So... any first-hand accounts of the Milwaukee Metalfest?

[FataMorgana]

The guy from Project Independent has set up a "Milwaukee Metalfest Disaster" forum. This could be some interesting reading...

http://www.websitetoolbox.com/tool/mb/projectindependent?forum=85721

 

[Insomniainc]

it's truly insane what happened, I know a couple bands who played and just... wow.

I do shows up in Toronto, and like everyone who does shows I've had my failures... but... wow. this whole thing renders me speechless.

 

[3DimensionalAperture]

cut that down to a third of that number and it sounds like most Atlanta local metal shows I've been to in the past year.

the scene is a sad, sad place these days unless a band with a name like Blind Guardian comes to town.

Actually, God Forbid is WAY bigger in the states than Blind Guardian. This is just a matter of horrible promotion and organization thanks to a greedy promoter.

 

[Harvester]

Nice thread here:

http://www.smnnews.com/board/showthread.php?t=158657&highlight=koshick

 

[Kenso]

how much were tickets to this for the fans themselves?

 

[Wayniac]

Looks like a few Powermads i have been to..

Nah - the lights and stage are too nice !

 

[Stingray11214]

how much were tickets to this for the fans themselves?

Supposedly they were $50

 

[eppst1]

I can't believe how this fest has fallen. I went to a few of the fests back in the later 90's and I had a great time. There were a ton of people there and I saw lots of great bands for the first time (Tad Morose, Dragonlord, Vio-lence, Arch Enemy, Amon Amarth, Einherjer, Novembers Doom, Pain, Onward, to name just a few).

 

[speedy1383]

This guy is a really bad guy. He has to be stopped. From the stuff that I have read he has done, he deserves to be thrown in prison. This hurts so many people in the things he has done. The bands and their reputation. The fans who pay money to see some of their favorite bands, but are disappointed by them not showing up by no fault of theirs. And the sponsors who fork over cash thinking they will get some good publicity, but get thrown through the mud with this guy's antics.

I actually seem to remember the Pinellas Expo fiasco. I went to school with Billy Tourtelot. Very weird kid.

Don't worry Chuck, I thought for a sec that Glenn played at the fest as well. Then I clicked on the link and it cleared up my confusion.

 

[Bryan316]

http://www.hellonearth.net/jackkoshickhallofshame.htm



EVERY band that got screwed should follow suit. Every band should file a lawsuit against him and win back their expenses to "perform" at this "festival".

 

[Dark One]

This guy is a really bad guy. He has to be stopped. From the stuff that I have read he has done, he deserves to be thrown in prison.

I don't disagree for a second based on everything I read that this guy's a scumbag, but if everything he's done has been in the confines of the law there's not much recourse from a "prison" standpoint. There may be civil remedies available, so I certainly hope the class action works to it's fullest extent.

Of course, the best way all the fans can get back at him is to stop supporting him 100% in every way, shape and form, which apparently they did this year. Sure enough, it helped get the ball rolling on his downfall - let's hope it continues.

Jason

 

[J-Dubya 777]

I still can not believe that pic of VR. WTF??! I live an hour away from Milwaukee, and I might have gone just to see VR if I knew they were playing, but there is no way in hell I'm supporting that festival. Jack needs to worry more about ending up in a pine box , than going to prison, for all the bands he's screwed over. I hope the class action suit is successful, Jack is a melanoma on the ass of WI music festivals...

 

[BABS]

What do you mean by another embarassment? Was there another?

I think there was one in LA a few years back that was a mess as well. That could be what he's referring to.

 

[MetalNations]

New Jersey (? not sure ?), Florida (Sun and Steel), California (November to Dismember)

 

[Bryan316]

Look.


Next year, when the MM time comes around, start emailing the bands and sponsors who are participating, email them the picture of the empty venue, and ALL of these bands' messages, hell, even this thread, and warn them, they are participating in a DESTINED FAILURE.

We can only help the fools who unknowingly get sucked into this trap. We can't really attack Mr. Koschik (well... maybe hire a few hitmen or ninjas...) so we might as well pull everyone away from him.

 

[Metalmilitia2000]

Actually, God Forbid is WAY bigger in the states than Blind Guardian. This is just a matter of horrible promotion and organization thanks to a greedy promoter.

I wouldnt go that far... Blind Guardian and God Forbid played at the same venue here in St. Paul and Blind Guardian sold over 500 tickets, God Forbid sold about 150. I was at both shows.

Brent

 

[Stingray11214]

New Jersey (? not sure ?), Florida (Sun and Steel), California (November to Dismember)

New Jersey was Metal Meltdown. They had some fiasco in 2004. Chris Jericho got pissed off when his check bounced and that they stage manager would not allow the band to bring their own equipment. 2004 was the last time Koshick did that show.

EDIT: My mistake. The stage manager incident was with Seven Witches. Incredibly, they have the 2004 site still up in all its dirty glory. The links work as well. The link: http://www.metalfest.com/Jersey/bands.htm

 

[skyrefuge]

Blind Guardian sold over 500 tickets, God Forbid sold about 150.

And....

Ratio of BG to GF ticket sales: 500/150 = 3.3
Ratio of BG to GF last.fm listeners: 120,164/25,819 = 4.6

Pretty similar ratios.

Just sayin'....

So yeah, lack of bands that can draw definitely has to be considered when placing blame on the low attendance. In the past, when Koshick booked big names, people showed up. He's pretty much the same guy now as he was then, so if he had somehow booked big names this time, people still would have showed up. His business practices only had an indirect effect on attendance, in that his reputation probably prevented him from securing any big names.

Neil

 

[Stingray11214]

So yeah, lack of bands that can draw definitely has to be considered when placing blame on the low attendance. In the past, when Koshick booked big names, people showed up. He's pretty much the same guy now as he was then, so if he had somehow booked big names this time, people still would have showed up. His business practices only had an indirect effect on attendance, in that his reputation probably prevented him from securing any big names.

Neil

But, Jack had a reputation for announcing bands that would be at MMF, but someone forgot to tell the bands in question that they would be there. Let's face it. Koshick's reputation for false advertising is such that he could announce a special appearance by Jesus Christ. Christ himself would announce that he will be there, and MMF will lucky to have 20 people....12 apostles, Mary Magdelene, Joseph and the Virgin Mary with 5 curious onlookers.

 

[Harvester]

that he could announce a special appearance by Jesus Christ. Christ himself would announce that he will be there, and MMF will lucky to have 20 people....12 apostles, Mary Magdelene, Joseph and the Virgin Mary with 5 curious onlookers.

LOL