Poll -Jay Reatard #4 Frenzy

[ADM]

Also, you don't have to buy them. Important.

You keep saying this, but it doesn't mean much.  A lot of the frustration is coming from wanting something and not being able to get it.  Yeah there will be an LP of it or with any other special edition thing, they'll be a regular edition, but saying "you don't have to buy them" isn't going to take away the fact that a person still wants the single version or the special edition.  It's like saying "oh you like Robocop? Here, have the full screen, R-rated version."  Nah brah, I want the wide screen, unrated.  Sure it's the same movie, but it's not always about just the content.  People, especially here, collect shit.  The labels know that, the bands know that, so when someone is frustrated about not being able to get the limited item, let him/her blow his/her smoke.  These things aren't even special because as soon as they drop it's on ebay.  Yeah bands in the 80's and whenever did fanclub special edition shit, but without the internet, I could see it being way more sincere on both sides, fan and band/label.  It is just frustrating now.

[Insensitivemonster]

and frustration coming from spending 30-40 minutes today trying to get it.. finally getting it.. and then learning that you wasted 30-40 minutes.

[TTT]

Yes, that is exactly the point.  The core way to sum it up as exemplified by the Robocop analysis (hahaha!  loved it!) is that people want something they can't have that's special to them....by design and by ignoring the problem and dishing it that way.  It's always bothered me that something known to eventually dwindle to a measly 400 copies is HEADLINED on PITCHFORK.  What do you call that folks?  Recipe for disaster.

To me it isn't at all about whether bands an labels can do what they want.  This is different from that.  Don't try to wrap me up in some communist label blanket or something please.

There's two sets of ethics that are overlaying each other here and being clouded by each other.  Technically being free to do, and what's actually RIGHT to do. 

I'm saying bands and labels are free to make and release whatever music they want to, obviously.  They are ethically supposed to do that and not be something they aren't.  They need to be free to create music and release it as they see fit.

Now, while technically and legally they are allowed to release whatever they want in whatever quantity of editions they see fit to, I think there is a need to notice a right and wrong way to do it in particular cases when the evidence of the situation presents itself in the form of countless people asking for it. 

[mikesniper]

Also, you don't have to buy them. Important.

You keep saying this, but it doesn't mean much.  A lot of the frustration is coming from wanting something and not being able to get it.  Yeah there will be an LP of it or with any other special edition thing, they'll be a regular edition, but saying "you don't have to buy them" isn't going to take away the fact that a person still wants the single version or the special edition.  It's like saying "oh you like Robocop? Here, have the full screen, R-rated version."  Nah brah, I want the wide screen, unrated.  Sure it's the same movie, but it's not always about just the content.  People, especially here, collect shit.  The labels know that, the bands know that, so when someone is frustrated about not being able to get the limited item, let him/her blow his/her smoke.  These things aren't even special because as soon as they drop it's on ebay.  Yeah bands in the 80's and whenever did fanclub special edition shit, but without the internet, I could see it being way more sincere on both sides, fan and band/label.  It is just frustrating now.

Yeah, but just because something goes for money on eBay eventually, doesn't mean that people shouldn't make them. That's unfair.

Caleb is downstairs every day off making Sacred Bones special editions and only charging a little extra to help recoup the cash spent on that crazy packaging, knowing full well a lot of people are going to eBay it. It's his work/money/label, let him do whatever the fuck he wants.

This is the same thing on a bigger level, but the point is the same.

[mikesniper]

Now, while technically and legally they are allowed to release whatever they want in whatever quantity of editions they see fit to, I think there is a need to notice a right and wrong way to do it in particular cases when the evidence of the situation presents itself in the form of countless people asking for it. 

More so than telling people exactly what they're getting into before they even start selling them?

[TTT]

And Blank Dogs put the MP3s up for donation and I love him for it.  He's the only smart one who does special editions.

You give up the music if it's about the music.  You sell the music repeatedly if its about the money.

[TTT]

Now, while technically and legally they are allowed to release whatever they want in whatever quantity of editions they see fit to, I think there is a need to notice a right and wrong way to do it in particular cases when the evidence of the situation presents itself in the form of countless people asking for it. 

More so than telling people exactly what they're getting into before they even start selling them?

I'm saying Matador is big enough, been around long enough, smart enough, and staffed enough to both know what was going to happen here once this plan went into design-phase and also to be held accountable for it's failures when it got to 3rd pre-order meltdown revelation of rarity frustration phase.

[ADM]

It's his work/money/label, let him do whatever the fuck he wants.

I didn't say labels and bands shouldn't do special editions.  I am just saying for the people that don't get them, let them be frustrated.  It is frustrating to want something and not get it.  You get mad.  It blows over.  End of story.  

I'm just saying it's not really "special" anymore.  There isn't the intimate relationship between fanboy and band/label.  The intimate relationship is between your paypal account and ebay.  I understand records going for expensive prices on ebay, but I just don't want to buy into it when it's something that was just released and people bought up all the "special editions" because in their minds that reads $$$$.

[mikesniper]

Just for the record:

I'm choosing a bad candidate with these Jay singles for my argument and I realize that. It's obviously been a nightmare for customers and Matador. I'm sure Jay's getting shit for it too.

That being said, I still think that they can do whatever they want. If there's a backlash, that's what happens. People can totally be upset that they don't get their record. I just don't agree that a label/artist has to do whatever people want.

[TTT]

I know I'm being harsh.  Truth is I personally don't even care about this record.  I argue all the time out of principle once I get going because it means something to me. 


Look the easiest way I can make it make sense is, when you're the big dog, please play nice with all the little dogs and other animals around.  You don't have to be barking the same song when they cry at your feet all day about how they just want a nibble on that food bowl holding Jay Reatard singles.

It's not about being allowed to do anything.  It's about being cool.  Why is this so hard to understand that thousands of people's feelings are more important than two.  if you make a living being in front of others, you owe em.  you just do. 

[mikesniper]

It's his work/money/label, let him do whatever the fuck he wants.

I didn't say labels and bands shouldn't do special editions.  I am just saying for the people that don't get them, let them be frustrated.  It is frustrating to want something and not get it.  You get mad.  It blows over.  End of story. 

I'm just saying it's not really "special" anymore.  There isn't the intimate relationship between fanboy and band/label.  The intimate relationship is between your paypal account and ebay.  I understand records going for expensive prices on ebay, but I just don't want to buy into it when it's something that was just released and people bought up all the "special editions" because in their minds that reads $$$$.

I agree. It sucks that it happens like that. But too much anger about the mere existance of a ltd/special thing will make a lot of labels stop.

It's caused me to never want to do special editions again. This Milk N' Cookies promo pack is the last one.
I'm sure a lot of other labels will do the same thing. I was going to do a silkscreen poster reprint with the Monochrome Set demo reissue, no fucking way now.

I certainly can't afford to get 2,000 silkscreens without driving thew price wayyyyy the fuck up.

[ADM]

I'm sure a lot of other labels will do the same thing. I was going to do a silkscreen poster reprint with the Monochrome Set demo reissue, no fucking way now.

Hey man, you said some other termbro and I get free monochromes, you just got to make two poster reprints...

[Davis]

I probably would have preordered this one, but after ordering the first from matador, having it not show up, being promised a refund and never getting it, i think my days of dealing with them are done. Having said that, i'll be hoping that my local shop gets one or two, but if they don't, i won't be sheding many tears.

[Jared]

Somewhere Jay Reatard is laughing his ass off.

[rr]

i'm not even that worried about this record - if i get one , cool - if not, oh well - but i also think one of the frustrating things about this is - this record isn't even that limited or special edition - there's 1300 copies!!  Jay's 12" on In The Red had half that pressed - and was available on the ITR site for at least a couple weeks. 

Sort of a slap a face to people who are big enough nerds (ie most of us here) that they go out of their way to order a record at a specific time, spend a half hour trying to get the site to work - then have to do it again - meanwhile, record stores are getting copies, and it was already shown on here that some stores are putting them straight on Ebay.