Hey guys, its Miki.
I want to talk a little bit about downloading, bootlegs and record sales this week.
Just last week I got into a disagreement with an employee of Hot Topic. I know the first question is “what was I doing in Hot Topic?” and so I’ll answer it. I was at the mall with a friend and we were bored. I bought D’espairsRay’s Redeemer that day. The checker informed me that buying CDs was a waste of time because the bands never see any money from them; and that downloading supports a band (and he wasn’t talking about iTunes). And then he suggested I go to a store that is known for selling bootlegs because he thought that it was the same as buying the real thing, but cheaper.
I have several words for this, but the best one is bullshit.
1) Its true that bands do not see * much * of the money from CD sales, but bands do see sales numbers. I bought Redeemer to support D’espairsRay in the U.S. and because I want to see them tour here again. Supporting them by record sales is a great way to do so. Everyone should buy the domestic release of their favorite Japanese band (if they have any) if they’re interested in supporting the band.
2) I have no idea where this guy got the idea that downloading supports a band in ANY way. It doesn’t.
3) Sending me to a store that sells bootlegs and claiming that its the same thing as the legit release is also crap. I give him the benefit of the doubt in that I’m not sure if he knew that this store sold bootlegs before talking to me… but he does now.
I can’t believe that he tried to talk me out of buying D’espairsRay’s Redeemer. I’ve never ever been in a store where an employee tried to talk me out of buying something. And that he suggested that I simply download it instead because its the same thing?!?!
No its not the same thing at all.
P.S. Sorry about the formatting — I just upgraded our wordpress and its acting up.