Sydney-based Golden Robot hires former Roadrunner president Derek Shulman to expand global operations, signs more overseas acts

Mark Alexander-Erber’s three year old Sydney-based Golden Robot Records has expanded its global reach.

Former hard rock label Roadrunner Records president Derek Shulman (who also headed Atco and Polygram) is announced to oversee staff in offices in Los Angeles, New York, London, Hamburg and Sydney.

Deals have also been struck for physical and digital distribution around the world via Soulfood, Amped/Alliance and Believe.

Alexander-Erber, now under the title president of Golden Robot Global Entertainment Group says, “We are just at the very beginning of realising our mission here at Golden Robot Records, and that’s to be THE leading rock music company of the future.

“Having only started the company just three years ago as a humble rock fan, I am unbelievably proud to have built the strongest and most artist friendly rock label in Australia and am now taking it to the world.”

Shulman now takes on the role of president USA Operations/Worldwide expansion GRR

He recounts, “When I met Mark a couple of years ago he asked me what I thought was needed to become a successful international rock music company in today’s less than auspicious recording atmosphere.

“I answered Mark with three simple words. Passion, Capital and Luck.”

Midway through last year, Alexander-Erber called him and asked for a meeting in Los Angeles to build the company.

Shulman recounted his three-word philosophy, and in particular, the funding of marketing, promotion and every new piece of the jigsaw puzzle in the digital age.

“Mark immediately asked if Guns N’ Roses was available to sign.

“This gave me the answer that I needed to know.”

While setting up offices around the world, Golden Robot has signed two more overseas acts – A New Revenge and Puddle of Mudd – in addition to, Guns N Roses keyboard player Dizzy Reed and rock blues band Little Caesar.

A New Revenge is a metal supergroup with singer Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens (ex Judas Priest), guitarist Keri Kelli (Slash’s Snake Pit, Alice Cooper, Vince Neil Band), bassist Rudy Sarzo (Ozzy, Whitesnake, Quiet Rio) and long-time Scorpions drummer James Kottak.

Puddle of Mudd emerged in the 1990s and sold 7 million albums, and notched up a series of chart topping singles as ‘Control’, ‘Blurry’, ‘She Hates Me’ and ‘Away From Me’.

Some of Golden Robot’s Australian signings as Rose Tattoo, Steve Kilbey of The Church, The Art, Mi-Sex, Palace of The King, The Lazys (now based in Canada), Ben Gillies (Silverchair), Steve Balbi (Noiseworks) and Groom Epoch (Richard Ploog) also already have global presence.

Alexander-Erber says, “My mission from the start was to allow musicians freedom, support and a true partnership in their rock n roll endeavours.

“Our future mission is plain and simple. We will work 24/7, 365 days a year to help and partner with our artists to ensure their maximum success worldwide.

“As a lifelong true fan of rock and now a label owner supporting it, I have never been happier!

“I am so excited to say we have some fantastic major signings to announce in the coming weeks too! This is just the beginning.”

(Photo: Mark Alexander-Erber & Derek Shulman)