Miles of Metal: bootleg video tape-trader collection for mix-tape compilation

My collection of hard rock and heavy metal videos began in the late-eighties. Already owning the official commercial releases, I sought rarer footage of my favourite bands. I would time-shift shows by setting my VCR to record music programs like Rage and MTV and watch it later, making a dub of the single song videos called ‘promos’ that I wanted to keep and watch over again at times that suited me. These home-made compilations of songs became my favourite mix-tapes.

Living in the world’s most-isolated capital city at the time, cool bands never came to my town and I couldn’t afford to travel across the country to see them on tour. The only way I could get to see these bands perform live was to seek out bootleg videos of their concerts performed overseas. These recordings included single-camera or ‘private-shot’ concerts where the taper had illegally snuck their recorder into the concert venue and then videotaped the show, through to professionally-shot, multi-camera productions recorded when they aired on foreign television networks.

I discovered these otherwise unavailable bootleg recordings were traded amongst fans; not intended to infringe artist copyright, but simply to enable fans to see and collect more of their favourite bands. Tape-traders would have a list of the items in their collection, generally including the name of band, venue, date, running time and quality rating of the footage. Each person picked items from each others’ list to copy before swapping, usually tape-for-tape on an equal time basis.

Learn more here: Bootleg Recordings | Mix-Tapes | Videotape

Miles of Metal Putting together my first list of items in 1989, I called my catalogue Miles of Metal and I was soon trading bootleg videos with other fans around the world (it was all done by snail-mail back then as there was no Internet of course). It became a great hobby that enabled me to learn more about the music I loved, and entertain friends with the latest footage when they visited. Sometimes fans would not have enough items to trade with me, so I allowed them to purchase compilation tapes from me. Not willing to profit or financially gain from this, the small sums of money have only ever been used to cover costs of trading activities. In fact, pricing is still exactly the same as on that first list in 1989.

I am able to trade video and audio material in as little, or generally as much as you wish. All items listed are on VHS-PAL system (not NTSC) and all lengths are in minutes. I DO NOT trade in DVDs, CD-Rs, or official commercial products released by record companies - no pirate copies or counterfeits!

Traders
If you have material that you think I may be interested in, send me a list including time lengths and quality. If we agree on a trade, tapes will be compiled in the easiest way for me and not necessarily in the same order as on your order, to ensure quickest delivery to you. Please always use high-quality brand name tapes, such as TDK, Sony or Philips. When sending tapes, leave all labels inside the cover, so I can label it myself - and I will do likewise for you. Tapes will be forwarded to you as soon as possible after receiving your order - normally within two to four weeks.

Nothing to trade?
Compile a tape by adding together the lengths of items you want; jot them down and forward it with payment as per price list below. Australian Money Orders and Cheques should be made payable to "Paul Miles". Overseas payments should be by International Money Orders, drawn in Australian Dollars. All blank tape costs are included in the prices. If you are searching for any items not on my list, please ask, as I may be able to obtain them for you!

Price List
1. Base Rate Video	2. Postage	3. Item Calculator
180min - AU$45.00 240min - AU$55.00	Australia - Free Overseas - AU$10	If over 25 items chosen in total, add AU$0.25 per item to base rate.

Download the MILES OF METAL catalogue

Download the MILES OF METAL catalogue

Best Care of Tapes

After use - fully rewind
Place cassette back in sleeve or case for storage
Always store vertically
Before recording on tapes - fully fast forward and rewind tape
Store in a cool dry place - Avoid extremes of heat and humidity
Keep away from dirty and dusty places
Do not store near strong magnetic fields such as TV sets, speakers, electric motors, etc.
Do not touch surface of tape
Make sure cassette is at room temperature for 1 hour before playing
Do not drop - Handle with care
Do not apply one sticker over another
Remove tab on the spine to avoid accidental erasure
Place adhesive tape over slot where tab was to re-record
Cutting and splicing the tape can damage the recording and video heads

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