Ok whether it is $6 or $15 is besides the point... But back to the
point---it's not as if Modest Mouse is a victim to this major label. Don't
forget they choose to sign with Epic. Epic did not "screw the general
public", Modest Mouse did. If, instead of making it a Japanese tour only
release, they also released it on Up Records or Epic in to normal
distribution channels, there would be no issue. However, Modest Mouse
choose not to. They are not a victim.
Given that Modest Mouse has chosen for this EP not to be in wide release,
it is no one's right to say "Ok, well I want it anyways, I'll steal it."
And yes, it is possible for this to detract from sales. How many people
didn't buy the singles comp because they already had all the mp3
files? There are people, I can guarentee you, who did not buy the singles
comp because they had the files. I know at least three people personally
who didn't.
It's very important to remember that the band has a large degree of control
here. Maybe you should be questioning the band rather than the label about
its decisions?
I'm not saying I agree with either side, I simply want to present both
sides because it seems people are too easily following the "big
corporation=evil=I deserve the music" mind set. No one is protecting the
artistic integrity of a band besides the artist themselves. To say
otherwise is bullshit.
I know this all sounds quite harsh, and that's not how I intended it. I
think Russ is a great guy and I like his music, I liked it enough to spend
a lot of time doing a remix of it. I appreciate what he does, and
personally yes I did download and listen to the mp3s. But I think the
situation is a lot more complicated than most make it out to be.
At 10:45 AM 2/11/00 -0800, you wrote:
> > Same deal with the japanese tour ep. If you tried
> > hard enough....it was possible to get a copy for $6.
>
>
>I don't think the tour EP was EVER available for only
>$6, not even from K. In fact, I know it wasn't.
>I was able to get four copies directly from a store in
>Japan for about $15 a piece, and that was without
>shipping (which got to be a bit salty, kids).
>Don't get me wrong, however. I think it's excellent
>that Russ put them up because not everyone had the
>chance to buy them in the first place even if they had
>the money. My understanding is that there are only
>700 copies in existence worldwide, and since it went
>out of print immediately, it's not like the mp3's are
>detracting from sales of the EP on the market or
>anything like that.
>
> > Certainly Modest Mouse isn't oblivious to the fact
> > that fans would want to hear these songs
>
>Well, that's exactly where the major label comes in.
>Epic declared that they would no longer allow the sale
>of the tour EP because some of the songs were/are/have
>been re-recorded, and they didn't want anyone to
>undermine the buying power of their newest signing.
>There are publishing and copyright issues that Epic
>felt the need to protect, and unfortunately that
>screwed the general buying public (in the USA, at
>least) out of this excellent collection of songs.
>
>But thanks to the legendary Ruxx, the saga continues.
>
>And if you haven't thanked him today, for the
>countless mp3's or for protecting the artistic
>integrity of one of yr favorite bands or for putting
>up pictures of dope hotties for you to drool over,
>maybe you should thank him now. He's listening.
>
>
>unsolicited spokesman for the Ruxx campaign,
>*phiL*
