June 15, 2005
On Saturday, July 16, emcees from all over Chicago will be converging on Wicker Park to battle for a $2000 prize in the RHYME SPITTERS II tournament and documentary film event. Registration is free and it is from 12pm to 1pm. The battles will start at 1:30.

Wicker Park is at 1425 N. Damen Ave., one block south of the Damen Blue-Line ’el stop. Emcees who sign up will be randomly assigned to one of four battle stations. The top eight emcees from each of these four stations will advance to the finals that night at THE NOTE. With 32 finalists there will be 31 battles to watch. The Note is at 1571 N. Milwaukee Ave. Doors open at 9:30pm and the cover is $10. You must be 21 or older to enter unless you are a contestant.

You can be any age to enter the battle, but if you are under 18, come with a permission slip signed by your parents or guardian saying that you can be in the battle and that you can be filmed.

Three judges will be at each of the four battle stations in the park. The evening judges at The NOTE are Ang13, Lo-Tec, Shadowmaster and Larry Miller. The host will be P.R.ism Puertoricanism and DJ Alo of Garden Muzic is spinning.

Last year’s event went smoothly due to the cooperation of everyone. We’re looking for a repeat of the same vibe this year. Our goal is to have fun and to document on film the search for Chicago’s best battle emcee in 2005.

If you want to buy a DVD copy of the first RHYME SPITTERS, visit the subscribe page of www.cherrybombusa.com. The cost is $11.00 postpaid. But if you are a battle emcee from the south or west side, I’ll mail you a copy for free. I need more emcees from these neighborhoods in this battle.

Also, feel free to forward this event announcement to battle emcees all over Chicagoland, and if you’re not from Chicago, but want a shot at the title, you can battle too.

Best, Rich Seng
773-235-8886

March 15, 2005

Cherry Bomb's first feature film "Rhyme Spitters" will premier on Wednesday, April 13 at Inn Joy (2051 W. Division). Free cocktails will be served between 8 and 9pm, and the film will start at 9pm. There will be no cover charge, but you must be 21+.

The film is a documentary on 64 Chicago MCs battling-it-out for a $1000 cash prize. The film is pure energy. It will be the April issue Cherry Bomb FREE DVD.

As of April 25, most of these businesses will have 50 copies to give away for free to its patrons:

Taste Wine Shop
Eye Want Opticians
Alcala's Western Wear
D/vision Optical
Inn Joy
Gateway Auto Service
Grossinger Scion
Earwax Café
Silver Room
Infinite Autonomy Records
Rim Room
Odd Obsession Video
Chang's Martial Arts Studio
Reckless Records
Superior St. (band rehearsal studios)
Casa de Soul
Nick's Beer Garden
Flugelhornshop ad agency
I See France undies
Upgrade Cycle
Pie-Eyed Pizzeria
Jinx Café
D.O.P.A. (Dog Obedience Protection Academy)
Decibel Audio
John Fluevog Shoes
Uprise Skateshop
Status Quo Films
Consume

December 13, 2004
Cherry Bomb is undertaking its most ambitious project yet - the production of two reality television programs. Major investors are being sought to finance a program that is a cross between Eminem's 8-Mile and American Idol, and another that is a cross between 8-Mile and Elimidate. Visit this link to view the four-minute demo:

For the first television program, MC battle tournaments will be held in 8 major US cities: New York, Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Oakland, Washington DC, and St Louis. The two finalists from each city will then be moved into a mansion in Chicago where the living room has been converted into a state of the art recording studio. Over the next 16 weeks a tournament will be held each week where one of the finalists gets voted off. In this, viewers all across the US will watch MCs square off and then get to phone-in their vote for the winners. At the end of each week the MC who lost by the largest margin will be eliminated from the running. However, these losing MCs will not be sent home. Over the course of the sixteen weeks a different high-profile producer each week will come to the mansion and record and mentor these eight MCs. The recordings they make will be on the Cherry Bomb label as well.

There are still many small details that need to be ironed out, but definitely, this will be a Chicago production. Chicago is neutral ground between the East and West coasts where production costs can be kept to a minimum. The total amount needed is still being determined, and it can vary according to how elaborate we make the production, but know that at this point I am seeking conversations with potential investors. Here, also, we would expand the conversation into discussing cash flow, R.O.I., and TV/DVD/CD distribution. The individual who secures the investor will receive $4000. If more than one mediator is involved, the $4000 will have to be divided in a manner that considers multiple factors.

The second reality program I am producing is a cross between Elimidate and 8-Mile. I was a contestant on Elimidate and I saw how easily it is produced - and it gave me an idea. We'll get four battle MCs, a beat-boxer, and one model. Over the course of the half hour show the MCs will rip on each other in rhyme lengths of four bars and eight bars. The model will be the officiator, and over the course of the show will kick off the MCs she feels are not up to her standards. The MC left standing wins the girl, and subtitles will be inserted on the television screen for added enthrallment.

I hope to make an initial 15 episodes in Chicago. It seems that most of these will consist of four male MCs trying to win the girl, but definitely, I wish to make some episodes using female MCs trying to win the date with the male model. If you want to be a model please send your photo to rich@cherrybombusa.com. And if you want to be a battle MC or a beat-boxer please either send a link to your music, or mail a copy of your music to Rich Seng, 1573 N. Milwaukee Ave. #408, Chicago, IL 60622.

The investment cost here would be considerably less. I believe I could make 15 episodes for under $100,000. In this, I would pay the investor a 100% return on that portion of the $100,000 I actually ended up spending. Also, I would pay a $1500 finders fee to the person who connects me with the investor.

If you wish to view a segment where I explain both of these television concepts please visit this link: Thank You, Rich Seng 773-235-8886

December 9, 2004
Cherry Bomb is producing a Chicago-band, Catholic hymn compilation CD to benefit S.N.A.P., the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests.

Twenty-two Chicago musical acts are being sought to pick a song from the list below to remake in their own style. These songs are Catholic hymns written in the 60's and 70's that have a pop-music sensibility.

I Have Loved You, You are Near, For the Beauty of the Earth, Abba Father, Praise to the Lord, All Creatures of Our God and King, On Eagle's Wings, Hail Mary, Gentle Woman, Were You There, For You Are My God, Come to the Water, Let There Be Peace on Earth, Here I Am Lord, Morning Has Broken, Gentle Shepherd, Isaiah 49/Hosea Medley, Be Not Afraid, I Am the Bread of Life, Prayer of St. Francis, Gift of Finest Wheat, Seek Ye First, Light of the World.

It seems the obvious temptation would be to record sarcastic renditions, however, that is not where I am going with this project. I want versions that are true to the beauty inherent in the songs. I want the musicians to step into the believer's mindset so that the finished compilation is paradoxical - both liked and disliked by progressives (hipsters) and devout Catholics for entirely different reasons.

Each band will be reimbursed $500 to cover recording costs - paid first from the profits of the disc. All profits afterwards will benefit S.N.A.P. Publishing concerns will be handled by Cherry Bomb. Also, I hope to debut this compilation in Chicago as an advertiser-supported free cd.

One thousand copies will be made and twenty sponsors will be sought to each chip in $150. Each sponsor will then receive their logo on the pack of the packaging and 45 copies to give away for free to their friends and customers. And of course, we'll put together a massive release party where each band performs their song.

Interested musicians should contact me, Rich Seng at 773-235-8886 or email rich@cherrybombusa.com. I will then mail a copy of the reference CD so that musicians can pick a favorite song and choose four alternates. Songs will be assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis. The deadline for recording a version is April 6th, 2005 with a target release for mid June. I reserve the right to exclude any recording for lack of quality. Also, please keep in mind I am under pressure to find bands with a high local profile so that the compilation will appeal to a larger national audience.

Thank you, Rich

November 18, 2004
The December Cherry Bomb Free DVD release/screening party is Tuesday,
December 7th (Pearl Harbor Day) at Inn Joy, located at 2051 W. Division.
Free coctails will be served between 8 and 9 pm, and the dvd starts
playing at 9. There is no cover and there will be drink specials after 9,
including $2 Lonestars in the bottle and $3 Jim Beam mixes.

This dvd is heavy on comedy shorts and offbeat music videos. There are
over 25 short films, and a few ads that are more like short films than
anything else. I hope you can make it, but if not, pick up a free copy
after the seventh at participating advertisers.

October 23, 2004
In Western media today, Palestinians are often depicted as inhumane, bloodthirsty haters of the Jewish people. And while sadly this is the true feeling of some Palestinians, very little coverage is given to the injustices that provoke such hatred. Therefore, it is the hope of Cherry Bomb to create a new type of Free DVD publication that features films made by Palestinians. The funding would come from the advertising dollars of mom-n-pop Palestinian-owned small businesses throughout the United States. As these Free DVDs would get distributed into the homes of average Americans, they would not only enlighten us on our common humanity, but more importantly, they would give all Palestinians, including those with true feelings of hatred, hope that their point of view is being expressed. And if this hope could ever grow, the hopelessness that spurs suicidal violence could vanish.

October 20, 2004
Calling all artists! We are always on the hunt for more submissions. If you think you have something the world needs to see, check our submissions page.

October 20, 2004
Our site is up! You can now check out all of the CDs and DVDs we've put out over the years. You can also read all of the articles written about Cherry Bomb.

October 6, 2004
The October DVD is now available in selected locations throughout the city. Read on to find out where you can pick it up, or to find out what's on the disk.