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Monte Conner

Monte Conner is an American music executive and artists and repertoire (A&R) representative. He was the former senior vice president of A&R for Roadrunner Records from 1988 until 2012, and is currently the head of A&R at Nuclear Blast Records.[1][2][3] MetalSucks has called him "the most successful A&R dude in the history of metal."[4]

Monte Conner
Conner in 2012
Conner in 2012
Background information
OriginStaten Island, United States
Genres
OccupationMusic executive (A&R)
Years active1982–present
Labels

Conner is considered to be an expert not only in the genre of Heavy Metal, but also in the genres of Rock, Hard Rock and Classic Rock, and frequently discusses bands from these genres in magazines, on radio programs and podcasts, and in music films and documentaries. He occasionally serves as a consultant on reissue albums for various labels. He is also a music journalist and has written for Metal Mania magazine in the US, Classic Rock magazine in the UK, Rock Hard magazine in Germany, and currently writes in his own online blog on Facebook.[citation needed]

Career

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Early career and Roadrunner Records (1987–2012)

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His path into the music industry began while at Baruch College in Manhattan, where he hosted a weekly underground metal radio show, called “The Witching Hour,” at the school's radio station WBMB. The show ran from September 1982 to December 1986 and during that time Conner immersed himself in the emerging thrash and death metal scenes, honing his skills for discovering new talent. After graduating college, he landed a job at Shatter Records handling College Radio Promotion. He was at Shatter for nine months, from March to November 1987, before leaving to join Roadrunner Records in December 1987, also doing College Radio Promotion.[5] By January 1988, he added A&R to his duties at the label,[5] and by late 1988 he became the label's Head of A&R for North America.

The bands he signed to Roadrunner Records, in alphabetical order, are:

Amen, Annihilator,[6] Artillery, Atrocity, Believer, Biohazard, Both Worlds, Brujeria, Buzzov-en, Jerry Cantrell,[7] Cavalera Conspiracy, Chimaira,[8] CKY,[9] Coal Chamber, Cynic, Dååth,[10] Death, Deicide,[11] Defiance,[12] DevilDriver,[13] Dirty Americans,[14] Disincarnate, Dommin,[15] Downthesun,[16] Earth Crisis, Exhorder,[17] Fear Factory,[18] Floodgate,[17] Glassjaw,[19] Gojira,[20] Gorguts, Gruntruck, Heathen,[21] Immolation,[22] Kinetic Dissent, Last Crack, Leadfoot, Life Of Agony, Machine Head,[23] Malevolent Creation, Mina Caputo, Murderdolls, Nailbomb,[24] Obituary, Optimum Wound Profile, Pestilence, Porcupine Tree,[25] Powersurge, Realm,[26] Revoker, Rush,[27] Sadus, Sanctity,[28] Sepultura,[29] Shank 456, Skin Chamber, Slipknot,[30] Solitude Aeturnus, Sorrow, Soulfly, Spineshank, Star Star, Stone Sour, Storm Corrosion,[31] Suffocation, Taking Dawn, 36 Crazyfists,[32] Times Of Grace, To My Surprise, Toyshop, Treponem Pal, Trivium,[33] Type O Negative,[34] Wednesday 13,[35] Willard, The Workhorse Movement.[36][37][38]

In addition, Conner signed licensing deals for Roadrunner outside North America for the following bands: Acid Bath, Divine Heresy, Hatebreed, Heaven & Hell,[39] Glen Hughes, Karma To Burn, Periphery,[40] Queens Of The Stone Age, Satyricon,[41] Sevendust,[42] Shadows Fall.[43]

Conner also signed licensing deals for catalogue records from these bands for release on Roadrunner in the U.S.: Angelwitch, Budgie, Destruction, Entombed, Evildead, Hitmann, Gary Moore, Motörhead, Raven, Razor, Saint Vitus, Sodom, Uriah Heep.

He signed producer Ross Robinson to a worldwide production deal with Roadrunner for his I Am Recordings imprint.[44]

He also brought in the following label deals to Roadrunner outside North America: Energy Records, Ferret Music,[45] Soundfront Records, Trustkill Records.[46]

Conner conceived of and oversaw the Roadrunner United album and live DVD,[47] compiled the “MTV2 Headbanger’s Ball” and “The Return Of The Rock” series, compiled various compilations (“At Death’s Door,” “At Death’s Door II,” “Burn One Up!,” “XXX: Three Decades Of Roadrunner Records,[48]” and more) and soundtracks (“Resident Evil,” “Resident Evil: Apocalypse,” “Freddy Vs. Jason,” “MTV Road Rules,” “Ginger Snaps,” and “Faust”) and oversaw all Roadrunner's catalogue reissues and remasters.[49]

Other Roadrunner artists Conner has also A&R’ed but did not sign include: Atrophy, Chastain, Dream Theater, Front Line Assembly, Holy Terror, The Great Kat,[50] Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Killswitch Engage, King Diamond, Korn, Lynyrd Skynyrd,[51] Mutiny Within,[15] Nightwish, Opeth, Rob Zombie, Shelter, The Steve Miller Band, Toxik, Whiplash, Znöwhite.

Conner left Roadrunner on August 2, 2012, after much turnover at the label.[52][53] On August 16, 2012, it was announced that he would be partnering with Nuclear Blast Records.[54]

Nuclear Blast (2012–present)

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The bands he has signed to Nuclear Blast Records, in alphabetical order, are:

Alluvial,[55] Anti-Mortem,[56] Arrival Of Autumn,[57] As I Lay Dying,[58] Atheist (catalog),[59] Aversions Crown,[60] Black Star Riders,[61] Brujeria,[62] Cavalera,[63] Conjurer,[64] Corrosion Of Conformity,[65] Crobot,[66] The Damned Things,[67] Danzig,[68] The Defiled,[69] The Depression/Aggression Sessions (project),[70] Devilment,[71] Devil You Know,[72] Earthless,[73] Elegant Weapons,[74] Exhorder,[75] Fallujah,[76] Fear Factory,[77] Fit For An Autopsy,[78] Fuming Mouth,[79] Gatecreeper,[80] Ghost Bath,[81] Hatebreed (North America only),[82] Ibaraki,[83] Irist,[84] Khemmis,[85] Killer Be Killed, Lamb Of God,[86] Light The Torch,[72] Machine Head,[87] Metal Allegiance,[88] Nails,[89] Nightwish (North America only),[90] Opeth,[91] Pallbearer,[92] Satyricon,[93] Scorpion Child,[94] Sadus,[95] Soulfly,[96] Stellar Circuits,[97] Suicide Silence,[98] Tax The Heat,[99] Thy Art Is Murder,[100] Till The Dirt,[101] Vein.fm, Ricky Warwick,[102] Wednesday 13,[103] Within Temptation,[104] Rob Zombie.

Other artists Monte has A&R’ed at Nuclear Blast but did not sign include: 96 Bitter Beings, Go Ahead And Die.

References

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  1. ^ Gitter, Mike (August 16, 2012). "Former Roadrunner Records A&R Mike Gitter on Monte Conner's Move to Nuclear Blast Records". Noisecreep. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
  2. ^ Finney, Graham (March 13, 2023). "Monte Conner: "It Never Dawned on Me that, 30 Years Later, People Would Still Be Talking About These Albums…"". V13.net. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
  3. ^ "Music Industry Masterminds: Monte Conner". www.ultimate-guitar.com. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
  4. ^ MetalSucks (December 5, 2016). "The 25 Most Important People in Metal: #4, Monte Conner". MetalSucks. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
  5. ^ a b NFR #018 - Monte Conner (A&R Svengali @ Nuclear Blast), February 28, 2020, retrieved June 29, 2023
  6. ^ Haring, Bruce (October 15, 1988). "New Logo For Hardcore Only". Billboard. p. 35.
  7. ^ "ALICE IN CHAINS' Jerry Cantrell To Sign With Roadrunner Records!". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. December 20, 2001. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  8. ^ "Chimaira signs w/ Roadrunner". lambgoat.com. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  9. ^ Billboard Staff (December 8, 2006). "CKY Races To Sign Global Deal With Roadrunner". Billboard. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  10. ^ "DAATH Sign To ROADRUNNER RECORDS". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. April 6, 2006. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  11. ^ Zorgdrager, Bradley (September 18, 2018). "Deicide's Glen Benton Clears Up Some Rumours About Himself and 'Overtures of Blasphemy'". Exclaim. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  12. ^ #D - Mike Kaufmann [Defiance/Monster God] [HORR], retrieved July 3, 2023
  13. ^ "DEATHRIDE Sign With ROADRUNNER RECORDS". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. December 15, 2002. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  14. ^ deathbringer (February 2, 2002). "Roadrunner Signs Dirty Americans". metalunderground.com.
  15. ^ a b deathbringer (July 23, 2008). "Dommin, Mutiny and Port Amoral Sign To Roadrunner Records".
  16. ^ "DOWNTHESUN Officially Sign With ROADRUNNER RECORDS". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. June 25, 2002. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  17. ^ a b #F - Kyle Thomas [Exhorder/Floodgate] [HORR], November 10, 2020, retrieved July 3, 2023
  18. ^ #AG - Dino Cazares [Fear Factory] [HORR], April 15, 2021, retrieved July 3, 2023
  19. ^ wookubus (January 5, 2022). "Glassjaw's Daryl Palumbo Reflects On Being Reluctant To Sign With Roadrunner Records: "We Never Became A Nü-Metal Band. We Didn't Become A Weirdo Band With Dreads..."". Theprp.com. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  20. ^ "It's Official: GOJIRA Signs With ROADRUNNER RECORDS". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. November 8, 2011. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  21. ^ #O - David White [Heathen] [HORR], November 27, 2020, retrieved July 3, 2023
  22. ^ Dick, Chris (July 16, 2021). "Q&A: Immolation Celebrate 30th Anniversary of 'Dawn of Possession'". Decibel Magazine. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  23. ^ #BE - Robb Flynn [Machine Head] [HORR], July 8, 2021, retrieved July 3, 2023
  24. ^ Dome, Malcolm (August 31, 2020). "Nailbomb's Point Blank: the explosive legacy of 90s metal's greatest supergroup". louder. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  25. ^ "PORCUPINE TREE Signs With ROADRUNNER RECORDS". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. May 14, 2009. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  26. ^ #C - Takis Kinis [Realm] [HORR], October 31, 2020, retrieved July 3, 2023
  27. ^ The MusicRadar team (August 31, 2011). "Roadrunner Records sign Rush". MusicRadar. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  28. ^ "SANCTITY Sign With ROADRUNNER RECORDS". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. January 17, 2006. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  29. ^ "Sepultura's 'Schizophrenia': How a New York Fan Signed Brazilian Band Sight Unseen". Revolver. October 30, 2017. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  30. ^ Trapp, Philip (August 2, 2021). "Music Exec Who Signed Slipknot Recalls First Hearing 'Spit It Out'". Loudwire. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
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  34. ^ "Why Type O Negative's 'Bloody Kisses' "Sounds Like Nothing Before and Nothing After"". Revolver. August 17, 2018. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  35. ^ "MURDERDOLLS Frontman Signs Solo Deal With ROADRUNNER RECORDS". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. October 21, 2004. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  36. ^ "Music Industry Masterminds: Monte Conner". www.ultimate-guitar.com. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  37. ^ "ROADRUNNER VP Of A&R MONTE CONNER: 'Number One Thing I Look For Is Originality'". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. November 24, 2005. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  38. ^ "Roadrunner Records UK // ROADRUNNER'S VERY OWN MONTE CONNOR VISITED BY A SPECIAL GUEST ON HIS LAST DAY IN THE OFFICE…". RoadrunnerRecords.co.uk. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  39. ^ "HEAVEN & HELL Signs International Deal With ROADRUNNER RECORDS". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. March 26, 2009. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  40. ^ Clarke, Daniel (March 2, 2010). "Periphery signs to Roadrunner Records in Australia and New Zealand". Music Feeds. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  41. ^ "SATYRICON Sign With ROADRUNNER For World Outside North America, Norway". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. February 2, 2006. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  42. ^ "SEVENDUST Sign European Deal With ROADRUNNER". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. September 13, 2005. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  43. ^ "It's Official: SHADOWS FALL Sign European Deal With ROADRUNNER RECORDS". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. January 24, 2006. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  44. ^ Hay, Carla (July 26, 2000). "Slipknot Gains Foothold via Its I Am/Roadrunner Set". Billboard Magazine. pp. 11, 20.
  45. ^ "Roadrunner Records UK // Ferret & Roadrunner Join Forces". RoadrunnerRecords.co.uk. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  46. ^ "Roadrunner Records UK // Trustkill & Roadrunner: A New Era". RoadrunnerRecords.co.uk. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  47. ^ Finney, Graham (March 13, 2023). "Monte Conner: "It Never Dawned on Me that, 30 Years Later, People Would Still Be Talking About These Albums…" - V13.net". Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  48. ^ "Former ROADRUNNER A&R Guru Discusses 'XXX: Three Decades Of Roadrunner Records' Box Set (Audio)". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. October 1, 2013. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  49. ^ Den, Tim (May 23, 2004). "Roadrunner Records – Monte Conner (A&R) – Interview | Lollipop Magazine". Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  50. ^ History of Roadrunner Records - The Great Kat, December 18, 2020, retrieved July 2, 2023
  51. ^ "Roadrunner Records UK // ROADRUNNER IMPRINT LOUD & PROUD SIGNS LYNYRD SKYNYRD". RoadrunnerRecords.co.uk. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
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  53. ^ Christman, Ed (April 26, 2012). "Layoffs at Roadrunner Records; Founder/CEO Cees Wessels Stepping Down". Billboard. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  54. ^ Billboard Staff (August 20, 2012). "Ex-Roadrunner VP Monte Conner Talks About New Gig With Nuclear Blast Entertainment". Billboard. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  55. ^ "ALLUVIAL - joins Nuclear Blast!". www.nuclearblast.com. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  56. ^ "ANTI-MORTEM – sign worldwide deal with NB!". www.nuclearblast.com. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  57. ^ "ARRIVAL OF AUTUMN Signs With NUCLEAR BLAST ENTERTAINMENT". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. August 25, 2017. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  58. ^ "AS I LAY DYING - sign to NB + new album!". www.nuclearblast.com. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  59. ^ "ATHEIST - Announce vinyl & CD reissues!". www.nuclearblast.com. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  60. ^ Lach, Stef (August 15, 2014). "Aversions Crown sign to Nuclear Blast". louder. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  61. ^ admin (June 26, 2017). "Black Star Riders Re-Signs With Nuclear Blast". Devil's Gate Music. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  62. ^ "Brujeria Sign With Nuclear Blast – The Metalist". October 23, 2014. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  63. ^ Kennelty, Greg (April 14, 2023). "CAVALERA CONSPIRACY Signs To Nuclear Blast, Re-Records Early SEPULTURA Material & Announces Tour". Metal Injection. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  64. ^ "Conjurer sign to Nuclear Blast Records for release of…". Kerrang!. February 3, 2021. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
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See also

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Roadrunner Records

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