bands suck

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=168 BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF" background="040a11c3.png"> <div> <B>a</B></div> <div> <B>n</B></div> <div> <B>e</B></div> <div> <B>c</B></div> <div> <B>d</B></div> <div> <B>o</B></div> <div> <B>t</B></div> <div> <B>e</B></div> <div> <B>s</B></div> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#99CC00" FACE="Arial" ><B>Erno : The Psychedelic Folk Experience</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFCC99" FACE="Arial" >     </FONT>|   <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Erno : The Psychedelic Folk Experience"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id107.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="erno story part 2"><U>erno story part 2</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id108.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="michelles review of cbgb gallery gig"><U>michelle's review of cbgb gallery gig</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id109.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="michelles ps/cm session review"><U>michelle's ps/cm session review</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id110.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="michelles 3rd cello session email"><U>michelle's 3rd cello session e-mail</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id111.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ernos musical tirade"><U>erno's musical tirade</U></A>   |   <B>bands suck</B>   |   <A HREF="id113.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ernos pledge"><U>erno's pledge</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id114.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="musical saw promotion"><U>musical saw promotion</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id115.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ernos anger with booking agent"><U>erno's anger with booking agent</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id116.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="magical musical"><U>magical & musical</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id117.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="a message to bill"><U>a message to bill</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id118.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="phffft!"><U>phffft!</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id119.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ernos gig preparation"><U>erno's gig preparation</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id120.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="a message to jodi"><U>a message to jodi</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id121.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="the talking heads are finding me"><U>the talking heads are finding me</U></A></div> <div> <IMG SRC="2ecf4010.png" border=0 width="500" height="1" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div>  <img src="HTMLobj-648/aniGif.gif" border="0" align="bottom" width="229" height="58">  </div> <bR> <div> bands suck</div> <div> my view on bands...</div> <bR> <div> “BANDS”</div> <bR> <div>     this is a warning to all of you who wish to collaborate on any kind of art. art, at it’s basic core, is a natural and beautiful thing. it is pure expression. whether the creator is one or many, this is the case. the purpose of this journal entry is to vote for the creator being only one person. collaborations, in my opinion, are for the birds. there are too many fine lines. as usual, money and greed are the roots of all evil. the artwork may be amazing, but what about the legalities? this is where best friends can instantly become enemies. if the collaboration isn’t discussed IN DETAIL before the first note is played or the first brush is laid, you’re gonna probably have a legal battle, and be short a friend or two. this is why i HIRE session musicians. at the point these people are called in, the songwriting is finished. i never heard one of these people ask about writing credit. as not to assume, i always tell them the songs EXIST, and their parts are like the frosting on an already delicious cake. that’s detail enough for session musicians.</div> <bR> <div>     the problems occur mostly in “bands.” i put the word bands in “” because i question the phrase itself. “bands” give the illusion of best friendship, when in reality, the interrelations are purely superficial. they’re bullshit. sure, you both smile as you CREATE masterpieces.....everything is beautiful........until................ then you have to copyright the music. who did what? if, or better yet, when the “band” breaks up, who has the RIGHT to record and perform the music that was CREATED in such a beautiful environment? this is the point where the “bullshit best-friend” shit goes by the wayside to make way for satan himself.</div> <bR> <div>     today i was walking to the subway, and ran into a former bandmate. when the “band” broke-up, i began recording my own music, as opposed to performing this other person’s music for bartenders and barmaids everywhere. except for a brief period in the mid 80’s, i’ve always written and recorded alone. this person claims to have assisted in the musical make-up of a song on my first record, “satellite parade.” sure, i let him jam with me on the idea. the song already EXISTED. he was gonna put some frosting and sprinkles on an already yummy cupcake. the smiles were in full swing. i moved-out (we lived together) shortly, and recorded the song. i let him sing over the music i wrote. i recorded his words and melody over my music. is this a collaboration? i don’t think so. the vocals thrown on top were frosting. they were completely IN REACTION to what EXISTED. the two did not evolve together. collaboration my ass.........</div> <bR> <div>     anyway, he says he got a copyright on the f’ing song before mine, thereby protecting his perceived contribution. fuck him. he’s a bully, and he’s 100% wrong. i’m gonna drop the song from the record for my revenge against this loser. i know i’m right, but i don’t want anything with anyone else on it (except mike pope) on any of my records. who did what? that is the question...... a word of advice to songwriters out there.......”never collaborate with people on art unless you want to be sued or friendless.” it’s ugly. art is pure expression. business is pure evil. evil usually wins if there is a battle. kevin, my producer/manager/drummer has been my best friend for about 13 years. he’s NOT a songwriter, and if a song comes to fruition in a jam situation with him, he’ll get writing credit. this rarely happens. our roles were defined 13 years ago. it’s REALLY like a marriage. we have an understanding. i give him the engineering and producing credit even though i do it too. i get the songwriting credit. simple. keep it simple. it’s legal and understood personally.</div> </td> </tr></table></body>