You say that you'd rather be really poor than scratching, saving, scrimping all the pennies

[venta]

There's a very sad article this morning: the recession is really hitting the music industry badly. Bands are having to drastically scale back their names in order to keep down touring costs.

Obviously the worst hit are the smaller bands of today, or bands whose career peak is long past. The article I read mentioned Vampire Saturday Afternoon, Primal Whimper, The Stone Carnations, Belligerent Femmes and Avenge Twice. But even the big boys like U1½ and Coolplay are having to make savings.

Some bands are really struggling, of course. British Sea Power's last tour flopped totally, because the posters advertising concerts by A Couple of Dinghies Off Dover didn't appeal to anyone. Black Box Recorder's promised new album failed to materialise because they just couldn't face recording as The Pilot's Old Notebooks.

Has anyone else heard about this, or know any bands which have been affected?

Comments

[ringbark.livejournal.com]

Older punk bands are not escaping unscathed either.

Reports of concerts by the Light Petting Pistols are coming in, along with Sham 46, who may even have to downgrade further to the Completely Bogus 23.
888 are also concerned about the future. As for me, I'm hoping to see Frankie Goes To Scarborough next week.

Of the stadium bands, Yes have also entered the tragic downward spiral, being first Probably, then Possibly, before being Pretty Doubtful and ultimately No.
Bismuth Balloon are talking about another concert, as are the Two Degrees and the Three Seasons, who are still in negotiations to get Frankie Slight Dip In The Landscape to join them.

Slightly untamed Willy Barrett has offered to sing a couple of songs.

Plasticca are particular badly affected by the recession, as are Bichead.