UK Band Admits It's 'Utterly Dependent' On Piracy

http://techdirt.com/articles/20080826/2227062107.shtml

One of the ways I found out about new bands when I was a teen is when I'd borrow friend's albums. Maybe I'd tape some songs, but if I liked the band, I always kept an eye out for them at the record store. With radio being the corporate beast it is, sharing music with friends is good way to find out about lesser-known artists.

I think that there are a lot of bands, especially the less known ones, that depend on this. A lot of the Jam bands like Phish actively encourage taping and sharing, and they have huge followings.

The RIAA (dog f*ckers that they are) has labeled it a crime but it's something that people have been doing since cassettes came out, and it's not likely to stop despite their best efforts.

We already know this, but until the bands take the power back into their own hands, there is nothing we can do. I'm starting to blame the artists as much as the labels anymore. Other than a select few, they have remained silent and allowed the labels to beat up their fans.