[metalhead6061]

I was discussing this topic with my drummer today. How record companies take control you and things of that nature. With this whole downloading business happening lately, I personally think we should just embrace it to get our music out there. I mean lets face it, metal bands don't make shit (sorry for language) off of selling albums. It all goes to the record company. The real money is in touring. So I was just wondering how many of you feel this way as well. Different opinions are ok. I'm not going to shove my ideas down your throat. So just keep it civil and post your thoughts.


-Greg

[amonb]

I wouldn't know as I have never signed to a label, and I don't necessarily believe all the "My record label raped me" stories that I hear. At the end of the day, a record label is a business, and I think their is an onus on a band to be well-informed before signing their lives away...

I think their is a future for online-only bands, but the only real success story I have heard this way so far is NIN (I haven't really heard how successful Radiohead's foray into online selling was) but they were set up by a mainstream label before they could do what they did with the Ghosts albums.

I am not sure if a band could subsist from making music simply by selling it online without some kind of label support, but will be extremely happy to be proven wrong!

[Edroz]

Originally Posted by metalhead6061

The real money is in touring.

that's a laugh

[metalhead6061]

Ya, I get what your saying. I personally think that the whole "downloading is stealing" thing is bullshit. I mean real metal has never been about money. But that whole Metallica/Napster deal is what really set it off IMO. But I've even seen myspace pages with shortened songs on them so people can't even stream it. To me that is just being greedy.

Originally Posted by Edroz

that's a laugh

Why do you say that?

[Zepp88]

Well.

Is it wrong to want to get paid for your hard work? Especially when it's your livelyhood?

Now, Metallica certainly seemed silly, because they've already made their money, but what about the up and coming bands trying to make a living.

Money is ALWAYS a factor, it may be secondary to the music in most cases, but it always matters and it will always be an influence.

[metalhead6061]

Originally Posted by Zepp88

Well.

Is it wrong to want to get paid for your hard work? Especially when it's your livelyhood?

Now, Metallica certainly seemed silly, because they've already made their money, but what about the up and coming bands trying to make a living.

Money is ALWAYS a factor, it may be secondary to the music in most cases, but it always matters and it will always be an influence.

Very true... I guess there kinda has to be a balance. If cd's are gonna be made, people are going to copy them you know? So why bitch about it when you can realize that, in a way. It's getting you more fans. So I guess if people buy it thats cool but it's just silly to get upset if you see it for download or something.

[Zepp88]

Originally Posted by metalhead6061

Very true... I guess there kinda has to be a balance. If cd's are gonna be made, people are going to copy them you know? So why bitch about it when you can realize that, in a way. It's getting you more fans. So I guess if people buy it thats cool but it's just silly to get upset if you see it for download or something.

Use it as a marketing campaign

[metalhead6061]

Originally Posted by Zepp88

Use it as a marketing campaign

Lol But the record company would surely give that a no no

[Zepp88]

Originally Posted by metalhead6061

Lol But the record company would surely give that a no no

Which is why Trent said "Fuck you guys!"

But that situation has been discussed here too many times.

[Zepp88]

Originally Posted by Edroz

that's a laugh

I'd like to see some reports on "out of pocket" costs to musicians when touring.