The News

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=168 BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> <B>"For every truth I tell Its a dollar I spend, For every lie I believe there's a dollar I lend."</B></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFFF00" FACE="Punch Label" ><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Blackmail, Inc."><U>BLACKMAIL,INC.</U></A></FONT><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Blackmail, Inc."><U> </U></A><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Blackmail, Inc."><U> </U></A>  </div> <div> The News   |   <A HREF="id18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The History So Far"><U>The History So Far</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Discography"><U>The Discography</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id21.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Sounds"><U>The Sounds</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id22.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Mailbag"><U>The Mailbag</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id23.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Mail Us"><U>Mail Us</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id24.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Places to Go"><U>Places to Go</U></A></div> <bR> <div> The News</div> <div> Lies, truths & stuff</div> <bR> <div> 03-22-02</div> <bR> <div> Here we go again....</div> <bR> <div> The dismantling of the group is all but complete. In light of the recent accident that he was involved in, Mac has decided to leave the band to concentrate on some personal issues.  I wish him the best of luck. </div> <bR> <div> Some good news... for a change...</div> <bR> <div> Our work on Napoleon Mint's CD is all but finished. Blackmail, Inc. has contributed two CO-writing credits ( <I>Lay Your Money Down, [Joni Loves Chachi's] Turkey Pot Pie</I>), lent some vocals, produced a couple of tracks and one remix. The artwork is being finished now and will be released shortly.</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="17b9b940.jpg" border=0 width="155" height="148" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> 03-12-02</div> <bR> <div> It has been a very tough start to this new year for Blackmail, Inc. Unfortunately, this posting is to officially announce the departure of two members of the band.  </div> <bR> <div> Josh Henson (DJ Fear) was asked to depart from the band after a series of incidents that I will not delve into in a public forum. I will say that in order to maintain the reputation that the name Blackmail, Inc. embodies that it is for the best that we cut all ties with Josh.</div> <bR> <div> The ultra-unimaginable Ms. TaTa Finski has decided to leave the group to explore other options in the world of entertainment. We wish her the best of luck in all future ventures.</div> <bR> <div> So, this leaves many unanswered questions with the band.  Blackmail, Inc. will continue with a few of the projects that  have been started in the past several months, including recording the next project. Currently songs are being written for that project. Also,  I am mixing Napoleon Mint's debut CD, "<I>Curiously Strong</I>". Also, I am spending some time with ex-Blackmail member, Tony Angelopoulos, remixing and re-recording songs from our never released "<I>The Greatest Show On Earth</I>" recordings in an attempt to allow them to finally see the light of day.</div> <bR> <div> So, as you can tell, there is plenty of activity despite the numerous setbacks. I will keep you up to date with any developments. The worst has got to be behind us.</div> <bR> <div> (Get well Mac...)</div> <bR> <div> 02-09-02</div> <bR> <div> R.I.P. Billy Jack Washington</div> <bR> <div> It is with a heavy heart that we pass on to you the news that Blackmail, Inc.'s drummer and percussionist, Billy Jack Washington passed away early in the morning on January 24, 2002.</div> <bR> <div>  Billy and fellow band member, Mac Hyne were involved in a one car accident  on January 23, 2002.  Billy suffered severe head trauma that he never recovered from.  Our prayers have been with his family. He is and always shall be missed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> 12-26-01</div> <bR> <div> We have decided that recording of the next CD will began shortly after the first of the year.  We have some beginning tracks and snippets of song ideas that came from the remixing and recording of the All Good Things rerelease as well as the recording sessions we have had with RD McGunner and Nappy Mint. The sound currently is leaning heavily on the electronic side.... then again it is very, very early to say that this is where it will end up.</div> <bR> <div> 12-11-01</div> <bR> <div> <I>Transactions</I> is now available. Send us an e-mail and we can arrange for a copy to be mailed  for the cost of $10 per CD. We'll cover the shipping and handling until further notice.</div> <bR> <div> We are in the process of setting up other means of distribution over the internet. We will keep you up to date.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> 11-16-01</div> <bR> <div> We are still waiting for the completed copies to come back.... we'll keep you up to date.</div> <bR> <div> The <I>Transactions </I>discography page has been updated with all the lyrics and credits for the CD. </div> <bR> <div> The idea for a small club tour has been dropped. Instead we will head back into the studio the first week of the new year in order to record the follow up. We want to continue with the energy we managed to capture towards the end of the <I>Transactions </I>recording sessions. This choice will also give us more time to contribute to the <I>Margarita Manhood</I> CD.</div> <bR> <div> How about some mail?</div> <bR> <div> 11-01-01</div> <bR> <div> The final mixing for the new CD, <I> Transactions,</I> was completed late last night. We sent the master copy off to press this morning.  We are all very happy with the entire effort. We feel that it is the most complete Blackmail, Inc. release to date. </div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id40.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Transactions"><U><IMG SRC="0e1b6a50.jpg" border=0 width="182" height="165" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <bR> <div> The above is the cover artwork that we decided on for the new CD. The discography page of this web site will be updated soon with more info on the CD.</div> <bR> <div> We have been given the recordings for the first Napoleon Mint CD. Along with some of the earlier remixes that we did for Nappy, we will be mixing the master for his debut release. We'll keep you up to date on the progress.</div> <bR> <div> Also, the <I>Margarita Manhood</I> CD is nearing completion as we received another two completed tracks from The Fascist Pigs and Sex Maggot. The one song that we can confirm that we have contributed is titled "Mike's Song".</div> <bR> <bR> <div> 10-15-01</div> <bR> <div> The soundtrack for the Margarita Manhood project has neared completion. There will be at least one Blackmail, Inc. song included in addition to the title song, along with mixes by Blackmail, Inc. for Napoleon Mint, RD McGunner and a few others.  Perhaps the most interesting track thus far for that project is the RD McGunner song that features Napoleon Mint and was CO-produced and mixed by members of </div> <div> Blackmail, Inc. The song, "Little Burger Boy", is a bizarre mix of soul, country and industrial metal. In short, we are happy to have been involved.</div> <bR> <div> News regarding our much delayed CD...</div> <div> We have held up release while we touch up some mixes that we weren't happy with. Plus, we have worked out a few more songs to be included. So the absolute final track listing is as follows:</div> <bR> <div> <I>Transactions</I></div> <div> <I>Proud Transgression</I></div> <div> <I>The Devil's Disco</I></div> <div> <I>Black & White</I></div> <div> <I>Frigate Bird</I></div> <div> <I>Gravity Pills</I></div> <div> <I>The Breeze & the Echo</I></div> <div> <I>Ground's Too High</I></div> <div> <I>Hits</I></div> <div> <I>Lucky View</I></div> <div> <I>Mud</I></div> <div> <I>Fish Monger</I></div> <div> <I>Soup</I></div> <div> <I>War Queen</I></div> <div> <I>What You Want</I></div> <div> <I>The Rat's Raindance</I></div> <bR> <div> We will let you know as soon as a release date is set. Within the next week or so we should have artwork posted.</div> <bR> <div> Does anyone read this? Mail us!!!!!!!!!!!!</div> <bR> <bR> <div> 9-30-01</div> <bR> <div> We have taken the time to update Sounds section of this web site. You can now link to several songs directly. They are available in streaming audio or as MP3 downloads.</div> <bR> <div> We have also been notified that the soundtrack for the now defunct Margarita Manhood show will be released. Along with a few of our songs it will include songs by Napoleon Mint, Bush Hogg, RD McGunner, Sex Maggot and more. We'll let you know when to expect it as soon as we know.</div> <bR> <div> 8-26-01</div> <bR> <div> The party was a nice time last night. RD McGunner, members of Sex Maggot, the Fascist Pigs, Napoleon Mint and ourselves all joined in on a spur of the moment jam session. The highlight of the session was the song "Paradise By the Dashboard Light". Napoleon, RD and Ms. Finski shared the vocals. I just hope someone was recording.</div> <bR> <div> 8-20-01</div> <bR> <div> We are having a party for the "All Good Things" rerelease on the 25th of this month.  The guest list so far is interesting to say the least....  </div> <bR> <div> The current track listing for the new CD is as follows:</div> <bR> <div> <I>Transactions</I></div> <div> <I>Proud Transgression</I></div> <div> <I>The Devil's Disco</I></div> <div> <I>Black & White</I></div> <div> <I>Gravity Pills</I></div> <div> <I>Mud</I></div> <div> <I>Priest of Tech</I></div> <div> <I>Frigate Bird</I></div> <div> <I>War Queen</I></div> <div> <I>The Ground's Too High</I></div> <div> <I>Soup</I></div> <div> <I>Lucky View</I></div> <div> <I>The Rat's Raindance</I></div> <bR> <div> We're more than likely going to add another song or two before its complete. The record company is looking for an early November release.</div> <bR> <div> By the way, new songs are now posted at ACIDplanet.... go check them out.</div> <bR> <div> 8-11-01</div> <bR> <div> The song "Gravity Pills" was finally finished up early this morning. This is a song that we have tried to get completed for almost three years. It started off as a lounge song and has now evolved into a guitar based progressive sound. Part of the lounge sound can still be heard on the short introduction that was left on the final mix of the song.</div> <div> That brings the total completed songs for the new CD up to twelve.  We have three other bits that we are working on and will hopefully have the entire track list finished by early September.</div> <bR> <div> We are waiting for the first edit of "The Devil's Disco" video to be shown to us. We'll let you know when it happens.</div> <bR> <div> 8-09-01</div> <bR> <div> The mastering and mixing of "All Good Things" is complete. The rerelease should happen sometime early next month. It does include the new versions of "Black Thursday" and "Life Is Like a Photograph".  As it stands right now, this will be released on Good Things Records.</div> <bR> <div> We have also finished the remix for Napoleon Mint's song, "Lay Your Money Down". Actually three mixes!!! These will be included on a future release of his.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> 8-03-01</div> <bR> <div> Last night  Napoleon Mint stopped by the studio. It was a short session that produced a song titled "Lay Your Money Down".  We have also been asked to do a remix or two of the song. This song is almost a life changing experience.</div> <bR> <div> Monkey Boy Records is putting together a compilation CD with tracks of most, if not all, of their artists. We are currently deciding which track to include... or possibly a song that will not or has not appeared anywhere else. We'll see.</div> <bR> <div> The remixing of "All Good Things" continues. As does the recording sessions for the next CD.</div> <bR> <div> 7-31-01</div> <bR> <div> The fate of the EP has been decided. Instead of releasing an EP we will be remastering, reediting and some tracks will be re-recorded... "All Good Things".   We started remastering and remixing several days ago and progress is going very quickly. The two songs that we are considering fro re-record are "Black Thursday" and "Life Is Like a Photograph". We will keep you up to date on progress.</div> <bR> <div> Also, the first day of shooting for the video "The Devil's Disco" went well.... we think.</div> <bR> <div> 7-20-01</div> <bR> <div> As it stands the EP still may or may not happen. It all depends on the execs at the record company. The band is really not that concerned.... let it happen.... don't let it happen.... who cares.</div> <bR> <div> A new song titled "Black & White" was finished today. TaTa graced us with some brilliant vocals on the chorus. This song is another that will definitely be on the CD. We are all (and I do mean all of us) pleased with this one. Its another song with heavier guitar. The sound of the overall CD is changing quite a bit from the earlier recordings. So in order to pull them all together we are doing some touch up edits on a few of the songs as we work on newer stuff.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>                                                  <IMG SRC="08a2b3c0.gif" border=0 width="43" height="60" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>