25/11/09 – Future, the special-interest media group and the world’s leading rock music label, Roadrunner Records, have announced an innovative new music distribution model for the UK release of legendary guitarist Slash’s self-titled debut solo album.
Slash, the first solo album from the Velvet Revolver and former Guns ‘n’ Roses axeman sees him collaborate with some of the world’s biggest artists, from the rock world and beyond. Eagerly anticipated by rock fans across the globe, the Slash album is set to become an essential release when it launches in Spring 2010.
As one of the most iconic musicians of all-time, Slash is the latest major signing for Roadrunner Records who will release the album across Europe. Founded in 1980, the Roadrunner Records label has a growing roster of acts including Nickleback, Slipknot and Machine Head.
In a revolutionary move, Future and Roadrunner Records will create the first-ever “Fan Pack” release – giving UK fans the world premiere of the Slash album before it receives a standard release elsewhere. The Fan Pack comes with its own collectable issue of Future’s Classic Rock Magazine – Classic Rock Presents: Slash – a 132-page Slash special bringing the album and his successful career into context, with new features from leading music journalists and exclusive input from Slash himself.
The partnership is a first for music and media industries, marking the first-time a major new album has been released this way. The partnership ensures that Slash’s new album is available through over 4000 UK retailers that stock Classic Rock – sidestepping the issue of dwindling high street music outlets and top 20 only stocking in supermarkets. Classic Rock is one of the UK’s biggest rock music magazines and this year recorded its 8th consecutive circulation increase, the only paid-for music magazine to grow.
Mark Palmer, Managing Director of Roadrunner Records UK, said:
“While the past few years have seen the unrelenting rise of Classic Rock in a troubled magazine market, it has also witnessed the gradual disintegration of High Street record retailers. By partnering with Future to release the Slash “Fan Pack” we are able to make widely-available a quality product for those consumers that have a real passion and interest not just in Slash’s new music, but also every facet of his amazing career to date.”
Chris Ingham, Group Publisher of Future’s Classic Rock and Metal Hammer, added:
“We are delighted to be working with Roadrunner Records and one of the world’s greatest rock stars on this innovative new distribution model. By partnering with Classic Rock, we can support Roadrunner’s UK efforts to promote the album – there are many challenges in getting quality music to real enthusiasts, and the Fan Pack is a pioneering attempt at redressing the challenges of retail against digital distribution. By seeing the potential of the new format, Roadrunner Records are putting Slash’s music directly into the hands of rock enthusiasts who will champion it and develop positive buzz ahead of its standard global release.”
The Slash Fan Pack – packing his debut solo album from Roadrunner Records, with its very own 132-page Classic Rock Presents: Slash special goes on sale in Spring 2009, with a coverprice of £14.99.
ENDS
About Future
Future plc is an international special-interest media group that is listed on the London Stock Exchange (symbol FUTR). Founded in 1985 with one magazine, today we have operations in the UK, US and Australia creating over 180 special-interest publications, websites and events for people who are passionate about their interests. We hold strong market positions in games, film, music, technology, cycling, automotive and crafts. Our biggest-selling magazines include T3, Total Film, Digital Camera, Fast Car, Classic Rock, Guitar World, Official Xbox Magazine, Official Playstation Magazine, Nintendo Power, Maximum PC and MacLife. Our websites include gamesradar.com, bikeradar.com, techradar.com, and musicradar.com. Future sells nearly 4 million magazines each month; we attract more than 27 million unique visitors to our websites; and we host 27 annual live events that attract hundreds of thousands of enthusiasts. In addition, Future exports, syndicates or licenses its publications to 90 countries internationally, making us the UK’s number one exporter and licensor of monthly magazines.
For more information
Victoria Bacon, Head of Group Communications, Future PLC, 0207 0424033
Will Guyatt, Media Relations Manager, Future UK, 01225 822517
