Mutiny Within were living the dream, or so we thought. The band got picked up by Roadrunner, were signed and then placed on a lot of big tours. They were getting their name out there. One year later, their record didn't sell enough copies to satisfy the label, so they got dropped. Epic bummer for them. Over the weekend, we learned just how much of an epic bummer it really was. Vocalist Chris Clancy announced on his Facebook page that he was quitting the band and included a very descriptive post about how signing to Roadrunner wasn't as sweet as it sounds. He eventually took down the post, but those fine investigative journalists at Metalsucks managed to grab it beforehand. Here is what he wrote (with emphasis added by me for the really juicy parts):
“This may come as a shock to some people I guess but here we go:
“Well, where do I start?..
“Isn’t it such a shame that the music industry is no longer about music? I started playing instruments when I was 10. 16 years later, I find myself leaving a career that I strived over half of my life to accomplish. I gave up almost everything to live in a basement in another country and make music with my bandmates in search of a record deal. We did the impossible and got signed to Roadrunner Records. It was my childhood dream and I had everything I ever wanted. Or so I thought.
“My love for singing and performing soon started to diminish as time and time again we got screwed over by the industry in some way or another. I love being in a band because I love singing and i’ve just found that everything i’m doing is for the wrong reasons. There’s no passion or drive to wake up in the morning and make music with the guys, so i’m not going to do that anymore. Maybe a new venture will come my way and it will restart the fire that I once had.
“We live in an age where labels don’t just take money from music sales, but from almost every form of a bands income. This isn’t the labels fault. They front money to let the bands make their music and put it out. They’re businesses and want to make a profit. But what happens when a band is given money to record an album, puts it out, and then doesn’t sell enough records…? They are evaluated and either dropped or given a second chance with a strict budget… We were dropped. We didn’t even hit 10,000 legal album sales in the USA. Yet looking at torrent sites around the internet, you can easily find 60,000+ illegal downloads. Our music was stolen, the label didn’t make enough money, and now there will be no more music. Why am I saying this? Because this happens to so many other bands and they stay quiet about it.
“After 4 years of working almost every day with the band, the reality is i’ve earned $100 in all that time. I simply cannot afford to continue on. Visa costs, living costs…people seem to think i’m rich because i’m a musician but many of you will know the reality of the industry. I don’t know the future of Mutiny Within, I wish them the best if they decide to continue without me, but i’m moving on and I hope that I find that drive and love for music that I once had.
“I’d like to thank our fans for being awesome and so loyal to us. You’ve been there for us on the road more times than I can remember and it’s you guys that have kept me going through all the bad times because standing on that stage and hearing you sing along is the best feeling I could ever have. We’ve had plenty of haters and i’d like to thank them too for entertaining me over the past few years. I play metal because I love metal. Some people seem to rip anything apart which isn’t their favourite band, yet if I sounded like your favourite band you’d hate me for copying them.
“I’m still on good terms with the band and there’s no bad feelings, so thanks again to the fans, the band, and everybody who has supported me along the way.
“All the best,
Chris”
Yikes! It doesn't sound like a fun time to be in Mutiny Within. Apparently, their keyboardist is also out of the band. Let this be a lesson to all you smaller bands out there. If a label comes knocking, it doesn't mean your struggle is over, it means it's just beginning.
Also, while illegal downloading may be one of the reasons, it is not going away. And, it should also be taken into consideration that of those alleged 60k downloads, they surely converted some people into fans who went to their shows and bought some merchandise. Ultimately, everybody is affected by illegal downloading, so it would keep sales in proportion.
