ripped from the newswire: In an online chat session Tuesday, Metallica's lead singer James Hetfield defended turning over the Metallica traders' names - many of whom are the band's fans - to Napster. "We are going after Napster, the main artery. All the people doing illegal things here, whether with good or bad intentions, we are not going after individual fans. Metallica has always felt fans are family." --- Hetfield speaks with forked tongue. http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,906,906#msg-906Sat, 25 May 2013 01:13:09 +1000 Phorum 5.2.16 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,906,1102#msg-1102 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,906,1102#msg-1102
By the way, some DVD players can now play mp3 disks which can contain upwards of 120 tracks to a disk. The quality is cd quality if the recording is done right. I was at a party a couple of weeks ago where we listened to a single mp3 disk in the dvd player the whole night.

As well, Canada happens to be light years ahead in terms of internet access speeds. Cable modem access is common with speeds up to 100* that of your standard dial up modem. Even ADSL is coming down in price to affordable annual costs.

Technology is not the barrier here but the culprit. And for those of you who do have portable mp3 players, they plug into any standard stereo, boom box etc. Besides, tons of people do have their computer plugged into their stereo.

What we are facing here is comparable to travel. In the old days you couldn't just pop over to Europe or Asia overnight, hang out for a weekend and then come home. Well nowadays you can. The same with digital media. You can email hundreds if not thousands of people, each forwarding on to others yeilding massive global coverage in a few short hours. The l Love You virus is a prime example to the time of propogation.

And as far as burning CD's, how many writers do you think are out there? Definitely enough to impact the market. If you want to bust people, bust those selling home burnt cd's on ebay and other places.

Again this comes down to as much an ethical issue as it does technological. You either support it or you don't. If you don't agree with it, just don't do it. Any of these so called law suits that start to infringe on regulating the internet takes us one step close to big brother whatching everything we do 24hours a day.

I just hope I'm not around before that becomes reality.

At this point I can't say I'm in favour of Metallica, because the issue here is really the impact to record companies and the artists' dependencies on them. Times are changing.

( : ##

]]> Bighair NoticeboardWed, 10 May 2000 04:53:16 +1000 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,906,1038#msg-1038 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,906,1038#msg-1038most of the ones are looking for the same thing.I think Mp3's can be a great help for bands starting out.You can reach literally billions of people around the world.
Major labels are suppose to have downloads available by the end of the year,
choose what cd and then choose what songs you want off that cd.Either all or one or how ever many.So once that starts then nobody should complain about paying for entire cd and only liking 2 songs,download the ones you like.Before you know it,won't even have to go to the grocery store,do it all on-line.]]> Robert NoticeboardMon, 08 May 2000 10:46:08 +1000 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,906,1020#msg-1020 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,906,1020#msg-1020
Since the imported disk became available we have more choice.

To keep richness in music we have to pay some cost and I don't believe we are ripped off at all. Japanese music fans has got variety of choices. The fact all melodic rock top ten albums are available in Japan is thanks to that current system.

American style perfect market society seem attractive but every rose have its thorn. How many melodicrock Top 5 albums acquired American releases(none!)

Music is our culture not just a way to make money.

Regards

Susumu]]> Susumu NoticeboardMon, 08 May 2000 00:17:29 +1000 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,906,1018#msg-1018 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,906,1018#msg-1018 Mike NoticeboardSun, 07 May 2000 23:30:53 +1000 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,906,1007#msg-1007 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,906,1007#msg-1007
As Danny says most Japanese releases have bonus tracks because Japanese CD is far expensive than imported disks. Take Britney's disk for example U.S. version is about U.S.$17 while Japanese version costs $26. Unless some bonus tracks are added they won't buy the CD. But in most of the melodic rock releases that is not the only reason because outside Japan melodic rock albums come from Indie labels who will not have enough funding to export to Japan endangering Japanese version and import disk is sometimes a bit expensive(such as Loverboy 6 which cost $30 in Japan). So there should be no reason for Japan-only bonus tracks. I suspect Japanese labels use bonus track as a way to clear off left over stocks.(Even though they didn't sell in Japan they can export as extra version tracks). But I don't think that sort of practice could be beneficial to serious MHR fans.

Some artists already know it and have no extra track for Japanese.

Just think of bonus track for gratitude for Japanese MHR fans and nothing more.

Regards

Susumu

]]> Susumu NoticeboardSun, 07 May 2000 20:16:56 +1000 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,906,991#msg-991 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,906,991#msg-991
I simply can’t resist saying a couple of things here...

First off, you’d never know it by my posts, but I am NOT at
all what you’d consider a huge Metallica fan or anything. I
mean, I have to admit that I do have quite a lot respect them.
Why? Well, primarily because, IMO, they were more important
and influential in creating the whole thrash metal genre (from
which evolved speed metal, death metal, etc.) than any other
band. But there are probably at least a dozen or so other metal
bands that I prefer to Metallica.

Okay, now, having said that, I’ve gotta say that I totally disagree
with the notion that this band is trying to take the short track to
success. It’s absolutely true that bands who do jump on bandwagons
and blatantly attempt to skyrocket to the top often wind up plunging
to rock bottom (no pun intended) even faster than they rose in the
first place. But of all the bands kickin’ around out there, I can honestly
say that Metallica is the band I least expected to hear accused of
taking this approach. Jeez, these guys are probably cited more than
any other band in metal (except maybe Iron Maiden?) as an example
of how a metal band can climb the ladder to the top without compromise
and without any commercial appeal (ie, radio/MTV exposure, etc)
whatsoever. I’m not trying to come off as an expert or anything,
but I have been buying and reading music magazines since about
1982, and I have read countless articles where Lars and the gang
are praised and singled out in this regard.

Personally, I believe that Metallica have made it as big as they are
for the following reasons:

-hard work/constant touring
-innovative musical style
-respect of their peers
-unwillingness to compromise (they do what THEY wanna do)
-landing the supporting slot for Ozzy on his “Ultimate Sin”
tour after having released “Master of Puppets”

I know they have disgusted a lot of their fans with some
of their recent releases, I still believe they will always have a
strong core of followers who will respect them for (musically)
following their own hearts or interests or whatever. And there’ll
also be the fairweather fans as well, who come and go. But I
honestly don’t think they have any worries at all in terms of their
fan base (and I don't think they ARE worrying at all). Again, just
my $0.02
Don
]]> Don NoticeboardSun, 07 May 2000 08:56:40 +1000 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,906,981#msg-981 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,906,981#msg-981
Looking forward to your next CD.

]]> Mike NoticeboardSat, 06 May 2000 23:44:34 +1000 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,906,976#msg-976 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,906,976#msg-976
You really have some good points there man. I hope you're right.....for my sorry ass sake! LOL! On the bonus track thing.....man don't get me started.....I hate that idea totally! But, most Japanese labels will not release your product unless you do it. It's a very visible line in my contract as well. I've been told that they pay more for their Cd's and that is one of the reasons they get bonus tracks. I'm a firm believer of "10 songs is enough." And I find myself tiring of an album no matter how good it is if it has more. These bands with 14 tunes just give you filler stuff sometimes. I try to give 10 quality songs without fillers, and nothing from my last album that didn't make the grade will go on my new one. Leaving the number at 10 gives the listener just enough to be curious about what will happen on the next one. So what I will try to do this year as to not upset my Japanese, Euro or US friends is I will attempt to give everyone different bonus tracks in hopes they will have to buy 3 different albums....hahaha...just kidding, but seriously, that thought HAS crossed my mind, but not to make any more money. I just want to please those that feel "why are they so special?" I can't tell you how many mails I've gotten regarding this subject!

That lil love ballad I did on my Japanese version got allot of my fans upset with me for NOT putting it on the other releases. I really didn't think anyone would go for a Richard Marx type song, but the Japanese seem so much more understanding with versatility, I knew there wouldn't be any bashing going on. So I'll most likely put that song on my next UK/US release along with a few that WON'T be on the Japnanese release. But that all depends on how the songwriting goes and if the album is consistant sounding. Some of the AOR fans are a tough crowd, and this being my sophomore album, it's important to make the right decisions. So if things go as I hope they will, we very well may see bonus tracks on the US/UK version, but that will still leave those buyers wondering what songs are on the Japanese copy and that brings us right back to your point....so why did I type this...hahaha....we're right back where we started in a sense, but at least everyone will have some sort of "bonus" and I think it's only fair. If I have to do bonus tracks for Japan, I might as well give everyone else a lil something too. What do you think? Peace....

Danny Danzi
http://www.dannydanzi.com]]> Danny Danzi NoticeboardSat, 06 May 2000 16:57:01 +1000 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,906,973#msg-973 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,906,973#msg-973
Maybe prices will drop also for CDs. I bet you the majority of the profit from music CDs is not going to the artist. And regardless of what some may say, an MP3 does not have the same sound quality of a CD IMNSHO.

]]> Mike NoticeboardSat, 06 May 2000 12:58:07 +1000 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,906,966#msg-966 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,906,966#msg-966-------------------------------
Er... so you don't think anybody's burning these tracks on to CD then?

Certainly some people are. I do know that there are portable MP3 players (that must hook up in some way to their PC). But how many people own these portable players versus who have downloaded MP3s from Napster (or anywher else)? I suspect the numbers are in the 1 in 100 range, which is just back ground noise really.

Like I said before, when everybody has DSL, that will be the time for Metallica to worry about piracy.

BD
]]> Copious K9 NoticeboardSat, 06 May 2000 08:30:40 +1000 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,906,965#msg-965 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,906,965#msg-965
This is a real problem for us for sure. I haven't totally read all the in's and out's about it, but it will definitely put a damper on a nice lil career like mine. As I read about the Napster program, I first looked at it kinda like a weapon. The weapon will only do harm if you make it. So why go after the software company? But, there should be restrictions on the program that apparently aren't there, and for that, they should be drilled with a power drill all over their bodies starting with their most sensitive organ, and the same followed by a soldering iron to the consumer that put the artist's CD on-line!

Ok, that may be a bit harsh......but for artists like lil Danny D, every lil CD sold is a plus and though I may never be a superstar, it will no longer allow me to put out any music for those that enjoy what I do. We live in a corrupt society and stuff like this will always plague us unless the fans try to help us out by not supporting this! Hopefully the Metallica guys and record companies and all the others involved will have some say being that they can afford top attorneys to fight this issue. If nothing gets done, everyone will suffer in the long run and that of course will destroy the industry. I heard some stories of a few artists we all know and love having their discs on there and I was told you can't even track the person doing it unless they're on-line, and even then it's hard as hell. We have to hope and pray that this comes to an end, or music will definitely fall by the wayside and guys like me will cease to exist. It's so sad.......

Danny Danzi
http://www.dannydanzi.com]]> Danny Danzi NoticeboardSat, 06 May 2000 07:57:53 +1000 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,906,964#msg-964 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,906,964#msg-964 Surfpunk NoticeboardSat, 06 May 2000 07:50:26 +1000 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,906,962#msg-962 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,906,962#msg-962-------------------------------
People buy albums as much for the packaging as they do for the music. Otherwise not a single internet user with a cd writer would every by an album again.

Bighair,

I disagree. What I think Metallica and other people are misssing is that MP3s do not sound near as nice as WAVs and that they can only be played on the PC. I generally spend less than 5% of the time I listen to music listening to it on the computer. MP3s do not play on my home stereo, car stereo, or portable boom box.

When the standard home internet connection becomes DSL or better, the pipe will be big enough for WAVs which I think will lead to a more real problem. I really do not think there will be a solution for all when that time comes. At that time, the truth is music distribution system will have to change (like it or not).

BTW, I think that it is comical that Metallica wants to ban some users from Napster. It shows how little Metallica know about the anonymity of the net.

Big Dog (like this is my real name, but leave it to Metallica to think I got weird parents or some such)
]]> Copious K9 NoticeboardSat, 06 May 2000 07:37:14 +1000 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,906,961#msg-961 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,906,961#msg-961Let's have some feedback from some artists over this issue.
What if all the people who were going to add 'Somewhere lost in time' to their 'wants' list didn't? They just went online and got it. Where would Danni's career be? Who wants this to happen?

Napster is more evil than the 'Evil One' himself! If you work in the industry that is. If you're just in it for No. 1 though...]]> Surfpunk NoticeboardSat, 06 May 2000 07:32:17 +1000 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,906,956#msg-956 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,906,956#msg-956
Prior to mp3, how many people were able to make copies of songs on tape, even on cd and make them instantly available to the world? The whole concept of blank cassettes was one based on the fact that yes people will make their own copies, but they won't be able to distribute them so readily that others will no longer have to buy the albums to get the songs. The internet and digital era has destroyed that premise.

I am all for technology and an unregulated internet, but how can the whole music industry adapt to changes that happen so quickly?

People buy albums as much for the packaging as they do for the music. Otherwise not a single internet user with a cd writer would every by an album again.

Unfortunately it will be near impossible for artists to regulate their own material on the internet. If I stick up a site that is protected and requires payment prior to accessing it, it takes only one person that has paid to turn around and make the same material available free to others. This could be counteracted in several ways:
1) demonstrate a willingness to prosecute those that post full copies of songs/albums on the web - this requires that a standard sample length be set by law, 1 minute for example, that can be posted for sample purposes only.
2) better software to automatically seek out copies of posted material - there could actually be a market here if someone created some good software that would allow artists/labels to enforce (1)
3) if fan's showed more ethical behavior and refrained from posting full copies of songs to ensure that people have to buy the actual album to get the complete song. Unfortunately this requires fans to become snitches and report sites that illegally post material.

Contrary to this, we could be seeing the death of the current music industry and the birth of another. Who is to say this is a bad thing? Haven't fans become sick of the record companies continued retail of multiple imports of the same album with only 1 or two song differences? Companies that force bands to do things contrary to what they would really like to do musically? If things were to change, then bands would have to take more responsibility for their success, but at least they would have the power to do so rather than be at the mercy of a record company.

Those are my thoughts,
debate them if you wish.

## : )]]> Bighair NoticeboardSat, 06 May 2000 05:00:36 +1000 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,906,952#msg-952 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,906,952#msg-952As 'artists' the bands want to grow. So there's the dilema, how do you achieve both. Certainly not with Metallica's recent output, but hey, that's their choice.

On the Napster issue however I think Metallica are absolutely RIGHT to take action. Mp3 can be a useful tool in selling more music but as music retailer I can tell you I nearly shit myself when I saw Napster for the first time. I could see my business drifting away as a mass of young casual music buyers, not 'fans', trade digital quality copies and steel covers from my store. Imagine the effect on the specialist AOR labels of finding a load of new artists on Napster. These labels need the money from these artists sales to invest into others and it works the same for the majors. Though I find it hard to ask for sympathy on behalf of Sony or Warners!

This is home taping to the power of 10, and is ultimately going to put a lot of 'small' people in the industry out of work.

Mp3 yes. Napster No.]]> Surfpunk NoticeboardSat, 06 May 2000 03:49:28 +1000 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,906,940#msg-940 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,906,940#msg-940 Rob NoticeboardFri, 05 May 2000 23:49:40 +1000 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,906,938#msg-938 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,906,938#msg-938
]]> Robert NoticeboardFri, 05 May 2000 21:26:48 +1000 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,906,933#msg-933 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,906,933#msg-933
First off, let me say the following three things:

1) I am not posting to discuss the Napster thing. I know very little about it.

2) "Load" and "Re-Load" are my two least favorite Metallica albums.

3) I am not posting this to start an argument or flame war or anything.

Now, having said that, I just want to say that I think I have a hard time swallowing the whole greed/lack of integrity thing. See, I believe that these guys could have continued selling a HUGE number of albums and rocking pretty much everyone's world if they had simply continued to produce the same kind of thrash they created in albums like "Ride the Lightning," "Master of Puppets," etc. But they didn't. They chose to experiment with different sounds, and we got stuff like the black album and "Load" & "Reload." And, with all due respect to both of you and your opinions, I don't think they produced albums like these in an attempt to suddenly garner commercial success (ie., radio play, etc.). I really don't. I think that this band tends to have... hmmm, how shall I say this?...."unique" taste in music (ie., Case in point: while other metal bands who were recording an EP of cover tunes like "Garage..." would likely have wanted to pay tribute to metal legends like Priest/Maiden/Purple, etc. these guys chose to ignore those bands and record stuff by relative unknowns like Diamond Head, Misfits, etc.). To me, "Load" and "Re-Load" sound like they are fairly influenced by recent/modern musical trends. And I have a feeling that Lars and co. probably like(d) that sound when they recorded those albums. I don't think they were intentionally jumping on bandwagons or anything. I really don't. On the contrary, I'm sure they realized that they would have been safer to leave their hair and musical styles alone. But they didn't. Instead, they did what they wanted, and they've been getting flak for it ever since. Once again, I can't honestly say I like their "new" sound, but I don't disrespect them for adopting it. I honestly just thing they're making music that suits their own tastes and trying to grow as artists. But hey, what do I know?
Don]]> Don NoticeboardFri, 05 May 2000 17:07:36 +1000 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,906,927#msg-927 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,906,927#msg-927Totally agree with you here Rob!

Total Sellouts, they don`t even have an ounce of intergrity left amongst their fans and listeners.........

Support NAPSTER and other sites like it and let the freedom of the internet rule!!!

]]> Richie NoticeboardFri, 05 May 2000 15:14:37 +1000 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,906,925#msg-925 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,906,925#msg-925 Rob NoticeboardFri, 05 May 2000 14:00:37 +1000 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,906,917#msg-917 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,906,917#msg-917
Most people download mp3s for there own listening pleasure, not to make money off them. Even if bootlegers did sell a cd full of converted mp3s, in Metallicas own words... "SO WHAT?" Are the millions they have still not enough?! Boo f'n hoo, cry me a river guys! ]]> Mr. Smiley NoticeboardFri, 05 May 2000 07:36:29 +1000 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,906,906#msg-906 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,906,906#msg-906
In an online chat session Tuesday, Metallica's lead singer James Hetfield defended turning over the Metallica traders' names - many of whom are the band's fans - to Napster.

"We are going after Napster, the main artery. All the people doing illegal things here, whether with good or bad intentions, we are not going after individual fans. Metallica has always felt fans are family."

---

Hetfield speaks with forked tongue.
]]> Copious K9 NoticeboardFri, 05 May 2000 03:22:07 +1000