Is Anthrax Trying To Become The New Metallica? Guitarist Wants To Kick 'Pirates' Off The Internet

from the bye-bye-fans dept

Wed, Nov 9th 2011 8:47am — Mike Masnick

You would think, given the reaction to Lars Ulrich and Metallica from when he went all crazy on people who shared files, that other famous acts would be a bit more clued in. Not so with Scott Ian, the guitarist for Anthrax. In a recent interview, he spends a big chunk complaining about "theft" and how many more records the band used to sell in the past. And he keeps building up steam until it's a full on rant, complete with falsely claiming it's "theft" (over and over and over again) and comparing it to drunk driving... including claiming that if you're caught downloading unauthorized music, you should lose your internet access completely:

You lose your Internet. That's it, no more Internet for you. Seriously! Like you drive drunk, you lose the privilege of driving. You download illegally, you lose the privilege of having the Internet. The punishment fits the crime. Why these service providers don't stop the torrent sites and put a consequence on this, I have no idea. Everybody complains about the trillions of dollars being lost, but nobody does anything about it. Believe me, if I could do something about it, I would.

First off, downloading a single song and losing your internet access permanently is "the punishment fits the crime"? Really? As for why service providers don't stop torrent sites, it's because (a) the law is a bit more complex than Ian seems to understand, (b) censoring the internet because some search engines might possibly be used for bad things (while they can also be used for legal things) is a dumb idea and (c) because stopping torrent sites won't do anything, since they'll just pop up elsewhere.

Ian doesn't seem to have any interest in thinking through the logical fallacies of his argument. As far as he's concerned, there is nothing to discuss:

There is no argument. I'm not even going to get into that conversation. You're stealing! It's stealing, that's what it is. It's not free for us to make these records. These records are on sale in many, many places where you can pay your money to buy the product that we are selling. Anything outside of that is stealing. There is no conversation to be had. There's no, "Well, I just wanted to check it out, and then I liked it so I bought the record." I don't give a fuck. It's stealing. Everyone can say that, "I just wanted to check it out," or "There's no way for me to get music where I live." That's bullshit. It's fucking bullshit! I've been doing this for way too long. I sold records in the '80s and '90s before there was an Internet, and no one seemed to have a problem going out and buying a shit ton of records back then. The whole record industry has collapsed because people are stealing. That's the end of the story.

Except, that's wrong. Pretty much all of it. It's not stealing. It may be infringement, but that's different than theft. And anyone who's being intellectually honest in this debate can at least admit there's a pretty big difference. And, no, no one said it was free to make the records, but that's really beside the point. It's not free for me to make Techdirt either. But does that mean that I'm being "ripped off" if no one pays me directly for it? Of course not. Because I'm using a smarter business model. Ian might want to try that, rather than blaming all of his fans. The fact that he sold records in the "pre-internet" days is kinda meaningless. I sold magazines in the pre-internet days, but times change. Business models change. Get with the program.

Anyway, since Ian seems so unwilling to adapt, I thought why should we let that stop folks here from coming up with some suggestions on what he should be doing. Over at Step2, I've kicked off a discussion on how Anthrax might better deal with downloaders, while still being able to make more money. Head on over to join that discussion.

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Filed Under: anthrax, copyright, fans, scott ian

162 Comments

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The Incoherent One (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 8:53am

My My so angry. Someone pass that man a groupie and and bottle of whiskey.
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Chronno S. Trigger (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 8:58am

I may have a better reason why they're not selling more albums. That reason will take on the form of this question: Who the %$#* is Anthrax?

I know, I know, it's a silly argument, but it's the first thing that popped into my head.
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Anonymous, 9 Nov 2011 @ 9:00am

Alternate headline:
"Anthrax tired of having fans."
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SR, 9 Nov 2011 @ 9:00am

Maybe...
The problem isn't because of illegal downloading, it's because their music isn't any good anymore.
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Ron, 9 Nov 2011 @ 9:01am

Re:
They are some crappy hair band from the 80's.

Here is a suggestion for Anthrax, make better freakin music you bunch of GREEDTARDS!!!!!
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Dave, 9 Nov 2011 @ 9:03am

It may be infringement, but that's different than theft. And anyone who's being intellectually honest in this debate can at least admit there's a pretty big difference.

Intellectually honest? That's asking a lot. Really, a lot a lot.
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tom, 9 Nov 2011 @ 9:05am

no one seemed to have a problem going out and buying a shit ton of records back then
actually i did - i was a kid, so i taped stuff. I remember counting my tapes - 100 c90s with 2 albums each (in 1982 when i left school). And yet he didn't have a problem back then? Maybe my 'stealing' actually had no effect on record sales, or maybe it had a positive effect because i then, when i began to earn money, started to buy music that i had developed a liking for.
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The Incoherent One (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 9:05am

Re: Maybe...
Was it ever really that good to begin with? I say no, and I was actually a fan of the genre they are supposed to be a part of.
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Snow, 9 Nov 2011 @ 9:07am

anthrax still exists?
anthrax is still making music?
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Scooters (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 9:09am

Anthrax has been years behind Metallica forever.
Just wait it out, because in 10 years, Ian will make news for himself by regretting his outburst because record sales tanked and never restored.
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RD, 9 Nov 2011 @ 9:11am

Guess he never heard of
Guess Scott has never heard of a little thing called "Radio" whereby people "steal" (dont pay for) the music they hear and "check out." Incidently, there is still a LOT of music that is NOT available to purchase in ANY manner. This goes doubly for areas outside the USA due to ridiculous region-style restrictions and licensing deals that the average consumer doesnt know or care about. If something isnt available legally, but IS available illegally, people will get it illegally and YOU HAVE FAILED your market and fans, and the fault is your own (or the labels/studios/etc).

Also, the internet is not like a store or a house, or some singular place you can just go and "shut down." Learn what the terms "decentralized" and "distributed" mean, Scott.

Oh and welcome to Ludditeville. You and Metallica and the rest of the dinosaur entertainment industry will have a lot to rant about for your failure to understand new technologies, the internet, and how to serve the consumer in a manner that THEY want, not the way YOU want. And no, "piracy" is not the problem, as iTunes shows that you CAN compete with "piracy."
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Bergman (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 9:12am

I have an idea. Let's make it so that if any musician ever plays a song with lyrics unsuitable for children, even once, he's banned from ever making music again. We can use the opinion of the elderly Muslim woman over there in the corner to determine what is unsuitable, I'm sure she's impartial, she has an honest face, and she is, after all, a member of the community.

Oh, you say he makes his living from music? Well too bad for him, he should have known better.

Given Mr. Ian's attitude towards censoring other people's first amendment rights, he should have no problems at all with such a rule being applied to him as well, right?
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Mike42 (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 9:13am

Sad band...
Their only hit was a Joe Jackson cover.
Pretty sad for a heavy metal band.
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Ninja (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 9:14am

Re: Re:
Greedtards. That's gold, simple and beautiful. A gold star for you!

On a side note: Anthrax who?
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gorehound (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 9:15am

Re:
Stupid washed up Metal Band.Go back to the Metal Grave you belong in.
No one cares about your lame metal rock that is why you do not sell the records you did.
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Beech, 9 Nov 2011 @ 9:20am

Well what's he supposed to say? "Record sales are down because we suck and haven't been relavent since the mid 80s... And probably not even then"

Got to blame it on someone!
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Anonymous Coward, 9 Nov 2011 @ 9:21am

Stop accusing beople of being "unwilling to adapt" where it isn't appropriate. Being anti-piracy does not mean you aren't willing to adapt, it just means you don't want people taking your content. Anthrax has all of their works avilable on iTunes, Amazon MP3 downloads, Spotify, etc... I don't think they are unwilling to adapt, I think they are tired of freloading pirates taking advantage of their hard work.

Maybe the best way for these bands to get the point across is to just stop recording music. If every recording artist in the world stopped producing content for a year in protest of piracy it might actually make people think about the consequences of their actions. Imagine a year without any new music. Then maybe the movie studios could get involved and stop releasing any content for a year. Just old music and old movies for a year.
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Anonymous Coward, 9 Nov 2011 @ 9:24am

The highlight of Anthrax's career was appearing on the TV show "Married, With Children." If you read his post again, you can hear Al Bundy's voice. Coincidence? Nope, brilliant viral marketing. Everyone's going to run out and buy M,WC on BlooRai and then Anthrax gets their cut of the profits!
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Anonymous Coward, 9 Nov 2011 @ 9:26am

Mike, your desperation to make the bomb that is Step2 go is hilarious. Why keep trying to redirect us? If the topic is worth discussing, it's worth discussing here, not there.

Please give up. The project looks like an abject failure.
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Ron, 9 Nov 2011 @ 9:29am

Re:
All of you ass monkeys are too greedy to stop doing anything. I challenge you and all the musicians to stop making music.

It will never happen because you are all GREEDTARDS!!
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CTVic, 9 Nov 2011 @ 9:30am

Color me unsurprised
Unsurprised. This is the trend.

The up and coming artist loves the internet, and its pervasiveness of freedom. "Please, take my music. Listen to it. If you enjoy it, please buy my album." It is a medium of free distribution, to expose their creation to as large of an audience as possible. Opportunity.

The artist at the end of their career looks at things much differently. They already have as much exposure as they're going to get. They're not doing anything new, playing old hits and rehashing old ideas. They're trying to milk as much money out of every second of music that they can get to try to maintain the extravagant lifestyle they enjoyed from the 80's when they were actually relevant. Just look at Metallica ... Megadeth ... hell, even The Nuge. They're not going anywhere, they're simply trying to protect their money machines.

It's the same everywhere, and it is the exact reason why you see so many young people holding liberal viewpoints, and so many old people holding conservative views. One is optimistic and wants the opportunity to succeed. The other is pessimistic and wants to protect the monetization of past success.

Not much of a guess which philosophy is generally better suited for the future.
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out_of_the_blue, 9 Nov 2011 @ 9:30am

No, no, Mike. It's a clever ploy to get /more/ people to "infringe".
You conveniently forget one of your planks, that piracy /helps/. So this guy is just psyching you to gain more exposure. You fell right in. Now this band's income is going to skyrocket!

I've been wishing for some time that you had a position paper, Mike, in which you specify just exactly what your notions are. But of course vagueness lets you take slants as required.

As for Step2, happened to get curious this morning and temporarily removed "insight" from my hosts file. Found not much going on there. Apparently a grand total of 27 threads, and a few vague comments. -- SO, looks to me as though how to "monetize" one's own product is a stubbornly intractable problem, and that the traditional ways are just about the only ones that work. As you note above, if one can't get indirectly supported, through the Google monster advertising, then you get nothing for all you do. And if everyone took my advice and used Noscript and a hosts file, Google itself would soon be in difficulties. -- But tacitly you rely on someone else making the product, and leveraging off of it. That's why you're so alarmed about SOPA: it removes the basic draw of exciting expensive content, leaving web-sites with only a bit of text.

Anyway, I'm still waiting for specific alternative means. I don't consider "advertising" to be workable for a band, let alone a movie, even if it is for a web-site. You mix those indiscriminately as if all were the same sort of widget. What you have at Step2 is mere /wishing/ there were some magical means. You don't have any methods of your own to suggest. How long do you think to go on with your huckster schtick without an actual product?
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btrussell (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 9:32am

Re: Re:
Yes. It is absolutely amazing the entitlement some "artists" have.

Is a certain portion of the world supposed to like and buy your music?

All your fans have your albums. You are getting fewer and fewer new fans, just like Bing Crosby.

You only sold as many albums as you did because people bought the cassette and then the CD.
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The Logician (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 9:33am

Re:
Curious, AC 19, since you provide no evidence whatsoever that your claim is true. Therefore, it must be assumed that your assertion is false. Your unwillingness to address the topic in any direct manner testifies to the indefensible nature of your position. And your very presence proves that Mike's is indeed correct. Otherwise you and others like you would not attack him constantly as you do. You do so because what he says and does is a threat to you and your interests, and because others of significance are known to listen to him. I do not believe you can say the same for yourself.
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btrussell (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 9:33am

Re:
Anthrax killed off all fans
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fogbugzd (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 9:33am

Re:
>>If every recording artist in the world stopped producing content for a year in protest of piracy it might actually make people think about the consequences of their actions. Imagine a year without any new music. Then maybe the movie studios could get involved and stop releasing any content for a year. Just old music and old movies for a year.

I heartily endorse this idea. It would clear the decks for people who have learned to make money off of their art without relying on big labels and big studios for support. It would be a boon for the independent film industry and a lot of musicians.

I am assuming that you work for one of the big media companies. When can you get started on this project?
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Chris, 9 Nov 2011 @ 9:34am

No more Anthrax for me.
As a child of 80s metal, I ad a crap load of Anthrax and Metallica. As a computer nerd now, I own no Metallica in digital form because of Lars' shenanigans. Shame I already bought Anthrax on iTunes a few months ago. That won't happen again now.

Great job! Losing fans is awesome for you.
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Anonymous Coward, 9 Nov 2011 @ 9:38am

Re:
That'd be great, only couldn't it be longer than just one year? Maybe five or ten? Especially if it covers Hollywood; I'd love to be able to go a decade or two without them making a pathetic remake of something I liked as a kid.
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Dark Helmet (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 9:39am

Re:
"Maybe the best way for these bands to get the point across is to just stop recording music. If every recording artist in the world stopped producing content for a year in protest of piracy it might actually make people think about the consequences of their actions."

The very fact that this will NOT happen hilights how unnecesarry our current copyright laws are to begin with.

So, you know...thanks for that....
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Anonymous Coward, 9 Nov 2011 @ 9:46am

Re: Re:
Hair band? Weren't they bald?
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Anonymous Coward, 9 Nov 2011 @ 9:47am

Re: Re:
Umm, I looked. only 1 thread active in the last 24 hours, only 3 in the last 48 hours, and 5 in a week (and those overlap). Only 2 new threads started in the last week, and one of those is from a staff member trying to stir up a discussion. In fact, most of the discussion thread are either on the day of the "public" opening, or 6 months ago when they were testing the software.

I would say that Step2 appears to be a failure, no matter how many posts Mike makes here and tries to lead people to it.

I didn't make any other comment regarding the post, only that it seems silly to try to split it into two places.

If you want to be considered logical, please stop trying to make it appear I said something I didn't or that I wrote about something when I did not.
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Illegal s$%t, 9 Nov 2011 @ 9:47am

Wait a second ...
the interview will continue after Anthrax members finish up the last of the (I assume illegal) weed and move on to the (more fashionable, but still illegal) coke.

I bought two copies of 'go the f$%k to sleep' after all the discussions here about 'pirating' it. Yes, I used a computer to form a few million magnetic regions on a platter into the same pattern as someone else was exhibiting. Nothing new was created, therefore nothing �stolen�. Spectacular book, the recipients of the analog version were delighted.

I grabbed some Anthrax just now, and ... wow ... give my ears some Cipro please. Perhaps the real reason they don't have sales?
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Anonymous Coward, 9 Nov 2011 @ 9:48am

Re: Re: Maybe...
They were one of the few metal bands with a good guitarist. I don't think a good guitar can carry a whole band, but they at least had that.
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Adam J, 9 Nov 2011 @ 9:48am

I agree, who the f*ck is Anthrax? I had to google them just to find out who they were, and there in lies their problem with sales. They have become irrelevant and now want to point fingers. Dry up all those tears, Anthrax and maybe try recreating your product and adjusting your business model. Kthxbai!
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Anonymous Coward, 9 Nov 2011 @ 9:48am

Re: Guess he never heard of
"Guess Scott has never heard of a little thing called "Radio" whereby people "steal" (dont pay for) the music they hear and "check out.""

I guess you still haven't figured out that artists get paid when their music is played. Thanks for playing "RD IS AN IDIOT", you win the gold star.
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Ron, 9 Nov 2011 @ 9:50am

Re: No, no, Mike. It's a clever ploy to get /more/ people to "infringe".
Why are you such a dick? You have nothing to offer anyone and all you do is crap on stuff that Mike writes. Are you trying to convince all of us here that Mike is bad? You are doing a horrible job at it. This is all about opinion here and my opinion is "your a douche" Go post on your WOW website and leave the intelligent people alone.
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The Infamous Joe (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 9:53am

Re: No, no, Mike. It's a clever ploy to get /more/ people to "infringe".
Bold words from some nobody on the internet, too afraid of being caught by her own words to even make an account.

Step2 may not pan out, but Mike is at least working towards alternate solutions. You have only come here to type your personal attacks on someone who its trying to find a working solution, usually without adding anything of substance to the conversation. Both you and Mike are working towards the same end: to help artists make money in the digital age.

I fail to understand why you feel like you have to fight him and try and belittle him because he suggests trying to set up Business that can shrug off the effects of piracy, or even use them to its advantage.

If you don't agree with his suggestions, make your own instead of attacking him personally. If you don't agree with his goal to help artists make more money in the digital age, why are you even here?
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PaulT (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 9:55am

Re: Re: Maybe...
I liked the Public Enemy track they did... other than that, I don't remember liking them. But, those couple of albums I did listen to, I obtained.... for free! In 1991. I suppose that doesn't count, somehow, since physical items were involved.

Chalk this down to another spoiled major label artist realising he forgot to plan for retirement and that the pool of royalties he wanted access to is not infinite, methinks.
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DannyB (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 9:56am

Re: anthrax still exists?
Maybe that is what the headline should have been?
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Anonymous Coward, 9 Nov 2011 @ 9:58am

Re: Re: No, no, Mike. It's a clever ploy to get /more/ people to "infringe".
"Step2 may not pan out, but Mike is at least working towards alternate solutions."

You will do better when you understand that Mike wasn't working towards alternate solutions, Mikew as working towards getting himself in the middle of other people's activities. Basically, he tried to "Google", and failed. The musicians don't show up, the artists don't show up, and the "sponsors" aren't exactly helping out either.

It wasn't an attempt to look for an answer, it was an attempt to grow the empire. It failed.
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fogbugzd (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 9:58am

I just looked at Anthrax torrents. There are torrents with their Discography, but the torrent activity for Anthrax looks pretty weak. Apparently even the pirates are not very interested in Anthrax.

Perhaps Ian should look for another excuse for why his music isn't selling. May I suggest El Nino as a possible excuse? It is a more likely explanation for poor sales than piracy.
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The Infamous Joe (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 10:00am

Re: Re: Re: No, no, Mike. It's a clever ploy to get /more/ people to "infringe".
Do you have even one shred of proof, or is this just slander?
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Chris Rhodes (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 10:02am

Re:
Maybe the best way for these bands to get the point across is to just stop recording music.
Please implement this immediately!

Then the real artists can thrive without all the self-entitled whiners trying to cripple their distribution channels through draconian legislation.
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hothmonster, 9 Nov 2011 @ 10:02am

Re: anthrax still exists?
They released their first album in 8 years. It had their second-best opening week ever and then sales fell sharply, I'm guessing because everyone who cares about them bought it already. I don't know of much of a demand for 60-year-olds playing hair metal so I would assume their fan base hasn't really been growing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Worship_Music_(Anthrax_album)
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Anonymous Coward, 9 Nov 2011 @ 10:05am

Re: Re: Guess he never heard of
"I guess you still haven't figured out that collection agencies get paid when artists music is played, the societies then give pennies to the actual creators(if said creator is big enough to be on the societies radar). Thanks for playing "AC IS AN IDIOT", I win the gold star."

FTFY
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Greevar (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 10:08am

Re: Re:
Anthrax is a thrash/speed metal band in the vein of Metallica or Megadeth. They are most definitely not a hair band. You might recall the song "Room for one more"? They wrote and performed that.

That said, Scott Ian is being a childish dick and should learn to get with the times by trying to find a new audience or be lost in obscurity.
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Anonymous Coward, 9 Nov 2011 @ 10:09am

Re: No more Anthrax for me.
To be honest I had completely forgotten about Anthrax, I really don't listen to much metal anymore these days. Now that I know they are struggling because of piracy, I will buy their songs for everyone on my Christmas shopping list.
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hothmonster, 9 Nov 2011 @ 10:09am

Re: Re: Re:
Brand new forum isnt as popular as years old forum, THIS IS NEWS FOLKS!!!!
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Greevar (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 10:09am

Re: Re:
We won't change our mind...ahem, name!
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Tim Myles, 9 Nov 2011 @ 10:09am

New Idea...
If someone says something stupid, they should lose the privilege of speech

Problem solved
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PaulT (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 10:09am

Re: Re: Re: Re: No, no, Mike. It's a clever ploy to get /more/ people to "infringe".
When has he offered anything else? Lies and baseless attacks, that's all he has.
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RD, 9 Nov 2011 @ 10:11am

Re: Re: Guess he never heard of
"Guess Scott has never heard of a little thing called "Radio" whereby people "steal" (dont pay for) the music they hear and "check out."

I guess you still haven't figured out that artists get paid when their music is played. Thanks for playing "RD IS AN IDIOT", you win the gold star."

And I guess YOU didn't read "people don't pay for." THE CONSUMER DIDN'T PAY FOR IT. So that's "stealing" according to Scott, the shills, and the entire music industry.

Way to COMPLETELY miss the point and then use that to launch a personal attack and call someone an idiot.
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The Incoherent One (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 10:12am

Re: Re: Guess he never heard of
that .001 of a cent for each radio play is really all that important when your band is a special request on "yesterdays lunch" on your local rock station.
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PaulT (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 10:13am

Re: Anthrax has been years behind Metallica forever.
To be fair, at least in this instance they seem to have waited until sales dried up before making the original statement...
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Anonymous Coward, 9 Nov 2011 @ 10:13am

Re: Re: Re: No, no, Mike. It's a clever ploy to get /more/ people to "infringe".
LOL

To "Google": Get yourself in the middle of other people's activities.
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The Incoherent One (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 10:13am

Re: New Idea...
Should we ban your account now?
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Anonymous Coward, 9 Nov 2011 @ 10:16am

Re: New Idea...
Consider your privilege revoked
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Raul, 9 Nov 2011 @ 10:18am

Anthrax is past their sell by date
That genre of music is dying and piracy has nothing to do with it. How many similar bands have been doing well?

The world doesn't owe musicians a living. Like folks in other fields they have to struggle, have luck and talent on their side to make a mark and earn pots of money and fame from their music.

That's a privilege for the talented and those at the top of their game, not everyone who has a claim to music can expect success, but because of piracy it seems every musician can claim to be a victim.

If they are good piracy will barely make a dent on their success.
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RevCharlie (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 10:23am

Failing Bank Accout
The only reason for this tirade is a lack of funds. I guess he�s broke and needs money. In his mind the rationalization is that someone stole it somehow. Poor guy needs a hug� And a dose of reality. That�s the bizz cuzz�
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Matthew Krum, 9 Nov 2011 @ 10:24am

Re: Re: Re: Maybe...
Chuck D should offer to collaborate with them again and give some pointers to Mr. Ian.
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hothmonster, 9 Nov 2011 @ 10:24am

Re: Anthrax is past their sell by date
Young kids don't want to hear 60 year old rock out? I really like to hear these men express their rage and frustration at things that concern all of us. Like being to young for a walker but really struggling to get around sometimes, or not liking the proper diet they need to keep their bowel movements regular. You know, classic metal themes.
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Anonymous Coward, 9 Nov 2011 @ 10:34am

Re: No, no, Mike. It's a clever ploy to get /more/ people to "infringe".
And if everyone took my advice and used Noscript and a hosts file, Google itself would soon be in difficulties

delusions of grandeur much? Any remotely useful tidbits are drowned in the sea of your weakly sourced, often nonsensical diatribes.
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Jason Still (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 10:38am

I think a decent portion of the people who would even consider buying an Anthrax album chose not to do so because of Joey Belladonna, not piracy.
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Anonymous Coward, 9 Nov 2011 @ 10:38am

Response to: Anonymous on Nov 9th, 2011 @ 9:00am
Anthrax still has fans?? 1989 called, they want their band back.
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PaulT (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 10:39am

Re: Re: Re:
So, let's look at your initiatives and see how they compare to Mike's. I assume you're getting off your ass and doing something, rather than merely attacking those who are?
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Atkray (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 10:40am

Re: Re:
Calling them a hair band is disparaging to all the true hair bands out there.
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Anonymous Coward, 9 Nov 2011 @ 10:40am

It's not so black and white. As an independant musician I can understand some of Scott's frustration-after several years and much expense and effort they made of one their best records ever (really, it is) and then a whole lot of people get to hear it and can enjoy it without paying. That's the problem and it doesn't really matter if you call it stealing or infringing or whatever you want. The thing is, there has been a seismic change change in the technology of music listening and distribution, and things will never be the same as it used to be when one could actually make money from the SALE of recorded music. In fact when you take the larger view and look at history you see that only a relatively small number of musicians ever made a significant amount of maoney that way. Most musicians have always had to rely on other income supplements whether it be from gigs, wealthy patrons, mersh sales etc. Anyway the "golden years" are OVER. Scott needs to recognize this and adapt.
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Anonymous Coward, 9 Nov 2011 @ 10:41am

If he gets caught stoned playing a live concert, no more live concerts!
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Greg G, 9 Nov 2011 @ 10:53am

Re: Re: Re:
When I first saw the headline, I thought about the white powder.
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Anonymous Coward, 9 Nov 2011 @ 10:56am

Re: Re: Re: Guess he never heard of
RD, you are truly dense. You paid for it - with you attention to the ads.

I get a real headache having to re-explain the basic concept to you every couple of months. Off your meds again?
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Anonymous Coward, 9 Nov 2011 @ 10:56am

Re: Re: Re: Re:
I don't run forms Paul, sorry.
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HavaCuppaJoe (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 10:57am

Re: Failing Bank Accout
Actually, I think it's probably more like lack of sufficient quantities of meth.

That, and the fact that all of his groupies now look like this:
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C-TaY61-NYo/R_Zf0yFVQLI/AAAAAAAAAlI/oZ04T1A8rTg/s400/old%252Blady%2 52Bin%252Bbikini.jpg
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Anonymous Coward, 9 Nov 2011 @ 11:02am

Re: Re: Re: Re: No, no, Mike. It's a clever ploy to get /more/ people to "infringe".
How is it slander Paul? Mike has been incredibly invasive here about actual solutions, instead pandering to the lowest common denominators of piracy and "kick the gubbermint" types.

What has almost always been lacking on this site is the actual interested parties. Step2 is perhaps the clearest indication, because while the sponsors are "big", Step2 doesn't appear to be attracting much attention from actual artists (except for Mike's usual pets like Amanda Palmer).

When you look at the site, you understand that it isn't about finding solutions, it's about driving page views. It's about Mike moving into the music industry and working to be a middle man on solutions that he himself doesn't actually come up with. It's a pretty neat way to do things, I give him plenty of credit, but there is little value added, and so far it looks like most of the visitors have figured it out too.

So I don't think it is at all slanderous, it's my opinion based on what I can see, what I can read, and Mike's own actions. It is very reasonable to infer my conclusion based on what is in public.
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Anonymous Coward, 9 Nov 2011 @ 11:03am

Re:
http://anthrax.com/tour/

I think they get it... $50 - $125 a ticket. They get it.
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Anonymous Coward, 9 Nov 2011 @ 11:04am

I used to be a big Anthrax fan back in the hair metal days. They have completed sucked since getting rid of Joey Belladonna. They suck so bad now, they played a hole-in-the-wall by me and couldn't fill the place. Yes you used to sell a shit ton of albums in the 80's and 90's but you make no money now because you are no longer mainstream and haven't been for two decades. Scott's ignorance has ensured that none of my money will ever go to Anthrax again.

Anthrax
Metallica
AC/DC
Kiss
Don Henley/The Eagles
...

I could go on but any of these old-timer has-beens that bitch and whine like Scott will never see a dime from me ever again. Metallica was my favorite band when Lars started his bitching. Never bought another album, t-shirt, poster, box set, video, concert ticket, etc from them since.
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Anonymous Coward, 9 Nov 2011 @ 11:04am

There's another band who's products I won't be buying anytime ever.
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K. Scott Bell, 9 Nov 2011 @ 11:05am

Pot / Kettle
It is interesting to get Ian's take after he spent a couple years taking a large monthly check as a representative of UltimateBet and Absolute Poker, two online poker sites that admitted to defrauding (that's "stealing" Scott) customers of over $25M dollars and are in the process of likely stealing an additional $50M dollars after being indicted by the DoJ.

I vote for Holier than Thou as the next album title.
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Rikuo (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 11:09am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Guess he never heard of
And what if he turns on his radio, listens to the song, then turns it off before the ads are played?
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Anonymous Coward, 9 Nov 2011 @ 11:10am

Re: Re:
First I do not work in the industry, for the industry or in any related field.

The "real" artist? You mean the ones that no one has ever heard of because the general public doesn't like their work? People act like there are millions of brilliant Picassos ,Mozarts, or Orson Wells. I've seen/heard some of the independent crap out there and the reason they haven't signed with a label or filmed with a studio - they suck. Granted there are diamonds in the rough, but you have to dig really deep and waste a great deal of time to find anything decent.
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Greg G, 9 Nov 2011 @ 11:10am

Re: Color me unsurprised
While the beginning of your post is right on, and is deserving of the insightful votes, the last 2 paragraphs couldn't be more wrong.

So many young people hold liberal viewpoints because they are used to being taken care of (parents) and want the government do take that role. As they get older, they realize the government can't do it as well as they can take care of themselves, so their viewpoints change to the conservative side.

As for optimistic/pessimistic, liberals are much more the pessimists, especially because they're more likely to be on welfare or some other government program and they think that's their life, period.

You're basing your political beliefs on what a few has-been entertainers are complaining about, the few that refuse to adapt.

Stop it. Just stop.

You ARE right about one thing... the fact that there is not much of a guess which philosophy is generally better suited for the future.
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Chuck Norris' Enemy (deceased) (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 11:15am

Re: Re: Re: No, no, Mike. It's a clever ploy to get /more/ people to "infringe".
Many artists have found ways to monetize their content without you guys to "Google" between consumers and artists?
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Rikuo (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 11:15am

The kicker for me was when he said that he doesn't care if you download his music then pay for it. It shows that he's not interested in making a sale, he's interested only in controlling the distribution of his music. Which is a completely idiotic thing to want in today's world.
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ChrisB (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 11:16am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Guess he never heard of
> You paid for it - with you attention to the ads.

So if I download a song from the internet and I just "think" about buying the album, I've paid for it?
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Chuck Norris' Enemy (deceased) (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 11:17am

Re: Re: No more Anthrax for me.
Let me guess...there is nobody on your Christmas shopping list? =]
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weneedhelp (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 11:20am

Re: Re:
Hair band? No. Not even close.
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PaulT (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 11:24am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
So, you have nothing other than attacks on people who are doing things to help artists? Glad you admit it.
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weneedhelp (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 11:27am

Sad really
Was just listening to Spreading The Disease (1985) yesterday. Anthrax was one of the best Metal bands of the 80's. I guess they are just another washed up, get off my lawn, me me me, entitled asswipes. I hate to see that.

The truth of the matter Ian, is, you started sucking right after Among The Living (1987)You had a breif reprieve with Attack of the killer B's, but everything after that sucked.
Did you ever think that may have something to do with it?
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PaulT (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 11:28am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: No, no, Mike. It's a clever ploy to get /more/ people to "infringe".
"Mike has been incredibly invasive here about actual solutions,"

Offering an opinion is invasive now? What actual actions has he performed that fit the criteria of "invasive" (no, offering an opinion that differs from the "OMG piracy" excuse is not invasive)?

"When you look at the site, you understand that it isn't about finding solutions, it's about driving page views."

Probably aided well and truly by idiots like you who attack him constantly and cause repeat views of stories by people telling you what a moron you are. How does it feel, being a driver for Mike's profit? He had at least 2 page views simply by me responding to your comments.

"It's about Mike moving into the music industry and working to be a middle man on solutions that he himself doesn't actually come up with."

When has he ever claimed to have invented them? He generally points out common sense economic facts and reports on musicians who are trying out new models. When has he ever claimed otherwise?

"So I don't think it is at all slanderous, it's my opinion based on what I can see"

As are all of Mike's posts, but that doesn't stop you from attacking them.
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PaulT (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 11:34am

Re: Re: Re:
"I've seen/heard some of the independent crap out there and the reason they haven't signed with a label or filmed with a studio - they suck. Granted there are diamonds in the rough, but you have to dig really deep and waste a great deal of time to find anything decent."

I've seen/heard some of the major label content out there, and the reason they signed with a label or filmed with a studio is because it was lowest denominator crap. Pandering to idiots, with no artistic merit. Granted, there are diamonds in the rough, but you have to dig really deep and waste a great deal of time to find anything decent.

Funnily enough, it does work both ways. Your personal taste is not a basis for a business model.
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fogbugzd (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 11:34am

Re: Re: Re:
>>Granted there are diamonds in the rough, but you have to dig really deep and waste a great deal of time to find anything decent.

True, but there also some great tools out there for filtering the content. The nice thing is that the tools let you filter for what you like. In the past the filtering was done by the labels, and you either accepted what they liked or went without.
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weneedhelp (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 11:38am

Re: Response to: Anonymous on Nov 9th, 2011 @ 9:00am
Anthrax still has fans? Yes, any 40 something that was not under a rock, or in a drug induced haze through the 80's knew them. I still listen to them regularly. If you are an aspiring guitar or drum player, you should definately give them a listen.
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Anonymous Coward, 9 Nov 2011 @ 11:40am

As an anthrax fan, I would like to say one thing. The reason your recent albums haven't been selling as good isn't because piracy. Its because they just plain aren't as good as they were in the 80s, and thrash isn't in the spotlight anymore.

Secondly, I would like to see just one income statement from the music industry before the internet where they made more than 10 billion a year, much less a trillion.
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weneedhelp (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 11:41am

Re: Re: Maybe...
Was it ever really that good to begin with?

Oh c'mon now. The first 4 albums had all good songs on them.
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RD, 9 Nov 2011 @ 11:53am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Guess he never heard of
"RD, you are truly dense. You paid for it - with you attention to the ads.

I get a real headache having to re-explain the basic concept to you every couple of months. Off your meds again?"

Ok, with you so far....but the topic is "stealing" and how people dont pay MONEY for listening to music therefore they are "thieves." So, my example is still correct, according to the Big Media Greetard Manifesto.
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Ron Rezendes (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 12:20pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Guess he never heard of
I change stations between songs and rarely listen to any commercials.

Does this mean I am now a pirate because I used the button on the stereo to change the station?

Does that mean stereo makers are aiding and abetting Radio Freetard Pirates?

Shouldn't we get some legislation that says it's illegal to NOT listen to commercials?

Should we start jailing the stereo manufacturers, should we seize their websites, deny them a court date, and keep their assets for an undefined amount of time?

Can we start with Sony?

GREEDTARDS - all greed, all tards 24/7!
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The Groove Tiger (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 12:26pm

I was a teenager in the eighties when their music was popular, or something. All I can say about them is that I sort of remember that their logo had a skull in it. Or was it a worm? A knife? Two or more of the above?

Yeah, that's how popular they were back then. In fact I'm probably wrong and they didn't have any of those things in their logo (probably another, slightly more popular metal band). So all I know about them is the name.
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btrussell (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 12:29pm

Re: Re: Re:
Yep!

I live in Ontario, not far from The Hawk, I have to put up with his son Robin on any given Wednesday night and bands like the Down Child Blues Band.

Jeff Healey, Alannah Myles, Rick Fines, that is the kind of crap that comes out of my area.

Or Austin Carson Band (16yrs old, writes his own tunes)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEMqWoYwOvk&feature=related

Or Sam Ferguson Band (they also write their own tunes)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UALSKBc_Hk4

Whatever will I do without the bieb(also from Ontario), whom the labels picked up?
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Chosen Reject (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 12:31pm

Re: Re: Re:
I googled Room for One More. The first and seconds results listed were for a movie with that title from 1952. The third result was for a TV series from 1962. I had to scroll down to see anything about Anthrax.

Who's the one committing theft now, Mr Ian?
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Anonymous Coward, 9 Nov 2011 @ 12:31pm

Re: Re:
Careful with your logic there, sir. The AC's claim is unsupported, not false. There's a big difference.

http://www.fallacyfiles.org/ignorant.html
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Ron Rezendes (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 12:32pm

Re: Re: Color me unsurprised
Greg - so much fail in such a little space - concentrated fail, epic.

Not a single fact, but all of it is stated as if it absolutely true and not just your opinion.

Stop it, just stop - you are doing a disservice to conservatives everywhere and of course you appear to be an idiot to everyone.
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Anonymous Coward, 9 Nov 2011 @ 12:38pm

Re: Re:
they get how to keep their shows from selling out?
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Matt (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 12:39pm

I grew up a huge Anthrax fan and I can tell you this. The albums today are not not selling because of piracy. They are not selling because they are not that good. Plain and simple. Recently Megadeth, Overkill and Iron Maiden came out with great albums. You know what I did? I bought them. For about 10 years though all their albums sucked too.
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Ron Rezendes (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 12:43pm

Re: No, no, Mike. It's a clever ploy to get /more/ people to "infringe".
"And if everyone took my advice and used Noscript and a hosts file, Google itself would soon be in difficulties. -- But tacitly you rely on someone else making the product, and leveraging off of it."

So, you DO support piracy?! You take the content and use it freely while denying the content producer his income by blocking the ads that pay money for views on his website.

Glad we finally cleared that up, welcome to the Freetards.

Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome out_of_the_blue!
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btrussell (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 12:47pm

Re:
Yep! Being pirated all right. 1 seed 0 leeches, for their discography.

I guess everyone saw this story and shut it down.
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dv8r (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 12:51pm

what is the significant difference twixt 'infringement' / 'stealing' ?
What really makes your business model better than that of Anthrax or of a record label? If I re-appropriated all your content via an RSS feed, and ran a mirror site with all your commentary under my own domain name, and kept the ad revenues for myself, would you consider that my business model is better than yours?

I don't care whether you care to call this 'infringement' or stealing, but in actuality, what is the significant difference? If you are a 'fan' of the artists, you will spend money on their creative works, merchandise etc. Merely downloading music without permission from the rights holder for free does not really qualify one as a "fan", or give you some righteous position in my humble opinion.

The ignorant responses to Mr. Ian's rant show the level of maturity of the users of this website, i see responses that would make bloodied Anthrax fans in the pit seem erudite in comparison.

First of all, as far as I can see, Scott Ian's basically right... either you consider supporting artists morally right or you don't. Despite some poorly made comparisons in the responses, Broadcast mediums (Radio,TV) and Films actually do pay artists, they don't steal it. Even Non-Commercial radio pays performance rights. This is done through various compulsory agreements long established with music publishers. I have known artists who certainly appreciated this revenue stream in their careers, even if for some of the lesser played acts & tracks, it can be very miniscule. Internet sites like Kazaa, Napster, and yes, YouTube & GrooveShark have all initially attempted to usurp the payment obligations due to rights holders.

I am not affiliated with the RIAA, Anthrax or any other business that benefits from this economy, but clearly can see the impact that so-called 'sharing' has on these artists and labels.

If you go to your neighbor's house without permission when he's not home, and take fruit off his apple tree, or 'borrow' his tools, or read mail from his mailbox, without express permission, is that 'infringement' or just a type of stealing?
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btrussell (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 12:53pm

Re:
Even Diamond Dave had to get a part-time job after leaving Van Halen.
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hmm (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 12:56pm

Re: Anthrax has been years behind Metallica forever.
It's all a feeble publicity stunt.

The band anthrax tanked DECADES ago and can only be found now typically in bargain-bins at wal-mart etc.

He's hoping a little controversy can't hurt since sales can't go DOWN from zero....they can only go up.
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btrussell (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 12:56pm

Re:
Not AC/DC! What did they do/not do?
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hmm (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 1:00pm

BYE BYE
OK lets see if Ian lives by his own teachings shall we?

They stole various pentagram logos and 'satanic' images and various other bits from Metallica and other bands.
Hell, even the bands appearance on their own website is similiar to DOZENS of others that have gone before...

Hey Ian, thats strike ONE...no more internet for you!

Let's see if he's a hypocrite or not depending whether he gets rid of the Anthrax website....
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mikey4001, 9 Nov 2011 @ 1:03pm

remarks from an anthrax fan:
I would like to point out to Mr. Ian that "back in the day" there was plenty of infringement going on. In fact, it was quite probably responsible for much of his success. In the 80's that Mr. Ian seems to be pining for, there was no such thing as Anthrax on the radio. There was no such thing as Anthrax on MTV. The way you heard of bands like Anthrax (for most of us, anyway) was for someone to *gasp* make you a tape and say "dude, you gotta dig on this drummer!" Infringement was one of the very few ways to ever hear a band that wasn't Motley Crue or Poison. A "real" metal band on the radio? Forget about it. It was a point of pride for some bands NOT to be on the MTV.

If people like me didn't do disgraceful things like post illegal thievery songs from YouTube on our Facebook pages, the kids today would likely never know about bands from 30 years ago, because it's not in the best interest of the "legitimate" sources to promote it over the crappy, over-compressed electronic "ooontz ooontz ooontz ooontz" garbage that the kids are into these days. Mr. Ian needs to take a chill pill, and perhaps go back and listen to the lyrics for "Caught in a Mosh." Efilnikufesin!
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btrussell (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 1:03pm

Re: what is the significant difference twixt 'infringement' / 'stealing' ?
What if you sneak into your neighbors house, copied his disc, then left again.

What have you stolen? and from whom?
Who is missing what?
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Deacon Frost, 9 Nov 2011 @ 1:03pm

I dont know where to start with this one. Most of the comments here are just plain stupid and uniformed. Lets begin with the band Anthrax. Yes they are still a band and yes they are still making music. Their new release is pretty darn good and their live show is equally good. As a matter of fact all the recent releases from those thrash bands are some of the best in recent years (OverKill, Death Angel, Megadeth, and the new Anthrax). Scott is not claiming that his band is the only band that are being "stolen" from but rather he is merely pointing out that after going through the music scene from the 80's through the present the albums sales have changed due to numnuts kids that download everything because they can and think its all free. These bands now rely on ticket sales and merchandise sales to break even. The cost of producing and promoting a record aint cheap. This is not about quality of music because like he states everyone was buying music in the 80's and 90's. Since the internet wasnt around it was based on hearing singles on the radio and rotation on MTV. So all your statements about the music sucks, etc. is just plain lame/stupid and everyone thinks that things should be free is beyond reasoning....these musicians owe you absolutely NOTHING. And whoever uses the word "GreedTard" was dropped as a child. Worship Music.
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btrussell (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 1:06pm

Re:
"Worship Music."

Fuck you! Obey the Cow God!
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el_segfaulto (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 1:07pm

Re: Re: Re: No more Anthrax for me.
I'm thinking that's his "naughty" list.
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technomage (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 1:10pm

Re:
Oh yes, by all means, let Hollywood follow suit. At least that would be a year of no REMAKES, because it is clearly obvious that Hollywood has no writers anymore, and haven't since the last strike. A strike over what? More money. The circle comes around...
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weneedhelp (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 1:20pm

Re:
"unsuitable for children"
Who decides that?
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weneedhelp (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 1:22pm

Re: Re:Not AC/DC! What did they do/not do?
Flick of the switch.
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technomage (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 1:25pm

Re:
"Promoting an record..." hmm, methinks that if their music was any good, word of mouth is the best form of advertisement and promotion. and it's free! Maybe all the fans need to get paid for that "free" promotion? Maybe in the form of downloadable content?
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harbingerofdoom (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 1:28pm

Re: Re: Re:
ian shaved his head. the rest of them had tons of hair to spare but there is no way on gods green earth they were a hair band
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Ron, 9 Nov 2011 @ 1:29pm

Re:
I used the word GreedTard. It is what it is. I was not dropped on my head, I am a computer professional and I make half decent money. No where near the amount of money that Anthcrap makes off of one gig. 125 bucks a ticket, what the hell is that if not greed? My word and opinion sticks!!

You are right about musicians owe us absolutely nothing. Also, we owe them nothing. Work for your paycheck instead of pumping out garbage and complaining about nobody buying your shit.

Like someone said earlier, there is one person seeding the new album and NOBODY downloading it. That does not look like people are taking anything from them.

You sound like you work for them?
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harbingerofdoom (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 1:38pm

Re: Re: Re: Re:
dont forget these:
'i am the law' a song that is directly inspired by judge dredd
'N.F.L (efilnikufesin)' a song about john belushi
'indians' a song whose inspiration is obvious
'among the living' & 'a skeleton in the closet' both inspired by steven king stories.

..oh yeah, and the cover of among the living by the way... nice use of henry kane there....

in short scott, my point is this:
dont bitch about freeloaders when you have lifted plenty of ideas yourself. you want me to buy your stuff? make better music. anthrax hasnt released anything good since persistence of time. THAT is why i dont buy your albums any longer.
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Deacon Frost, 9 Nov 2011 @ 1:44pm

Re: Re:
I appreciate your response although some of your statements are questionable. Using the word Anthcrap clearly means you dislike the band and that is fine. It could be any band or artist but it still remains the same story...downloading, etc. is still a form of piracy/stealing. I just saw Anthrax/Testament/Death Angel for $30 so I dont know where your getting $125.

They owe us nothing and we owe them nothing...your right. But what I'm saying is the means are there to acquire whatever you want and people do so...for Free. Simple concept that is simply abused.

I dont work for Anthrax. I am simply a fan of that style of music. I've been to the shows and if I thought they lacked in entertainment value I would say so. That also goes for their music. I think when people argue about these types of things its usually people who already dont like the artist, etc. It could be any musician, band, etc. and it will not change.
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Anonymous Coward, 9 Nov 2011 @ 1:48pm

Who would want to pirate either one? They suck.
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The Fake Scott Ian, 9 Nov 2011 @ 1:51pm

Re: Re: Re: RAPETARDS!
I think you rapetards all missed a very important part of this whole discussion, so let me quote myself:

"I sold records in the '80s and '90s before there was an Internet..."

See? What you fucking thieves need to realize is that we all need to simply go back to the 80s and 90s...well, could we agree to the 80s? The blow and loose backstage groupies were better then.

Thanks,

Scott
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Anonymous Coward, 9 Nov 2011 @ 2:00pm

Good. Stop making music.
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Franklin G Ryzzo (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 2:20pm

Re:
Yes, this! Please stop making movies and music for at least one year! If possible stop for longer than that. This would pave the way for a true renaissance of quality. Musicians would continue to make music without the influence of demands of the major labels, so we'd actually get to hear the music they want to release and not what the labels force on them because they think it will sell. Independent and original films will be made that aren't just crappy remakes trying to gimmick their way into ticket sales through nostalgia or crappy 3D.

If you can't actually make that happen, then please stop teasing us.

I honestly think the more telling experiment is if all the freetards out there stopped buying music and movies for a year. You know, all the people that are demonized by the industries but have been shown are their best customers? I think the industry would be in for a very rude awakeneing if every single person who has downloaded something in the last year made the collective decision to not spend another dime on entertainment... Oh well, a guy can dream, right?
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tom, 9 Nov 2011 @ 2:48pm

bullshit, if you do a job you should be entitled to the wages associated just like anyone else in any business. making albums is not cheap and it takes a lot of effort and time. its moronic to think that taking music for free isn't stealing, obviously if you have no money or very little then taking music illegally is your only option but when you steal copious amounts of music while having the financial stability to pay for its just plain wrong. i'm not rich by any means but i buy my music legally because i know that if people stole my music i'd be pissed off. fans that say bands against free downloading are sell outs are plain and simple too greedy and cheap to pay for something that they want and need. most music fans are die hard fans yet they refuse to pay for the record and then wonder why the artist doesn't tour in their country...well...if the record pans then the tours not gonna get the proper funding...simple as! unless you're an established act.
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Franklin G Ryzzo (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 3:16pm

Re:
I'm also a fan of Anthrax, but I have to disagree with your statements.

Specifically, this:

"Scott is not claiming that his band is the only band that are being "stolen" from but rather he is merely pointing out that after going through the music scene from the 80's through the present the albums sales have changed due to numnuts kids that download everything because they can and think its all free."

And this:

"This is not about quality of music because like he states everyone was buying music in the 80's and 90's. Since the internet wasnt around it was based on hearing singles on the radio and rotation on MTV."

I grew up in the late 80's early 90's, and I was not exposed to Anthrax through the radio (local stations didn't play them) or through MTV (I've never had cable). The way I found bands like Anthrax and Metallica and Public Enemy and NWA (etc...) was by my friends sharing and copying their music with me, as I did mine with them. We all made mixtapes for each other. We recorded what we could off the radio for free, and when we wanted something that the radio didn't play, we found someone who already had it and taped it. We didn't do this because we were trying to ripoff the artists, but rather because we were kids and didn't have any money. We certainly weren't going to spend the little money we had on something we hadn't already heard and knew was worth the precious expense. Because of this sharing we got more exposure to more bands, and although we didn't have a lot of money, we did buy (or ask the parents for) t-shirts and concert tickets.

As for the people saying that their music sucks and that's why no one is buying it, everyone has their own tastes in music and just because it isn't their taste doesn't mean it isn't mine. This argument is patently false. The real argument that I do think is compelling though is that the overall fanbase of this genre is not what it used to be, and because of that, I believe it is very reasonable to think that sales would be lower. How many of the metal heads that you used to hang with and go to shows with back in the day now wear a suit and tie and listen to what their wives tell them to or what their kids like?

I haven't heard the new Anthrax album, but I've heard it's actually good. I'll consider buying it once I've listened to it and have made an informed decision that it's worth my money. How will I listen to it? Good question... I'll download it from that one guy seeding the torrent. This is not because I'm a dirty non-paying freetard, and it is not because I don't have the money, it's because I'm tired of paying my hard earned money for crap that I can't return. If this makes me an evil person then so be it, but I think it makes me a concerned and critical consumer using the only viable option I have to make an informed decision.
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Ron Rezendes (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 3:41pm

Re: Re: what is the significant difference twixt 'infringement' / 'stealing' ?
And there is the difference dv8r!
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Michael, 9 Nov 2011 @ 3:46pm

why he's mad...
Nobody downloads his songs... cause Anthrax still sux.
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Anonymous Coward, 9 Nov 2011 @ 3:51pm

Re: Re:
http://news.sky.com/home/showbiz-news/article/15987188

Because they're a bunch of has-been douchebags with attitudes like that.
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MikeH, 9 Nov 2011 @ 4:27pm

Bands like Anthrax and Metallica blame the Internet for the drop in record sales, I think it's just a poor excuse these fading stars use to cover the fact that less people are interested in their music in this day and age. I imagine a sizeable proportion of people that listened to them at 18-22 and are now 38-42, don't want to listen to angry thrash metal and listen to mellower stuff. If they were clever they'd use the internet to their advantage like the Beastie Boys. Constant online presence, always positive, good relationship with fans new and old.
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Ron Rezendes (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 4:39pm

Re: Re:
Love Green Jello!
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Just John (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 5:54pm

Personal notes
I found this entire article not only amusing, but also quite personal to me.

The ironic part was, I was one of those who one day logged on to Napster and got the "You have been banned by Metallica".

Sadly, I was a huge Metallica fan, and had all of their CDs. The reason I was banned was because I had ripped my CDs into MP3s. I did not know that Napster went through and scanned your hard drive and selected MP3 files, so I did not even know I was sharing. Eh, now I know more then I once did. Of course, after that, I stopped listening to their newer music, and never again purchased anything having to do with them.

Now Ian's story, and part of his rant, especially strikes a cord with me:
Everyone can say that, "I just wanted to check it out," or "There's no way for me to get music where I live."

In my case, this is absolutely, 100% true. See, I live in Taiwan, but am an American. As an American living here, I am not able to make online purchases because the bank does not allow foreign nationals to use their card beyond a limited scope. As for picking it up locally? Anyone who has been to Taiwan for a long duration can probably attest that the only international bands albums to be found here are the big pop sensations. I can find Michael Jackson, Britney Spears, etc. Any metal albums? Yeah right. So should I have my family in the US pony up the dough for the album because I want to listen to it?

Of course, since I am not a fan of Anthrax, well, guess I don't have to worry about it. But, this does tempt me to go illegally download all of their songs, just to tweak his nose that much more...
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btrussell (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 6:38pm

Re: Re: Re:
You've a right to your opinion, but that doesn't change my attitude towards them. I believe they also only allow walmart to stock them, but that doesn't bother me either. I can get it, it is available.

I'm just glad it isn't news similar to this article or the one about Henley. My three Faves are AC/DC, Floyd and Zeppelin. Push comes to shove, I think I would go with AC/DC as my favorite.

I do agree with them that some albums are best left whole, "The Wall" being the best example off the top of my head, but I can also see your side, and since you are the customer, you are right. No reason for them not to sell singles.
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btrussell (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 6:48pm

Re: Re: Re:
P.S. I doubt a bunch of has-beens could be a sell-out in Toronto in 5 minutes. Add a show and do it again. And again.

Lets see the bieb do that. And he's a local.
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btrussell (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 7:00pm

Re:
"bullshit, if you do a job you should be entitled to the wages associated just like anyone else in any business."

What wage do they want?
"...wage rates are either the product of market forces (supply and demand), as is common in the United States..."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wage

I don't get paid every time someone admires a house I built.
Nor do I get paid every time someone uses a spreadsheet I built.

Don't these examples count as "any business?"
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JMT (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 7:09pm

Re:
"...if you do a job you should be entitled to the wages associated just like anyone else in any business."

If someone wants a wage, they should go work 40+ hours a week in a regular job. The music industry has never promised that kind of financial security.

"its moronic to think that taking music for free isn't stealing..."

Well chalk up SCOTUS as being a bunch of morons.

What's moronic is still not seeing the difference between removing something from the owner's possession so they can no longer use it (stealing) and making a duplicate that leaves the original unaffected (copyright infringement).

"most music fans are die hard fans yet they refuse to pay for the record and then wonder why the artist doesn't tour in their country..."

Every single point in this line was made up by you in order to support your weak argument. That's called a strawman.
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Anonymous Coward, 9 Nov 2011 @ 7:13pm

Re: Re: Re: Maybe...
"They were one of the few metal bands with a good guitarist."

A very naive comment coming from someone who obviously hasn't listened to much metal in their life.
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btrussell (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 7:24pm

Re: Re: Re:
Oh oh! Another Cereal Killer!
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Anonymous Coward, 9 Nov 2011 @ 7:35pm

Re: Re:
Apparently you either lack reading comprehension skills or you didn't read my post before replying to it. Try again.
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Bergman (profile), 9 Nov 2011 @ 7:36pm

Re: Re: Re:
Well, that's weird. Somehow I got signed out between clicking reply and clicking submit.
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Anonymous Coward, 9 Nov 2011 @ 9:02pm

Re: Re: Re: Guess he never heard of
You don't have a clue how radio royalties work, Freetardo.
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Anonymous Coward, 9 Nov 2011 @ 9:06pm

Re: Re:
The only greedy people are the ones that want music but instead of paying, illegally rip it off.

That, is greed.
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Anonymous Coward, 9 Nov 2011 @ 9:15pm

Re:
LOL at all you douchebags saying "I'll never buy their stuff again".

You don't get it.

We already know you don't buy.

So your opinion doesn't mean shit to us or anyone else.
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Anonymous Coward, 9 Nov 2011 @ 9:30pm

Re: what is the significant difference twixt 'infringement' / 'stealing' ?
Hmmm... the morality argument.

Try this...
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=165 547#comment-2466647
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Deacon Frost, 9 Nov 2011 @ 10:27pm

Re:
I think not. Have you recently attended either of the aformentioned bands live shows? I hear crickets so probably not. I have just seen Anthrax and to a greater extent The Big 4 show.....these bands are doing just fine attendance-wise. Your argumnet that people in the 38-42 age range dont listen to this music because they have grown older is just false. These recent shows were primarily that age range. Its the suffering music industry and this little thing called the internet that gets in the way of album sales #'s.
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Deacon Frost, 9 Nov 2011 @ 10:34pm

Re: Re:
Sure tape trading was a way to spread the word but guess what? Oh yeah that person that first taped it heard it from somewhere...most likely the radio...or MTV. It didnt just come out of thin air.

This whole thing about hearing something first and then I'll buy it is lame. Do people go to a movie and watch the first 5 mins and then decide to pay for the whole movie because they like what there seeing?
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Anonymous Coward, 9 Nov 2011 @ 11:44pm

Re: Re:
"Your argumnet that people in the 38-42 age range dont listen to this music because they have grown older is just false. These recent shows were primarily that age range."

And these fans are there to hear the music of their youth. To take a trip down memory lane. Fans of that age now have mortgages to pay, children's mouths to feed and they just don't spend their money on "a shit ton of records" anymore.

I know this because I'm one of them. If I go see a band with a 20-30 year history and all they play are new songs (like Aerosmith for example) I'll not waste my time or money on them again.

If they can't connect with today's youth and find a way to interest them into making a purchase, they're screwed. This little rant will do them much more harm than good in those regards. As for us 40 yr. olds? They'd be damn fools if they think we're just going to run out and buy every new release just "because".
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Anonymous Coward, 9 Nov 2011 @ 11:49pm

Scott Ian the thief
Stealing Like A Thief, Anthrax Style

Stealing is bad, just ask Scott Ian. The Anthrax guitarist wants music pirates to be in jail or lose their internet connection forever.

The problem with stealing is nobody is immune. We all steal something at certain points in our lives. What makes us decent people is the way we deal with it. For Scott Ian, he went crying to his buddy Howard Stern to get him off the hook. Back in 1997, a drunken Scott Ian went down to the Yankees training camp in Tampa, Florida, broke in and ran around the bases. He tried to steal the on deck circle but cops were waiting and arrested him.

Instead of manning up, Ian went on the Howard Stern Show and joked around a bit. When Steinbrenner called in, Scott apologized and begged not to have charges pressed against him. It must be nice being famous and able to get away with that kind of thieving behavior without any consequences.

http://www.thegauntlet.com/article/29/23003/Stealing-Like-A-Thief-Anthrax-Style
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Anonymous Coward, 10 Nov 2011 @ 12:53am

Charlie Benante, the sensible one
Q. Is metal different than other genres when it comes to selling new music?

The fans are the most loyal of any form of music. That's how I came up with the title "Worship Music." Heavy metal fans have bands that they love. They buy everything. They'll travel. It gives them joy. That's how they worship music. I'm the same way. I worship certain bands that always inspire me.

Q. What's it like getting this kind of response this deep into your career?

I guess every once in a while all the planets align and something goes right. This time something went right for us. Someone looked down on us and said, "Let's give these guys a break."

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/11/03/2743265/metal-fans-worship-music-of-anthrax.h tml#ixzz1dI35Wg6R

So then, who should we believe? Scott who considers all his fans thieves? Or Charlie, who says the fans are loyal and buy everything?
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techflaws.org (profile), 10 Nov 2011 @ 3:32am

Re:
The project looks like an abject failure.

Like all your postings do. Doesn't stop you either.
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techflaws.org (profile), 10 Nov 2011 @ 3:36am

Re: Re:
Same as you AC's comments. So what?
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techflaws.org (profile), 10 Nov 2011 @ 3:42am

Re: Re: Re:
No, they download it from the Internet and if it's good, decide to watch it on the big screen. Alternatively the read all the comments on how much it sucks (Transformers 3, anyone) and skip even the downloading part.
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Anonymous Coward, 10 Nov 2011 @ 4:19am

First of all: Love the ad-hominem attacks. Really nice. That's why I'll remain AC. I don't care about Anthrax, but this is not about how good or bad the band is. A lot of independent musicians also complain about this issue, but you just don't hear them because they are not popular.

Mainly I wanted to point out the poor logic comparing a blog to an album. Mike, just the studio costs would pay many years of hosting, this comparison really doesn't make sense at all. Yes, you spend your time to write the articles, but so do the musicians to write the music. To deliver your content, all you need is a website, and we all know how cheap that is nowadays, even if you have your own server (I do). But a good studio still costs, and not little. And please don't come with the home-recording argument, while it works for some projects, for most if you want proper sound, you still need a good studio.
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Loki, 10 Nov 2011 @ 5:26am

The biggest issue for Anthrax isn't file-sharing, it's exposure. Back in the day when it was selling all those albums was one of those brief periods when hard rock/metla stations proliferated. You could often find 2 or 3, sometimes 4 stations in a market that might regularly or occasionally play Metallica, Megadeth or Anthrax. These days, trying to find even one good rock station in a market can be like pulling teeth. I can't remember the last time I heard an Anthrax song on the radio. Nor do I give any effort to finding their music, given they are signed to an RIAA affiliated label.
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drew (profile), 10 Nov 2011 @ 7:58am

Re: Re: Re: Step2
Of course that might be because it's a lot harder, and riskier, to go our there and actually try something new than it is to sit on your arse and criticise. Of course if this damn internet would just go away we could go back to the good old way of having a system that only worked. Well, worked for the 10% who recouped at any rate.
And you know what, maybe if step 2 has failed, maybe that's a success too? Because maybe it's just an experiment to see if that kind of experiment could work?
Maybe you have an alternative suggestion of how it could be done?
Maybe you could share it on step 2?
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Ron Rezendes (profile), 10 Nov 2011 @ 10:06am

Re: Re: Re: Re:
Need a "Like" button for this one!

Three little pigs rocks! I have the Green Jello Cereal Killer CD but I found out they later changed their name to Green Jelly, because you know when the CD goes into the player you might accidentally grab a spoon or something, wtf?!
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Squid Lips, 15 Nov 2011 @ 3:59pm

Re:
Imagin the Unimaginable. How quaint.
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btrussell (profile), 9 Jan 2012 @ 5:27am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
I think you started something here.

Green Jello "Little Pig, Little Pig" has gone viral!

http://viralvideochart.unrulymedia.com/youtube/Green_Jello_%26quot%3BLittle_Pig%2C_Little_ Pig%26quot%3B?id=_CYwNWHZuT0&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ ViralVideoChart+%28Viral+Video+Chart%3A+Top+10+Daily%29
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Anonymous Coward, 23 Feb 2012 @ 11:40am

Anthrax's new album kills it, its amazing and likely is the best work of their careers. Now alot of you aren't going to like it , and that just awesome as well. Here is the issue about Anthrax, Slayer, megadeth and to a much lesser extent metallica. they are like woodstock, 300,000 people were at woodstock yet if everyone was their who has claimed to have been there over the years it would have been 60 billion. So all of these people who now claim thrash bands suck, or metallica was only good up til 89 are full of it. You never liked thrash and we know it. You just trying to pose as a fan.
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Anonymous Coward, 30 May 2014 @ 12:11am

Fuck u faggot its art you dont own it anymore.
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