Sunday, November 25, 2007

It's been 10 years...

Seeing that we have listed the guitarists that inspired us, it reminds me that this month (the 12th) is 10 years since one of my musical heros passed away, Rainer Ptack. Here' s a clip of him with his band, Das Combo, a track taken from the album release on the 12th this month:

On a side note: This album is available for download on iTunes, Amazon, etc, etc. Yeah, super-excited me though: Now I don't even have to wait for the shipment of the CD! Jippi! But, of course, I should have learned. Every time I'm letting my guard down, faith jumps up and kicks me in the groan. Of course they only let US citizen download tracks from iTunes, Amazon, etc. Those are paid downloads. And the record industry complains about pirate downloads? Djezes...

11 comments:

Wilhelm said...

....not to rain on your parade, brotha, but piracy does kill music......there's absolutely NO doubt about that

Anders said...

Well, I know that the record industry thinks so, and I'm not gonna argue that. But, that was not my point. My point is: Why don't they make it possible for me to legally buy a brand new release from my favorite artist? They won't let me pay for the download, since I'm not in the US. That way the record company (or in this case, iTunes/ Amazon) leaves no legal way for the rest of the world to download this release. That leads to piracy, don't you agree?

As for Rainer: I don't think that anybody could accuse me for not paying for the Rainer recordings I have. And I will of course buy the album (in fact, probalby two copies. One for me and one for you ;-D), but I would have also bought the download (if possible) so I could start listen today! As I see it, the record industry/ artist/ etc looses 9 bucks this way.

Wilhelm said...

I know broski - you've probably bought 97% of all the units being shipped out.

But 'tis true - data are starting to come in on the development since tunes became possible to download for a small fee from the record company, and guess what: When people have the choice between downloading stuff for free and paying a little bit to download the same songs, they opt to steal. Not too many people like you who'd prefer to pay the recording artist, dawg.

Piracy kills music.


....end of thread hijacking

Wilhelm said...

Ain't that the same type geetar you bought, Anders?

Anders said...

Ain't that the same type geetar you bought, Anders?

Wait, let me check that...
Mmmh... guess you might be right.
;-)

Wilhelm said...

Uh-huh.....

thought I recognized that sucka'

Anders said...

But 'tis true - data are starting to come in on the development since tunes became possible to download for a small fee from the record company, and guess what: When people have the choice between downloading stuff for free and paying a little bit to download the same songs, they opt to steal. Not too many people like you who'd prefer to pay the recording artist, dawg.

Piracy kills music.


It kills the record companies. If the artist wants to give out his/her music for free, shouldn't they be allowed? And the statistics that shows decline in sales are schewed. Also, the only real survey I've seen of this (i.e. one that is not from Sony BMG or The Pirate Bay) shows that downloading has minimal effect on sales. I can't remember the details, I might dig it up some for a later post.

However, this is not the main problem. The main problem is that we start to see extreme groups in both ends of this dicussion: The record companies that think they have the right to do almost anything (which includes some privacy issues) to protect their investment on one side, young people that means that they shouldn't pay for anything at all, that it all should be free, on the other.

I do not support the Pircay Kills Music campain for this reasons. However, to copy CDs and DVDs and sell them (or give them away for free, for that matter) is still illegal, I do agree with that.

My concern here is: Should we allow laws to be passed that makes almost all (young people) criminals, just to protect the record companies? I still want it to be illegal to copy a CD and distribute it (regardless of it being a download or hardcopy), but we must not let the laws strangle creativity and new artists.

Wilhelm said...

...you don't call it piracy if the artist puts out stuff for free downloads.

And the thing is; who gave you the idea that piracy only kills the record companies? Don't forget that there are two sets of economies for the recording artist, based on how big he/she/the band is. This has to be seen in conjunction with touring. Small bands make money off of gigging, perhaps merchandising, but use cd's primarily to market themselves to get more gigs.

Hyooge bands actually lose money on touring (because they have to bring 25 boatloads of pyro, 3500 special assistants, etc), but more than make up for it on record sales + merch.

Screw up cd sales, and you screw the artists.

But for me, the bottom line is: If I make a product of some kind and put time and effort into that, I don't want anyone to steal my stuff. That's theft. My living is made based on research, and you bet your ass that if someone blatantly steals my stuff, like hacks into the server or whatever, I'll take legal action.

Stealing is stealing, and don't tell me that some snotty mofo who downloads 500 albums doesn't know or understand that these units cost money, of which a fraction goes to the record company, and a fraction goes to the artist.

Wilhelm said...

..notice I use the term "legal action" because what I'd actually do wouldn't be very smart to put in writing, in this hypothetical situation.

Anders said...

Yes, we do agree that steeling is steeling. So copying a CD/DVD/your research/ whatever and distribute it is illegal. It's steeling.

But, then again, how about the other issue? Copying a CD and giving it to a friend is actually legal in Norway (or used to be). Copying a CD to have in your car is also legal. However, several sites won't allow you to play downloaded music on your MP3-player (for example).
And I think there should be a difference of using a song as a soundtrack that some kids and his buddies makes (it should be free as long as it isn't sold) and a song as a soundtrack to a Hollywood production. And if you make an amatuer recording of a famous song, it should also be free (again, as long as you don't sell it or make money out of it). Guitar tabs? Posting lyrics on the internet?

I'm not saying that music and download should be free. In fact, I'm saying that it shouldn't. I'm just saying that we should not pass laws that actually inhibits creativity and expression, which is important for new artist and the music has a whole. An example: Check out the old blues artist. They borrowed/stole from each other, both lyrics and licks, and made their own stuff. Blues would have died, and rock would never have happende if somebody took copyright on 12 bar I-IV-V prgression and the phrase "Woke up this mornin'..."

And also: "Screw up cd sales, and you screw the artists."

Doesn't have to be CDs (or any other hardcopy) as long as the artist etc get paid.
Let me get two things straight:
1. I'm all for supporting artist.
2. I don't mean "screw the record companies". They serve an important role in the music industry.

Wilhelm said...

...I'm making a separate thread, broski