Less Than Jake Drummer Speaks Out Against Record Labels: 'You Don't Need Pete Wentz Hyping You'
After 16 years, seven records and countless label deals, Less Than Jake decided to go the DIY (do it yourself) route with 2008's GNV FLA. Now, drummer Vinnie Fiorello is urging you to steer clear of the dreaded record label and pave your own way to success.
"Every band that I know, I have been saying the same thing to on repeat - don't sign to a label," Fiorello told Kerrang! "I had that talk with Punchline and thankfully they are releasing their new record via their own label. Listen to me ... you don't need to give 30% to a group of people who don't give a fu-- about the passion you have for music."
If you don't already know, Fiorello started Fueled by Ramen Records with John Janick in 1996, releasing music from bands like Jimmy Eat World, Yellowcard and even Fall Out Boy. Fiorello explained to Buzznet this afternoon that he left Fueled By Ramen in 2006 because he "no longer shared the same vision as John and instead imposing my thoughts and beliefs, I chose to not dived a successful company."
Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz created Decaydance Records, an imprint of Fueled By Ramen, in 2005, and has since signed successful acts like The Academy Is ..., The Cab and Gym Class Heroes, yet Fiorello believes your band can make it without him. "You don't need Pete [Wentz] hyping you. You don't need a marketing team who doesn't like your music to start with, you don't need to feel empowered by a logo that has a history of stealing your money and holding you hostage," exclaimed Fiorello to Kerrang! "It's a brand new game out there kids, fu-- the old model. Don't believe the hype," he added.
When asked about his recent statements, Fiorello had this to say to Buzznet: "The comments I made are an attack against the present music model. I think that it's time for the business model to change by all means. I've personally put myself to the test, left a successful label and also put my money where my mouth is with my long running band by putting out our own record [GNV FLA was released on the band's own Sleep It Off Records]."
What do you think of Fiorello's thoughts on the music industry and Mr. Wentz?
"Every band that I know, I have been saying the same thing to on repeat - don't sign to a label," Fiorello told Kerrang! "I had that talk with Punchline and thankfully they are releasing their new record via their own label. Listen to me ... you don't need to give 30% to a group of people who don't give a fu-- about the passion you have for music."
If you don't already know, Fiorello started Fueled by Ramen Records with John Janick in 1996, releasing music from bands like Jimmy Eat World, Yellowcard and even Fall Out Boy. Fiorello explained to Buzznet this afternoon that he left Fueled By Ramen in 2006 because he "no longer shared the same vision as John and instead imposing my thoughts and beliefs, I chose to not dived a successful company."
Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz created Decaydance Records, an imprint of Fueled By Ramen, in 2005, and has since signed successful acts like The Academy Is ..., The Cab and Gym Class Heroes, yet Fiorello believes your band can make it without him. "You don't need Pete [Wentz] hyping you. You don't need a marketing team who doesn't like your music to start with, you don't need to feel empowered by a logo that has a history of stealing your money and holding you hostage," exclaimed Fiorello to Kerrang! "It's a brand new game out there kids, fu-- the old model. Don't believe the hype," he added.
When asked about his recent statements, Fiorello had this to say to Buzznet: "The comments I made are an attack against the present music model. I think that it's time for the business model to change by all means. I've personally put myself to the test, left a successful label and also put my money where my mouth is with my long running band by putting out our own record [GNV FLA was released on the band's own Sleep It Off Records]."
What do you think of Fiorello's thoughts on the music industry and Mr. Wentz?
| Posted by djrossstar on 07/10/2008 12:45 PM | Visits: 398 |
The problem is that, at this rate, bands will not be able to depend on people LIKE Pete Wentz and Decaydance for a successful future
Vinnie Fiorello is giving bands a head up, letting them know that labels have little to offer and much to seize
and I dont think he is wrong... where are all the major lables now?
you can do it without all that label non-sense.
it's like fighting the man. i love the idea of fighting a broken system.
but the problem is that if you're just starting out you probably can't go it alone.
you won't have the money to get studio time and be able to produce and advertise your product. record labels help with that. and take some profit in return. if you're lucky they don't kick your ass with your contract.
and i don't think pete wentz is a problem. pete and his label seem to me to be part of the solution. a label that cares about the bands they sign. they believe in the band and really love the music the band is making. that's a cool thing. it's never a bad thing for someone who is already well known to recognize the greatness and potential of the underdog and help them just by giving positive feedback.
true. i can't just wake up and say "i think i'll start my own record label today" and BAM! it happens.
not saying it's not possible to make it without a label, but most bands don't have money sitting in their back pockets waiting to spend to make their cds and promote themselves.
people sit back and think of reasons to pull pete into everything. like the he's the only person to ever do anything successful. at least he likes the bands he signs and listens to them himself. it's not like "pete wentz" is actually a bunch of 45 year old dudes sitting in a boarding room waiting for bands to come out for them to sign.
if the music industry is nothing but money hungry assholes, that includes the bands themselves and what's the point of me even buying their stuff if it doesn't mean anything to them, regardless of if they are signed or not.
of course i think that the whole reason bands gain popularity and success is because of people who have discovered the music hyping it to others. that's what's amazing and still good about the music industry.