25 September 2009 File Sharing Argument Continues!
.jpeg) I see Lily Allen has been taking a lot of flak from all those misinformed 'right-on' idiots who think that file sharing is power to the people and death to 'millionaire pop stars'.
I just wanted to say 'well done' to Lily for making her point clear on the file sharing situation! I've been banging on about this for years in various interviews and always felt that my opinion wasn't as 'cool' as some musicians and journalists who thought that the internet was great liberator from "the Man" i.e (the big bad music business). Well now they are beginning to realise that this once great industry in this country is on it's knees and is need of some kind of protection.
As you may know I have made a career of working with up and coming new guitar based 'alternative' bands over the years and sometimes those groups (the Smiths, Blur, The Cranberries, Kaiser Chiefs) were able to build up a fan base who actually bought their records and CDs and therefore made it viable for their Record Companies to take up their options and advance them recording budgets for the next Album, continue giving them tour support (because most acts do NOT make significant money from touring, not enough to live on anyway) and generally keep promoting them across the world.
That unfortunately is all coming to an end with this current situation where people do not value music and think that they are entitled to it for free. Less money coming in equals less money being spent on recording. Great Recording Studios are closing down the length and breadth of this Country, Producers and Engineers are scratching around for work, studio Managers are having to cut their rates to entice labels to use their services. What was once a great industry, second only to the USA is looking desperately weakened.
You may have noticed I used the word 'Career' above. I know some bands try and be super-cool and look down their noses at 'Careerist' bands (the Cribs spring to mind here for their anti-career stance) but fuck yeah, it IS a career it's not supposed to be a hobby! The guy who works in a bank all week and plays a bit of guitar at the weekend, or the student who dabbles with 'garage band' on his laptop between classes might regard it as a hobby. But most acts I work with are trying desperately to make a proper go of it and become established enough to make a living from it. The Cribs are on their fourth album with Johnny Marr joining them on guitar. I think we can safely say that Johnny and the Cribs has made a career out of music can't we!?
I have been saying for a while now that the only people who have made great financial gains in recent years are the Internet Service Providers (often boasting how great and fast their broadband is for 'downloading' music)! Well now it's time for them to stop handling 'stolen goods' and start spending some of that money they have made on administering and policing the web. It's time now for the Government to work alongside the Record Companies, Publishers and managers to stop the constant eroding of the value of music before it is too late.
Rant over (or is it)?
S.
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25 September 2009 Last dates in UK with Peter Doherty
 Hi All,
Well, last weekend saw the conclusion of the Peter Doherty solo dates with Band in the UK. Saturday's gig was at the Camden Roundhouse and I was feeling a little nervous as I was playing guitar for the whole show and I had added quite a few songs to the festival set we were playing in the Summer as the set list had to last a good deal longer! Despite lack of rehearsal time with Peter himself, all went very well and we played a really good show that I was pretty pleased with. I was also really happy with a new guitar I had treated myself to, a beautiful Rickenbacker 620! See the link below for a taste of the Roundhouse!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fph3mF3So0&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boxHJrq6y00&feature=PlayList&p=66F54AB0B1FD7751&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=95
Next day it was off to Leamington Spa for a show in a very attractive small Theatre that had a nice vibe. The stage was small but it also meant that it was easy to hear each other and we played another great set. It made such a difference playing straight after a show the night before, you could sense that we had got into the 'groove' and the crowd were very appreciative too! Drove back home straight after the show as I had decided to take the train on Monday up to Manchester for the final date.
I always enjoy going to Manchester, it brings back happy memories of working with the Smiths and as a little 'nod' to that memory I decided to wear a Smiths T-shirt that night on stage. We played even better at this show. Three gig nights in a row and we were really cooking! I felt a huge sense of satisfaction after the performance and was very proud of all involved. To be honest, I feel a bit disappointed that the UK dates are over now. I really enjoyed playing guitar again to the level I had to play to be part of the band and I think I will miss it now the gigs are finished. See below for a taste of the Manchester show:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dF_kZWrjus4
The final three dates I will be playing with Peter will be in France at the beginning of October culminating with a show at the Zenith Theatre in Paris. Graham Coxon will be back on board for these dates so it should prove to be a great end to the Grace/Wastelands dates. I'll tell you all about it soon!
Cheers
Stephen
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