I thought I'd come back from hiatus briefly to bring you the news, straight from a band that was actually OFFERED a Bodog recording contract, that the Bodog band competition is officially a scam - created to rope talented upcoming bands into awful recording contracts with the promise of $1 million dollars in advance money - money that the band members would probably be re-paying until they were living under bridges and fist fighting each-other on youtube for $5 a pop.
This is big news to me because I seriously considered entering the competition this year, and am now very freaking grateful I didn't. Plus, I'm a big fan of "The Slants" as you well know (see the awesome remix to your right). :)
Here's their official press release, chock full of tasty evil Bodog trivia.
Press Release: The Slants Reject Million Dollar Recording Contract and Reality TV Show Opp...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FEBRUARY 26, 2008
THE SLANTS REJECT CHANCE AT MILLION DOLLAR RECORDING CONTRACT; TURN DOWN BODOG BATTLE-OF-THE-BANDS AND REALITY TV SHOW, REFUSING TO SIGN CONTRACT
Portland, Oregon's dance-rock band The Slants, while carrying a consisten touring schedule, have been participating in Bodog's Battle of the Bands, competing (and winning first place in every round) in Portland and Seattle, and earning an invite to the semi-finals in Los Angeles, California--until they decided to throw a million-dollar contract back in Bodog's face.
Prior to rejoining Bodog and other competing bands in Los Angeles for the next round of the battles, The Slants were given a 73-page contract to sign. They were told that the non-negotiable contract had to be signed and submitted within ten business days, or The Slants would not advance to the next round. Thus they would not be eligible for the grand prize, a million-dollar recording contract from Bodog Music, label subsidiary of Bodog Entertainment.
After consulting with their entertainment lawyer, who told them he would need more than ten business days to go through the contract with a fine-tooth comb, The Slants decided the contract was too dodgy to sign. So, on advice from their counsel, they told Bodog Entertainment they would not be signing a non-negotiable contract filled with bear traps.
"We've decided to turn down the opportunity to participate in the Bodog Music Battle of the Bands reality TV show to win a million dollar recording contract," says bassist Simon Young on The Slants' decision to leave Bodog's Battle of the Bands reality TV show. "This was just not the right fit for our band at this time - or any band, really. We were being strong-armed into signing a non-negotiable contract that would strip away any artists' rights and that is completely unacceptable."
The Slants are the true definition of do-it-yourself independence, and have been since their inception. From self-recording, mixing, producing, and releasing their own material, to financing their own tours, The Slants have not sought outside label support, investors, or any financial aid, aside from competing in the Bodog Battle of the Bands for a chance to win a million dollar recording contract.
"We entered the competition almost on a whim, just to have fun and see if anything cool would come out of it. It was a lot of fun winning the rounds and meeting other bands, but regardless of what their corporate reps thought, we were definitely never desperate for Bodog," comments keyboardist Jen Cho.
"I even took out a second mortgage on my house to pay for this record,"
states Young. "The last thing we're looking for is some arrogant company with millions of dollars thinking that they can dangle the 'possibility' of winning a contract 'valued' at a million dollars to strip away everything that we've been working so hard for. I'd rather keep playing shows, making music, and getting kicked out of clubs for fire-breathing, than sign a contract giving a corporation with dubious influence in the music industry control of my music and merchandising."
Young continues, "It is my hope that there aren't any bands desperate for the publicity that they are willing to gamble their futures for a 'chance' to win a 'million dollar recording contract.' If anyone continues, they better have a pretty
good lawyer and a whole lot of luck. We've enjoyed the ride and meeting
new bands, but as soon as I saw that contract it was like red flags all
over. We're done."
The Slants don't count their time on the Bodog circuit as a waste, though. They learned many valuable lessons, including a reminder never to enter a battle of the bands competition again (regardless of its reputation or marketing describing how different it is) and they enjoyed the attention Bodog showered them.
"We've enjoyed the ride while it lasted. Getting first place in every round and being featured on Bodog's website was nice," Young confesses. "Having them trying to force us and other independent artists into a binding and heavy-handed contract was not."
Look for The Slants to continue touring in support of "Slanted Eyes, Slanted Hearts", their debut full-length, and hitting an area near you this spring and summer.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Alex Steininger at In Music We Trust PR alex@inmusicwetrust.com.
------------------Check out "The Slants" here - I'll be back with more music in, uh, March. Yeah, that's it. March.
