Oddity Archive: Episode 218 - VHS Vault Vol. 18 (So You Wanna Be A Rock N’ Roll Star)

[@Busch22Fan]

The Smashing Pumpkins song 'Cherub Rock' was about their being trapped in a recording contract they couldn't get free of at the time. (It's also some of Eddie Korosa Jr polka band drummer Jimmy Chamberlain's best drum-work, IMO.)

[@iaincowell9747]

W.A.S.P. Chainsaw Charlie (Murders In The New Morgue)is about the music industry

[@OvernightDrive]

Jamie Cohen was a one-time A&R man at Columbia Records and EMI Records, though he began his career in the mid-’70s as a product manager at A&M Records. He was also a musician. Cohen died of a heart attack at the age of 55.

[@deathstrike]

I think Barry White had the right philosophy in not just music, but in a career as well. And if I could add to what he said just a bit. IMHO It's better to just be small with better quality and slowly earn the respect of your peers, than it is to be huge and forget that it was the fans and those who supported you through it all. Just my take, great video as always Ben!!!

[@graymanmedia]

So is P-Diddy on here? He'll have some unique prospective on how to get a record deal.

[@toratio8547]

30:28 Ben corpsing is the best. That second video is truly amazing

[@OddityArchive]

Admittedly, it was an ad lib.

[@michaelcarpenter2498]

We got close one time. Offered a standard soul suckling contract where they own you, your songs, and your soul. Naturally we turned it down in 2002. So live your dream. And, unless you are really lucky, prepare to fail

[@lascheque]

Skunk Baxter and his moustache are legends!

[@prismstudios001]

Separately,or as a duo?

[@RoyCoof]

You really made my quarantine a little better with your videos, Ben. Stay safe! 😁✨

[@Dannypuck]

Barry White looks settled down after reading those ads for that festival at Paul Quinn College.

[@judithmohr5265]

In my first voice class in college, we had to use the Born to Sing book. The instructor never bothered with the video or tapes. The book actually had some decent music to practice with, but too simple for college music majors!

[@stevelitt]

A+ riffing in this one Benny Boy!

[@suedenim]

Damn, Barry White's advice alone was worth the price of the whole tape. So many creative people should listen to that. If you have the discipline to succeed in (music, acting, sports, whatever), you can buckle down and learn the basics of the business end of your career too.

[@BertLensch]

I cringed so hard on that second video that I think I broke something. I kept waiting for Elizabeth Howard to turn to the camera and say: "Let's all sing Pop Goes The Weasel!"

[@michaelfisher9722]

Wouldn't be Oddity Archive without Ben working in the EAS/EBS. Now if you'll excuse me, that pair's cat singing set off every dog in the neighborhood and I have to go do damage control.

[@frazzleface753]

Barry White really was the real deal!

[@astrosci8864]

I wonder what would happen if I sent in an actual "tape" now? Maybe it will finally get noticed!!!

[@AveryTalksAboutStuff]

"Operative word, was" 😂😂😂

[@shawn.the.alien423]

When I was a musician, I'd watch stuff like this, and it would just suck the life and soul out of wanting a music career. Saw ones on standup too when I tried comedy for a few years. Same thing. It just feels so dry and mechanical when you chop everything up into exercises and anecdotes.

[@ShawnTewes]

20:44 "Satan here. Give socks (??)" *raspberry*

[@OddityArchive]

"Satan wears gym socks."

[@ShawnTewes]

@@OddityArchive Ah, thanks Ben. Great episode.

[@sutorippuwebmaster8783]

21:07 I laughed harder than I should have. Or maybe it was proper, considering.

[@TheExodvs]

5:35 Based on the thumbnail, I thought this was actually Tony Shalhoub.

[@Zycyzyx]

The "have a great day" bit took me out like a precision strike. They were actually going for comedy there right?

[@mobtek]

Even if these two weren't teaching me to hiss, I'd be hissing at the sight of them!

[@astrosci8864]

I was half-expecting to see Steven Greenberg (Funkytown) on this episode for some reason...

[@PashPaw]

I made the mistake of watching this with a new wind controller in my mouth. I'm dead.

[@michaelcarpenter2498]

The singing video had me in stitches.

[@herbcraven7146]

Does it help your breathing somehow if you wear parachute pants?

[@rwdplz1]

My little brothers play guitar and bass, and the biggest problem is finding a good vocalist. No matter how good the songs are and how well you play, vocals are key.

[@frazzleface753]

And they must be 'in key'. 🤣 Sorry....

[@zalibecquerel3463]

Howard Austin looks like a younger "Farting Preacher".

[@MrJohndoakes]

Robert Tilton, who spoke in tongues and would do faith healings over the telephone while on air.

[@astrojazzman]

Berry white was telling the truth! 🙏

[@mightyfilm]

You have to admit, these kinds of VHS tapes are a brilliant scam. Playing off the fact that you think you'd get insider information for the 20+ bucks to actually HELP you get a foot in the door, and you wind up with something that can be summed up quickly. Ahem... "DON'T! Dreams are stupid and you're stupid for having them." Still cheaper and more honest than a college education.

[@richardthefox3412]

Good timing, I was just watching a Archive episode when this launched. Yes it was the one about the adult 8mm films. Speaking of which, whenever you get a batch of VHS or Betamax tapes, have you’ve ever gotten a hentai, since you’ve mentioned that you tend to get at least one adult tape in the mix.

[@OddityArchive]

Not yet.

[@danmount9462]

If there's an anime version of "Hired Stud, Will Travel..."

[@cyprianalexzander6628]

Common on, I know this episode is about riffing, yet the second video had useful knowledge though one can't teach singing in a one to two hour video. What this episode showed would have been the broadest of introductions on subjects and no wonder why it was frustrating to try to learn to sing with this video. Anyway, I hope that aesthetic never comes back. It was my eyes that experienced the pain in the second video.

[@seanmckinnon4612]

Do you know why I pulled you over meow?

[@-Deena.]

I've definitely improved my ability to hiss.

[@syferdet]

5:44 “You got cuh-razz-muhh!!!”

[@OddityArchive]

Well, at least I got the "razz" part down by now.

[@dorourke105]

Nice Pinky and the brain reference

[@Appetizer76]

"and a car alarm is suddenly going off outside" :DDDDDD (ded)

[@An_average_drummer]

That local commercial break was very local for me! Love the HOG, especially Armand and Bruce!

[@astrosci8864]

Doctor Johnny Skunk?

[@neilforbes416]

22:10 There were only *TWO* people outside Motown, Stax and Atlantic's R & B labels that *could* sing *authentic Rhythm & Blues*, and they were *Australians!* They were *Renee Geyer(now in retirement)* and *Doug Parkinson(recently deceased).*

[@Capturing-Memories]

Singing is a talent, it cannot be taught, it can be shaped for perfection but it can never be given, If you suck at singing it just means look for a different talent in yourself. If you insist on singing just rap like Snoop-dog, His voice sucks so he used it in a different way.

[@OddityArchive]

I think it can be taught to a degree on a technical level. An appealing voice is much more luck of the draw.

[@sracine10]

This second video tho.....the vocalist in me was cringing HARD. I’m sure my voice teachers from HS/College would also cringe at it.

[@sracine10]

Not only was I cringing hard but judging even harder. I have that stupid intro song of that video in my head now! Ugh!

[@judithmohr5265]

My college professors refused to use the tapes, but we still had to go through the books that went with them. They were a bit better...

[@judithmohr5265]

@Peter Kurten LOL. The books were actually useful, if a bit simple. Most of the students in that class weren't beginners, so we were bored, but the new singers were really helped by the techniques.

[@sracine10]

@@judithmohr5265 I'm curious to see the books honestly. When I was in choir and musicals, we did actually breathing exercises (hand on the stomach), scales, and diction exercises.

[@jamesslick4790]

TIL: There's no recording studios in the Midwest. 😲

[@OddityArchive]

Nobody tell Prince.

[@jamesslick4790]

@@OddityArchive 👍😊👍

[@larrylaffer3246]

I'll make you a star kid "hack blac". You'll be famous "puff".

[@neilforbes416]

It's not *Ascap,* it's *A - S - C - A - P!* American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers! It's the poor cousin of Australia's *A - P - R - A* Australian Performing Rights Association!

[@sracine10]

I've never heard it spelled out! LOL. Everyone says Ascap....lol

[@neilforbes416]

@@sracine10 I once did as well, but then I woke up to myself. It is indeed A - S - C - A - P, the poor cousin of Australia's A - P - R - A.

[@astrosci8864]

Gee. Why do these record producers look so greasy? I wonder...

[@aiberlane3390]

Ironically, those singers sounded awful in all but a few of those songs.

[@hubzcaps]

dab n show

[@astrosci8864]

A$$ Cap?

[@astrosci8864]

Randy Newman talks much better than he sings...very articulate actually

[@neilforbes416]

Sing Like A Pro....Typically American! *All gimmick - No substance!*