T.Carroll
- 04/21/98 03:15:19
My Email:KINGPIN96@AOL.com
Where From: Washington DC
Favorite Record: Beach Blvd.
Favorite Band: hmmm....
Suggestions for CD Re-releases: well..you know...
Comments:
Mr.Fields, I have one other question, for you, and then I can let you enjoy some peace for
a few weeks. how is the numbering system for all of the Poshboy material laid out? I guess
a better question is how does it work? I can understand that the cd releases are preceded
by an '80' series number(88, 89..) but what about the others? they dont seem to run in
sequence. In that I mean, PBS 102-106 seem to be following an order based on their
respective release dates, but then occassionally, you can find a number like 1011, or
1014, in between numbers like PBS 114 and 126( these are just examples, im not sure what
the actual positions are, I suppose I can go back and check through discography). what
gives? and...I guess I'm glad I picked up a copy of the Crowd LP, when I did... -thanks
again...
* The Omniscient One Replies *
There was a system ... the singles are simple : they start with PBS 1 and run through PBS
43. There were a few Vodka label singles and they would have been released between PBS 17
and PBS 18. All the singles numbered 18 and above are 1990s re-issues of older material or
new releases. The exception being PBS 6 Amoeba by the Adolescents that was never
mastered as a single in the old days; it was assigned a catalog number for the 100 or so
labels printed up by Max Messerschmidt for the 15 or so gold singles awarded to group
members and friends of the label in early 1981. The gold plated records were probably some
Mexican throw-aways. PBS 2 was mastered way back in 1978 for test pressings used for
promotion but was not actually released until 1990!
There was another system used for all 12" vinyl : the lps had three integers, e.g.
PBS 101. When the first 12" e.p. was released I added an integer to differentiate it.
So from PBS 106, the numbering then went to PBS 1007 (David Microwave) before reverting to
PBS 108. You're thinking of PBS 1013, not PBS 1014 as there was a PBS 114 (Baby Buddha).
The lp records I manufactured were as of 1981 $5.98 list, the eps $4.98. When Jem released
Posh Hits and sold it at the higher $8.98 list, I added an 8 to the catalog number so what
would have been PBS 138 became PBS 8138. A similar fate happened to the second CH 3 lp,
PBS 8146.
The advent of compact discs roughly coincided with the introduction of bar-coding and we
needed an extra integer in the catalog number so 8155 (The Best of Rodney on The Roq)
became 88155. However, when I went with Get Hip and started using their UPC code it was
necessary to use 7 as the first integer, so that first 8 was dropped. Now I just use
8XXX-2 as the formula.
Of course, I have made mistakes with the numbering. I assign catalog numbers to records
that get withdrawn or never even recorded, hence the gaps in the series of numbers. I
don't know why I assigned PBS 119 to Rik L Rik's Lost Album. That number had been
assigned to the aborted Shattered Faith album. Chronologically, as The Lost Album
dates from 1980/81, I could have just as easily have used the first unused number : PBS
1012, which was supposed to have been for China White.
T.Carroll - 04/20/98
05:39:58
My Email:KINGPIN96@aol.com
Where From: Washington DisgraCe
Favorite Record: hmmm...
Favorite Band: hmmm...
Favorite Myth About Posh Boy: well..you know..
Suggestions for CD Re-releases: Further Charges, UXA, any Rik L Rik, ALL Shattered Faith,
and both Future Looks Bright/er
Comments:
Mr. Fields: I wrote to you earlier this year, after having discovered your long awaited
website. You extended the offer for a continuance of our conversation, and now I would
like to do just that. I have just returned from a long overdue(10 years) trip back
home(L.A.- its still home..). I am pleased to report to any other fans out there, that if
you are seeking ANY older punk/ hardcore music, from any time period, and any scene,
California, New York, D.C., British, Japanese, German, or where ever there have been punks
organized enough to record anything; THE PLACE TO GO IS: ZED RECORDS in LONG BEACH, CA.
They have a Website: www.ZEDRECORDS.com I STRONGLY recommend it. I have pretty much given
up on Get Hip records as a distributor for any Posh Boy material, which is sad, because as
I commented before, there still are not any reliable distributors out there. I was,
however, after visiting Zed Records, able to pick up the following items: Beach Blvd. CD,
reissue- no liner notes, but only costs $11.00 CH3- the skinhead years, a very
comprehensive cd, again, $11.00 the Crowd- A World Apart, LP, $7.99 F-Word- Live, Like it
or Not, LP, $7.99 Suicidal Tendencies, LP, $7.99 and a way cool Zed Records T-Shirt,
$8.99... As of yet, I am still unable to find ANY material by the Nuns,(with the exception
of ROTR Vol, I; and Posh Hits Vol.I) no matter how hard I try. Its the same story with
UXA, Shattered Faith, Stepmothers, and Symbol Six. My apologies, if this sounds like a
advertisement for Zed Records, however, after searching for nearly 15 years, I feel Mike
deserves some credit, for operating such an outstanding establishment. It only cost me
$402.00, for airfare, $441.00, for a rental car, and a very well spent $57.00, for the
recordings of my youth( I suppose the airfare was well spent, since, I lived through the
experience to write about it). Anyway, back to the point of this letter. Are there any
plans in the future for any re-issues? We now know from the letters posted to this site,
that they are in high demand. I was able to forward much of the information gleaned from
these pages on to a friend in the music business, who also has many requests for Posh Boy
material. I would like to add also, that , the Hell Comes To Your House are available on
CD. Its been what? 13 years since the last time it was available? I would advise Robbie to
keep an eye on the sales of this re-issue. It might provide some valuable insight towards
the strenght of the re-issue of older So. Cal. punk recordings. Could this prompt you to
act? Can anything? What about the MONEY, man?! my apologies..I jest..but seriously...Its
about the recordings...they are classics...many of us were only able to attend the
shows...we do not have any of the actual recordings of this remarkable music Era...I would
dare say that I speak for many fans, when I say, that original pressing, re-issue, or
whatever, its the actual music that matters, not the limited numbers of this and
that...its the music ..really. Thanks Again...for providing a fantastic outlet for the
many bands recorded on your label. It should have never ended. I am grateful for the 30 or
so recoridings that I do have, as they appear to be truly limited. They take me home
whenever I put them on my old Hi-Fi, Quadrophonic Stereo Turntable. - A Fan.
* Posh Boy Replies *
If only Zed were a full on distributor! Yes, they may wholesale a little but they are
essentially a retailer/mail order house buying product in from my 2 distributors, Sound of
California and Get Hip.
I quite agree with your sentiments about Mike (Zampelli). He and his late mother Marlene
helped me a great deal during the boom years. If you look around this site, you should be
able to find a photograph of Mike holding a "gold" Beach Blvd. album prese ted
to his store back in 1980. Somehow, over the years, we lost contact to the extent that
Mike prefers to buy my releases through distributors; which is a shame, as occasionally
there are titles that get overlooked at re-order time like The Nuns. I can assure you that
their 2 compact discs are in print, jus sitting and gathering dust in 2 warehouses, one of
which belongs to Get Hip. The difficulty is that Sound of California will tell us both is
that there is hardly any demand for that title; if the stores start asking for it, believe
me, Sound of Califor ia will order it. After all, the guy has no shame ordering a single
copy of a release!
Congratulations on finding a copy of the Crowd l.p.. This month that title has officially
gone out of print. There are simply no more jackets available and they cost too much to
re-print. The fact that you bought one for $7.99 demonstrates that Posh Bo is committed to
reasonable prices for music. As you may know, 15 years ago we were selling those records
at stores like Zed for $3.99 or $4.99. I just don't feel comfortable pricing l.p.s at the
same level, $11.99 and above, as compact discs.
Will there be re-issues? Sure. It's just that we're coming to the end of a wretched period
in distribution for this music. And much as people like Bryan Holland of The Offspring and
Nitro Records would have you think otherwise, the mega-successes of 19 4 hurt our end of
the business. Some groups got huge amounts of money but the rest got marginalized. Epitaph
may have sold huge numbers on their compilations but nobody else sold significant numbers
of their old school comps. I know, as I get royalty s atements from virtually every old
school compilation on the market! And that market is horribly over saturated with
releases.
That being said, we are contemplating doing a lot more re-issues before 1/1/00.
Personally, I'd prefer to move to an on line delivery system of distributing music where
you would down load graphics, liner notes and lyrics in addition to the music file(s) at a
fraction of today's cost of purchasing a compact disc. Sure everyone prefers the artefact
of a vinyl lp or handsome compact disc but it's getting uneconomic to market a limited
edition of under 1000 units for $10 or less a pop. And if I knew I coul sell just 1000
units of a title and get paid for them, I'd be working day and night doing so.
So how come you didn't e-mail me to arrange a shopping visit to the Posh Boy vaults while
you were in California? MONEY does motivate me. Seriously, I'd have love for you to have
dropped by as I just finished a 6 week visit to the Golden, rain-drenched state. By the
way, I gave Carl the web-master here a copy of everything on your wish-list, such are the
wages of html.
I take issue with one of your comments : the Beach Blvd. compact disc has three (count
'em) sets of liner notes. If you're referring to (lack of) lyrics sheets, you're right, we
didn't provide them on all releases.
Ed Kraus - 04/20/98
02:06:54
My Email:edk007@aol.com
Where From: MA
Favorite Record: Posh Hits
Favorite Band: Channel 3
Suggestions for CD Re-releases: Posh Hits, Simpletones
Comments:
Are the simpletones available on disc anywhere? I have the Posh Boy Story but am looking
for any other compilations. What ever happened to the guys in Channel 3?
* Posh Boy Replies *
Ed,
Nearly of all of the Simpletones material (all masters and many demos) was included on the
Beach Blvd. CD re-issue (8102-2). Ask your local hip store to order it from Get Hip
distribution. Most probably your copy of the rare U.K. released Posh Boy Story came from
that source.
The 2 main guys, Kimm and Mike, in CH 3 were both victims of corporate down sizing in the
1990s. However, they're still young in their 30's and resourceful and I am sure will do
just fine. Jay Lansford lives in Hannover, Germany. All three are solidly arried and have
"day" gigs but remain passionate about music. I am not in touch with the other
sometime players, Kelley, Burton or De Baun. A few years ago, the 1984 edition of CH 3
(with a fill-in drummer) re-united for a short European tour and recorded a live album in
Hannover which was released on Lost and Found Records.
As for compilations, if you're interested in the The Best of Rodney On The Roq compact
disc, visit the Rhino Records web-site for track
listing(s) and ordering information. Search using catalog number 71099. 2 eally good old
school compilations with about 50% Posh Boy material on them are : Stage Divin' To The
Oldies released through Restless and Old School Punkreleased through Thump.
Mike Kenny - 04/13/98
23:40:47
My URL:http://www.geocities.com/hollywood/boulevard/1519/
My Email:seldon2600@aol.com
Where From: San Francisco
Favorite Record: Energy by Op-Ivy
Favorite Band: Dead Kennedys
Suggestions for CD Re-releases: Any Agent Orange S**t
Comments:
When will you a have an on-line catalog?
*Posh Boy Replies*
If you mean, when will we be selling on-line, the answer is that there are no plans for us
to do mail-order. For the moment, we are referring shoppers to CD Now for the few Posh Boy
titles that they carry. Hopefully in the future, Get Hip will start list ng on-line the
many Posh Boy titles they actually carry. We are engaged in improving the discography
section of this site; at present, we have just embarked on adding track listings for every
release.
Brandon Abate - 04/11/98
16:54:04
My Email:sidecar96@aol.com
Comments:
Well, first off, thanks for the quick response. That is pretty funny that I wasn't so far
off with the Dickies reference, but that band and your label just seems like it always
should have been. I'd be glad to send you some recordings of my band, whether r not you're
into signing anything, it'd just be an honour for someone like you to give it a listen.
Some of the things you did way back when influenced me and my music greatly. I'm eagerly
awaiting the Posh Hits CD release.
* Posh Boy Replies *
I just spoke with Jon Rosner who tells me that A&M have been asking for huge advances
from interested labels. Fat Wreck Chords wanted to do something as they are releasing new
Dickies material. Well, if Polygram calls me looking for something, I'll broa h the
subject with them. If I had been awake, I could have tried my luck when I licensed to
Polygram my Redd Kross masters 5 years ago.
Brandon Abate - 04/11/98
01:17:26
My Email:Sidecar96@aol.com
Where From: Mentor, Ohio
Favorite Record: Queen 2
Favorite Band: the Jam
Favorite Myth About Posh Boy: it's 6 o'clock, time to get up.
Suggestions for CD Re-releases: The Dickies first few, even though they were on A&M.
Comments:
All I know is that me and my friend, Mike could put on the Posh Hits compilation any time,
any place and it'd always rock. You guys signing any new bands? Let me know.
* Posh Boy Replies *
Funnily enough, I tried to license the Dickies' masters years ago; I seem to remember Stan
or a manager/lawyer of theirs encouraging me. Nothing came of it, as you know. I imagine
Polygram, the company now owning A&M still jealously guards those record ngs. One of
my close associates, Jon Rosner administers the Dickies' publishing which had been in a
sorry state. I'll ask him if there's any movement to re-issue those masters on CD.
Just before The Dickies had their hit in England, I tried in early 1978 to steal their
drummer Carlos Caballero for the band I managed, F-Word!.
We're getting close to re-issuing Posh Hits on CD; there may be a few omissions balanced
by some worthy additions. I didn't think anybody cared about that Los Microwaves' track
Time To Get Up. Should I keep it? As for new bands, I listen to ever thing that comes my
way but I am not currently signing any new acts. Good luck!
TOhbL - 04/07/98 03:18:04
Comments:
Robbie
Another quick question, I have seen the Cleopatra Best of Punk and Disorderly. It seems to
have alot of the same bands, but not the same songs. Are your records related to theirs at
all? I just assumed that you sold the rights to them, or something. I noticed they seem to
be re-releasing alot of old punk records. I tried emailing them a few months ago, but I
never received a response.
I guess they are to busy trying to make piles of cash.
* Posh Boy Replies *
I have only seen the advertisements for the Cleopatra CD; I had assumed erroneously that
there were a lot of tracks in common between our releases. Obviously, Posh Boy has nothing
to do with their release. The tracks on the P & D records were originally released on
small English labels, most of whom have passed into oblivion. I licensed most of the
material on a flat fee basis back in 1981 from a label called Abstract Records. I chose to
enter into a separate license with the Dead Kennedys for the inclusion of "Kill The
Poor". There may be several different compan es able to license the P&D tracks to
record companies around the world. It is an interesting question whether Posh Boy had
established an exclusive U.S. trademark in the Punk and Disorderly moniker; in any case,
Cleopatra did not approach me to buy out my rights nor did I challenge their use of the
name. I felt that I had had a very successful run with the release and I should be content
with my lot. Now, enough people have clamored for the Posh Boy version to remain in print
that I have made renewed my royalty license with the Dead Kennedys a d a new pressing will
be available soon.
TOhbL - 04/07/98 03:11:01
My URL:http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Studios/6877
My Email:thutton@techcom.net
Where From: Virginia
Favorite Record: Too many to list, Depends on the time of day
Favorite Band: Same as favorite record
Favorite Myth About Posh Boy: I heard they were bought out by the Russian Mafia, which is
now run by the Masons (ok, so I made that up)
Suggestions for CD Re-releases: PUNK AND DISORDERLY
Comments:
Hi everybody, I would also be interested in the Punk and Disorderly CD. When I was a kid I
owned 2 vinyl copies (at different times), but you know, if I had a dollar for all the
cool stuff I used to have, I'd be a rich man. I also had a CD copy a year a o, but I lent
it to a "friend" whom I havent seen since. On another note, did anyone happen to
get the FLIPSIDE records that were released on cd (the vinyl fanzines, with ASF, TSOL,
FOD, etc)? They are pretty cool, get em if you still can. A question that I have for
Robbie is concerning the classical music being put out by Posh Boy. I have recently
started to enjoy classical, or let me be more specific, HARD classical music, but I am
reluctant to shell out my hard earned $$ for it, becaus each time I do I seem to get some
crappy stuff like waltzes, or worse. So my question is this, are the classical records on
Posh Boy "relaxation" records, or is this more intense stuff? By the way, If you
enjoy classical music, are you familliar with G orge Crumb, or Edgard Varese? Also, has
Posh Boy ever considered putting out any Industrial stuff?
* Posh Boy Replies*
"Never underestimate people" is the valuable lesson one could learn from your
message. Yes, mohawks and Chopin do mix! The classical music I put out was of the more
extreme variety. A piece of music you should look out for is the orchestral suite
"The Planets" by Gustav Holst. Any punk guitarist should drool over the
intensity of the first movement, "Mars". As for my releases, the Cortese viola
pieces might appeal to the Goths, the two others featuring pianists range from the sublime
to the harsh in tone. I am afraid I am not familiar with Crumb. As for industrial, it is
not usually my cup of tea, however, the Baby Buddha album had industrial elements and it
was released in 1981! One of my current fave groups is Plastina Mosh (Tombola/EMI) from
Monterrey Mexico and their music ranges from punk to lounge to hip hop with more than a
nod to industrial.
matt - 04/06/98 13:13:16
My Email:xxxx@xxxxxx.xxx
Where From: nashville, tn
Comments:
i'm driving from Nashville, Tennessee to L.A. in Mid-May. I could use some help with
driving and gas money. If you need a ride email me. matt
* Posh Boy Replies *
Matt, did you remember to advance your clock this past weekend? I did need a ride from TN
to CA ... back in May, 1971. Are you any good at turning back the clock, say, 27 years?
Zzees - 03/31/98 07:51:45
My Email:zzees@geocities.com
Where From: Santa Clarita
Suggestions for CD Re-releases: Punk and disorderly
Comments:
I'm looking for the Punk and Disorderly cd. Do you know where I could get my hands on one?
Thanks!
* Posh Boy Replies *
Punk and Disorderly went out of print, both on vinyl and CD, last year. At that time, I
decided not to manufacture additional copies as Cleopatra had issued a "Best of Punk
and Disorderly" CD and I felt our sales would suffer. But there has been so much
interest in the original Posh Boy version, we are giving serious thought to re-issuing at
least the CD version. So if you can wait a few months it should be available, otherwise
you'll need to hunt down a used copy or one from a collector.
Joe Van Lanen - 03/26/98
01:54:39
My Email:jvanlane@ra.rockwell.com
Where From: Milwaulkee
Comments:
Robbie, Thanks for your comments. They will be of great help. I'm so glad you have
porvided this forum for people to ask questions and maybe learn a thing or two. I'm
curious as to whether you've considered doing a book on the history and role of Posh Boy
in the evolution of music and recording industry. It sounds as though you've encountered
the classic problems of an independent label and I know someone who could help tell your
story. She's finishing her master's thesis on a small '60s/'70s Wiscons n label by the
name of Cuca which was the first home of the Fendermen. Thanks again for the info.
* Posh Boy Replies * - 03/24/98 20:19:58
Where From: Acapulco, Mexico
Comments:
Joe,
The easy question first : the distributors were never interested in the 7" 45s, so
those records were always manufactured by us.
Sounds Good was the distribution company. They had an in-house label Suite Beat that was
run for a time in the mid 80s by Epitaph owner Brett Gurewitz. By 1987, it had been
re-named Chameleon. Soon after, Sounds Good filed for bankruptcy, as did Enigma/Restless
parent Greenworld and Passport/PVC par nt Jem Records. The only 2 major players that
survived were Important that became RED, later owned by Sony and Caroline whose parent was
Virgin.
When I turned over manufacturing to Sounds Good it was because I could not pay my pressing
bill at the recently shuttered Waddell pressing plant and they were holding my inventory!
Once SG had my inventory in-house they continued to sell it until they needed to re-print
jackets and re-press. At that time they would add their logo. Also, as the records were
now being pressed at a different pressing plant (Rainbo in Santa Monica) the labels
started to look funky; Rainbo would throw in the labels for free and the quality showed.
Previously, I had printed with Max Messerschmidt and you spot the improved quality. When I
took over manufacturing again in ´88 or so, I started having Max print the labels again.
I re-printed just a few record sleeves between 88 and 92. Redd Kross 12", T.S.O.L.
12¨, F-Word! (but board jacket as opposed to the original paper jacket where you can see
how the paper is glued to the board), Beach Blvd., maybe a few others. I have not printed
any 12¨ jackets since then. So if the labels look good, the pressing is probably
pre-1985!
Many of my album releases had inserts; from the U.X.A. album (PBS 104) onwards, Rainbo
were terrible at remembering to do the insertions. All the Rodney albums had special
edition Flipsides inserted. Once these were exhausted it became very expensive to e-print
10,000 for a pressing run of 500. A collector would need to jump in here and remind me
which records carried an insert.
Joe Van Lanen - 03/24/98
02:23:40
My Email:jvanlane@ra.rockwell.com
Where From: Milwaukee
Comments:
Robbie, thanks for your response. You have answered my question only to stimulate others.
When you turned distributing over to Sounds Good or Suite Beat, did you only do so on a
limited basis and pick up manufacturing again later (when you had more mone )? So say if I
have a Agent Orange "Living In Darkness" with no distributor listed, does that
mean it is pre-'85 only, or could it be a more rescent issue? Also, "Living..."
is the only Posh Boy i have with a lyric sheet insert. Did any other releases ome with
inserts? Finally, Does the distributor thing apply to 45's as well? Thanks again, For
everything.
lou - 03/23/98 21:27:48
My Email:drummer@parlorcity.com
Where From: Indiana
Favorite Record: shut up
Favorite Band: james bond goes surfing
Comments:
Roger Enloe - 03/23/98
01:12:50
My Email:Skaa69
Where From: Corpus Christi,TX
Favorite Record: nitro
Favorite Band: the Vandals
Comments:
* Posh Boy Replies * -
03/21/98 20:49:08
Where From: Austin, TX
Comments:
As I am on the road and today's machine won't let me edit the guestbook and add my
comments in the conventional manner, I am taking this approach to answer Chipdude and
Joe's thoughtful questions. First off, Chipper : It is true that last year that I had a
group of strippers living in my Acapulco apartment but as communes go, it was short-lived.
Please write Get Hip and let
