Re: The Comment (split From Tour Thread)

[Vedder]

As a big, long time fan of Matt's I am really disturbed by his comment on here today

 

 

mod edit: This post was split from the "Official Tour Thread." I've snipped out some of my own sass and decided to move this back into the mg section. keep it civil though. - a

[Crusader]

he's probably just feeling a bit under the weather. it is has been raining on and off here the whole week and it's windy as fuck. that and he really is entitled to play what he wants.

 

if you guys want to hear a 12 hour set, i will do one for $12,000. that's a real bargain.

[Vedder]

You know I don't think that that is a reason. I love Matt's music and only came to this board to checkout the setlists. I see a few people who seem to feel the same about his music talking about songs they love and would love to hear. When I first saw Matt's posts I figured someone said something stupid so I went back and read the posts again and that is all it really was. A couple of people said they wished he played longer and Matt takes that as a bad thing.

 

People are excited about Matt and his music and his songs have a lot of meaning to a lot of people. The idea that people care enough about his music that they would spend time talking about possible setlists is a compliment. As you can tell by the user name I am a big Pearl Jam fan. You could not even count the posts or time spent on that board with people talking about possible setlist and dream setlists. The fact that they write great songs a change setlist everynight is what makes people so passionate about there shows.

 

I have seen Matt many times and always been very happy with the show but does it make me some kind of ass because I might come on a message board and say "I sure would love if Matt played Fearless, that song means a lot to me" knowing damn well he has not played it in 10 years? Like the one poster said I did not email Matt a hundred times asking for it.

 

I have done nothing but "pimp" Matt to everyone I can from Canada to Texas. I even went so far as emailing the music reviewer at ESPN, Paul Shirley, to get him to check out Matt's new album and maybe get him from free press. Paul actually wrote back that he enjoyed it. I would be really embarrassed to show any of the people I have been praising Matt too to see that post.

 

Now trust me I know that Matt does not owe me anything, if at all I would owe Matt for all his music has done for me. I think that I as a fan may deserve more than being pretty much told to F___ myself because I am a someone interested enough to talk to others about his music.

[Crusader]

don't take too much offence, i messaged mg a while ago and he just said it was a "stupid thing to post." i believe he's going to address it on his blog shortly.

 

i highly doubt that matthew wants you guys to fuck off. you are his fans after all.

 

just look at this thread though, you guys have been kind of a downer on this tour lately. i can see why he might get annoyed, he's working hard to keep you guys entertained while some of you don't seem to realize that.

[here is no why]

where did this 12 hour set bullshit come from? it's ridiculous. all the real fans would just like a few more songs... i can't see why that is so horrible to ask for?

 

he is entitled to play what he wants, obviously. just like we're entitled to discuss what we'd like to hear or not. it goes both ways.

[Vedder]

I think that Matt's response was fair but also begs the point. Has he never left a show of someone who meant that much to him and thought. I could have listened to that band for hours or I wish that they would have played "that" song because I love it. That was all, for the most part, that was happening today. If he really wanted to go off on someone maybe it should have been to some of the disrespectful comments by people at the end of that Sun article.

[umdesch4]

don't take too much offence, i messaged mg a while ago and he just said it was a "stupid thing to post." i believe he's going to address it on his blog shortly.

[...]

 

I think he just got to it in a roundabout way:

 

http://www.matthewgood.org/2009/11/everyone-pays/

 

Very well said, IMHO...

[ccf23]

I think he just got to it in a roundabout way:

 

http://www.matthewgood.org/2009/11/everyone-pays/

 

Very well said, IMHO...

 

Where did this all come from, though? If it's merely from this thread, it's a little extreme. There has been a bit of whining, but for the most part most of what's said on here has been fair from my point of view. I'm led to believe he has to be receiving emails or something that is putting him on edge, because if it's nothing more than this thread it's way extreme.

[here is no why]

that cannot be a direct result of this thread. at least, i hope not.

[ccf23]

Yeah, that's why I'm assuming what was posted here by Matt, and his follow up on his blog has to be fueled by more than just what was said in this thread. I mean, fuck, Pearl Jam is my all time favourite band, but I could find something to bitch about with them, one of their albums, one of their shows, whatever. Just because I said this tour didn't rank up with the last few to me doesn't mean I still didn't enjoy it and still wouldn't go again in a heartbeat.

[noise_pollution]

Matt's comment in the other thread was pretty weak. People in the thread never once said they feel entitled, and going back re-reading the comments, nothing negative was really said. He failed to notice how many of the posters were really excited to see the new record live and that users only real complaint was the lack of variety in the non-Vancouver stuff, as it was the mostly the same from previous tours. I could see if people were slagging him in a juvenile manner, but that really wasn't the case in the Setlist thread. I have see the guy like twenty times. The real extent of our relationship is that he makes music, and I listen. No more, no less. I am pretty sure most of the people on here feel the same way, that Matt truly doesn't owe us anything. For a guy who touts free speech, that post was almost laughable. With all this said(and no I am not defending him like some users blindly do on here) he may of just been having a bad day and we all have said stupid things when we are upset of angry.

Edited November 11, 2009 by noise_pollution

[johnny]

When I was going through that thread my impression was "Tour's great! Just wish this had been added..." and repeat that every couple of posts. After enough repetition, the original sentiment can get lost rather easily. Couple that with some other emails and harassment that Matt probably gets on an increased basis now that he's on tour, and you get a guy who needs to vent. It's understandable, to me at least. Besides, look at the latest setlist:

 

On Nights Like Tonight

Avalanche

Boy Who Could Explode

Great Whales of the Sea

Single Explosion

Born Losers

Odette

Load Me Up/Love Will Tear Us Apart

I'm a Window

First Verse of Suburbia

Apparitions

Empty's Theme Park

 

 

Metal Airplanes(acoustic)

Strange Days(acoustic)

Giant

Weapon

Automatic

 

I don't know about you guys, but that's making me pretty happy right there ;)

[Devil On Rollerskates]

When I was going through that thread my impression was "Tour's great! Just wish this had been added..." and repeat that every couple of posts. After enough repetition, the original sentiment can get lost rather easily. Couple that with some other emails and harassment that Matt probably gets on an increased basis now that he's on tour, and you get a guy who needs to vent. It's understandable, to me at least. Besides, look at the latest setlist:

 

 

 

I don't know about you guys, but that's making me pretty happy right there ;)

 

I agree with this. And the fucking awesome setlist.

[here is no why]

do you think the variety in the last setlist has anything to do with the comments on here?

 

or was it just because it was in Vancouver? I think it's more of the latter.

[noise_pollution]

I would say it is a little of both. I mean you don't do meet and greets on all your tours if you don't give a shit about your fans and what they think. As much as he is an artist, he is still human.

[Vance]

I've got a friend who is the lead singer of a band. Every time I come out to one of his shows he is appreciative. If he knows I'm coming he'll even somtimes ask if I have anything I'd like to hear.

He too is an artist. Maybe not a John Lennon or a Bod Dylan or a Matthew Good, but damn good if you ask me. He does it because he is an artist, and because he loves it, and because he wants to share his art with other people.

If his art was only about creating something because he can, or because that's what he was put here to do, he could do it and be perfectly content to keep it to himself. However, I'm pretty confident that if a huge amount of people paid money to come see him and supported him through purchacing his music I'm sure it would be pretty life-changing because of them. I know that if through that support he could have the lifestyle and freedom that comes from being a successful rock star he would be eternally grateful - as would only make sence. So instead of waking up early 5 days per week and going to work at his job at Sears and working extra hours with a jack-ass for a boss just so he can pay the bills for his wife and son, then practice with his band on his days off - when the rest of the band is also able -, he could practice when he wanted. He could create a website and take time to write long posts about his thoughts and opinions...when he feels like it. He could choose when to go to work and when to just stay home, when to write or work on his true passion in life. But the fact is that most artists, even great ones, don't have that oppourtunity.

It seems almost moronic to bad-mouth some of your biggest fans that are simply stating thier opinions about a performance. Even more so to write a long post on your own website stating the un-importance of those that purchace the music in comparison to what it takes to keep that "spark required to create" within yourself.

 

We as fans may not be owed anything for supporting his work, but I'm pretty sure if the roles were reversed most people would be thankful to those that brought them to that position in life.

[prototypepariah]

Is there a link or anything to the original post i'd like to see it : ) but I don't see how someone could be upset or frustrated cause their fans want to hear a specific song or play longer, that sounds like a compliment.

 

 

I read his blog post, I gotta say his points are nice and valid, a bit condescending. Hopefully not directed at the other thread here or people here in general. I had a long post about it but it's just too poorly worded right now : (

 

I will say this, if I were in a position where my life was to channel my creativity, and that was something that I seemingly drew all my passion and enjoyment, plus I swan in swimming pools of gold : ). I'd be a lot happier in my life, and I would play rico every fucking night if that's what people that liked my work wanted. I wouldn't be jaded cause people liked an old or repeated song, or feel my creative juices spited. I wouldn't rant that people wanted me to play longer(cause frankly that'd be a big nice compliment about my creations) or wanted to hear a song I don't play or like as much as when I made it.

 

Just think how much more music Mozart or lover boy would have made if they were rich and could focus on creating music instead of having to work day jobs.

Edited November 11, 2009 by prototypepariah

[marksheep]

yes, please post The Comment if anyone has access to it. i've search for an hour on various threads and can't find it anywhere. i'd like to know what set him off.

[daniel_v]

To be honest, threads like this are the reason I rarely comment on boards any more. First of all, I'm not defending what Matt said and apparently neither is he given what Anton said. Next, I'm sure I'll get some slags and denials from this post, but with all due respect, to turn around and play the innocent "we're just fans discussing set lists" is a bit much imo. I'm not saying you can't discuss tours and songs obviously, but I would argue there is a difference between critiquing and complaining about something (especially in an unbalanced way). Despite what some of you have claimed, a lot of your comments were not pre or post faced by "but regardless I'll be glad to see and hear him play when I get the chance"- some of them were, but not a lot. How many of you called the set list "horribly disappointing" or choice of song for an opener or closer lame? How many of you complained about the band not being all that great? How many of you talked about wanting longer setlists? How many of you said you wanted to hear older material?

 

Granted, there's no rule stipulating you can't complain or dislike Matt's concerts or voice simple improvements you'd like to see, nor should there be. But once again, balancing it with something positive never hurts. Put your self in his shoes and consider how you'd feel reading a thread about the beginning of your tour with all those types of comments from people who would generally be considered your die hard fans. I mean hell, the man practically put himself in the hospital to be ready for this tour and the general comments he gets are "horribly lame and disappointing" before it's even a week into the tour?

 

Once again, not defending Matt's comment. But I am saying his response didn't come out of nowhere which some of you seem to be claiming. Believe it or not the man is human, and as such prone to making mistakes (such as losing his temper) just as we all are. Only difference between us and him is that more people notice it when he does. My advice to all of you would be to get over it cause in the grand scheme of things, it ain't that important. If you think it is, I would suggest you have bigger problems than worrying about what an artist you like does or doesn't say in a moment of stress.

[jrw]

I wrote a long reply to this in the setlist thread, so I will try to keep this shorter. My problem with Matthews comment was the implication that he owes me nothing despite the support I give him through purchasing his cd's, merchandise and attending concerts, and that I seemingly have no right to question his setlist choices or my want to hear older songs that haven't been played live in a while. My problem with the current setlists are that, yes it is wonderful that I get to hear Vancouver live and it will undoubtedly blow my mind, however the rest of the set plays like a greatest hits compilation. People have said before that Matt has to play these songs for the casual fan, but realistically, how many people can that be? Matthew, to me at least, seems like an artist who has a core group of fans who, from what I can tell, absolutely immerse themselves in his music and are utterly passionate about it. Leaving out Hello Time Bomb wouldn't be a massive loss, surely?

 

I consider myself to be a part of the core fans. I am very passionate about Matthews music and as such enjoy dreaming up fantasy setlists as many on here do. What is the harm in this? I had moderate success as a musician when I lived in the UK and any chatter about my music was greatly appreciated and was taken as complimentary. Perhaps after years of success it may grow old, but some bands don't have the opportunity or are lucky enough to have continued success in such a difficult industry. As Matt said, his music is his livelihood. Without us, he may not be enjoying the comforts he surrounds himself with currently. As trite as that may sound, I will stand by it.

[umdesch4]

BTW, I noticed that the "everyone pays" post, and the one before that are both gone from matthewgood.org now.

 

Read whatever you'd like into that...

[here is no why]

i noticed that too.... hmm....?

[Devil On Rollerskates]

Well he is famous (infamous?) for deleting posts, switching off comments, etc. He probably felt it wasn't worth the hassle. I personally think the post had some good points (which I can no longer cite, should have known to save it), and as someone else said, I'm not defending "The Comment", but it's not like I didn't see something like that coming. Dude works his ass off, sees thread, loses temper. He's human. As for him implying that our opinions don't matter, I wouldn't take too much stock in anything said in "The Comment".

[umdesch4]

For posterity (don't hate me Matt!):

 

Everyone Pays

Posted by Matthew Good on November 10, 2009

You create something. That something goes out into the world and, if it is something special, its impact can change the lives of complete strangers, or at least provide them moments that they will always remember. How that aspect of music has been diminished to the lowest part of its own equation is beyond me, but it has.

 

My life has not be measured in years. It has been measured in music. Be it the first record that I ever purchased as a kid

Edited November 13, 2009 by umdesch4

[Vance]

I think the bottom line is that none of us wanted or ment to offend Matt or his work in any way. We have our opinions about what "we" think would make something he did better, and we gave our imput to what we'd like to have added/taken out etc. It did get negative and extremely repetitive and it understandably annoyed him.

 

I am pumped to see the new stuff and I don't care if he doesn't play anything else. I still enjoy hearing ALL the radio hits (even the ones I've seen every time I've seen him) and if I never heard them again I'm sure at some point I'd miss them and wish that I could. Sure I love when he puts in some older stuff that we don't normally hear (you know we're all super excited when they start in concert), but it probably would'nt be the same if he played them all the time. We'd probably want more radio hits if he always left them out live.

 

The last thing we on here would want is for Matt to stop doing what he does, or to think that we're unappreciative of his work or his performances.

 

I think it's time to drop this thread.