Thanksgiving 2011 Newsletter

The leaves have turned gold and red; the cold air rustles through the trees bringing hints of winter to come. Thanksgiving is just around the corner; how did the year go by so fast? It’s hard to believe, but the last Gearhead Records newsletter went out in April, as spring was just unfolding.

The economy has taken a toll on many businesses, but thankfully, Gearhead Records is still alive and kicking. No new records or shirts this year; instead we’ve focused on working with what we have, looking for new ways to get the word out on all the great music and products available. It’s been fun going through the catalog; in the rush to create more more more, the cool stuff that came earlier tends to get overlooked or forgotten.

Mostly I’ve just dug into learning about all the technology available and how to use it to promote Gearhead. Honestly, I’m old school. I still write letters. I like to try on my clothes before I buy them. I like shopping in little local shops. Download a track to my Iphone? Can’t: don’t have one! Don’t get me wrong; I like technology. I love how easy it is to connect with customers now compared to B.T. (before technology!). But I am not one of those people that enjoy spending hours on the computer. I search for what I need and get off.

It’s always been important to me to connect with my customers and create a feeling of community, so I am getting better about sharing pictures and remembering to tweet about cool stuff like a movie using one of our songs in their sound track, or Vans BMX picking a track for an online commercial. So read on and feel free to join our online community!

Facebook Fan Page, Twitter and Blog
Hopefully you’re all enjoying my clumsy efforts to connect using Facebook, Twitter, and the Blog. The Gearhead Records Facebook fan page is slowly but surely getting updated with pictures, status updates, and news bites. If you haven’t “liked” us already, please do so now! The page is continuing to evolve as I dig up stuff from the past. I even have my own page where I’ve started posting personal photos of my time with Gearhead. Let’s connect!

I’ve also revived the blog and will be writing a “Record of the Day” series, talking about the “behind the scenes” stuff, why we put a certain record out, how we met the band etc. It should be fun so make sure you sign up for the blog too.

And finally, Twitter has been pretty steady since it was the easiest to get rolling. Any time the blog is updated, or the Facebook page, we’ll be posting it on twitter as well.

Itunes to Feature Gearhead in December!
Download Fans; get your mobile devices ready! For those of you who like to download music, Gearhead Records will be the featured label on Itunes December 22 2011 through Jan 3 2012. This means selected titles will be highlighted on Itune’s Indie/ Punk pages and will be available at a special discounted price for download! As the promotion gets closer, we’ll be posting more details on the Facebook page, so make sure you “like” us!

Black Friday-Cyber Monday 25% off sale in EBay
Since we closed our retail boutique Gearhead Records and Stuff, we’ve continued to sell lots of fun items from our EBay Store Front. Not only are there the usual Gearhead music and merch, but rare posters, records and collectibles as well! You can even make an offer for what you’d like to pay on many of the items! To kick off the holiday season, we’re putting everything in the EBay store on sale for 25% off from Black Friday Nov. 25 through Cyber Monday Nov. 28!

We will have our traditional world wide free shipping week through the Gearhead website Dec 8 through Dec 12 as well, so mark your calendars. But why not start shopping early for unique gifts for those music nuts on your shopping list? EBay Store sale ends Monday Nov. 28!

May this newsletter find you all enjoying the holiday of gratitude and thankfulness, whether you celebrate Thanksgiving or not. Thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm!
Michelle
Gearhead Records

Record of the Day

I've decided to write about each of the records I've released through Gearhead. I'm frequently asked what my favorite record is, and honestly, I can't really answer that. I wouldn't have put the record out if I didn't love it.

That being said, I can provide a little background as to why I chose a particular record or band to work with. I'm going to start writing short reviews about various records in the Gearhead catalog and why I like the record so much, plus I'll include any background stuff, like how the band came to the attention of Gearhead. This will be called "Record of the Day" and for each record I write about, that record will be on sale for a short time through both the website (http://www.gearheadrecords.com) and the ebay store (http://www.stores.ebay.com/gearhead-records).

The updates will be posted online through the blog, twitter, facebook etc. This will be fun! And if nothing else, at least it will be some insight into how Gearhead works!

Big Itunes Promotion coming in December!

Mark your calendar folks! The last week of December 2011 and the first week of January 2012, Gearhead Records and Itunes will team up for a special online promotion featuring the Gearhead catalog! You'll be able to download the catalog for special discounted pricing, including the compilations. As we get more details on what bands will be featured, we'll let you know!

Gearhead to Vend at Davis Record Swap

That's right, its been a couple of years, but I'm finally setting up at my first swap in over 2 years! Come by for the KDVS/Armadillo Records hosted swap this Sunday, Oct. 30 from 9 am to 4pm. Entrance is free, and parking is free all day Sunday!

The event will be held at Natsoulas Gallery 521 First St (cross st. E. St) Davis CA 95616. I'll be selling all sorts of cool old records, from old country and western to 60s garage punk to rare and collectible indie and punk rock, including Antiseen, The Freeze, White Zombie and much much more.

And of course, I'll have a selection of Gearhead CDs and vinyl, all priced well below retail! So come on out, check out the swap, and buy some stuff!

New Bomb Turks to Tour Summer 2011

Wow, New Bomb Turks are reuniting for 5 shows! Don't miss this rare opportunity to see this kick-ass band in action! And while you're at it, make sure you have their two Gearhead Releases "The Night Before the Day The Earth Stood Still" and "Switchblade Tongues, Butterknife Brains" available here http://www.gearheadrecords.com/site/bands/nbt.php

Friday 10 June 2011 Double Door Chicago, IL

with COOL DEVICES

Saturday 11 June 2011 Beachland Ballroom Cleveland, OH

with Hot Cha Cha, Trigger Effect, All Dinosaurs…

Thursday 23 to Saturday 25 June 2011 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain

Azkena Rock Festival 2011

With Band of Horses, Queens of the Stone Age, Bright Eyes, Ozzy Osbourne, Eels, and more…

Sunday 26 June 2011 La Sirene La Rochelle, France

with Weak

Monday 27 June 2011 La Cooperative De Mai Clermont-Ferrand, France

with Ass Bandit

Free Shipping Now until Dec. 31 2010

“Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes (Turn and face the strain) Ch-ch-Change Oh, look out you rock 'n rollers…” So it goes in David Bowie’s song Changes. Speaking of changes, here at Gearhead Records, we've gone through plenty since you read our most recent newsletter.... way back in April!! And that’s mostly because there have been so many changes; we've just been keeping up and adapting. Between closing the store and moving the Gearhead Headquarters to Davis, CA, to navigating the changing landscape of the music industry, a less flexible label might have folded.

Yes, it was tempting at times to throw in the towel, but there is still that “something” that keeps us going. Now with the holidays almost here, in this time of giving gifts and merriment, of looking back at the passing year, and looking forward to a new year…well, all we can say is Gearhead Records is still here to serve you, changing with the times, trying new things, and letting other things go. Time moves on, life changes, so why not businesses?

In this final edition for 2010 of the Gearhead Records Newsletter, you’ll find the following:
*Free Shipping on all orders Worldwide until Dec. 31st 2010
*Cds that are going out of print
*Demo Submission Update
*Changes in our business focus
*Clothing and T Shirts that are going out of print

WORLDWIDE FREE SHIPPING ON ALL ORDERS ‘TIL DEC 31st 2010
The holiday season brings out the competition even in the best of businesses. And while we can’t compete (and have no desire to) with the lure of a new I-phone or a Wii video game, we still have a lot to offer the shopper who has a love of new music few people on their Christmas list might even be aware of.

To help make the most of your holiday budget, we are once again offering our annual WORLD WIDE FREE SHIPPING ON ALL ORDERS deal! Which is basically a nifty way of saying, “Hey, buy some cool Cds for your friends and family or a gift for yourself and we’ll ship it to you for free, anywhere in the world. Or if you want the succinct version, it’s this:

Now, until December 31st, place your order on line for ANYTHING in our web store and we’ll cover the cost of shipping it to you, any where in the world. So give it a try: just click on any item in the Gearhead Records web store and put it in your shopping cart. EVERYTHING, including posters, shot glasses, stickers shirts, hoodies and music all ship for free! When you check out, you’ll notice you aren’t charged the cost of shipping, no matter where you live World Wide! Cool huh? Please note there may be a small charge that appears in the shipping section for using your credit card. We can’t stop that charge! Happy Holidays!

GOING GOING GONE: WHEN THESE CDS ARE GONE, THAT’S IT!
Those of you who have been around with us a while are probably pretty familiar with our extensive catalog. It’s a lot to keep on top of, and so in the spirit of streamlining we’ve decided to let many of our Cds titles go out of print. This may be your last chance to buy some of these titles as the actual physical CD. When they’re gone, that’s it. You’ll only be able to find them as digital downloads on Itunes or in our MP3 Store! So while you’re perusing the selections to purchase for your Free Shipping special, maybe grab one of these babies, while supplies last! Cause when they’re gone, they’re gone daddy gone:

V/A “Gearfest” CD
V/A “Runnin’ On Fumes” CD
V/A “Smash Up Derby” CD
V/A “Thingmaker” CD
The Hypnomen “Trip With Satan” CD
NRA “New Recovery” CD
Mensen “Delusions of Grandeur” CD
Riverboat Gamblers “Something to Crow About” CD
Puffball “Super Commando” CD
Gito Gito Hustler “Gito Galore” CD
Electric Eel Shock “Beat Me” CD
Lords of Altamont “Lords Have Mercy” CD/LP
Lords of Altamont “Altamont Sin” CD
The White Barons “Up All Night” CD/LP
Hellbound Glory “Scumbag Country” CD
Hellbound Glory “Old Highs & New Lows” CDs

GEARHEAD RECORDS AND LICENSING:SORRY, BUT NO WE DON’T ACCEPT DEMOS!
Every day, I get numerous emails from bands wanting to know if Gearhead Records is accepting demo submissions. While it seems counter-intuitive for a record label to say NO! that is precisely the answer we give them. As the music industry continues to shift and tries to figure out how people are buying new music, it’s become obvious that the old model of finding bands and putting out their Cds just doesn’t really work any more. With the rise of Facebook, Myspace and Itunes, computer saavy young musicians have multiple ways of creating, promoting and selling their own music. While an established record label is still important to the big picture and life of a band, our role has shifted.

So, we’re holding off adding new bands to the roster for the time being; instead we’ve shifted our focus to supplying film and TV with music for the various projects they’re always coming to us for. Yes, we’ll still continue to sell Cds as long as we have them, and we’ll continue to focus on the ever-expanding market for digital music.But we're expanding the emphasis on licensing our extensive catalog.

So if you are a Music Supervisor, or an independent filmmaker, work at an advertising company, or are in need of music for a project you’re working on, drop us a line, or call us direct at 530-750-7900. It’s been really fun to match music up with various projects, like MTV’s Fantasy Factory or the CW Network’s Hellcats.

We still have such a backlog of demos to get through still that it will likely be a while before we open the door up to demo submissions again. But, hey, we really appreciate all the creativity that's cooking out there, and we're definitely looking forward to the time when we will accept demos again.


DOESN’T GEARHEAD MAKE NEW T SHIRTS ANYMORE?
As many of you have probably noticed, another change here at Gearhead HQ is the fact that many of our shirts have either sold out, or are down to just one or two sizes. And while the t-shirts, stickers, patches and all the other merchandise has been really fun to make, at the present time, it’s just not where our focus lies.

So while supplies last, the shirts, hoodies, and other merchandise you see will still be for sale, but as they sell out, we’re not going to reprint any of it. They will be gone forever, only to live on you or in your closet. It's time to let it all go! So really, this is your last chance to get many of our most popular shirts, hoodies, patches, accessories, stickers and other merchandise by bands such as The Hellacopters, Wildhearts, Electric Eel Shock, “Demons”, the Sugar Skull and Wrench Logo. And what better time to pick up one of these limited edition items but now, while there’s a FREE SHIPPING sale going on?! We’re clearing it all out to make room for 2011, and the possibility of something new!

Thanks to all of you who have hung in there with us for these last 10 years! We’ve been through many changes over the years, and can’t wait to see what opportunities the New Year will bring us. We're in the process of updating our email program. If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, there should be an "unsubscribe" button somewhere in this email, but if not, just drop us a friendly email with Please Remove in the subject line. Happy Holidays, and a very happy 2011 to you all!

Your Friends at Gearhead Records

PO Box 2234 Davis, CA 95617-2234 530-750-7900

GEARHEAD RECORDS CELEBRATES TEN YEARS IN BUSINESS

As I was saying, April 11 will mark the official Ten Year Anniversary of Gearhead Records very first CD. To celebrate, we're throwing a party, and not just any party. This party will feature performances by Exene Cervenka, the former singer from X, (who as anyone who knows me can tell you, is my favorite punk band bar none) and Hellbound Glory. Exene is out on the road promoting her new release Somewhere

Gone on Bloodshot Records (available in our retail store).

X had melody, and a girl and a guy singer on equal footing that weren't afraid to mix fast guitars with of-kilter country-inspired harmonies, all elements that captured my attention the first time I heard them back in 1982. Exene, like her former partner John Doe, has moved on and her new record is a sweet slightly melancholy blend of folk and Americana, which still rings with the off-kilter harmonies she became so well known for. Thus, I was thrilled when she asked if she could stop by my store to play. Way appropriate considering she was one of the few strong confident female role models I had when I started getting into punk rock those many years ago.

Instead of celebrating Record Store Day like everyone else that previous Saturday we'll celebrate on Tuesday April 20, 2010. Events will start rolling at 5 pm with a behind-the-scenes tour of the Gearhead Records Warehouse, and Hellbound Glory will kick the music off at 6 pm for this free, all ages, alcohol-free public event with Exene going on at 7pm. The party will be catered by the local seasonal cuisine restaurant Monticello Bistro, featuring delectable noshes made with ingredients grown locally here in Yolo County. Over the next month, I'll be writing daily posts in my personal blog unveiling the story of Gearhead Records and my personal trek into the music business more than 25 years ago.

The entire month of April, we'll celebrate the artists that have shared this wacky world with us by putting the entire catalog on sale. So please, save the date, Tuesday April 20th, 2010, and come celebrate 10 years of kick ass punk 'n' roll with us.

Free Worldwide Shipping!!

That's right, for two weeks, Gearhead Records will pick up the tab for shipping your holiday orders any where in the world, on ALL ORDERS placed through our Web Store! So give the gift of music, T-shirts, hoodies, shot and beer glasses, accessories, posters, kid's stuff, plus much more and get all your orders shipped free! We also offer a Gift Wrapping option for just $1, so not only will we cover the cost of shipping, we'll even wrap your gifts for you!

So, whether you live in The Netherlands, Japan, Ohio, New Jersey, Germany, France, Spain, Australia, Canada, or any other country in the world, including the US and Central and South America, place your order on ANYTHING in our Web Store, and we'll cover the cost of shipping your order to you! Don't know what to get that special someone? We offer many different CD and vinyl gift packs, (including the almost out of print 6-CD Gift Box) as well as our band Value Packs with a variety of music, stickers and t-shirts, all to help make gift selections easier for you. Your order will ship for free, anywhere in the world!!

It's just our way of saying thank you and Happy Holidays~ If you're shy about ordering online (our Web Store is secure, but we understand) you can call us with your order, 530-662-7877 and one of our helpful friendly staff will help you choose the right gifts! But Hurry! FREE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE ENDS DECEMBER 14!! START SHOPPING!

**Please note, there is a minor charge that shows up under "shipping." It's a tiny credit card fee charge that we can't remove.

Psst! Gearhead Records FREE SHIPPING starts today!

Officially, our annual free shipping starts tomorrow, but it's all ready to go! If you want to get ahead and shop on this great CYBER MONDAY - Gearhead Records is offering FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING starting today through the 14th of December.

This only applys to our website at www.gearheadrecords.com. This DOES NOT apply to the eBay Store.

Alright, the secret is out, start shopping at www.gearheadrecords.com for FREE SHIPPING ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD!

Biker DVDs back in stock!

Check our DVD section for restocks on the Choppertown and Brittown Documentary DVDs! We've also got our own DVD Hotrod Pinups in stock as well! Great gifts for fans of motorcycles and hotrods!

Womens shirts in stock!

Yay! All you ladies, time to rejoice! The super cool Adapter Star logo, drawn by Tattoo Artist "Cuz'n" Bill Lorenz from Sacramento Tattoo is now available as a Women's Tank Top and a Womens tee! Cranberry Red Ink, printed on Anvil-brand tops!

Super cute for only $17.99/each! Available in sizes small, medium, large and XL!

$3 CD SALE ON NOW!!

Our CD Summer Sale starts today (banner says tomorrow, but we're ready today!!)
Only $3 on most CDs and a few other things are on sale including some LPS and Wildhearts Belt Buckles.

This is a great time to stock up on awesome music and also start early holiday shopping.

Click here to access our online store!

FREE CD DEAL!

JULY EBAY SPECIAL

For every $20 you spend (excluding shipping) in our eBay Store, you will receive a FREE GEARHEAD RECORDS CD! It will be chosen at random - but it doesn't hurt to send us your top choices in the message to seller!

That means, buy $100 of merchandise and get 5 free Gearhead Records CDs. Buy $40 and get 2 Free CDs, etc.

This goes on through the month of July only!

This promotion is for CDs on the Gearhead Records label only! Please contact us if you have any questions!

Mansfields on Tour with the QUEERS!

Check out this great summer tour with the Mansfields and the Queers! Catch them in a town near you!!

06.04.2009 @ Blacksheep in Colorado Springs, CO w/ the Queers
06.05.2009 @ Marquis Theater in Denver, CO w/ the Queers
06.06.2009 @ Aggie Theatre in Ft. Collins, CO w/ the Queers
06.08.2009 @ Badlander in Missoula, MO w/ the Queers
06.09.2009 @ The Blvd in Spokane, WA w/ the Queers
06.10.2009 @ Red Room in Vancouver, BC, CANADA w/ the Queers
06.11.2009 @ Sugar Club in Victoria, BC, CANADA w/ the Queers
06.13.2009 @ Dante's in Portland, OR w/ the Queers
06.17.2009 @ Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco, CA w/ the Queers
06.19.2009 @ Knitting Factory in Los Angeles, CA w/ the Queers
06.20.2009 @ Alex's Bar in Long Beach, CA w/ the Queers
06.21.2009 @ Casbah in San Diego, CA w/ the Queers
06.23.2009 @ Launchpad in Albuquerque, NM w/ the Queers
06.24.2009 @ Conservatory in Oklahoma City, OK w/ the Queers
06.25.2009 @ Blue Bird in St. Louis, MO w/ the Queers
06.26.2009 @ The Dame in Lexington, KY w/ the Queers
06.27.2009 @ 31st Street Pub in Pittsburgh, PA w/ the Queers
06.28.2009 @ Rocks Off Boat Cruise in New York, NY w/ the Queers

FREE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

That's right, we're offering FREE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE on our website all week long until next Friday! Don't contemplate, put in your order TODAY! Quantities are limited and going fast!

Thanks!

-Gearhead Records
*FREE SHIPPING*
May 1st-8th, 2009
www.gearheadrecords.com

New Gearhead Records T-Shirts

Check out our brand new t-shirts!! Here's the Gearhead Records Wrench logo design on a brown or gray tee. We've got them in mens sizes Small-XXL starting at $17.99.

What a deal! Summer is on it's way which means t-shirt weather! You'll be the coolest stud on the block with one of our great tee's! Buy now!

Gearhead Records Party in Reno, NV March 14th!

Gearhead Records and Sacramento Tattoo are proud to host the only
officially sponsored after party for the 2009 Lady Luck Tattoo Convention
in Reno, Nevada. The party will be Saturday, March 14th 2009 at Tonic
Lounge, 231 west 2nd St. Reno, NV 89501

Capacity is limited so buy your tickets today right here!


The line up features 5 bands all for $10! Vomit (hardcore from
Sacramento), Crank County Daredevils (metal from North Carolina), The
Mansfields (psychobilly punk from Colorado), Hellbound Glory (outlaw
country from Reno, NV) and The Lords of Altamont (garage-rock from Los
Angeles). Doors open at 9:30 and the first band goes on at 10:30. All
paying customers will receive a free event poster and raffle ticket, just
fill you name out and your email address to be entered into the drawing
for tons of cool stuff!


21+ with ID Only.

DVDs in our Webstore!

We've got new DVDs in our web store including CHOPPERTOWN, BRITTOWN, HOTROD HAVOC 1&2, TWO WHEEL TERRORS, and of course our own HOTROD PINUPS! Buy 'em now!

Happy New Year!

We hope you and yours had a wonderful new year!

We're back in the office and now shipping. If you placed an order last week, everything is shipping today and tomorrow.

Thanks for a great 2008 and here's to an even better 2009!

FREE SHIPPING til Dec 10th

You heard that banner! Gearhead Records is offering free shipping in our webstore til December 10th worldwide! That's right, stock up on LPs, CDs, stocking stuffers, hoodies, long sleeve tees, t-shirts and much much more! Make your Holidays Jolly!

Start shopping!!