Maynard

A note from Maynard James Keenan for Team Puscifer, in full.

dearest supporters, street teamers, and mailing listers.
thank you for signing up to help.
first and foremost, if you don't like what you're
hearing from this project so far,
don't lie about it out of respect.
if you're compelled to support it in spite of what
you've heard and not appreciated,
then support it because you believe in the precedent of
independence i'm attempting to set.
promise me that much and then we can proceed from here.
this project for me is one part fun,
one part learning experience.
trying to go it alone, without a label to convolute
my efforts is very terrifying, chaotic,
and challenging. but all in a very positive way.
many many dark corners and unknowns. it's liberating but
still pretty damn scary. this is a very very expensive education.
i could very easily lose my ass on this whole thing.
but it's sort of ok. i can afford a new ass.
anyway...
lot's of controversy flying about regarding downloading.
time to throw my 2 cents in. downloading wont effect me TOO much.
but it will affect those bands right on the edge. bands who
could use the hundred bucks to make it to the next town to
play a show (gas and food aren't free. go figure) .
or could use some cash to record a new record.
( imagine that. it actually takes money to record a record.)
i can afford to pay for the recording of my record.
i'm one of the lucky ones. (thanks to nirvana and the
label feeding frenzy, i won the early 90's grunge lottery.)
but those days are history. in order for young bands
to survive nowadays, they need to get paid for their efforts.
touring costs money. recording costs money.
unless you're ok with bands recording their songs on
their Palm Treo. personally i went the extra mile and
tried to incorporate that ancient and illusive medium
known as "analog tape." because, and i can hear the
yawns welling up as i type... because it sounds better.
the machines are expensive and a pain in the ass to
maintain but they're worth it. that is unless people
are just gonna steal your efforts.
then it's a big fat FUCK NO, IT"S NOT WORTH IT.
so don't be douche bags. support the process.
devils advocate...
it feels like the digital landscape has widened peoples
appreciation of new music. it's placed alternative forms of
music in front of those who may not have been exposed otherwise.
it feels like people are more excited
about music than they have been in a long time.
but for fuck sake... pay the man for his song and dance.
otherwise the only people who can afford to record quality
music are the cookie cutter boy bands with their corporate
sponsors and media machines.
(Dick In Box Excluded, of course)
please do your best to support
bands like Autolux, the Burning Brides, Isis, etc...
they need you.
i need you, but they need you more. having said that...
i'm doing this pretty much on my own.
no label support aside from the distributor.
it's a HUGE learning curve.
but if i can navigate it, i will be able to share what
i've learned.
i can make it easier for other bands
that are trying to do it on their own.
make it possible for us all to survive in our little microcosms
rather than fall victim to the seductive song of the sirens...
the expensive and impersonal macrocosm
of the major label dog and pony show.
once again, thank you for your efforts.

m j keenan
professional dumbass

Personal opinion, MJK tends to make stuff I want to buy. When I can, I give my art away. I hate charging people money for it. Art has always been one of the most fickle of careers. But feel free to buy me a few drinks. And if work is even a day late with the paycheck there'll be holy hell!