| MUSIC RESPONSE... |
| A while ago I sent out a little email asking some of you music fans for your opinions on some of the most recent debates shadowing the music world. Attempting to create conclusions covering the general (and sometimes, shameful) face of recent music and the industry itself, it's surprising to see most of us share similar views. |
| 1. Should crowd surfing be banned, or should security and crowd management be tightened up? In the occurence of an accident involving members of the audience, should a band be held partially responsible? "NO, crowd surfing shouldn't be banned although security and crowd management should *certainly* be tightened! I've been at gigs where there was little or no security and I've either passed out in the crush or been seriously bruised. And anyone planning to crowd surf should be responsible and considerate enough to TAKE OFF their keychains, spiked jewellery etc. before they surf. Ever got a keychain caught around your neck? Oh, and a band shouldn't be held responsible unless they're encouraging crowd violence." LAURA PROFFITT "All I know is I want to stop people kicking me in the head, but if you don't surf, how do you get out of the pit in a big ass crush?" LAURA PATERSON 2. CIN say that for chart-eligible singles, each format can have a maximum of 3 songs. They state that the first week selling prices should be 3.99 on CD, 7" and 12", and 2.99 on cassette (maximum selling prices. The following weeks' prices vary depending on retailer). If a band/artist exceeds the 3 track maximum, they must forfeit their Top 40 position. Should it be up to the band/artist or CIN to decide on the retailling price and the amount of tracks on a musiacl format? "It should be up to CIN, but the prices should be less" HOLLY HOPKINS "I think every single should have tons of tracks on it so that bands can stop putting out second-rate b-sides and have some decent stuff for a change: 2 bad b-sides is embarrassing but with 4 or 5 they'd have to do something about it." LAURA PATERSON 3. Are downloads good for the future of music? ...Are the bands losing out? "I think they're good for the real fans but then it's good for the band too cos I think if someone really likes the songs, they'll buy the actual album and then they'll tell their friends, who might also buy the album too. It's a win-win situation for everyone." KELLY "Music downloads are great! I've discovered many obscure bands through them like Voy and Seafood who are rarely on the radio. From hearing their stuff, it's made me pester staff at my local independent store to track these bands down: the quality of downloads are a bit rubbish really. If bands like Metallica don't want their stuff 'given away' then they should have the right to have their music taken off all the files. However I'm sure struggling bands would be glad of the interest." SWEET CATATONIA 4. Would Hearsay still be as popular and hyped if they weren't already heavily promoted by a TV documentary? "Hearsay would've barely scratched the charts if they had not been the focus of a prime-time TV show. It's just the same as all the other meaningless, forgettable pop crap." BRUISE PRISTINE No, they would've died a death in anonymity. All they've proved is that and five nobodies can get a number 1 with enough publicity. I'd rather see a band who've been together for years, write and perform their own stuff and have actually had to work for their success, do well." LAURA PROFFITT |
| October 2001 |