so umm, where is the Secret Machines song? If you tossed it back, I really reccomend you go fishing for it again - they rule. Has anybody told you of their legendary rooftop 4th of July show last year? So good, you almost forgot you were in Williamsburg - yeech.

The Times got it wrong. The Warner Brothers are kick-a**! I saw them in concert once and the fat one gave me his sweat towel. You can go on ther website and download all kinds of cool s**t! I hope they keep send you stuff because that would be a**some!

There is nothing wrong with selling out a little bit. And think of all the "blog envy" you have caused. I came to yor site because of the hype ... I'll stay for the robots!

There are so many, many things I could say about this whole fiasco. But ultimately, I wonder how all this will effect the band in the long run? If I were TSM, I'd be asking the label if all this internet "promotion" is a "recoupable" expense charged back against the band's cut of the record sales, if so I'd be pissed. I don't understand why "indie" sounding bands sign to majors these days. The industry is in such a turmoil, that if you're smart, you can do it better on your own. Do a search on some of the latest Pixies interviews. They get the idea.

"Indie" sounding bands sign with major labels for the same reason all pop acts do they want fame and everything that goes with it.

And if they just want to make music, they would not go through all the bullsh#t involved in signing a major label deal.

They all can say they love making music, but what they really want is women, money and fame.

I've been looking for a decent MP3 blog. Also, I'm in concurrence with your statements about WB. If you aren't making mistakes you aren't taking chances. If you aren't taking chances you aren't running a business.

If "mistakes" and "chances" mean embarrassing articles in NYT, I think it's time to go re-evaluate the business. I'd rather make the mistake of signing a band that didn't sell well over this nonsense. IP's of posts traced back to the label? Bwahahahahahahahahahahahaaa. Priceless.

The NYT article struck me as much ado about nothing. Yes, it was a slimey of WB to spoof the comments. But then again, it was cool of them to make the song available in the first place. And that's the real story; A big label that undersands you've got to give some of the goods away in order to sell records. Now, if WB could just tell its over-zealous flaks to let the good deed speak for itself...

i think the robots did the right thing. mark liked the song and the blog post was almost like a new article introducing the fact that WB solicited them. there's not much you can do about the fake posts... except make fun of them.

it's not hard to be "one of the best" when there are only four (and soon, hopefully, three).

i don't know if that was intended as a backhanded compliment, but i'll interpret it as one anyway. :)

Congrats my friends. I expected nothing less-- Keep it real and get the recognition you all deserve (even if Mark is the only one in the photo).

xoxo

In answer to why indie-sounding band bother signing with big record labels when they could do it better on their own...

As someone who manages an independent band, let me just vent a little -- yes, you are better off doing it on your own, but it sure as hell isn't easy. Try getting awareness of your band when you don't have the big bucks to advertise or send yourself on tour. Rehearsal studios, recording time, travel and even playing live in major cities (have you heard of pre-sale?) all cost money.

How do consumers, reviewers, even music blogs hear about you if you don't have national distribution so they can even FIND your record? It's one thing if you're the Pixies and everyone already knows you and your music... established bands can get national distribution or attention from national tour bookers. Try that as an unknown independent band.

Anyone who thinks bands are "just in it for the money and girls" (another post) haven't spent much time in or with a real independent band in the hell that is the music industry right now. Online distribution is great, to a point, but to get more national attention, you need money or a lucky break.
Or you keep slogging it out, forming your own record label and taking every opportunity you can, like my band is doing. They would never survive the rejection and the constant struggle to get ahead if they didn't love music.

If everyone who complained about the big record labels spent more time searching out new music on music websites and posting it on blogs, maybe we could change the music industry for the better. Unfortunately, it seems like a lot of people still want to be spoon fed what music they should be listening to. I'm glad there are some folks out there who don't... and I know I'm preaching to the choir. I just wish there were more of you.

There is only one thing worse than getting talked about, -- that is NOT talked about..

re: 1st comment, I saw that rooftop show from the roof ABOVE the roof they were playing on (dig?), and it was that good. a 45 minute set that lasted from the first to last firework.

Maybe WB tried to get caught on purpose- The Street Machines got way more publicity that way than they would have by merely trying to hype themselves using mp3blogs.
Whether WB got caught (or even faked the comments) on purpose or not, this publicity has likely helped the Street Machines a whole lot.