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Re: Gene Simmons Blames Radiohead For The Demise Of Civilization

bill — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 14:01:41 -0000

Can anyone tell me ONE new artist who's "broken" (500k units + or financial equivalent) only because of the web???

Most average americans are still exposed to new music through repetitive play on terrestrial radio and television. The web is a SECONDARY source for most- where they go after the Tonight Show appearance to find out more about that band they just saw. Sure. you have niche sites like Pitchfork or other music blogs that cater to a small sliver of indie-rock types- but on a mass scale- I'm still waiting for that watershed moment.

Artists will always need a source of funding and human resouces to help them promote their content. That is the core competency of the music business. It's really not going anywhere as a whole, although the players may change.

What the Demon doesn't seem to get is that he's all about moving "units" of tangible product. It's now about monetizing consumption without purchase.

Re: Gene Simmons Blames Radiohead For The Demise Of Civilization

fakedjs — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 07:28:44 -0000

he probably doesn't know how to use a computer.

Re: Gene Simmons Blames Radiohead For The Demise Of Civilization

Jake Lockley — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 20:35:29 -0000

Of course he has it completely backwards, he's part of the status quo. Who would actually pay for his music these days? And for that matter, who says musicians deserve the kind of money he has? Music is a want not a need. In an age of $5+ for a gallon of gas I'll tell you where he can stick his tongue and spoiled kids. Right up his decadent *** and the decadent ***es of the music industry executives who sit around all day doing nothing and calling it work while we market and promote their bands more and better than they ever could. When they give half of their paycheck to teachers and the struggling people who they want to force to pay for entertainment is the day I'll start give them a little respect.

Re: Gene Simmons Blames Radiohead For The Demise Of Civilization

Not This God — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 18:25:15 -0000

I watched the beginning of his reality show and he talked the entire time about how important money was for life. Basically, its impossible to be happy without money. It really made me sick and I don't have any respect for him. He can go back to face painting gags and disco experimentation. Leave real music for Radiohead.

Re: Gene Simmons Blames Radiohead For The Demise Of Civilization

DotPoet — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 16:55:37 -0000

Radiohead was once a bunch of poor musicians, so the argument is not really fair. Their label helped make them enormously popular which allowed them to do their little "pay what you want experiment". So pinning the demise of the industry on them is a silly claim.

The music industry's gravy (greed) days are over, and the sooner they go bankrupt and re-emerge from the ashes as a promotion machine - nothing more - the better. This inherently means there will be fewer mega-popular bands out there like Radiohead, but removing the middleman arguably lowers the bar for everyone else to make and consume music.

Labels need to reinvent themselves as promoters who do not get the copyrights, but are paid for their distribution/airplay expertise.

Re: Gene Simmons Blames Radiohead For The Demise Of Civilization

Mojo Yugen — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 15:57:56 -0000

In what parallel universe is Gene Simmons considered the "ultimate rock rebel"? Talk about buying into the marketing hype the major studios pump out.

Re: Gene Simmons Blames Radiohead For The Demise Of Civilization

Martin Edic — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 14:42:38 -0000

I may be wrong about this but it seems to me that, despite appearances, Simmons has been a right wing conservative all along. Complaining about a situation that has already irretrievably changed is a waste of energy. Like it or not we're not going back to the old model.

Re: Gene Simmons Blames Radiohead For The Demise Of Civilization

willfoxy — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 13:13:57 -0000

pretty disgraceful - the music industry wasn't smart enough to modernise before the fans. sounds harsh to say, but those who take this stance brought this on themselves with greed - great article.

Re: Gene Simmons Blames Radiohead For The Demise Of Civilization

COMA — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 12:10:56 -0000

Unfortuantely,
I'd have to agree with Gene on this...the digital age has destroyed music. From the quality of the music in mp3 format to the file sharing. Sure, I download for free to get a taste of what's to come BUT, if its quality product...I go and purchase the cd.

1, to support the artist BECAUSE I'm an artist myself

and

2, because I want the quality sound of a .wav format. (If I can find it in vinyl...EVEN Better!)

I believe if you're a true fan...you'll rather see the artist performing their tunes over mp3 or .wav any day.

Thats just my take on it.

Re: Gene Simmons Blames Radiohead For The Demise Of Civilization

maze — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 11:07:31 -0000

Fu.ck he has a LOT of money.... and he wants LOT more... fu.ck (metal?)lica, Simons and their friends -.-

Re: Gene Simmons Blames Radiohead For The Demise Of Civilization

JB — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 10:41:52 -0000

Riddle me this; why are some of today's "fans" unwilling to pay musicians for their IP? Does anyone really believe musicians will be able to prosper by selling t-shirts and giving concerts promoted through their own efforts on the web? Does anyone really believe that every business can become a media model by taking a slice of the pie offered by advertisers?

I don't object to any effort that pries away the grip that creepy record companies have on musicians and fans and a new model is necessary. However, would NIN and similar brands be able to replicate their financial success using the model promoted by the "fan" behavior emerging recently? I say; unlikely.

Never cared for Gene Simmons, but setting aside his easily criticized antics; the underlying argument around the economic model rings true.

Re: Gene Simmons Blames Radiohead For The Demise Of Civilization

the difference — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 10:25:22 -0000

I think the difference is that Radiohead, and Nine Inch Nails are musicians who aren't signed anymore to a record label. Where as KISS and Metallica are still puppets on strings who signed crappy record deals.

Re: Gene Simmons Blames Radiohead For The Demise Of Civilization

Jason Peck — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 10:23:52 -0000

This just shows how big the disconnect is between guys like Gene Simmons and his real fans. Blaming his fans because he isn't willing to adapt to new business models is not the way to go.

Re: Gene Simmons Blames Radiohead For The Demise Of Civilization

nicole — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 10:13:44 -0000

yet he goes on tv with that aweful reality show.