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SCAM ALERT! This note is in response to your post (http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/upcoming_releases/rockstars_line_up_for_ozzy_tribute_album.html). Before doing business with this individual please consider the following information;
Jake Brown, Author Biographer - Nashville, TN
Versailles Records
RockNRoll Books
SexDrugsNRockNRollMagazine
[protected]@yahoo.com
[protected]@yahoo.com
Not sure what "WHINGING" is but if that's what happens when people are ripped off, yes that is exactly what we are doing.
Very pathetic, jake that you would write TWO letters about this on here. All of the FACTS on those above links are FACTS! Cut and dry.
The bands were only refunded AFTER they contacted Jake... he didn't offer any refunds. On top of that he only provided the refunds AFTER THE CAMPAIGN STARTED AGAINST HIM! Remember there were several years of ignored emails and demands for DESERVED REFUNDS due to lies and deceit. That is ridiculous. As you can see by the transcript below, it came down to borderline blackmail just to get our money back.
Sure he may have done some things right. You want a goddamn cookie? Sorry but isn't that was SUPPOSED to happen? A semi-legitimate business ethic doesn't give you the right to demand all your screw-ups be buried. People have a right to this information WHICH IS 100% VERIFIED FACT before they make the choice of doing business with this lowlife.
Jake this was settled months ago but you couldn't leave well enough alone... you had to call me a liar... well here's the DOCUMENTED PROOF:
http://###inmetal.com/scam.html
And the emails from Jake himself to back up my claims:
http://###inmetal.com/email.html
Happy reading everyone.
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
This is Troy from the band Threat Level, we participated in the Iron Maiden Millennium Tribute CD and we NEVER received our copies of the disc.
Add me to the list of RIPPED OFF people. I paid $115 to be included on the "Savior Rock" CD project and was to receive 20 physical copies with booklets including a band photo and bio. Yes, the digital version is available online, but my intent was to sell the physical copies at our shows and make a little profit. I get nothing from online sales. I've emailed Jake several times over the last year and a half and have gotten put off over and over, and now he just ignores my emails. HE IS A LIAR AND A RIPOFF ARTIST AND IT CANNOT BE DISPUTED. I HAVE NO REASON TO LIE. I'M JUST TRYING TO WARN OTHERS. Just because there have been legitimate projects where people did get what they paid for does NOT mean he is an honest businessman... you rip off ONE person, you are a CROOK. PERIOD.
Update: In fairness, I should report that I eventually DID receive my CDs via US mail (though Jake was [censor]y about it and made it seem that I was a whiner and had no reason to threaten to report him to proper authorities. The CDs were over a YEAR past the promised date, so I had every reason to believe I was being ripped off, no matter what he says.) I don't think he's actually out to steal peoples' money... I just think he's a poor planner, a poor communicator, and tells people what they want to hear instead of the truth about how long a project may take, etc. Then when he finally comes through, he acts as if he's been wronged by anyone who complains. Perhaps not a crook, but indeed a very poor businessman.
I did the design covers for Stone Temple Pilots, Buckcherry, and ACDC tribute cds. Jake still owes me money and does not return any of my calls or email. Do not do any business with this guy! He'll rip you off like he did me.
I'm from one of the bands on the Ozzy release and my quote is in that list. Versailles Records is not an overly massive label, and from what I gather neither are 99% of the bands on their releases. Because of this, there is going to be a professionalism barrier, mainly on the bands behalf. Communication between parites probably isn't going to be as perfect as everyone would like either. But frankly guys, what do you expect? That Jake from Versailles is just going to hear your band on myspace and sign you up to a huge worldwide record deal making millions in your pocket and having everyone bow to your wishes like you are rockstar of 100 years? Just on the off chance you can handle the music industry anyway? GET REAL!
All the complains I've seen are just people whinging. We are unsigned bands for the most part, paying an incredibly small price to be on a proper release, which is very professional for the most part. His communication is not as bad as everyone makes out, yes you may occasionally have to send something twice to get an answer, big deal, the world doesn't revolve around you yet! I'm not from the US and he still made an international call for like half an hour to me just to make sure everything was good for our release, he is a nice guy and I'm glad it's him organising something like this and not myself.
About the cutting of tracks, yes I will admit it was a little annoying when we realised one of our tracks had to be shortened. Did any of you check with him that there wasn't a time restraint? I know I didn't, and with however many million band he does try to cram on one CD it was stupid not to ask... We've now done that, for the newest release of his we've signed up to. I'm not blind to the flaws, but he's doing unsigned bands a long of big favours in getting your name out there, associating your name with several big acts on the release, and just motivating your band in general to do bigger things regardless. If anyone expects a Versailles release to be handing everything to you on a silver platter, you may want to reconsider which industry it is you wish to make a life in. I work in the music industry as a tech, local crew etc, and I still every week see BIG international touring bands struggling to get a break.
STOP YOUR BLOODY WHINGING!
First off, SDRRMAG.com will be live as of the middle of October, 2012, so this first lie should be rebutted by pointing out that IN FACT every band who signed up for that sampler is live as of the magazine's launch, with an artist photo, bio and song as promised along with a VERY strong launch issue!
Regarding the handful of band complaints lodged against Versailles Records: As of 2012, we have resolved every complaint lodged on this board, either in the form of refunded inclusion fees (with promos that went missing re-sent - meaning the band still made it on the project, STILL got their photo/bio in the CD booklet or book, STILL received the RETAIL coverage promised, still GOT the PROMOS in the end run, in most cases have even agreed to remove their complaint) and still, this website will not even acknowledge those remedies anywhere on their site.
Why would 150+ of new bands from around the world continue to work with us over the course of SEVEN new tribute albums and related compilations coming over this year and ALL of them, ALL OF THEM, signed up this year and in the midst of this horrid stain on a 12 year reputation this label has built trying to help new bands get their music out in the face of an ever-shrinking retail market.
Reference POSITIVE feedback/praise from some of these bands on our recently-released Ozzy Osbourne and Van Halen Tributes. In the coming months remaining in 2012 and 2013, we will release 5 more projects featuring tens of dozens of new bands, so hopefully heading into the future, more honest press can be lodged regarding the promises made and results delivered by a label who would be OUT OF BUSINESS already we hadn't been able to continually earn the trust of the rock and metal bands we're PROUD to continue with in the coming years:
Positive Feedback from Ozzy Osbourne Tribute (released July, 2012) Bands:
"I think its a killer package. Looking forward to the other ones. I like the booklet." - Fierce Atmospheres
"Got the CDs...They look and sound great!" - Santagata
"Got the Ozzy cds, just so you know, they look fantastic!" - Leaving Eden
"It came out really well and happy with the outcome." - Shadow God
"They look great!" - Kingshifter
"The CD looks great!" - Sage4
"The Ozzy tribute came today! Sounds good!" - Erling Solem
"I have to say, it was pretty awesome to see the band's name on the front cover!" - Matanuska
"Received them this morning mate, they look awesome." - Kinoath, Australia
"I have the album, thanx! Cool work in the booklet." - Riffuz
Positive Commentary from Van Halen Tribute Featured Bands:
"Finished product looks fantastic and sounds good too. Quite a few
strong tracks on the disc. I was pleased with our layout as the printing
and photo work looks very crisp in the insert. Overall very pleased
with the tribute CD!" - Iconic Tonic
"Looks/sounds great and very professional. I really appreciate the liner
notes you included for each band. I was surprised on how many really
good sounding renditions are the CD as I expected a lot of filler but
there's some really cool stuff on there. We honored to be a part of it!"
- FAN HALEN
"Some great standouts... I'm fond of tribute records, as you can either
be amazed by someone's take on a track or be reminded how particularly
adept the honored band is because it's so hard to pull off a cover.
Definitely more hits than misses on this one, it's interesting how many
vocalists... truly sound a lot like DLR!" - Electric Sister
"We just want to thank you so much for allowing us to be a part of the
Van Halen Tribute Album "Take Your Whiskey Home". We think everything
came out great." - Fair Warning
"Over all nice!" - Steve Pugh
"Got 'em! It all sounds great! Thank you!" - Lee Thompson
"Leaving Eden just wanted to let you know that we loved the Van Halen CD
it was a pleasure recording on it we listened to all the songs we
thought that they sounded great we think the artwork looks awesome the
layout is cool we also feel that the quality of the recordings a very
good as well" - Leaving Eden
All bands quoted here both received their promo CDs and were happy with the final product, as we hope fans are as well... We will continue to respond to this kind of small pool of unfortunate misunderstandings over many years of business, and looking forward, hope to help as many more new bands as possible reach the retail market where its becoming harder and harder for them to do so... There is a universe of amazing talent out there, new talent, that proudly fuels our fires and hopefully, we continue to get the opportunity to bring new rock and metal to fans in 2013 and beyond! Rock & Roll, Versailles Records