Link To Albini Article?

[juicemaster]

Hello,

A few months ago somebody posted a link to an article by Steve Albini - a cautionary tale about young bands signing to majors.

A certain band I know is being courted by a certain major and I'd like to try to bring some starry-eyed bandmembers down to earth a bit.

But I can't find the post. Anyone?

[Paul]

Some of your friends are already this fucked. (http://www.arancidamoeba.com/mrr/problemwithmusic.html)

[MusicMissionary]

Showing them that article would be a great idea. I'd hate to see another young band get screwed over. At the very least, they need to know what "recoup" means!

[juicemaster]

That's the one, cheers Paul.

[winterwooskie]

about bands generally getting screwed over by a major label. how did royal trux sign to one and get about a million dollars out of it even? does anyone know how that happened/

[TheSadDebaser]

I'm always surprised to see how people don't see how unhappy they'll be on a major label. They Might Be Giants just ran from Elektra crying to Restless. But still, every band who has even a minor hit "underground" gets pissed if they're stuck in a contract with an indie. And then try to get out of their contract with the label that essentially broke them. That's fucked up.

[Paul]

Originally posted by TheSadDebaser
I'm always surprised to see how people don't see how unhappy they'll be on a major label...every band who has even a minor hit "underground" gets pissed if they're stuck in a contract with an indie. And then try to get out of their contract with the label that essentially broke them. That's fucked up.
I wouldn't say that logic applies to every band. Just the ones who prioritize monetary income and international acclaim over artistic fulfillment.

[winterwooskie]

butthole surfers! butthole surfers! butthole surfers! hehe

[music dude]

Rumor has it, The Trux negotiated a deal where the record company had to pay them upfront for their records, and got no demos, and so when they put together the awesomely wonderful sweet 16, even though virgin hated it, they were contractually obligated to pay them, and they had to pay them to be released from their contract. everyone likes to slag the trux as this junkie heroin band, but to put out an amazing album, leave a conglomerate, and leave with a shit load of money, you gotta love it...

"why you gonna raise your hand to make the pickup, when you're gonna get sent down alone"

[TheSadDebaser]

Originally posted by Paul

I wouldn't say that logic applies to every band. Just the ones who prioritize monetary income and international acclaim over artistic fulfillment.

Well, what I meant to say was that the number of bands with that mentality is disturbingly high.

[Patrick]

Who can blame them? Just put yourself in their place. Perhaps this is a big payout, with possible release from the contract shortly down the line. Perhaps they're planning on a non-music career...

I mean, I'd advise any career band to go with a deal that's better on the back end. But I can't blame anyone who goes for the cash. You could get run over by a truck tomorrow.

Patrick

[Paul]

Originally posted by Patrick
You could get run over by a truck tomorrow.
I've got the same philosophy, but see it from the other side. If I were happy recording and releasing songs for a company I enjoyed working with, and then Major Label X started waving a blank check in my face, I'd be inclined to say no. I'd rather earn a comfortable wage and be content with my life than get a heap of money and become an indentured servant.

Even if you had all that money, you could get run over by a truck tomorrow.

[wut wut]

but getting run over by a truck is unlikely; truckers are very cautious drivers.

[pitpat]

Originally posted by wut wut
but getting run over by a truck is unlikely; truckers are very cautious drivers.

Yeah, when they're not all hopped up on speed.

[Paul]

Take it from me...I love you!

[Ladt]

Bus drivers, however............