Paradiddles, Plectrums and Posers

BOOKS / ONLINE MAGAZINES / BLOGS

ROCK REGENERATION

This is a British music website run by Dave Chinery aka Chinners.

In the site's own words:

"Rock-Regeneration is a website that is all about Rock music and the various genres that surround it, anything from Folk, Punk, Metal to Blues, Ska and anything in-between. We are a team who are very passionate about music in general, between us going to hundreds of gigs a year and bringing back all the information that you, the reader, wants to hear about such as set lists, live videos, reactions, reviews, interviews and up to date news."

BREAK YOUR BAND - A GUIDE TO GETTING RADIO AIRPLAY

BY EMMA SCOTT

Emma Scott, gig promoter/author/dj, has been in the music business for 20+ years. This book contains some very sensible advice based on an unlimited knowledge by Ms. Scott.

If you are a new and/or unsigned band then you really need this book. 

It includes the following:

Getting radio airplay - Where do you start?
Which DJ's do you send to?
What do you send?
What is a press pack?
What do you put in yours?
What is a plugger and do you need one?
How do you deal with radio interviews?
Do you need a manager?
Do you get paid for being on the radio?

You can purchase the book from:

'MUSIC: THE BUSINESS - THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO THE LAW AND THE DEALS'

The above book was recommended to me by Gary J Armstrong's girlfriend, Sarah, who told me the book is "very useful for getting to know how the music industry works - maybe a little dated in places."

The link will take you to the book on Amazon where it has 4 in depth reviews, all good.

PLUGGED IN MAGAZINE

A Welsh quarterly glossy music magazine which you can also download from their website wherever you are in the world!

From their Facebook page:

"PLUGGED IN magazine is the only magazine devoted to the music scene in Wales (whether it be home grown or imported, in
the North, South, East or West), dedicated to featuring the talent of Wales that’s produced a stream of young bands – bands
which are as good as any you hear in the mainstream charts.

With original writing and exclusively-shot, high-quality photography, the idea behind the magazine is to interview bands with close links to our areas– both well-known bands and those about to break through to a wider audience – giving you, the reader, an insight into their Welsh roots and what drives them to success.
 
In every issue there will also be at least four pages of live gig reviews, all with original photography of the bands taken at the gig that is being reviewed.

Born out of a community project based in Pontypridd in South Wales and produced by independent publisher Haul Fryn Publishing its ethos is simple — to report on and encourage people to go and see a variety of live music throughout the country.

BANDS - if you have a gig in Wales, whether you're Welsh or not, let us know about it. We’ll need photographer/press passes to come and review/photograph the gig for the magazine - so if you want to be featured just email us.
 
The Welsh Music Scene now has its own voice, so come on board and be part of this unique revolution that is shouting: “Get PLUGGED IN!”

You can email Plugged In at:

BLACK VELVET ROCK MAGAZINE

Black Velvet is produced by Shari, who interviews bands, photographs them, reviews new music and does the layout design for the magazine. She founded the magazine back in 1994.

In B.V.'s own words:

"Black Velvet is a quarterly independent rock music magazine that hits the streets every February, May, August and November. Published and edited by Shari Black Velvet, it mostly covers rock and pop-punk - basically any good, catchy music. We're all about good songs.

Black Velvet is produced because of our love of rock music. We write about the bands we love - not those we don't. We can be a bit picky - so if you're a thrash or death metal band with lots of roars we may not be into you, the same as we're not really into hip-hop or watery shoegazer indie. We want to write about the music that inspires us - especially as printing costs money. We don't want to waste paper on bands we're not into.

Every issue is 40 pages jammed with the best rock music. Our interviews are in-depth and our reviews are insightful, honest and relevant."

Also check out Shari's photography page on Facebook:

Above: Black Velvet issue 63

BEMUSO

Bemuso.com is a music blog which explains the ins and outs of the music industry.

In Bemuso's own words: "It’s a DIY thing… debunking music biz middlemen since 2002."

Useful for those of you starting out in music.

PHOENIX RISING WEBZINE

Phoenix Rising is based in Liverpool and provides information about the UK rock music scene, including CD reviews, gig reviews, photos and interviews with bands.

ROCKPULSE MAGAZINE

You'll find various Interviews, reviews, gig listings, and a letters page, amongst other things, on Rock Pulse.

ROCK CITY

Rock City is an L.A. rock magazine containing news and entertainment news from ... L.A.

LEGENDARY ROCK INTERVIEWS

Check out this American based site for some great interviews with members of classic rock bands such as LA Guns, Warrant and W.A.S.P. as well as associated people like model Bobbie Brown (a.k.a. 'the Cherry Pie girl').