News

Alrighty now - As of July 13th all actual recording is finished, we are in the final mixing stages of the C.D., working hard to finish all the songs up, but are not compromising on the substance, mix and recorded sound quality just because we want it done ASAP! The titles of the tracks that are finished right now are:
1) Deer In The Headlights
2) Redneck Song
3) Roll In The Hay
4) Til We're Satisfied
5) Fuel Burnin' Blues
6) Road Rage
7) Moonshine
8) 322
Still mixing these tracks: No One Drives My Truck, and ???. We are almost there ....
Check out our new news promotion on Larry King! It is a riot ! Use this link: http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/6292433

Recently someone asked me: Do I Play Heavy Metal?

Not particularly. I like heavy metal though. Not the too over the top heavy though, cuz it starts to sound like a joke. All of my music does have what I call a rock edge. For example, if I were to write a dance song, it would be more like Play that Funky Music or Beat It than a I Will Survive or Funkytown. I love a good rock guitar that is placed in any genre of music.

O.K. Get Ready Here We Go:

One of my influences of music is Queen. They have songs that vary drastically in style and they also have strong musicianship along with awesome vocal harmonies. Mostly I really dig their musical diversity, but hate the fact that most Stupid radio (Radio Ga Ga) stations only play the most popular ones - you know Bohemian Rapsody (which wasn't really popular until Waynes World - goes to show you what the stations actually KNOW about music) We will rock you, and so on. Queen actually had one of the heaviest songs called, Stone Cold Crazy and it came out way before heavy metal was even being thought of. Many popular classic rock artist that are over played on the radio have other great songs you never hear, not to mention TONS of cool Rock out there by original artists who hardly get heard.
I think the problem with what's being promoted today is - A & R nepatism. That is the folks who are responsible for recruiting talent, do not know a thing about it because they were just handed the job from a retiring family member. Thus, leading to the huge onslaught of crap on the radio today.
I like most kinds of music, but the absolute WORST is what they call today R & B, Hip Hop, Rap. To me, that music is an insult to the industry (from an artists perspective - and anyone who actually enjoys even a tiny bit of intellectual stimulation).
1st off R & B means rhythm and blues - which dates waaaay back to lots of black artist like Muddy Waters and they actually got rhythm from being near the train tracks, while they wrote songs on their acoustics. I think those artist would also be offended by the supposed R & B today. As far as Hip Hop and Rap go - here is my definition: Dr. Suess to a drum machine - No Talent and boring....


Not to sound like my parents (I even like their music from the 50's and 60's)
But I like music from the 70's, 80's, but very little from the 90's and today.
I would choose to be a teen during any one of those era's of music, but I feel sorry for the teens of today because even their music is disposable.

Need me to help fill in a date for your classic rock band? I can fill in on Drums, Bass, Guitar - (some leads) and do Lead or Harmony/Back up vocals. I also know LOTS of area musicians that may be able to fill in too. Just click on my CONTACT page above and get ahold of me, just do not stop the music....

This is a good one:
SEPARATED AT BIRTH

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Jeff X here reporting on the absurdity of getting booked.

FIRST THE DISCLAIMER: There ARE a few club owners that are exempt from my thoughts here, and everyone reading this may not have had the same experiences as me, but for the most part the following is my opinion and the opinion of many other musicians I know.

I've been doing gigs for years and years in the South Jersey area with bands and my solo act just outside of Atlantic City. I do lead vocals & harmonies, play drums, lead & rhythm guitar, even bass - so there is no problem for me to get in a cool band or put together a show. The problem WAS and still IS, the club owners.

Nothing takes the wind out of your sails quicker than the stupid old " I'll call back later OR he's/she's in a meeting" OR I haven't had time to listen to your CD (after it's been dropped off weeks ago with the press kit you painstakingly made). Dispite how polite you are and how many times you call back, you still get told those same things over & over again.

I recently did a gig at a new venue which I thought would work out good for me. LOTS of my fans came out to support me and the place went nuts. (Thank you fans - I LOVE MY FANS) Packed all night, most ordering meals from the kitchen, drinking drinks, and stayed til the very end. What more would a club owner want right? Cash register banging all night ! Well, I could not get another gig there for no good reason. Sounds like something had to happen right, NOPE. No answers. Dispite being told I could play there again by the owner, I made numerous calls and even juggled dates around to help accomodate and making the booking easy, all to end up with nothing. Even my fans spied on the place to see what was up to no avail. (Which they did on their own being equally appalled by the situation!) What's worse is there was even an excuse made up to make ME look bad (that pisses me off) and was the supposed reason why I wasn't re-booked there.

Mind you I am old school considerate, kind and patient to everyone and totally willing to accomodate the resonable needs of any club owner. But there seems to be a "we just dont care" attitude from club owners anymore when it comes to booking musicians.

First off, I wont cry if you dont book me at your place, tell me "NO - we dont want you" or just be honest and say "we currently do not have the time to consider booking entertainment" instead of making endless excuses. I can take it. I do not expect to be able to play everywhere I submit a demo. You are not being nice by stringing me or anyone along. Most likely (like so many before) I have played music before your place exsisted and have seen many places go out of business in the South Jersey area while I still continue to play music and will be doing so into the future.

For the most part now, I am done with playing the club scene. I will no longer be calling back later or when the "big meeting" is over. If they want me, they know how to reach me, if they dont call or contact me - I do not care. I'd rather play for FREE anywhere on my own terms and for my fans than to go through the torture of jumping through all the hoops that the club owners want you to and for the measly pay.

I mean this with sincerity to all the professional musicians out there, NOT those "imposters" who just talk a good talk.
You know who I mean by imposters - EX. - the ones who you talk to on the phone before your bands audition, and they know all the right things to say, then they show up and cant play, or never show up, show up late or show up late & ready to party - not rehearse.
What I am about to say is for the REAL musicians who practice on their OWN time, not the bands time and are READY to play at rehearsal.
It's about time to face it, after all the time we've put in (years worth), we do not deserve to put up with the club owners disrespectful attitude anymore - It's not like we are getting paid for it !! And lots of the FUN (remember? the reason why you like to play music and probably got into music) is being robbed from you.


It seems most places nowdays do not want to pay you anywhere near what you are worth. Grant it, it is not all about the money, but truth be told, I have not seen much of an attainable increase at all from Clubs since the "Brownies In the Dirt" Days. It is an absolute imbarassment.


My Advice to Club Owners to Book Sucessfully.
(For what it worth, whether anyone cares, I dont know)

To sum it up, Club Owners, first - choose what kind of music you want to have in your place, then let the entertainers you booked do their thing. Have the courtesy to tell inquiring acts trying to get bookings, Yes your booked or No - Not at this time. No big meeting excuses or havent listened to the CD yet. (Which by the way, anyone CAN make an awesome sounding demo in a decent studio - but that doesn't mean they are good LIVE performers) Listening to a C.D. is just a waste of time. If you think someone is decent, give em a shot! Book em for 1 show and find out the truth yourself.

Future for Jeff X:

I will be pursuing gig's now for charities that I determine are very reputable and worthy causes. I will be promoting more of my Original Music & Band, "The Fool Injectors"
And, I will still be playing some select Clubs and Venues who DO have the courtesy and respect to communicate effectively.

As Always, I will keep YOU (MY FANS) informed.
Thank you, Jeff X

Jeff X is always looking to help other growing musicians with their music. From music promotion, production, arranging, linking to this site, recording, doing live shows or whatever it is. Just e-mail me and lets see how we can help each other in this tough biz... jeffx@jeffxmusic.com

Did you know that WLFR plays Jeff X songs? Yes! Along with other local artists, you can here it all on Matt Unversals, "Strange Ways Radio" Show on FM's 91.7. Matts current broadcasting hours for his show are now on Wednesday from 2 to 4 from Stockton in Pomona. LISTEN ONLINE! You can acess Matts' show using streaming audio at www.wlfr.fm (Matt suggests using the online feed through Winamp or Realplayer). Give him a listen, he'll take your requests and plays a whole block of local artists!

To all my fellow musicians: I have, by my own free will, removed my article from here because I do not like to keep negative stuff up on my site. Those who know me and have seen me, know what I am about and I never fear telling the TRUTH. If you are a hard working musician and If you want my advice on where to play, just write an e-mail titled, "Local Clubs" for MY advice on where to play or not to play or any other questions you may have. Remember this is MY opinion (based on MY experiences) and free advice from someone who is in the biz for years and years. Send to: jeffx@jeffxmusic.com

Hat's off to Matt Unversaw. A great supporter to the local Original Music Scene by utilizing his Radio Show, "Strange Ways Radio" on the Richard Stockton College Station WLFR. There was an article in The Press of Atlantic City about just that titled, "Local Tunes on Radio Dial are Rare Sounds" by Vincent Jackson. The first three paragraphs read as follows: If you want to hear local southern New Jersey rock bands on the radio, you need to seek out college radio stations before the commercial ones. Matt Unversaw of Ventnor hosts the "Strange Ways Radio Show" from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays on WLFR-FM 91.7, the station at the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey in Galloway Township. Within his three-hour show, Unversaw, 39, does a Jersey rock block that starts at 5 p.m. and lasts at least 30 minutes. He has been playing local rock acts on his show for the past five years. He played music by acts that included Malcolm Tent of Margate, Sacred Sword of Atlantic County, Tracing Faces of Atlantic City, Jeff X, a Stockton graduate, and 1 Adam 12, a former WLFR DJ.
A very big thanks to Matt. Tune in to something ORIGINAL and hear what is going on locally, instead of listening to that same old cover song AGAIN and AGAIN for the millionth time....

Did you know that you can download your favorite "Get Ahead" songs to your IPod and MP3 Player ? So you may want to know, What is the most popular downloaded MP 3 "Get Ahead" song ? The updated stats are in:
Now as of March 2008:
"For The Moment" - is staying strong in the #1 spot now going into it's 2nd year straight ! "Spanish Lady" takes back it's #2 position knocking back down "The Way I Do" to the #3 most downloaded spot. Then it's: #4 "All We Need" #5 "Get Ahead" #6 It's You #7 When You're Around and #8 Straight To Your Heart". You can actually preview or actually prehear any audio clip of a "Get Ahead" song under, MUSIC above as you read the lyrics. Under the STORE tab above, you can find the links to download your favorite song to your MP3 player or P.C. More links are added as they become available. The newest added link is Liquid Digital Media (a Walmart Store) offering Jeff X songs at just 88 cents per song.

For all you big music lovers out there, here are my current top 5 concert/music DVD picks.
#5 E.L.O. - Zoom Tour Live
#4 Foreigner - Live at Deer Creek
#3 Eagles - Hell Freezes Over
#2 Pink Floyd - Pulse
#1 Paul McCartney - Back in the U.S.A.
If you like any of these groups, then you love their DVD listed here too.

Check out my friends Backyard Bob and his band at the Monthly Open Mic in Hammonton NJ. I attend as often as I can, and highly recommend it as Bob and his Band are very accomodating and friendly. It's officially called, The Hammonton Bagel Cafe Open Mic Night - hosted by Bob himself and you can find all the details about it by clicking on his link under the LINKS tab above.

Hey you know I'm wacky, and now you can get wacky with me. A little side hobby I started cuz I think these are cool. I'm talking about Wacky Packages by Topps, collectable cards. These cards are parady spoofs on products. You may remember these from back in the day. When they started in 1969 and through the 70's, they became so popular in 1974 that they actually outsold baseball cards. Published by Topps and artwork by Norm Saunders (also popularly known for his works "Mars Attacks" & "Batman"), Jay Lynch and nuemorous others. There are lots of people involved in the production process of these (too many to mention). I'd like to thank Greg Grant for setting up the Wacky Mall and Wacky Forum. Here's a sample of some of the vintage cards from the 1979 reissue series -

Check out this Cool motion Avitar:
They have come out with new spoofs for the 2000's. If interested, feel free to shoot me an e-mail about Wacky's or purchasing Wacky's.
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