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AC/DC Defends Wal-Mart Deal
- Oct. 13, 2008
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AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson recently spoke to Reuters about the band's decision to sell its newest album, "Black Ice", exclusively via Wal-Mart when it drops in record stores on Oct. 20. "Maybe I'm just being old-fashioned, but this iTunes, God bless 'em, it's going to kill music if they're not careful," Johnson, 61, told Reuters. "It's a...monster, this thing," he said. "It just worries me. And I'm sure they're just doing it all in the interest of making as much...cash as possible. Let's put it this way, it's certainly not for the...love, let's get that out of the way, right away," he said. Johnson also pointed out that Wal-Mart has been very loyal to AC/DC over the years, so the band had no problem giving the retailer an exclusive. "A lot of people were saying 'Ah man, you're going to the big Wal-Mart, you're selling out,'" Johnson said. " Wal-Mart were the only big store to stock all of our albums, every single one of them, and they've never deviated. And they sold AC/DC shirts and pajamas for kids, which we thought was really cool." Read more from Reuters.
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COMMENT | what a fucking dinosaur
posted by : spaztekmofo
10/13/2008 5:02:39 PM
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He bashes iTunes, but makes an exclusive Wal-mart deal,
A hypocrite too !
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COMMENT |
posted by : AttorneyGuy
10/13/2008 5:07:15 PM
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Spare me!!!! Bash iTunes but then strike an exclusive deal with Wal-Mart? That's just as bad, if not WORSE.
What about supporting your local independent music dealer? You know...the stores where you walk in and they're actually playing obscure METAL?!! The independent record store owners are the fuckers we should be supporting, not freakin' Wal-Mart.
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COMMENT | I think
posted by : MetalTimJ
10/13/2008 5:09:57 PM
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itunes is overpriced, but it does kind of strike a good medium between buying a full album and theft. In the old days, you'd buy albums more on faith or hearing a song or two and maybe get burned, but now that torrents are around, people can sample the whole album and not buy at all. Giving people the opportunity to purchase songs one at a time can let them sample as much of the album as they want until they decide whether to buy or not.
Also, in regards to Wal-Mart: they're annoying in their scope and sometimes in labor exploitation, but one can save a bunch of money there on groceries, so pick your poison.
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COMMENT | ac/dc rules
posted by :
10/13/2008 5:10:28 PM
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wa wa wa dont hate losers
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COMMENT |
posted by : Lemmyisgod
10/13/2008 5:13:59 PM
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Wal-Mart is right wing funded and driven and homophobic. They will not see one of my dollars. Got the new album on acdc.com
Fuck Wal-Mart and their exploitive ways.
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COMMENT | For the love of the album format...
posted by : profmacdaddy
10/13/2008 5:27:10 PM
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is the reason AC/DC will not offer their music on iTunes. AC/DC has always maintained that they don't want their music sold as singles, and that their music is meant to be heard in the context of an album. Sales numbers numbers back up the notion that this is better for the financial health of a band. Here are album sales (CD and digital) from SoundScan, from 2006 to date in millions: Beatles (3.9), AC/DC (3.6), Pink Floyd (3), Eagles (2.4), Rolling Stones (1.8). Here are the single track digital sales from the same bands in millions: Beatles (0), AC/DC (0), Pink Floyd (3), Eagles (3.2), Rolling Stones (6). The bottom line is that if you don't offer digital single sales through iTunes, you sell more albums which are much more profitable. Who can blame the artists if they think their material is strong enough to only be sold as albums? Glenn Frey has commented that The Eagles' royalties from digital sales were so small that they "amounted to 39 minutes on stage Kansas City."
As to the Wal-Mart exclusivity for Black Ice, again a band does this for sales reasons. Such a deal enables AC/DC to get guaranteed national promotion to drive sales. Many people may not like the idea of exclusive distro deals, but it has been a huge success for The Eagles and Journey. Brick and mortar CD stores have been a failure, so this is a way for AC/DC to encourage strong sales of a physical product.
If this is the way for AC/DC to make more money, so be it!
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COMMENT | thanks
posted by :
10/13/2008 5:27:15 PM
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thanks for pointing out what is great about wal-malt lemmy. I was going to get the cd anyway but will make sure I buy from wal mart more often now that you pointed out what it stands for. it's thier music and they can do whatever they want with it and if that means getting the best deal from wal-mart then so be it. at least they aren't like your tree hugging bands that say are trying to save the world while making millions themselves and donating little if any of their profits. no they expect you to support them and then donate to their cause also.look despite what you or they say they are in it to make money and that's it and always has been. any band that says otherwise is just not talented enough to make music people like and make money. deny all you want but it is a fact. AC/DC KICKS YOUR BANDS ASS ANY DAY!
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COMMENT | eh....
posted by :
10/13/2008 5:28:46 PM
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i don't like itunes either
i may be old fashion but i like owning the physical album
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COMMENT | This will be the trend of the future...
posted by : ~CAIN~
10/13/2008 5:31:46 PM
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Big artists like AC/DC & GN'R doing exclusives to large retailers, it's just the artist's way of getting paid up front for their record as opposed to waiting for some lack-luster diminishing record sales the old fashioned way.
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COMMENT |
posted by : Psychobolia.com
10/13/2008 5:32:29 PM
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AC/DC can do whatever the fuck they want, they've earned it.
You no like, you no buy!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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COMMENT |
posted by :
10/13/2008 5:33:50 PM
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Maybe because Wally World bought 2 million copies of "S.O.S." upfront that would have normally sold only 20,000. Why do you think Axl Pose will be doing the same thing with Best Buy for Chinese Democracy?
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COMMENT |
posted by :
10/13/2008 5:40:22 PM
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Yea, don't me wrong, I hate itunes with a passion, but the entire idea of making it exclusive to one store doesn't solve anything. If anything they should just hold out on itunes.
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COMMENT |
posted by : rds
10/13/2008 5:56:33 PM
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SON OF SAM WALTON loves some AC/DC...
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COMMENT |
posted by : Deth
10/13/2008 5:57:57 PM
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It's their music, they can sell it how they want.
If you don't like it then don't buy it - plain and simple. I think after all the work AC/DC has put in over the past few decades, they can pretty much set their own terms.
And guess what, they might not bow to your wishes (I know...the nerve!!! catching the sarcasm here?) - deal with it.
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COMMENT | AC/DC not 'overcharged' at Wal-m like record stores...
posted by : InThroughTheOutDoor
10/13/2008 6:07:08 PM
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I've boycott Virgin for asking close to $20 for new titles,
yet want to have sale prices at $15. Hope they follow Tower (who had some good deals) & go out of business. Screw AC/DC haters, pay more if you want fools!
As for buying songs online, I've never done it; I think I have music i want on CDs... Wal-m has BinB & FTATRock like at $7,
good price for teens just getting into AC/DC.
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COMMENT | gay
posted by :
10/13/2008 6:26:36 PM
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Itunes is gay...AC/DC rules...let them do what they want
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COMMENT |
posted by :
10/13/2008 6:28:37 PM
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Is it such a big problem for AC/DC to release the album nationwide in real record outlets?
They are a huge deal - Walmart will carry the album regardless!
That is AC/DC really killing the little guy for a bigger profit margin, the little record stores that made them famous to begin with!
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COMMENT | So the Internet scares AC/DC
posted by : SweiitConcorkill
10/13/2008 6:34:47 PM
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Not that it matters, the new album sucks.
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COMMENT | I love AC/DC...
posted by : lundtheconqueror
10/13/2008 6:36:20 PM
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...but I absolutely disagree with Brian on this one.
Wal Mart is for white trash losers. And while iTunes may be over-priced (Amazon Mp3 is cheaper), I've graduated to buying downloads....faster, cheaper then driving down to some fucking store, only to see they are sold out or out of the CD version you want.
Brian - time to move on, dude!
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COMMENT | lundtheconqueror
posted by :
10/13/2008 6:45:59 PM
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Yeah I'm much like you in this respect. Also the sheer storage problems a large collection entails...iTunes had better NEVER sell me a full priced album and then let me discover it's in 125 kps though, or I'll be withdrawing my custom. They used to sell at 126, now most is 256 which is, if not as good as 320, at least acceptable.
UK customers should use Play.com whenever possible. Competetively priced compared to iTunes, not as good a selection but all in 320 DRM free. Just got Gojira and Amon Amarth in the last month alone.
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COMMENT | Led Zeppelin
posted by :
10/13/2008 6:52:39 PM
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Did Not Hardly Release Any Radio Singles In Their Career, But They R Sold In itunes. The Problem Is Many Listeners Nowadays R Easily Distracted & Can't Listen 2 Any Album Right Thru, Especially New Music. Peeps Think That Most Albums Have Lots Of Filler Songs In Which Some Cases Their Right & Wrong. A Lot Of The Classic Albums People Can Tollerate B/C Thats The Way It Was Heard @ The Time Of Release. Newer Bands R The Ones That Will Have Tough Time Making It Than The Ones Who Have Already Made It. Like Everything Else Music Is Evolving & Fans R The Ones That Have The Ultimate Decision By Buying B It Physical R Digital R Illegal 2 Make R Brake A Band. Support Is All I Say!!!!
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COMMENT |
posted by :
10/13/2008 6:54:21 PM
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ac/dc = sold out arenas, metallica does not
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COMMENT | Fuck iTunes...
posted by :
10/13/2008 6:59:10 PM
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...paying for mp3s is like paying to go to a museum for their art exhibit, and finding out that all the "paintings" are grainy black and white xeroxes of famous works. AC/DC have the right to sell their record anywhere and any way they want, and fuck the commies that think they get a say!
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COMMENT | AC/DC rules.
posted by :
10/13/2008 7:08:10 PM
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Brian may be a crotchety old fart, but he still sings his ass off. I totally understand the Walmart thing (even though i hate shopping there). AC/DC has always been business savvy, and this is another example. They own their own catalog, and they sell their songs to verizon, ipod, the gap, that Australian airline that used 'thunderstruck', Rock Band II and all kinds of other stuff for bucketloads of money. Who is surprised about them getting in bed with Wal-Mart? (especially since Wal-Mart sells AC/DC pajamas)
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COMMENT |
posted by :
10/13/2008 7:11:47 PM
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Wizz, screw you, ACDC is bashing itunes and supporting walmart but what they are doing is the same thing. they're a bunch of old dinosaurs.
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COMMENT |
posted by :
10/13/2008 7:22:47 PM
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Everyone pat themselves in the back. Downloading everything for free over the internet has led to this. AC/DC got a deal that guaranteed them 3 million in sales of the new album. What was the last heavy metal/hard rock album to sell 3 million? How many record stores have you seen close over the last 15 years?
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COMMENT |
posted by :
10/13/2008 7:23:33 PM
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The closest Walmart to me is almost 10 miles away...and I live in West Seattle! When you compare that to iTunes, which is in my living room it doesn't make sense.
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COMMENT |
posted by :
10/13/2008 7:28:13 PM
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How much did Walmart pay AC/DC ? Thay could have given the cd away and still have more mony than God. I dont like iTunes myself but FUCK Walmart. Give the deal to Best Buy.
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COMMENT | Just buy it from AC/DC.com
posted by :
10/13/2008 7:37:01 PM
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or buy the vinyl from your local record shop. Thatæs what I'm doing.
"The chain store, which is a sort of Dunnes with guns, is not exactly a "cool" choice of outlet, but then AC/DC don't do "cool". You get the impression from Young that he regards site such as MySpace and the idea of Podcasts to be faintly ridiculous. This idea is reinforced when, later in the conversation, he tries to fix on an anodyne pop star name to illustrate a point; instead of Britney or Justin, he comes up with David Cassidy."
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COMMENT |
posted by : TexasDog
10/13/2008 7:49:04 PM
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the downside to Wal-Mart is:
1) by splitting the distribution money with the label they are able to sell below a local CD store's cost (putting them out of business)
2) they have a very limited selection
3) they sell CENSORED material. (What if I don't want that? no option).
Other than that, I'll take some Marlboro reds, diapers and shotgun shells, please.
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COMMENT |
posted by : Fani Dilth
10/13/2008 8:05:47 PM
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I own a pair of the ACDC sleeping britches...
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COMMENT | Really?!
posted by : Iron mayden
10/13/2008 8:08:39 PM
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Is he trying to say itunes is bad for musicians? When he is talking about itunes, it sounds like he has never really looked into it.
Getting music to your fans for cheaper than retail? yeah that sounds like a real screw job. Piss off Brian. You are no Bon Scott.
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COMMENT |
posted by :
10/13/2008 8:15:55 PM
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"Wal Mart is for white trash losers. "
You ever go see ACDC???
You should be a little more hesitant about supporting walmart; they're going to be one of the last retailers out there who will sell CDs. They're not cutting floor space for music like Best Buy is right now, either.
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COMMENT | $$$$$$$$$$
posted by : \m/ evil \m/
10/13/2008 8:16:58 PM
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In any industry...
It's all about the BENJAMINS baby!
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COMMENT | ^^^No he didn't.
posted by : Kaizer Sedso
10/13/2008 8:18:32 PM
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He implied that AC/DC don't wanna be a single tune style
i-tunes band. More an album band, with real cd's...which
I like...and so should you! Fuck digital downloads!!!
So, Walmart over i-tunes (unless shit IS censored) &
Metallica over AC/DC!!!!
\m/ Rock On!! \m/
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COMMENT |
posted by :
10/13/2008 8:30:53 PM
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huh..... wal-mart DID NOT carry ac/dc catalog untill this anouncement!!!!
AC/DC..... thanks you posers!!!!
and I'll make sure to down load this cd!!! FOR FREE!!!!!
and I'm against that!!!
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COMMENT | All sizes?
posted by : Expanded Consciousness
10/13/2008 8:40:12 PM
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I want my AC/DC pajamas!!!
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COMMENT | Haha! The small record stores are getting it cheap from S. Am. and selling it at a profit!!! ... LO
posted by : Expanded Consciousness
10/13/2008 8:43:17 PM
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While Wal-Mart secured the exclusive rights for AC/DC’s Black Ice CD, the Australian rockers have satiated America’s independent record stores by giving them exclusive rights to sell the Black Ice vinyl. Indies will also sell a 7'’ single featuring Black Ice’s “Rock N’ Roll Train” and “War Machine.” The vinyl compromise follows reports that indie stores were circumventing Wal-Mart’s exclusive deal by importing mass amounts of Black Ice from South America, where the cheap price of the CD makes selling it in the States profitable. A similar method was implemented by those sneaky record stores in lieu of Wal-Mart’s exclusive release of the Eagles’ Long Road Out of Eden last year. Black Ice will hit shelves on October 20th.
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COMMENT | AC/DC
posted by : RiotAct666
10/13/2008 8:45:01 PM
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No downloading for me. I am buying it at acdc.com
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COMMENT |
posted by :
10/13/2008 9:03:23 PM
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Not the biggest wal-mart guy, BUT-
You know that the record will be sold at a fair price. Itunes is great because it's like 10 bucks, but you lose the packaging-that's ok for any joe-smoe band, but for the bigger bands, Ilike to have the complete package.
You know how much haunting the chapel was at fye?
$17.99
For a 4 song ep.
Guess how much the last vital remains was at virgiin-a band that's had a underground following, but it's not exactly a high demand item-$16.99
we have to pay these prices if we want the complete package for must of our favorite bands. Yet, as ACDC are a high mainstream band, which a great deal more people can enjoy, why not have it at wal mart, where it's probably going to be like, 12 bucks, or something reasonable, and that way, can sell more.
And you can pick up your groceries at the same time.
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COMMENT |
posted by :
10/13/2008 9:04:17 PM
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but if you hate wal-mart that much, just go near the TV's and smash the mirror-Wait, I mean the heart.
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COMMENT | AC/DC pajamas for "kids"?!??!
posted by :
10/13/2008 9:22:15 PM
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I'm 41 and a half and I have AC/DC pajamas! They're not just for kids!!!!
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COMMENT | I hate this Walmart deal
posted by : PowerBrake
10/13/2008 9:23:49 PM
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But its all about greed.
AC/DC tour every 8 years to mass hysteria. At their age, they couldn't possibly give their fans their best with this latest tour.
I mean look at Angus. He is a nothing like he used to be and he was great. I saw the Hightway to Hell tour in Chicago at the Aragon Brawlrooon before Bon passed.
Angus may be old but still he still is greedy as hell. Suckers prepare yourself to get milked.
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COMMENT | downloading the album now...
posted by : youhavebadtasteinmusic
10/13/2008 9:41:24 PM
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never will I buy an album from a corporation as evil as wal-mart.
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COMMENT | wtf
posted by :
10/13/2008 10:29:21 PM
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No Updates On Comments Piss Me Off
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COMMENT |
posted by :
10/13/2008 10:31:33 PM
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I doubt Wal-Mart will put the local mom and pop record stores out of business, simply because local stores cater to a very niche crowd. They carry the sort of music that Wal-Mart would never have in a hundred years.
And those types of stores usually sell vinyl at fairly affordable prices, for those of who want the "whole package".
As for iTunes, artists literally get just pennies off of every song sold. Only the big players make money on iTunes.
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COMMENT | wal mart
posted by :
10/13/2008 11:13:29 PM
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One question. Do any of you, wish you had a better paycheck every week?
Any one who doesn't, speak up.
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COMMENT | Who really cares?
posted by :
10/14/2008 1:13:30 AM
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Dude above me hit the nail on the head. You don't HAVE to buy it at Wal-Mart. You can order it from AC/DC.com (which I did. on vinyl.) and I downloaded the leak. Hell, I paid for it now. I want to hear it now. Also, the vinyl version will be available at all indie record stores that carry vinyl and decide to stock it.
And iTunes is only good as a program for managing your music. Not buying. The only thing I ever bought from those jerks was episodes of South Park.
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COMMENT |
posted by :
10/14/2008 3:09:52 AM
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As long as my paycheck pays my rent, bills, and allows for some booze, dope, and a couple nights out occasionally, then I'm perfectly content and NO, I don't wish I had a better pay check.
Actually, when I used to make more then I do now (which I'm starving on, lol) I had so much fun just... fucking throwing money away, buying things for people... it made me feel good... which very little does anymore.
Anyway, fuck Itunes, and fuck walmart. and really, fuck ac/dc for never releasing anything different. Seems to me a shit bands attracting shitty consumers. Same as GnRs new album if it ever gets released.
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COMMENT |
posted by :
10/14/2008 4:10:40 AM
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AC/DC are Legends.
Period.
Hey America, Don't Blame AC/DC for this WalMart deal...Blame Yourselves as a Nation.
Walmart did not get this big all by themselves...
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COMMENT | I find this funny...
posted by :
10/14/2008 9:23:26 AM
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The Wal-Mart here in Springfield, MA is located literally right next to a trailer park... perfect combination if ya ask me!
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COMMENT | chillpenguin666
posted by :
10/14/2008 9:25:07 AM
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"You know that the record will be sold at a fair price. Itunes is great because it's like 10 bucks, but you lose the packaging-that's ok for any joe-smoe band, but for the bigger bands, Ilike to have the complete package."
I totally agree on that...
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COMMENT |
posted by : TheEagle
10/14/2008 9:36:56 AM
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All those people are killing music, whatever it's with iTunes or Wal-Mart or whoever else. This business is changing and it was past due. Look ahead, there might be something interesting coming up.
People like to be stuck in the past yet the first thing they forget is to learn from it.
Vinyls are cool, but not really practical. CD were more practical but too expensive and not as great as the LP format. MP3 were lame in the beginning but its the most convenient way to stock a lot of music right now. If we've gone from a wax disc to digital encoding in a matter of decades, imagine what the future holds for music. This probably means more for you, and cheaper too, which isn't a bad thing, is it? For once the buyer has its say in the whole process and look what those labels and stores are crying for...good riddance!
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COMMENT | re
posted by : sonic the girl
10/14/2008 10:05:35 AM
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there is nothing wrong with wal mart.
having your cd in wal mart store means that in bum fu@k idaho they can still get the new ac/dc cd. in the old days I would have to wait weeks for a special order. people in the big citys do not understand how it is all over the united states.
but that ticketless shit is for the birds!
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COMMENT |
posted by : Disturbingthefreak
10/15/2008 12:36:16 AM
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Vaughn Scott is rolling a joint!!!
in about 3 days i will enter a Walmart and insert a disc with about a 5 minutes of silence and then come blasting from the speakers will be Flick of the Switch!!! will blow you sky high!!! and watch all the Son of Sam Walton workers scramble to shut off AC/DC
because VAUGHN SCOTT SAID SO!!!!!
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