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August 01, 2006
We're home in our beds.
Reverand Rackus,
I write this with respect and nothing more.
I am in need of desperate advice.
There's this band ( you may have heard of them called boysetsfire) who is the world to me. Their music is what reminded me of my strength, fire, ambition, and persistance in a world so ultimately fucked. I even stopped going to local shows for a while, claiming I was over this phase in my life, but only to be reminded by the wonderful persona of these boys as to why this was not a chapter that needed to be closed for me. They gave me hope in times of desperation, influenced me musically and gave me the urge to strive forward in such a sense. I understand that many things happen behind closed doors, the band has been together for an extremely long time.... but so what I need advice on is to understand why?
After putting forth an amazing album (which is an understatement in itself) and picking itself back up from the ground, why would the band give in now? Another thing I'm having a hard time understanding is how they can play european tour and a few east coast dates in closing.... leaving behind the fans who have been here all along since day one from all over the states.
I mean Europe is getting an almost month long tour.... and boysetsfire's roots lie here. I am from the westernish area and have supported, listened, and bought their shit for almost 10 years now. It's a harsh kick in the face from men I have respected and admired for over a decade now.
This is such a rant, and I'm sure you are exhausted and distinterested with this. Hopefully this will make the rackus backlodge with some sort of answer, but I am sure it is hard for you to answer on behalf of a band you do not perform with.
Sincereley,
Hopelesslyrelentless
P.S If you have the abilitiy to do so perhaps you could forward this to the other members. An answer would be appreciated, but of course not expected. Thank you for your time and entertainment over this course of time.
Dear Trisha,
First off, thanks for the love and respect. Secondly, thank you on behalf of the band for all the years of support and dedication. So-you would like to understand why...........I wouldn't say that anything happened behind closed doors that they wouldn't tell you to your face. There are several reasons------In reality it has just become difficult to tour the states anymore.......which is heart breaking enough.......but more importantly the guys have other goals in life. I'm not saying that there was any kind of fight over diffences of opinion.....it's just that this band has been around for 12 years........12 years..........they have families and other aspirations in life. I mean-they gave so much of their lives to so many....but also got so much in return from all of you. And in retrospect it's time to move on, but also time to never forget any of it. I don't see why it's a hard kick in the face at all. The decision was made two nights ago in a hotel-after a lot of discussion. The European tour has been booked for months, and the tickets purchased----so it makes sense not to let down those fans who have already bought tickets, and are counting on seeing boysetsfire. A lot of bands break up, and no one ever gets to see them again because it's under such harsh circumstances, but they're doing their best to do the right thing for everyone. In reality it's not hard to answer any of these questions personally- these guys have been my friends even before I started working for them----they're my family that I would die for.........I've spent three years of my life touring with these men, and it's sad for me to see all of it go..........so- I hope this helps.......but if you need a place to stay and a ride to the last show in the fall-----just hit me up...seriously....that's all I can do.
Posted by Rev. Chris Rakus at August 1, 2006 11:14 PM
Comments
A comment on the main page... Not from me
"This comes from the rakus blacklodge:
..."so it makes sense not to let down those fans who have already bought tickets, and are counting on seeing boysetsfire." how about the fact that I bought a ticket for an American show, drove 3 hours, and took 2 days off work, just to find out that they weren't there. Ticket $30, drive (gas) aobut $60, two days of work about $150, disappointment $priceless. So yea, lets not let down the Europeans, but lets let down the Americans.
Thanks guys,
I appreciate it."
I don't know... while I understand why they're still playing Europe, I TOTALLY agree with this person's comment.
On another hand to quote what Rackus put above...
"A lot of bands break up, and no one ever gets to see them again because it's under such harsh circumstances, but they're doing their best to do the right thing for everyone"
He's right. Some bands break up and don't give a fuck what they have and have not booked... they're just so done with eachother that their fans are the last thing they're thinking of.
So what if the only fans they're thinking of are the Europeans. Too bad we couldn't sell shows out over here in the states :/ I really tried to spread the word out to people about them.
But then Tanja also made GREAT, and very true points saying...
"They have to pay their bills, get hotels, and pay for gas"
Tour is a bitch when no one is coming to your shows. You depend on your food and places to stay almost solely based on the fans that show up and buy merch.... the record label only gives so much in tour support, and that all eventually has to be paid back in album sales.
So everyone try to think unselfishly about this.
Just from the band's perspective, trying to make a living without losing their lives/homes/heads in the process, what would you do?
Most bands don't even last 12 years...
Posted by: Heather at August 2, 2006 10:24 AM
some good points.
Posted by: chris rakuus at August 2, 2006 10:33 AM
it's really not that the only fans they are thinking of are europeans, it's that there are so many more european fans. I'm sure bsf would love to play everywhere if time were limitless, if gas was free, if food was free, if lodging was free. But when a town can only get 40 people to show up, it would make no sense to play there.
It's not even just money, it's time away from young kids and loved ones. Ask yourself this question. Someone says you have to spend a month away from your children and you can either go into debt and play for 40 people a night. . . or make thousands and play for thousands of adoring fans. What would you choose? Only rich people could afford to choose the first.
So it's not that they don't care about the US fans, it's that they simply could not afford to tour and play for them all right now. It's not all about money, but touring costs money, so you'd be an idiot to tour towns that don't draw anybody.
Posted by: jason at August 2, 2006 10:51 AM
Exactly, Jason. I said that in the Announcement-Topic before.
And I guess it's not easy for them to tour europe more than where they come from.
I'm glad that I had the chance to see them that often.
But you know what? I'd die to see a show in the states! I mean... that's where they come from. It must be great...
Many fans always think that BSF don't care. But I guess they are one of the (few) bands THAT DO CARE!
Posted by: Tanja at August 2, 2006 11:13 AM
Yeah I just realized I said "So what if the only fans they are thinking of are the Europeans". My bad I meant more along the lines of playing previously booked shows. Of course they care about their fans, we should all know that. I did not mean it exactly how I typed it, but the main points I did mean. Viva la boysetsfire.
Posted by: Heather at August 2, 2006 12:07 PM
YOo Chris!!!....I need a ride and a place to stay for the last show in the Fall...I've already started to save. Help me out! I'll pay for gas...food..whatever...I'm down. I'll be living in Manhattan and going to school, but I don't care where they're having it I'll be there!!!Here's my myspace: www.myspace.com/mariemarcella
Do it!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Marie at August 2, 2006 09:08 PM
I still hope it's gonna turn into something like when Samiam broke up.
Though officially no longer a band, they always came back for a short tour to Europe. Now they are even releasing a new album!!!
Posted by: Andy at August 9, 2006 04:15 AM
Well,
although it's sad for us fans it's good for the band.
I DO understand their reasons. Because if I would tour across two continents for months without seeing my family (especially Girlfriend/Wife/Child) I would become depressed.
So I just thank them THAT much for their "work"...
Chris from good ol' Europe...
Posted by: Chris at August 15, 2006 06:42 PM