So...here I am still very much in the game and today after pestering my head buyer as to getting your newest shit listed to fill my clients needs, he sends me this response from whatever shitheads you guys have distroing your releases...
👉 yesterday from my supplier " So here is the situation with this label (and it pisses me off)..."
The distributor will be offering the GNOD title only to the UK and if any are left, they will open it up to other territories. As for the other titles, they were offered to the UK and US only as they are "the biggest territories". I am still waiting to hear if we can get any of them. WTF ?
Are you dudes pissed that Canada left the "Dominion" in 1982 ? You release records and cds and no fucking distro for Canada? Explain it...please. When I first started slinging wax in my country (1978) you guys were barely out of fucking nappies! When yer fledgling label first started, I embraced you as I knew you were on a proper great path ie "MY BAG", which was through radio and retail. I had in them days, ZERO problems bringing yer shit into Birdman Sound and sold fucking tons of it !!! Wanna see how much shit I played on the radio? Check this out and this is only a bit of it... Friday Morning Cartunes Playlists 2012-2020 only !!!
In the late 90's I excitedly ordered all the Rocket releases and in the early 2000's: Mammatus, Oneida, The Heads, blah, blah, blah. I sold arguably a hundred copies of Goat's "World Music" between 2012 and the release of "Commune" when all of a sudden even idiots who raved on about Commune never even knew about the 1st. Guess that tells you over in North America where you were in label ranking with regard to Sub Pop then eh? We could also say that if Sub Pop spoke, the world listened but I won't as they were mostly a shite label by that point as well IMHO. Biggest selling artists up until 2020 : Teeth Of The Sea, Gnod, JuJu, Goat, Shit and Shine, PIGS X 7, Lay Llamas, Hey Colossus and so on and so on...
Listen, I know full the trials of being a label since forever. I also know the trials and all involved with all aspects of distribution; good, bad or indifferent. The entire system has been an entire shit show for the most part forever. I had no issues with getting Rocket Recordings material until 2019. My first point of contact with you was through FB messenger.
As follows :
From me June 13th, 2019
Far be it for me to ever make suggestions to fine folks who clearly know what they are doing! I would however at this juncture be inclined to suggest that Rocket Recordings should consider a direct approach regarding distribution in Canada. FAB Distribution are great folks and have outlived all for yonkers now in North America...I have been dealing with them for over 2 decades now for Rocket stuff (I sell tons) but lately the lines of listings are now blurred for some reason...if you want specific contact with them I can provide specific names, emails etc....Birdman Sound needs Rocket Recordings releases on it's hallowed walls...just food for thought...all the best...JohnYour response June 17th, 2019 7:01 a.m.
Thanks John, I'll have a chat with our UK distro on this as they are the ones who deal with them, but good to know your thoughts. Johnand June 17th, 2019 10:01 a.m.
Hey Thanks John, we have been chatting to our UK distro & on the case to get it looked at, thanks for letting us know.Then...Brexit happens in January 2020 and the Covid Pandemic in March 2020 and your presence over the pond pretty much shit the fucking bed. Totally get why based on the above 2 catastrophic events however, 6 freaking year later it's gotten dumber and never addressed!!! You have no say in where your gear goes? Makes me LOL that you think AMERICA is the be all and end all for your obscure music releases! What the actual fuck? That is such an antiquated thought ! America is a fucking JOKE in that sense alone not to mention the rest of their stupid, sad, here and now existence...
I am super disappointed in Rocket Recordings. Many clients I have are as well! For any of them to mail order a fave bands LP release from you is even a bigger fucking JOKE! Proper distribution allows folks to support your label and more importantly the artists they LOVE while keeping a little spare change in the pocket (rhymes with rocket EH?) Your respect for us here in Canada is disrespectful and repugnant.
Sincerely John Westhaver
