I read on Blabbermouth today about an interview Maynard has given with Carl Sundberg of the Standard Ass Rock Show on Oregon radio station KFLY. Surprisingly the questioning isn’t as douchebaggy as I’ve come to expect from US radio. Here’s a quote regarding music downloads and it’s effect on the industry:
I think it’s a much bigger conversation. I think part of the problem with most of that is just the foundation of respect or entitlement. I think ‘entitlement’ is probably the better word. I think, just in general, our society has gotten to the point where just you click a button, you get what you want when you want it. So until we get to a point where we realize you don’t necessarily always get what you want when you want it, we’re gonna have a problem. So it stems from there. And then things like file-sharing and the Internet kind of lend themselves to that mindset. So, some day, hopefully, we’ll adjust that perspective . . . And until somebody has actually written a check to record their own record and see everything that goes into it, they don’t really understand that if you just take it… The current state of music, I’m sure there’s a lot of creative stuff going on out there, but there certainly isn’t — of course, I’m being nostalgic — but it doesn’t seem like there’s as much, creatively, going on, ’cause most people can’t afford to do it.
The full interview, in which Maynard also talks about Puscifer, Arizona and Bill Hicks, may be streamed on Youtube:
Nothing about Tool. Shocker. Same old shit.
That’s great an all Nay Nay, but the simple fact is ever since the advent of downloading music has become a lot more diverse and creative.
Old man syndrome.
I agree, and it’s really not all that expensive to make good music.
It is when you run 3 bands, take 7 years between albums for one of your bands, and run a vineyard.
Its economies of scale. Make more product, sell more product, have enough money to invest in making more product. rinse and repeat.
oh and dont insist on having crazy recording equipment imported from all over the world so that you can get that particular sound that not a whole of people will recognize or appreciate.
We are all a bunch of babies crying about not getting our way. wahhhhhhhh!!!! Tool should not release their new album on any kind of format except for on vinyl. that would be so hipster of them. That’ll teach those stupid pirates from downloading albums!!
@ Hellboy and Tyson – I’m not sure I agree (although I am an old man, so take it with a grain of salt)… If you’re going to dedicate a significant amount of your life to becoming a proficient musician, capable of producing quality music, that will concievably come at an opportunity cost of making a decent living. It’s not just a cliché. Yes, home recording on the cheap has arrived, but you get out of it what you put into it. While I don’t happen to like the choices MJK made with the studio versions of the Puscifer material,… Read more »
God dammit, Maynard. Your fucking buddy Trent Rreznor has woken up to realize the reality about piracy.
It’s a service problem, not a consumer problem. Use your mind.
news flash: vinyl to digital does exist.
I’ll concede that filesharing in its current form may not last for much longer, but as long as the internet still exists, there will always be a way to get music for free. might not be as easy as it is now, but there will be a way
I agree with Maynard about piracy. You want something, pay for it. Beyond that the interview was a bunch of blah blah. I am developing a mental exercise so every time I hear or see the name Puscifer it immediately translates to Tool, the band I actually give a shit about. I just don’t buy the financial argument though. Maynard is not an idiot. He damn well knows that if they announced a new Tool album coming out in a month and tossed in a Live DVD they could sell it for $50-$100 bucks easily and sell millions of copies.… Read more »
Debating the ups and downs of piracy and it’s effect on the music industry is really a dead issue. It’s happened, and it’s unlikely to change anytime soon. What needs to be debated is how bands move forward from this. Like record labels, the bands that cling to the old model are the ones that will be left behind. Those that embrace digital distribution, like NIN, Radiohead and the like are the ones that will move forward. Even the Melvins have a plan by releasing plenty of collectible type albums. Bands need to be prepared to tour for their money.… Read more »
^ I agree with that assessment. Pretty well stated.
@HB – I couldn’t disagree with you more. YOU want bands to make their money touring. Who are you to make that call? Why should a musician have to tour to make a living? They should be able to release their music, in whatever format they want, and if people want to listen to it, they should fucking buy it. Anything else is theft. If the artist wants to give their music out for free, so be it. You used a similar argument in gaming saying that you have no issue with pirating the larger releases so you can focus… Read more »
I think you missed the point of my post really. I’m not trying to allege that any system is right or wrong, more that bands need to adapt with the marketplace that is presented to them. This is the reality of the record industry, and no amount of bands wishing they could sell more records is going to change anything. If they can find a viable market in selling releases without touring, then more power to them. The reality is, and always has been that non-touring artists (outside the realm of cheesey one hit wonders) don’t make much money. It’s… Read more »
I have zero sympathy for someone who cannot afford to buy a CD. People all over the place can’t find work. Millions are in danger of starvation in the Horn of Africa. Life is hard and brutal. If you can afford to have a roof over your head and food on your table, then you are lucky. A CD is a luxury, not an inherent right. Low income doesn’t in and of itself make theft ethically acceptable. A professional musician should be able to make a living off their music. Whether it be from releasing music in whatever format or… Read more »
butt piracy.
that is all.
How many musicians actually made a living off playing music before downloading came into vogue? 0.01% maybe?
How many musicians actually made a living off playing music after downloading came into vogue? 0.01% maybe?
How much more music has been introduced to people through the age of the internet?
Yeah.
Who made the remoulade
Mog, you’re arguing from an ethical point of view that I don’t disagree with. Problem is the world ain’t like that.
I’m interested in debating the reality of the music industry marketplace, not the reasoning behind why people do or don’t buy music. The law is quite clear in that regard, and you’re right, but we both know that isn’t really the issue.
I’m totally agreeing with Hellboy that the horse has bolted and we are past the ethics of illegal downloading. In the main I do pay for my material and certainly go out of my way to do so with up and coming bands but I can afford to do so. If I were a little more impoverished I certainly wouldn’t deny myself music that I could obtain with a click. It’s just a waste of time to harp on this point. I am not at all upset that bands need to rely on touring for their dollar. The performance aspect… Read more »
Indeed???
Maynard perhaps???
Album out before the end of July. You heard it here first….
Mog, you obviously have not been to a Wal-Mart here in TX. That shit happens all the time. I’ve purchased items, taken them home and then I find out the safety seal is broken and something have been eaten. Been burned three times total on opened food. I always check before I buy now.
2 cents = Personally thought the interview was very insightful, and to say that musicians have to “bend” to meet the “marketplace”, to me at least, goes against the entire concept of art and music, and pretty much every interview I have read or listened to from member of Tool. In fact one of the core messages that has transcended their time as a band is that as artist we need stand on the content of our work or art and let the rest flow from there, if you are creating music or art for money you are completely missing… Read more »
@mass deception Great comments. Im the same age, and i find that the younger generation is missing much of the point in what Maynard is saying. They grew up with a whole different paradigm, so to even debate it with them IS futile. Music costs a lot of money. Always has. To say that home recording studios has made it cheaper isnt really true. It is more convenient, but it doesnt really change the fact that you have to buy all that equipment as opposed to buying time to use equipment. And my same stingray bass that cost $1100 in… Read more »
@Tyson
Music isnt any more creative or diverse today.
I’ll put Floyd up against anyone today, and we’ll see who displays more creativity and diversity of sound.
You’re using Floyd as an example of diverse?
What is your definition of diverse?
There’s not many bands that are AS diverse as Pink Floyd. Maybe you’re not familiar with their catalogue of music?
If you want to talk about ethics, the entertainment industry has been unethically fucking you for years. Why would I spend $20-30 dollars on going to a crappy theater with uncomfortable seats, cheap popcorn, expensive snacks, and smelly people when I can get the same thing for free at home? On the same level, why would I pay out the ass for music where my $13-20 go to the record company that is perpetuating the problem? Piracy is a SERVICE problem. It’s the result of various industries who are about 10 years behind the times and feel the need to… Read more »
As a lover of Pink Floyd they are pretty consistent with their sound and it’s pretty easily distinguishable. The same can be said for Tool.
The Beatles would be a far better example.
It’s true, I’ve only listened to a few Floyd albums, but they all pretty much sound like Floyd to me. Mr Bungle are diverse. Floyd are just a prog rock band.
Yeah, when i am speaking about diversity, i don’t mean non-white guys, which is what most people think, because they are brain washed.
I’m talking about creativity and the application of their ideas and concepts, exploration of sound in new ways, and differing themes between albums. They are extremely diverse in that way.
But according to today’s dumbed down concept of what the word ‘diversity’ means, well then i guess it doesn’t apply.
Check out their song “ECHOES” from the album Meddle. 23 minutes of more diverse soundscapes than you’ll ever hear in another song in your life.
This is one of the dumbest things I’ve read on here.
Sounds to me like you’re confusing creativity with diversity, but I guess I’m just too dumb to understand…
No bro, you’re just brainwashed.
Proved my point Nedak.
Listening to Echos now. I’ll let you know what I think shortly.
Next time sync it with the last 23 minutes of 2001 Space Odyssey and it will be a music video.
I think I’m speaking from a musical standpoint in a way that doesn’t align with the basic meaning of the word. I’ll retract the word ‘diverse’ if it makes everyone feel better.
I guess i need Diversity Training. I usually call in sick those days.
When do these diverse soundscapes start? 10 minutes in an all I hear are the usual noodling guitars, cheesy keyboards and moaning vocals….
Do you ever actually think out what you write? Please, take the time, go back to what you wrote, and maybe try to understand why we are saying what we’re saying.
Some how you managed to mix up music diversity with ethnic diversity and creativity. And then you tied that into being brainwashed. Do you see it yet?
Pink Floyd is NOT diverse. In other words, they have a distinct style that they’ve mastered and they keep with that style.
The Beatles on the other hand are very diverse as they can go from pop, to psychedelic rock, to country, etc.
Go listen to Help! and then go listen to Abbey Road and you’ll understand the magical world of diversity in music (NOT ETHNIC DIVERSITY).
So Echoes is a “Standard Floyd Prog Rock” song with some soundscapey type stuff in the middle. It was ok, certainly creative, but one example doesn’t really establish diversity.
We look like the monkeys at the beginning of 2001 with this conversation. Clearly, I’ll take my newly found stick and take it home, instead of continuing to beat it against this rock.
What this forum needs is a basic History of Music class. To understand why Pink Floyd and the Beatles where so creative and revolutionary you have to understand the evolution of music. If your listening to Echoes and only hearing cheesy sounds and rhythms it’s because I would think at least, your judging them with a modern limitied understanding and don’t grasp just how unique and different Floyd was for their time. Looking at music and creativity from our present technilogical view limits our understanding. Knowing what went into creating “Dark Side” when synthesizers and over Poly-track recordings was a… Read more »
What this forum needs is a basic History of Music class. To understand why Pink Floyd and the Beatles where so creative and revolutionary you have to understand the evolution of music. If your listening to Echoes and only hearing cheesy sounds and rhythms it’s because I would think at least, your judging them with a modern limitied understanding and don’t grasp just how unique and different Floyd was for their time.Looking at music and creativity from our present technilogical view limits our understanding. Knowing what went into creating “Dark Side” when synthesizers and over Poly-track recordings was a new… Read more »
I believe diversity is an old wooden war ship from the civil war 😉
@Tyson Music isnt any more creative or diverse today. I’ll put Floyd up against anyone today, and we’ll see who displays more creativity and diversity of sound lol, seriously lol. My point was not how a certain band can be more creative or diverse, but due to the ability to download music and it being more open and easily accessible, there is a greater number of diversity and creativity in the market today, instead of back in your day when it was men in suits deciding what music got the marketing and record labels. As for this other argument(s) going… Read more »
@HB
“…soundscapey…”
lmao
What this forum needs is a basic History of Music class. To understand why Pink Floyd and the Beatles where so creative and revolutionary you have to understand the evolution of music. If your listening to Echoes and only hearing cheesy sounds and rhythms it’s because I would think at least, your judging them with a modern limitied understanding and don’t grasp just how unique and different Floyd was for their time.Looking at music and creativity from our present technilogical view limits our understanding. Knowing what went into creating “Dark Side” when synthesizers and over Poly-track recordings was a new… Read more »
It’s a mugs game trying to determine how good music was based on when it was released. I can appreciate how the music is creative and revolutionary just fine. That makes little difference to whether I enjoy it or not.
Yeah, silly English Language! Who needs it?
For now on idiot means you’re above my comprehension.