however, if you don't like it please it to yourself. You're entitled to your opinion, but let's keep this respectful). Now on to the so-called Mike Galaxy scam...
First thing's first... Yes, he is a real person. I have met him. He is polite and organized. Case closed. As far as his name, I couldn't tell you if it's real or a stage name, but seeing as this is a bass forum, how much stock are we really putting in names? is Flea a pretty cool name? how about Sting? Geddy Lee? Sid Vicious? My point is, who cares? If that's what you're basing your argument on, I guess I'm just not going to win with you. My last name is Swoboda, you can laugh at that if you'd like to.
Yes, I only joined this forum to post my comment in defense of Mike Galaxy. I stumbled upon this while trying to track down pictures from the Mike Galaxy SxSW party. My only purpose for the comment was that someone asked if anyone had any information and it appeared that no one had worked with him on here. I thought I could offer helpful information. Also, if you worked with someone that had helped you out significantly, and you saw their name being tarnished by people that, quite frankly, had no real basis or experience working with them, would you not want to defend that person. I'm only stating what he has done for my band. If you don't think it's worth it, then by all means, don't work with him. Again, he probably won't get you signed (but that's not a promoter's job), and he's not going to be able to make a bad band good. But he does have services to offer (mainly promotions, networking, and distribution help). So far, my experience working with him has been more than worth it, but that's just me. If anyone here has actually worked with him, and has anything negative to say, that would probably be very helpful for people to hear. But if you just want to trash him because of his name, or how you were approached regarding his company, then I guess nothing that I say is going to change your mind.
Regardless of all the name calling, I hope that at least some people that read this find it helpful. As always, feel free to e-mail me if you have anymore questions ([email protected]). Take care guys.
I forgot to cover a couple of things so consider this a quick addendum...
There were a few posts regarding a $20 soliciting fee. Well if I may quote...
...KingBollock was speaking hypothetically. I very much doubt that there is any sort of fee. And regarding the Rick Rubin comment, I've got to admit, I laughed a little bit at that one. You're comparing a guy that owns a promotion snd publicity company to help beginning to intermediate bands to one a legendary hip hop producer. Do I really need to explain the distinctions between the two. They don't even work in the same field. Come on now...
To my knowledge, the reason that he doesn't contact you directly is because he has people in each city that are submerged in the music scene (essentially street teams) help him to find bands that are making noise in that scene. My band first received an e-mail about bandpromote.com from a girl that i had met at several shows, and I basically see her at every show around town. She knows the bands in Denver, and she recommends them to him. I don't believe she makes any money, I think it's looked at as an internship -- something she can put on a resume. We were as skeptical as everyone on this site, and didn't follow up on it for quite some time, but we have now, and it's been worth it for us.
And regarding the guy who made the comment about $100 not being a lot. I agree that it's not that much, if you're in your home market and you have a good draw. But if you've ever toured to new markets that you've never played, good luck getting any guarantee at all -- I will absolutely take $100 to play a place for the first time. He got us $500 to play San Francisco for the first time ever. If you think that that's something that you think you would be capable of, then I would love to work with you as well, because that is HUGE. And what legitimate band is splitting show money anyway? I don't know of a single full-time band that splits up every paycheck. There are van payments, van/trailer maintenance, insurance payments, loans, studio costs, video costs, constantly replenishing merch, promotional costs, distribution costs, tour costs. What I'm saying is that if your band is just a hobby, and not a career, then a promotion company probably isn't something that is going to benefit you.
Finally, yes the music industry is flooded with scams and snakes. I've experienced several first hand. If anyone reading this is in a band in Colorado, I can give you a long list of local names to stay away from. And if anyone ever comes across a producer named Brett Stuart (based out of Florida mostly), definitely run. He's worked on countless platinum records and, I believe, a few Grammy winners. But he also has a coke habit and a history of disappearing with your money over night. Anyhow, while there are a ton of shady people out there, in my experience with bandpromote.com, everything has been legit. Take it for what it's worth.
Sorry about all of the ranting.
There were a few posts regarding a $20 soliciting fee. Well if I may quote...
...KingBollock was speaking hypothetically. I very much doubt that there is any sort of fee. And regarding the Rick Rubin comment, I've got to admit, I laughed a little bit at that one. You're comparing a guy that owns a promotion snd publicity company to help beginning to intermediate bands to one a legendary hip hop producer. Do I really need to explain the distinctions between the two. They don't even work in the same field. Come on now...
To my knowledge, the reason that he doesn't contact you directly is because he has people in each city that are submerged in the music scene (essentially street teams) help him to find bands that are making noise in that scene. My band first received an e-mail about bandpromote.com from a girl that i had met at several shows, and I basically see her at every show around town. She knows the bands in Denver, and she recommends them to him. I don't believe she makes any money, I think it's looked at as an internship -- something she can put on a resume. We were as skeptical as everyone on this site, and didn't follow up on it for quite some time, but we have now, and it's been worth it for us.
And regarding the guy who made the comment about $100 not being a lot. I agree that it's not that much, if you're in your home market and you have a good draw. But if you've ever toured to new markets that you've never played, good luck getting any guarantee at all -- I will absolutely take $100 to play a place for the first time. He got us $500 to play San Francisco for the first time ever. If you think that that's something that you think you would be capable of, then I would love to work with you as well, because that is HUGE. And what legitimate band is splitting show money anyway? I don't know of a single full-time band that splits up every paycheck. There are van payments, van/trailer maintenance, insurance payments, loans, studio costs, video costs, constantly replenishing merch, promotional costs, distribution costs, tour costs. What I'm saying is that if your band is just a hobby, and not a career, then a promotion company probably isn't something that is going to benefit you.
Finally, yes the music industry is flooded with scams and snakes. I've experienced several first hand. If anyone reading this is in a band in Colorado, I can give you a long list of local names to stay away from. And if anyone ever comes across a producer named Brett Stuart (based out of Florida mostly), definitely run. He's worked on countless platinum records and, I believe, a few Grammy winners. But he also has a coke habit and a history of disappearing with your money over night. Anyhow, while there are a ton of shady people out there, in my experience with bandpromote.com, everything has been legit. Take it for what it's worth.
Sorry about all of the ranting.
....seriously.....getting a band $100 for a gig isn't something I'd advertise as success, regardless of where it is.
Hopefully Mike Galaxy can give you some business lessons.
Why are you touring if your just going to give away your product?
To dj150888: You're still not understanding what I'm saying. Have you ever toured before? Because venues are not very willing to shell out any sort of guarantee to a band they are unfamiliar with. Besides, you'll usually make more anyhow, it's just a guarantee going in, saying that this is the least that you will make. Plus, keep in mind, that this isn't a booking agency doing this, so it's just a bonus. And as I said countless times, if it's not worth it to you, then don't work with him.
To JimmyM: It's not libel, if it's true. Brett Stuart owes my band $12,000. We were warned about him, but he is a talented engineer/producer. We recorded and mixed with him for several days and one day, he was just gone, along with our tracks. We were young and naive so we didn't sign any contracts and we completely got taken for everything we had. Everybody on here seemed to want to share scam stories, so I shared one as well. I'm not denying that I'm badmouthing him, but I paid good money to badmouth. But, no, it's not libel.
To modulusman: We make most of our money off of actual shows and merchandise. I know there's all of this talk about thinking that a $100 guarantee isn't a lot of money so I can understand the confusion. My point was that if your making $100 a night on the road (in new markets), I happen to think that's good. I assure you that we are not playing shows around Denver for that price (accept the occasional benefit show). We are quite well paid, and it's because venues around here know that we draw well, and that they will usually make a lot of money on ticket and bar sales. We draw well because, for as long as we have been a band, we have tried to just get our music in people's hands. More often than not, if they like it, they start coming out to shows regularly. They seem to appreciate the free music and it has worked well for us, so we continue to do it.
I'm not sure why everyone seems to be going on the attack. My intention has not been to upset anyone or be disrespectful in anyway, so I apologize if that has been the case. As I stated many times now, I was just trying to offer some information. It doesn't really appear that it was helpful though, so I'm sorry if I've wasted anyone's time.
To JimmyM: It's not libel, if it's true. Brett Stuart owes my band $12,000. We were warned about him, but he is a talented engineer/producer. We recorded and mixed with him for several days and one day, he was just gone, along with our tracks. We were young and naive so we didn't sign any contracts and we completely got taken for everything we had. Everybody on here seemed to want to share scam stories, so I shared one as well. I'm not denying that I'm badmouthing him, but I paid good money to badmouth. But, no, it's not libel.
To modulusman: We make most of our money off of actual shows and merchandise. I know there's all of this talk about thinking that a $100 guarantee isn't a lot of money so I can understand the confusion. My point was that if your making $100 a night on the road (in new markets), I happen to think that's good. I assure you that we are not playing shows around Denver for that price (accept the occasional benefit show). We are quite well paid, and it's because venues around here know that we draw well, and that they will usually make a lot of money on ticket and bar sales. We draw well because, for as long as we have been a band, we have tried to just get our music in people's hands. More often than not, if they like it, they start coming out to shows regularly. They seem to appreciate the free music and it has worked well for us, so we continue to do it.
I'm not sure why everyone seems to be going on the attack. My intention has not been to upset anyone or be disrespectful in anyway, so I apologize if that has been the case. As I stated many times now, I was just trying to offer some information. It doesn't really appear that it was helpful though, so I'm sorry if I've wasted anyone's time.
I think this becomes very obvious that someone with poor grammar and spelling errors is asking to represent your band. Based on that alone I would turn down the offer. I know i don't have the best spelling/grammar but my 'agent' should, most of what he does is in text.
My band, without help, is making 100$ on shows after only 3 months, locally. Self promotion is getting easier every day, I don't think anyone should be paying upfront, a percentage of the show money seems better for motivation.
Also, i noticed the 'big names' on the list of bands he's worked with. To me that kinda screams "you should be impressed, but unable to actually contact anyone in these bands". The names seem so big that if i were trying to actually find out what he did with Linkin Park i bet i couldn't get a hold of anyone to ask.
My band, without help, is making 100$ on shows after only 3 months, locally. Self promotion is getting easier every day, I don't think anyone should be paying upfront, a percentage of the show money seems better for motivation.
Also, i noticed the 'big names' on the list of bands he's worked with. To me that kinda screams "you should be impressed, but unable to actually contact anyone in these bands". The names seem so big that if i were trying to actually find out what he did with Linkin Park i bet i couldn't get a hold of anyone to ask.
Two plays a day on myspace isn't something that I'd advertise as a success either... good job buddy!
bongomania
Commercial User
FWIW I think your follow-up responses were perfectly reasonable, and I am no longer inclined to doubt your statements at this point. Thing is though about this forum, we see so many scammers, shills, and sockpuppets on here that anything that even vaguely resembles a scam will get a "mob with torches and pitchforks" response. So assuming you're legit, it really is best to take these negative responses with an appropriate grain of salt and not be bothered.
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