Big Poppa
Well-known member
OK kids There is a new blog entry...
I dedicated it to Craig Young as he asked for another......
I dedicated it to Craig Young as he asked for another......
- Thread starter Big Poppa
- Start date
Psycho Ward
Well-known member
Good stuff right there BP, I agree with you. I looked up "Star" in the dictionary, "a hot ball of gas"... The gas is gone now. Thanks BP.
MK Bass Weed
Well-known member
Great Post...
What I find is people STILL want "IT"....and they'll do it for LESS than Free.
Cripes...We've learned this first hand..our 5th release..is pretty much ALL on our own with the label helping with the distrib. It was adapt or die, and we're not doing so bad, actually better than before..but hell we have to do EVERYTHING..the Press Releases, The Art Work, The Prep to the Printer...supervise the web design...it takes 2 years for us to put out an album..because, well, it takes that long to do EVERYTHING...My guitarist is the attorney, the drummer the engineer and quark and photoshop guy...our other guitarist is the accountant and tour manager, I'm the marketing guy..Full time gig..no pay..wooo
What I find is people STILL want "IT"....and they'll do it for LESS than Free.
Cripes...We've learned this first hand..our 5th release..is pretty much ALL on our own with the label helping with the distrib. It was adapt or die, and we're not doing so bad, actually better than before..but hell we have to do EVERYTHING..the Press Releases, The Art Work, The Prep to the Printer...supervise the web design...it takes 2 years for us to put out an album..because, well, it takes that long to do EVERYTHING...My guitarist is the attorney, the drummer the engineer and quark and photoshop guy...our other guitarist is the accountant and tour manager, I'm the marketing guy..Full time gig..no pay..wooo
Big Poppa
Well-known member
I'm still laughing my ass off at this comment from Low life Rumble regarding my post
"As stupid as it sounds......probably not"
I agree my blogs are pretty stupid....I feel like they have to get out of me though....Thanks for the honesty!
"As stupid as it sounds......probably not"
I agree my blogs are pretty stupid....I feel like they have to get out of me though....Thanks for the honesty!
BP- I must say that you hit the nail right on the head. Very concise analysis of the industry. It's funny how many of the "institutions" that were created in the 50's and 60's are now starting to fall to pieces and everyone is scratching their heads asking why.
The companies and institutions that remain relevant are those that push themselves to seek new ways of evolving to meet the current state of the world versus accepting things as they are and attempting to profit off of the old, failing systems.
The progressive thought and dedication to innovation at EBMM is seen with the great instruments you produce, but also with your corporate policy and culture putting value in the employees. This has converted me from devoting to the other dinosaurs. It's posts like this that exemplify that you are a company that gets it, good looking out.
The companies and institutions that remain relevant are those that push themselves to seek new ways of evolving to meet the current state of the world versus accepting things as they are and attempting to profit off of the old, failing systems.
The progressive thought and dedication to innovation at EBMM is seen with the great instruments you produce, but also with your corporate policy and culture putting value in the employees. This has converted me from devoting to the other dinosaurs. It's posts like this that exemplify that you are a company that gets it, good looking out.
bassmonkeee
Well-known member
I think he was just answering your question: "So you still want to be a Rock and Roll Star?" and not critiquing your blog post.
Holdsg
Well-known member
I don't want to be a rock star. Or play like one, pounding out eighth notes on a Tbird for 3 hours. I play music because it brings me joy. No pay in that, but lots of SATISFACTION.
Big Poppa
Well-known member
Ii know Monkee I was havingfun and poking a little fun at myself....
As for us bieng progressive I get to be safe by limiting how big we can be...its easy to be a critic in my seat...actually its hard to do anything in america the requires manufacturing
lowliferumble
Well-known member
bassmonkeee
Well-known member
Sorry, I have been dealing with accounting executives all morning, so I left my sense of humor at home today.
lowliferumble
Well-known member
Sometimes you are much better off that way!
Norm66
Well-known member
Great blog post.
shakinbacon
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 5, 2008
- Messages
- 791
great post
Its a topic I find very interesting and have been thinking about for years
The veil got lifted on the truth of "rock lifestyles" over the two decades for me and really opened up my eyes on the harsh financial realities.
On a related note, I always wonder where members of bands go when they break up. If the members don't have "backup" skills it can be really rough. I know some of the guys in Devo went into Software for awhile, and many people go homeless (from my memory I can recall this happening to members of Sisters of Mercy, Journey, Aerosmith and I'm sure its a long list). Seems like a fascinating documentary.
Thanks BP, awesome post
Its a topic I find very interesting and have been thinking about for years
The veil got lifted on the truth of "rock lifestyles" over the two decades for me and really opened up my eyes on the harsh financial realities.
On a related note, I always wonder where members of bands go when they break up. If the members don't have "backup" skills it can be really rough. I know some of the guys in Devo went into Software for awhile, and many people go homeless (from my memory I can recall this happening to members of Sisters of Mercy, Journey, Aerosmith and I'm sure its a long list). Seems like a fascinating documentary.
Thanks BP, awesome post
Low End Lover
Active member
- Joined
- Jun 25, 2010
- Messages
- 39
If dreams were cognizant of reality I would be toast. Me, too!
BP,
What a thoughtful and engaging blog. I know it has been kicked around here on the forum, but you need to write a book on your life and one on the music industry. Since you are a busy guy, maybe combine them. I think it would be utterly compelling, deeply interesting and with a sense of humor that is missing from so much of the world these days. I am glad there are still guys like you kicking around the industry.
At 37, I still dream of someday getting on stage and playing regardless of where it goes. The day we find ourselves unable to dream is the day we die.
Hats off,
LEL
BP,
What a thoughtful and engaging blog. I know it has been kicked around here on the forum, but you need to write a book on your life and one on the music industry. Since you are a busy guy, maybe combine them. I think it would be utterly compelling, deeply interesting and with a sense of humor that is missing from so much of the world these days. I am glad there are still guys like you kicking around the industry.
At 37, I still dream of someday getting on stage and playing regardless of where it goes. The day we find ourselves unable to dream is the day we die.
Hats off,
LEL
Big Poppa
Well-known member
I like the kids are stealing their own dreams
mmbassplayer
Well-known member
Thanks BP for bringing this topic up. I find this blog very interesting and got me thinking. Being i worked in the Radio industry for many years (yes i worked for Clear Channel) i have seen both sides of this story many times.
One of the bands i have stayed close with over the years is Candlebox. Awesome musicians, great live show, and amazing song writing. They sold 5 million albums in the 90's. Following many years off, they put out a new album in 2006. Best work to date without a question. Granted i am sure none of you heard it as it sold less than 50,000 units and had very poor airplay.
The real reason i bring them up is even an established band such as them has a hard time in the music industry today. Touring is a joke because most bands are lucky to break even by the end of the evening. Charge to much no one will come, charge to little and pay to play a show. You know you are not going to sell any albums so where is your motivation to continue? I guess the answer is to be a superstar or bust. BP you are right... why would anyone want to be a rockstar.
One of the bands i have stayed close with over the years is Candlebox. Awesome musicians, great live show, and amazing song writing. They sold 5 million albums in the 90's. Following many years off, they put out a new album in 2006. Best work to date without a question. Granted i am sure none of you heard it as it sold less than 50,000 units and had very poor airplay.
The real reason i bring them up is even an established band such as them has a hard time in the music industry today. Touring is a joke because most bands are lucky to break even by the end of the evening. Charge to much no one will come, charge to little and pay to play a show. You know you are not going to sell any albums so where is your motivation to continue? I guess the answer is to be a superstar or bust. BP you are right... why would anyone want to be a rockstar.
Smallmouth_Bass
Well-known member
Unfortunately, too many people don't think music (live or recorded) has any value and therefore, they should not pay for it. Just because it's easy to steal without penalty, doesn't mean you should.
Likewise, the record companies and music vendors shouldn't be stealing from the music makers and artists just because they can.
Likewise, the record companies and music vendors shouldn't be stealing from the music makers and artists just because they can.
slow roasted
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 15, 2008
- Messages
- 138
This is my favorite blog yet BP, thank you!
The music industry has finally gotten it's just desserts if you ask me. I love this quote, and although it's attributed to Hunter S. Thompson, many folks think it's authorhship is questionable....still...
"The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side."
The pimp and 'ho analogy is an apt one. For years, many artists, including many of our favorites, were essentially sharecroppers. And paid about as much as one....
Hopefully better sailing is ahead. Music is too important to our survival to accept anything less.
The music industry has finally gotten it's just desserts if you ask me. I love this quote, and although it's attributed to Hunter S. Thompson, many folks think it's authorhship is questionable....still...
"The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side."
The pimp and 'ho analogy is an apt one. For years, many artists, including many of our favorites, were essentially sharecroppers. And paid about as much as one....
Hopefully better sailing is ahead. Music is too important to our survival to accept anything less.
MK Bass Weed
Well-known member
Yes..and then there's the movement against the "radio tax"..
O yeah...we don't want musicians to get paid for performance rights.
God Bress America...the only major country that doesn't pay performance royalties on radio.
Kristopher
Well-known member
Depending on how your band's finances are put together, 50,000 units can be pretty darn nice for one release. There's bands out now that are ignoring record companies and radio and keeping $10 of each $10 cd they sell and do well. Granted, they aren't getting famous, but they are getting paid. With home recording and CD Baby (which links up to amazon and itunes) there's a lot bands can do on their own. Not everything, mind you, but there's nothing stopping a band from hiring talented graphic artists and publicists on their own.
In this age of angry keyboard warriors, who in their right mind wants to be famous anyway? (Fieldy/Flea/Jaco sux! lol!!11!!) Personally I'd rather be in a band with a steady income, a small group of diehard fans, and still be able to walk down the street unnoticed (not that I'm in any danger of becoming any sort of famous).
