Ari and I played with a drummer down in Richmond for a while who grew up in a remote part of West Virginia; he had to buy all his music through the mail with the Columbia Record Club, you know, 12 albums for a penny. Oy. Now THERE'S severely limited selection and heinous prices. So I understand about reaching those more remote listeners. But now there's internet so things aren't quite so grim for those not living near hipper record stores.
I worked for Transworld and they were as evil a corporation as the ones you guys read about in "Fast Food Nation." With them, it's all handshakes with the big labels. They carry copies of independent things because it's necessary for them to stay in business but their aim is to shift units for only what the big labels put out because that's who pays for their advertising and whatnot. I mean, like any business, they sell what people want. McDonald's would still be selling McLean burgers (maybe they still do, I'm not positive, but I think those are extinct now) if that's what people wanted- they're in it to make a buck and so is Transworld but ultimately it's through Transworld that the large labels primarily sell their dross and it's with those big releases Transworld makes their money- they have no need for us.
This is nothing more than a front for some credibility. Several years too late and wholly undeserved. Fuckheads.
Strawberries indeed was owned by the mob for years but Transworld bought them out in the mid-90s.
If you'll allow me, here are the lyrics to my song "Strip Mall Retail Robot," which is my true account of my year as an assistant manager at Strawberries in Portsmouth, NH:
STRIP MALL RETAIL ROBOT
Please allow me to introduce myself
I’m a strip mall retail robot
I’m a corporate company puppet
Shilling for the power lunch set
On my feet all day for the minimum wage
Cash, check or charge? Have a nice day…
Store logo on my name tag like the one on the shopping bags
Be courteous and polite
Vacuum the store floor every night
The customer is always right
Don’t let the black kids out of your sight
Please allow me to introduce myself
I’m a strip mall retail robot
Mandatory bag checks to cut down on internal thefts
On my feet all day for the minimum wage
Cash, check, or charge? Have a nice day…
No benefits or pension
Just a part-time potential felon
Ringing at the register
Shaking hands with the district manager
Charts and graphs in his leather folder
Not just your boss, he’s a shareholder
Don’t forget the five easy steps to excellent customer service
Greet each person at the door
Push the impulse buys on the floor
Hand flyers out in the aisle
Offer assistance and always smile
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