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Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready launches vinyl-only label
http://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/music/pearl-jams-mike-mccready-launches-vinyl-only-label/
by Nicole Brodeur
Mike McCready, right, plays with his band The Rockfords at a showcase for his record label, Hockeytalkter, on Tuesday, March 3. (Nicole Brodeur / The Seattle Times) Mike McCready, right, plays with his band The Rockfords at a showcase for his record label, Hockeytalkter, on Tuesday, March 3. (Nicole Brodeur / The Seattle Times)
Two nights at the Tractor showcase a stable of locals who are “world class.”
Mike McCready is a vinyl nerd.
“I love, love, love it,” the Pearl Jam guitarist said the other night. “I just went to Sonic Boom and bought a Joey Ramone single, an MC5 .45 and a Cat Stevens record.”
The Pearl Jam lead guitarist is so devoted to wax that he started his own label, Hockeytalkter Records, which will showcase local artists who haven’t signed to labels and aren’t getting the attention he thinks they deserve.
Last Monday and Tuesday, McCready booked Ballard’s Tractor Tavern to give the label a proper launch and the bands a proper boost — tinder that he hopes will catch, and ignite their sounds on a bigger label.
Anyone who knows Seattle music history — and the Pearl Jam family tree — was familiar with the lineup.
Monday night opened with The Pink Slips, lead by Grace McKagan, daughter of Duff McKagan of Guns N’ Roses and Loaded — a local and longtime McCready friend.
(“They had to get out of here really quickly,” McCready said of The Pink Slips, “because they’re underage.”)
They were followed by The Stereo Embers, with Rob Benson and Tim DiJulio, who will release a single called “Wrong Way.” DiJulio is a friend of McCready’s from their days at Piecora’s and a member of the disbanded but beloved North Twin. DiJulio is also a member of McCready’s UFO cover band, Flight to Mars, which will play its annual benefit show for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation at the Showbox May 1.
Monday night’s closer was Danny Newcomb and the Sugarmakers, who will have the first Hockeytalkter single, “One Wish,” to be released this spring. (The song was released on iTunes last December.) Newcomb is self-releasing a full vinyl record later this year.
On Tuesday night, singer/songwriter Star Anna performed a stunning cover of Robyn’s “Call Your Girlfriend,” to be released as a Hockeytalkter single.
“I love her dearly and I want her to be hugely famous,” McCready said.
She was followed by The Young Evils, whose Hockeytalkter single includes a cover of Def Leppard’s “Bringin’ on The Heartbreak,” with McCready sitting in. They also recorded another song with Def Leppard guitarist Phil Collen — but McCready is waiting for the rights to release that.
The night ended with a reunion of The Rockfords, a band McCready started with Newcomb, Carrie Akre, and Chris and Rick Friel. They hadn’t played together in 14 years — and will record for Hockeytalkter.
Not only is he releasing singles, McCready is using the power of Pearl Jam to promote, interviewing the artists himself for broadcast on the band’s Sirius XM radio station, Pearl Jam Radio.
“It gives local bands here more exposure with all the fans,” McCready said, “and I am doing the radio thing. I write out the questions and get on my radio voice.”
The label’s name came from McCready’s son, Jaxson.
“It’s how he pronounced ‘helicopter,’” explained Chris Adams, the label’s president.
Production of the singles will be slow, Adams said. Vinyl is back — but the six or seven factories in the country that produce it are backlogged, now that major labels have tapped into the collectors’ market and joined independent labels in the annual Record Store Day events.
McCready has no plans to sign artists, just to produce inexpensive, collectible singles three or four times a year. And maybe slip in some autographed copies.
“Obviously, we don’t want this to be a money pit,” Adams said. “But we are going to promote artists that Mike cares about and people who make good music.
“They’re all world-class musicians. Mike just happened to be in a band that broke.”
by Nicole Brodeur
Mike McCready, right, plays with his band The Rockfords at a showcase for his record label, Hockeytalkter, on Tuesday, March 3. (Nicole Brodeur / The Seattle Times) Mike McCready, right, plays with his band The Rockfords at a showcase for his record label, Hockeytalkter, on Tuesday, March 3. (Nicole Brodeur / The Seattle Times)
Two nights at the Tractor showcase a stable of locals who are “world class.”
Mike McCready is a vinyl nerd.
“I love, love, love it,” the Pearl Jam guitarist said the other night. “I just went to Sonic Boom and bought a Joey Ramone single, an MC5 .45 and a Cat Stevens record.”
The Pearl Jam lead guitarist is so devoted to wax that he started his own label, Hockeytalkter Records, which will showcase local artists who haven’t signed to labels and aren’t getting the attention he thinks they deserve.
Last Monday and Tuesday, McCready booked Ballard’s Tractor Tavern to give the label a proper launch and the bands a proper boost — tinder that he hopes will catch, and ignite their sounds on a bigger label.
Anyone who knows Seattle music history — and the Pearl Jam family tree — was familiar with the lineup.
Monday night opened with The Pink Slips, lead by Grace McKagan, daughter of Duff McKagan of Guns N’ Roses and Loaded — a local and longtime McCready friend.
(“They had to get out of here really quickly,” McCready said of The Pink Slips, “because they’re underage.”)
They were followed by The Stereo Embers, with Rob Benson and Tim DiJulio, who will release a single called “Wrong Way.” DiJulio is a friend of McCready’s from their days at Piecora’s and a member of the disbanded but beloved North Twin. DiJulio is also a member of McCready’s UFO cover band, Flight to Mars, which will play its annual benefit show for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation at the Showbox May 1.
Monday night’s closer was Danny Newcomb and the Sugarmakers, who will have the first Hockeytalkter single, “One Wish,” to be released this spring. (The song was released on iTunes last December.) Newcomb is self-releasing a full vinyl record later this year.
On Tuesday night, singer/songwriter Star Anna performed a stunning cover of Robyn’s “Call Your Girlfriend,” to be released as a Hockeytalkter single.
“I love her dearly and I want her to be hugely famous,” McCready said.
She was followed by The Young Evils, whose Hockeytalkter single includes a cover of Def Leppard’s “Bringin’ on The Heartbreak,” with McCready sitting in. They also recorded another song with Def Leppard guitarist Phil Collen — but McCready is waiting for the rights to release that.
The night ended with a reunion of The Rockfords, a band McCready started with Newcomb, Carrie Akre, and Chris and Rick Friel. They hadn’t played together in 14 years — and will record for Hockeytalkter.
Not only is he releasing singles, McCready is using the power of Pearl Jam to promote, interviewing the artists himself for broadcast on the band’s Sirius XM radio station, Pearl Jam Radio.
“It gives local bands here more exposure with all the fans,” McCready said, “and I am doing the radio thing. I write out the questions and get on my radio voice.”
The label’s name came from McCready’s son, Jaxson.
“It’s how he pronounced ‘helicopter,’” explained Chris Adams, the label’s president.
Production of the singles will be slow, Adams said. Vinyl is back — but the six or seven factories in the country that produce it are backlogged, now that major labels have tapped into the collectors’ market and joined independent labels in the annual Record Store Day events.
McCready has no plans to sign artists, just to produce inexpensive, collectible singles three or four times a year. And maybe slip in some autographed copies.
“Obviously, we don’t want this to be a money pit,” Adams said. “But we are going to promote artists that Mike cares about and people who make good music.
“They’re all world-class musicians. Mike just happened to be in a band that broke.”
Post edited by demetrios on
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Just saw her here in Columbus a few weeks ago & she's coming back later this summer!!
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It's weird that Pearl Jam is cranking out inferior quality vinyl with Mike talking about vinyl the way he does...........
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Stereo Embers
6 hrs ago ..
Our new CD "Code of the Sound" will be shipped here to our studio, expected to arrive the 25th. We are very excited. We put a lot of blood, sweat, and positive energy into this one. It will be available in all the digital markets this time (unlike the last limited edition CD). Physical copies will be available at CDbaby and shows. All of this sometime in mid September. It's another short but sweet EP. 5 songs we recorded at Stone Gossard's studio 'Litho' with the amazing Johnny Sangster. You all have seemed to enjoy these tunes live. We can't wait to share them as recorded. We also love having $5 merchandise at shows. The first one sold out way way fast. I would guess this one goes even faster. Cd release Sept 25th at the Sunset tavern. Will we see you then?????
Album Notes
Based in Seattle, Washington, Stereo Embers make music that while fresh and new is also immediately familiar, accessible, and determined. Stereo Embers features the talents of singer/ songwriter Robb Benson, lead guitarist Tim Dijulio, bass guitarist Ben Brunn, and drummer Cassady Laton.
This new release, recorded in Seattle's Litho Studio (owned by Stone Gossard) & Engineered by the great Johnny Sangster, the group cut basics on these five new tracks in just a few days before heading into Crackle and Pop to finish and mix the EP. The result of 'Code of the Sound' is an exciting mix of high energy rock, and soulful melodic cuts, the same ones being played in their latest live sets opening for The Presidents of the USA, and Mike McCready, with Ann Wilson, and even their highly buzzed opening set for The Long Winters. The many NW shows have been going over quite swimmingly with audiences in Seattle and Portland over the last year.
This is the first official release for the group, the first demo EP was a limited release that had great success (two of those songs will be rereleased by Mike McCready's label Hockeytalkter very soon on Vinyl) but this is the graduation to the next level of sorts. The group has been tightening their blistering live set and is ready to take things to eleven!
The group is made up for four very seasoned veterans of music...
Robb Benson- Lead Vocals/ Rhythm Guitar
Robb has been writing and recording music at a feverish pace for over 20 years. He has fronted a number of well known Northwest bands including Nevada Bachelors, Dear John Letters, and Dept. of Energy, as well as pursuing solo recording and performances (Robb also played drums on two albums for local Seattle band The Great Um). Robb has seen success from both his group and solo ventures with albums charting in the top 40 on CMJ, as well as receiving multiple nominations from the Seattle Weekly for best singer/songwriter. In addition, Robb and his groups have shared the stage with numerous bands including Death Cab for Cutie, Fountains of Wayne, PUSA just to name a few. Robb has released 19 official albums in the last 15 years and shows no signs of slowing down.
Tim DiJuio - Lead Guitar/ Backing Vocals
Many call Tim one of Seattle’s best guitarists, and for good reason. Tim has been a mainstay of the Seattle music scene, offering his remarkable playing ability to various acts (Lazy Susan, North Twin, and also Pearl Jam's Mike McCready and his UFO tribute band Flight To Mars). Tim has shared the stage with many notable artists over the years including playing with Pearl Jam, and opening for Jimmy Page & Robert Plant. Tim's focus today is this band Stereo Embers.
Ben Brunn - Bass Guitar/ Backing Vocals
Ben's musical background is rich, having played with Robb Benson in the Nevada Bachelors as well as the band Revolt Revolt. Ben has had the opportunity to share the stage with a number of amazing bands including Death Cab for Cutie, Fountains of Wayne, and Built to Spill (with Revolt Revolt, Ben took part in two national tours with Built to Spill). Ben recently returned to live in Seattle, and immediately accepted an offer to play in Stereo Embers
Cassady Laton - Drums
Cassady has played drums with Robb Benson on and off for over a decade as a member of both Dear John Letters and Dept. of Energy. He wears his musical influences on his sleeve, and plays with a focus and concentration meant to enhance the overall sound of the band. He works hard, plays hard, and hits the drums hard!