Heavycore Founder Pete Altieri

 HEAR IT FROM PETE!

Turn up your computer speakers and hear it from the founder of the Core himself, Pete Altieri.  The sound will begin on it's own.  If for some reason you can't hear it, or your connection to the web is slow as hell, then it's printed below.  If you'd rather download it, then right click here and select "save target as" to save to your computer.

Pete explains why after four years that it's become necessary to charge a nominal fee to join Heavycore.  Even though it's not much, bands should ALWAYS understand what they are paying for and Pete understands that.  So sit back and let him educate you on what's going on with Heavycore and the reason for this new membership fee.

Greetings to you . . . my prospective Heavycore brother.  This is Pete Altieri.  I'm the guy who started Heavycore back in 1999 in Central Illinois with only a handful of bands.  In eight years the organization has grown to over 300 bands and has been covered in large metal zines like Metal Maniacs!  Our news is often found on Blabbermouth - so the organization is recognized by metal freaks the world over.  I would have never dreamed things would have taken off this way.  

I'm one of you.  I've been playing in metal bands since 1984 and currently play bass and scream in Low Twelve.  So this organization is run by someone who knows what metal bands go through and is slugging it out in the trenches along with you!  I've been fucked over countless times and have made it a point to help bands stay away from the sleaze that permeate this business.  I also write the weekly Brutality Report online and am the editor of the Low Times, a quarterly printed metal zine in the Midwest.  In each publication, I spread the Heavycore message loud and fucking clear.  I've even got Heavycore tattooed across my right forearm.


fresh ink in December 2001 - proud to be poser free - tat by Artkore (Normal IL)

So what's the problem?  Well, running an organization of a few dozen regional bands is much different than running one with almost 1,000 all over the globe.  At times, we are getting over ten bands a day applying for membership, and screening each and every one takes time.  Then adding them to the list, updating the data base, and sending out welcome/denial emails has become a full time job that I can't do by myself any more.  I guess this is a good problem to have!

Heavycore has come a long way.  We currently offer reviews for our members on the site, interviews, a message board to post gig dates and release information, a shit list of people to stay away from, merchandise, and more.  But things have been stagnant for a while and as the organization continues to grow, it becomes harder and harder to offer more services.  We can now let our staff grow and really get some shit done around here.  There are way too many posers in this world.

I want to see Heavycore move forward and not backward or sideways.  We have released four very successful compilation cds, "Core Til Death I - IV", and compilation DVD "Roasting Posers Volume I".  The time has come to really bust this thing wide open!

As much as I hate to see any bands not join over this small fee, I'd rather lead a strong organization full of bands who want to succeed and are committed to invest in their future.  Your small fee isn't much alone, but when you think of the entire organization, that's going to really help us out in a huge way!  It's always been about brothers helping brothers around here.

We've given you two options to pay the small annual fee.  With option #1 you can just pay $10 per year to support the cause.  With that you even get four free Heavycore membership cards.  With those cards you'll be able to enjoy a 10% discount off our official merchandise.  You'll also be able to show other bands that you're a card carrying brother in the Core.  Additional cards can be purchased too!

With option #2, you can buy $15 or more worth of Heavycore merchandise.  Choose from cds, dvds, t-shirts, and more.  You can also purchase the membership cards with this option. 

Knowing that times are tough and some bands have the drive but are really in dire straits in the cash department, we will consider special hardship cases and waive the membership fee.  Keep in mind that if you cannot come up with $10 between the entire band, this must be a serious hardship.  Those who we consider true hardships will be given tasks to do to spread the Heavycore message in their areas. 

For existing Heavycore bands - I hope you continue to be a part of the Core family.  You know what we're about and helping us out helps the greater good of the membership.  The deadline for existing Heavycore members to continue their membership is December 31st of 2003.  After that time, all bands who have not re-applied will be regretfully removed from our site. 

Thanks for listening to what I've had to say.  If you still have questions or concerns then email me at join@heavycore.org and I'll answer you the best I can. 

Core Til Death!


Pete Altieri - Founder & Chief Disposer of Posers
Heavycore:  The International Union of Heavy Bands

August 1, 2007 - Bloomington Illinois