Are we Morrissey fans being ripped off?

[Harold Shipman]

I know some of you probably dont want to read this..... but, ever get the feeling you've been cheated? (to quote one J Rotten).

I know the music industry has always ripped off fans in a totally cynical way, but it has usually been aimed at the teen market. I am dissapointed that Sanctuary / Attack / Morrissey* (*delete as appropriate) are milking us for all they can.

Case 1. The singles. Releasing CD singles 1 & 2 with different b-sides on. I now have bought 7 versions of 3 singles to ensure my 'complete collection' of every Morrissey / Smiths song remains intact. The fact that the 3 singles have all made top 10 is only down to the fact that most of us (if not all of us) have bought the bloody thing twice. I had to buy 3 copies of FOTGTD as you couldn't even play the CD2 single on a walkman / stereo, so had to get an American friend to post me their version of the single which was playable on a walkman / stereo.

Case 2. The album. The Platinum album. 6 months after the release, we get this one which they KNOW we will buy as it contains 3 new unreleased songs and 3 videos, 2 of which were already given out with their respective single release.
Why not simply release the 3 songs as an independant single? Presumably they will make more money by flogging us the album again rather as if it was a single?

Case 3. The tour. Where do we start? First, the constant adding of dates, every other act has no difficulty in announcing a major tour and then getting on with it. But no, our hero has to keep adding date after date (certainly in the UK / Europe), conveniently waiting for the previous date announced to sell out. This leaves fans with the choice of buying further tickets more local to them and the task of trying to flog the other ones and in some cases being out of pocket at the end of it all. Then there is the merchandise. Piss poor, no wonder the bootleggers outside make a fortune! The designs are simply dreadful not only on this tour but the 2002 tour as well. I recall seeing the 2002 World Tour shirts at the Royal Albert Hall and they did not contain any dates on the back - (see above with dates being added all the time). Then, and finally, the length and prices of each show. 70 mins for an artist with 11 studio albums to draw from is a poor return for the entrance fee being charged. There should be a minimum of 120 mins and the prices charged on the current US tour is scandalous ($75 I am led to believe at some venues).

Yes I know I am not forced to buy the singles, the albums, the tour shirts, the tickets for the shows and the rest, but they know we are completists and play up on that. Someone, somewhere is short changing the fans. Please discuss.
Please dont post replies that are merely abusive or with daft personal comments, constructive arguements are most welcome.
Discuss.......

 

[??]

> I know some of you probably dont want to read this..... but, ever get the
> feeling you've been cheated? (to quote one J Rotten).

> I know the music industry has always ripped off fans in a totally cynical
> way, but it has usually been aimed at the teen market. I am dissapointed
> that Sanctuary / Attack / Morrissey* (*delete as appropriate) are milking
> us for all they can.

> Case 1. The singles. Releasing CD singles 1 & 2 with different b-sides
> on. I now have bought 7 versions of 3 singles to ensure my 'complete
> collection' of every Morrissey / Smiths song remains intact. The fact that
> the 3 singles have all made top 10 is only down to the fact that most of
> us (if not all of us) have bought the bloody thing twice. I had to buy 3
> copies of FOTGTD as you couldn't even play the CD2 single on a walkman /
> stereo, so had to get an American friend to post me their version of the
> single which was playable on a walkman / stereo.

> Case 2. The album. The Platinum album. 6 months after the release, we get
> this one which they KNOW we will buy as it contains 3 new unreleased songs
> and 3 videos, 2 of which were already given out with their respective
> single release.
> Why not simply release the 3 songs as an independant single? Presumably
> they will make more money by flogging us the album again rather as if it
> was a single?

> Case 3. The tour. Where do we start? First, the constant adding of dates,
> every other act has no difficulty in announcing a major tour and then
> getting on with it. But no, our hero has to keep adding date after date
> (certainly in the UK / Europe), conveniently waiting for the previous date
> announced to sell out. This leaves fans with the choice of buying further
> tickets more local to them and the task of trying to flog the other ones
> and in some cases being out of pocket at the end of it all. Then there is
> the merchandise. Piss poor, no wonder the bootleggers outside make a
> fortune! The designs are simply dreadful not only on this tour but the
> 2002 tour as well. I recall seeing the 2002 World Tour shirts at the Royal
> Albert Hall and they did not contain any dates on the back - (see above
> with dates being added all the time). Then, and finally, the length and
> prices of each show. 70 mins for an artist with 11 studio albums to draw
> from is a poor return for the entrance fee being charged. There should be
> a minimum of 120 mins and the prices charged on the current US tour is
> scandalous ($75 I am led to believe at some venues).

> Yes I know I am not forced to buy the singles, the albums, the tour
> shirts, the tickets for the shows and the rest, but they know we are
> completists and play up on that. Someone, somewhere is short changing the
> fans. Please discuss.
> Please dont post replies that are merely abusive or with daft personal
> comments, constructive arguements are most welcome.
> Discuss.......

Ever heard of downloading?

 

[pump]

Nobody ask you to buy all the version....

U know, collecting is a disease

 

[Grim O'Grady]

I've read your post & agree with it but what I don't understand is your 'user name', how can anyone take you seriously whilst you use such a name?

Grim O'Grady

> I know some of you probably dont want to read this..... but, ever get the
> feeling you've been cheated? (to quote one J Rotten).

> I know the music industry has always ripped off fans in a totally cynical
> way, but it has usually been aimed at the teen market. I am dissapointed
> that Sanctuary / Attack / Morrissey* (*delete as appropriate) are milking
> us for all they can.

> Case 1. The singles. Releasing CD singles 1 & 2 with different b-sides
> on. I now have bought 7 versions of 3 singles to ensure my 'complete
> collection' of every Morrissey / Smiths song remains intact. The fact that
> the 3 singles have all made top 10 is only down to the fact that most of
> us (if not all of us) have bought the bloody thing twice. I had to buy 3
> copies of FOTGTD as you couldn't even play the CD2 single on a walkman /
> stereo, so had to get an American friend to post me their version of the
> single which was playable on a walkman / stereo.

> Case 2. The album. The Platinum album. 6 months after the release, we get
> this one which they KNOW we will buy as it contains 3 new unreleased songs
> and 3 videos, 2 of which were already given out with their respective
> single release.
> Why not simply release the 3 songs as an independant single? Presumably
> they will make more money by flogging us the album again rather as if it
> was a single?

> Case 3. The tour. Where do we start? First, the constant adding of dates,
> every other act has no difficulty in announcing a major tour and then
> getting on with it. But no, our hero has to keep adding date after date
> (certainly in the UK / Europe), conveniently waiting for the previous date
> announced to sell out. This leaves fans with the choice of buying further
> tickets more local to them and the task of trying to flog the other ones
> and in some cases being out of pocket at the end of it all. Then there is
> the merchandise. Piss poor, no wonder the bootleggers outside make a
> fortune! The designs are simply dreadful not only on this tour but the
> 2002 tour as well. I recall seeing the 2002 World Tour shirts at the Royal
> Albert Hall and they did not contain any dates on the back - (see above
> with dates being added all the time). Then, and finally, the length and
> prices of each show. 70 mins for an artist with 11 studio albums to draw
> from is a poor return for the entrance fee being charged. There should be
> a minimum of 120 mins and the prices charged on the current US tour is
> scandalous ($75 I am led to believe at some venues).

> Yes I know I am not forced to buy the singles, the albums, the tour
> shirts, the tickets for the shows and the rest, but they know we are
> completists and play up on that. Someone, somewhere is short changing the
> fans. Please discuss.
> Please dont post replies that are merely abusive or with daft personal
> comments, constructive arguements are most welcome.
> Discuss.......

 

[Dirk McNasty]

I really hate buying great singles with great b-sides after a 7 year gap. I feel like I am being used in some way.

 

[Abrahán]

yes. remember that "one off show in manchester"

i know what you mean... remember the "first version" of www.morrisseymusic.com? it had him posing with his gun, stating that there was to be a "one-off show" in manchester, on his day of birth, no less. we all know tons of fans buying tickets for the show from the US. let us pin-point a little better. we know a tons of fans from los angeles who bought tickets for the "one-off" show who had to make sure they:

1. made travel arrangements.
2. had a place to stay in england for the "one-off" show.
3. have time off from whatever jobs they might have.

i am sure there were more things they had to do but in the end, he played 5 nights in los angeles. here are the fans once again buying tickets for all five nights simply to see what he is going to do differently.

the singles. as fans, there is that feeling. you know the feeling. like seeing bona drag on a USED shelf. you carry with you through the shop. you end up remembering how it would be the EIGHT time you have bought the CD and the last one you bought is still playable. we must buy the singles. oh, is there more than one version? hell, i NEED to get them all. thank god that it isn't always like that.

even the suedehead CASSETTE single had "oh well i'll never learn."

my love life was released and it wasn't on any album and was released as a single. boxers released the same way but then came world of morrissey.

we could just wait. three boxsets have been released. since the first one, you know the very nice, original purple one with the lovely insert tracklisting. the $100 one you see for sale for $89 occasionally at you favorite shop that you wished they would only sell for $50 cos then, and only then would you buy it since you have it already in another form. since we cannot have the alma matter's video on oye esteban dvd, will it be on the NEXT boxset? remember that mercury deal? that is what is kept it from being on the DVD.

now would be time for a boxset, or at least after i have forgiven jesus is released. think about it:

boxers
alma matters
roy's keen
satan rejected my soul
irish blood english heart
first of the gang to die
let me kiss you
i have forgiven jesus

that would make a nice boxsetof the singles we alrady own.

and as far as them releasing as "import" and "domestic" they will be bought. they rarely release with the same tracks and they will be bought. they have been.

i will end my ramble by asking this: "How many smiths-morrissey related books do you own MORE than one copy of and which books are they?"

 

[Harold Shipman]

Thank you.... the voice of reason

I thought I was a lone voice blowing in the wind.....
I'd even forgot about the box set singles!!!!! Interesting to see if the different record companies will co-operate on that one!

The books I have bought twice are Mick Middles's book 'The Smiths' (updated)
'Severed Alliance' (updated) 'Songs that saved your life' (updated).
What next? 'Morrissey's Manchester', to include the MEN Arena and Lancashire Cricket Stadium in the tour for a new edition?
But we cant blame Morrissey or record labels for the reissueing of books.

Remember 'Paint a vulgar picture'?
Obviously Morrissey has.

Buy both and feel deceived..............
I do.

 

[Danny]

Re: one off show in manchester - you are joking?

I'm sorry but if people in Los Angeles thought that the "one off" show in Manchester meant he wasn't going to be doing any other gigs anywhere else when he had an album due out then they are a bit thick and deserve all they get!

As far as rereleases goes Morrissey isn't with any of the companies concerned so I doubt they consulted him.

And I don't think he has any say over what books are written about him. Maybe he'd have stopped some of them if he had? (Rogan's?)

Of course, you can always use your own intelligence and just purchase those things you want, or is someone holding a gun to your heads?

 

[Iamthequarry]

Yes Yes Yes, finally someone said it! I payed $275 for 3 tickets to the show in Philly. It was a great show, im not complaining, but the length of the show was what pissed me off. It took forever for him to set up and then he only played like an 75 min!? I agree with you more than ever!Thank you for finally saying it. And I've never heard of releasing so many cd's of the same album.
> I know some of you probably dont want to read this..... but, ever get the
> feeling you've been cheated? (to quote one J Rotten).

> I know the music industry has always ripped off fans in a totally cynical
> way, but it has usually been aimed at the teen market. I am dissapointed
> that Sanctuary / Attack / Morrissey* (*delete as appropriate) are milking
> us for all they can.

> Case 1. The singles. Releasing CD singles 1 & 2 with different b-sides
> on. I now have bought 7 versions of 3 singles to ensure my 'complete
> collection' of every Morrissey / Smiths song remains intact. The fact that
> the 3 singles have all made top 10 is only down to the fact that most of
> us (if not all of us) have bought the bloody thing twice. I had to buy 3
> copies of FOTGTD as you couldn't even play the CD2 single on a walkman /
> stereo, so had to get an American friend to post me their version of the
> single which was playable on a walkman / stereo.

> Case 2. The album. The Platinum album. 6 months after the release, we get
> this one which they KNOW we will buy as it contains 3 new unreleased songs
> and 3 videos, 2 of which were already given out with their respective
> single release.
> Why not simply release the 3 songs as an independant single? Presumably
> they will make more money by flogging us the album again rather as if it
> was a single?

> Case 3. The tour. Where do we start? First, the constant adding of dates,
> every other act has no difficulty in announcing a major tour and then
> getting on with it. But no, our hero has to keep adding date after date
> (certainly in the UK / Europe), conveniently waiting for the previous date
> announced to sell out. This leaves fans with the choice of buying further
> tickets more local to them and the task of trying to flog the other ones
> and in some cases being out of pocket at the end of it all. Then there is
> the merchandise. Piss poor, no wonder the bootleggers outside make a
> fortune! The designs are simply dreadful not only on this tour but the
> 2002 tour as well. I recall seeing the 2002 World Tour shirts at the Royal
> Albert Hall and they did not contain any dates on the back - (see above
> with dates being added all the time). Then, and finally, the length and
> prices of each show. 70 mins for an artist with 11 studio albums to draw
> from is a poor return for the entrance fee being charged. There should be
> a minimum of 120 mins and the prices charged on the current US tour is
> scandalous ($75 I am led to believe at some venues).

> Yes I know I am not forced to buy the singles, the albums, the tour
> shirts, the tickets for the shows and the rest, but they know we are
> completists and play up on that. Someone, somewhere is short changing the
> fans. Please discuss.
> Please dont post replies that are merely abusive or with daft personal
> comments, constructive arguements are most welcome.
> Discuss.......

 

[Abrahán]

oh my god... he doesn't get it.

the gun to our heads doesn't exist.

 

[Republican Party Reptile]

I kinda agree

I do believe Sanctuary views the Morrissey fanbase as a great opportunity for exploitation.

Don't get me wrong, I'm very happy Morrissey is back and in 2004 has released about 21 songs with a few more to come before Christmas.

But yeah, I do think they're crossing the line in trying to milk every penny out of us they can.

On the other hand, I think there may have been more nervousness on Sanctuary and Morrissey's side than we realize, since it's always a question mark how well a singer who's been gone for 7 years will do. So they probably wanted to do everything they could think of to get attention.

I think this nervousness was revealed by how Sanctuary made Morrissey do way too many interviews to the point that he wound up sick in bed! Sanctuary had too much pre-release hype for this album. By the time I finally bought the damn thing, what should've been an exciting day was somewhat spoiled.

As far as the two-part singles, I will never stop ranting about that shit. But I think that's a consequence of Morrissey wanting to be on the charts more than his desire to rip us off. That's how things are done in the British record industry. How those rules came about is beyond my understanding, but that's how the game's played. I think Morrissey should stop caring about charts and just concentrate on releasing great songs in a manner that makes his listeners most happy.

 

[Republican Party Reptile]

BTW, I had to jump through many hoops to get refunded for Lollapalooza

This isn't Morrissey's fault, but I will never buy tickets from the House of Blues web site again. It was almost 400 dollars and they made it so difficult to even get into contact with them that I guess they were hoping I'd blow it off. I got my refund, finally and just recently, after I made legal threats to put them in a house of black and blue if they didn't right the situation. NOTICE TO THE WORLD: REPUBLICAN PARTY REPTILES LOVE THEIR EASILY EARNED MONEY AND DON'T LET SHITTERS GET AWAY WITH THEIR SHIT.

 

[Republican Party Reptile]

> Yes Yes Yes, finally someone said it! I payed $275 for 3 tickets to the
> show in Philly. It was a great show, im not complaining, but the length of
> the show was what pissed me off. It took forever for him to set up and
> then he only played like an 75 min!? I agree with you more than ever!Thank
> you for finally saying it. And I've never heard of releasing so many cd's
> of the same album.

I understand his feelings about the length of shows and I think he's right. As someone who's sat through tedious 3 hour concerts by certain artists, I do think it's best to keep it shorter. But he should also change the set lists around more night to night. That's why I don't understand this Julia Riley person. Yeah, you could say even if the songs are the same each show has a different feel. That might justify going to 3 or 4 shows in a tour, but to go to all of them?????

Anyway, the problem is ticket prices these days are WAY WAY WAY too high. Since it was reported in a thread below that Morrissey has a fortune over 15 million dollars, I think he should try and keep ticket prices down.

 

[Joe Benzon]

> That's why I don't
> understand this Julia Riley person. Yeah, you could say even if the songs
> are the same each show has a different feel. That might justify going to 3
> or 4 shows in a tour, but to go to all of them?????

Because she gets in for free apparently