If you want to protest again Sony BMG’s hype machine that is the X-Factor, then whatever you do, do not buy Rage Against the Machine’s Killing in the Name Of this week!
(If you have no idea what I’m talking about, read all about the Rage Factor campaign here)
Here’s why : Rage Against the Machine are signed to Epic, a subsidiary of Sony BMG. And the X-Factor winner will be signed to Simon Cowell’s label SyCo, also a subsidiary of Sony BMG (and by themselves generate a huge proportion of Sony BMG’s income). So while you’re sticking it to the man, you’re also giving the man loads more money!
So here’s what’ll happen. All you X-Factor haters will buy RATM, but let’s face it you weren’t gonna buy the X-Factor single anyway, right? And if X-Factor fans hear about this campaign they will want to support their artist and buy more X-Factor singles. End result : more X-Factor singles sold and more RATM singles sold. So who are you trying to hurt here?
Some people have accused Sony BMG of setting this up themselves, but I don’t think that’s true. But if they had it would be bloody clever of them!
Sure, it’ll be fun to have a Christmas number 1 with the word fuck in it. But no radio station will be playing it on Christmas morning that’s for sure. And do you really want to give a major label loads more money in order to achieve this minor delight?
Instead, why not just give some money to charity (and you could do worse than by using this justgiving page) or instead maybe really stick it to the major labels by supporting independent artists such as Pomplamoose who prove that you no longer need a record label to be a successful artist. And that’s how to really worry the majors.
Just saying. 
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It’s not about ‘sticking it to the man’ – it’s about not having a number one straight out of x-factor for number one.
Think you’ve missed the point somewhere.
That’s a fair comment, if that’s your only motivation then there isn’t a problem. I just think some people don’t realise that by buying the single, they’re encouraging the same organisation that produces the music that they dislike so much.
Yeah great, lets boycott all Sony artists. I mean, they’ve only got the largest back catalogue of music in the world…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Sony/ATV_Music_Publishing_artists
The man that’s getting it stuck to him is Simon Cowell, and I hope it gets stuck so far up him he never gets it out again…
You have a good point, of course we shouldn’t boycott Sony artists. But here’s the best case scenario – X-Factor winner will sell a million singles and RATM will sell more than that. Do you think this campaign will mean any fewer sales for the X-Factor winner? And do you think Simon Cowell will be disappointed about not getting Christmas number one when he’ll still have a million selling single on his hands?
Don’t get me wrong, I really like RATM and I love Killing in the Name Of. (And I even sometimes like good pop music) My only concern here is that people know exactly where the money’s going. And if they’re alright with that, then that’s fine!
Err, guys, simon cowell will sell *more* records because of this “battle”.
Sony will sell more too, you think cowell gives a fuck if he reaches number one?
“site by eject media” – yeah, bet they had nothing better to do in december…..
Yes, it’s got nothing to do with Sony and, as the creators of this campaign state, nothing against Cowell. I’ve bought the Rage single purely because I think it would be “funny” to have Rage at number one. If you DO want to talk about the whole Sony/Cyco thing, then they’re making a fortune the rest of the year round on other acts, I doubt a few more hundred thousands pounds is making THAT much of a big deal. I assume the Epic guys will just be going “well, errr, that worked out nicely!”. Besides that, Zach de la Rocha will be happy with a boost in his royalties and he’s a man I don’t mind giving a bit of cash to.
Hi Dave, thanks so much for commenting here on my blog, I’m always surprised when people find me
First things first, I love the track, and your idea is a fun one. And if your only motive is to have a funny flash-mob style vandalism of the charts, that’s absolutely fine. My only concern is that people will read your website and think that this is a protest against the X-Factor without realising that it’s the same organisation that benefits. And as far as I know, Epic is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony BMG. But if people realise they’re funding the same organisation that promotes the X-Factor artists then that’s fine with me.
Although if a viral like this can genuinely beat the huge promotional machine of a prime-time TV show I’ll be extremely surprised…
Hey matee. I understand what you’re saying, but I don’t think the RATM thing was ever supposed to be a rage against Simon Cowell/Sony’s wallets. And I’m sure that most people involved are aware that some fat cat company is going to profit from it. Nor do I think that anyone involved will be sat gleefully waiting for the chart show to announce if they were victorious. I think the whole point is to make a point, as oppose to a stand. A flash mob “count” to show that not everybody in this country wants the continuous roll-out of dross pop tunes. To put forward the point that we are aware of the way that the media manipulates the general public…and that we don’t approve. Admittedly, by doing so we would be following the herd which in itself is a hypocritical position to hold…but a point would be made nonetheless. Personally, I’ll be buying RATM this christmas and I’ll be donating 10 times its cost to a charity close to my heart.
Hi Stu, yes there is somewhat of a paradox there huh?
I’m pretty surprised that anyone who aint making money out of it gives a shite who’s number one.
Find yourself a decent radio station to listen to!
Excellent idea Tink. I’m particularly enjoying SomaFM’s Christmas Lounge right now. And why the hell not!
Strange, I thought corporate avenger was the approved ratm substitute.
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I was at that victory gig, every profit from everything sold went straight to shelter, they presented the check on stage.
Fed up with people saying this ” nyagh blargh sony record label ” bullshit. People underestimate Rage to much. Or just don’t appreciate anybody that influences us to think for themselves and question our governments.
After this we’ll end up going back to people saying they make money so they’re hypocrites, encase nobody noticed, you kinda need money to do shit these days, mostly living.