Endorsements?

[zorrow]

I want to get some kind of gear endorsement for the Cuban metal band BLINDER, which I represent.

Just to be clear, I don't aspire to getting free stuff (though it would be absolutely great), but just some kind of two-way promotion, given Cuba is a virgin market and there's a lot of metal there, plus at the same time the band is opening itself to the world after all the new announced changes in the Cuban-American relations.

Suggestions? Advices? Any help?

Thanks in advance!

PS: For more info about the band, please go here: www.blindermetal.com

[Steve Haynie]

Are these guys able to tour outside of Cuba? Are they their own record company?

[cspot]

Check the websites of the companies your interested in.

A lot of them offer deals if your a regularly gigging, touring, serious band.

Some Canadian ones too!! (Mack amps...)

Good Luck

[mc2]

Look at the gear the band actually plays and loves....then check those brands and see what they currently offer.

Unknown artists are usually better going with a "B List" strategy.

For instance, if the band actually plays vintage Fenders, look at G&L or some other Fender type that is more likely to do endorsements where there is less "A List" artists competition. One guy I advised to go with G&L was shocked that they played as good or better than his vintage Fenders, right out of the box. I timed my pitch to G&L for a night he was playing on "The Tonight Show" backing a major label artist. When I handed the G&L Artist Rep his press kit (I was in CA and set up a face-to-face meet) and he politely said "I'll give it a listen and let you know." It was a deal sealer when I could say "just turn on The Tonight Show tonight...he's the guitar player."

By the time I got back to N.Y., I had a voicemail from the guitarist saying "What the hell did you say to them? They just delivered a half dozen guitars to my house!!" I told him to pick the two or three he likes the best and ship the rest back. He left on tour the next day playing all G&L.

I've set up many endorsement deals for artists over the years. Never take anything the artist will not really want or use, just because it is free. Nothing worse than endorsement whores. Cuba might be an interestng pitch, as the market opend up....if anyone has any money down there to buy anything? Put together a good press kit of the band and what exposure they can offer the manufacturer. If they have any upcoming high exposure gigs or tours that will show the gear, that is the pitch to use.

[zorrow]

Great replies so far. Thank you, guys!

Yes, I already prepared their press kit and all the needed info and also thought about contacting the companies whose gear they already use. They do play Digitech and Joyo pedals, as well as Hoyer, Jackson and Yamaha guitars and basses. A Dean was also used for some solos on their 2014 album, but that was just me. Their amps are old refurbished Russian amps that are totally crap. Ah! They do use D'Addario strings and Vic Firth drumsticks. I think that's all.

Their 2014 album has got a lot of great reviews. It was mastered by Andy Larocque (King Diamond and Death) and there's a guest solo there played by shredmaster Steve Smyth (Nevermore, Forbidden, Testament). They also covered Slayer's "Die By The Sword" in the album and it got praised by Dave Lombardo himself. In short, they are quite good and also come from an exotic country which can attract some fans who would listen just driven by curiosity -anyone remembers "Global Metal"?

As of touring goes, they tour heavily in Cuba, but nothing outside there so far. However, a new release is scheduled for the end of the spring with the Canadian label Willpower Entertainment, which signed them in November. I'm explicitly pushing the label to get them on tour and/or on some festivals outside Cuba to promote the new album. Let's see if that works -it's actually what I expect from the label, as their "added value".

So, I'll make some moves my side and will let you know how it goes -for those interested in the follow-up.

Thanks again!

[Studio Custom]

60 Minutes just did a story about a college program that came to visit Cuba. They made it point to tell how they had to account for every sheet of paper, reed and drumstick to ensure nothing was left behind. I hardly see an endorsement helping in a non-sales society. The current travel restrictions being loosened have not opened the flood gates from what I saw. While it's true other countries do not have embargoes, the reality is, who wants to be paid in Cuban currency?

[gorch]

Zorrow, I think you or they won't come around to pick up the phone or send a bunch of emails to check any individual company on a Cuban opportunity.

Btw. What is Cuban Metal?

[zorrow]

60 Minutes just did a story about a college program that came to visit Cuba. They made it point to tell how they had to account for every sheet of paper, reed and drumstick to ensure nothing was left behind. I hardly see an endorsement helping in a non-sales society. The current travel restrictions being loosened have not opened the flood gates from what I saw.

They will, sooner than later, and that's the point -timing.

Btw. What is Cuban Metal?

[mc2]

Curious if there is a ton of vintage Gibson, Fenders and Rics, etc. sitting around in Cuba pre-1961 trade embargo?

I always see the old vintage cars in photos of Cuba. Might it be the same for musical,instruments?

A Cuban band might be sitting on a stash of valuable vintage axes that they could trade for new gear.

[Armitage]

Note that people are constantly bring things to Cuba specifically to leave them behind, it's not the Cuban government demanding the accounting, it's the American one.

[Studio Custom]

Note that people are constantly bring things to Cuba specifically to leave them behind, it's not the Cuban government demanding the accounting, it's the American one.

Exactly my point. This is an American based website, where most, if not all responses will be from Anericans. American companies cannot assist in this endevour,

[zorrow]

Please let's don't turn this into a political discussion.

However, just FYI, the American government has just loosened their embargo rules. My post does take that into account.

[Caddie]

Get paid upfront, US cash bills. No different than what Chuck Berry demanded and Peter Grant demanded for Led Zep.

Cheers!

caddie

[mc2]

Hey.....instead of guitar and amp endorsements....how about a KrisKraft endorsement for a boat to have them escape and flee to the U.S. to be free to play rock music?

Set THAT up with MTV and a boat company, etc. And you will have a home run!!

Hell, sell sponsorships and have the brands on the side of the boat, if you land a TV deal.

....and after that, you will have lots of major labels (and endorsements) standing in line to sign them.

Think outside the box.

[mc2]

Just an afterthought.....

Maybe try reaching out to Audioslave. They were the first U.S. band to play Cuba in front of like 70,000 fans.

Perhaps they have some political motivation and would be inclined to give you either help or advice.

[gtone]

...have them escape and flee to the U.S. to be free to play rock music?.

Coffee came out my nose when I read this....

[LucSulla]

Bogner used to be pretty easy to talk to. They had some paperwork, and that was about it. My band, which had done nothing major other than just being good and developing a rep around Nashville, had everything set up, but we broke up. The deal was, if I remembered correctly, they would sell you amps at cost or at least a hefty discount provided you went and recorded some demos for their website that were pro and of course used their stuff. However, this was nearly 15 years ago, and the company was a bit smaller I believe.