On Our Soapbox

This page is for the members of FourteenG to express their opinions or views about subjects, bands or anything else (music related) that's on their minds. If you would like to submit a topic for our rant, please post it on the FourteenG Message Board

Note: Topics subject to change whenever we feel like it.

On Our Soapbox

Since the site has been in existence, I have ranted about everything from downloading to record companies to how the fans act at concerts. Now, I find that just in this one passage I can react to a lot of things that have happened since the inception of FourteenG that I have to bitch about!

1. Why are metal fans so pigheaded and not open to new things? If it doesn’t sound like old Metallica or old Slayer then it is shit! If you don’t like a band cool, but why heckle those that do?

2. Why do rap artists sample over the classics like Led Zepplin and Ozzy Osbourne? I think it’s cool that rappers like some of the old metal songs but how could you mix Lil Jon’ on top of Ozzy’s Crazy Train? If it’s a good song then fine, but more often than not when rappers do that it sucks!

3. Why are there so many genres of metal? Karma made a page that explains all the different facets of metal which would help the viewer understand which group falls under which category. To me metal is music with hard guitars, hard bass lines and not-so mainstream lyrics. A lot of groups fall under that umbrella, like Brann from Mastodon said that who cares what kind of genre it is as long as it’s good!

4. Why do some fans think that being a fan of a band gives you the right to be an ass? Unfortunately, fans of some of the fairly new bands believe that being part of a bands message boards and knowing more than others gives them the right to
be jag offs. One fan took that to the extreme and invaded my personal email and violated my copyright. You don’t have to like or agree with everything I write, you can correct me when I’m wrong but you don’t have the right to invade my personal space asshole!

Ah that felt better. I’m sure something else will annoy the hell outta’ me before the month is over but I will save those for a later date. That is what is so great about this piss ass country we live in we can express ourselves freely. You can say what you want and I don’t have to like it! Like Tommy Victor from Prong says in Contradictions, “Opinions are like assholes, everyone’s one!”

On September 4, 2004 we attended the Ill Nino/Soulfly/CRISIS/Twelve Tribes show at the HO* in Chicago. During the Crisis set, a heckler decided to tell the band they sucked. Karyn Crisis shouted right back at him and kept playing. I know this is a free country and all however, why go to a show to heckle a band? What joy is there in telling a band they suck? I don't do that when I see a band I know that stinks I try to give them a chance to perform and appreciate them for just bringing us a performance.

Most of you probably are fans and not performers but you must realize how anxious and nervous a band can be. Especially one that is just starting out. That doesn't apply to CRISIS but to other bands who are just starting out. Like Peter Steele said (get well soon man) "You paid for this shit...now who is the real asshole here?" Apparently you came to the show to see bands perform. Heckling is fine at a sporting event where the if the players suck you should boo. I just don't think the same principal applies here. It's like a play, I don't think anyone goes there and boos the performers.

Performers will say that fuels them (see CRISIS interview) and they shout back to defend their band. Others just ignore it and keep playing. However the artists deals with it I think as a fan you should enjoy the show. If you don't like the band, spend the time at the bar, don't come to see the opening acts and let those who do like the band enjoy the set.

Are Ticket Promoters Raping Metal Fans With High Ticket Prices and Shitty Package Tours?
Soapbox Rant III

"Godsmack and TANTRIC $35, Ozzfest $75 for the best seats, $48.50 on the lawn??? What the..."

For years there's been a long debate on whether tour promoters are over-charging for shows, however, fans are still paying for tickets. That's right we bitch and moan but we still go. What gives?

Last month we had the pleasure of going to Ozzfest to see many great bands, 2 of us had to pay $48,50 for a lawn ticket just to enter the venue. Everyone that paid for lawn had to actually sit ON THE LAWN! No lawn chairs allowed for safety, they are weary of backpacks, umbrellas or other outdoor gear that might keep your comfortable. On top of that you have to deal with the concessions. $5.00 for a slice of pizza, $4.50 for a hot dog, $7.00 for a cup of beer. Not to mention the pricks that don't allow you in the seating area or even behind it if you don't have a seating area ticket. (By the way folks, that goes for us lowly internet press people as well.) Since we weren't specially picked by the Ozzfest camp, we had to get around other ways.

Ozzfest isn't the only villain. Venues take advantage of fans and press as well. Corporations like the HOB treat the us like shit when they come to the venues, not allowing us in certain areas if because you nor I paid $1000 or more to sit in the opera box. Most of those people that sit up there know nothing about the bands playing nor do they care. True, bands get a nice place to play, hot showers and security but the Corporation only care about the Corporate types not you lowly kids who paid $20-30 to see your favorites perform! Bands we've talked to have complained about the corporate environment but they realize they just want to be able to play. Again bitch and moan but caught between a rock and a hard place.

So are you being raped? Yes! Are you going to stop seeing your favorites play? No! Not only because you love them, but also you want to put some money in their pockets. The fans always get shafted, but how else will you feel the pure enjoyment of seeing them play live?

The Music Business is a dirty one...
Soapbox Rant II
"When is it time to say goodbye to your label?"
From an outsiders perspective
August 10, 2004

Ok so it took me awhile to put up my second rant, but as you can see me and the gals have been making some big changes with
the layout, graphics, and even put in a search engine for you to find the page and/or interview you want to look at without going through the menus! Thanks Karma!

Ponders as she writes her next sentence...

Seeing Sevendust for the umteenth time provoked me to write this rant. I know that the band is rather disappointed that Seasons has not done as well as expected. Even though they have kept their collective mouths shut, musicians bring a lot of their emotions on stage with them to fuel their performance. Maybe it was just me but, I seemed to feel the boys had some pinned up animosity...no pun intended. Their setlist seemed to tell a story, and their set was faster this time around.

Like they parted with their management company, is it time to part with TVT as well? I don't know about everyone else but when a label finds better time to push some ugly, little talent, gold-teeth rapper, more than a very impressive rock band it might be time to shop elsewhere.

Getting away from the Dust let's talk about Type O' Negative. They recently left Roadrunner who had been their label for several years to join smaller label SPV. I hadn't heard of them till TON signed, and what about Fear Factory who actually broke up just to get out of their contract with Roadrunner.

Recently, Mushroomhead was dropped by their label Universal, Soil left J-Records, and Opeth was dropped by Zomba just as lead singer Mikael was about to start writing the next album. Now My Ruin, according to Blabbermouth, is leaving Century Media.

In my conversation with Brock Lindow of 36 Crazyfists, he stated that the band didn't like the way Roadrunner handled their first album, but they have significantly done better for the second.

As I state in the title above this is from an outsiders perspective I never got a record deal and know very little about music contracts. However, my question is when should a band consider leaving their label? Should they be bound to someone who clearly doesn't have their best interest at heart?

In the August issue of **Metal Maniacs, AnneMarie Bowman interviewed Glen Benton the lead singer of Deicide. In the article Glen says that the band went on to record two "filler" albums just because they were bound to their contract and they would have to claim bankruptcy or break up the band if they left Roadrunner.

According to Blabbermouth, Mushroomhead says they got not support from Universal. They have basically been financing their own tour.

Unfortunately, when bands, especially young rock bands sign with these record companies they are so excited about getting signed they don't look at the fine print.

Why can't everyone be happy with their label like Phil from All That Remains. He says that Prosthetic has been great. Doing all the necessary publicity to get ATR recognized. Iv'e seen many ads for "This Darkened Heart" featured in Metal Edge, Metal Maniacs, and Revolver just to name a few.

So in closing, how long should Sevendust put up with the BS from TVT? They are sacrificing months away from their families just because they know that TVT didn't give them enough pub for Seasons! Granted I love seeing them five times in one year but that's not the point.

I would love to sit down with a bigwig from one of the big metal record companies and see how the contract works. Maybe one of them should give me some insight as to why bands are going through extreme measures just so they can get out of the legal binds.

If any one of you is looking, drop me a line. Sharital@fouteeng.net

**Footnote: August Issue of Metal Maniacs, AnneMarie Bowman's interview with Glen Benton of Deicide found on page 24

Next Rant: Are tour promoters raping metal fans with ticket prices?
Is seeing Ozzfest worth $50-75 dollars?
Why aren't these promoters thinking about who they put on tour together?

COMING SOON!

UPDATE: 10/17/04, HOB

Once again, Sevendust kicked ass and proved that regardless of what kind of turmoil is going on between them and the label, they still give good show. The crowd still responds to that annoyingly monotonous setlist that includes “Bitch”, “Praise”, “Black” and “Enemy.”

Somehow I felt that this was a show off show, one that would get them another record deal. Let’s just hope that the band has finally realized that TVT needs to be denied!

What kind of things would be in store for them once they get off the road on Saturday besides lots of rest and writing for the new album?

On Sevendust forums and message boards internet wide, fans are wondering if the boys will still be part of the TVT family. Or will they meet the same fate as Opeth, Mushroomhead and Soil?

One could only hope that TVT and Sevendust would divorce. After all, the releases of Seasons and SSDW took a backseat to talent-less pricks like Lil' Jon on TVT, but that is a conversation for another day.

Fans download away but go buy the album if you like it!
Support Metal!!!
Inaugural Rant
June 27, 2004

In a recent report from Blabbermouth, Chad Kroeger of the band Nickelback complained that file sharing or downloads is killing the music business. While making this statement, Kroeger was reportedly agreeing to be a spokesperson for McDonalds. I'm sure that Chad was being paid some money for this because nobody allows a big giant like Mickey D's to use anything for free.

Fans of the site went on to rag him saying that "Nickelbacks crappy music is killing the music business", "Chad Kroeger is a ______"(insert your expletive here). There were also some fans that agreed with him saying that it hurts the artists to download, you are taking money out of their pockets. Well if the album sounds like shit, they are taking 13-18 dollars out of my hard-earned money. Unlike Chad and his counterparts, I don't get million-dollar record deals or endorsements. So I can't support Kroeger's statement. I will however say that those of you who are fans of these bands especially the lesser, non-commercial metal bands that we know and love then you will buy their albums as soon as you can.

In other words, SUPPORT METAL!

You know most of our metal heroes probably will not achieve the commercial success of Britney, Justin, or Usher. (unless you are 8 guys with some horrific masks on) But if you buy their albums, t-shirts, buttons, stickers, g-strings or whatever else they are offering then you put money in their pockets. Case in point, recently Erika and I attended the Prong/All That Remains/Dog Fashion Disco/Beyond The Embrace show and I bought t-shirts from both my fave Prong and my new fave All That Remains.

I'm not sure how much profit they get from that but at least I supported them.

I didn't do the research to see if downloads does in fact hurt the artists, maybe I'll do that in a later installment. This is however a rant and not a term paper.

Download the artists songs to see if you like them, then if you don't you can erase it. If you do then GO BUY IT!!!!!!!!!!