I'm sorry, Tony Hawk's whatnow?

Sonic Youth have done infinitesimally more to promote the music scene that Radiohead ever have and I think the point being made was that the music scene as a whole suffers.

Radiohead used traditional methods to get where they are. They could never have got to their current position using the model they used to distribute 'In Rainbows' but having attained that position they effectively pulled the rug for under everyone starting out from then on in. It was a selfish and destructive thing to do.

For a band that was all about No Logo, they weren't slow to strengthen their brand with a marketing strategy that fucks anyone that doesn't have their resources right up the ass.

Essentially they are the Wal-Mart of bands stamping on the corner shops and bodegas, driving them out of business with the ultimate loss leader tactic.

I'm afraid Radiohead have lost all credibility as a group, putting aside the fact that they can't write good tunes anymore, when the message they put out - bemoaning the soulless modernity of the late 20th/early 21st century life and the homogenizing effect it has - contrasts so sharply with its actual conduct as a business entity and is entirely hypocritical.

Yet one more reason Darrin rules the school.

Dalen just paused in the act of spanking one out to Saucy Wenches III somewhere

I wish I wrote that. Then again, maybe I have.

Sonic Youth.

That may be accurate money for festivals, but for "hard-ticket" shows where their pay is based upon ticket sales, that number drops. I saw them play the 40 Watt in Athens not 7 years ago. 800 capacity, probably $25 tickets, that's a $20k gross. They're averaging $50k per show, I'd estimate and you can bet that Ibold isn't getting a equal share. Of the 4 principals, that's $12.5k per show - 10% agent and 15% manager commission + paying sound guy, bus driver, road expenses, etc. they may be walking with $6k per member per show, if they do it right. 20 shows a year and it drops to $120k per member before taxes. Still not a bad pull.

Bands don't make money from record sales, they make it from touring and merch.

Bands should probably give away downloads of their albums away and/or sell them themselves. Fuck record companies, they ceased to be relevant about ten years ago.

I am a dull, plodding, woe-is-me, faux intellectual who voted for Sonic Youth.

Tony Hawk is a skateboarder. Truly.

I like both albums OK, voting Sonic Youth just because I plan on seeing 'em Friday night, so getting in the mood.

Giving away music can be good, but I'd argue record companies can be useful. Clearly artists just starting out need a third party to help themselves promote their music, particularly because they are often doing every aspect themselves and working odd jobs to support themselves or even full time. Clearly huge national touring bands no longer need record sales because their live incomes sustain them at more than a comfortable level, and can afford to use recorded music as merely a promotional tool.

nearly every band we talk about on this board was aided by a record label.

man, this is like bundy v. gacy for me

At one time, every band that got big enough to release a record (and thus be talked about by music nerds in the future) was aided by a record label.


Statistics fail.

you would think there would be a lot more exceptions to the rule now, but there aren't very many examples (at least that I'm aware of.)

this radiohead bad/sonic youth good talk is a little ridiculous.

Record industry has only been on life support for, what, 2 or 3 years? Give it time. The vast majority of what we talk about has deeper roots than that.

Too bad there's not a "c" choice here.

SY. Never really got into OKC

Is this ticket sales or what the band gets, or something in between (like what the venue pays the band, but before the band pays their costs)?

konstantinl is so wrong on so many levels, i hate it when people become jaded and don't know what the fuck they are talking about. i'm not going to break down that post as its not worth it but wanted to point out the wrongness of it.

And I'm sure he's stinging from this articulate and inarguable rebuttal.

Fuck Radiohead.

i don't know that what he said is jaded, I don't agree with what he said, but it's from a place of passion.

I'd also love to know what where exactly Konsty went wrong. If he doesn't know what he's talking about, illuminate.

How will he ever learn?

dammit, i wish i hadn't voted for radiohead!