Dan Yemin Of Lifetime Addresses Fans

[Rohan Kohli]

Dan Yemin of Lifetime (http://www.purevolume.com/lifetimenj) and Paint It Black (http://www.purevolume.com/paintitblack) recently sent out the following message regarding Lifetime's decision to sign to Decaydance Records (http://www.myspace.com/decaydancerecords).
Hey everyone, this is Dan Y. and I sing and write the songs for Paint It Black. I also play guitar in Lifetime. As you probably know if you're receiving this, Paint It Black is pretty heavily concerned with political subject matter, and for me personally it's always been important to try to keep my actions and my lifestyle consistent with my beliefs and ideals.

A lot of people have been upset by the news that Lifetime has signed to Fueled by Ramen/DecayDance records. From what I can tell, most of the uproar is based on people jumping to conclusions or making inaccurate assumptions. I'm flattered that Lifetime and Paint It Black are important enough to people that they can get this upset about who puts out our records. I'm also really happy that people care what we believe in and whether or not we're sincere. This is punk rock and those things are important. I totally understand that people feel like they have some ownership of theband and the music because it's played a large part in their lives, and I'm gratified and flattered by that.

I'm concerned that some people seem to be questioning the legitimacy of Paint It Black because of this. I wish I could be punk enough to say that I don't care what people think, but that would be dishonest. I'm more than a little upset over some of the vicious things people have said on message boards.

I can honestly say that Lifetime hasn't done anything that I'm ashamed of, but I understand that people have questions, and I'm more than willing to answer them. I want to encourage people to contact me here at our myspace page and feel free to ask whatever questions that you might have about what any of this news means for Lifetime or for Paint It Black. Just be sure to put "Lifetime" in the subject heading.

I'll give you the FAQ to start with, it might make things easier:

1. Fueled By Ramen/DecayDance is neither owned nor funded by a major label, I made sure of that.
2. Our motivation in signing is not to "cash in " or "sell out". We simply wanted the resources to make the record we wanted. I still make more money if I stay home and go to work. We all have day jobs and it will stay that way.
3. No $$$ advance, just a recording budget.
4. No "big name producer" on the recording, just Steve Evetts who recorded "Hello Bastards", "Jersey's Best Dancers", and "Tinnitus", and also all the Kid Dynamite stuff. Although I suppose Steve has become a big name in his own right in the last 8 years. We will be working at the same old studio, TraxEast in NJ.
5. The new stuff is fast melodic HCpunk, like the old stuff.
6. No one will be interfering with our songwriting or recording.
7. When we play something big and ridiculous (Bamboozled) we will attempt to balance with something intimate (Court Tavern, New Brunswick).

thanks for caring. I look forward to answering your questions... -dy

[Colin Farrell]

great band

[Save my day]

I think it's cool the band took the time to do this.

[whitelines]

pretty gay television channel, i haven't checked out the band.

[fromwithin]

"This is punk rock and those things are important."

"I wish I could be punk enough...."

what a joke. he wouldve been better keeping his mouth shut.

[splitsecond]

No major funding FBR? Thats complete and utter bullshit. FBR is a straight up front for majors. Regardless of whether majors are "investing" "blackboxing" or "upstreaming", FBR is making a shitload of money with the help of major labels.


That being said, I could care less who Lifetime signs with. Just dont try and bullshit me with that line.

[homicide hearts]

one of the greatest and most influential bands in the punk scene!

much love and respect for lifetime. cant wait to hear the new album!

[jfb392]

I don't even care what label it's on..
Lifetime is Lifetime.

[china white]

I'm glad that there's gonna be a new lifetime record, period.

[chokeychicken]

this addressed a lot of the things i was concerned about as a lifetime and paint it black fan. for the most part, i am relieved. i really liked the part that said that nobody is going to change the music they are playing or the lyrics they are writing. i also REALLY like the part about balancing out the big stuff like bamboozle with a small intimate show. i have the utmost respect for dan yemin, and cannnot wait for this record.

[chokeychicken]

by the way, AP.net needs a lifetime icon.

[Trust]

1. Fueled By Ramen/DecayDance is neither owned nor funded by a major label, I made sure of that.


I like his choice of words... yes, he's correct in saying Fueled By Ramen isn't funded by a major label, however, some of the BANDS on the label are funded by major labels after selling a pre-determined amount that WARNER BROS. sees as satisfactory.

[Carlo Marx]

"This is punk rock and those things are important."

"I wish I could be punk enough...."

what a joke. he wouldve been better keeping his mouth shut.

you're an idiot.

dan yemin is responsible for one of the most important punk rock bands in history. his comments were obviously tongue-in-cheek, and anyone with half a brain noticed that.

[YouMadeTheScene]

One of the classiest bands out there. As for the people yelling bull shit, cut it out. Lifetime isn't going to cash in, trust me. No majors are jumping at them, and if they were they wouldn't sign. FBR may have moved bands on to majors, and sure they may have some contact with them, but they have no direct link to a major. Lifetime will not, and never ever will, be the type of band to move on from FBR. Like he said they wanted as much money within reason to release the CD they wanted to release. FBR, in terms of financial independent resource, is the best fit for them in terms of releasing a well produced CD. Good for them, and cut the overly elitist bull shit.

[RandomHero1230]

hmm..I wonder if you message them on myspace they'll actually respond

[etwiels]

I love Dan Yemin. Great dude.

Not big on Lifetime though.

[unwritten]

It's funny that there are still some twats that can talk shit about this. Give me a break, I am fucking excited about this.

[underthetalking]

I don't even care what label it's on..
Lifetime is Lifetime.


I agree with what you say and what your heading says.

[etwiels]

you're an idiot.

dan yemin is responsible for one of the most important punk rock bands in history. his comments were obviously tongue-in-cheek, and anyone with half a brain noticed that.

and that band would be kid dynamite

[illusion]

its silly that bands have to justify their career decisions like this.

[johnarc]

dan yemin to the fucking rescue. I'm going to listen to paint it black now.

[IamTheINDUSTRY]

and this is the way all bands should answer shit rather than shooting ?'s down....fob....

[NationalProduct]

its silly that bands have to justify their career decisions like this.

its stupid that dumb ignorant kids talk shit on bands that helped create what they are enjoying when they go to a show..fuckin idiots....(this was not directed to you, i replied because i agree)

[00spool]

No major funding FBR? Thats complete and utter bullshit. FBR is a straight up front for majors. Regardless of whether majors are "investing" "blackboxing" or "upstreaming", FBR is making a shitload of money with the help of major labels.
.

And I'm sure you know more about that than the guy whose band just signed with them.

Besides he didn't say that FBR didn't make money. Maybe they should have gone with Tom, Dick and Harry's label that only has distro selling CDR's out of their own garage.

get a clue.

[Hollie]

its silly that bands have to justify their career decisions like this.

i'm glad somebody is speaking sense.

people should be grateful that they're putting another record out, not fannying around about where they're getting the money from to do it. people like 'fromwithin' need to shut up.

[[Brendan]]

its silly that bands have to justify their career decisions like this.I agree.

[marchfaster]

No major funding FBR? Thats complete and utter bullshit. FBR is a straight up front for majors. Regardless of whether majors are "investing" "blackboxing" or "upstreaming", FBR is making a shitload of money with the help of major labels.


That being said, I could care less who Lifetime signs with. Just dont try and bullshit me with that line.
your avatar rules, i just wish it went a little bit slower.

[marchfaster]

One of the classiest bands out there. As for the people yelling bull shit, cut it out. Lifetime isn't going to cash in, trust me. No majors are jumping at them, and if they were they wouldn't sign. FBR may have moved bands on to majors, and sure they may have some contact with them, but they have no direct link to a major. Lifetime will not, and never ever will, be the type of band to move on from FBR. Like he said they wanted as much money within reason to release the CD they wanted to release. FBR, in terms of financial independent resource, is the best fit for them in terms of releasing a well produced CD. Good for them, and cut the overly elitist bull shit.
who are you?
i mean, just to say 'trust me' or that 'life will not, and never ever will be the band to move on from fueled by ramen'
like, how do you know what they'll decide?

[LilRyan732]

hmm..I wonder if you message them on myspace they'll actually respond
I've gotten many a reply that way.

[OveriseFan]

No major label would want Lifetime anyway so who would care if FBR was funded by one?

Everyone knows Lifetime isn't the kind of band majors want to see.

[OveriseFan]

who are you?
i mean, just to say 'trust me' or that 'life will not, and never ever will be the band to move on from fueled by ramen'
like, how do you know what they'll decide?

Um...

What major would want Lifetime?

Have you actually listened to the band?

Think. It's common sense.

[marchfaster]

Um...

What major would want Lifetime?

Have you actually listened to the band?

Think. It's common sense.
yes, i have listened to the band.

i never said they'd be played advertised like a fall out boy or a my chemical romance type of band...but saves the day was on a major, '...trail of dead' is on a major, there are countless hundreds of death metal bands.

lifetime isn't that abrasive, so its not to much of a stretch to think they could make it on to a major.
jackass.

[worldsattack]

I really respect the way he handled this. He knows what it's like to be a legitimate music fan, and he understands the way that the fans are feeling because of this decision. Rather than being an asshole and giving the "this is our decision, fuck you if you don't like it" attitude, he seems legitimately concerned about the fate of the band and their relationship with the fans. Honestly, I do feel a lot better about this. Of course, I was anticipating a new record and was superpsyched that they exist again...but I did question their intentions after all of the interviews I read that I thought spoke out against decisions like these.

Is the Court Tavern 21+ again? I can never keep track of that place.

Only time will tell, I guess. I wonder if Ari is going to start rockin' Clandestine Industries gear...hahaha.

Bravo, Dan Yemin. I have so much fucking respect for that guy.

[imthenewcancer]

i love this band and im not ashamed to admit i checked them out because i heard pete wentz whoring them...i think he should get a little less shit then he does, especially when he's introducing a band like lifetime to an entirely new audience. i can completely see now how hugely influential they were on alot of bands that i listen to and im super stoked to hear their new album

[dragthelake]

good guy, great band.
who gives a shit what label they're on?

[marchfaster]

i love this band and im not ashamed to admit i checked them out because i heard pete wentz whoring them...i think he should get a little less shit then he does, especially when he's introducing a band like lifetime to an entirely new audience. i can completely see now how hugely influential they were on alot of bands that i listen to and im super stoked to hear their new album
i personally dont really care for pete wentz...i think he's pretty either a. self centered, or b. egotistical in that he writes his journals and talks about how much he sucks and whatnot as if it were some pity plea.

as far as lifetime goes...i dont really care either way what they chose to do with their music...hell, release it on victory its thier decision.

[CurseTheSeen]

talking about major label funding

all I know is that The Hush Sound's promo and press kit was sent to me by Atlantic Records and I'm working with them for coverage...not sure if they annouced that they signed to them...but the press kit says nothing about Atlantic...wierd

[onautolux]

Lifetime rules, hope the new stuff doesn't disappoint.

[MonkeyBars]

What difference does it make if they get paid $50 or $50 000 000 to make this album? Hell, I would figure people would be happy for a band to make that much money. They actually get recognition for all the work they've put in.

As long as it sounds good, what difference does it make? Puff Daddy...no...P Diddy, sorry, could produce it and as long as it sounds good, who gives a shit?

[heyRomanticA__x]

talking about major label funding

all I know is that The Hush Sound's promo and press kit was sent to me by Atlantic Records and I'm working with them for coverage...not sure if they annouced that they signed to them...but the press kit says nothing about Atlantic...wierd


hmm... funny dealings.

[marchfaster]

What difference does it make if they get paid $50 or $50 000 000 to make this album? Hell, I would figure people would be happy for a band to make that much money. They actually get recognition for all the work they've put in.

As long as it sounds good, what difference does it make? Puff Daddy...no...P Diddy, sorry, could produce it and as long as it sounds good, who gives a shit?
certain people have more integrity in the music scene...i think what people have a problem with is the supposed 'shady' practices that fueled by ramen does.

its like...say im a vegan, i support peta, but all along peta's just saying that they support animals' rights while owning a mcdonalds.

hypothetical and exaggerated for effect.

[MonkeyBars]

certain people have more integrity in the music scene...i think what people have a problem with is the supposed 'shady' practices that fueled by ramen does.

its like...say im a vegan, i support peta, but all along peta's just saying that they support animals' rights while owning a mcdonalds.

hypothetical and exaggerated for effect.

What shady practices? The idea that when a band sells a whole bunch of albums, you give distribution to a larger label who can handle the demand for the album, thereby making the album, and in turn the band more noticeable on store shelves and increasing their audience? I truly don't see a downside to that.

If that isn't the shady practice, then I would like to know what it is, because that's the only criticism I've seen leveled at FBR in this thread.

[marchfaster]

What shady practices? The idea that when a band sells a whole bunch of albums, you give distribution to a larger label who can handle the demand for the album, thereby making the album, and in turn the band more noticeable on store shelves and increasing their audience? I truly don't see a downside to that.

If that isn't the shady practice, then I would like to know what it is, because that's the only criticism I've seen leveled at FBR in this thread.
well then take for example victory records.

[Carlo Marx]

yes, i have listened to the band.

i never said they'd be played advertised like a fall out boy or a my chemical romance type of band...but saves the day was on a major, '...trail of dead' is on a major, there are countless hundreds of death metal bands.

lifetime isn't that abrasive, so its not to much of a stretch to think they could make it on to a major.
jackass.

key word there being was.

and they got dropped after their major label debut.

maybe research your points first?

[axl rose]

FBR is not a major label. There are a whopping 14 people that work for that company (and that includes the mail/web merch orders.) So some of their bands have become successful and gone on to majors, who cares. If the new Lifetime record comes out and sounds like FOB, then you can be pissed but it isn't going to happen. Just be happy we are going to get another Lifetime record. I'm old enough to say I saw them back in the day before they broke up and they are one of my favorite bands and I'm excited as shit that a new record is coming out. I have a friend at FBR and HE is even more excited than me!

[2starR]

I'm glad that there's gonna be a new lifetime record, period.

YES.