The meeting as a whole apologised en masse for the horrendous amounts of postponement which had gone on, causing the meeting to be hideously delayed.
MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
Agreed as true, so far as could be remembered across the vast aeons since the last meeting.
MATTERS ARISING
Reports were heard on the following items:
MCPS/PPL
Amazingly, Mr Hibbett had finally sat down and sorted this out. Forms were duly signed and stamped, and would be sent off to MCPS/PPL, along with registration form for the Frankie Machine single. Mr Hibbett would send Mr Fleay the necessary copyright statement, which he would then include on the single's flyer.
JOB DESCRIPTIONS
Mr Fleay was now finally in a position to write this, and would so do.
ENDING WITH BACKS
The planned letter writing had not occurred, but it was agreed that, as no other correspondence had been received,. the matter could be considered closed.
INDIELABELS COMPILATION
This had pretty much petered out since last time, and it was agreed that it would be pursued no further.
SCALARAMA
All members of the Board would be attending, and it was noted that AAS had a page in the programme, advertising our catalogue accompanied by a wry article about the nature of our work.
ORGANISATIONAL ISSUES
The following label-based issues were discussed:
WEBPAGES
Nothing had occurred recently with this, though it was noted that the Frankie Machine single would need to be added to the Releases page.
NEWSLETTER
It was time for this to be written, and it was agreed that, as well as the long held Tim The Celebrity Drummer interview, this should also feature the Frankie Machine single, and whatever else arose over the course of the meeting. It was suggested that a special paper copy be sorted out for Scalarama, and all agreed that this was indeed a Jolly Good Idea.
PLUGGERS
Not a lot had occurred, and although he wouldn't be utilising their Might, Mr Fleay was reminded that it would be nice to send them a copy of his new record.
DISTRIBUTION
Mr Whitaker would be speaking to them soon to set a release date for the Frankie Machine single.
FINANCE
Money had arrived from Prime, and now the bank account was swathed in CASH. Mr Fleay had emailed, and would soon be ringing, to request the statement for May (which had not been received), so that he could clear everything up in good time for the AGM.
AGM
Now all was sorted, the AGM could be scheduled, and duly tentatively was for October 16th, with Mr Fleay to approach the Bless to confirm. As previously discussed, the meeting would follow a similar theme to last year, with Mr Hibbett speaking of the past year, Mr Fleay the financial present, and Mr Whitaker the future. In addition, there would be acoustical performances, and in subtraction one particular board member (who shall not be named) was asked not to spend so much time being rude to bands through the medium of OHP, or indeed heckling other board members.
INTERNET COMPILATION ALBUM
The meeting got Really Quite Excited about this one, and it was agreed that it be at least partially ready for Scalarama, so it could be mentioned in This Is Valid, and Officially Launched on the day of the AGM. Oh, the co-ordination of it all. It was also agreed that publicity would make full use of recently attained contacts and lessons learnt from the Internet Single, with only Mr John Peel being sent a CD-R copy. The meeting then discussed the bands involved, as follows:
Europa: Mr Whitaker would pass a CD of this to Mr Fleay.
Johnny Domino: Mr Fleay would ask Steve Domino for a mini-disc, giving him the alternative option of setting up the MP3 himself.
The Fighting Cocks: Mr Fleay already had the mini-disc for this.
Twinkie vs. Cuban Boys: Mr Whitaker would pass the mini-disc to Mr Fleay
Twinkie vs. Wandrin' Allstars: As above, Mr Whitaker would be passing.
MJ Hibbett & The Validators: Mini-disc was already possessed.
Lazer Guided: Mr Fleay would ask them for the acoustical track they had recorded before they ended, as everyone had really liked it.
Stumble: Stevie Stumble would be going to Mr Fleay's house to record a track.
Pala: Mr Whitaker would ask them for a track.
Saloon: Mr Hibbett would ask them for a track, offering/threatening to use one of their live tracks if they so wished.
Mr Hibbett would finish off the website as possible, and Mr Fleay would convert tracks to MP3s, and then it would be DONE.
FOOTBALL
It was noted that Bradford had had a difficult start, but had done well to get 5 points from 5 such games. Derby had done less well. The local excitement at Leicester City's exalted position was debated, and it was noted that Mr P Myland of the Durham Ox Singers had written an excellent review of Mr Barry Fry's autobiography, available from the PISA website.
A&R
The ROCK was considered thus.
FRANKIE MACHINE
The singles had arrived, and very gorgeous they looked too. Astoundingly, there was a possibility of gigs IN THE PLURAL, at Bath and London, and it was agreed that it would be good to have the release date near to these, for maximum publicity achievement. Mr Fleay would pass the rough press release to Mr Whitaker, who would then utilise it to set a release date.
Further publicity would hopefully be derived from a prize giveaway on POPEX, and also from the possibility of a fracas with the American band Frankie Machine – Mr Whitaker noted that this was not mentioned in the press release, and he would add something to this effect. Mr Whitaker would also pass on addresses for Mr Fleay to send promotional copies too, and he was also given the VALID stamp, for stamping purposes. Finally, Mr Fleay revealed that he had yet to book recording time for album recordings, but would do so soon.
MJ HIBBETT & THE VALIDATORS
Board members received a tape containing Mr & Mrs Pattison's wedding song, the four tracks for the "Tour Single", and some new songs. The Tour single had been recorded, and was already to go, although booking the Tour was proving Problematic. There was discussion about the validity of releasing this single in shops, and it was agreed that we would try selling it over the Internet via. Left Legged Pineapple – Mr Whitaker would go in and discuss this with them.
Mr Hibbett also stated that he would be performing at a Children in Need gig and also at Scalarama, and hoped to start recording again soon. Finally, the meeting was thrilled by this month's GRATE IDEA, which is also a bit secret, but does involved "My Fair Lady."
JOHNNY DOMINO
The Board had been unable to attend their recent gig, but by all accounts it had been GRATE, with both new songs AND audience.
SALOON
It was noted that the band would be recording material before they decided to release it, as there had, unsurprisingly, been other offers forwarded to them for the album. The meeting hoped they made the choice using their feelings, not the instruments. Think not should they, do.
SPORTING GLORY
Although this was still a good idea, the meeting agreed that the Compilation Album would take priority, and that this would be placed On the Back Burner for the time being.
ANY OTHER A&R
DAVE FROM SIENNA
Mr Fleay had bumped into Dave, but no tape looked likely.
VIC TWENTY
Plans were still in place, but recordings had not commenced.
TREASURE FROM THE PO BOX
Mr Fleay would pass the Evil Dick tape, on which he was still keen, to Mr Whitaker, who believed he had written to Tompot Blenny, The Legendary Poptones and Pentothal. Mr Hibbett had yet to write to Leon or Reserpine Blue, but would so do.
SUBMARINE
Nothing had been received, but they were still apparently keen.
UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF INFAMY
A tape of these was passed to Mr Whitaker. Mr Hibbett had rather enjoyed it, and there was discussion of the fact that the band had actually been to a few AAS gigs.
STARS ON THE WATER
A tape of their material, being the Phoenix risen from the ashes of Lazer Guided, was passed to all Board members.
STUMBLE
It was noted that their new single was now out. They were doing an XFM session soon, and would be having a ton of coverage in Kerrang. It was also noted that AAS was invited to their forthcoming Camden Palace, which would apparently Be Really Good.
CARWASH AND DENVER
Mr Whitaker revealed that the above duo were planning a Third Project, to be recorded next summer under a name to be decided. He stated that they were searching for A Death Metal Guitarist With A Marshall Stack, and Mr Fleay recommended Mat, ex-Lazer Guided, to him as fitting the bill.
THE FIGHTING COCKS
The Board had recently discussed an offer made to them by Charlie Cocks for us to release their second album, probably before RCA release the first one. All agreed that this would be good, but would wait and see what happened.
THE CHEMISTRY EXPERIMENT
A Certain Member of the Board had recently spent Quite Some Time trying to drunkenly persuade this band to join us, and to let him produce their album. Whatever happened, we were always ready to pounce, as we think they're ace.
CORRESPONDENCE
None had been received.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Mr Whitaker had been contacted by Andy Holdsworth, who had earlier been involved with Bok, asking for advice on what to do with a track he had recorded in Abbey Road with a 60 piece orchestra. Mr Whitaker had advised him to ask someone who might know.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting would be on the 10th of October at 7.00pm in the Three Nuns, Loughborough. Hopefully.
