It all depends on how you handle things, of course. Maybe Kiske should avoid the internet? Rich Ward of Stuck Mojo just posted this on his website:
The Duke wrote:
Every time that "?" has a "Rich sucks outburst", a day later I start receiving dozens of emails and messages from him to apologize. As always, I say "don't worry, it's not that big of a deal" and then a couple of weeks later, he does the same thing. He loves the attention and the existence of this thread will make the pimples on his face glow bright red with glee.
When I was growing up (said with a Grandpa like tone), my favorite bands were basically "unreachable". I bought the records, listened to the music, went to the concerts, that's it. I was a fan or I wasn't. I never took the time to hand write hate mail to the Loverboy fan club. The thought of actually making the effort to do something like that seems ridiculous.
The internet has changed the dynamic between musicians and those who enjoy their music. Obviously, it would be hypocritical of me to bitch about the internet, as I use it as a way to promote my music. But, it is a double edge sword. In the old days, guys like ? were just booted from backstage (if they got that far) by security for annoying the band, but now, they are able to annoy the band and other fans from the comfort of their own home.
Maybe in his last act of defiance, ? and other disgruntled Rich Ward fans can organize a disc breaking rally to send a clear message of outrage about my current musical direction. Maybe even burn a Rich Ward effigy outside the Tower records in Atlanta on the release date of the new Mojo record.
Let me make this clear to all of you who are weary of the attitudes that are the topic of this thread. No one in the history of my musical career has EVER stepped to me in person and disrespected me or my music, much less complained about the direction of any of my bands/projects. That includes ?, as I have spoken to him many times after shows. It's always nothing but smiles and love! I guess it's just easier to be bold when the fear of needing corrective dental surgery has been removed from the equation.
Do I think that every Mojo fan likes Fozzy or Sick Speed or The Duke? Hell no! Even Mojo fans like certain records more than others and I am no different. Number Of The Beast and Piece Of Mind are my favorite Maiden records. I don't care for hardly anything after Seventh Son, but they still remain one of my favorites bands of all time. If Kerry King put out a techno record, Slayer fans would not just blindly follow him and start going to dance clubs to hear his new sh*t. So, be clear that I am not blind to the fact that not all of my different projects will not be received the same.
I guess that what I really want to make clear, is that I can't thank the old school Mojo fans enough for supporting me during those years. Please hear me, THANK YOU! You made those years an amazing experience for me and the guys. Those early records are who we were and who I was at that time. Ten years later, I'm not that same guy and I will never do records exactly like that again. Just like Maiden will never put out a record just like Powerslave again. In a way that sucks for me, because I love that record. Maybe it sucks for you in the same way, because you were a fan of my music 10 years ago and now you want to choke me. But, (and this is a big but) I can live with that, knowing that at one time I wrote some music that "meant" something to some of you. That is an honor that I will always be thankful for. As I move "forward" in my career as a musician, my music may continue to speak to you or it may speak to someone else or maybe to no one at all. But I will just keep making the music that I am proud of and that I BELIEVE IN. I will make records that I want to listen to. In a day and age where almost everyone in the music business is trying to jump on the "next big thing" or on "what's hot", I'll just be over here doin' my thing.
Kiske would be well-served to take this approach. Either way, it's all speculation when it comes to Kiske so that's why I suggest just letting him be. I don't like his solo stuff, I don't think it's very good, but he can still wail!
It's quite obvious that Kiske can't take criticsm in a positive, constructive way. Thumbs up to BG. Anyway, I really liked ANATO.
