on the thread about magic 104 switching formats,

The Kid wrote:In the last few weeks I've heard Fugazi, the Sex Pistols, and the Dead Kennedys on Q101, as a result of their new "shuffle" policy.

how does this work out, as far as Fugazi in particular? can the station play Fugazi's music against their will? or has Fugazi/Dischord granted a license for this? if so, is Fugazi/Dischord getting paid a royalty for each play in this market?

genuinely curious.

or how about when derek jeeter goes to bat they always play waiting room!!!!!!!!!!!! has anyone else noticed this?

Q101 played the first track off fugazi's red medicine quite a bit when that album came out. i called dischord and asked them what the legality of it was. they basically told me Q101 can play Fugazi as much as they want. BUT, to keep in mind, no one at dischord or fugazi provided that CD for the DJ to play. it had to be aquired by paying for it. so, i wonder what the source of that music was and how it was aquired?

i am not sure about the ASCAP/royalty part of the equation tho. i would imagine if one forgoes that whole system, then no fees have to paid. there is no ".5 cents per play" rule or anything like that, as far as i know.

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dah wrote:i am not sure about the ASCAP/royalty part of the equation tho. i would imagine if one forgoes that whole system, then no fees have to paid. there is no ".5 cents per play" rule or anything like that, as far as i know.

i kinda figured the station bought a copy of the disc rather than the label giving it to them for free or something. but if i'm understanding right, you're guessing that maybe Fugazi has no ability to stop Q101 from playing their music, and though they are entitled to royalties for the radio play (on uber-corporate Q101), that they might just opt out of participating in any way and just let the station have it at, with Fugazi not accepting the money that they are entitled to if they want it?

i know so little about ASCAP/BMI and how royalties actually work, but i'd like to. and i'm not out to rip on Fugazi for anything here. i'm just straight-up curious.

toomanyhelicopters wrote:if i'm understanding right, you're guessing that maybe Fugazi has no ability to stop Q101 from playing their music, and though they are entitled to royalties for the radio play (on uber-corporate Q101), that they might just opt out of participating in any way and just let the station have it at, with Fugazi not accepting the money that they are entitled to if they want it?

i know so little about ASCAP/BMI and how royalties actually work, but i'd like to. and i'm not out to rip on Fugazi for anything here. i'm just straight-up curious.

yeah, on this part, the money, i am not sure. but what i was saying, rather speculating, was if fugazi does not partake in ASCAP/BMI and all that, and the radio plays them, how would they get money? those orgs are the ones that set those prices and pay the performers.

i would guess fugazi could stop them from playing their music by asking them not to, but i am unsure what legal recourse they would have.

...and why would they ask them to stop playing their CDs? I am confused. They put out the CD's, right? They sell them to anyone, right? I mean, there is no test you have to take before you buy one or play one right? You don't have to prove yourself, do you?

Mayfair wrote:...and why would they ask them to stop playing their CDs? I am confused. They put out the CD's, right? They sell them to anyone, right? I mean, there is no test you have to take before you buy one or play one right? You don't have to prove yourself, do you?

there's a difference, i think, between a guy buying and listening to a Fugazi cd, and a guy buying it so his mega-conglomeration (an entity that i believe Fugazi to be outspokenly opposed to) can make more profits.

i don't know shit about the guys in Fugazi except for all the conjecture i hear all over, and stories i've heard about what great, kind people they are from people who know them, and my own interpretation of their angle, based on having listened to lots of their songs and thinking sometimes i "get it".

i would really like to know what the business side of Fugazi on Q101 looks like though. it's an interesting phenomenon.

Looks like, unless this is incorrect, that they would have no say in the matter if the following is true:


Work For Hire?
With a new breed of music fan used to getting music for free, the Future of Music Coalition unites people from across the entertainment spectrum to discuss the rights of artists in the digital age

B Y A N G I E C A R L S O N

....At the other end of the spectrum was Tuesday's artist-friendly, DIY panel featuring Ian MacKaye (Dischord Records), Amy Ray (Indigo Girls, Daemon Records) and David Fagin, a musician/activist with pop group The Rosenbergs. MacKaye, a crowd favorite, was the antithesis of the old-school, satin-jacket wearing record exec (he referred to major labels as "the mob" at one point).

"You set a goal for yourself and then reach it; radio doesn't legitimize you," he told the audience. MacKaye's goals were to document the D.C. punk scene and be able to quit his day job. He explained that his company, Dischord, doesn't rely on contracts; if a band is unhappy they're free to move on. So far, it's a situation the label has never encountered. Dischord doesn't copyright their product and splits profits 50/50 with their artists. He emphasized that Fugazi and Dischord are successful because they put in the hours. They book the shows, drive the van, do the work.

Mayfair wrote:...and why would they ask them to stop playing their CDs? I am confused. They put out the CD's, right? They sell them to anyone, right? I mean, there is no test you have to take before you buy one or play one right? You don't have to prove yourself, do you?

yeah, i am pretty sure there is no such test. people are so touchy about fugazi in all directions. negative, positive, ethics, morals, business. all these nerves close to the surface. see, i never thought Fugazi would ask them to stop playing their music on the radio. but they could, this is what i guessed. that is me guessing.

so, a DJ buys a CD, plays it, if it is Creed, then Creed gets paid from ASCAP or whomever for that happening. now, that same DJ buys a Fugazi CD and plays it, my guess, Fugazi does not get anymore money then what they made off the CD. that is the question here. not if fugazi is so ethical and untouchable that they cannot be played on the radio, but what happens economically when they are played on the radio. if it is easier, lets change it to Shellac and see what happens.

Shellac recordings have publishing through Touch & Go, at least that is what is notated on the records/CDs.

I assume that would mean they would be paid for such airplay, or could be if the publishing company wanted to seek payment.