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Z Records - Perpetrator or Persecuted?
You Decide.

On January 17, 2003 a press release was initiated by and on behalf of several ex-Z Records artists alledging unethical and fraudulent business practices on the part of the British record label. The reaction in the AOR/melodic rock community was swift and considerable. Heated debate ensued on the message board at MelodicRock.com, the largest AOR website on the internet. I feel this is important enough of an issue to be chronicled and archived long-term (weeding through multiweek-old posts on a message board trying to find the actual information amongst all the namecalling can be frustrating).

What is contained here: the original press release, the official response from Z Records, as well as posts from current and former Z Records artists, and industry magazines (as well as any questions that may have elicited said responses). I have not included any of the pro/con debate that ensued. I have not included any of my own commentary. The posts are unexpurgated; they appear in their unaltered form. Draw your own conclusions.

If you feel I have omitted any important posts, or if you are an artist/industry representative and wish to have an official statement included, or if the posts attributed to you from the MelodicRock.Com forum were not written by you, please email me.

Press Release - January 17, 2003

Regarding Z Records: A matter for the public court

We are a group of artists with one thing in common: In the last 4-5 years, we have all been signed to the U.K.-based label Z Records, owned by Mark Alger. There has over the years been a number of serious problems due to how this label operates. We have exhausted all possibilities of resolving them either directly with the label or going the legal route, therefore we now lay this matter before you, the public court, to decide.

Here's a list of unresolved issues they may pertain to all or some of us:

Payments according to contract: This simply does not happen. Invoices get sent to Z as per the signed contract, but payments never arrive. Mark will stall any way he can and he's almost made it an 'art form' to come up with new non-believable excuses. He will claim that 'the check is in the mail,' send checks that won't get accepted by any bank, or send checks that bounce. If you try to make him do a money transfer, he'll keep you busy sending and re-sending your bank info or claim that the money was sent and for some reason returned to him. Excuses range from 'there must be a problem with your bank' to 'the delay is due to the fact that the IRA bombed our post office' (imagine explaining to studios, photographers etc that the money is delayed because of these things). Some of us have gotten some money from Z, others nothing at all.

Examples:

1 - One band waited for several YEARS for their money. One of Mark's scams was to ask if he could pay through PayPal. The band agreed and Mark deposited £20 'just to see if it works', which it did. Then nothing happened with the rest of the payment so the band contacted him again only to be told that he now needs some 'card' plus 4 numbers to be able and make the payment but it worked fine at first??

2 - He will agree to almost anything to get a band signed, promise a certain budget to ensure the band a good studio etc. But after the bands sign, the money never arrives, months (sometimes a year) go by, and the bands are often forced to pay the studios and personnel [involved in the recordings] out of their own pockets to finish the albums and even get their master tapes released from studios. He knows that as soon as a band is signed, he can pull his regular scams on them.

3 - Mark will promise to pay all travel and housing costs for bands flying in to Z Rock shows if they can 'only' pay out of their own pocket to get there. The band is told that they will be paid at the arrival, only to find out 'the money will be paid out as soon as you get home'. Of course it's rarely the case and some artists are out many thousands of dollars to this day.

4 - He claims his bank in England can't make a bank-to-bank transfer to a couple of the biggest banks in Sweden due to all kinds of invalid reasons. When artists call their banks with all the proper information needed, they're told, with great confusion, that there's no problem at all and 'it seems that this person in England is only trying to avoid paying you.'

- Statements according to contract: If statements are sent at all, they are always late, sometimes by several years. They contain inconsistencies, posts of extreme undisclosed expenses, and answers to queries as to what the statement contains will be met with angry retorts or hand-scribbled (unreadable) notes. At one point, a few of us from different acts examined each other's statements the numbers were exactly the same! No invoices are included to prove some of the ridiculous amounts listed. He has many times said things like, 'I've given all the info to our accountants who will send out the statements to you within a week,' and then made the mistake a few days later by telling the same person that HE has just finished the statements and is just about to print them out. They are NOT the work of any professional accountants but rather the work of Mark himself.

- Nonpayment of mechanical royalties: Mark will try to persuade artists not to sign publishing deals. He has even gone so far as to sign away publishing without informing the artist and keeping the money himself. Those of us who already had publishing deals have been curious as to why we have been unable to collect, and if we have, why the numbers don't match royalty statements from Z.

- Announcements: Mark will make any announcement possible for the purpose of keeping interest up. They are time-consuming to disconfirm. Recent victims of this are John Sykes and HUMANIMAL (no, there will not be another HUMANIMAL album at least not for Z!). John Sykes was (and still is) listed as an artist at the Z web site before the deal that later fell through was signed. Of course, all labels makes announcements as they should, but few are so blatantly self-serving as Z's.

- Advertising: Mark has booked ads with a number of magazines & web sites that have been published and not paid for. He consistently keeps them in debt, probably in order to be able to control what they publish. There are sites that won't/can't say anything negative about Z out of fear that they won't be paid. One magazine we know of has gone bankrupt due to non-payment by Z. And one very big magazine in Sweden won't publish any more ads from Z, only reviewing Z albums out of respect for the artists. And yet Mark has charged us all huge amounts of money for promotion!

The list could go on and on. Here's one more example of how things can go: [TALISMAN guitarist] Fredrik Åkesson signed a licensing deal for an band/album titled SOUTHPAW with Z. He financed the album out of his own pocket. The contract he signed is in very poor standard, doesn't entitle him to statements or a specified time when he should receive royalties, or any legal recourse. You may say that was not so clever on his behalf, that he should only have himself to blame we say that record labels ought to have a commitment to ethic principles. Anyway, the term was for 3 years, it has expired 2 years ago, Z is still selling the album and Fredrik has yet to receive a royalty statement or any royalties.

All of us have individually tried to sort things out with Mark, and it has been time-consuming and traumatic to the point that there are artists that just can't handle being involved in anything regarding Z anymore, and therefore haven't signed this document. But believe us, all artists from Sweden signed prior to 2002 have left or are leaving and in the last couple of days we're please to hear about several international acts that have decided to 'jump ship' as well plus one American band were able to avoid signing with Z thus 'saving them a lot of headache' (their words)

Legally, we have been advised that there are too few of us who have any legal recourse written into the contracts, and for those of us who do, the costs we would incur for lawyers and accountants would be quite high. And that this would be a very high risk since Mark would in all probability either place his money out of reach or go bankrupt in order to evade our claims. In the meantime, Mark Alger lives well and drives expensive cars.

We're all aware that this press release will neither get us our due money or 100% prove to all of you there what's going on it might even hurt our chances of working with a few other labels in the future. Who knows?! But the bottom line is simple: If we don't rid ourselves of this label and person now, many others will suffer in the years to come artists, bands, web sites, magazines, promoters, and many others.

Help us copy this mail to all you know in the music industry and please post it on all your web sites around the world.

Signed:

Marcel Jacob (HUMANIMAL, TALISMAN)
Jeff Scott Soto (HUMANIMAL, TALISMAN)
Tommy Denander (PRISONER, RAINMAKER)
Pontus Norgren (JEKYLL & HYDE, HUMANIMAL, GREAT KING RAT)
Mats Leven (SOUTHPAW)
Matti Alfonzetti (DAMNED NATION)
Leif Sundin (GREAT KING RAT)
Micke Höglund (GREAT KING RAT)
Fredrik Åkesson (SOUTHPAW, TALISMAN)
Thomas Jacobsson & SNAKES IN PARADISE
Ricky Delin (PRISONER)
Peter Broman (AMAZE ME)
Conny Lind (AMAZE ME)
Erik Mårtensson (ECLIPSE)
Magnus Henriksson (ECLIPSE)
Jakob Samuelsson (JEKYLL & HYDE)
Robert Hansson (HUMAN RACE)

Z Records Official Response - January 18, 2003

In light of yesterdays postings concerning our dealings and legal standing, Z Records hereby state that we are clear of any legal implications or claims re said matter. Z Records have handed this matter to our legal representatives and this case will be dealt with in a professional manner and not in a public forum.

Due to the allegations made we have been advised to not at this time to make any further statement until said matter is concluded

We thank everyone whom has sent us messages of support, rest assured Z Records are here to stay !

From Gerhard Pichler - January 20, 2003

Author: Gerhard Pichler (---.11.11.vie.surfer.at)
Date: 01-20-03 02:32

First of all let me say that Z Records doesn't owe me any money at this point but I brought in 2 of my best friends to do the mastering and artwork/booklet of my last album. Both of them never received any monies from Mark Alger (the monies were due by September 2002) even though I asked him several times to live by his word. I got my advance 1 day before I left for Rocktoberfest although the contract says it has to be paid within 2 weeks after signing. It took Mark Alger almost 3 months to come up with a ridicilous small amount of money and after that experience I don't intend to do any more business with this person in the future. I think to bring this issue to the surface is right and it's probably just the tip of the iceberg. For those of you who are not involved it's probably hard to understand. We all know that we have to experience things first hand before we believe & understand them. I think the way how Mark Ashton is running his business is wrong and also the way he treats other human beings. For that reason I think it's important to stand up and show support for those who are affected as well as for possible future victims.

Take care,
Gerhard

Response 1 - Johnny Lima - January 20, 2003

Author: Johnny LIma (---.247.137.66.Dial1.SanJose1.Level3.net)
Date: 01-20-03 02:35

Gerhard Pichler wrote:

I think the way how Mark Ashton is running his business
is wrong and also the way he treats other human beings. For
that reason I think it's important to stand up and show
support for those who are affected as well as for possible
future victims.

I'm assuming you meant Mark Algers and not Mark Ashton right?

Response 2 - Gerhard Pichler - January 20, 2003

Author: Gerhard Pichler (---.11.11.vie.surfer.at)
Date: 01-20-03 02:43

Sorry, of course I meant Mark Alger. I apologize.

Gerhard

From Marcel Jacob - January 20, 2003

Author: Marcel Jacob (---.cm-upc.chello.se)
Date: 01-20-03 03:30

Regarding Mark Alger’s reply to the statement posted by the united former Z artists about Alger’s 'business' practices:

Z RECORDS STATEMENT
"In light of yesterdays postings concerning our dealings and legal standing,
Z Records hereby state that we are clear of any legal implications or claims
re said matter. "

Answer: This is only partially true. This is called rhetoric and is a statement designed to make you believe two things are true because one is. We have decided against pursuing Mark legally simply because we have been advised by our attorneys that the cost of bringing Mark to justice may be too high a risk considering the amounts not paid out are in the hundreds of thousands of Euros, we’ve been told chances are by the time any claims are settled the money will not be available to pay out. In other words, Z are not clear of legal implications, but at the moment there are no claims against Z.

Another aspect that needs to be mentioned regarding the legal implications is that the standard of the contracts Z have managed to sign their artists with is very poor, in many cases unethical and probably even questionable legally. Again, the amount of time and money needed to set things right contractually may be a waste considering the high risk of not getting any money from any settlement.

"Z Records have handed this matter to our legal
representatives and this case will be dealt with in a professional manner
and not in a public forum."

Answer: Uhhh - this statement was posted in a public forum? And contains some sort of argument designed to influence the reader to believe certain things, e.g. that Z records have nothing to hide. Another tactic Mark has also tried is to use coercion on some of the signees of the statement against Z in order to get them to send out some sort of detraction. Not going to happen, because we have only stated facts- not opinions.

The correct tactic from Mark Alger would be to prove us wrong! Does he show documents that proves he paid royalties, sent out statements, paid invoices for studio recordings, mastering, photo sessions etc. No! Because he can’t. And because he can’t do that, he tries to fight the only way he can, telling you things in some sort of 'official' lingo- the tactic of power language.

None of us fear having Z - handed this matter to our legal representatives'. Because we have evidence. Correspondence, witnesses, bounced checks, the lot!

"Due to the allegations made we have been advised to not at this time to make
any further statement until said matter is concluded"

Again, rhetoric. It’s facts that we have stated in this document, not allegations. And yes, I’d say that’s sound advice for Mark- to keep quiet until he has something that contains evidence things are as he says.

"We thank everyone whom has sent us messages of support, rest assured Z
Records are here to stay !"

I certainly hope not - But then again there’s no reason Z shouldn’t exist- provided Mark Alger decides to publicly declare his errors, explains that he will do things correct in the future, put things right and pay what he owes! If he wants to keep up the bullshit, I hope all his artists leave and that everybody else will know better than to sign with Z.

Love,
Marcel Jacob

Response 1 - Johnny Lima - January 20, 2003

Author: Johnny Lima (---.245.140.204.Dial1.SanJose1.Level3.net)
Date: 01-20-03 13:12

You say you guys are out hundreds of thousands of Euros. I'm not sure what that is in dollars but I'm sure it's pretty close. In order to generate hundreds of thousands of Euros, don't you have to sell like 50000 copies? I'm not trying to be a smartass. I just can't see how Mark Algers can sell more than 5000 copies of anything. He's a one man company. So how are you guys out "hundreds of thousands" of Euros. Again, I'm not up to date on the currency exchange. Maybe a thousand Euros only equals a couple of hundred bucks. I don't know. I just don't think that Algers or any of the other labels for that matter, can generate that much income from an album. You don't have to clarify anything with me, it's none of my business. I was just wondering.

Cheers!
Johnny Lima

P.S. - I seriously doubt Algers even has an attorney. That Z statement is just to buy him time to move out of town. =)

Response 2 - Marcel Jacob - January 20, 2003

Author: Marcel Jacob (---.cm-upc.chello.se)
Date: 01-20-03 17:03

Some of these messages cracks me up...anyway, Johnny, this thing is not about ONE (1) album...it's about some 15-20 albums from the people on this list alone. I haven't totalled it up, because it's rather meaningless I'm afraid...there is probably never going to be any sort of clarification from Mark Alger as to exactly how many albums he's sold. I think you're better off looking at the whole picture instead of trying to find fault with details!

From Sweden Rock Magazine - January 21, 2003

Author: John (---.cm-upc.chello.se)
Date: 01-21-03 23:38

Hi!

I just read the official letter from Marcel Jacob and friends on melodicrock.com.

The 'very big magazine in Sweden' who won´t publish adverts from Z Records is us and I can confirm that the behaviour described in the letter matches our experiences of dealing with the label and Mark Alger very well, both in matters regarding our magazine and the Sweden Rock Festival. Some of the 'it must have got lost in the mail'-quotes match what we have been told to the point. Hilarious stuff! ...Oh yeah, we´re still waiting for some money too...

Stay away from this guy!

Cheerz,

Martin Forssman
Editor
Sweden Rock Magazine

Response 1 - Andy - January 22, 2003

Author: AndyC (---.unilever.com)
Date: 01-22-03 01:04

Andrew himself has requested that this should be taken up with Mark Alger or Z records, mainly due to the posts being viewed as a personal attack on Mark or Z . This seems to be the case here (I am not a friend of Mark's just to clarify to anyone who's wondering..only met him once many many years ago). and surely if artistes, magazines hell even somebody providing a rock news website that is owed money by Z records should take it up with them or through the proper legal process.

Hey I am all for open discussion as long as it is discussion and not as it appears to me here a personal vendetta. Now I don't know whether Mark is the devil incarnate/a bad untrustworthy businessman/somebody out of his depth/the saviour of rock and roll/himself getting fucked over .....and to be honest I don't really care. I feel sorry for any bands/businesses that may have suffered IF any shady dealings have taken place but what people don't seem to realise is continually attacking Z is ultimately going to affect the bands currently signed to them...... We don't need the popular media to destroy what is already a dwindling scene...were doing a pretty good job ourselves....

Respect
Andy.

Response 2 - Marcel Jacob - January 22, 2003

Author: Marcel Jacob (---.cm-upc.chello.se)
Date: 01-22-03 02:39

A-ha.Motives! Sigh...

First of all: it's NOT about a personal attack on Mark or Z. The existence of either is not in question, the business practices are. Do spend some time thinking about your frames of reference when you read things, understanding something is just as much with what you use to read as what is actually written.

Second: if you have actually read anything about this, you would know by now that the reason this has been made public is the facts that we have all individually tried to work things out with Z/Mark to no avail and that the legal system doesn't allow for any satisfactory solutions in a case like this (as stated very clearly elsewhere).

Third: To state that you are open to discussion clearly contradicts your point in this message...

Fourth: It's not about a vendetta for Christ's sake! It's consumer information, sort of, a warning sign to artists to think twice and doublecheck before they sign with a label, and a warning sign to labels so that they know better than to lie, cheat, and steal, because their name depends on how they do business. This last point is vital, because the recording industry does not have much in the way of penalizing companies that commit breaches of contract, nor does the legal system.

Fifth:Of course this will affect the bands signed to Z. That's the whole point. Everyone has more knowledge and a better understanding of the situation which will help them make a better decision and a better plan of action regardless of if they stay or leave the company.

Sixth:This doesn't destroy anything- there are better labels-Frontiers, Atenzia, MTM to mention some, they will pick up the slack so to speak (if they behave!). What destroys is for example letting labels like Z ruining the zest for creativity in artists- and the negativity of people like yourself that when the spotlight is shone upon wrongs they try to silence the messenger in order to avoid the message...

Marcel Jacob

[MESSAGES FROM FANS WITH NAME-CALLING DELETED]

Response 3 - Tommy Denander - January 22, 2003

Author: Tommy Denander (---.telia.com)
Date: 01-22-03 04:03

Enough name calling! This post started with something VERY important...the biggest rock magazine (and maybe one of the bigger in Europe?) has gone public in support of our fight against Z telling you all that they as well have been cheated by mr Thief Alger.

The posts about this matter will NOT and SHOULD not stop....if some are bored with this simply move on and don't read or post in the matter....stay out. And those who feel they support us or Z (don't know who but...hey:-) and have a valid point speak up.

F.Y.I we've recived 100's of mails in support and many from big name acts who are joining us...so we're doing most of this work in private already.

Alger is already doing his best (worst?) to spread out that what's happening is just lies and the work of a couple of ex artists who are angry bla bla bla bla....i'm just stunned at the fact that the whole scene is turning against him (finally) and he still thinks all is OK????.

Tommy

Response 4 - Stuart - January 22, 2003

Author: Stuart (UK) (---.natcen.ac.uk)
Date: 01-22-03 04:28

Sorry Tommy

Not wanting to pick a fight - just curious

Did things only come to light after the second prisoner album, or was there no way you could get out of it ?

Stuart

Response 5 - Marcel Jacob - January 22, 2003

Author: Marcel Jacob (---.cm-upc.chello.se)
Date: 01-22-03 04:39

:-)) ! In the case of Humanimal- I was forewarned there would be trouble with Z. And went ahead anyway, because I didn't think anyone would have the guts to try and cheat me. Simply because I have been around for a while and have some media connections, am tied to the largest publishing company there is, and can be a righteous bastard when @!#. Guess I was wrong!!!

Response 6 - Tommy Denander - January 22, 2003

Author: Tommy Denander (---.telia.com)
Date: 01-22-03 05:50

Good question Stuart and i don't want to fight either:-))))

With the first Prisoner album we recorded and mixed it ourselves with our own money, we were just so happy to get a deal at all then and never asked for any advance money etc.

We DID get some money after the release which felt great at the time. Since the album sold pretty good and was a top 10 on lots of magazine and fan charts (even voted best newcomer of 2000 by the readers in Fireworks) we were really eager to do a second album and this time with a proper budget....you can read way back about what happend with that album on this board.

Between those 2 albums i also did the Rainmaker album, the project was filled with ALL the problems of the second Prisoner album...but remember that all 3 albums were done in a 2 year period which isn't that long for 3 albums so with the constant waiting for money time passed....only after the second Prisoner did i fully understand what a horrible crook Alger is...and i left.

This was about 18 months ago i think...and since then i've worked hard trying to get our money etc...it's like a bad headache that won't go away.

During this period i was really depending on whatever money i was getting from these albums, i was producer, writer, musician, studio owner, engineer etc so i did this full time....being screwed this bad ain't fun plus my already bad health was taking a serious beating...i still pleaded to Mark many times to fix things so we could keep working....my misstake!!!!!

Tommy

Response 7 - Jeff Scott Soto - January 22, 2003

Author: Jeff Scott Soto (---.biz.rr.com)
Date: 01-22-03 13:00

Does anyone want 2 know the REAL reason I left Z Records & signed with 'another' label?

Does anyone want 2 know the REAL reason why I almost didn't sing the Humanimal set at the Z-Rock Festival last year in Manchester?

Do we really ALL need 2 spew our personal vendettas against the 'subject at hand' 2 get our message across? I'd rather not use this forum 2 air my dirty laundry, especially since our 'stories' all have the same context & would sound like the same person repeating him/herself.

Ladies & gents, this is a message board of discussion, comments & opinions. There is a major wrench in the Rock & Roll machine out there & isn't it our duty 2 serve & protect our fellow bandmates & fans alike? I find it our responsibility as artists 2 do what's necessary in keeping a genre of music that has been declined 2 cult status alive. There aren't 2 many options left 4 us out there in getting our music 2 u & if there are individuals making us feel that all of our efforts are not worth the aggravation they bring us, it ultimate afftects us all.

There's no need 4 name calling, taking sides, fans bashing fans or artist bashing artists 4 that matter...we simply need 2 all understand the motive here & make a positive out of years of neagtives.

I've said my peace...best of luck 2 all of us & long live R&R!!!

Jeff Scott Soto

From Rock It! Magazine - January 22, 2003

Author: G7 (---.dip0.t-ipconnect.de)
Date: 01-22-03 07:40

Dear All,

in addition to the discussion vs Z Records, we, the publishers of Rock It! magazine, would like to inform you about the following:

We 100% confirm the press release made by Marcel Jacob, J.S. Soto, Tommy Denander & Friends as well as the statement given from Martin Forssman of Sweden Rock Magazine. Unfortunately we made exactly the same experiences with Z as the other guys:

- unpaid invoices for ads
- unpaid invoices for track bookings

Statements from Mr. Alger like:

- the check is in the mail ....
- the check got lost ...
- we had problems with the remittance ...
- we haven't received your invoice ...

Therefore, since the beginning of 2002, Rock It! Magazine has stopped to promote Z (means no reviews, no interviews, no ads, no live reports - nothing at all) and every band related with (which of course is a pity for the bands). Beside this we passed this matter to our lawyer who is still searching for an affordable way to put a stop to Mr. Alger's game.

In our opinion, the major point is, that Mr. Alger is speculating by purpose that he can rip off a lot of people who cannot go to court easily because they are located outside the UK. Therefore we are joining forces here in Germany and hope that even more people concerned will stick together in this matter.

Let's fight the black sheeps in the music scene !!!

Rock It! Magazine
Gerald Siebenmorgen
Birgitt Schwanke

- Publishers -

From Martie Peters - January 25, 2003

Author: Martie Peters (---.237.119.43.adsl.amb.worldonline.dk)
Date: 01-25-03 08:23

Hi all !

I haven't been at this site for a couple of weeks (busy in the sudio) - that's why I haven't come out earlier.

We (PUSH) were one of the first bands to sign with Mark back in 1998 and we released 3 albums on Z Records.

I could make this post a long one but I will keep it short as I am 100 % on Denander's side. Mark Alger is lying, cheating and most importantly destroying creative people with his untruthful persona.

I have never in my life met a person who is so full of crap and who can tell so many lies about when the check went in the mail. In the 4 years we were with the label numerous letters and packages "got lost" and it was always my banks fault or the way we do things in Denmark when I didn't get my payments. Even small amounts were never on time - if they ever reached us!

Bottom line: stay away from Z and support those who are honest and hard working.

Cheers,
Martie Peters

From Martie Peters - January 26, 2003

Author: Martie Peters (---.237.119.43.adsl.amb.worldonline.dk)
Date: 01-26-03 00:10

I feel that I have to make a personal statement regarding my business with Z Records. As I stated in my previous post I back Tommy Denander & co. 100 %.

The last PUSH album "4 The Love Of The Game" was a disaster in many ways... I am not making any excuses - but I want to explain what went wrong and why.

The payments for the studio and the musicians never came as agreed with Z Records (Mark Alger). It took six (6) months before there was finally some money on the table, yet it wasn't the right amount. On two occassions I was given invalid checks signed by Mark Alger and I was told by Lloyds Bank in the UK that the Z account could NOT cover the (small) amount I was due and therefore the checks were withdrawn. I even had to pay fees for all of this.

Several packages "got lost" and on two occasions I was even given incorrect (made up) track & trace numbers by Mark Alger - When I contacted the companies they told me that the packages did NOT exist.

The release date for the album had been made public and the music sent to England. I had hired Jan Eliasson to do the mix and mastering (as with previous albums). We did the mix and mastered 4 tracks but all of a sudden Mark Alger wanted someone else to do the mastering for the rest of the album in the UK and told me it would be just as good (even better he said) than what we had already done. The result (as all the reviews state) is an album that soundwise goes from poor to good to shite. Each track sounds different.

Any recording artist will tell you that the mastering decides whether you have a good or bad sounding album - those who are familiar with our music can simply compare it to On The Run from 2000 and then you know what I mean!

Last minute changes and I did not know till the album was released - simply because I was not given a copy - 3 or 4 letters with the disc apparently "got lost" again!! To top this I received my copies of the album 5½ weeks after it was in the shops. Again the shipments got lost somewhere and according to Mark he (we) lost 200 discs...

Why do I tell you this now you ask: Well, it is not exactly the story you want to tell the world when you have just released a new album. I wanted to talk about the music and hopefully the album would sell a few copies because the music was strong enough. That was of course naive...

I want to say this to to the people/fans who question who is losing out here: We all do! But for the fans to enjoy the music I have to be paid for what I do. It is quite simple! I can't deliver the goods without and I lose my creativity if I have to deal with someone who is not telling the truth. It is destructive - just look at the changes we have made in the band while being at Z. A strong factor was the ongoing arguments if we should believe what Mark Alger told us or not.

Finally: I want to release melodick rock for people to enjoy for years to come and I want to go and play for people. That's what I love to do and nothing can stop me doing that!

Here's to the future,
Martie Peters (PUSH)

Response 1 - Tommy Denander - January 26, 2003

Author: Tommy Denander (---.telia.com)
Date: 01-26-03 00:59

Thanks again for sharing this.

I don't think i've ever told this in public either but Mark and his "mastering" guy completely ruined the whole Rainmaker album for us.

I've never been more angry in regards to working on an album in my life. Not only did we get ALL the usual crap about budget size, lost packages, non cashable cheques and constant changing of what he had promised earlier.

I told Mark that i wanted to master it in Sweden with one of the top places but he told me he had this amazing guy who had done most Whitesnake, Thin Lizzy and Gary Moore albums etc so of course it felt like a cool idea.

Due to the regular crap we finished the album very close to the deadline, i told Mark that i HAD to hear the mastering before it went to print which of course wouldn't be a problem:-)))...as soon as he got the CDR of the mix he tells me that he has to get it mastered that night or it will be impossible to get it to the printers the day after...i once again told him that i had to hear it first but being the master of lying he coninced me that it had come out fantastic!!!

The album was printed and about 3 weeks AFTER it had been released we finally got our CD's...something that often happens with Z!. It sounded so fucking horrible that i almost cried....i just couldn't believe what i was hearing. They had completely ruined the sound to the point where to this day me and Geir can't listen to it, we both only use our CDR copies before mastering.

Mark swore that he would release a second printing with the correct sound....that was some 2 years ago:-)))

Bottom line - After having recived so many stories from bands who've done albums with Z it's painfully clear that besides getting screwed for money Alger manages to kill the fun of making music for all bands....some have even broken up due to this @!#0

Tommy

From Powerplay Magazine - January 29, 2003

Author: Mark Hoaksey (---.cache.pol.co.uk)
Date: 01-29-03 01:52

A brief posting to confirm that Powerplay experienced all the same bullshit from Z as every other mag in Europe. Thankfully as we're UK based, it was easier for us make use of court action to chase money that was many, many months outstanding from Z. Once the court paperwork was filed and the summons issued to Mr Alger, he paid - but on the last possible day. Another two days and a CCJ would have been issued against him, effectively killing his credit rating.

Like many other magazines, we stopped covering acts on Z a long time ago. It was a tough decision to make, given that our whole ethos is about promoting rock music - particularly from underground bands - but it was the only real sanction that was available to us to make a stand against Z.

I sincerely hope that in the long term the damage Z have caused will not be too detrimental to the Melodic Rock scene, as many great bands have suffered at the label's hands.

Mark Hoaksey
Editor
Powerplay

From Rich - January 31, 2003

Author: rich (---.in-addr.btopenworld.com)
Date: 01-31-03 06:56

I have watched the board go haywire over the past weeks and kept my gob shut but no longer.

I used to 'help' Mark et al on the Z Rocks do's up in Wigan/ Manchester, not for money or anything but the chanc to help out a music scene I have loved 4 years and to meet some heroes.

The last straw came last year. I drove Bonfire around for the weekend. I gave up my whole bank holiday weekend for 5 cd's and after petrol and buying the guys from Bonfire beer and coke for the trip up from London received 8 pounds. The money does not bother me. But the guys from Bonfire were seething at the way they had been treated.

I had the privileged position of sitting in he middle and could see Mark's bullshit a mile off Quite frankly it was embarrassing. Friends of mine in Sweden were out of pocket for months.

Then I had my flights booked to toronto when the 'no hotels' lie sprang up. (Remember that steaming pile of orse manure)

Is he mad? The whole ethos of his business is done on paying people late, stringing people along. My 'promised' cd's never used to arrive due to postal strikes (those radical left wing posties in the North West eh?), getting lost etc.

Marcel - you probably remember me looking extermely embarrased as I got you guys off from Central Manchester last year. You were not happy then - I remember it distinctly.

Does he think we are all thick. It saddens me to see people saying that the limited music scene for our style of music is being ruined by the squabbling on this board. The only people destroying it are Z Records.

Mark - you use people, and I have been embarrased by my time working for Z.

I apologise to all you guys who I had to deal with on behalf of Z and can assure you that my blinkers are now of.

Well done to the Scandanvian guys for finally standing up to be counted. I admire your guts.

Rich

From Hot Tracks - February 2, 2003

"Hello, In light of the recent situations surrounding the label Z Records, Hot Tracks has decided to no longer carry any of the Z Record label material once our stock has depleted.

We also have had bad experiences with this company in the past and no longer wish to support their company.

We apologize to our customers for any inconvenience this may cause.

Thank you."

Hot Tracks
AOR/Melodic Rock CD Mailorder

From NEH Records - February 2, 2003

Author: Mike McPherson (---.interfold.com)
Date: 02-03-03 01:26

It is very difficult for AOR/Melodic Rock artists to get exposure in the US - not selling their CDs certainly doesn't help them. I really don't know anything factual about the problems between Z Records and some of their artists that have been widely discussed here so I will refrain from speculation. What I do know is that Z Records has been a reliable and efficient supplier to us over the 5 years that we have been doing business with them. In fact, all of the labels in Europe (Z Records, Frontiers, MTM, Escape, AOR Heaven and Record Heaven to name a few) have just been outstanding with regards to their service and enthusiasm for this music. The US labels should take a lesson from them. These European labels are keeping Melodic Rock alive and that is important to everyone. I sincerely hope that the problems which exist between Z Records and some of their artists will be resolved soon in a mutually beneficial manner.