| FEATURES
Black Rebels Lose Label, Summer Tour
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There's been plenty of change in the Black Rebel ranks this year - first the split of the band from their label, Virgin Records, Then, as Lollapalooza, which substantiated the band's summer tour, cancelled their North American dates. And latest, the death of Marlon Brando, legendary actor and BRMC founder (as Johnny Strabler in 1953's The Wild One, from which the band took their name). All of these events were shocking to many, and the June 22 posting on BRMC's website announced "Regrettably, since the band do not have a record company at the moment, limited funds mean the band cannot tour independently. The band would like to take this opportunity to apologize to all the fans who planned on attending the upcoming gigs. They hope you can understand the situation." The official statement from Perry Farrell on Lollapalooza.com foreshadows an even greater loss for the 13-year old off-and-on again festival. "I conclude there is a story here," he writes. "It is the story of a musical community under the influence…[of] 'They are threatening to sue us for damages.'" He continues, " Our plight is a true indication of the general health of the touring industry and it is across musical genres." Understandably, leaving your label takes a lot of courage, as does canceling the most highly anticipated festival tour of the summer. But, luckily that courage is something of which the boys of the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club have plenty in reserve. The band's split with Virgin Records earlier this spring came as a bit of a shock to many, especially since the band supposedly was getting near full creative control from the label. But after the successful release of the band's sophomore release, the battle cry-heavy "Take Them On, On Your Own", guitarist Peter Hayes hinted to us earlier this spring that things with Virgin weren't as pure as they may have seemed. "Yeah, we have [more freedom]. They're actually letting us go do what we want. But they're already through with this album, while we're still DIY - we still call radio stations." And even before the album was released, the band had to make concessions. "It's interesting," said Hayes. "We wanted 'Six Barrel Shotgun' to be a single, but the radio wouldn't play it." Apparently, it's ultimately the musicians who speak out against violence who get burdened with the results of teenagers' easy access to their parents' firearms. "No one will take the blame for it," said Hayes. "How can the parents not notice when their kid's got sixteen guns? What is really going on?" Violence isn't the only subject the BRMC is vocal on. Try the music industry, for one. "It's real important to bring it back," began Hayes. "It's not about labels and radio stations. Who are they without the music? But record companies got in the pattern of learning what to sell and how." "I'm not just looking for more from us," he continued. "I'm looking for more from other bands. There are more important things to be said and done. It's time to call that stuff out - make it known and apparent." But despite all of Hayes concerns, "I feel lucky that I do what I do. I don't feel I have to say I'm more than that. I'm happy to try and be a musician." Unfortunately, the band who joined up with Virgin Records "so we could get our music out as much as possible" is finding it hard to do just that - be musicians. Experiencing severe restraints without a summer tour, and without label support, will BRMC be able to hang onto their audience? No doubt, the Rebel machine gets even more street credibility, and with the recent dissolution of major labels, indie bands are more popular than ever. But how do they market without the money? "I think the majority doesn't have a lot to offer - I mean, for example, American Idol," explains Hayes. "[Music] is not about being idolized and the money. There has to be more to it, and record companies are going to have to start owning up to that." Fact is, bands need that money and that high ranking support that record companies provide, and labels need those bands and the music they produce to turn out cash to support them. It's a simple business transaction, and if the music biz is to turn profits, both sides need to fully understand and respect that relationship. Sad part is, until then, less people will have access to the tunes that both entertain and sustain music fans. "Ain't you had enough?" July 9, 2004
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