Roadrunner shutting down? just EU/UK? worldwide?

[angelillo]

I did a quick search and couldn't find anythign about this. Unfortunaly since "roadrunner" is the host for blabbermouth, I got a lot of search results... so maybe there is actually already about this... sorry if so...

The rumour around twitter is that RR is shutting down...

I did a quick search I found this:

https://thegrindthatannoys.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/roadrunner-records-closing-uk-offices.html

If so, how would this affect DT?

[ResultsMayVary]

The article only mentions Europe and there is no concrete evidence to support any other rumors, so the effect on DT at this moment should be nil.

[John94]

I didn't know it was shutting down but I saw Matt Heafy from Trivium post a few things on twitter about people losing jobs, from which he was talking about piracy and so I assumed people were leaking CDs, but no.

Sucks for the business.

[Setlist Scotty]

Considering that DT has completed their 3 album contract with RR, I don't think it will have any more impact than otherwise, unless they were planning to resign with them again. Not sure they will resign with them or not.

[ResultsMayVary]

Considering that DT has completed their 3 album contract with RR, I don't think it will have any more impact than otherwise, unless they were planning to resign with them again. Not sure they will resign with them or not.

I didn't ever think of that. Does that mean they will have to announce another record deal (with RR or not) before the next release?

[Setlist Scotty]

Considering that DT has completed their 3 album contract with RR, I don't think it will have any more impact than otherwise, unless they were planning to resign with them again. Not sure they will resign with them or not.

I didn't ever think of that. Does that mean they will have to announce another record deal (with RR or not) before the next release?

I would imagine so - certainly if it's a different label, they'll want to broadcast to the world that they've signed DT. If they stay with RR, maybe not.

[TheGreatPretender]

I would imagine so - certainly if it's a different label, they'll want to broadcast to the world that they've signed DT. If they stay with RR, maybe not.

I think they should do a demo of their next album and then see which label will offer them a better deal.

[Setlist Scotty]

I would imagine so - certainly if it's a different label, they'll want to broadcast to the world that they've signed DT. If they stay with RR, maybe not.

I think they should do a demo of their next album and then see which label will offer them a better deal.

They might - or they might just do as they did with Systematic Chaos: just write/record the album and worry about the label situation after the fact. At this stage, there's no reason why they would need to have any material ready for a label - their career and fanbase is proof enough. If anything, they'd probably require the label keep their nose out of DT's business (which RR did, seeing as SC was done before DT chose them).

[Zook]

Why would RR shut down? Aren't they one of the biggest record labels?

[Nick]

Hooray piracy!

[Zook]

I'm sure piracy has the majority to do with it, but I don't feel guilty since I buy something if I really like it after downloading it, but if the album sucks ass, I'm not going to waste my money. I'm pretty sure that's most everyones reasoning too, but you do have the assholes out there that don't give a shit and just download without ever buying and couldn't care less about the artist they are stealing from. I considered it stealing if there is never an intent to buy.

EDIT: And downloading music is not the same as stealing a car or anything else.

[Nick]

I wasn't really making things into a discussion about piracy, just pointing out something.

There is no doubt that piracy has killed music sales, and it's not just Metallica and Brittany Spears that felt the effects. This was 36 people who worked for a well loved and respected label that supports a wide array of bands we love. Without piracy I have no doubt they would still have their jobs and so would others.

[ResultsMayVary]

I wasn't really making things into a discussion about piracy, just pointing out something.

There is no doubt that piracy has killed music sales, and it's not just Metallica and Brittany Spears that felt the effects. This was 36 people who worked for a well loved and respected label that supports a wide array of bands we love. Without piracy I have no doubt they would still have their jobs and so would others.

I don't know if you can blame piracy 100% for the fact they are loosing their jobs, but it's definitely a major player.

[reneranucci]

I'm sure piracy has the majority to do with it, but I don't feel guilty since I buy something if I really like it after downloading it, but if the album sucks ass, I'm not going to waste my money. I'm pretty sure that's most everyones reasoning too, but you do have the assholes out there that don't give a shit and just download without ever buying and couldn't care less about the artist they are stealing from. I considered it stealing if there is never an intent to buy.

EDIT: And downloading music is not the same as stealing a car or anything else.

Not remotely.

[TheGreatPretender]

I'm sure piracy has the majority to do with it, but I don't feel guilty since I buy something if I really like it after downloading it, but if the album sucks ass, I'm not going to waste my money. I'm pretty sure that's most everyones reasoning too, but you do have the assholes out there that don't give a shit and just download without ever buying and couldn't care less about the artist they are stealing from. I considered it stealing if there is never an intent to buy.

I do agree with you there. I pretty much consider downloading 'renting'. If I like something, I'll always dish out the money for it, and if I don't, I'll definitely delete it.

But in a way, stealing music and stealing a car are the same. The only difference is, more likely than not, if you're stealing a car or a TV, you're stealing it from a person who's already paid for it. Whereas, with music, you're stealing it right from the manufacturer. I'm sure if people could steal stuff right from factories easily, they would, and wouldn't feel guilty in the slightest, and use the same excuse, "The companies have billions of dollars, they're not losing much" etc. etc. etc.

[wolven74]

From what I heard, RR is still a label, but the upper management has shifted. They were bought out by warner bros. So, RR is now an imprint of Warner Bros. At least, that's how I understand it. Some people lost their jobs, but I don't think it affects the artists directly.

[Kotowboy]

From what I heard, RR is still a label, but the upper management has shifted. They were bought out by warner bros. So, RR is now an imprint of Warner Bros. At least, that's how I understand it. Some people lost their jobs, but I don't think it affects the artists directly.

[Nick]

It will not affect Dream Theater much, but I think smaller acts are going to be hit pretty hard by this.

[goo-goo]

Since DT is a "free agent" of some sort, what other label options are out there?

Also, numbers and charts would suggest to resign with RR, at least for one more album. They've done a good job so far in promoting DT.

[me7]

This could push the planned live BluRay/DVD a bit back.

[Nick]

This could push the planned live BluRay/DVD a bit back.

Shouldn't at all.

[Setlist Scotty]

From what I heard, RR is still a label, but the upper management has shifted. They were bought out by warner bros. So, RR is now an imprint of Warner Bros. At least, that's how I understand it. Some people lost their jobs, but I don't think it affects the artists directly.

Probably won't affect them then. IIRC, something similar happened in North America right around the time DT signed with RR, which was ironic since they specifically left Atlantic/Elektra/EastWest/Atco (which all fall under the WB conglomerate) and end up signing with RR, who became another WB conglomerate.

I would also imagine that for the most part, since DT is based in North America, most of their dealings with the label will be in North America so they probably had minimal contact with EU/UK branches to begin with (probably only while they were on the road).

edit: just saw this article (as posted on the Rush is a Band website):
https://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/record-labels/layoffs-at-roadrunner-records-founder-ceo-1006893352.story

[rcseeley421]

Would there ever be a possibility of them signing to Nuclear Blast like Symphony X did when they jumped ship? Not sure how that would affect sales though...

[N4Player]

Sad news really. RR did a great job with Dream Theater promotion. The OTBOA video wasn't even edited and it was nice to see the band represented the way they should be. The documentary on the drummer auditions was also well done and great way to market. The good thing with Dream Theater is that their fan base for the most part are lifelong followers and I am sure they will be fine. Whichever direction the band chooses to go will be in their best interest. Dream Theater has been around long enough and seen enough crap in the industry to make the right choices.

[ReaPsTA]

Worried about this affecting DT.  Their current success has definitely been helped by having a label that both gives a crap and has the resources to promote the band.

[ZirconBlue]

And that hasn't changed.  RR is still handling the Marketing, etc.  It's just some back-office functions that have been folded into Warner.

[Nekov]

I think it's a little stupid to blame this on piracy given that there are lots of countries around the world going through an economic crisis. I'm sure piracy had to do with this as record sales have gone down but companies all around the world are trying to cut their expenses and this is one way of doing that. And there's also the fact that this decision was made by after Warner Music bought roadrunner and as they are saying, they are cutting lose people that were doing similar jobs as other Warner employees.
This is basic capitalism people.

[Nick]

I think it's a little stupid to blame this on piracy given that there are lots of countries around the world going through an economic crisis. I'm sure piracy had to do with this as record sales have gone down but companies all around the world are trying to cut their expenses and this is one way of doing that. And there's also the fact that this decision was made by after Warner Music bought roadrunner and as they are saying, they are cutting lose people that were doing similar jobs as other Warner employees.
This is basic capitalism people.

Other factors as work, but if you want some simple capitalism realize that reduced demand is going to result in decreased supply, and in turn loss of jobs, so even by your logic piracy is playing a big part.

[Orbert]

Or no part at all.  Companies buy out other companies all the time, and when that happens, redundant functions are combined and personnel are cut.  Piracy may or may not have had anything to do with the fact that Warner bought RoadRunner, but once it happened, it was inevitable that jobs would be lost.

[Nekov]

I think it's a little stupid to blame this on piracy given that there are lots of countries around the world going through an economic crisis. I'm sure piracy had to do with this as record sales have gone down but companies all around the world are trying to cut their expenses and this is one way of doing that. And there's also the fact that this decision was made by after Warner Music bought roadrunner and as they are saying, they are cutting lose people that were doing similar jobs as other Warner employees.
This is basic capitalism people.

Other factors as work, but if you want some simple capitalism realize that reduced demand is going to result in decreased supply, and in turn loss of jobs, so even by your logic piracy is playing a big part.

As I said, piracy probably had a part on this but I don't think it was a big part at all.

[Madman Shepherd]

As I said, piracy probably had a part on this but I don't think it was a big part at all.

I agree.  Gouging the public played a big part too.  Greedy record labels/executives that don't feel they can afford to lose a single dollar in salary so they instead sacrifice the livelihood of dozens of employees instead. 

I think a big result of piracy is that the music is more widely available to people that wouldn't have heard it but occasionally on the radio to begin with (since they wouldn't have bought the album before piracy became a big deal anyway).

[tristl]

I think piracy has alot to do with it,
I never downloaded something without paying,
If i like the music, i think the artist should get payed for his effort( i want to have money to when i cook my dishes), if i do not like the music, i don't have to have it!
It is the same as stealing a car, you steal from the artist.
If i like or love a band, i want them to benefit for all the effort they put in,
Stealing sucks!

[Orbert]

I don't even understanding where all the blame on piracy is coming from.  A larger company bought a smaller company.  This happens all the time, literally every day.  This happens whether the smaller company is doing extremely well, doing very poorly, or anything in between.  Why are so many people assuming that piracy had anything to do with Warner deciding to expand its stable and purchase RoadRunner?

[dedSurroun]

Let's repeat this because it makes sense and is true.

Most likely, piracy had NOTHING to do with them closing an office. 

I don't even understanding where all the blame on piracy is coming from.  A larger company bought a smaller company.  This happens all the time, literally every day.  This happens whether the smaller company is doing extremely well, doing very poorly, or anything in between.  Why are so many people assuming that piracy had anything to do with Warner deciding to expand its stable and purchase RoadRunner?

[Madman Shepherd]

Well said!