tommyhaych
01/08/09, 12:17 AM
Hey Guys,
I posted a lengthy comment on this story here:
http://www.punktastic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=58903 about Halifax leaving DTR. In addition, elsewhere I've read that Ace Enders is releasing his CD elsewhere. (http://www.punktastic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=58904)
As someone whose had his nose up Richard Reines's arse for the last decade, here are my thoughts about the current situation:
-------
I don't really know what to say about the label anymore. The early 2000s were DTRs greatest years, however I'd actually say that MCA/Geffen deal was the best thing they could have done. It brought them mainstream success.
I think the very moment the descent started was when they signed all those Rushmore bands. The Cover and Madison - who the fuck were they? Exactly. It's just an example of how the label have been recently - not giving them anything in terms of benefit of the doubt.
In my opinion the label would not be where it is now had they done the following:
1) Not created a Rushmore Records
2) Signed Houston Calls, Self Against City, The Track Record and Day At The Fair to DTR. (The album Track Record Released was fantastic afterwards)
3) Not signed Morning Call, Jenoah, Madison and The Cover.
4) Let Adelphi release a full length - that would have exploded.
5) Not bother creating Love Minus Zero.
It's just been a series of bad decisions after bad decisions. It's a shame though, all the bands they signed had sooo much potential and admittedly that would have cost them dearly.
Thats how business is though. You change the formula and it can either be successful or bomb. In DTR's case it bombed.
Here's what I'd do now (and sorry for rambling - I have nothing to do at work right now :))
This is purely from a non business mind so forgive me if it sounds like bullshit.
1) Drop Ace Enders, An Angle, House of Fools, Jesse Ponnock (Remember him? the guy who won that mtvu contest??) and Say No More. As much as it would break my heart to say it, keep the trusted money spinners.
2) First release I Am the Avalanche. The kids are beginning to forget who they are and they've been wanting this cd for years. I reckon this would be an instant trust boost for DTR.
3) Release a new Hellogoodbye album while they're still warm. Claw some money back (and make it sound like their EP sounded, hehe)
4) Socratic and Steel Train - I dunno. They've got a bit of time on their hands after releasing cds last year.
5) Houston Calls - Same with HC. Obviously due to recent troubles I can't see them releasing anything soon.
6) Keep it small for a while, like it used to be. See through the economic shit and the label will probably survive.
No doubt they'll do the exact opposite - continue living in anonymity and not give any updates. Lose trust in the kids and the 'family' and create more pointless labels.
Excuse the ramble.
My favourites are:
Socratic - Lunch for the sky
Finch - WIIB
House of Fools - S/T
An Angle - Their latest one
I Can Make A Mess..
I posted a lengthy comment on this story here:
http://www.punktastic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=58903 about Halifax leaving DTR. In addition, elsewhere I've read that Ace Enders is releasing his CD elsewhere. (http://www.punktastic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=58904)
As someone whose had his nose up Richard Reines's arse for the last decade, here are my thoughts about the current situation:
-------
I don't really know what to say about the label anymore. The early 2000s were DTRs greatest years, however I'd actually say that MCA/Geffen deal was the best thing they could have done. It brought them mainstream success.
I think the very moment the descent started was when they signed all those Rushmore bands. The Cover and Madison - who the fuck were they? Exactly. It's just an example of how the label have been recently - not giving them anything in terms of benefit of the doubt.
In my opinion the label would not be where it is now had they done the following:
1) Not created a Rushmore Records
2) Signed Houston Calls, Self Against City, The Track Record and Day At The Fair to DTR. (The album Track Record Released was fantastic afterwards)
3) Not signed Morning Call, Jenoah, Madison and The Cover.
4) Let Adelphi release a full length - that would have exploded.
5) Not bother creating Love Minus Zero.
It's just been a series of bad decisions after bad decisions. It's a shame though, all the bands they signed had sooo much potential and admittedly that would have cost them dearly.
Thats how business is though. You change the formula and it can either be successful or bomb. In DTR's case it bombed.
Here's what I'd do now (and sorry for rambling - I have nothing to do at work right now :))
This is purely from a non business mind so forgive me if it sounds like bullshit.
1) Drop Ace Enders, An Angle, House of Fools, Jesse Ponnock (Remember him? the guy who won that mtvu contest??) and Say No More. As much as it would break my heart to say it, keep the trusted money spinners.
2) First release I Am the Avalanche. The kids are beginning to forget who they are and they've been wanting this cd for years. I reckon this would be an instant trust boost for DTR.
3) Release a new Hellogoodbye album while they're still warm. Claw some money back (and make it sound like their EP sounded, hehe)
4) Socratic and Steel Train - I dunno. They've got a bit of time on their hands after releasing cds last year.
5) Houston Calls - Same with HC. Obviously due to recent troubles I can't see them releasing anything soon.
6) Keep it small for a while, like it used to be. See through the economic shit and the label will probably survive.
No doubt they'll do the exact opposite - continue living in anonymity and not give any updates. Lose trust in the kids and the 'family' and create more pointless labels.
Excuse the ramble.
My favourites are:
Socratic - Lunch for the sky
Finch - WIIB
House of Fools - S/T
An Angle - Their latest one
I Can Make A Mess..