Mr Hibbett had asked about this and awaited a response, whilst Mr Fleay had thought about using a modem, in a Modern fashion, to the same ends.
PROBE MUSIC ADVERTISING
Mr Fleay had seen a copy of the new magazine whilst in London, and would dig out a copy for possible future advertising.
CHRISTMAS MEAL
December 17th was not suitable for Mr Whitaker. He would notify the board of possible better times over the interweb, and this would be sorted out there. The meal would occur, no matter what.
RADIO DOCUMENTARY
This would still be happening, but had not got going yet. Mr Fleay assured the meeting that hints heavier than bombs had most assuredly been dropped.
MEETING VENUE
Mr Hibbett informed the meeting that, as he was now NOT moving house, Loughborough remained OK by him for meetings, and it was agreed that AAS would retain the Three Nuns as its regular meeting venue.
ORGANISATIONAL ISSUES
WEBPAGES
The Kraken album was no up on the site, and the FAQ had been amended to include instructions to include correct postage. Mr Fleay would send Mr Hibbett a copy of the front cover of the Chemistry Experiment album for inclusion.
NEWSLETTER
The new, slightly revised, draft of the newsletter was passed around for checking by all. A few modifications were noted, which Mr Fleay would make before sending out later this week. The next issue would be out next month in time for the Chemistry Experiment release, and it was agreed that, as happened last year, a paper copy be made for distribution at the AGM.
PLUGGERS
Kraken albums were sent out last week, although Mr Whitaker confessed he had not yet sent them any payment. The BOARD awaited reaction from THE KIDS with EXCITEMENT. It was stated by all that it would be vital to stay on top of reports and alert the band to any possibility of SESSIONS.
Meanwhile, Mr Fleay stated that someone he was in contact with at drownedinsound was now working at Bad Moon promotions, and would look at them for possible usage in the future.
DISTRIBUTION
The Kraken album would be out on Monday - HOORAH! - and Mr Whitaker would check how sales were going. Invoices had STILL not been paid, and no reports had been received for several months, but Mr Fleay had written to Paul about this. It was suddenly realised that a press release would be needed quickly for the Chemistry Experiment, so, in a repeat of the Marvellous Experiment with the Kraken, Mr Whitaker would draft this then pass it to Mr Hibbett for a sprinkling of cosmic love dust.
FINANCE
Mr Fleay presented receipts for postage to a total of £37.45 which was taken, as agreed, from the Tithe money. Mr Whitaker also had some expenses, but would bring his receipts next time. Finally it was reported that the Chemistry Experiment's cheque for £400 had gone in, and thus all was ready for ACTION.
AGM ADVANCE PLANNING
The Bless had now been BOOKED for 22nd October - HOORAH! There was lengthy discussion about the format for the meeting, finally reaching agreement as follows: Mr Hibbett would deliver the Keynote Speech (utilising an OHP projected brought by Mr Whitaker); messages would be read out from bands unable to attend; if possible, Messrs Fleay and Whitaker would present Humorous Prankery resulting from contacting the BPI; a Question and Answer Session would take place; the meeting would break for BEER, before going onto a SINGALONG section finally concluding with the traditional Singing Of The Company Song. It would be ACE.
In order to encourage attendance, an invitation had been drafted - Mr Hibbett would correct this in line with comments made and send to Board members for usage if required. Similarly, a poster would be redone and sent to Mr Fleay for sticking up in the Bless. Final discussions would be undertaken at the next Board Meeting.
FOOTBALL
The PREDICTION COMPETITION positions were calculated, with Mr Fleay just beating Mr Whitaker to second place by a single point. To the astonishment of all, Mr Hibbett's expert football knowledge had left him a distant third. Mr Whitaker confirmed that, now that term had restarted, he could properly look into getting a proper trophy. It was agreed that the trophy be given the catalogue number AAS027, and Mr Hibbett suggested, to applause, that this be engraved upon the front. The meeting then gazed upon a Handy Cut Out And Keep Guide To The AAS Catalogue, and felt very good about themselves.
Those predictions again in full:
Mr Whitaker
Mr Fleay
Mr Hibbett
Mr Dresden
Derby
17th
12th
18th
20th
Bradford
5th
3rd
8th
24th
Posh
12th
10th
6th
24th
Manchester Utd
1st
1st
1st
5th
A&R
THE FRIGHTENED PRISONERS OF THE KRAKEN
The album was out on Monday, and Mr Whitaker would ZAP the band about this - it was agreed that everyone would get in touch with them over the next few days to go "Hooray!" simply because it would be NICE. The Spreadsheet of Love was also ready to work, with the 85/15 split between the band and AAS for future profits set up. Everything else was now DONE and all we could do was to sit back and see what occurred - it was agreed that the only real down-point was the lack of gigs accrued, but it was ALSO agreed that we had learnt that ALBUM campaigns tended to stretch out over time, and so long as we reacted in a timely fashion to the plugging, and the band kept up momentum on this GRATE record well into the future, all would be WELL.
THE CHEMISTRY EXPERIMENT
Mr Fleay had prepared a CD of artwork and a track sheet, which he passed on to Mr Whitaker for sending off to A2Z. A Cheque was also done for him to send, and the Board agreed to aim for a release date of October 15th, which would fit in EXCELLENTLY with the planned series of gigs. Mr Fleay agreed to take delivery of albums when completed, and Mr Whitaker would look into the costs of a split delivery.
The contract was read through and agreed - once Mr Whitaker had ascertained a final cost this would be included in the contract and sent to the Chemistry Experiment for their comments. It was also agreed that the band would receive 100 copies (rather than the usual 50) to do with as they wish, as this is what had been done with the Kraken, and they had a load of gigs at which to SELL. Once agreement had been reached a signing would be arranged, hopefully at the AGM where they could meet their ROCKING PEERS - Mr Hibbett would contact them to see if this might be possible.
FRANKIE MACHINE
The Machine had recently played in Leicester, where Mr Fleay had reportedly "seemed unwilling to be there" or "a right old miseryguts" whilst onstage, depending upon who you asked. Still, it had OCCURRED. In more EXCITING news everyone had really really enjoyed the demi-album, and though only a little bit had been done this month it was reported that the whole thing wouldn't be much over 30 minutes long anyway.
Meanwhile a track was being recorded for this year's Fortuna Pop! Christmas EP, whilst a gig in Derby with the Domino and the Kraken was pending away and a CD was passed to Mr Hibbett, who would use it to try and get a support gig for the band in Leicester. Finally Mr Fleay revealed plans to make some kind of VIDEO, and asked Mr Whitaker to look into the possibility and prices of releasing a mixed-media CD, including said visual document.
MJ HIBBETT AND THE VALIDATORS
At last it was time for everyone's favourite section of the meeting, and a delighted, expectant, willing hush descended over the table and, indeed, the whole pub. Mr Hibbett reported that the second stage of album recordings was now underway and sounding GRATE, and that the very next day he would be returning to the studio to add further to recordings. At this point there was a Fleay Display of pictures taken during recent sessions, and also at the last Board Meeting, which he would SCAN. Mr Hibbett then announced that, pending Board approval, he would be releasing "Easily Impressed" as a 6 track CD single, with "Graffiti on the Cenotaph", "Merchant Ivory Punks" and three other tracks (including "Professional, Competent, Rocking and Tight") to be recorded especially. Through the wild cheering Mr Whitaker agreed to find out the prices for such an epoch making release.
JOHNNY DOMINO
News on their album, including title "The Last 100 Years" and availability, had been included in the newsletter, and everyone was DEAD excited about getting to hear it. They were part of the proposed Machine/Domino/Kraken extravaganza in Derby, and there was yet MORE excited anticipation about this as well.
SALOON
This was almost too upsetting to talk about - Saloon's album would be coming out on Track & Field. What did we do? Did we not love them enough? We had always done our best, always tried to please them, was that what it was? Did we love too much? The Board agreed to go and find some other labels to talk about it with, say "All bands are bastards! None of them are worth it!" to, drink GIN, and then have far too much ice cream and/or chocolate, as this would make them feel a lot better.
THE PO BOX
Mr Hibbett took away demo CDs received from Sideshow and Casino, whilst Mr Whitaker took Rose Park and Jason Gonzalez. Mr Fleay kept one by Christian Lundholm as he really liked it, but would make copies for next time.
ANY OTHER A & R
Apart from the PO Box, there was nothing else this month.
CORRESPONDENCE
Not really, no.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
The meeting had discussed all issues that required discussion.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting would take place at the Three Nuns, Loughborough on October 2nd at 8.00pm.
/back to minutes page...
