Tony Brummel Interview

[Pat Marquez]

Later on today I will be stopping by Victory Records (http://www.victoryrecords.com) for an interview with Tony Brummel. Please try to be mature and leave any questions you may have in the comments.

[xearlynovemberx]

ask him what made him want to start a label and what he envisioned when he did

[elemenohpe]

Is there any particular reason why it seems that just about any Victory related band gets a deal with the label for their side-projects or for other projects that form? (ie: Grade breaks up and Black Maria gets a deal, John and Shawn leave TBS and Straylight Run gets a deal, Giles gets a deal, Count The Stars breaks up and Action Action gets a deal)

[Saint Germain]

Whe he chose a bulldog as a logo for a music label.

[andy_187]

ask him how the heck hes doing today. :)

[elemenohpe]

...and I ask this one with the most maturity possible Pat, seriously.

Was the Giles record released just to make a quick buck? It was cheap to make (since it only required a keyboard and microphone to record) and could capitalize on the minimal success of Between The Buried and Me.

[andy_187]

oh and also.. how he thinks the label has gone down in the uk and what he has done/is doing to involve the uk and europe. and if he would ever sign any bands from over here.
thanks

[matt_rawlings]

Victory has become a much more diverse label over recent years with acts such as straylight run, spitalfield and june being prime examples of the label moving away from the primarily hardcore roots. Does he plan on signing more bands in the indie/emo/pop-rock vein and was this a concious descision to begin with?

[Frank Giaramita]

Ask him:

"Is it just coincidence that a lot of the bands on your label (and a lot of the other labels who have had to work with your label) speak poorly about your way of business?"

"You are notorious in this music scene. A lot of stories surround Victory Records and you impartciular... why? Is it safe to say that at least some of these stories (just based on probability) hold true?"

[matt_rawlings]

Another question, most victory label releases now come with an obligatory "this band sounds like *insert popular band names*" sticker. Was this a way of introducing more people to the music of your label by helping them relate with artists they allready know or a blatant money spinning ploy

[BeerNSluts]

Is there any particular reason why it seems that just about any Victory related band gets a deal with the label for their side-projects or for other projects that form? (ie: Grade breaks up and Black Maria gets a deal, John and Shawn leave TBS and Straylight Run gets a deal, Giles gets a deal, Count The Stars breaks up and Action Action gets a deal)

From what I was told, when they sign a contract. They agree that any side project will be released by them. Something along those lines.

[Rohan Kohli]

...and I ask this one with the most maturity possible Pat, seriously.

Was the Giles record released just to make a quick buck? It was cheap to make (since it only required a keyboard and microphone to record) and could capitalize on the minimal success of Between The Buried and Me.

I like BTBAM, but Giles was simply not good.

[matt_rawlings]

From what I was told, when they sign a contract. They agree that any side project will be released by them. Something along those lines.

That sounds kind of like blackmail

[normitron]

Ask him how many jew baby hearts he had for breakfast and does he really feel that they give him the power of immortal life.

Also ask him what his record for signing bands in a month are and does he plan on breaking that record.

And also will he ever stop signing shitty chicago bands? There are lots of shitty bands all over the country that need signing.

[Pat Marquez]

From what I was told, when they sign a contract. They agree that any side project will be released by them. Something along those lines.
I'm pretty sure that is true as well. We'll find out today.

[Trust]

That sounds kind of like blackmail

Not at all, every single band has a clause like that with their label. If that clause wasn't there, a band could just "break up" and then resurface with the same members just to get out of their contract with their label.

[Pat Marquez]

Ask him how many jew baby hearts he had for breakfast and does he really feel that they give him the power of immortal life.

Also ask him what his record for signing bands in a month are and does he plan on breaking that record.

And also will he ever stop signing shitty chicago bands? There are lots of shitty bands all over the country that need signing.
You gotta be kidding me dude.. you are listening to MXPX and Goldfinger... at least admit that is shit.

[Trainsaw]

I'm going to take the high road with this question, so whats its like to be a douche?

[Trust]

"Why do you approach the music industry like it's a WWF cage match?"

[Trainsaw]

"Why do you approach the music industry like it's a WWF cage match?"
ahahahahahaha

[elemenohpe]

I like BTBAM, but Giles was simply not good.

that seems to be what everybody thinks. which is what makes me question the integrity of a label willing to release a Giles record.

[deadandgone]

"Why do you approach the music industry like it's a WWF cage match?"

Pardon me...but I think it's WWE....

[Self_Destruct]

Is there any particular reason why it seems that just about any Victory related band gets a deal with the label for their side-projects or for other projects that form? (ie: Grade breaks up and Black Maria gets a deal, John and Shawn leave TBS and Straylight Run gets a deal, Giles gets a deal, Count The Stars breaks up and Action Action gets a deal)


Action Action came from members of Count the Stars?? I did not know that. I just got out my Count the Stars cd the other day and listened to it.

[jnkbondtrader]

Why arent any Victory Records artists available for download on digital music webstores such as itunes and cdigix?

[elemenohpe]

Why arent any Victory Records artists available for download on digital music webstores such as itunes and cdigix?

and as a related question...

Why do Victory Records releases always leak SO early? (oh, and after he answers, tell him that the new Hawthorne Heights sucks... it'll be funny, you know it will be.)

[AsianPersuAsian]

Ask him why a band would want to be on his label. What can he offer that other labels can't. Does he feel that Victory Records can better off a band more than a major label?

[intoyourarms]

Ask him why he promotes the hell out of Hawthorne Heights and lets all of his other bands with much more talent go under the radar?

[BeerNSluts]

Why arent any Victory Records artists available for download on digital music webstores such as itunes and cdigix?
Must've missed the post about what he said to the guy from iTunes. Apple makes most of the profit from the music that is on the site. Reason why labels want more of a share since Apple is taking in all the benefits.


Also, in regards to the contract deal, I was told (I know I said that before), but Victory/Trustkill contracts are somewhat the same. Not very "incentive" to the artist themself.

I know many people dislike Tony with a passion. He's brilliant, you can't deny that. The man uses good and bad press to fuel his promotion. I think he does most of his rants just to get a kick out of people. And when he does, the label gets more attention and so does their artists.

[Adeniz19]

ask him what his process is in picking bands? what makes bands like HH and Aiden stand out to him? is he in it for music integrity or just to make a buck? what does he think of the music "scene" today?

[fromwithin]

I'd like to know why certain artists are pushed more than others. I can understand the obvious ones (Hawthorne Heights, TBS, Straylight Run), but if you listen to a band like Spitalfield they are just SCREAMING to get through to the mainstream, yet they get no respectable tours or push whatsoever. They've constantly opened for bands who are smaller than they are in career length and its just painful to see a great band like this go unnoticed for so long. Oh and about the side project thing, it is a clause in the contract. I bet most of the bands don't even think twice when they sign the contract with that clause cause they think oh we'll never break up or they don't have side projects.

[muzicbiz00]

Ask Tony why he is annoyed at the media. Does he think he burned bridges over the RIAA Gold Record incident?

[jsteil]

Hey pat, long time no talk.

Ask Tony about him signing 4 bands from the Chicago area (june, the junior varsity, and etc) and what that represents for the label being that Victory is based in Chicago, is he trying to prove a point.

[CrucifiedHeart]

1. What is HIS honest favorite Victory band and/or favorite Victory record (of all time)

2. Is he really the Suge Knight of this current scene

3. What does he think about Buddyhead

[BeerNSluts]

1. What is HIS honest favorite Victory band and/or favorite Victory record (of all time)

2. Is he really the Suge Knight of this current scene

3. What does he think about Buddyhead

#2 is a golden question. Ask him that. I'd love to hear his response.

[matt_rawlings]

another couple of questions;

1: What are your favourite bands at the moment (and he sin't alowed to say bands on his label, because lets face it, he will just plug the hell out of himself at any chance)

2:Is he interested in any bands at the moment?

[YellowNovember]

Ask him why he doesnt promote all his bands equally or even close to equal. I mean Spitalfield has got a little promo and the new HH cd not even out yet has gotten triple the promo Spitalfield got.

[Trust]

"If you HAD TO pick one, what would be your favorite major label and why?"


Hearing Tony talk good about any major label would make me smile.

[siimpx]

Ask him why a band would want to be on his label. What can he offer that other labels can't. Does he feel that Victory Records can better off a band more than a major label?

i want to know this one too.

[BeerNSluts]

Ask him why he doesnt promote all his bands equally or even close to equal. I mean Spitalfield has got a little promo and the new HH cd not even out yet has gotten triple the promo Spitalfield got.

Simple, HH sold over 500k. There isn't a label that can promote each band the same. If there is a band that is doing triple the sales of another, do you expect the label to not do more promo?

[matt_rawlings]

Does he have any kind of quality control proceedure on his releases i.e. does he even listen to a cd before it is released, think it is shitty and then release it anyway without question.
Also, what is the biggest mistake your label has made/most regretable signing you have made

Have you ever rejected a band, only for them to release their record on a rival label and become huge? If so, what band/s?

[thedood]

Any regrets? On not signing or signing a band...not promoting a band, too much faith in one band? Anything like that.

Also...accomplishments- bands he saw at an early stage and knew they were going to go big.

[I.O]

Does he think his method of giving bands small budgets to record, but large amounts of money and push in advertisments (Ads,commercials,banners etc) is effective.

Does he feel its disrespectful to but RAYBEEZ's name on current victory cds like hawthorne heights,wouldnt raybeez find it offensive?

Does he still care/listen to hardcore

What is the deal with reading employes private emails? Manyhave spoken regarding this issue.

Why trap bands withuge contracts so all of there new projects after there band breaks up hast be on victory?

[tsunami_bomber]

Ask him if he listens to Victory releases outside of work. Are business and personal taste in music two separate entities to him?

[Lemieux66]

Later on today I will be stopping by Victory Records (http://www.victoryrecords.com) for an interview with Tony Brummel. Please try to be mature and leave any questions you may have in the comments.

You mean as mature as Tony Brummel?

I dont think I have enough shit to sling.

[Pat Marquez]

You mean as mature as Tony Brummel?

I dont think I have enough shit to sling.
it's absolutely crazy how quick we form an opinion on someone with never speaking to them.

[elemenohpe]

here's a good one.

In the linear notes to Between The Buried and Me's newest release it says "Blake and Dustie appear courtesy of Abacus Recordings". Is this because Abacus won't let them be an official member of the "Victory family" due to their obligation to the label with Glass Casket? Also, why not just sign Glass Casket? Victory picks up enough bands after releasing one descent album (BTBAM, Sinai Beach, etc).

[YellowNovember]

Simple, HH sold over 500k. There isn't a label that can promote each band the same. If there is a band that is doing triple the sales of another, do you expect the label to not do more promo?
But the fact that thet did absolutely shit for promote the first Spitalfield cd. I want to know why they did nothing at all, when this band could be bigger than HH. HH's first cd got still way more promo than Spitalfields

[Kid Dynamatt]

Ask him how many jew baby hearts he had for breakfast and does he really feel that they give him the power of immortal life.

Bro, that would have been so funny if it wasn't lifted from David Cross.

Some other things I noticed off this thread...

1) Action, Action was not a result of Count the Stars breaking up. The Reunion Show needed to change their name. I know, I know, it's not even the same band anymore. Blah blah bler.

2) As far as side projects getting picked up by the same label - it's not just Victory. Most labels put that in their contracts. It gives them first dibs on bands that are formed as a result of bands breaking up/departing members. Check it.

[Yankees' #1 Fan]

Ask him how many jew baby hearts he had for breakfast and does he really feel that they give him the power of immortal life.



:lol::lol::lol:

[BarrelIsPointed]

The "first" Spitalfield cd? Which Spitalfield cd are you talking about? Because if you are listening to early Spitalfield, you'll know why it wasn't pushed.

[MomentOfSilence]

Ask him what the deal with Streetlight Manifesto is.

[YellowNovember]

The "first" Spitalfield cd? Which Spitalfield cd are you talking about? Because if you are listening to early Spitalfield, you'll know why it wasn't pushed.

Remember Right Now one of the best pop punk cd's that I own

[brandonrocks]

ask why he fucked thursday over for so long

[BarrelIsPointed]

Remember Right Now one of the best pop punk cd's that I own

I wasn't bashing Remember Right Now. I really like that album, I was just saying that it wasn't their first one, they had 2 other releases before that one.

[BeerNSluts]

But the fact that thet did absolutely shit for promote the first Spitalfield cd. I want to know why they did nothing at all, when this band could be bigger than HH. HH's first cd got still way more promo than Spitalfields
Spitalfield couldn't sell more records than HH even if Tony promoted them 20x more.

I'm not even a fan of HH, but if I ran a label and heard their first CD, I would've signed them in a heartbeat. And pushed that CD to wherever I could.

[cherrystarr]

ask if not having a college education has made it harder for him to make it in the buisiness. and if he could go back, would he have taken any college courses.

[BarrelIsPointed]

Another thing...why are you doing so much HH bashing when they are number 4 on your top plays list?

[BeerNSluts]

what releases did they have before that, and were they even on victory?


are you kidding? remember right now was an incredible pop-rock record. probably one of the last great pop-punk cd's released.

I never said the album wasn't good, but if I was to go with either Spital or HH for sales, HH would be it.

[ACA]

"Why do you approach the music industry like it's a WWF cage match?"

HAHAHHAHAAHHAHAHH.

Spot on, spot on.

Serious question: "Why did you not allow Thursday to print the lyrics in their booklet? What's your side of that story?"

-ACA

[YellowNovember]

Another thing...why are you doing so much HH bashing when they are number 4 on your top plays list?

I am not bashing them its just a smiple question that I would like to know the answer to. As for HH number four on my shit is bc I try to give every cd a chance.

[brandonrocks]

what the hell were you thinking with the victory suv?

[Ashley]

Ask him how he sleeps at night when he never pays his bands...asshole. This guy is the biggest POS in the music biz and you are going to interview him. I could not resist asking him why he's a lying cheating bastard. Ask him how the lawsuit to take Victory down is going.

[YellowNovember]

why do you say that? i mean the whole fascination with angst-rock is a relatively new thing i think. if both bands came to me with albums im pushing the spitalfield.

why would you push the hh, i mean without knowing what you know now. what would be the basis of pushing them?

Thank you you just said what I have been trying to

[brandonrocks]

can he grow hair? or does he just enjoy looking like a giant wang.

[Kid Dynamatt]

why did they have to change their name?

are there or arent there two members from count the stars in the band?

I have no idea who is now in Action, Action. What I do know is that The Reunion Show (now Action, Action) was signed to Victory Records before Count the Stars was signed (I am 87% positive). And if I am wrong in that assumption, I am positive that they were signed before Count the Stars broke up. This proves that Action, Action was not formed as a result of Count the Stars demise.

[ACA]

I have no idea who is now in Action, Action. What I do know is that The Reunion Show (now Action, Action) was signed to Victory Records before Count the Stars was signed (I am 87% positive). And if I am wrong in that assumption, I am positive that they were signed before Count the Stars broke up. This proves that Action, Action was not formed as a result of Count the Stars demise.

I'm pretty sure CTS's guitarist is in Action Action.. not positive.

-ACA

[BarrelIsPointed]

Ask him why he's taking the time to be interviewed by a website that so adamantly does not like him, and bash him every chance they get?

[Underoath09]

Ask him why Spitalfield isnt getting as much coverage as Hawthorne Heights, Silverstein, etc? b/c spitalfield is more of a band than HH.

[emptyvictory]

also-- has he been diagnosed as having schizophrenia?-(a mental disorder known as "split personality") cuz the more successful bands on his label gets the more unstable he becomes!


ask why he fucked thursday over for so long

[Pat Marquez]

haha keyboards hold so much power these days.

[Stereo Therapy]

this next question is a little touchy. ive just been hearing a lot of rumors and id like to hear his perspective...

How did you deal with the difficult situations of having a "member of the team" killed and having another's girlfriend murdered?



EDIT: after reading that again, it sounds a bit insensitive on my part and i want it to be known i dont mean to be at all and i recognize the seriousness of both situations.

[resUrectMe617]

i absolutely have no idea if this was asked already because i didn't go through the previous 5 pages of replies.. but i'm just wondering why Victory seemingly did nothing to help promote or spread the word of Olamide's (RIP) disappearance? maybe I just didn't see any help from them...but it seems that it never existed to them. with all of the resources, and networking connections that victory had, i honestly thought that they'd step up. i mean after all.... victory is one big happy family right?

i think that's what sets apart victory from other labels like Fueled by Ramen or Drive Thru. the two latter labels just seem like a very close-knit family, where bands aren't just another number. I can totally see Richard doing something if one of the DTR bands had an emergency or crisis, likewise with Vinnie at FBR.

[Trust]

Ask him how he sleeps at night when he never pays his bands...asshole. This guy is the biggest POS in the music biz and you are going to interview him. I could not resist asking him why he's a lying cheating bastard. Ask him how the lawsuit to take Victory down is going.
Seirously, I can't wait until this whole ordeal gets made public and I hope Atreyu rapes him in court of every dollar he has.

Also, to Pat, you don't need to 'talk to somebody" to tell they're a piece of shit. I bet you watch the news every day and have no problem calling the robbers, thieves, murderes, rapists (who you don't even know) "pieces of shit"... Tony is a cold-hearted theif and that in itself is enough of a foundation to label someone a prick.

[emptyvictory]

http://myspace-291.vo.llnwd.net/00294/19/23/294813291_l.jpg
the second and fourth guy were in count the stars.

also, didn't the reunion show have a vocalist?
YESSS-indeed--Brian Diaz--voice of gold--come back to the mic Brian!--

[lividman5k]

oh and also.. how he thinks the label has gone down in the uk and what he has done/is doing to involve the uk and europe. and if he would ever sign any bands from over here.
thanks


They already did: Thumb (Don't know if these guys still exist) and Waterdown (new record in january) from Germany for example. Or The Hurt Process (UK). Maybe there are others, but I don't know another one at this moment...

My questions:
1.Ask him what's behind the whole re-release thing. If he really thinks that a "real" fan would buy the record twice for a couple of bonus songs and maybe a DVD or if it is meant more for people, whole always wanted to buy the record but didn't do it, to do it now (Don't know if this sentence makes sense, but I hope it does...)

2.If he only listen to Victory bands or if there are any others (in the articel of The Onion it sounded like he just listen to Victory bands)

3.What he thinks of his staff (The answer could proof if he's really a tyrant :D )

[Comandante]

What is his favorite release ever? And If he could sign any band on another label who?

[splitsecond]

Ask him how much he loves the cock.





















Sorry, I am incapable of beingt mature.

[AdamTheBomb21]

No questions but im suprised how many good questions there are. I thought everyone was just going to rip Tony a new one

[lividman5k]

hmm...http://www.rhino.com/rzine/storykeeper.lasso?storyID=360

[emptyvictory]

They already did: Thumb (Don't know if these guys still exist) and Waterdown (new record in january) from Germany for example. Or The Hurt Process (UK). Maybe there are others, but I don't know another one at this moment...

My questions:
1.Ask him what's behind the whole re-release thing. If he really thinks that a "real" fan would buy the record twice for a couple of bonus songs and maybe a DVD or if it is meant more for people, whole always wanted to buy the record but didn't do it, to do it now (Don't know if this sentence makes sense, but I hope it does...)

2.If he only listen to Victory bands or if there are any others (in the articel of The Onion it sounded like he just listen to Victory bands)

3.What he thinks of his staff (The answer could proof if he's really a tyrant :D )

let me ask a question we can all answer---if a fellow employee came to you and confidentally told you he was quiting in a week would you tell your boss?

if your answer is no --would you expect to loose your job if later, your boss found out you knew

[Christian]

That sounds kind of like blackmail
When you sign a contract you are giving the label the rights to the music you produce. What happens is that if you make music outside of the group you are signed with intentions of distributing said music for sale, the label you are signed to has first crack at signing the band. They cannot sign to anyone else unless the first label rejects the band and okays it. When you sign your name to a three album or whatever contract, you are obligated to produce three albums for the label. There are two ways out of this, have your contract boguht out, or being dropped. It's not only on Victory it's every label. Look at The Movielife breakin up and I am the Avalanche being signed to Drive-Thru. Also, Glassjaw and Head Automatica on Warner. I know for a fact that is one reason that James from Reggie and the Full Effect is not an "official" part of NFG. Except for the fact that Vagrant is part of Geffen that will make that situation a little easier.

[BarrelIsPointed]

When you sign a contract you are giving the label the rights to the music you produce. What happens is that if you make music outside of the group you are signed with intentions of distributing said music for sale, the label you are signed to has first crack at signing the band. They cannot sign to anyone else unless the first label rejects the band and okays it. When you sign your name to a three album or whatever contract, you are obligated to produce three albums for the label. There are two ways out of this, have your contract boguht out, or being dropped. It's not only on Victory it's every label. Look at The Movielife breakin up and I am the Avalanche being signed to Drive-Thru. Also, Glassjaw and Head Automatica on Warner. I know for a fact that is one reason that James from Reggie and the Full Effect is not an "official" part of NFG. Except for the fact that Vagrant is part of Geffen that will make that situation a little easier.

I don't know much about Nightmare of You, but why weren't they signed by Drive-Thru as well then?

[emptyvictory]

he had a big voice. you have any idea why he left the reunion show?
it's been so long I can't remmeber--(me thinks he spells name Bryan and not Brian)

[Trust]

It's funny, because Tony talks about how the label is in a league of their own and no independent labels can touch them... meanwhile Disney is actually the biggest label in the world and their sales own anything Victory can ever imagine. Haha.

[Rufio21]

ask him what made him want to start a label and what he envisioned when he did

I could answer that for ya... TO TAKE OVER THE WORLD!!!!!! HES SUPERMAN!

[yourmom91685]

That question about personal taste as opposed to business taste that someone said earliere is really rood. I'd really like to hear about what he listens to in his personal time and if business taste and personal taste are two different things to him.

[Kid Dynamatt]

http://myspace-291.vo.llnwd.net/00294/19/23/294813291_l.jpg
the second and fourth guy were in count the stars.

also, didn't the reunion show have a vocalist?

Broham.

You missed my point. I don't care who is in the band now. It could be a Saves the Day situation where only one original member remains. What I was saying was the breakup of the band Count the Stars did not lead to the formation of the band Action, Action. I think I was pretty clear on that.

[MESTUPSH0W0FF]

What happened to Student Rick? They obviously started the scene!

Also, LOADED STATEMENT ALERT!!!

"Is it just coincidence that a lot of the bands on your label (and a lot of the other labels who have had to work with your label) speak poorly about your way of business?"

"You are notorious in this music scene. A lot of stories surround Victory Records and you impartciular... why? Is it safe to say that at least some of these stories (just based on probability) hold true?"

[X__inhope]

i absolutely have no idea if this was asked already because i didn't go through the previous 5 pages of replies.. but i'm just wondering why Victory seemingly did nothing to help promote or spread the word of Olamide's (RIP) disappearance?

...

with all of the resources, and networking connections that victory had, i honestly thought that they'd step up.
excellent question

[GeekChicOhio]

Ask him whether or not he feels it's truly beneficial for either band mentioned to attempt to market bands solely on the fact that the label seems to think they have arbitrarily similar sounds.
i.e. "Remember Taking Back Sunday? Introducing JUNE!"
How good can this really be for either TBS or for June?

[X__inhope]

Ask him whether or not he feels it's truly beneficial for either band mentioned to attempt to market bands solely on the fact that the label seems to think they have arbitrarily similar sounds.
i.e. "Remember Taking Back Sunday? Introducing JUNE!"
How good can this really be for either TBS or for June?
good for june because kids will see it and go, OMG I LOVE TAKING BACK SUNDAY SO ILL LOVE THIS!

which is cool. june is good. good for them if they get a few more sales out of it.


but are tjv and hh similar??

[ALI.v.s.FRAZIER]

ask him about his old band (he was the frontman)

only the strong - never again.mp3 (http://www.middleagedyouth.com/audio/OnlyTheStrong-Rehearsal1989-01-NeverAgain.mp3)

only the strong - survival.mp3 (http://www.middleagedyouth.com/audio/OnlyTheStrong-Rehearsal1989-02-Survival.mp3)

[X__inhope]

hahaha

[xscreamingeyesx]

Another question, most victory label releases now come with an obligatory "this band sounds like *insert popular band names*" sticker. Was this a way of introducing more people to the music of your label by helping them relate with artists they allready know or a blatant money spinning ploy


What sort of an answer do you really think you're gonna get from that? "Oh yes, that has nothing to do with managing interest in our bands, we only wanted to 'spin money'. Good question, thanks for asking that."

[thewebguy]

Later on today I will be stopping by Victory Records (http://www.victoryrecords.com) for an interview with Tony Brummel. Please try to be mature and leave any questions you may have in the comments.

ask him to describe why he and itunes can't work a deal. what sort of deal are victory looking for? what sort of deal are apple looking for?

[Saves The Night]

Ask him what "pop music is dead, our music is now" means because I still have no clue what he's getting at. Hawthorne Heights is the new pop.

[mr fun]

That sounds kind of like blackmail

It is and it isn't. If a label is going to drop (especially in Victory's case) about $100,000 to launch a band then they want that artist to commit to being part of the company for a long time. Why should he worry about that side project going somewhere else and diminishing the value of what he invested in?

Also, labels like Victory, sign their artists as individuals to multiple album deals, not just as P/K/A (their Professionally Known As) band name. This means that Straylight Run was obligated to record for Victory. Ultimately, the band signs the deal they sign, under the guidance of an attorney, and most bands fall all over themselves to give their lives away for a chance at the brass ring. Don't hate the playa, hate the game.

[mr fun]

Not at all, every single band has a clause like that with their label. If that clause wasn't there, a band could just "break up" and then resurface with the same members just to get out of their contract with their label.

True, but like I said in my previous reply, contracts are with individuals under their band name. It's the people working under the name that are signed.

[thewebguy]

Must've missed the post about what he said to the guy from iTunes. Apple makes most of the profit from the music that is on the site. Reason why labels want more of a share since Apple is taking in all the benefits.

nooooooo, apple does not make most of the profit from the music. they make a few pennies per song, probably less than the cost of bandwidth. they make their profits by selling ipods to people who use itunes.

[Crimson_Curse]

do you ever get mistaken for mr. clean?


sorry I had too

[Electric Child]

Is it true that, in the victory contract, it states that if a band is to leave victory, they must sign to a major label?

[makebelieve327]

nooooooo, apple does not make most of the profit from the music. they make a few pennies per song, probably less than the cost of bandwidth. they make their profits by selling ipods to people who use itunes.

I thought I read somewhere that Apple makes approximately $0.35 on each song, the label about $0.55 and the band $0.10.

[NationalProduct]

Is there any particular reason why it seems that just about any Victory related band gets a deal with the label for their side-projects or for other projects that form? (ie: Grade breaks up and Black Maria gets a deal, John and Shawn leave TBS and Straylight Run gets a deal, Giles gets a deal, Count The Stars breaks up and Action Action gets a deal)

I can help with that one....basically when a band signs their record deal with a label. Its states that the terms are for X amount of records. It also states in the contract unless otherwise negotiated, that the artists contract is only void if the band completely dissolves. However if the artist starts up another project in the entertainment field as a musician whether solo or with a group. The label has the first right to look at the project and decide whether or not they want it. So that why you see bands like that still on the same label.

[brandonrocks]

why does he shit all over his own bands unless they make him money?

[drivethru770]

I will not go through over one-hundred posts to see if someone has already asked this. Here is my question:

What is Tony's problem with Spitalfield? They're easily one of the best and hardest-working (they also happen to be some of the nicest guys ever) pop/rock bands out there (I even think they rival the Foo Fighters), yet I've seen one of their videos on TV just once, while I have seen that beat $5 HH is for lovers, spiders, old ladies, and swinging microphones video 198,000 times and I barely watch TV. Spitalfield deserves more credit, along with a lot of other Victory bands. What makes a band like HH catch on? I think it's the promotion.

[Lemieux66]

it's absolutely crazy how quick we form an opinion on someone with never speaking to them.


Not as crazy as your assumption.

[xxnotetoselfxx]

what is the best way for a band to capture his attention?

[Kid Dynamatt]

i dont remember saying that the break up count the stars led to action action. all i was saying is action action is two parts reunion show two parts count the stars.

I am not saying you did. I am saying someone did. The fact that you were arguing such an unimportant fact made me think you were the culprit. Sorries!

[FASSWcore]

ask him about the harder bands on the label (btbam and darkest hour) and if any similar bands will joing the roster in the future? or is victory heading in the more rock-oriented direction?

[JoeNYC1225]

For Mr. Tony - Are you proud of the fact that people are skeptical when doing business with you? Do you think that most managers are smarter than you, and you know you give bands WITHOUT real managers, shit deals? Since we know you're not really looking out for the bands, other than dumping money into marketing, even though you have to add a million bands on 1 marketing sticker, god forbid one of your bands create their own identity before you ruin them. Why do you take more than 50% of the bands retail merch. Why do you also take over 50% of the bands publishing? Why do you take away a bands creative process? Have you gotten sued yet since you used the likeness of Depeche Mode on Action Action's tour posters w/o even asking the band if it was okay to use DM's name? Let your bands be ARTISTS please...You shouldn't be so defensive when someone tries to corrospond via Email with you, since you never do return phone calls. I guess it is easier to hide behind a computer screen while doing business.

[bikescene]

"why are you an insensitive, dollar-grabbing shit?"

that's a serious question.

[AHMYBRAIN]

Ask him why he refuses to support Streetlight Manifesto in any way shape or form.

[MomentOfSilence]

Ask him why he refuses to support Streetlight Manifesto in any way shape or form.

AMEN.

Robbed? Huh? What?

[ansonyuhas]

Another question, most victory label releases now come with an obligatory "this band sounds like *insert popular band names*" sticker. Was this a way of introducing more people to the music of your label by helping them relate with artists they allready know or a blatant money spinning ploy<P>I'm sure you will get an honest answer to this questions.