It's interesting you say that, jt, I stand corrected! :D So, how do bands make their money then? If its not through touring, and CD sales don't make a great deal, then how do they get their money? I have heard that thing about Bros, but I thought that was a pretty extreme example, I'm sure their managers shafted them royally!
As for the rise in ticket charges again you`ve missed the point. Name me anything that`s got cheaper in the last 5 years...........exactley you can`t. Nothing gets cheaper the increases are in line with everything & most other bands.
I could be a real smart arse and point something out (computer chips or something), but thats not really the point. I'm not saying that the chili peppers are charging a disproportionate amount compared to other bands, but rather that I think the pricing structure of
all large scale gigs is over-inflated.
I do think many record companies take vast liberties with their fanbases these days; I think they exploit them simpy because they know someone somewhere will always buy it - be it a reissued album with new track, a single issued in 3 different formats, a greatest hits with complimentary new half-arsed song. I know that this is the standard these days, but I find it sad that these processes have become so ingrained into the culture of the music industry that we don't even
question these things anymore. Is it fair? Is it exploitative? Just because all the other bands do it doesn't make it right, IMO.
For instance, I read on the RHCP forum about those Gold fanclub memberships you could buy for $40. They got you access to the Pre-sale tickets, of which there was a limit of 4 tickets per membership. However, early on the website incorrectly said you could get 6 tickets, and the ticketmaser website menu also allowed you to get 6. So some guys just bought the 6 tickets. Now they're being told that it should only have been 4 tickets so they're either going to have to buy another Gold Fanclub Membership for $40 or give back the extra 2 tickets. Even though this will free up a few tickets for fans like me, I still completely disagree with it. The mistake lies with the RHCP administration, so they are culpable in my eyes. But no! They must get their pound of flesh :(
I'm not meaning to rage specifically on the chili peppers. And I'm not against the music business - I understand that the minute you sign on the dotted line money is always going to be a concern; it's a business after all. But I'm sick and tired of being exploited and taken for a ride by multinational record labels just because they know they can. I will pay my money to see my favourite bands, and I will buy the new albums and singles and all that, but I don't appreciate being taken for a mug by the record companies. If I want to buy an album and it costs £15 - fine. I'm not happy with it, but unfortunately I'm going to have to pay that, aren't I? There's nothing else I can do. But I'm still allowed to retain the right to be unhappy with it.
Now fansites with lyrics and tabs on are being shut down and/or sued. I'm tired of this. If the record companies want to know why a large proportion of today's generation couldn't give a $% about profits dropping as a result of filesharing, why we don't believe them if they say they are concerned for the future of music, well they'd do well to have a look at themselves and their millionaire company CEO whose just taken a dedicated fan of a band to court simply because he published lyrics of the songs he loves on a website.
Simply, it stinks. :(