What do you think of this?

[Wyvern]

I was reading an interview with Jeff Hanneman (out of curiosity I dislike Slayer) and I want to quote this excerpt

But our songs are just BAM-BAM-BAM-BAM, they´re intense. You can still feel the energy in it. Being on the road is something that I hate and the other guys kinda hate too, you gotta go to airports and customs and stuff like that. When you go on stage, you can release all that shit that you feel from touring.

Most bands I have read they always glorified being on the road and frankly I have to agree with Hanneman, I think he's being very truthful. Being on tour is tiring, is tedious and if you involve airports...a total pain!

At the same time is well known that touring is were money comes for the band not much of selling albums (since the label takes the big chunk of the cake), so touring is a necessary evil for the band.

What's your view?

NP: Zoetrope - 'To The Last Breath'

 

[sixxswine]

What's your view?

If you're physically able to tour then tour. You'll keep a good relationship with the fans and they will keep buying the records and the merchandise...

 

[ElectricWiz]

Actually, I've read similar sentiments from many, many "rock stars." They all love the show, but can't stand getting there, and I don't blame 'em. It's boring to be on an airplane or a bus (mostly), and to do that everyday would be a drag I think.

 

[Hawk]

Yea touring is awefull. Most bands I know simply hate it. They love playing for the fans but the waiting, the food, the toilets, customs at the airport and most of all, the constant waiting are really terrible.

However these days most bands earn most of their cash by touring. Record companies take the major piece of the pie when it comes to earnings from a record release. So whats a band supposed to do? Touring! Ticket sales and merchandise are the main forms of income for many bands these days as far as I know.

Recently I was thinking that this may be a shitty situation for the band, it is fantastic for the fans! We get to see our bands, and METAL is being playing LIVE again. And live concerts have always been the best way to promote metal and win new over fans to the genre.

So in short it may be a crappy situation for the bands, but I don't care about it that. For the metal scene in general it great! What could be better than seeing your favorite band live a few times a year? And of course buy their t-shirt!

Good tread Wyv!

 

[Trans-Siberian Outcast]

I would think band members would really have to LOVE playing in front of people to make a tour an enjoyable experience. It would drive me nuts, all that waiting, waiting, waiting. Long lines at the airports, endless miles on the tour bus, twiddling of thumbs waiting for the stage, lights and sound to be constructed...

Seems if you broke the day down it would go something like this: 8 hours sleep, 14 hours of waiting, two hours of fun-filled performance. Day after day after day.

It's no wonder all those 80s bands stayed drunk all the time!

 

[poundingmetal74]

Have to agree with you guys. Even playing shows that are local or semi local can be very tedious when it comes to transport, finding the venue, dealing with sound/lighting issues, set times, etc.

 

[Unfaithfully Metalhead]

the groupies sure help pass the time though lol and who said only the 80's bands drank or did drugs lol ...