Perhaps it is the end of the world? Oh no wait its just Industrial

2012 has largely been a very good year for Static Distortion Records, with outstanding reviews received, new releases from nearly every band and just a general sense of positivity and achievement.

However, from time to time, I lift my head up and listen to the chattering on sites like Facebook, Vampirefreaks and Violent Playground and begin to wonder if I have fallen into a parallel universe.

There is an awful lot of negativity about Industrial at the moment, from the Misogyny accusations aimed at Combichrist and Nachtmahr, to the "direction" the scene is going in, to discussions about the death of Industrial and the separation of its fan-base into similar genres like Hardstyle, Dubstep and Witchhouse.

Its all doom and gloom, and I must confess I have been sucked into thinking this way too from time to time.

However, it then occurred to me how ridiculous this concern is...been listening to others and taking their words at face value when there are still hundred of bands and artists out there producing great music.

Don't get me wrong, It's as difficult to be heard as it ever was, and it can be frustrating at times, but so long as we remember that its all about the music and not the egos and tantrums of a discontented few, there are more good times than bad to be had.

I will make a deal with you; I will stay positive if you all will :)

So, enough about the end of the world, lets enjoy the music and forget the bullshit!

I will leave you with this outstanding track and lyric video, of which the track is still available for free download here: http://staticdistortionrecords.co.uk



Steve

VOTE NOW FOR NEW MUSIC

It would seem that the on-line vote is increasingly being used by promoters to generate their line-ups, both in smaller shows and indeed festivals.

For the smaller bands still trying to build a fanbase, good live shows are where you can make it happen, so what happens when you then put these acts up against more established acts in a popularity contest in order to play a good live show?

There is also the argument that there are plenty of people that will vote for a band on-line, but they aren't necessarily the same ones that will be paying to see them.

Its a hell of a lot easier to click a button saying you will do something, than it is to actually go out of your way to do it AND spend money doing it.

We are all aware of the Facebook Event Phenomena where you half the number of people that are listed as 'attending' an event in order to get closer to the real number of attendees...

This is suggests to me is that the "VOTE FOR YOUR FAVOURITE..." method of promoting is flawed, both in the short term in terms of the expectation of attendances, and in the long term with regards to the opportunities to see new artists develop.

This is all my personal opinion, and as ever I stand to be corrected on any of my comments!

Steve Fearon