Sure, he makes many valid points, many of which I can agree with wholeheartedly. But the Umphreys comments "Can\'t sell out The Key Club in L.A." and "They have ZERO buzz...." sort of irk me. L.A., hmmm, believe it has a large Metal scene. Remember all those great (LOL) metal bands of the \'80\'s and \'90\'s with big hair, makeup and ridiculous clothing? A bunch of talentless ass kissing wannabe rock stars who did whatever the record companies wanted them to do. They sold their souls to be poplular. Is this what musicians should strive to be like? And on the "Zero buzz......without good to great vocals you will not sell and appeal to a large audience. No audience, no sales." Yeah, get a singer and we\'ll make these guys popular and ride them all the way to the bank. I guess that instrumental bands don\'t count at all. Spoken like a true money grubbing capitalist with a penchant for becoming a future record company executive. I do believe that Umphreys is playing main stages at mostly all of the festivals they are playing this summer. "Zero buzz...." hmmm.
And the John Mayer comments. This is totally against what music is supposed to be. I strongly believe that music is a form of art and should be treated as such. It\'s mentalities such as this, as much as they help, have also helped to ruin the music industry. Money, Money, Money. Yes, it does make the world go around, but at what cost? I feel that if a band can continue to make music, do it their way and make a living off of it, more power to them. I believe it\'s called integrity. No, it doesn\'t work for most bands, but personally I have more respect for a band that tried to do it their way and failed than allow the corporate world to strip the music of its soul and artistry for the sole purpose of capitalism.
As the senior member of .info (at least I think I am), these are tenets which I strongly believe in and have shaped my musical tastes and listening habits for the last 35 years. Two words, creativity and talent is what determines what I enjoy to listen to. Thanks to Joe for keeping this one alive. Comments?