Derek, I didn't think you guys were actually discussing I-Ten (LOL) - Monte is a harder fella than that. It's a real shame that guys like him and yourself can't jusy go out and sign great bands, PERIOD, rather than trying to figure out the next trend before it happens.

As for trying to bring in more 'lighter fare' at Roadrunner - I don't think that'll ever fly. RR when everything is said and done is a metal label, albeit a cutting edge one, and erasing that tag - or at least chaging certain people's perception of what the company stands for - will be hard if not impossible to do. I have not heard the Toilet Boys, but somehow I really doubt they'll amount to much with a name like that, regardless of how amazing the songs are. Sounds like a novelty act to me and novelty only gets you so far. Of course, in the here today, gone later today world of the music biz that doesn't seem to matter much anymore.

Wow, Susan Powell joined the Afghan Wigs - that's really sad. Talk about mega talent meeting...uh... lesser talent. Isn't Eric Gales in need of a female singer...? ;-) If not, he should be... Hopefully Gwin's new project will actually surface - great guitar player.

I hope Derek S. doesn't give in to those 'mad' GG fans and tries to recreate something that can't be recreated. There's nothing worse than a great band reforming, promising the moon, and then falling flat on their faces and turning into a joke. Kalodner certainly is mental enough to sign something like that given his 'stellar' track record at Portrait (he really should've called it something else; the works of Balance, Aldo Nova, Orphan, Orion etc. really deserve better than to be lumped in with 'Ratt' and 'Brave New World'...). Can't wait to read about JK's next exploit, and yes, such tomfoolery should be outlawed. Today!