So the underground, punk-rock band based in Santa Maria paid $100 to Dark Sky Records, owned by Rich Macke and his business partner, Greg Santori, to be on a compilation CD that was distributed to college and underground radio stations and Internet radio stations. The band received 10 CDs of their own, which they could sell back to others if they wanted to.

Human (who said he won’t reveal his real name to anyone) owns his own record label based in Santa Maria, Back Door Records, so you’d think he wouldn’t need the help of another label. But Human said at the local level, the focus is more on collaboration than competition, because bands need all the exposure they can get.

Dark Sky Records specializes in underground music, which is mostly hard rock and metal, with other sub-genres like thrash and punk, and even alternative forms of rap and hip-hop. According to Macke, underground music, unlike mainstream music like country or pop, is rarely played on radio stations.

The record label receives songs in digital format from interested bands all over the country, who also submit a photo of themselves to include on the Dark Sky Web site and MySpace page. Macke makes a master CD of the songs, and his wife, Jennifer Macke, designs the art for the CD. They then send the CD and art to CD Rollout, a company that mass-produces them.

One compilation CD, “Underground Rising Volume One,” is currently available. The second is due to be released May 19, and the third Sept. 15. Macke hopes to release three compilation albums of unknown bands a year, along with picking and promoting a band he likes to a larger label.

“I don’t want to forget the unsigned bands, either, because those guys need a lot of help,” Macke said. “Everybody does.”

Along with the release of the second CD, Macke hopes to have a series of Underground Rising Live shows during the summer every weekend. He has set up two shows so far, one on June 21 at Rock City Studios in Camarillo, and the other on July 13 at Cobalt Cafe in Canoga Park.

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Macke and Santori are also in a rock band, So Much to Fear. The experience has given them a desire to help others who are trying to forge a path in the music industry.

“I know what I would’ve wanted from someone like me,” Macke said. “Having someone like us help unsigned bands would’ve been a huge plus.”

Santori is a cabinetmaker in Buellton, and his experience teaching his craft has given him a taste for helping people succeed.

“I really believe that what we’re trying to create here (is) an avenue to help musicians move forward, as well as ourselves,” Santori said. “It’s a life thing. It doesn’t really matter what it is. I enjoy watching people succeed around me, because success breeds more success.”

FYI:

Check out Dark Sky Records at www.darkskyrecordsonline.com or www.myspace.com/darksky records.

The compilation CD can be bought locally at Boo Boo’s Records in San Luis Obispo, MotionZ in Santa Maria, Jensen Guitar and Music in Santa Maria, and Aardvark Music in Atascadero.

DISCLOSURE:

Rich and Jennifer Macke both work for Lee Central Coast Newspapers.

TO HEAR IT LIVE:

Dave Stamey and cowboy poet and musician Ken Graydon will perform at the Campfire Concert and BBQ starting at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 17, at the Dana Adobe, 671 S. Oakglen Ave., Nipomo. A barbecue chicken dinner will be served, and a no-host bar will be available.

Advance tickets are required and available at $35 each, or $65 per couple, by calling 929-5679.