time crunch here

If you got to the apartment my guess is there's no record contract and instead he tries to get in your pants.

Alcohol, drugs, date rape drugs and/or a cracked skull are optional.

If you don't want to believe me, at least insist on the following:

1) meeting the band in a public place
2) hearing the cd
3) seeing a copy of the recording contract
4) meeting the agent and producer at the agent's or producer's office.

If they can manage to do all 4 of those things, maybe the guy is just a doofus. If it's legit, they should have no problem doing those 4 things.

Well, it sounds like you already know the answer. I wouldn't even consider going and meeting this person anywhere. And if you do only in a public place and even if you do that, I would take along a close friend and a cell phone. Anyone with a story like this sounds suspect. While reading your post, I kept waiting for you to say "And all I need to do is give him a check for $500 for my photo shoot".

As the old adage says, anything that sounds too good to be true, probably is and in this case it sounds not only like a lie, but a dangerous risk too.

Gee! my band has a 2 million dollar contract do some solos for me. You don't even know if you can hang with this guy. I mean if he's a j**kas* it's going to be pretty hard to work with him. Better safe than sorry!

Sounds pretty fishy to me.
How can a band have a large recording contract and not already have a lead guitar player.
If it is legit (which I doubt)the place to meet is a recording studio.
I don't know how well you play but you need to ask yourself, and be honest, am I so good that someone out of the blue will want me in on a multi million dollar recording contract.

I don't know how well you play but you need to ask yourself, and be honest, am I so good that someone out of the blue will want me in on a multi million dollar recording contract.

Great advice here. I consider myself a very competent musician, and a respectable guitar player, but I don't think anyone would pick me up to play in their signed band just hearing me noodle for a few minutes at GC.

At best, the whole story is true but the guy is a complete musical retard, and will replace you with anyone who can sweep pick at 200 bpm. At worst, he's a scammer and there's money tricks or face stabbing coming down the line. See if you can find a list of all the signed artists on VMA and see if his band is there...

I'm not really certain that even the record company is trustworthy. Here's an excerpt from their website:

"About VMA: VMA Records, a New York City based independent label, is seeking to expand its roster. Our current lineup consists of an electronic music composer / producer whose debut CD charted internationally and a Florida-based rock band with national media coverage. The label's founder, a musician, is especially qualified to relate to the artist on a creative level."

Just 2 acts, one seems to be called Feff.

There are indications that some parts of the site have not been updated since 2003, so I've no idea how current any of this is.

I'd give this whole thing a wide berth and pray that it's not kosher.

Don't forget the bulletproof vest and 44 magnum! :shock:

how can they be anything but legit... just read this (from the bottom of their web page in black text on a black background)

© 2000-05 VMA Records
All rights reserved.

DEMO SUBMISSIONS! CLICK HERE

------------

New York City record label companydedicated to promote new music. Everything from Pop, Electronic, Alternative, Classical, New Age, and Experimental to Rock, R&B, Hip-Hop, Rap, Techno, Industrial, Demo, World, Techo, Ambient ... An independent N. pop York City-based label dedicated to promote everything pop, rock, R&B, hip-hop, distribution - make company rap thru promotion: promote. Vma music recod Independent in NYC rap hip hop, Demo, electronic hip redord. Independent record label company, Rap, r and b people, electronic independent record label, forever record deals too buy, indie rock, indie Techo nyc hip hop trance. We plan to create get behind artists whose music is generated in great york part, if not totally, by recod promote electronic means," VMA Records' Promotion Manager, experimental indepedent Indie Record Label New York NYC, explains. "We consider Electronic Music submit. to embrace a variety of musical genres (DEMO Submissions, we will be presenting everything redord from Techno, Alternative, Classical, New Age indepedent Experimental to (Independent Record company) Ambient, Industrial, Demo, World, Ethnic, Computer Music, Electronica... Besides music eletronica regular distribution, the redord label intends to alternative distribution hop. Aggressively explore all make the possibilities american idol in york - sign deal. That the Internet has to offer, including its assets sales phenomenon recod. By create their release date, distribution VMA Records products indepedent - submit demo, submission. It will be available worldwide exclusively throughout the Web (the albums' related techo website can be accessed in nine languages, plus English rock) distribution tracks will be electronica york unsigned bands immediately attainable for individual downloads in the major formats (MP3, independent techno redord in Liquid Audio, experimental techno electronica Media Player and Quicktime, with make previews in Real Audio and Shockwave realaudio to liquidaudio). The Find Label will also offer special features such as customized CDs distribution / promotion, free downloads with a strong hard rock presence on web radio electronica stations. The lag time create between Internet release distribution company an album appearance in U.S. Independent Record stores will generally be about two months. Further independent music distribution company recod in Europe, Asia and Latin America eletronica is in the works, VMA Records deals will be announcing other releases in the near future. indepedent redord DEMOs. Classical ambient - Find sound record company you need nyc indie when techo browsing industrial records company make vma electronic our pages. Eletronica Hip Hop. Alternative atmospheric ambient world. Who want to experience independent record company deal, novelty and oddnes people. Indie DEMO Submission. Strings attached . VMA music. Experimantal Classical recod is here. This also for electronic. Search techno label, New York.

Go here for electronic. Search techno, label. New York.

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i dont know. so is this like the chance of a lifetime. im still a little confused and worried about it. what really is the chance that it would go gold?

I think what everyone is telling you is that "it sounds too good to be true" so advance with caution. Due to the possibility it could be true they are not saying blow it off just use some common sense when dealing with this stranger.

Meet with him in public, ask to meet with the band in public, ask to hear the demo, ask to see the contract etc. (contract maybe after you meet with them in public). If it is legitimate they will have no problem with doing any of that but could be slow with the contract. If he wants money up front or will only meet in private walk away.

By the way, public can be a restaurant, a coffee shop, a recording studio etc. Avoid their house or yours.

So what if they go triple freakin platnum and your not there for the ride it's SHADY 'nuff said! You can look back and laugh while they are all in heroin rehab! 8) 8) 8)

I can't believe your even considering this... If it were me I would stay far away from this guy.

It does happen. I would still becareful. Vma records is not accepting anything at this tme. On the up and up generally they will ask you to do lunch at a nice resturant. Then again I get a phone calls from an unknowns needing a gun for hire every now and then. For me I tell them right up front what it is and what it isn't. They know I can play thats why they called. They don't like my terms they can find somebody else. I'm happy right here.

I hope things work out positive for you. best of luck.

Joe

i dont know. so is this like the chance of a lifetime. im still a little confused and worried about it. what really is the chance that it would go gold?

Yes it probably is the chance of a life-time and will be a great learning experience, if you live through it. Come on! lets get real here. He's got a million dollar contract and a record about to hit the charts, but can't give you a CD to listen to? If they lost their lead guitar they can't hire a studio musician to finish the CD? Let see, I need a lead to play in my million dollar cantract band, I'll just run down to Guitar Center and pick one up. The operative word being pick-up. Why didn't he ask you to meet with the rest of the band? Does this sound familiar "Get in the car little boy I've got some candy for you." The whole thing sounds at best, like a scam to me. If I met with this guy I'd want a police escort.