New Margot takes shape

Comment

Comment by Jeb Banner on September 4, 2009 at 6:40pm

hear hear!

Comment by Lance Harrison Drake on September 4, 2009 at 5:52pm

I concur with JPS on the Fry Bros. I look forward to what they have to offer musically in terms of their own thing, having heard them together over the years, dating back to Smart Milk/ Bloomington in the late 90's. Wow does time flyeth.

As far as Brian Deck goes, the guy is a triple threat: great drummer, great producer, great ear. He is easily one of my faves in all three respects. Even if it comes out of my own pocket and is totally on my dime, one of my personal goals is to record with that guy and at Engine down the pike. It's a sonic Mecca.

I wish Richard & all of the members of Margot the best. At the end of the day, simply put, they did and will do what matters- make good music. All the fiscal and "fame" considerations respectfully aside, that's what's important.

Comment by John P. Strohm on September 4, 2009 at 4:46pm

Right, rich in relative terms. Rich for a 25 year old living with no dependents. I felt like I was doing pretty well at 25, but man I wasn't close to being financially ready to support a family.

Yes, there's something to be said for having a lot of people think you're rad and getting to travel around the world, make records. That part of it doesn't really suck. But Otis makes a good point - it's brutal having to live the same day over and over in a van. Today, I'd enjoy like one week per year back in the van. That's about what I'm good for.

Comment by Jeb Banner on September 4, 2009 at 3:52pm

and by "get rich" you mean make 6 figures for a few years and maybe get some residual income from publishing etc. right?

I guess the trade off is the "fame" and all that for the income.

Comment by John P. Strohm on September 4, 2009 at 3:44pm

I see the financials for a wide variety of artists, and you are correct. Indie rock can become very profitable if you graduate to the top of the food chain, but otherwise it's tough to make a living. Indie labels' business models are not based around the idea that they will necessarily provide the artists with a livelihood - but then most indie label employees don't make much either. It has to be a labor of love, and then a handful of people sort of get rich.

Comment by Jeb Banner on September 4, 2009 at 1:46pm

knowing the guys pretty well, at least the Indy ones, I think it is as amicable as it could be. It's just time for them to get back to all the great stuff they had going on before the Margot storm hit. It was a good run and they now have plenty of experiences and material to talk to their grandkids about.

I think it's interesting how you go see a band like Margot, big crowd, they look like rock stars but the reality is that they aren't making much money and it's pretty hand to mouth. I would say that's the case with many of these mid-level bands that are on decent record labels. The labels aren't too concerned about whether they can pay rent or eat just whether they can play shows and make records. At least that is my take. Not that the labels can be sugar daddies, there isn't the money anymore to do stuff like that.

Comment by otis on September 4, 2009 at 1:12pm

I've lost track of the band over the last year or so, but I'm assuming they've been doing 200 or so shows a year. Most people have no idea how difficult it is to live in a van with that many people for extended periods of time. Even if they are your closest friends in the world, it's bound to have a shelf life. I truly hope everyone is happy with the split.

Richard will be making wonderful records till he's old and gray. This is just one of many chapters he'll write. Cameron Mcgill is one of my favorite people and I look forward to him and Richard working together. I wish Andy Fry would move next door to me. He's damned good people. :)

The only thing we can count on in life is change. :)

Comment by PJ Christie on September 4, 2009 at 12:42pm

Myself, I liked the first record too. Maybe I am in the minority but I thought Not Animal was pretty much flawless. Very strong commercial and artistic statement - does not sound compromised at all to me. It will have the kind of lasting appeal as some of my favorite albums.

I don't want to compare them to Sardina, that's for other people to do, but as they grew and changed I noticed many of the same types of inner transitions I found familiar. Also the level of success they achieved far outstripped what we were able to accomplish. They never suffered from lack of ambition, it was fun to see it grow as a fan.

Comment by John P. Strohm on September 4, 2009 at 10:14am

I hope this is all amicable as stated in the piece, but to me as a fan it's really upsetting. The first record is pure magic, and that lineup was incredible live. The second record seemed transitional and experimental, but was still promising.

If there's one thing I've learned from being in bands and watching bands develop and evolve, it's that - though in essence it all comes down to the quality of the songs - you can't manufacture the sort of chemistry that happens when a band comes together naturally and without the pressure of fulfilling expectations of prior work.

Richard is brilliant, and I trust he knows what he's doing. For purely personal reasons, I want him to deliver on the promise of the first record. If this is what it takes, then so be it. As a huge fan of the Fry brothers, I look forward to whatever they do next.

As far as Epic being committed, we'll see I guess. That's their business.

Comment by Jeb Banner on September 4, 2009 at 10:06am

I would be surprised to Brian Deck tour. He has a studio and a family. But they should have no problem finding a drummer for touring should they need to.

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