04-05-2002, 07:01 PM
OK, anyone ever hear of a band called Crash Palace? Nah, I didn't think so, they are my "little secret." In fact, that's what I renamed my computer. It's my inside joke with myself. Now that I told you all about the band, I hope they don't "sell-out." Actually, I just saw the cd in the store one day. I never heard their music.
Now while I support Kid's argument on several levels, I also realize he is having way too much fun with this.
The part about how much money a commercial artist gets per cd being as some say between $.35 - $1.00 (I believe Zooty, Moron, Kid and Spit) vs. $1 Plus (Maynerd) is where the problem lies.
First off, I will say that I agree with the $1 or < argument. But that's neither here nor there what I think.
The whole problem, to me, lies with the GAP between what the artist makes (per cd), and the Suggested Retail price, that all of the Sam Goodies etc.. charge at or even above -- Per CD)
This was a huge issue with Tom Petty back in the late 70's
Now all well and good, 8 tracks, cassetes, and records did have their SRP jump higher after that, but Compact siscs were actually supposed to bring that cost down again. Tapes and 8 Tracks have many moving parts, and the production cost between manufacturing Tapes, and manufacturing CDs are miles apart.
However, when Compact Discs firs came out they were $4 - $5 higher than their mechanical tape counterparts. The industry said it was to make the money back based on the technology they had to introduce to their production plants, and that once CDs started selling as well or better than tapes/Records, the price would drop significantly, if not, lower than what the consumer was presently paying. Has anyone seen that happen? Tapes, if you look run about $12 SRP and Compact discs roughly $20 SRP.
Problem 2 is the difference in price, from store to store, for the same CD. How can 1 store sell the same CD Regular price @ 12 bucks, and another store have the regular price at $20 with a $3 off now sticker on it and make it appear like it is a great deal?
Indy records, for the most part, cost a little more. It has to be understood that if the production count is lower per title (because they sell less of said title) that the purchase price will be a bit higher. When an Indy label purchases manufacturing equipment, it is priced ala carte, when a major label purchases manufacturing equipment, it is a buffet. When a Indy label has a machine go down, they pay out the ass for a service contract or replacement. When a Major label has a machine go down, they threaten the machine company that they will take their buisness elswhere.
When I buy cds, most often I buy them at the cost of $7 - $12 a piece (new). Of course, I am talking about single disc cds.
About the argument that Indy people like to keep it their little secret, and when they get signed to a major label they have sold out. I have seen both sides of that coin.
I had a friend who was really into the older Midnight Oil, and when their 1987 breatk through cd "Diesel & Dust" came out all of a sudden he hated them. This guy was really into music, but it was a running joke that he did that to bands that got radio airplay that he previously liked.
Kyuss & Quotsa got signed to a major label and never sold out. Was this because they never got the opportunity to cater to the masses, or was it because they were unbending in the type of music they wanted to put out. Or was it just a combination of both? I'm thinking the former, especially with Kyuss. Kyuss came out in the early 90's, and could have easily threw on some flannel, long johns, and cut off shorts to fit the MTV image of Grunge. Then again, maybe the california desert is too hot for flannel and long johns, and I am just talking oiut of my ass.
With that said, in good conscious, I must agree with 2 other member's statements...
and
umm
ughh
Fuck it...
Now while I support Kid's argument on several levels, I also realize he is having way too much fun with this.
The part about how much money a commercial artist gets per cd being as some say between $.35 - $1.00 (I believe Zooty, Moron, Kid and Spit) vs. $1 Plus (Maynerd) is where the problem lies.
First off, I will say that I agree with the $1 or < argument. But that's neither here nor there what I think.
The whole problem, to me, lies with the GAP between what the artist makes (per cd), and the Suggested Retail price, that all of the Sam Goodies etc.. charge at or even above -- Per CD)
This was a huge issue with Tom Petty back in the late 70's
Quote:Petty ran into record company trouble again when he and the Heartbreakers prepared to release Hard Promises, the 1981 followup to damn the Torpedoes. MCA wanted to release the record at the list price of $9.98, which was a high price at the time. Petty refused to comply to their wishes, threatening to withhold the album from the label and organizing a fan protest which forced the company to release the record at $8.98.
Now all well and good, 8 tracks, cassetes, and records did have their SRP jump higher after that, but Compact siscs were actually supposed to bring that cost down again. Tapes and 8 Tracks have many moving parts, and the production cost between manufacturing Tapes, and manufacturing CDs are miles apart.
However, when Compact Discs firs came out they were $4 - $5 higher than their mechanical tape counterparts. The industry said it was to make the money back based on the technology they had to introduce to their production plants, and that once CDs started selling as well or better than tapes/Records, the price would drop significantly, if not, lower than what the consumer was presently paying. Has anyone seen that happen? Tapes, if you look run about $12 SRP and Compact discs roughly $20 SRP.
Problem 2 is the difference in price, from store to store, for the same CD. How can 1 store sell the same CD Regular price @ 12 bucks, and another store have the regular price at $20 with a $3 off now sticker on it and make it appear like it is a great deal?
Indy records, for the most part, cost a little more. It has to be understood that if the production count is lower per title (because they sell less of said title) that the purchase price will be a bit higher. When an Indy label purchases manufacturing equipment, it is priced ala carte, when a major label purchases manufacturing equipment, it is a buffet. When a Indy label has a machine go down, they pay out the ass for a service contract or replacement. When a Major label has a machine go down, they threaten the machine company that they will take their buisness elswhere.
When I buy cds, most often I buy them at the cost of $7 - $12 a piece (new). Of course, I am talking about single disc cds.
About the argument that Indy people like to keep it their little secret, and when they get signed to a major label they have sold out. I have seen both sides of that coin.
I had a friend who was really into the older Midnight Oil, and when their 1987 breatk through cd "Diesel & Dust" came out all of a sudden he hated them. This guy was really into music, but it was a running joke that he did that to bands that got radio airplay that he previously liked.
Kyuss & Quotsa got signed to a major label and never sold out. Was this because they never got the opportunity to cater to the masses, or was it because they were unbending in the type of music they wanted to put out. Or was it just a combination of both? I'm thinking the former, especially with Kyuss. Kyuss came out in the early 90's, and could have easily threw on some flannel, long johns, and cut off shorts to fit the MTV image of Grunge. Then again, maybe the california desert is too hot for flannel and long johns, and I am just talking oiut of my ass.
With that said, in good conscious, I must agree with 2 other member's statements...
Quote:Maynerd posted:
Think about this though k1d. If you BUY s local/unsigned/underground band's record at the record store, it WILL help their career. Nowadays, everyone and their mother is making albums at home. And having them printed and distributed. Now, if you download said local bands record, you are making one less album that shows up on their sales sheets. if 10,000 people download instead of buy, thats a huge dent in their sales. Now, if I'm a record company, looking for unsigned talent, I will certainly take a look at their sales. If they sell 10,000 records as opposed to 1,000, then maybe they're worth a shot.
By downloading from a small band, you may just be taking their shot at being signed out of their hands.
and
umm
ughh
Fuck it...
Quote:Keyser posted:
I dig the album art. Sometimes I just like have a legal copy, call my a kooky bastard.