"Everything You Wanted to know about Andrew, but were afraid to ask"
by The Noble Cause
Hailing from the shores of Australia's southeastern coast, this loveable cyber-savvy marsupial has a nose for news, a hearty warm laugh, and an insuppressible spirit rivaling that of rock music, itself.
True to his nation’s original lowlife inhabitants, the Wombat isn’t afraid to bare his teeth and claws when the occasion presents itself. Forum scofflaws take note! The wombat is not afraid to invoke his admonitory trademark phrase, “time for a holiday”, when he has to (and he has quite frequently). Besides being a T-shirt-worthy slogan of “Shit Happens” caliber, it also strikes fear into the hearts of mischievous posters who foolishly think Wombats are only good for being air-cannon launched up Richard Gere’s botox-infused rumpled anus.
Known as Drew to his friends (and two-bit hack yellow journalist to Joe Elliot), through the use of his website, Andrew wages his own personal fight to affect musical change and single-handedly turn back the pop cultural tide (along with providing unparalleled news, music and interactivity). Like a mysterious lone gunslinger who rides into a dusty western town overrun by villains and outlaws, Andrew J. McNeice stands alone in a musical landscape currently barraged by bobble-headed blonde ninnies and discordant urban beats.
During the off seasons (or at least until an interview has ended), the marsupial is known to burrow into the excretory tracts of rock royalty. Of all the industry’s collective sphinctae, the Wombat must confess his favorite place to take up residence is the black-hole sized turd cutter of Keith Richards. Years of overseas touring and clandestinely transporting a broken down Volkswagen’s worth of blow in and out of foreign borders has crafted quite the comfortable nesting spot for the Wombat. Once inside, the furry creature can hibernate comfortably, in-between catching up on backlogs of irate emails from people invariably pissed off about Rockin’Deano.
While his persistence to keep the riotous Journey forum open at-all-costs suggests he most likely had a traumatic childhood, little else is known about the enigmatic webmaster (though being Aussie, one can safely assume he uses Vegemite for every imaginable purpose short of Astroglide butt-grease and even that is suspect).
On the eve of MelodicRock’s ten year anniversary, I had the immense pleasure to interview the man who carries the melodic rock torch at the expense of friends, family, and quite often, even his very own sanity.
The TRUE MR.com Interview of the Year
Moderator: Andrew
17 posts
• Page 1 of 1
The TRUE MR.com Interview of the Year
by The_Noble_Cause » Sat Dec 23, 2006 5:40 am
"I think we should all sue this women for depriving us of our God given right to go down with a clear mind, and good thoughts." - Stu, Consumate Pussy Eater
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The_Noble_Cause - Super Audio CD
- Posts: 16055
- Joined: Mon Oct 25, 2004 9:14 am
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by The_Noble_Cause » Sat Dec 23, 2006 5:41 am
Q: Did you hold any previous positions before becoming MelodicRock's CEO? I
know u mentioned that u used to live in LA. Did you ever work, or were u ever
involved in any facet of the music industry previously? Or have u always just
been a regular schmo fanboy like us.
A: First and foremost - I'll always be a 'regular schmo fanboy'! I was late
getting into this music scene, 1983 I guess....but once in, it was a fast and dramatic slide into total obsession, which continues to this day. Nothing excites me more than discovering a new artist or a new album, but now I have the privilege of telling more people about it than just a few schoolmates.
I have always been interested in music, but more so what goes on behind the
LP cover (as it was in the 80s). I've always followed the industry and the
way everything works from the A&R of signing an artist to the dysfunctional
dealings of record labels. My first full-time job out of school was with a music retailer, which I worked for 3 or 4 years before travelling overseas for a year and a half.
In that time away I lived in Toronto for nearly a year and worked in a
music store there also. Yes, I also lived in LA for 4 months, but that was more a fluke than anything related to music. I met a great loud American (Tony) while working in the music store here in Hobart, who was also a musician who worked for Playboy Magazine in LA. He said to look him up when I got to LA.I did just that and we go on so well, he said I had to crash with him for a while, and as I had no plans at that stage, I stayed in his spare room for 3 months!
In the apartment opposite was Pat Dixon from Icon and he and Tony would jam
together in the apartment each weekend, plus Icon guitarist Dan Wexler
would stop by in-between working with Alice Cooper, so being in LA was a
continuation of my exposure to musicians and the industry in general.
Following returning home and settling down with my then girlfriend (now wife), I was the buyer for a chain of video stores in Tasmania, so again, I was dealing with the entertainment industry constantly.
All the while - before and after travelling - I was importing LPs, tapes etc because just not enough hard rock was being released locally. I started dealing with CDs for me and others, friends and their buddies that wanted more music too, so via fanzines and writing letters etc I began to meet other like minded people from across the globe. A very small scale mind you, but there were underground fanzines that were being printed and I was reading those and ordering music and passing on info to mates.I was following the Oz music scene closely and noticed that the mainly UK magazines didn't cover this at all, so I put my hand up to supply local information and that went well for a while.
I started covering the International scene as well, all from here. I did an interview or two and thought this is bloody great! Unfortunately the magazine was using me and I was getting nothing out of it - not even a free copy! So I began thinking about what I could do under my own steam, just for fun and the love of talking music. At the same time the Internet started to make inroads. I was exposed to that thanks to a mate who was (and remains) heavily into computers. I sat there reading the sold style bulletin boards and replying to a lot of the questions being posed. I thought 'wow, I know the answers their guys are looking for' and it appeared that there was a real interest out there for the music I and others loved. This was 1996 - a few years after the grunge-kill that wiped out all media coverage of the music hundreds of thousands of people had grown up on. There was literally no coverage of melodic hard rock anywhere. So people with computer access found an outlet via chat rooms etc to hook up with like minded people that were wondering the same things they were.
I wanted to do a magazine but was geographically challenged....no way I could run something like that and ship it worldwide from here. Plus I had no clue how either...haha. But sitting there at the computer for one night - I was hooked. This was the thing for me -and the next day I started looking into computer packages and how to get connected also brought a guide on how to make websites and while I got the computer sorted, I learnt HTML from the ground up so I could start a website.
That I did - from a very crude beginning, through several different formations over time and it grew and grew and the information covered, bands featured and people visiting all continued to grow.
Q: When in life did u decide to make the switch from a hard hat wearing, lunch pail carrying Flintstonian grunt member of the workforce to running a website full time? In other words, what made u shun a conventional career and take the plunge? At the time, I imagine being a webmaster and profiting from it was an unproven career choice, did u face any adversity in pursing this seemingly risky dream (disparaging friends, family)?
A: It all came down to the fact that the website had grown into a beast that
was ruling my every spare minute. I had advertisers, sponsors in place, record label co-operation, I had been overseas a couple of times to cover shows...it was getting huge.
But my fabulous and eternally patient wife was getting tired of the amount
of time I was spending on it, as I was also working a full time job - with
the video chain. That job had it's limitations and we both wanted a house and a family, so I had to make the hard decision. Could the day job or the website provide my future? It couldn't be both, so at the time I had to choose. With the support of existing sponsors, I cut a deal to more or less double advertising rates, but with the promise of a new design, a lot more exposure and updates daily...they went for it and I took the plunge.
Thanks to my wife supporting that decision, things went ok. I think all of my family supported the decision, as they knew where my heart was...and I didn't burn any bridges when I left the video chain, so I couldn't lose. I had to do this before kids came along, as I may not have been so brazen had I had that added dimension to worry about.
I did have trouble to start with explaining how I would make a living out of this though!
Q: How has the rise of the Internet effected you? There are more websites now
than ever before. Are similar rock-themed sites cutting into your profits?
How do you strive to remain a cut above the rest?
A: Only in a positive way. I see my site stats rising and rising - never going down ever. That's because the Internet has grown from a small community only open to those with know-how and the inside word, to a fad-like thing people had to be a part of, to what it is now - an essential tool for communication and for business - the business of information to start with and now a more complete business blueprint.
The Internet is now a valid information medium and thanks to me being here right from the almost start - (I was certainly not the first melodic rock music website, but I think I'm now the longest running one...) - I have seen it all (I think) and learnt ways of improving things constantly.
Websites of a similar theme can sometimes be competition, but that's healthy to keep me on my toes and being a competitive guy, I like to try and keep ahead of the pack.
Basically the more the merrier anyway - this scene needs as many passionate people talking about it...behind it....and supporting it.
As far as remaining a cut above the rest - that's not for me to judge, but I try and do my best to appeal to as many people as possible and I believe the key to the website is building relationships with everyone - users, readers, musicians, labels...etc.The input of all of the above is vitally important to the site and for me, as I have always strived to have the site known for it's news and up to date coverage - if something happens, you either read it here or look to the site for coverage of that once you hear of something.
Q: What is the biggest source of revenue for you? Delinquent advertisers who
don't pay on time, or is it the online radio station, or the MR.com music
anthology cds u put out?
A: Well, the topic of delinquent advertisers is definitely a sore point.
However, in this scene you soon get found out if they aren't genuine. I have a few companies that owe me money - none of which I deal with anymore and a couple of which have gone out of business since. The site income is derived from a few sources.....record labels doing banner ads and CD Showcases, CD Stores running their ads and links, concert ticket brokers and their ads, the members section (which is very important) and of course, the CD compilations.
Q: Do u have any words of wisdom for aspiring webmasters who wish to get in
the online 'biz?
A: Get ready to do some bloody hard work and a lot of it. And don't try and be
the best or be as good as you plan to be in the first week/month/year.
The site took me 5 years to get to a point where I turned it into a
full-time thing and it's been 5 years since that point.
I'm still learning - something new is always coming along.
Q: Aside from your impending Journey feature, what are you most proud of in
all the years of MR.com's existence? Is it your amicable social ties to insiders (Steve Lukather, Neal Schon etc) or one of the various interviews you've conducted?
A: Well, definitely the Journey feature #1
But I am proud of a number of things - the continual coverage of certain artists - with interviews each release and live features where possible (Toto, Journey, Night Ranger)...
My trips to Firefest/The Gods in the UK are always a highlight and great to mingle with site users and musicians alike.
I think I have a great list of interviews that I have done over the years and my ties to the various musicians is something I am very proud of. It's nice that when possible, if a story breaks or develops, that I can call upon the artists to contribute quotes or straighten out the facts from the fiction.
Q: Where would you like to see MR.com in the next ten years? Is it still a
work in progress, or has it reached it peak?
A: Very much still a work in progress. That's the cool thing about the Internet and websites - it is a fluid medium that can be changed, updated and improved constantly.As for the next 10 years, I have a ton of ideas and hope all come to fruition in that time. What I find myself most lacking at this point is the time needed to work on those ideas. Running the site - even as a full-time job - simply eats up almost the entire day. Not much time spend on what can be a very enjoyable thing - developing new ideas.
Q:Lastly, what does a regular workday consist of for you? Do you actually
have a schedule, or do you go to work whenever you roll out of bed?
A: When I started full time I tried to treat the site as just that - a full
time job, so 9am to 5pm I work on it all day 5 days a week and try and get
away from it on a weekend. But a couple of problems there - firstly the need for my site message boards to be moderated seems to draw me back to a computer over the
weekend, plus the fact I'm always a paranoid I will miss a developing story.
Then there is the fact all my readers and indeed my clients are in different time zones, so it is hard not to do some work in the evening/night when I can get replies back quicker than waiting until the next day. I still get those complaints from my wife that the job is all consuming and all devouring.
Yes, it is
know u mentioned that u used to live in LA. Did you ever work, or were u ever
involved in any facet of the music industry previously? Or have u always just
been a regular schmo fanboy like us.
A: First and foremost - I'll always be a 'regular schmo fanboy'! I was late
getting into this music scene, 1983 I guess....but once in, it was a fast and dramatic slide into total obsession, which continues to this day. Nothing excites me more than discovering a new artist or a new album, but now I have the privilege of telling more people about it than just a few schoolmates.
I have always been interested in music, but more so what goes on behind the
LP cover (as it was in the 80s). I've always followed the industry and the
way everything works from the A&R of signing an artist to the dysfunctional
dealings of record labels. My first full-time job out of school was with a music retailer, which I worked for 3 or 4 years before travelling overseas for a year and a half.
In that time away I lived in Toronto for nearly a year and worked in a
music store there also. Yes, I also lived in LA for 4 months, but that was more a fluke than anything related to music. I met a great loud American (Tony) while working in the music store here in Hobart, who was also a musician who worked for Playboy Magazine in LA. He said to look him up when I got to LA.I did just that and we go on so well, he said I had to crash with him for a while, and as I had no plans at that stage, I stayed in his spare room for 3 months!
In the apartment opposite was Pat Dixon from Icon and he and Tony would jam
together in the apartment each weekend, plus Icon guitarist Dan Wexler
would stop by in-between working with Alice Cooper, so being in LA was a
continuation of my exposure to musicians and the industry in general.
Following returning home and settling down with my then girlfriend (now wife), I was the buyer for a chain of video stores in Tasmania, so again, I was dealing with the entertainment industry constantly.
All the while - before and after travelling - I was importing LPs, tapes etc because just not enough hard rock was being released locally. I started dealing with CDs for me and others, friends and their buddies that wanted more music too, so via fanzines and writing letters etc I began to meet other like minded people from across the globe. A very small scale mind you, but there were underground fanzines that were being printed and I was reading those and ordering music and passing on info to mates.I was following the Oz music scene closely and noticed that the mainly UK magazines didn't cover this at all, so I put my hand up to supply local information and that went well for a while.
I started covering the International scene as well, all from here. I did an interview or two and thought this is bloody great! Unfortunately the magazine was using me and I was getting nothing out of it - not even a free copy! So I began thinking about what I could do under my own steam, just for fun and the love of talking music. At the same time the Internet started to make inroads. I was exposed to that thanks to a mate who was (and remains) heavily into computers. I sat there reading the sold style bulletin boards and replying to a lot of the questions being posed. I thought 'wow, I know the answers their guys are looking for' and it appeared that there was a real interest out there for the music I and others loved. This was 1996 - a few years after the grunge-kill that wiped out all media coverage of the music hundreds of thousands of people had grown up on. There was literally no coverage of melodic hard rock anywhere. So people with computer access found an outlet via chat rooms etc to hook up with like minded people that were wondering the same things they were.
I wanted to do a magazine but was geographically challenged....no way I could run something like that and ship it worldwide from here. Plus I had no clue how either...haha. But sitting there at the computer for one night - I was hooked. This was the thing for me -and the next day I started looking into computer packages and how to get connected also brought a guide on how to make websites and while I got the computer sorted, I learnt HTML from the ground up so I could start a website.
That I did - from a very crude beginning, through several different formations over time and it grew and grew and the information covered, bands featured and people visiting all continued to grow.
Q: When in life did u decide to make the switch from a hard hat wearing, lunch pail carrying Flintstonian grunt member of the workforce to running a website full time? In other words, what made u shun a conventional career and take the plunge? At the time, I imagine being a webmaster and profiting from it was an unproven career choice, did u face any adversity in pursing this seemingly risky dream (disparaging friends, family)?
A: It all came down to the fact that the website had grown into a beast that
was ruling my every spare minute. I had advertisers, sponsors in place, record label co-operation, I had been overseas a couple of times to cover shows...it was getting huge.
But my fabulous and eternally patient wife was getting tired of the amount
of time I was spending on it, as I was also working a full time job - with
the video chain. That job had it's limitations and we both wanted a house and a family, so I had to make the hard decision. Could the day job or the website provide my future? It couldn't be both, so at the time I had to choose. With the support of existing sponsors, I cut a deal to more or less double advertising rates, but with the promise of a new design, a lot more exposure and updates daily...they went for it and I took the plunge.
Thanks to my wife supporting that decision, things went ok. I think all of my family supported the decision, as they knew where my heart was...and I didn't burn any bridges when I left the video chain, so I couldn't lose. I had to do this before kids came along, as I may not have been so brazen had I had that added dimension to worry about.
I did have trouble to start with explaining how I would make a living out of this though!
Q: How has the rise of the Internet effected you? There are more websites now
than ever before. Are similar rock-themed sites cutting into your profits?
How do you strive to remain a cut above the rest?
A: Only in a positive way. I see my site stats rising and rising - never going down ever. That's because the Internet has grown from a small community only open to those with know-how and the inside word, to a fad-like thing people had to be a part of, to what it is now - an essential tool for communication and for business - the business of information to start with and now a more complete business blueprint.
The Internet is now a valid information medium and thanks to me being here right from the almost start - (I was certainly not the first melodic rock music website, but I think I'm now the longest running one...) - I have seen it all (I think) and learnt ways of improving things constantly.
Websites of a similar theme can sometimes be competition, but that's healthy to keep me on my toes and being a competitive guy, I like to try and keep ahead of the pack.
Basically the more the merrier anyway - this scene needs as many passionate people talking about it...behind it....and supporting it.
As far as remaining a cut above the rest - that's not for me to judge, but I try and do my best to appeal to as many people as possible and I believe the key to the website is building relationships with everyone - users, readers, musicians, labels...etc.The input of all of the above is vitally important to the site and for me, as I have always strived to have the site known for it's news and up to date coverage - if something happens, you either read it here or look to the site for coverage of that once you hear of something.
Q: What is the biggest source of revenue for you? Delinquent advertisers who
don't pay on time, or is it the online radio station, or the MR.com music
anthology cds u put out?
A: Well, the topic of delinquent advertisers is definitely a sore point.
However, in this scene you soon get found out if they aren't genuine. I have a few companies that owe me money - none of which I deal with anymore and a couple of which have gone out of business since. The site income is derived from a few sources.....record labels doing banner ads and CD Showcases, CD Stores running their ads and links, concert ticket brokers and their ads, the members section (which is very important) and of course, the CD compilations.
Q: Do u have any words of wisdom for aspiring webmasters who wish to get in
the online 'biz?
A: Get ready to do some bloody hard work and a lot of it. And don't try and be
the best or be as good as you plan to be in the first week/month/year.
The site took me 5 years to get to a point where I turned it into a
full-time thing and it's been 5 years since that point.
I'm still learning - something new is always coming along.
Q: Aside from your impending Journey feature, what are you most proud of in
all the years of MR.com's existence? Is it your amicable social ties to insiders (Steve Lukather, Neal Schon etc) or one of the various interviews you've conducted?
A: Well, definitely the Journey feature #1
But I am proud of a number of things - the continual coverage of certain artists - with interviews each release and live features where possible (Toto, Journey, Night Ranger)...
My trips to Firefest/The Gods in the UK are always a highlight and great to mingle with site users and musicians alike.
I think I have a great list of interviews that I have done over the years and my ties to the various musicians is something I am very proud of. It's nice that when possible, if a story breaks or develops, that I can call upon the artists to contribute quotes or straighten out the facts from the fiction.
Q: Where would you like to see MR.com in the next ten years? Is it still a
work in progress, or has it reached it peak?
A: Very much still a work in progress. That's the cool thing about the Internet and websites - it is a fluid medium that can be changed, updated and improved constantly.As for the next 10 years, I have a ton of ideas and hope all come to fruition in that time. What I find myself most lacking at this point is the time needed to work on those ideas. Running the site - even as a full-time job - simply eats up almost the entire day. Not much time spend on what can be a very enjoyable thing - developing new ideas.
Q:Lastly, what does a regular workday consist of for you? Do you actually
have a schedule, or do you go to work whenever you roll out of bed?
A: When I started full time I tried to treat the site as just that - a full
time job, so 9am to 5pm I work on it all day 5 days a week and try and get
away from it on a weekend. But a couple of problems there - firstly the need for my site message boards to be moderated seems to draw me back to a computer over the
weekend, plus the fact I'm always a paranoid I will miss a developing story.
Then there is the fact all my readers and indeed my clients are in different time zones, so it is hard not to do some work in the evening/night when I can get replies back quicker than waiting until the next day. I still get those complaints from my wife that the job is all consuming and all devouring.
Yes, it is
"I think we should all sue this women for depriving us of our God given right to go down with a clear mind, and good thoughts." - Stu, Consumate Pussy Eater
-
The_Noble_Cause - Super Audio CD
- Posts: 16055
- Joined: Mon Oct 25, 2004 9:14 am
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by *Laura » Sat Dec 23, 2006 7:45 am
Very nice and professional.Thanks for posting it,TNC.
The introduction was hilarious!..
Sheer humor.
Love it!
The introduction was hilarious!..
Sheer humor.
Love it!
Available @ LuluBooks.com-
*Laura - Stereo LP
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- Location: Zen, SoCal
by Lula » Sat Dec 23, 2006 8:44 am
NealIsGod wrote:Good job, TNC. Wish this was on video. A big hamburger talking to a wombat.
LMAO!!
Thanks for sharing this with us. I'm grateful to be a part of this community with our lovable Wombat at the helm.
Until we meet again, may God
Hold you in the palm of his hand.
for Dean
Hold you in the palm of his hand.
for Dean
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Lula - Stereo LP
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by Moon Beam » Sat Dec 23, 2006 9:19 pm
That's one of the most enjoyable reads
I've had in a bit.
TNC you lover of layered language, good job.
Aussie Bossy, I am stunned that there is no
mention of the dreaded Sundays in that last
part about the weekends. 
Thanks fellas
I've had in a bit.
TNC you lover of layered language, good job.
Aussie Bossy, I am stunned that there is no
mention of the dreaded Sundays in that last
part about the weekends.
Thanks fellas
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by Rockindeano » Sat Dec 23, 2006 11:40 pm
Just one quick question, Mr Interviewer.
What does "invariably pissed off at Rockindeano" mean?
What does "invariably pissed off at Rockindeano" mean?
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by The_Noble_Cause » Sun Dec 24, 2006 12:39 am
RockinDeano wrote:Just one quick question, Mr Interviewer.
What does "invariably pissed off at Rockindeano" mean?
It means Drew's mailbox is frequently swamped by people bitching about you.
Dude, u know about this.
Just look at BT - they are bitching about u over there right now.
"I think we should all sue this women for depriving us of our God given right to go down with a clear mind, and good thoughts." - Stu, Consumate Pussy Eater
-
The_Noble_Cause - Super Audio CD
- Posts: 16055
- Joined: Mon Oct 25, 2004 9:14 am
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by Red13JoePa » Fri Dec 29, 2006 2:11 am
NealIsGod wrote:Good job, TNC. Wish this was on video. A big hamburger talking to a wombat.
Fucking HAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"I love almost everybody."---Rocky Balboa 1990
"Let's reform this thing.Let's go out and get some guys who want to work and go do it"--Neal Schon February, 2001
"I looked at Neal, and I just saw a guy who really wants his band back"-JCain 2/01
"Let's reform this thing.Let's go out and get some guys who want to work and go do it"--Neal Schon February, 2001
"I looked at Neal, and I just saw a guy who really wants his band back"-JCain 2/01
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by lights1961 » Fri Dec 29, 2006 3:41 am
TNC...
I thought is was all made up, until I saw Wombats repsonse below!! Funny!!
I thought is was all made up, until I saw Wombats repsonse below!! Funny!!
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by larryfromnextdoor » Fri Dec 29, 2006 5:02 am
wow! i just now took the time to read this,, great stuff,, i was wondering about some of those questions myself.. very cool TNC... deano.. your turn!! good read..
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