Press for Innocent Words Compilation #3 - More Ways Than Three

From: Aiding & Abeting 4.05
Any cause that can unite King's X, Ani DiFranco, Hammell on Trial, Kinski, Haymarket Riot and Juliana Hatfield must be something. Proceeds from this disc benefit Riley's Children's Hospital, and unlike an awful lot of benefit discs, the music given to this compilation is absolutely first rate (if not necessarily previously unreleased). Something of a whipsaw ride, but one that is most enjoyable.

From: Extrano Revoltjo Radio Chile
More Ways Than Three is an amazing compilation, full of invincible anthems: King’s X "Two"...Tegan & Sara’ss "I Bet It Stung"... Ani diFranco’s "Parameters"...Common Rider "Firewall" and Hamell on Trial’s "The Disconnected" among others.
~ René Atilio Araya

From E3 Magazine 2.24.05
Innocent Words’ Riley’s Hospital for Children Benefit Show 2.24.05
E3 Music Feature By Don Gerard
Troy Michael, founder, publisher and head honcho of Innocent Words Magazine and Innocent Words Records, has done little else in the past year beyond pursuing his passion for music.

Unfortunately, a number of medical ailments have prevented Michael from venturing out of the Magazine and Label office he has set up at his home in Oakwood to see and hear the bands on his label.

"It has been more than a year (since I’ve been to a show)," Michael says. "God, I really miss it. I miss seeing my friends every night. I miss taking photos of bands."

On Saturday night come hell or high water Michael will make a return (physically) to the C-U landscape when he will host the Innocent Words Records Compilation release party at the High Dive, 51 Main, Downtown Champaign. Lorenzo Goetz, Terminus Victor and Cameron McGill are set to perform. All three acts are signed to IW and have contributed tracks to the third compilation, More Ways Than Three, which goes to benefit Riley’s Hospital for Children in Indianapolis.

The show is set to kick off with an early start time of 7 p.m. and a dirt-cheap $5 cover charge. The music will definitely be smoking, however, at Michael’s request (due to health concerns) the crowd will not. Cigarette smoking will be relegated to outdoors only during the show.

For the latest compilation Michael once again went the extra mile to convince some of the best local and national talent to contribute tracks.

"Ani DiFranco was huge," he says of landing the support of one of indie rock’s most influential and respected musicians. "King’s X really surprised me as I have been a fan of their’s for 20 years. When I was a kid I wanted a cool Mohawk like (lead singer/bassist) Doug Pinnick," Micheal laughs. "Tegan and Sara also blew me away. That was the one act I really had to work for. Them and Julianna (Hatfield)."

More Ways Than Three also features, among others, Righteous Babe recording artist Hamell On Trial, Kinski (Sub Pop), Common Rider (Hopeless Records) and Haymarket Riot. Local bands contributing tracks include Big Bright Lights (ex-Hum, National Skyline) and IW recording artist Triple Whip.

"(Pearl Jam guitarist) Stone Gossard from (the first IW Benefit Comp) Small, My Table is my biggest accomplishment," Michael says. "I think (DiFranco) is the top of the mountain. She has a lot to do with me starting Innocent Words."

However with snaring such artists as Veruca Salt, Centaur, Lennon, Steve Turner (Mudhoney), Edward Burch and Jay Bennett, Robynn Ragland, Absinthe Blind and Lucky Mulholland for previous compilations he is no stranger to getting things done.

"He works so hard. It seems like it is all he does," says Terminus Victor bassist-vocalist Scott Kimble. The band is set to release its second disc, Under Surveillance, in late April on IW. "He really did a great job getting our first album reviewed and played on radio all over the world. Germany, Chile, Greece…It is really remarkable."

"The funny thing about the compilation idea is it has become a never-ending process," Michael notes. "I think people assume it takes a month or so to get this done, but for this one I have been working on it for the last eight months. After More Ways Than Three settles I will start toying with ideas for the ’06 release."

Michael, who spent a great deal of time at Riley’s, has in the past purchased art supplies and book collections for the hospital. He has not revealed what he has planned for this year, however he is hoping for a big crowd on Saturday night to provide the financial catalyst for something special.

"To me it is never enough," he says of the amount he has raised in past years. "But each year we make enough to purchase great items to put smiles on the kids’ faces. You can’t put a dollar sign on that."

From The Buzz Magazine 2.24.05
Local record label puts out third benefit album
By Erin Scottberg
Three years ago, Troy Michael, owner and founder of Innocent Words independent music magazine, got the idea to put out a compilation album to celebrate the one-year anniversary of his publication.

Michael, a self-described music geek since he was six years old, didn't want to be just another indie magazine putting out another indie CD.

"I don't want to just put out a compilation, I wanna make some noise with it," Michael said.

The result was the Innocent Words Records compilation for Riley's Children's Foundation, a fundraising group for Riley's Children's Hospital where Michael received treatment when he was a teenager. The third benefit album, More Ways Than Three, will be released March 1, but it will be available earlier at a release party at the Highdive tomorrow night.

Riley's is a referral-based hospital dedicated solely to the care of children. Michael had his fair share of health problems growing up and in October 1986, he found out there was something wrong with his kidneys. After months of tests, he was referred to Riley's Children's Hospital in Indianapolis for a kidney transplant. He was 14 years old.

Riley's is part of the University's National Institutes of Health-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center and is one of the best pediatric research and care centers in the nation, according to their Web site. Because of Riley's Children's Foundation's fundraising, no Indiana child is ever denied care because of financial shortcomings.

On May 11, 1986, doctors at Riley's transplanted a kidney donated from Michael's mother into her son. It was Mother's Day.

"I want to give back to the hospital that basically saved my life," Michael said. "I was in the hospital for 31 days and there was nothing to do. They had a recreation room, and I always went down there and just did whatever I could. That made an impression on me."

Michael thought the best thing he could do for the patients was make sure they had an awesome recreation room for the kids to utilize during their stay.

"I could have just gave a check and said 'Hey, here's some money," Michael said, but instead, he uses the money raised by the album to buy art supplies and books to stock the rec room.

"That's Troy's bag, he's very creative himself," said Scott Kimble, a close friend of Michael and member of Innocent Words band Terminus Victor.

"I go out and buy them art books and crayons and whatever and deliver them over myself," Michael said.

Michael used the $300 raised by last year's compilation album, A Warm Breath...And a Scream, to donate the complete collection of Calvin and Hobbes books to the hospital. He's also given a dozen or so art picture books and other supplies to help the kids kill time and encourage their artistic side.

Michael is glad he can use his record label to help out something so dear to him.

"This will be a yearly event until we can't do it anymore-until we're dead, or not a label," Michael said, adding that's he's already planning next year's comp.

This year's album, More Ways Than Three, is the third volume in the Riley's Benefit compilation series. The track list features Lorenzo Goetz, Terminus Victor, Triple Whip, Cameron McGill (a new Innocent Words artist) and nationally known artists such as Tegan & Sara and Ani DiFranco, who was also part of last year's project.

Ani DiFranco's participation in this project is more than just a song on the album. She's actually part of the reason Innocent Words Records and magazine even exists in the first place.

In 2001, Michael and longtime friend Larry Gates went to an Ani DiFranco show in Indianapolis. Michael was inspired by her get out there and do-it-yourself outlook, and remembers her encouraging the audience to think the same way.

"She's 30 years old and built an empire," said Gates. "She started building a fan base and now has her own label."

"I had just turned 30, and she's my age too, and it was like 'damn, look what she's accomplished, and I've done shit,'" Michael said. He took a cue from DiFranco and got started on the first issue of Innocent Words. The label was born a year later after the first benefit album was released.

"I want to be different, more national, I just don't want to be another local magazine," Michael said. He uses his record label and magazine to give people a voice.

"People won't like everything we do, but somebody will and at least we're doing something. I think that's where we're lucky, we get to do something," Michael said. "I try to be more active...[I want] people to know what Innocent Words is and what we're about. It's a forum to raise awareness."

On the Innocent Words Web site, Michael lists an array of charities to help out and ways to get involved. Many of the charities Michael supports are health problems he, or someone he know, battles.

"Troy's integrity is impeccable. Everything he does is for the right reasons," said Kimble. "Anything we can do to help him install that integrity and vision in young people [we will]."

Lorenzo Goetz, Terminus Victor and Cameron McGill will be playing at the More Ways Than Three release show. This is Lorenzo Goetz's third appearance on the Riley's benefit album and Terminus Victor's and Cameron McGill's second-all with exclusive tracks. Gates said he's glad to be given this opportunity.

"At the end of it all, you'll either be on your death bed with regrets or know that you did it," Gates said.

More Ways Than Three will be available at the show for $10, as well as at local CD retailers and online at www.innocent-words.com starting March 1. Proceeds from album sales as well as the show will go to benefit Riley's Children's Hospital. Innocent Words magazine is a free, bi-monthly publication available at record stores, coffee shops and other locations nationwide.

From The Hub Magazine 2.24.05
Innocent Words: Rock ‘n’ Roll For A Good Cause
by Jana Robert
Innocent Words is a Danville-based record label and magazine with its heart in Champaign-Urbana and its music scene, with local heroes such as Lorenzo Goetz and Terminus Victor having released their albums through the label. Music lover Troy Michael started IW and runs it by himself. By releasing several compilations and donating parts of the proceeds, he continuously shows love for the children at the Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis. We had the opportunity to speak with Troy about Innocent Words and the upcoming release party for IW’s newest compilation, More Ways Than Three, this Saturday at The Highdive.

The Hub: It would be great if you could give me some history about IW.

Troy Michael: Innocent Words magazine’s first issue was December 2000. It was called "Confronting Innocent Words." When the one-year anniversary came up, I decided to release Small, My Table, Innocent Words’ first compilation. I was at the Iron Post with Scott Kimble of Terminus Victor, and I told him that I wanted to start a record label with this compilation. He told me, "If you start a label, we’re in," and I decided to release their album.

Hub: With the bands on the label, you show an exclusive local concentration. Were you ever considering bands outside of CU?

TM: We started local because at the time there were a lot of great bands here. But this year we are fishing outside of C-U. I have been seeking new bands to sign nationally. I am currently talking with bands from Brooklyn, Seattle and Chicago.

Hub: All the bands that are on the label are very different, and all of them have a very unique style. Is that something you consider when signing a band?

TM: I have never set out to have an ""IW sound," like some labels do. I am a music fan first and foremost. I would go buy the CD of those bands, even if they weren't on my label. As for the uniqueness, you have to color outside the lines to survive. But the bands have to fit the mold of IW.

Hub: How would you describe the mold of IW?

TM: Fun, hardworking. We have a family feeling. For example, Terminus Victor loves Lorenzo Goetz and vice versa, or at least I think so. [Laughs.] They support and help each other a lot. We are serious about our work, but we have a lot of fun together. We are in the music business, not building the space shuttle or anything. We have a lot of love here and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Hub: What are your biggest progresses since the start?

TM: My biggest progression with the magazine is the look, the circulation and its frequency. The label has progressed with touring. T-Vic and Lorenzo Goetz are machines on the road. Touring is the best PR for a band or label.

Hub: And you got the CD distribution started internationally.

TM: We were contacted by radio stations who found us online. First it was in the UK, then Russia, Chile, Japan and as of this week, Greece. It is so amazing that people in other countries are listening to our stuff.

Hub: Are there any tour plans for any IW bands to go overseas?

TM: We have talked about it with two of our bands. I know we can make it happen, but it is not sure yet when.

Hub: On a side note, Larry of Lorenzo Goetz said he would happily die in a big pile of Japanese schoolgirls. Would you join that?

TM: He would have to fight for them, and I would win. I’m bigger than him. [Laughs.]

Hub: Your latest addition to the label is Cameron McGill. How did that come about?

TM: I have loved Cameron’s music forever. We always talked about releasing something, but he got busy and toured and got pretty big amongst the area. The timing was off, but now the timing is right.

Hub: Will this be a longer relationship with him?

TM: It is just a one-record contract right now. I’d like to do more, but he deserves more than IW can give right now.

Hub: IW continuously releases compilations. Was it a charity from the beginning? You also have great artists on those compilations, such as Ani DiFranco or Veruca Salt.

TM: When I released the comp Small, My Table, I knew I wanted to do something special and decided to take a portion of the proceeds to Riley's Children's Hospital. I just didn't want to hand over a check. So I took the money and bought art books for the hospital’s recreation room. As far as getting acts, that is a lot of work, a lot of legal issues and a lot of fun even.

Hub: You even got Ward Gollings [booking agent for Cowboy Monkey and the Highdive] on there the last time.

TM: I am proud to call Ward a good friend of mine. I never heard his band before, until I stumbled on his old seven inch. [Laughs.] That sounded so perverted.

Hub: No dirty jokes please; this is dead serious. [Laughs.]

TM: I love making jokes and people laugh. Get Larry Gates and me together on a good day, and it gets pretty funny.

Hub: I believe you! Would you say that the most important thing between you and the bands is friendship?

TM: That’s a tough question. Friendship is very important to all of us, but sometimes business is business. Money is obviously an issue, because it pays the bills and the bands, but I won't ever let it get in the way of friendship.

Hub: Do you see IW more as a 'getting started' label, or would you let it explode if one of the bands would get big?

TM: That's a good question. As far as it will take us, I guess. Who knows what band could break. Look what Nirvana did for Sub Pop or White Stripes did for Sympathy for the Devil, etc.

Hub: As long as a label stays small, you can actually keep personal relationships with the bands.

TM: I love the one-on-one relationship. I will never get distant from that, but I don’t want to be only known as a label which exclusively signs Champaign bands. 2005 and beyond I will be looking more national.

Hub: A final question: three great bands, a great cause and fun. How do you see the upcoming IW record release show for More Ways Than Three.

TM: it is my birthday the same day, and I haven't been able to see a local show in more than a year, due to health reasons. So I would love to see all my old friends. And we have labels donating a lot of free stuff, if you want to make a donation to Riley’s.

The Innocent Words Records compilation release show is Saturday, February 26, at 7 p.m. and will feature label stalwarts Terminus Victor and Lorenzo Goetz, accompanied by new addition Cameron McGill. Cover is $5 and proceeds go to benefit the Riley Hospital for Children.

From openingbands.com 3.05
A Few Words About Innocent Words
By Chris Earnhart
Troy Michael, the man, the leader. He recently made his way back to Chambana for the first time in over a year, and what a return it was! Why so amazing? Well, he brought with him More Ways Than Three, which is the latest compilation released on his label, Innocent Words. And he was followed by a slew of great bands for its release show. While I wasn’t able to sit down and chat as I had wished, I was still able to correspond with Troy to bring you the following story. Names have not been changed, because no one from Innocent Words is innocent.

IW began as a free magazine that focused on local and indie music. The first copy hit the stands in December, 2001. The label began one year later with the release of Small, My Table, IW’s first comp. Quick to sign were three of Champaign’s premiere bands: Lorenzo Goetz, Terminus Victor, and Triple Whip. From there, it’s never been an easy road (as these things never are). And as Troy remarked, "You can never settle in this business or you will only stagnate, so the bands and I always try to push ourselves each year."

Now starting its fourth year of existence, the label looks to the past to make better the future. "Since our last comp release I feel we also went through a cleansing period. I feel like we learned our lessons in the first three years of Innocent Words," noted Troy. Now that they have cut "the dead weight" and been left with a solid line-up that is willing to tour on a regular basis, the members of the label look to the future.

The magazine is doing well as is, and its distribution just keeps getting larger. Cameron McGill (Pocket <3 him) has recently signed and added his second contribution to an IW comp. Both he and Terminus Victor will be releasing full-lengths this year, and both look promising. For future releases, IW will be expanding and searching for national acts. Lorenzo Goetz has broken into the biggest industry in the country: porn. At first, Troy said he wanted to keep that information under the radar, so as not to offend, but "the fact that thousands of people will hear a Lorenzo Goetz song in a porn film is great exposure." I excused the pun and we both agreed that sex is a beautiful thing.

Perhaps, the most notable facet of Innocent Words Records is the diversity of the bands it encompasses. According to Troy, the eclectic gathering "just happened." From T Vic’s hard, electronic rock to Lorenzo Goetz’s trip-hop/pop-rock to Triple Whip’s rhythm-driven, stripped-down cinemarock to Cameron McGill’s singer-songwriter style accompanied by a band, no one can argue that any two IW bands sound similar. But as Troy wisely points out, "One thing these bands do have in common is a strong passion and love for their craft and art, and that can never-ever be manufactured."

This reporter (said to refrain from using the first person) truly believes that this passion is what sets Innocent Words a step ahead of the rest. Troy has that same passion. He has been a fan of music since the tender age of six. He worked at an Indie Record store for ten years. When asked what time period he would live in, Troy based his decision on the music of the time. The 50’s appealed to him as the time of the birth of rock ‘n’ roll and "kick ass cars." The 60’s were his next choice because of musicians like Hendrix, the Stones, and The Who. He feels that "people actually lived then" and mourns the loss of the sense of community in modern times.

So now that the past and the future have been covered. One must look to what is most important: the present. More Ways Than Three is officially released and can be found for sampling and buying on www.innocentwords.com, along with all of the other IW releases. A portion of each sale will go to benefit Riley’s Hospital for Children. You can pick up the Mar/Apr issue of Innocent Words Magazine at numerous locations around Chambana, including Highdive, Canopy Club, Espresso Royale, Cowboy Monkey, and many more. You will soon be able to hear "Flagrante Delicto" by Lorenzo Goetz on Sinful Asians 4 (yes, it’s hard to believe they have only made up to four). And, finally, get a copy of More Ways Then three, get out to the shows of IW bands, get to the website. Get a copy.

In conclusion, I would like to note that I have been invited to a porn watching party, and that my pants, at least, are optional. Keep an eye on Innocent Words, as it will not disappoint. And I will end with these two lines, which emphasize the attitudes behind the Innocent Words Record label and its bands.

"It’s not about making money. It’s about making a difference." -Cameron McGill

"I love coloring outside the lines. Always have." -Troy Michael

From Accent Magazine 2.23.05
By Troy Michael
You are pretty impressionable as a kid. Anything can influence you from television, books, people, music etc.

For me, it was music, always music. I don’t know where I got my love or passion for music because not one person in my family is into music or playing an instrument. But for me it all started when I was six-years-old and has manifested ever since.

When I was six I saw Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park. It was the bands Halloween made-for-TV movie and I was hooked. The next morning, my mom went up the street to the local store and bought me one of Kiss’ albums. Yes, it was an actual album back then. The record she picked up was entitled Love Gun and it had the four members on a cathedral-like white stage with scantly clad women strewn on the steps below. My mom told me she shouldn’t have bought me this record because of the cover, but I had no idea what she meant back then. All I cared about was that Paul, Gene, Ace and Peter were on the cover in their full Kiss regalia.

Love Gun was the band's sixth album and it contained songs with titles like "I Stole Your Love," "Got Love for Sale" and "Plaster Caster." I had no idea the subliminal messages that were spewing out before me. I just pretended I was Ace Frehley wielding his guitar as the music blared.

Shortly after this monumental event, I was diagnosed with having severe asthma and I had all these insane tests with needles and tubes. I would always come home from the doctor or hospital and go back to my music collection that had steadily grown.

With the asthma I couldn’t do a lot of the normal things kids did. I was allergic to grass for God’s sake. So music was my refuge.

Later on in life Kiss fell by the wayside for my new heroes Motley Crue, Poison and Dokken. Then at 14 I was diagnosed with failing kidneys and I had to have a transplant. I was shipped over to Riley’s Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis and there were more needles and tubes and nurses. After my transplant I was in the hospital for 31 days and I had posters of my musical icons hanging on my wall in my sterile white hospital room. It seemed to scare the doctors and nurses, but it comforted me.

Fast forward fifteen years and I am still music junkie, a music geek, a music collector. Pearl Jam, Ani DiFranco and Hamell on Trial are the music that drives me and gives me passion now. I also happen to own an independent music magazine and record label called Innocent Words. Upon the first year of our magazine anniversary I started the record label and put out a compilation CD entitled Small, My Table. Instead of putting out a CD and soaking up the fruits of my labor, I decided to actually do something with the money made. When I was lying sick in the hospital as a kid at Riley’s I always thought I would somehow give back to this place that saved my life, but I didn’t know how.

Now was the time. I took a portion of all proceeds from the CD sales and donated them to the hospital. I just didn’t want to be another cold fish to hand over a check and hope for good karma. I wanted to actually see where the money went. So I took the money and went out and bought the kids art books for their recreation room. A place where I spent many a day when I was laid up. It was a small donation on some accounts, but it was just the start.

In 2003 we put out another compilation entitled A Warm Breath…and A Scream, now our Innocent Words recreation room project has become a yearly event with a lot of great response. The second album did better and we bought more books for the kids.

Now it is a new year and it is out third compilation in as many years. We are releasing More Ways Than Three on March 1 with a CD release party on Saturday, February 26 at the Highdive in Champaign.

Three bands on the Innocent Words label, who happen to all be very good friends, will be playing the show starting at 7 p.m. Cameron McGill, Terminus Victor and Lorenzo Goetz will be rocking out for a cause and a love of music. Just like I have now and just like I had when I was six.