According to the New York Post (Page Six) staffers at Capitol Records sent a letter to EMI’s Chairman Alain Levy and David Munns claiming that Capitol President and CEO Andy Slater is an out of touch exec who needs to resign. They claim he is running the company into the ground by signing and spending money on mediocre artists including Morning Wood (Pictured) that is absolutely going nowhere while ignoring the career artists including Bonnie Raitt and Roseanne Cash. Staffers at Capitol also claim that the employee moral is at an all time low.
“We are in constant disbelief of the amount of money spent on these acts who are clearly a step behind what is happening in music . . . We work in constant fear of ‘what Andy wants.’ This man is a control freak . . . How much longer do we need to make sure he is happy – only to then see those choices fail?”
A source, who says the letter represents “dozens” of Capitol employees, told Page Six:
“There are core artists like Bonnie Raitt and Roseanne Cash who are just being ignored. The feeling is [Slater] just let them die. Then there are artists like Morning Wood, which is going nowhere.” The source adds that Slater is often unreachable and comes into the office late: “He’s out at night at clubs and partying with girls
An EMI spokeswoman not surprisingly disputed the letter’s claims: “Andy and his team at Capitol are doing a great job. He’s revitalized the roster. He’s more than doubled the label’s market share since he arrived five years ago.”
Time Warner Inc. CEO Richard Parsons said YouTube won’t fundamentally change the business model of the media industry, Handelsblatt reported.
YouTube shouldn’t be “overrated” as the technology of the video sharing Web site “is not unique,” Parsons was quoted as saying by the German newspaper. YouTube is “not the future of television,” he told Handelsblatt.
Unsigned Los Angeles based Buckfast released their full length “Turn” which was produced by Dave Schiffman (Audioslave, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Mars Volta, System Of a Down). They band who began in San Fran then later moved to Los Angeles is influenced by Stone Roses, U2, Muse, etc. Check out the track Optimist.  For more information contact Mitzye RamosÂ
Upcoming Shows:
Oct 29th – Molly Malone’s, Los Angeles, CA
Nov 17th – Vine Street Lounge, Hollywood, CA
Dec 16th -Â The Viper Room, Hollywood, CA
Open The Door
Evanescence
TW 447,342
**Amy Lee is the “real deal”, even though the sophomore effort is good; it isn’t as strong as the first release. True Evanescence fans will stick with the band.
Sam’s Town
Killers
TW 314,700
**The Killers are getting a beat down from the critics. The once beloved critic band seems to be the most hated. Never count on press. The Killers took a chance by re-inventing themselves and the press doesn’t seem to embrace change. If you don’t evolve you will not have a career. I commend the Killers for re-inventing themselves even though the record is weak. Great first single but the record is filled with mediocrity.
How do you become a career band? Put out great records.
Extreme Behavior
Hinder
TW 77,240
Total 896,056
**Take a deep breath and soak this in. Hinder is clocking ’80k’ records a week. Cha Ching!
No more evidence is needed that the average consumer is a sucker for 80’s metal power ballads. Firehouse “Love of a Lifetime”, Poison “Every Rose Has It’s Thorn”, Skid Row “I Remember You”, Motley Crue “Home Sweet Home”, Warrant “Heaven”, White Snake “Is this Love”, Hinder “Lips of Angel”. These are 2x platinum artists. Why? People can relate to passionate power ballads.
Eyes Open
Snow Patrol
TW 31,586
Total 413,062
Saosin
Saosin
TW 13,809
Total 49,545
Paramour Sessions
Papa Roach
TW 9,258
Total 72,191
Public Affair
Jessica Simpson
TW 7,531
Total 219,095
**Not all celebrities and publicity gimmicks sell records.
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