Roadrunner Blogs | The Mail Bag

I am sure someone has tried this before... but here is my fist go at
this....
Dear Road Runner Records.
I have been listening to your acts since about 1993 give or take a month
because of a little promoted band called Type O Negative.
Yes your lable had some fun bands on it over the years including Motorhead
and Life of Agony, Which have left your lable with the exception of Type O
Negative forced to deal with poor contracts and substandard managment.
I do understand that you have given up on your true work horse in favor af
bands like Nickelback which i am suprised has made it this far in the super pop
market. But the only place I really hear most of your acts promoted now are
the strip clubs.
Type O Negative is the most under rated band in Metal and only true fans of
either Goth or Metal really have ever heard of them. Why is that? Didnt they
help build your label? Arent they a Corner Stone of what Road Runner was
suppose to be? A Metal and Alternative Label.
Or maybe you should start producing more Hip Hop because i know that seems to
be more popular atthe moment than Metal. Come on Road Runner wake up.

Absolutely Type O Negative is a cornerstone of this label, and they are in large part a reason we are still around today...and a big part of our personality. And a great band. We'd never argue with you on that. And as for having given up on the band, I wouldn't say that...you have no idea the excitement there was around here when they delivered their last release. EVERYONE was stoked, top to bottom. It's a great album. A shame it didn't sell more, we tried as best we could to spread the CD - YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MANY PEOPLE HERE HAVE A PERSONAL INTEREST IN THE BAND. Like family. Same goes with Max Cavalera. Did you know Max and Peter are the longest standing Roadrunner artists on the label? We know it. And it will be a sad day when that ends. We still have people here today from when we released the first TON CD/cassette...

Why have only true fans of either Goth or Metal really have ever heard of TON? Wish I could answer that. Can you? If I could (if any of us could), this label would sell a lot more records.

As for the strip club comment, I too hear TON in the clubs. But that isn't necessarily us, that's the girls. Speaking of strip clubs, you'll hear Nickelback a lot in the stip joints too. Again, the girls like it.

As for Nickelback, yes, they are an easy target. And your are right, we have received emails like this in the past. One thing about Nickelback, say what you will, but those guys worked their asses off to get where they are today. When we signed them, they were selling records out of their basement in Canada, shaking down Canadian radio stations for airplay, fighting for themselves. In fact, when we signed them, they already had a record recorded and ready to go (their SECOND record, no less). All we did was press it up and get it in the stores. The band then toured straight for the next 2 years. True road warriors. Their life was touring, touring, and more touring. And through that hard work - and a little luck (i.e. writing "How You Remind Me" on their next album) - they hit it big. Hate them if you must, but they aren't an overnight sensation...they paid their dues.

All that being said, thank you for being a fan of Roadrunner Records throughout the years. Yeah, we've had and will have some more straight forward rock acts, but look at what else we got: Slipknot (#2 album on the charts right now), Killswitch Engage (GREAT metal act, have you heard their new CD?), Chimaira (watch out for these guys, they are the real deal), plus new bands 3 Inches Of Blood and Trivium...and that's just to name a few. We are as metal now as we have ever been. It's true.

Have a great weekend.

Roadrunner Records

Hello,
I.m David And I.m doing a P.h.D about the history of Black metal
and his recording techniques evolution, and I was wondering if someone of
your company could please tell me wich is the best selled cradle of Filth
album and how many copies have it sold.
thank you very much!!!!
David

Wow, thats awesome, a P.h.D about the history of black metal. That's definitely a first. The best selling Cradle of Filth album is Cruelty And The Beast which has sold 111,000 copies to date. Thanks for the line and good luck with the P.h.D.

All The Best,

Roadrunner Records

i have to tell you that i am a huge nickelback fan and planning on going to there concert @ Riverbend in Cincinnati, Ohio. and i was wondering how i go about trying to find a backstage pass or two. i was not for sure who to contact but i am really wanting to get some and welling to pay some money. if u could lead me in the right direction that would be sweet.
thanks a lot,
Michael

It is no secret, the BEST way to get back stage is to be a hot chick. However, judging by your name, I'd bet you aren't even a chick, so here's what you do: Bring hot chicks with you, surround yourself with them and hope they can work their magic. No band practices hours and hours and dedicates their life to this in hopes of meeting up dudes they don't know after the show. I am no exception, so take no offense. It's just the laws of nature.

We wish you all the best in your quest for backstage...and at the very least, Enjoy The Show.

THANKS FOR WRITING BACK. WILL IT NEED TO HAVE A COPY WRITE ON THE DEMO
JOSEPH DAVIS

Chances are anything you send us would be so bad that no one would want to steal it. But to answer your question, no, does not need to be copyrrighted...

That being said, we're just messin' with you (though we do get sent a LOT of BAD stuff...and that is not 'bad' as in 'good'). Though you don't need to have it copyrighted, it is always a good idea, and we'd recommend all to copyright their material in some manner or another before sending it out. You never know...

All The Best,

Roadrunner Records

High there my name is Tom and i am e-mailing you people from england asking
what would i have to do to get some kind of job as an electrition for a band.
i'm currently doing an electrition course at my collage at thats the only
reason why i am doing this because of my love for music. As i don't play music i
though i could help out in the more technical side of the business. I hope you
expect my e-mail as a ture worker and not just some 17 year kid wanting to
travel with a band and have a good time. So what i'm basically asking is what
advice could you give to point me in the right direction. My uncle works for
another ( i would say rival) Record company 'The Firm' , he manages the dixie
chicks ( i know its not roadrunner material) but i still have let to ask him,
because i want to try and do this for myself and not just ask the rich old uncle to
help me out. I hope that this e-mail isn't taking for a joke because i really
do believe that this is the only way for me in my life, i've come out with
the grades, and i just beleive that i would really be able to help a up and
comming band in the near-future, on the technical side of there production.
Thanking you for taking the time to read this nice people at RoadRunner and
i'm looking forward to a reply
yours sinsercly
Tom

Manager of the Dixie Chicks? Damn. You have a leg up over everyone else trying to get into this business. However, I do respect you wanting to do this on your own.

As for the electrician trade, great trade to have. But you must understand that small bands don't have an electrician on the road with them...heck, they are lucky to have a tour manager and a guitar tech out there with them.

I definitely respect your ambitions, but come on. Your uncle could hook up a hundred times better than we ever could. Make use of an opportunity that nobody else really has. Heck, that is what this business is all about - networking...using the connections you have.

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