It ain't easy being green.

I should back up just a bit.  The label we signed with after being let go from "Galaxy" records, (we'll call it "Export" Records) was an idea that was being thrown around before we even recorded the album in Seattle.  The "demo" record that we recorded, had all the artwork done and was ready for retail sale before we signed the single deal with "Galaxy."  It was really never meant to be distributed as an actual album, it was only for shopping to major label purposes.  Once we were dropped from "Galaxy", turning "Export" Records into a reality went into full effect.  We were pretty much tainted property at that point and getting another major label to bite was going to be hard.  Our band was literally in no man's land.  Our managers and boss didn't want the album to go to waste so they quickly printed up a contract.

I remember I was at "Lonnie's" (one of our guitar players) apartement when "Mickey" showed up with the "Export" contract.  This was about 4 or 5 in the afternoon on a friday.  We gave it a quick look over and decided that we wanted our lawyer to look at it first before we signed anything since we can't read "legaleze."  "Mickey" called the manager of Export Records (we will call her "Jessica" and she was also the wife of "Four Floors Up" bass player "Ted") and told her that we wanted to look at it over the weekend and turn it in on monday.  This is the exact moment in life when you make a life changing decision for the worst.  She told us that we had until 7 p.m. to sign it and give it back to her or we could kiss the contract goodbye.  My blood ran cold.

Every piece of my being was screaming to not sign it.  I knew in the pit of my soul that being forced into signing a contract is the worst thing we could ever do, but I was outnumbered.  They are our friends and friends don't screw each other over right?  They've been where we are at and know how much we want this, so it can't be bad right?  Wrong.  We were the donkeys pulling the cart with the carrot being dangled by a stick in front of our faces.  If there has ever been a number one rule in life it is this:  There are no such thing as friends in business.  Uneasy alliances at best.  So we will make that rule number one on the Musician's Survival List.

Rule #1:  There are no such things as friends when big money is involved.

It was a few months later when we started to realize what a bad contract we signed.

To be continued....