Music

How to Really Piss Off Your Fans: Two Case Studies

Two groups did not endear themselves to their audiences over the past couple of days.

1.  Bloodhound Gang in Ukraine:

Given their long history, there’s little love lost between Ukraine and Russia.  Maybe that’s why Bloodhound Gang singer thought he’d get the crowd at a gig in Odessa on his side by shoving a Russian flag down his pants. Instead he and the rest of the band were pelted with eggs (where did the crowd get those from?) and the group was booted from the festival.  Now there’s a major diplomatic incident.

Lesson:  Defiling a national symbol is a bad idea anywhere.

 

2.  Death Grips in Chicago (or not):

First, they cancelled their appearance at Lollapalooza.  Then they failed to show up for an off-site gig.  When fans were told that the band wouldn’t be coming, they destroyed the band’s gear that had been set up on stage.

There’s video.  Naturally.

It probably didn’t help that the backdrop for the stage was a suicide note allegedly written to the band. It read as follows:

SUBJECT: ready DATE: July 9

I am ready to take my own life. Many bad experiences led me to this dark void that I am locked in. Maybe by my own hands? I don’t really care anymore. I just wanted to say thank you for showing me the other side. the side that is locked away deep inside a person. I am mad. Mad all the time and depressed all the time. I can’t take it. I’m not afraid of dying but i am afraid that I can’t hear DG in the after life if there is such a thing. I don’t know, but I hope your music transcends to the unknown. A place where DG’s essence exists. A place where art exists. I love art. That’s the one thing that kept me alive? this long. So just to ease minds, DG didn’t “influence” me to do this. this is my own fucking choice. but thanks for making my life a little better. you’re my absolute fave and I will fight the gods if they don’t allow me to follow DG’s efforts can’t see Earth. Anyways, continue doing great things. I love you Stefan, Zach, and Andy.

I will be watching.

-AJJ

Lesson:  A contract is a contract. Show up, you assholes.

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

Alan Cross has 38031 posts and counting. See all posts by Alan Cross

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