Heartland

So, a full scale of tour of the United States and Canada, over a period of two months...
Doesn´t this strike anyone else as very strange? How does an unsigned band, who hasn´t released ANYTHING for almost 15 years, finance such an undertaking?
Are independent American promoters really that keen on getting the Sisters over there? Does the American audience really care for them enough to pay for the whole thing?

What is going on?

It's a question worth asking, in all honesty.

As I mentioned somewhere, when I saw Neubauten in 2004, Blixa made a point to actually talk to the crowd, thank them, etc, and then said it may well be their last tour of the USA ever. He said between the control over venues, and ticketing, (Clear Channel, Ticketmaster, etc) and promotion, it's simply not worth it for the band to pack up and trek all across the USA. They have such a tiny margin to make any money, and that's a band not in it for money, please, but at a certain point, it has to be worth the time, effort, and exhaustion.

The Sisters...somehow they do it. If anyone knows the details of the arrangement, even approximately what they get per gig, not like I care about how much or little money is being made, but I have to give credit that Von can even put a tour this large together. Again, a band with no new album in 16 years, no record contract (formally) since 1998, no touring sponsorhip, and a small, die-hard, but dwindling fanbase, many of whom are presumably just showing up as some kind of 'goth' rite, as in, they have to go.

And the truth of it is, and we all know it, is that Von and Co put on a damn good show, he has good songs, and they could make a bigger impact, they really could. There is so much mediocrity around....but the only way to win the evil music industry game is to not play, and if someone can't exploit them competently, why bother?

So credit to Von, again, and I humble myself as I really look forward to seeing him and the crew States-side. I hope some of the toads of the record industry see enough to make the man an offer of little insult to do something in the larger arena again.

Let's all hope that this silver bullet business does not mean one last big bang before he packs the whole thing in, for good.

http://www.livedaily.com/news/The_Siste ... 7.html?t=1

Nice, old picture of the group, of course (about 15 years old or so).

Somebody actually got paid to write that.

They can write that and call themselves a journalist, with an actual job, who can actually claim to have an above room-temperature IQ.

The mind boggles.

Electrochrome wrote:, it's simply not worth it for the band to pack up and trek all across the USA.

NMA did it twice in the last 2 years.

The Sisters...somehow they do it.

well... for me it is obvious: they got signed recently or... they like taking the risk!

Delilah wrote: well... for me it is obvious: they got signed recently or... they like taking the risk!

A third option - they think they have a chance of getting signed if they prove to some record company that they can still pack them in on a major American tour.

In 1999, Eldritch claimed he got $30,000 per show.

H. Blackrose wrote:

Delilah wrote: well... for me it is obvious: they got signed recently or... they like taking the risk!

A third option - they think they have a chance of getting signed if they prove to some record company that they can still pack them in on a major American tour.

I'm crossing my fingers for option one

Obviousman wrote:

H. Blackrose wrote:

Delilah wrote: well... for me it is obvious: they got signed recently or... they like taking the risk!

A third option - they think they have a chance of getting signed if they prove to some record company that they can still pack them in on a major American tour.

I'm crossing my fingers for option one

At least Mute Berlin doesnt know anything about a signing of the sisters (yet).

Is it possible they are planning on putting out an album and flogging it at the concerts?

There are 20 dates so far, with an average venue capacity of 1800/2000 per show. let's say they flogged 20,000 copies at $15 a time - that's $300,000. It's not a lot of money, but it could be very useful if Merciful Release was resurrected and used to fund distribution and some promotion for a proper release later in the year? No? Is that the silliest suggestion today?

Is desperation as unattractive as they say?

canon docre wrote:

Obviousman wrote:

H. Blackrose wrote: A third option - they think they have a chance of getting signed if they prove to some record company that they can still pack them in on a major American tour.

I'm crossing my fingers for option one

At least Mute Berlin doesnt know anything about a signing of the sisters (yet).

Ah, we'll see what happens, the Sisters like secrecy, I have good hopes (especially with this enormous tour coming up), but if there won't come anything out, I won't die of disappointment either...

Arrrgh! wrote:Is it possible they are planning on putting out an album and flogging it at the concerts?

There are 20 dates so far, with an average venue capacity of 1800/2000 per show. let's say they flogged 20,000 copies at $15 a time - that's $300,000. It's not a lot of money, but it could be very useful if Merciful Release was resurrected and used to fund distribution and some promotion for a proper release later in the year? No? Is that the silliest suggestion today?

Is desperation as unattractive as they say?

I'd say it is the best suggestion today (and probably for the whole year and next).
But unfortunatley, it won't happen I'm afraid.

TheGoodSon wrote:How does an unsigned band, who hasn´t released ANYTHING for almost 15 years, finance such an undertaking?

The unsigned band signs to a record company who pays for the tour to help promote their new album.
No insider knowledge here, just an obvious guess.

Eldo probably finances his UK tours himself, but I can't see him financing this.

I think some people are reading a little too much into this.Most promoters are sensible enough to realise that a cult band with die-hard followers will do pretty well on it's anniversary tour.And let's face it,Eldritch and the guys aren't playing Carnegie Hall or the like on this tour,they are playing smallish venues.It seems a lot more likely that this is a chance for Eldo to make a little money and have some fun and celebrate.As for the Mute debate,pure coincidence,IMO.Unless Eldritch has radically altered his stance,there will be nothing new out.

DeWinter wrote:It seems a lot more likely that this is a chance for Eldo to make a little money and have some fun and celebrate.

If you think that Von considers tours "fun", then you don't know him very well. This is hardbonebreaking work for him. And touring makes an absolute pittance compared to, say, releasing cheap crappy knock-off albums that the fans are guaranteed to buy on principle.

If it's not the money, and it's not the fun, then it must be something else. I still say that this is an attempt to "sell" the band to the highest bidder.

Dan wrote:

TheGoodSon wrote:How does an unsigned band, who hasn´t released ANYTHING for almost 15 years, finance such an undertaking?

The unsigned band signs to a record company who pays for the tour to help promote their new album.
No insider knowledge here, just an obvious guess.

Eldo probably finances his UK tours himself, but I can't see him financing this.

Good point! Let's hope you're right.

H. Blackrose wrote:

DeWinter wrote:It seems a lot more likely that this is a chance for Eldo to make a little money and have some fun and celebrate.

If you think that Von considers tours "fun", then you don't know him very well. This is hardbonebreaking work for him. And touring makes an absolute pittance compared to, say, releasing cheap crappy knock-off albums that the fans are guaranteed to buy on principle.

If it's not the money, and it's not the fun, then it must be something else. I still say that this is an attempt to "sell" the band to the highest bidder.

No,I don't.I doubt you know him that well either,unless theres something you keep quiet about.Hard bonebreaking work?Touring whenever you feel like it is a luxury very few musicians have,I'm sure they'd love a similair workload.And he's already released three cheap knock-off albums(Overbombing 1 nd 2,and Some girls wander),so that avenue isn't one he can go down again.I still think your all desperately trying to read more into this than exists.I don't rightly blame you,but untill you get a big announcement saying The Sisters are signed for a new album or three,dont waste your time trying to find evidence for it.

H. Blackrose wrote:

DeWinter wrote:It seems a lot more likely that this is a chance for Eldo to make a little money and have some fun and celebrate.

If you think that Von considers tours "fun", then you don't know him very well. This is hardbonebreaking work for him. And touring makes an absolute pittance compared to, say, releasing cheap crappy knock-off albums that the fans are guaranteed to buy on principle.

If it's not the money, and it's not the fun, then it must be something else. I still say that this is an attempt to "sell" the band to the highest bidder.

That's the most obvious. He's met with every major label in the last few years. (He mentioned that clearly in 2002). He has material.

If The Sisters can prove they are a force to be reckoned with on the road with no album, sponsorship, airplay, etc, then maybe somebody will (finally) put up the filthy lucre and we'll have an album. A US tour of this size is the best indication in a long time. Spread the word!

As for selling an album at the shows....no way. Doesn't seem his style to break down and do something that home-grown after all these years. I wish they would do what some bands do and sell bootlegs of the show after the show (like Neubauten) and charge $30, but given Von's opinion of his own bootlegs, I doubt that one, too.

If you know anyone in the record industry, kidnap them and bring them to these shows...

Three knock off albums?

overbombing 1 and 2?? there's no such album as overbombing 2.

Quite right.Dunno why I thought there were two parts to Overbombing..
Still a cheap knock off album though.A band with three albums issuing a greatest hits compilation is a bit much.

DeWinter wrote:Quite right.Dunno why I thought there were two parts to Overbombing..
Still a cheap knock off album though.A band with three albums issuing a greatest hits compilation is a bit much.

Especially if said band considers every major-label-released single to be one of their "greatest hits".
Though again, I feel I have to complain about the presense of the Vision Thing remix (a b-side), the lack of WYDSM Remix and Body Electric (Body and Soul 12" a-side) and the I Was Wrong single.

But still. The point remains valid that after "More" and "You Could Be The One", there were no new and original songs on the singles.
Dr Jeep and WYDSM were remixes and had live songs on the b-sides.
TOL92 was a remake with 3 remixes on the single.
Under The Gun was practically a cover of "Two Worlds Apart" packaged with... a remake and a remix.

So a single with an original b-side wouldn't go amiss either. No live recordings, cause we can get them all in the Weeding Section. No remixes because we have more than enough. No remakes, even if some of them were good. A proper, NEW, original song.

End Transmission.

canon docre wrote:
At least Mute Berlin doesnt know anything about a signing of the sisters (yet).

same with Mute UK... But there is a possibility theyhave to keep it secret for now! Anyway Jess, I think you will have a reason to visit London later in the year... PM to follow babe!

I think it is not that difficult to arrange a tour for the Sisters, i don't think they have a big crew (maybe 10 people maximum), and I am sure that Eldritch asks in the contract to be paid in davance for 50 % of the fees, then he can easily finance the tour ... Moreover some venues seem to be small and contain something like 1000 people.

Delilah wrote:

canon docre wrote:
At least Mute Berlin doesnt know anything about a signing of the sisters (yet).

same with Mute UK... But there is a possibility theyhave to keep it secret for now! Anyway Jess, I think you will have a reason to visit London later in the year... PM to follow babe!

Great news sister. See you then.

Btw, I know it doesnt matter anymore as the "silver bullet"-riddle is solved, but look:

Cross my heart with silver
Here's the key behind
Seems like twenty-five years of
Ever after, ever more more more