Spotlight - Clashing Plaid
When you mention free music to someone in a conversation, online services
such as Napster usually comes up in the discussion somewhere. As most
people know, that subject has caused quite a bit of controversy over the
last year or so and, whenever it's mentioned, most of the time it's a
rather hot topic. But, not everyone agrees that giving away music is a bad
idea. For a band such as Clashing Plaid, free music means being able to
reach more people and it's a great way to introduce themselves to an
audience that hasn't heard of them before. For this band, it's all about
exposure.
Clashing Plaid began their media blitz with a three song EP titled "All I
Got For Christmas Was Drunk." The title song is, of course, a holiday song
that was done as a goof. But, the band was very serious about the purpose
of that song, which was to be used as a promotional tool. Some people might
toss the song off as nothing more than a funny litte Christmas rock song.
The truth of the matter is though, it was a brilliant marketing idea that
has worked well for the band. As vocalist/guitarist founding member Anthony
Porter explains, "The whole thing with the Christmas album is the fact that
we can get good press off of it because it's a novelty song. But, whoever
gets this CD it's like, listen to the next two songs because that's really
what the band is all about. It's all a matter of getting your foot in the
door. I mean, we've had a lot of radio airplay on stations that don't play
unsigned bands and that's not easy to accomplish. They wouldn't play our
two original songs, but, they'll play the Christmas song."
The Christmas EP has been in circulation for the past three years and,
while the three songs are available all year round as a free download, the
band prints up a select number of CD's each holiday season to, once again,
give them away for free to fans and radio stations all over Pennsylvania.
Now that people have an idea of who this band is, the band is getting ready
to release their debut, full length CD titled "Get Plaid" and while the
band will have the album available for purchase, they're not afraid to give
songs away for free. In fact, "Shine," a new original on the upcoming CD,
is already featured on the Clashing Plaid web page and more songs will be
added in the coming months. "I'm really trying to push the web page right
now because everything you need to know is up there," Porter stated, "And
you can jump right on there and download our music for free, which is a
really big thing with me."
Clashing Plaid, which includes Porter, drummer Steve Ackerman, guitarist
Andy Watts and new bassist Chris Leibel, who replaced Evan Detrick, who
left the band on good terms to pursure other interests, want to stress the
fact that they're just an original rock 'n' roll band that's somewhere
between The Ramones and The Rolling Stones. But, in their continuing effort
to reach more people, they're willing to do what it takes to get their name
and music out there. "We'll play anywhere, your big clubs or your corner
bar. We'll even do a bunch of covers even though we're not a cover band.
We're an original band, but, let's be honest, you play covers and you reach
a lot more people. All of a sudden, you go from playing three places that
support original music to being able to play at fifty different places. So,
whatever it takes, we'll be there." Clashing Plaid is more than just a good
rock 'n' roll band, they're a musical fashion statement as well and "Get
Plaid" will be your ticket to their world, which will soon be coming to a
stage near you!
http://www.clashingplaid.com