koelling
APT Keyboardist
- Dec 27, 2007
- 326
- 0
- 16
I have always agreed, John. Both Steve and I would love nothing more than to play 100 gigs. But we just can't. Our life styles and families prevent us from even considering that. I think the internet still has its place. I've just never been so disappointed with the response and lack of support - but that's because I got my hopes up based on the last album. I assumed something that was plain foolish, and now, judging by the high percentage of people who have been really pushing us (buying multiple copies and handing them out to friends, etc.) in our own area, we know how important it will be to play local gigs and double, then triple our following. Times change. Banking on the same people from before was not a very wise move. I've been taught that the "what have you done for me lately" thing is soooo true. But, then again, you warned me of that too, didn't you? LOL. Maybe I should start taking your advice more often, LOL.
Listening over and over to this disc, the drums need to be higher in the mix in several places, and the cymbals were effected far more than I anticipated by the compression during the mastering stage. But I wouldn't change one chord or one note. It came out the way I wanted it to. The dark and depressing sounds need to be there. The desonant chords are "on purpose" (representing the conflict within), and Sorrell's vocals are perfect (in my opinion) for what we want our sound to be.
As Steve said earlier, prog fans are known for "pointing out what they don't like" far more than what they DO like. I'm not stereotyping...I'm going by experience. But I'm a prog nut, so I expect it. But I dragged Sorrell's ass into the :"genre" because I thought it's where we belonged. Now he's having to watch my executive decision unravel into a series of disappointing results, when, all the while, the people who really dig this album are regular Joe blows who listen to "whatever" and never claim to be prog snobs.
I still have a hard time listening to new Rush. I can't stand how corporate record labels ruined Styx and Kansas. I think Dream Theater's best stuff was Images and Words and Awake (and later on "Scenes"). So, yeah, I fall right into the lines of those who expect more from their favorite bands. But, if I was a close friend, or long time internet acquaintance of the bands that I was supporting, I think I'd just let them know that I got the CD and was listening to it. THAT really is the kind of support we need. If a musician doesn't feel the love or appreciation, the only reason they would even make music would be because they love to....and if that was the case, why spend thousands of dollars to record it, make nice booklets, and put them up for sell? Maybe the next CD will be completely done in house and made "as needed". If people don't understand where I'm coming from, then they have no clue what it's like being in our shoes. Expectations? I don't get paid enough. Rush DOES.
Listening over and over to this disc, the drums need to be higher in the mix in several places, and the cymbals were effected far more than I anticipated by the compression during the mastering stage. But I wouldn't change one chord or one note. It came out the way I wanted it to. The dark and depressing sounds need to be there. The desonant chords are "on purpose" (representing the conflict within), and Sorrell's vocals are perfect (in my opinion) for what we want our sound to be.
As Steve said earlier, prog fans are known for "pointing out what they don't like" far more than what they DO like. I'm not stereotyping...I'm going by experience. But I'm a prog nut, so I expect it. But I dragged Sorrell's ass into the :"genre" because I thought it's where we belonged. Now he's having to watch my executive decision unravel into a series of disappointing results, when, all the while, the people who really dig this album are regular Joe blows who listen to "whatever" and never claim to be prog snobs.
I still have a hard time listening to new Rush. I can't stand how corporate record labels ruined Styx and Kansas. I think Dream Theater's best stuff was Images and Words and Awake (and later on "Scenes"). So, yeah, I fall right into the lines of those who expect more from their favorite bands. But, if I was a close friend, or long time internet acquaintance of the bands that I was supporting, I think I'd just let them know that I got the CD and was listening to it. THAT really is the kind of support we need. If a musician doesn't feel the love or appreciation, the only reason they would even make music would be because they love to....and if that was the case, why spend thousands of dollars to record it, make nice booklets, and put them up for sell? Maybe the next CD will be completely done in house and made "as needed". If people don't understand where I'm coming from, then they have no clue what it's like being in our shoes. Expectations? I don't get paid enough. Rush DOES.
Seems everyone here is fully behind the music. Now I know it's not the number of participants we once had at the Esucarys forum. Still, you were the one who pointed out that many were there just for the social setting and not as fans of the band. That's pitiful, I agree. I'll reiterate a point already made. A band does get it's name out there faster and better by touring. I understand completely that you guys have regular lives, jobs, families...and you can't just up and hit the road for extended amounts of time. Simply book a gig here and there and things are bound to blossom. I can't do much more pushing where I'm at. Outside my family and work environment, I have no time for mixing in the music scene around here. Besides, northern Alabama is a country/southern rock paradise and they'd wonder "what kind of crap" this was if I put on an APtT disc. :Smug:
