Professional publicity

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When he was playing local bars with his band, Inkognito, Randy Mallett found himself the subject of interviews.

But Inkognito is no more, and Mallett has switched roles. Now he's on the other side of the microphone, interviewing local musicians about the Cape Girardeau music scene, their aspirations, frustrations and triumphs, under the banner of his new company, Banned Promotions

Any company with the word "promotions" in its title usually exists for one purpose -- to make money.

Not so with Banned Promotions. Instead, Mallett has a much more altruistic goal in mind: He wants to promote the musicians who make up the local scene by provided them with interviews, reviews, Web hosting and management.

But Mallett, who lives in Malden, Mo., doesn't tout himself as some great philanthropic force that will push local music to the next level. To hear him talk about Banned Promotions, Mallett seems like he just needed something to do after the break-up of In-kognito this summer.

"I wanted to do something on my free time, and of course I'm never going to stop liking music," Mallett said. Soon after the breakup, he put word out about Banned Promotions, using his contacts in the local music community. He's already interviewed the likes of Drivin' Rain, Mojo Filter, the new death metal band Butchered, young rockers Fists of Phoenix and others. And more interviews and reviews are lined up for Promise to Burn, Pizzasaurus Rex and Cries Hannah.

Local bands apparently like the service. Daniel Seabaugh, who fronts Fists of Phoenix, said Mallett's interview with the group was one of the best the band has ever been a part of. Fists of Phoenix fans are historically a younger crowd, since the band members themselves aren't far removed from high school. The situation makes it more difficult for Seabaugh's band to get local exposure, since their primary venue is the all-ages Enchanted Forest on Broadway, not the downtown bars that attract older customers.

"He has real good questions, actually," Seabaugh said. "This guy actually knows something about our band, because he's just not asking the typical questions you can ask any band."

Mallett's experience on the local music scene has made him well-acquainted with local bands, giving him an inside edge other interviewers might not possess.

But Banned Promotions almost didn't become a reality. Mallett said he thought about trying to get in some other bands before deciding he could help out local music through publicity.

Now he's working with some others to not only give bands publicity, but to hook them up with gigs. He's also hosting a site for the City of Roses Music Heritage Association, a service that requires a small payment. He'll host sites for any band that wants them, but there is a charge involved.

Seabaugh has no problem with that. "I'm sure there's some way he's making money out of it. He should, if he's spending his time and doing that for bands," he said.

Mallett has used his contacts in the local community well. Instead of just waiting for bands to come to him, he's been contacting them through the network of local musicians. And others are helping with Banned Promotions.

"I didn't really expect this to happen, but I do have a few people working with me," Mallett said.

People like City of Roses Music Festival organizer Mary Ramsey. Mallett said Ramsey acts as a point person in Cape Girardeau for Banned, since he lives a long distance away.

"She can just walk down to the Rude Dog, where I can't," Mallett said.

But Mallett says he won't just be a mouthpiece to tout the greatness of local bands and their music. When he reviews their CDs, Mallett said he will remain objective. If a band's music has weak spots, he'll identify them, all in the name of constructive criticism.

"I try to make them look good, but I will voice my own opinion," Mallet said.

Seabaugh's band probably doesn't have to worry about any negatives coming through in a Mallett review, though.

"They've impressed a lot of people and turned a lot of heads," Mallett said of Fists of Phoenix.

Fists of Phoenix is exactly the kind of band Mallett hopes to help -- a talented group of local musicians who could expand their careers beyond the area. But he doesn't want to sound self-important. For Mallett, interviewing local bands, hosting Web sites and reviewing their albums is as natural as sitting behind a drum kit.

"I've got to stay involved somehow," he said.

msanders@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182