Sunday
Nov212010
Did Frankie Take the Wrong Approach?
Sunday, November 21, 2010 at 12:01AM
Back on August 5th, Allyson published a post about Frankie Banali of Quiet Riot, and his online campaign seeking to raise funds to produce a Quiet Riot documentary. From what I can tell, his efforts were successful, as he appears to have raised $23,691, and the fund raising goal was $20,000.
I kept my opinions to myself when the fund raising efforts were underway, as I did not want my personal opinion to sway anyone's decision to donate their money toward this project. However, now that the campaign has ended and Frankie has the funds he needs, I feel free to voice my dissatisfaction with this entire concept. To me, this campaign reeks of a band member taking advantage of the fans. If Frankie wants to make a biography of his life and his band, then let him go about it though the conventional methods (i.e. self-funded or get financial backing elsewhere, but not from the fans). To me, it seems to be the height of arrogance to think that you are so important that your fans - those who made you famous - should pay you to make a movie about yourself. Without the presence of the fans, no one would be interested in this documentary. These are the people who, over the years, spent money on your albums, concert tickets, merchandise, etc. They made you famous. If anything, this movie should be a way in which you say "thank you" to those that made you successful, and not as another avenue to get them to contribute funds to your band. And then, even after the movie has been produced, those fans who donated less than $50 would still have to pay to buy the film that they helped fund, as their donations did not even include a copy of the documentary. Quite honestly, I was offended that such an idea would even be suggested.
I am not saying those who donated money were wrong or that they should not have done so, and I am also not saying that I would not be interested in a Quiet Riot documentary. I am just getting so tired of the constant cash grabs that bands keep making these days. It is almost as if fans are seen by some bands as banks from which they can make withdrawals whenever a whim strikes them. Perhaps, as I get older, I just get more cynical, but it seems that all too often bands that I have always admired are constantly looking for handouts from their fans. By supporting them for so many years, I feel as though I have already given plenty and do not appreciate being asked for more.
Reader Comments (26)
http://www.kickstarter.com/
The music business was all about making top notch high quality music and was ran by musicians. Then as people retired got fired or quit they replaced the musicians with kids fresh out of college business schools. These business kids had no musical knowledge and didn't care about the music but only cared about the bottom line. It became solely about money and less about making great music.
You also have to take into effect that up until 1993. Bands were given a significant budget and they were allowed to grow as artists under the label. Then Nirvana recorded their breakout cd for $5000! The indusrty bean counters basically threw out the idea of giving bands a budget because they figured if Nirvana could record a cd for that small amount of money and go platinum then that should be the new standard. So the quality went right down the toliet because they don't care or understand that creativity actually costs money.
So, the industry is already on it's downward spiral at that point. Then the music quality not only tanked but the bands lost any creative spark and basically all the label music started to sound the same. Music fans got smart to it and stop buying all of the corporate Kool Aid music and the industry starts downsizing.
Then technology comes along and makes it simple to "share" music for free and it also creates recording programs so everyone can record their music at home. This now takes the tiny budgets away from the recording studios and they start to close. You'd be amazed at how many BIG recording studios in New York and LA have closed their doors.
So, it's not all one thing to blame but several things that made the business fail. You have to also take into effect that most young people today don't see the harm in downloading because they still see the excesses in artists like Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga. The rock industry on the other hand has been beaten nearly to death. So, the business model has to change to make things happen.
From an artists point of view....No label is going to sign a band that basically has nothing. So how do you get something? You have to spend money to make a cd and promote it and distribute it. So where do you get the money? Also after you make the cd what guarantees you sales? It's a huge gamble for up and coming bands and they have nothing to fall back on. So what do they do? I think the idea of asking a fan base for money is the way of the future because lets face it if you do it the traditional way you take all of the risk and all of the burden with a small chance you'll break even let alone make a profit.
In my own personal situation I took out a loan to buy a recording studio a few years before the bottom fell out. I guess I didn't get the memo that recording was going to be computer based in the next few years. I was making enough money to pay my loan and run the studio for a few years and then the phone stopped ringing. So, I had to get a day job so I didn't default on my loan. The economy became quite cruel to a rock musician / studio owner. So, I do odd jobs that most people won't do. It's been known where I live if you have a job that no one wants to do call me and I'll do it because I need the money.
The latest cd I released under a known band name has sold so little it would frighten you. So, when I read all of this fluff about how bands can do this or do that and that downloading isn't all that bad and how we all have this money that we either snorted or drunk away it really hurts my feelings. I've smoke pot less than 5 times in my life and I've done nothing harder. I'm not a drunk and I drink in moderation and never before the actual gig. I'm a victim of the industry and I'm not bitter but when people that don't live the life and have all of this overly optimistic talk and criticism of musicians it really makes my life feel like I've wasted my life.
Being a professional musician is nothing glamourous it's actually very tough. When you don't have a label to fund your project and babysit you on tour you have to do it bare bones and take turns driving a van or rv. You have to fight with club owners over pay. You live out of hotel rooms and suitcases and drunk people love you but want "free t-shirts or free cd's" Yet you on your 40 hour a week job paid for all of the t-shirts and cd's so you can have something to sell at your gigs to hopefully make some cash for gas.
It's sad to say outloud but if you only knew how bad some of us live you'd feel sorry rather than so critical. You'd be amazed how many "Rock Stars" have day jobs and "tour" on their off time or vacation time from their "real jobs" and how their co workers giggle under their breath working next to the "rock star" Sure their are some successful rock musicians that made enough money and don't have day jobs but trust me when I say more of us do. Most of us don't say anything about it because the whole "Rockstar" image is smoke and mirrors and if you knew your favorite guitarist has a day job he wouldn't be as cool to his fans.
Ok, ok I'm ranting now and I need to shut up... LOL In a nutshell no matter what Frankie spent his money on he asked fans for money to make a documentary. I commend him for doing it because I don't have the balls to do it myself. I'd be afraid of the backlash from people acting like I'm made of money and I should be taking all the risk with my own money rather than asking fans to help me with the burden. I wish I had the balls Frankie has and if I did maybe I wouldn't have to do some of the jobs I do to make ends meet.
Sorry my post was so long.
Second It's about the music, the whole rock concert experience and a lame excuse to forget your day job go out and drink and have a good time. Who is in the band shouldn't matter... unless the musician's suck. People will go see a "tribute band" with no original member of any band and pay good money to see it but will bitch because a band with only one original member is touring and trying to make some money and have some fun...... Isn't that a little backwards??
Alex Grossi is a great guy and a very good guitar player. Chuck Wright is a very well respected bassist and recorded with Quiet Riot back in the day. Frankie is a killer drummer and a real laid back guy and basically a legend. I have not met the new singer but I heard his samples and he sounds like a good fit for the band. It would be a shame to miss the show when it comes to your town because of Kevin's untimely demise.
BTW anyone remember the Paul Shortino Quiet Riot disc? Would you have rather him have taken over for Kevin because he was an official member at one time?
Thanks for posting your post.
On QR- Alex Grossi and Chuck Wright were all official band members while Kevin was still in the band. I don't see anything wrong with them being in it and continuing the legacy. I also have a lot of respect for Frankie... He and Kevin kept the band alive for years after the reunion failed, and has been the most constant member in the band with the exception of Kevin.
I would rather have Paul Shortino in the band than Mark, but we'll see how Mark does. I'll wish them the best and can't wait to see them in concert.