So, this is the second post that I'm writing on the Liv Kristine/Leaves' Eyes situation. Before I continue, I will state that while I am in support of Liv, I'm remaining as neutral as possible since this is all getting out of hand now.
Obviously, shit has hit the proverbial fan since Saturday when it was announced that Liv was no longer in Leaves' Eyes and since then, there was been no end of rumours, hatred and just general childishness - Mostly from the fans and it has to stop. Now.
The way that fans of Liv are carrying on is basically an absolute disgrace. Liv is one of the loveliest people I've had the pleasure of not only meeting but interviewing as well and I don't think she'd appreciate all the abuse and hatred that's been sent towards her now former band mates, let alone the rumours that are going around.
Don't get me wrong, Alex and company (excluding Elina since she's caught in the middle of this raging shit storm) haven't handled this very well. Arguing with fans and passive aggressively sharing Lucas' status (which sadly was misconstrued as being a violent threat) have only served to add fuel to the fire. Even taking time to finally make a public statement on the situation wasn't a smart move, since that should have been done immediately with all comments ignored. Hell, this entire thing has officially become worse than when Tarja got the sack!
But the way that fans of Liv are going is basically shitting all over everything she has ever done with Leaves' Eyes. I've seen a Facebook page in support of Liv start a petition to get Leaves' Eyes removed from the Metal Female Voices Festival in Belgium based on the accusations of sexism because of the rumour that Alex has had an affair and replaced Liv because of it. I've seen 'fans' leave abusive messages on the Facebook pages of Leaves' Eyes, Alexander Krull and others involved with Leaves' Eyes and much worse.
If you want to support Liv or her solo project, that's fine. There's loads of way you can support Liv, like leave her positive messages or purchase her solo albums. Or even send her some flowers or something. But sending abuse or other negative comments to Alex and co isn't going to do anyone any favours.
Regardless of the rumours, regardless of what went on behind the scenes, and regardless of how you're feeling, Liv and Alex have a son together and a private life they've built together. They both deserve some privacy and the way that a lot of Liv's fans are acting is basically just taking one giant shit all over her legacy.
Don't disrespect Liv like that. Just show her the love.
Wednesday, 20 April 2016
Sunday, 17 April 2016
Band Line-Ups Change - Quit Being Entitled Babies
So, yesterday, as some of you will know, Leaves' Eyes announced that their iconic frontwoman, Liv Kristine, is no longer in the band and has been replaced. Sadly, her replacement is receiving unjust anger and hate for no real reason aside from that she's Liv's replacement.
Don't get me wrong, I'm shocked and upset that Liv isn't in Leaves' Eyes any more but these things happen. Until Liv or the band give a reason publicly to as why this line-up change happened, we won't know what went on - which is why all these rumours are so damn annoying.
Since yesterday, there was been no end of rumours, such as Liv being fired in a similar fashion to Theatre of Tragedy to Liv being privately forced out of the band. As such, Elina - Liv's replacement - has had a very negative backlash, as have the rest of the band. So-called fans of the band have been saying Elina is a bad vocalist and whatnot. I want to know why these "fans" think they're so entitled when it comes to the bands they follow?
When it comes to bands changing line-ups, people are usually waiting in line to unleash their unjustified anger - just look at the drama with Nightwish as an example. Or even Arch Enemy when Alissa replaced Angela!
This unjust hatred towards Elina is just getting out of hand. Who wouldn't take up an opportunity to join a band like Leaves' Eyes? I know I certainly would if I had some amount of talent when it comes to singing or playing an instrument.
Elina is a very talented singer and the stuff she has done with her band Enklination (Angel Nation as they're now known) is fantastic and in my opinion, she's a great replacement to Liv.
Yeah, it's frustrating that the band aren't saying why Liv was replaced. Yeah, it's heartbreaking that Liv isn't in the band and it's odd that it all seemed to have come out of the blue and was done very quickly, but band line-ups change all the time. There are few bands that still have their original line-up. Even legends such as Iron Maiden and Metallica have changed line-ups in the past.
So, until a reason is given publicly by everyone involved...
Quit your bitching.
Quit your moaning.
Quit your whining.
You're not entitled to decide who should be the replacement in a band or who should be fired. You're a fan. You either support the band or you don't.
Your hatred and anger isn't going to change the fact that Liv isn't in Leaves' Eyes any more.
Don't get me wrong, I'm shocked and upset that Liv isn't in Leaves' Eyes any more but these things happen. Until Liv or the band give a reason publicly to as why this line-up change happened, we won't know what went on - which is why all these rumours are so damn annoying.
Since yesterday, there was been no end of rumours, such as Liv being fired in a similar fashion to Theatre of Tragedy to Liv being privately forced out of the band. As such, Elina - Liv's replacement - has had a very negative backlash, as have the rest of the band. So-called fans of the band have been saying Elina is a bad vocalist and whatnot. I want to know why these "fans" think they're so entitled when it comes to the bands they follow?
When it comes to bands changing line-ups, people are usually waiting in line to unleash their unjustified anger - just look at the drama with Nightwish as an example. Or even Arch Enemy when Alissa replaced Angela!
This unjust hatred towards Elina is just getting out of hand. Who wouldn't take up an opportunity to join a band like Leaves' Eyes? I know I certainly would if I had some amount of talent when it comes to singing or playing an instrument.
Elina is a very talented singer and the stuff she has done with her band Enklination (Angel Nation as they're now known) is fantastic and in my opinion, she's a great replacement to Liv.
Yeah, it's frustrating that the band aren't saying why Liv was replaced. Yeah, it's heartbreaking that Liv isn't in the band and it's odd that it all seemed to have come out of the blue and was done very quickly, but band line-ups change all the time. There are few bands that still have their original line-up. Even legends such as Iron Maiden and Metallica have changed line-ups in the past.
So, until a reason is given publicly by everyone involved...
Quit your bitching.
Quit your moaning.
Quit your whining.
You're not entitled to decide who should be the replacement in a band or who should be fired. You're a fan. You either support the band or you don't.
Your hatred and anger isn't going to change the fact that Liv isn't in Leaves' Eyes any more.
Wednesday, 3 February 2016
Attitudes Will Make Or Break A Band
It's been almost a year since I posted on this blog, mainly because real life things, such as my job and non-existent social life, got in the way. I apologise now if this post starts to turn incoherent - I finished a 12 hour night shift at 8 this morning and I can't be arsed going to bed.
Having worked with bands and musicians in various capacities - promoter, booking agent, journalist, roadie, PR liaison, etc, etc, etc - I've seen all sorts of band people with different attitudes, some good, some bad, some in between. Today, while browsing the Book of many Faces, a post popped up in my news feed. Basically, a member of a band felt it was appropriate to publicly post to a festival's Facebook page proclaiming that their band should be playing it.
When called out on their attitude by the festival, the musician in so many (and somewhat aggressive) words stated that he doesn't care if they don't play and that it's more of a "pop" at the "weak UK promoters". I'll be the first to say that the organisers of this particular festival are far more being "weak promoters" and have gained a brilliant reputation for their hard work and dedication in the extreme metal scene.
I've worked with the band in question. They played Northern Symphony Festival last year and well, let's just say that after their attitude problem at that show, I won't work with them again. The post itself is being shared by promoters in the UK, as well as bands. This obviously is going to make it very difficult for this band to get gigs in the future, despite some of the tours they've been billed on.
In the original post, the musician in question poses the question, what more must a band do for the UK scene? More importantly, which I'd like to know is, what have they done for the UK? Aside from fill it with more negativity and egos. I'd never heard of the band in question until I was organising a big black metal show a few years ago. I'd never booked them for that show in question, not because of their attitudes, but because the show was already booked up. Much to their displeasure.
Whilst I enjoy this particular band's studio work, I can't support them any more because of the horrid attitudes. In the end, because of one member's actions, this band will find it harder to get booked since promoters do talk to one another.
Moral of the story: Don't be a raging dicklord.
Having worked with bands and musicians in various capacities - promoter, booking agent, journalist, roadie, PR liaison, etc, etc, etc - I've seen all sorts of band people with different attitudes, some good, some bad, some in between. Today, while browsing the Book of many Faces, a post popped up in my news feed. Basically, a member of a band felt it was appropriate to publicly post to a festival's Facebook page proclaiming that their band should be playing it.
When called out on their attitude by the festival, the musician in so many (and somewhat aggressive) words stated that he doesn't care if they don't play and that it's more of a "pop" at the "weak UK promoters". I'll be the first to say that the organisers of this particular festival are far more being "weak promoters" and have gained a brilliant reputation for their hard work and dedication in the extreme metal scene.
I've worked with the band in question. They played Northern Symphony Festival last year and well, let's just say that after their attitude problem at that show, I won't work with them again. The post itself is being shared by promoters in the UK, as well as bands. This obviously is going to make it very difficult for this band to get gigs in the future, despite some of the tours they've been billed on.
In the original post, the musician in question poses the question, what more must a band do for the UK scene? More importantly, which I'd like to know is, what have they done for the UK? Aside from fill it with more negativity and egos. I'd never heard of the band in question until I was organising a big black metal show a few years ago. I'd never booked them for that show in question, not because of their attitudes, but because the show was already booked up. Much to their displeasure.
Whilst I enjoy this particular band's studio work, I can't support them any more because of the horrid attitudes. In the end, because of one member's actions, this band will find it harder to get booked since promoters do talk to one another.
Moral of the story: Don't be a raging dicklord.
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