A few weeks ago, Machine Head's Robb Flynn went off on a rant stating that he would never buy physical product again. This got a range of emotions from our readers from agreement to sheer outrage. Flynn heard your calls and decided an elaboration was required to help people see his point. Here's his new statement:
“Well you guys have spoken, and actually continue to speak, as I still get emails pouring into my inbox. Quite a passionate response about this subject and deservedly so. Apparently my comments caused quite a stir.
Just to expand on my thoughts a bit;
Look, I’m in a band, I’ve lived on a bus/van/plane for well over 25 years of my life now. I live out of a suitcase, that resides on a tour bus, with 10 people (imagine a studio apartment on wheels, with 9 roommates) for 10 months out of a year at times. My life needs to be efficient, it needs to be compact, it needs to be portable. Sure, I used to carry a big-ass CD wallet everywhere with beer-soaked, scratched up CD’s and it was a pain, so yeah, the Spotify / iTunes world fits me perfect.
But, I also realize this isn’t most people’s life.
Most people don’t need the portability I do. Lot’s of people said they love iTunes and streaming. Lot’s of people said they would like a CD, and of course, for the time being, we will continue to sell CD’s. That’s never been a question, as long as there are stores to stock CD’s, we will sell CD’s.
And with Bandcamp.com and HDfiles.com offering CD quality and higher files, that’s a cool thing the future is bringing to files. But also, as I’m sure as most of you know, stores to purchase CD’s are getting harder and harder to find.
HMV (the last UK based CD chain) just closed shop, FNAC and Virgin France just closed. Here in the US Best Buy has cut CD rack space down from 24 racks to 4 racks!
I have a ritual I’ve done for every release since Burn My Eyes in 1994, where first day, I go in and buy our album. Call it good luck, or whatever, I love my rituals. But believe you me, I was stunned, STUNNED, when I went into Ameoba Records in Hollywood (I was in LA on the Jason Ellis show day of release) and saw our regular album NOT on sale, but full price for $16.99.I spent $40 bucks buying the 2 editions. It was wrong, it’s supposed to be on sale the first week / first month. You reward the die-hards, reward the Head Cases for going out there and supporting you first day/week/month. It’s a thank you. We were pissed, fans weren’t stoked. Shit like this has to change, it has to, and we as a band (with your help) have to figure out a way around it.”
Look, I don't even tour and I have no interest in having physical products. When publicists email me asking where they could send their band's new CD, I politely request a digital copy. After all, if they send me the CD, I'm just going to pop it into my computer and rip it anyway. Just save me the steps.
So what do you think? Are you still going to buy CDs or are you all digital?
