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#210 01/2006
#211 02/2006
#212 03/2006
#213 04/2006
#214 05/2006
#215 06/2006
#216 07/2006
#217 08/2006
#218 09/2006
#219 10/2006
#220 11/2006
#221 12/2006
THIS TIME: MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Hey, guys. It’s been a year since we last met here on this page, and in that time, I’ve received a lot of hand-written letters, e-mails and MySpace messages telling me how much you loved reading the AP History page (all of which can now be found on altpress.com/history). The best messages I received were those that described how much those columns inspired you to get into journalism or photography, or start a record label or a website, or even just give you enough faith to keep plugging away at your band. That’s exactly what I wanted to accomplish.
There are still so many times where I’m amazed at how much of an impact we’ve had on fans and the industry. When I was in Austin for South By Southwest this year, I met Scott Igoe, who does all the talent booking for Jimmy Kimmel Live. He told me that he used AP to help figure out which bands to book for the show. In this issue, you’ll see an ad Pete Wentz is featured in for the new album from the Hush Sound, where he mocks the nude pics of himself that circulated on the ’net a few months ago. He did that photo setup just for AP. I’m still thankful/shocked/amazed over how people in the music business see us and appreciate us for breaking their bands.
Since the last AP History column, we’ve been on a roll. Our 20th anniversary party last June at the House Of Blues in L.A. was a huge success. My Chemical Romance played [above], as did Transplants, Say Anything and the Like. A lot of our friends in the music industry showed up and had a great time. Steven Smith was there, covering the event for Fuse, and even Courtney Love made an appearance with Francis Bean in tow. The best part, though, were the 400 AP fans we got into the show, all of whom went nuts from start to finish. We did a second show here in Cleveland in July featuring Coheed And Cambria, Story Of The Year, the Academy Is..., mewithoutYou, Saosin, Paramore, the Receiving End Of Sirens and many more. Our hometown supporters came out and rocked out to a slew of smaller bands, like Rock ’N’ Roll Soldiers and the Felix Culpa (who drove six hours from Illinois for a 40-minute set-so cool of them). The then-Mayor of Cleveland, Jane Campbell, and city council proclaimed July 21 (the day of Warped Tour in Cleveland) as officially “AP Day.” I felt very appreciative and weird at the same time, because you just knew most of the council had no idea what the hell AP was.
Last year ended on a bittersweet note, as we lost our music editor, Jonah Bayer, who decided to go full-time with his band, the Lovekill (thelovekill.com). They’re roughing it, as all bands do in the beginning, but he’s happy. He still frequently contributes to AP, and you can also find his writing in The Stranger, the Seattle-based alt-newsweekly.
Now that we’re well enough into 2006, we’re already facing new challenges. Have you noticed how thick each issue of AP is these days? Two years ago, we were averaging 112 pages an issue; now we’re anywhere between 198 to 220-plus pages a month. That’s a tremendous amount of new work for the crew to have to handle every day. We’ll most likely have to hire more people. I already know we’re going to have to hire a staff for our website to take it to the next level. Start sending the resumes in, gang! (jobs@altpress.com)
I’m always barking to the staff about how we shouldn’t rest on our laurels here and, well, life ain’t gonna let me do that now, either. I know you guys ask me lots of questions on my MySpace page (myspace.com/MikeSheaAP) and want me to check out your MP3s or your photography. I will, I swear, but if I don’t respond for a while to your message, it’s most likely because I’m pulling my hair out with this new stuff we’re dealing with. (And whatever you do, don’t call me “Sir.” I hate that word.)
And because running AP isn’t enough work, I’m also working in local and state politics here to wrestle control from the ultra-religious extremists currently in office. I’m all for faith in one’s life, but some of these politicos are crooks making loads of money while hiding behind the Cross. So, right now more than anything, I could use some words of encouragement. Believe me, the stuff you guys have sent me already has made a big difference to me on those occasions when it was a struggle for whatever reason.
I think this next year is going to be a great one for AP, but it’s also going to be a challenging one, too. As long as we continue to make a difference, that’s all that matters. At least, that’s all I care about.
Here we go....
- Mike
P.S. Finally, after a bunch of hold-ups, our XM show will be premiering this month on their punk-rock channel, “Fungus 53.” Check the XM web site for show times and dates.
