It was agreed that this would be done nearer to Christmas - December 9th being the preferred date. Mr Whitaker would check that this was OK with him, and then Mr Fleay would get it BOOKED. It was agreed that the format would be similar to last time, especially ensuring that Mr Fleay was on last so that he wouldn't get all excited and start showing off just because his friends were there.
WEBPAGES
The site was looking good, but some users were still experiencing problems. Mr Hibbett would add the menu items to the first screen to make the full site accessible to all. He would also get the online compilation sorted out, as it had PENDed since last time.
NEWSLETTER
The Frankie Machine FACT had gone out, and the meeting discussed replacing the Newsletter with these irregular news FACTS. It was agreed that, instead of this, a new NEWS page would be added to the website, so that we could simply email our mailing list to let them know it had changed, possibly shortly after board meetings. The issue of List Management was also raised, as it was a right pain in the arse at the moment - Mr Hibbett would INVESTIGATE.
PLUGGERS
Mr Fleay had heard from them, as they had asked for a copy of his album.
DISTRIBUTION
Agent Alice had sold 17 copies so far of the Frankie Machine album, with several more shops to try. I.S.A.A.C. (Information System for Agent Alice. Cool!) was working well, and the Board Report should be installed soon. Mr Whitaker would take back the message that help was available if needed.
Two copies had been sold via the online shop, and it was agreed that the Back Catalogue would go online soon, with CDs priced at £10, Vinyl singles £3, 12" EPs £4 and CD EPs also £4. The importance of keeping strict accounts to allow for efficient allocation of funds was stressed heavily.
Finally Mr Hibbett reported that all had gone Quiet on the Amazon front, and that he would Abandon Email and start ringing people to see what was occurring.
FINANCE
Mr Fleay had emailed Jamie at Prime many many times and, with grim inevitability, nothing had happened. He would send Mr Hibbett the information, so that he could ring to find out what was going on - we would see how that went, and then if necessary consider more Serious Action. It was agreed that we wanted urgently to CLOSE this chapter so that we could give the money to the people it belonged to, and REJOICE.
RECORD STALL
Four units had been sold at the recent Frankie Machine gig, and the Board assented to the possibility of some kind of Mobile Kiosk at the forthcoming Inner City Crawl.
THE BOOK
Nothing at all had been done - BAD Board Members, BAD! Everyone pledged to bring something for next time, lest they face some WRATH
FOOTBALL
Mr Whitaker asked Mr Fleay how he was enjoying his Season Ticket, and there was a lengthy discussion on the state of play this season so far. Mr Fleay was pleased to note that he was topping our own Football Competition League for the first time EVER. Finally the new Half Man Half Biscuit album was discussed, especially "Referee's Alphabet".
A&R
FRANKIE MACHINE
The albums had arrived as expected, and Mr Fleay had sent out over 50 promo copies. A couple of reviews had accumulated, though as most of the promos had been to fanzines, he expected it to take a little while for more to percolate through. He had not sent copies to any "big" places yet, as he had been in discussion with a PR Woman - she had been interested in working for him, at a cost of £1,000, and Mr Fleay had asked to see an example Campaign Plan. Things had been postponed as she had recently taken on some Other Clients, so we would See.
Meanwhile he was still chasing That Org Guy, and the issue with his track attached was still officially "forthcoming". The Machine had recently done a GRATE gig in Leicester, and had on upcoming at the Inner City Crawl in Derby. Mr Fleay reported that he would also be recording a track for the accompanying CD.
In other recording news, a track would be appearing on the WIAIWYA Valentine's Album "I'm With Cupid" (cool name), probably "My Funny Valentine" again, and a track was due for an Armadillo compilation. He was trying to persuade someone in Manchester to release a singles compilation, and finally announced that the second album was written. It would be a Concept/Themed album, with a title that was so clever the cagey beggar refused to disclose it. BUSY Machine!
L CHRISTIAN LUNDHOLM
All had gone excellently to get L Chris's CDs to him before he left for India, and the meeting congratulated one and all for such an brilliant display of TEAMWORK. Mr Hibbett reported that he was about to Get Classical, finding out where there were Classical Music Shops to sell to, and also radio stations and magazines, and that. Release date was set to be roughly a month from now, when Agent Alice rang shops back about the Frankie Machine album.
MJ HIBBETT & THE VALIDATORS
Appearing to be on the verge of BLEEDING from his EYES, an exhausted Mr Hibbett stated that recordings continued to continue, and that the album WOULD be finished soon, honest. Oh, and he'd be playing in Winchester soon.
THE FRIGHTENED PRISONERS OF THE KRAKEN
Both Mr Hibbett and Mr Fleay had emailed them, at different email addresses, with no response. It was MYSTERIOUS. Mr Whitaker suggested that perhaps Andy McCluskey had taken them under his wing again, now that the Kitten had disposed of his services.
ANY OTHER A & R
PLANS & APOLOGIES
They had finished their recordings, which Mr Fleay stated "should be good" - he would FACT them for more information.
TWINKIE
As opposed to the last meeting's reportage, a CD-R was actually in Mr Whitaker's possession, and he would FACT copies.
THE PO BOX
All previously received demo tapes had now been received, with no potential new ACTS found within them. Mr Whitaker took material away from Tristram Spencer (who appeared to want a job), Star Belgrade, Mal, Lint Filter, and The Imminent (who were "not bad" and "Kraut Rock-y"), whilst Mr Hibbett went home with materials from Tristan Burfield, The Lovely Brothers ("Kraken-esque"), Pretty, and Phil Doleman (who was "liked" by Otway and known by Joanne from the Guided's MUM).
ANY OTHER A&R
Not this time.
ALUMNI NEWS
Ricardo from The Cuban Boys had teamed up with Daz from Buster ( chartbusters of the past with "Kung Fu Fighting"), and were releasing "Rhinestone Cowboy", with GLEN CAMPBELL, through Universal as a contender for Christmas Number One. COOL! He had requested a new T-Shirt, as he was wearing the original one out, and Mr Hibbett pledged to sort this, utilising the "No Sales: No Sellout" design. This would be in orange or red - Mr Whitaker would take one in Blue, and it was agreed that another would be done for sending to Mr John Peel.
Mr Whitaker asked everyone to nominate the song on The Box by ringing 090607 533 400 and making selection 400, remembering to ask Bill Payer's Permission first. This would be put onto the website somewhere.
In other news, Stars on the Water had a new CD out, the Wandrin' Allstars had worked up some new material, and Johnny Domino were planning to do some gigs. Finally, congratulations were sent out from the entire Board to Giles Domino, who had recently got married. Well done young man!
CORRESPONDENCE
An Australian person had asked about licensing - Mr Fleay had replied, but the correspondence had, as yet, gone no further.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
It was agreed that a letter would be written to congratulate Mr John Otway on his fantastic success in getting into the Top Ten.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting would take place at the Three Nuns, Loughborough, on November 12th at 8.00pm.
