SLAM SOCIETY Newsletter
December 1992
TO THE TRIBES:
Hello to the faithful. I apologize that we have not been in touch, but the last eight months have been in somewhat of an emotional blender. While I was in Los Angeles writing songs for our fourth record, the streets erupted into a violent frenzy and the L.A. riots began. I try to pride myself on my optimistic outlook toward the future, but hope was hard to find at that time. The events were unsettling, horrifying and desperately exciting. Unsettling because there were brief moments I wanted to join the violence and show my contempt for the lies in the history books. Horrifying considering the deaths and the pain for the innocent involved, and exciting only because of its flavor of revolt.
I know that if our corporate, political and religious leaders take things too far, the people of this country will not play sheep. I can only hope that if things go too far, our rage can be contained to fight peacefully, with our hearts and minds. The recent elections may bring about a positive change for this country. It's now time to put these emotions on the new record so you can contemplate, criticize and slam to the music. Thank you for your patience.
Keep the faith,
Dan Reed
DECEMBER NEWS:
By Matthew Nelson
Greetings DRN fans one and all. My name is Matt Nelson and I have replaced Katie Bechtol as the author of the DRN Newsletter. Our congratulations go out to Katie, who has recently married Tim Gardner. We wish her and her new husband well with their new lives. She will always be in our hearts
As many of you know, it has been a year since the last newsletter. In order to keep you up to date on a more regular basis, we will be starting up the Slam Society, the official fan club of DRN. For a $15 annual membership fee, each member will recieve quarterly newsletters, an autographed 8X10 photo of the band, tour information, forms to order products (T-shirts,posters, and of course the brotherhood necklace), and a few other surprises. Please keep in mind we will not be making a profit with this by any means, the membership funds will help us to pay for the band photos, printing and postage costs of the newsletter, as well as a person to keep the mailing list up to date. Just send in the order form on the last page with a $15 check or money order, and begin reaping the benefits of a Slam Society member. We will continue to send out an annual newsletter to all who choose not to join the society. So if you are broke, fear not, you can still know what is going on.
The New Record:
Get ready for some new tunes! The Network will begin recording their fourth album for Mercury/Polygram in early 1993. This Rock-n-Funk record is guaranteed to shred your ears and anything else in close range. It also contains ballads that will move your heart. Look for it in stores in Spring/Summer of 1993. If you have any original ideas for an album title please send it to our P.O. Box.
To everyone who was able to attend the Australian shows, we thank you for your support from "Down Under." For all of us who were unlucky enough not to be in Australia, the Network assures me that along with the release of the fourth album, we will get a world tour.
Thanks to everyone for the letters, cards, gifts, photos, and the articles you sent in to the P.O. Box. Your written words provide spiritual inspiration for our minds and souls. For those if you who have your own original music, we encourage you to send us all your current demos. By December, Dan will be looking for talent to produce.
Many thanks go out to all who have left messages for the band on our hotline. If you would like to leave a message for anyone in the band, the number is (212)459-4025. Once again, this is not a 900 number, we do not make money off of your calls. Regular long distance charges do apply. Give us a call and tell the band what is on your mind.
WHAT'S UP?:
Dan Reed:
As some of you know, Dan has entered the world of acting. In
February, he played the part of Torch in Triangle Production's Beirut. Torch, affected with a disease not unlike AIDS, is quarantined in a concentration camp with others who have tested positive with the virus. It is a wild story of courage, hope and desire.
Dan's success with Beirut has opened more doors in the acting world. He has finished small parts in Zalman King's feature film Lake Consequence and Gus VanSant's Even Cowgirls Get the Blues. Gus VanSant is most noted for his production of the feature films Drugstore Cowboy [filmed in Portland, by the way] and My Own Private Idaho. Zalman King is most noted for the major motion pictures 9 1/2 Weeks, as well as Wild Orchid 1 and 2.
"In Consequence I had to play a Chinese club owner [Hey--good experience for his current job!]. I had to cram on the set to learn the Chinese dialogue," Dan says as he describes his very steamy love scene with the movie's two main female character [life is rough]. Lake Consequence stars Billy Zane (Dead Clam, Memphis Bell) and will be released in Europe at major theatres and on cable in the United States. Cowgirls stars Keanu Reeves (Point Blank, Bill & Ted [like you didn't know...]) and Uma Thurman [Life gets rougher] (Dangerous Liaisons), and will be released worldwide at a theater near you.
Zalman King has also cast Dan as the lead in one of his Showtime series Red Shoe Diaries [Has anyone heard of this episode?]. There is a good chance that the rest of the Network will be Dan's band in the show.
HYPEDREAMZ:
In Portland, Dan is preparing to open a major music production company. The company, known as HYPDREAMZ, Inc., will produce music for commercials, films, videos and have a major focus on developing new artists, so keep those demo tapes coming in. Mail your tapes to the address below:
c/o Slam Society
P.O. Box 2947
Portland, OR 97208-2947
Be sure to include your name, return address and phone number on your tape.
The opening of HYPEDREAMZ has been a dream of Dan's for over four years. With a little luck and a lot of work, the fourth album will be recorded in this studio.
Blake Sakamoto:
While not tickling the ivories for the Network, Blake can be found:
Melvin Brannon:
While not slapping the bass for the Network, Melvin can be found:
Dan Pred:
While not pounding the skins for the Network, Melvin can be found:
Musical Notes!
The following are some rare tape recordings that can be ordered using the form on the back page.
Live Or Die by Dan Reed and Clark Stiles (1992)
This soundtrack for Beirut is a 40-minute tape that can be described as "Moodistica- music-mixed-with-a-Spiritual-vibe!"
Breathless by Dan Reed Network (1986)
This is a six song Ep done by the Network before they signed with Mercury/Polygram. This tape is very rare, and once our supplies are gone they are gone!
Bust-A-Bucket Portland Trailblazer Basketball cassette single.
Dan sings lead on the title track. To order call 1-800-395-9525. $4 + shipping. Proceeds go to local Boys & Girls Clubs.
Featured Interviews: Brion James & Terry Finley
Brion James--Guitars
What has been the most exhilarating thing you have experienced in the Dan Reed Network?
Playing the Rolling Stones Tour. That is, as far as excitement. As far as fulfillment, my mother always wanted me to go into Law. She always thought that I would change my mind about music. However, when we signed our record deal in 1987, my mom's attitude took a real change. My choice became real comfortable for her. And to me, that was fulfillment.
Who is your role model, and why?
My role model is Bill Moyer. He's like an information wizard. He goes around the world, and he talks to everyone, all the races & religions. He must know everything, ‘cause when you do that much research, it's got to rub off on you. You have got to be affected by it. I think that in the next ten years, information will become priceless. Without it, people will be in the dark and continue to be manipulated.
To be continued...
