FMF2007 Keynote Speaker: John Janick

John Janick initially conceptualized the label while attending high school, but it was not until he enrolled at the University of Florida in Gainesville and teamed up with Less Than Jake drummer/lyricist Vinnie Fiorello that Fueled By Ramen became a reality. In 1998, Fueled By Ramen released a self-titled EP from Jimmy Eat World, a five-song collection that proved a breakthrough for both the label and the Arizona-based band. With increased distribution demands and a rise in radio play, Fueled By Ramen set up its first real office space that same year.

In 2004, Fall Out Boy’s Pete Wentz introduced Fueled By Ramen to fellow Chicago pop rock outfit The Academy Is... who released their debut album Almost Here, the following year. Soon thereafter, Janick joined forces with Wentz to create Decaydance Records and released a series of albums from a disparate-sounding group of acts ranging from the alternative hip-hop of Gym Class Heroes to the indie-pop combo The Hush Sound. In September 2005, Decaydance and Fueled By Ramen released A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out, the RIAA platinum-certified debut album from Las Vegas’ Panic! at the Disco.

In 2007, the label opened an office in midtown Manhattan and that same year Paramore’s album Riot! debuted in the Billboard Top 20, was certified gold and has recently gained platinum status. Panic at the Disco’s second album Pretty. Odd. enjoyed similar success, debuting at number #2 on Billboard’s Top 200 chart, selling over 139,000 copies its first week. Paramore’s new album brand new eyes debuted at #2 selling 175,000 copies in its first week making it the fasting-selling album in the labels history.

What are some of your early memories of promoting that aren’t so glamorous?
There isn’t anything really not glamorous. It’s hard to get people’s attention when they don’t care about who we are. That always drove me to try harder, because the kids were paying attention. When we started, we did everything—printed fliers, stuffed our own 7” records, stayed up late. Looking back, it sucked but I was doing what I wanted to do.

Working with the Less Than Jake guys early on with Capitol Records, did you get a positive or negative perspective on how major labels work?
I never had a negative outlook on major labels. We dealt with majors more working with Jimmy Eat World and Yellowcard, and it didn’t seem like things always worked great.

How do you approach the promotion end differently at FBR than a major label would?
We’re definitely concerned with making sure the label and each band will be around for a while. We work on artist development as well as label development and are proactive with street marketing and online marketing. If a band wants to be on radio and video that’s great, but you have to have a solid foundation first. That way if the video doesn’t work, you will still be around tomorrow.

We heard that Pete Wentz has called bands on behalf of the label before. Any other tricks when trying to sign bands that may be able to get more money from a major?
Not really. It isn’t Pete calling to try to get them to sign, it’s often about Decaydance, which is our sister label that he’s super involved with. A lot of labels promise bands the world, and we don’t promise tons of money up front. They will probably make more money from us through ticket sales, merch sales and cd sales and a better touring act. It’s just important to be honest. Majors make promises, and we tell them the truth. We aren’t interested in bands if they aren’t interested in working too.

The Academy Is… played FMF2003, a few weeks before they were signed to FBR. How does a festival like this benefit an unsigned artist?
It was a good thing at the time. The festival opened up things for them. Six months later, people were all about them and they knew they had to step it up.

What’s an ordinary day like at the office?
It depends. Sometimes you anticipate a laid back day and then it gets crazy. I have meetings, marketing plans, working with bands on merch and touring, building bands and finding bands. In my world, I’m involved in everything. I make sure everyone has the right vision and are involved.

Favorite thing about being the boss?
Getting to do what I want to do, and seeing my vision come true. It’s cool to be able to take what I’ve learned through trial-and-error and what I think and watch it mold into something that will do well.

What was the first concert you attended?
I don’t remember exactly. It was either Huey Lewis and the News or a 4th of July concert with Whitney Houston and Jefferson Starship. My parents brought me to both, and I liked Huey Lewis.

Album that made you want to be in the music business?
Smashing Pumpkins Siamese Dreams