|
A few select independent labels and publicity firms have recently been up in arms over our cd-review policy. Some have even sent out mass mailings expressing their righteous indignation. These folks have also gone so far as to condemn our business model altogether, in which we publish interviews with well-known bands side by side with articles on unsigned and indie artists. The fact that millions of our viewers, drawn by the lure of the bigger-name acts, are thus exposed to legions of lesser-known artists has somehow escaped these indie firms completely. (Mensa material clearly they are not.) Apparently, this group believes that NY Rock should publish articles exclusively on unknown bands. (We must assume, of course, that if the bands have any level of success, we should wipe the slate clean of them, the rotten bastards.) A couple of these rather imprudent people have also made explicit references to the evil of making money in general (unless, of course, it is going into their pockets). We, at NY Rock (henceforth known as the evil empire) believe these good folks deserve a response to their, uh, constructive criticism. Here are a few of the comments that have floated into our inbox as well as the responses from NY Rock writers. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
SHAWN: | "... corporate ass kissing magazine..." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NYROCK: |
Who's corporate? Show me a sign of anything corporate on the site and I'll blow you. – Jeanne Fury | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
G.: | "No indie band/label with any self-respect would support NY ROCK." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NYROCK: |
Okay, I understand. You don't do squat for us, and we support you, for free. Sounds like a good deal. When do we start? – Otto Luck | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
SHAWN: | "Your money grubbing policies disgust me." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NYROCK: |
My sex-grubbing policies are way more disgusting. – Jeanne Fury You think that's bad, you oughta see my bathroom. – Otto Luck | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
SHAWN: | "...boycott your corporate butt licking policy." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NYROCK: |
The corporate butt remains dry. – Jeanne Fury | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
T.C.: | "You should be ashamed of yourselves." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NYROCK: |
Mom? Is that you? – Jeanne Fury | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
T.C.: | "You people are out of your frigging minds." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NYROCK: |
No argument here. – Jeanne Fury | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
JUSTIN: | "...complete disgust and contempt for your policy." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NYROCK: |
I hate the police, too. – Jeanne Fury I like firemen though, especially the ones that drive those big red trucks. – Otto Luck | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
G.: | "What a loser publication!!! Get a real job!!!" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NYROCK: |
Your exclamation points don't scare me!!! – Jeanne Fury Get a REAL job? You first!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! – Otto Luck | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
SHAWN: | "I also plan to forward your e-mail stating your particularly slimy policies to every other..." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NYROCK: |
Send them in one of those cute animated e-cards, okay? – Jeanne Fury Will it be a one-time mailing or a weekly kinda thing? – Otto Luck | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
SHAWN: | "As an owner of a record label for 20 years, our motives are to help the bands we work with get their music heard, but making a profit is secondary." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NYROCK: |
In your 40's, eh? If you need any help moving out of your Mom's house, let us know. Be aware, we also charge for our moving service. – Otto Luck | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
SHAWN: | "As far as knowing what NYRock.com is about, I don't." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NYROCK: |
Yeah, I know it's tough. Maybe we should add more pictures. – Otto Luck Don't worry. We've created a NY Rock for Dummies edition for people like you. Keep an eye out for the grand opening. – The Editor | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
SHAWN: | "You can thank me as your revenue stream starts to dry up. Any help my friends and I can be in quickening such an outcome, well we do it proudly and happily." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NYROCK: |
Admit it, you stole that last line from Osama bin Laden. – Otto Luck | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
GREG: | "your review policy is lame. you get a free cd 'promo cd' for you hot shots out there. anyways you then review it get to keep the cd and sell your mag to people for cash. reviewing cds for money is not right. its very stupid actuely. anyways change the policey soon or they can just send it to my magazine and ill do it for free. haha the irony is im finding out who sends to you and telling them that i can put it in my mag for free." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NYROCK: |
Maybee thiss giy haz a poynt. Whut iff he putz us oughtta bizniss? – Otto Luck | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
JOSHUA: | "This is absurd." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NYROCK: |
I know; I can't believe I'm not in prison yet, either. – Jeanne Fury | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
JOE: | "Are you aware of what an independent label is??? It is a label without financial backing." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NYROCK: |
Who the hell do you think is backing us? The Rockefellers? – Otto Luck | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
JOSHUA: | "It is very hard for independent labels to survive. The only reason we work for independent labels is out of love for the music." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NYROCK: |
Listen, Einstein, don't you think things are little rough for us too? And what do you think we run NY Rock for? The love of hot dogs? – Otto Luck | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
JOSHUA: | "It is actions like those taken by your organization that work to kill independent music." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NYROCK: |
How flattering that you afford us such power in the music industry. Can I interest you in some advertising? – Otto Luck | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
JOSHUA: | "Support[ing] the huge conglomerates and their pushing of white washed un-original music contributes nothing except for keeping 12 year old girls entertained." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NYROCK: |
I personally enjoy keeping young girls entertained. – Jeanne Fury | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
JEFE: | "NYRock.com is either Music and Business -or- Business and Music. You simply can't play for both teams." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NYROCK: |
Hey, you sound like a word man. Did you know that NUTS is STUN spelled backwards? Anyone for Scrabble? – Otto Luck | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
JEFE: | "Receiv[ing] money for reviews disqualifies you entirely as a reviewer." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NYROCK: |
But doesn't not receiving money lead to gastrointestinal problems... like starvation. – Otto Luck Getting paid for work is bad? Damn, my eight kids are demanding lunch again. They just had lunch yesterday. – Jeanne Fury God, you are really making me laugh. Too bad you believe that writers shouldn't be paid, or we'd cut you a check right now. – The Editor | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
JEFE: | "I plan to boycott NYRock.com and spread the word." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NYROCK: |
Hey, we're finally getting some publicity. Let's send this guy some flowers. – Otto Luck | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
JEFE: | "And as the Unsigned and Indie folk hear about NYRock's corporate agenda, they will probably boycott what is untrue to their artistic sensibilities." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NYROCK: |
Right, like those bands wouldn't rather get paid for their work. Furthermore, I have no artistic sensibilities and never claimed to have them. – Jeanne Fury | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
CHRISTINA: | "Your policy sucks." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NYROCK: |
Since you don't have the budget of major labels, aren't you trying to get some free promotion? Isn't that what you're looking for? Honey, if you believed in your bands, you'd be grateful for the exposure NYRock.com can give them. – Talia Soghomonian If we wield so much power to raise so much concern, then consider this. We've never received one dime of advertising from an independent label or publicist. So how have they supported us? How do we pay the rent? Not their problem? Think again. Suppose someone goes to town. Rallies the forces. Manages to drive this publisher out of business (in retaliation for the publisher's attempt to survive). Congratulations, you now have one less place to have your reviews printed – a place where a review was guaranteed upon submission of a CD, and a place that receives millions of viewers. You've added a nail to the coffin of your indie artists' careers. Good job, Saddam. You've starved your own people. – Otto Luck I'd kick in my two cents worth, but I don't think Christina, Shawn, T.C., G. et al. can afford it. – Spyder Darling Gotta go now, taking my Lamborghini for a little spin down Park Avenue. – Otto Luck November 2002
Send This Page to a Friend • Mailing List • Current Stories • Music News
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The following content is brought to you FREE by NYRock.com: The latest NY Rock banter: Today's News: • Music • Movies • Entertainment NY Rock Confidential: • Cyndi Lauper, Joan Jett, Paybacks, Dollyrots, • Patti Smith, Johnette Napolitano (Concrete Blonde), Joey Ramone Birthday Bash with NY Dolls, etc. • Henry Rollins, Janeane Garofalo, Marc Maron, Gojira, Machine Head, Debbie Harry, Miss Guy, Pretty Boys, Theo and the Skyscrapers, Glass Hand Didi's Back: • Miss Lez 2007 • Zombies Attack Dear Dr. Dot: • Sex advice Jeanne's & Otto's (Incredibly Awesome) Blog Soft Porn Central TRUE! Cartoons | |||
|