nerdtech's Profile

This is from the Wikipedia entry about Victory Records: "Victory Records is a Chicago-based independent record label founded by Tony Brummel, claiming to be at war with corporate America and its record labels. Ironically, Victory Records is actually a privately-held corporation. Victory has multiple records exceeding the 200,000 sales mark and now has three gold certified records (Atreyu, Hawthorne Heights, and Taking Back Sunday), one of them quickly approaching platinum status (Hawthorne Heights). In 2002, 49% of the label was sold to MCA Records for an undisclosed amount. Soon after the transaction, Brummel changed his mind, sent the money back and called the deal off. Victory also has its product distributed by Sony's RED distribution. It has been quoted that Brummel has valued the entire operation at $125 million. Victory records is comprised mostly of metalcore and emo bands." Now, to me, as an ex-punk, who works for non-profit organzations - this business, and Tony in particular, should NOT be complaining about things like this. Why? Because if they were truly independent, as they like to portray themselves - and if they were true to their roots - they wouldnt HAVE a distribution deal with Sony. They wouldn't have HAD to call off a deal with MCA Records when Tony realized he screwed up and might lose cred for "selling out". Guess what, dudes. YOU ALREADY HAVE WITH THAT SONY DISTRO DEAL! Heh. Perhaps some way in their telling-off of iTMS, they feel like they are sticking up for "independent" labels? I don't know. Pfft. Sure, there are a few Victory bands that I like. Very few. But moreso it's the politics, the portrayal of this supposed "independent" company, and their business deals that I am not so fond of - for an organization claiming that they are an "independent" business. All in all, I think this guy is just trying to drum up more business for his company.