Dear "Other forum" spies

[zenmomma]

But I appreciate the official invite.

Is that kind of like inviting a vampire into your home.

[jbfromoc]

First let me apologize about mentioning the band. I promise not to plague any of the other threads with such blasphemy (or as Mr. Sunshine would say "blastphamy"). However, for this thread I think it's relevant. Having said that...

sorry, but nobody ever gave a shit about a band because of it's forum. and a forum, official or not, doesn't really hinder the evolution of a band. When have you ever heard of a forum leading to the downfall of a band? come on...

An official forum is now the primary gateway to build a fan base and help new fans learn more about an artist. Unless you're part of the "music stable" of Clive Davis or willing to be an "organ grinder" for Clear Channel, you can forget mainstream media until you're too big to ignore. And as for word of mouth, maybe it gets you out of Dallas... to Houston.

Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on how you look at it), the internet is the best way for a struggling artist to reach a worldwide audience. But having a myspace page or even a full website is not enough. You need a FORUM to help build a community of fans who want to promote you and spread the word. And a larger fan base = more revenue in music sales, concert tickets and merchandise and more revenue = an artist achieving his ultimate vision no matter the cost or time involved. Do you really think that Brian Wilson could have produced "Pet Sounds" without having the financial ability and time to do so?

So if a forum has long-time members (with status and influence) who are "hurt" or "disinterested" about the direction of a certain band and they create an atmosphere that hinders new fans from joining, why shouldn't someone try to push a few buttons to help expose who these people are and their true intentions?

I'm all for screwing around and this forum seems like a great place. So why screw around on the other forum at the expense of the band?

[mdmusick]

I'll only say this; if any negative attention directed towards the band has been garnered through the forum, then it's only because the band has brought it upon themselves, whether intentional or not. I've never seen a valid negative comment there that didnt have a reason. If someone is dissatisfied with something correlating to a decision made by the band, they have the right to express that. Those that attempt to "sugar coat" the band's image are wasting their effort. Accept it or not, there's much more to a band's success than music; reputation, actions, all of that ties into it. Sunshiney music isn't necessarily made by sunshiney people, just like not all goth-metal artists are truly angry, brooding people (most aren't).

My point? The band isn't perfect.

also, in this particular situation, shit-nosing people who shit-nose the band's management is a quick way to garner a negative reputation. It doesn't get you anywhere.

[mr_j]

i said it over there, and i'll say it here, because it needs to be repeated. many of the people who are alienated and sickened about what that particular band does and has done...ARE FRIENDS WITH ACTUAL FORMER MEMBERS OF THE BAND, OR ARE, IN FACT, EX-MEMBERS. their perspective is COMPLETELY different than yours, because their ties are different than yours. ponder on that, shall you? i don't like my friends getting dicked over, and yes, that DOES have a major bearing on how some people think of the band. it has nothing to do with them feeling as if they 'own' the band because they're from Dallas, or because they went to the first show or what have you.

a band is not above reproach...even on its own forum. take a fer-instance: if you have a friend who is fucking up their life on drugs, which is the most loving thing to do? indulge them in their habit, or say bluntly YOU ARE FUCKING UP?

as for the polyphonic spree being a struggling band? HAH. that was never gonna happen, and i don't think it was the case at all. sure, there was scrimping and saving and poverty and living with a tight belt...but i bet that wasn't true for all of the members....all spreers are created equal, some are more equal than others.

as for your other habits....i think i can speak for others over here and say DON'T bring 'em here.

[James]

First let me apologize about mentioning the band. I promise not to plague any of the other threads with such blasphemy (or as Mr. Sunshine would say "blastphamy"). However, for this thread I think it's relevant. Having said that...

sorry, but nobody ever gave a shit about a band because of it's forum. and a forum, official or not, doesn't really hinder the evolution of a band. When have you ever heard of a forum leading to the downfall of a band? come on...

An official forum is now the primary gateway to build a fan base and help new fans learn more about an artist. Unless you're part of the "music stable" of Clive Davis or willing to be an "organ grinder" for Clear Channel, you can forget mainstream media until you're too big to ignore. And as for word of mouth, maybe it gets you out of Dallas... to Houston.

Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on how you look at it), the internet is the best way for a struggling artist to reach a worldwide audience. But having a myspace page or even a full website is not enough. You need a FORUM to help build a community of fans who want to promote you and spread the word. And a larger fan base = more revenue in music sales, concert tickets and merchandise and more revenue = an artist achieving his ultimate vision no matter the cost or time involved. Do you really think that Brian Wilson could have produced "Pet Sounds" without having the financial ability and time to do so?

So if a forum has long-time members (with status and influence) who are "hurt" or "disinterested" about the direction of a certain band and they create an atmosphere that hinders new fans from joining, why shouldn't someone try to push a few buttons to help expose who these people are and their true intentions?

I'm all for screwing around and this forum seems like a great place. So why screw around on the other forum at the expense of the band?

You make it sound like they are a local dallas band. They have already been around the world (I know, I was there). They are a known commodity. And sure, they need all the fans they can get, but only they can do something about that. I don't think it's a forum posters job to carry the flag full time. If you have been lurking around there a while, you'll remember the great purge and the removal of Random Ramblings for a while. Not pretty moments, but by far bigger than anything going on at the moment.

Plus, if you have truly been lurking for a while, you'll know that this isn't the first board, and the people that are "old" aren't really that old save for a few. And they're still there, albeit lurking.

Still, you put WAY too much stock in a forum. Trust me, it has no bearing on the creative direction or where the band plays (consequently, never in houston, because it's a toilet bowl of a city).

[Phyllis]

OH MY GOD

I THOUGHT THIS PLACE WAS FUCKING SAFE.

FUCK THIS.

[mere1975]

*wipes tear from eye*
Mr. J, hand me some yellow lenses because we see eye-to-eye.


And -- as usual -- I should point out that James has a way of saying things more eloquently than I could -- so DITTO what he says.

- Mere "JB, I'm curious just how long you've been around on that other forum, because join dates conflict with some of your references, like the whole Teasley insult" 1975


P.S.
Roach, you look like a Unibomber in that photo!

[roach]

*wipes tear from eye*
P.S.
Roach, you look like a Unibomber in that photo!

thems my saturday clothes.

[Irock]

So if a forum has long-time members (with status and influence) who are "hurt" or "disinterested" about the direction of a certain band and they create an atmosphere that hinders new fans from joining, why shouldn't someone try to push a few buttons to help expose who these people are and their true intentions?

I'm sure Delaughter himself would thank you personally for your valiant efforts to route out the harmful infiltration of malignant naysayers who are clearly trying to destroy everything that makes that band great.

Oh whatever would they do without you?!?

i "red scare" rock

[mr_j]

*wipes tear from eye*
Mr. J, hand me some yellow lenses because we see eye-to-eye.

i totally just broke into song here...

So we open up a quarrel
Between the present and the past
We only sacrifice the future
It's the bitterness that lasts

So Don't yield to the fortunes
You sometimes see as fate
It may have a new perspective
On a different day
And if you don't give up, and don't give in
You may just be OK.

Say it loud, say it clear
You can listen as well as you hear
It's too late when we die
To admit we don't see eye to eye

[ree-ree]

Since I was never emotionally vested in the band and the ensuing fallout, all I want to contribute is that I'll give you props for showing up and posting and not continuously lurking.
But can you hang around, enjoy yourself, drop any goofy agendas, and shed the image that you help create for yourself at the other forum?
Or is this more trouble making?
I hope it's the former.

[jbfromoc]

You make it sound like they are a local dallas band. They have already been around the world (I know, I was there). They are a known commodity. And sure, they need all the fans they can get, but only they can do something about that. I don't think it's a forum posters job to carry the flag full time. If you have been lurking around there a while, you'll remember the great purge and the removal of Random Ramblings for a while. Not pretty moments, but by far bigger than anything going on at the moment.

Plus, if you have truly been lurking for a while, you'll know that this isn't the first board, and the people that are "old" aren't really that old save for a few. And they're still there, albeit lurking.

Still, you put WAY too much stock in a forum. Trust me, it has no bearing on the creative direction or where the band plays (consequently, never in houston, because it's a toilet bowl of a city).

They may be a known commodity, but they still have a long way to go. And I agree what's going on now in the forum is nothing compared to the past. However, why risk a major meltdown at the time TFA is released? I'm sure some folks would take great joy if that happened (look how much fun was had when little ol' me got banned). It would be much better if everything was out in the open NOW and true intentions were made clear.

And I'm not looking to invalidate anyone's feelings. Clearly there are good reasons for some people to be hurt and upset with management. However, do you really think a fan from Australia, Argentina or even Arkansas really cares about management and their actions? No. For them, it is about the music and the joyous (yet cathartic) emotions associated with it. And they don't need to read comments like "why even live with a pretense that it's even a band any more?" That post might have made a certain member feel better about what happened to them, but why piss in the pool where the rest of us swim? Unless you really want us to drink piss instead of the kool-aid.

[aquaphase]

Soooo, you are saying we should just hold our tongues and let others get pulled in and used up by the idiots (like they have done to tens of people before us)? I'm not really that good at holding my tongue. Just ask the others around you.

I think it is rashly naiive to think that this upcoming Fraggle record is going to do anything but peter out like TWH did. That's not me being bitter; that's me being realistic. Two years ago, people knew who the freaks in the robes were. That fifteen minutes has passed and they currently just don't have the chops to keep up.

I bailed from that other place in December after being treated like crap for just over a year. The fact that it was a "new" band member that went after me just solidified my thoughts that the whole ordeal was doomed doomed doomed. Anyone who was remotely involved in the "Christmas Play" thing saw Fonzie warming up to jump that shark.

I just love all the claims that you think people will come crawling back after the new record comes out. It just ain't gonna happen. Believe it or not, that's the same crap we heard before TWH came out, and I was helping to drive the ship at that point.

My guess is that the Fraggle record will be at least 5 months late, several other band members will be canned because they don't have the "vision," and a Tripping Daisy II will tour with a max of 6 or 7 people and do quite poorly. That's just my guess based on what I've seen over the past 3, rather educated, years.

[aquaphase]

I meant to post this at the end of my rant but...

That being said, stop the band talk and get on to the Fork talk.

[squeezle]

jbfromoc, meet squeezle. squeezle, jbfromoc.

DING DING DING!

*waves*