Disposable music review

Originally published in ‘zine issue #3, 1991

Foundations Forum Convention

by Editor

The Foundations Forum Convention 1991, put on by Concrete Marketing, was a huge success. Held at the Los Angeles Marriott hotel, on October 3rd, 4th, and 5th, there were tons and tons of band members, label heads, A&R types, journalists, publicists, radio stations (KNAC broadcasted on location), producers, and more and more different people from all over. This is an annual con where different people in the music business exchange cards and merchandise, and new contacts and friends are made. There were music samplers everywhere, so one could soak up a band or label’s talents.

Of course, there were dozens of booths set up in the Exhibit Halls in the hotel, occupied by many and various merchandising companies, national magazines, and record labels. Business cards, videos, magazines, albums, ideas, and much more were changing hands everywhere.

There were several panels on the last two days, discussing such topics as record contracts, touring, demos, press, radio, and record companies. There were many bands that played over the course of the con, not the least of which were Ozzy Ozbourne, Prong (amazing show), Lȧȧz Rockit (intense performance), Soundgarden, Crimson Glory, and Fear Of God, who put on a very superb three song set, before being forced off the stage.

This year they kicked off the Concrete Foundations Awards Ceremony, at which various bands won awards such as Best Hard Rock Band, Best Thrash Band, Best Hard Alternative Band, Top Artist, Top Independent Artist, and so on. Ozzy Ozbourne won the Lifetime Achievement Award, and Ronnie James Dio won the Dave Prichard Memorial Award for his charitable work, put on by the T.J. Martell Foundation. I must say that this awards show was the worst orchestrated and executed production I have ever seen. Riki Rachtman hosted, and most of the presenters and winners, not to mention the MC, didn’t know what the hell was going on.

I think the Forum could have concentrated a lot more on underground music, the extreme stuff that really needed the support more than the abundant hard rock and heavy metal on hand, but still, it was a total mind-blower for me, and I received lots of albums and compilations that I had to go through.

Contact Concrete Marketing for more information about its company and Foundations. ■


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