Shit & Fan: Make A Sentence
On December 11, at 11 pm Belgian time, we were sent an email from the Berger Kahn Law Corporation, carbon copied to one Gail Zappa. The subject line read:
Cease and Desist Infringements Re: Zappa Family Trust
Attached was a three page pdf document, outlining in fuzzy lawyer-speak how we are blatantly violating ZFT copyrights across the board here at KUR. You can view all three pages here: page one, page two, page three.
You can imagine our excitement — to get noticed by the ZFT!
The Honor! The Honor!
You know what: The Suits are right on all accounts.
To have transcriptions on our website of long-out-of-print magazine interviews with FZ, which took me many late hours to type out and at times translate? Dude!
To present snippets of FZ lyrics on our website which showcase his incredible sense for Conceptual Continuity? What were we thinking!
To have artwork of FZ releases up on our discography section, so that readers would know what their next purchase at Barfko Swill could be? Not done, period!
All kidding aside: we believe the material posted on this website would fall well within the definitions of “fair use” in the event of a lawsuit. However, we simply lack the financial means to fund such a lawsuit.
Can’t afford no shoes. Sigh.
Therefor: behold the new lay-out! It is, we hope, in compliance with the Cease & Desist letter so graciously sent to us by the ZFT.
It is also temporary. We have new plans for KUR. This is not the end, rather it is a new beginning.
Will you be joining us?
December 13th, 2007 at 9:23 pm » Click to quote this comment
what do you need>
email me
December 13th, 2007 at 9:34 pm » Click to quote this comment
the way the ZFT acts does not serve FZ
December 13th, 2007 at 10:01 pm » Click to quote this comment
When the shit hits the fan,
start making shit sandwiches.
seriously though
KUR does a great service by promoting Frank’s music
ZFT should be paying you
not suing you.
December 13th, 2007 at 10:04 pm » Click to quote this comment
Technically,
ZFT owns the rights to FRANK ZAPPA’S name
does this mean you legally cannot print his name in a blog
without being sued???
December 13th, 2007 at 10:09 pm » Click to quote this comment
What a splendid way to treat the people that buy your products.
Fuck ‘em. Fuck ‘em very much. ZFT, you just lost a customer.
December 13th, 2007 at 10:16 pm » Click to quote this comment
wow. they don’t have anything better to do than threaten the very audience that has paid for their lawyers fees.
December 13th, 2007 at 10:34 pm » Click to quote this comment
the po-jama people are boring me to pieces
yes dwezz, you’re not a cover band, right….
you play all the right notes
and the lawyers chew, oh yeah
they sure do
December 13th, 2007 at 10:41 pm » Click to quote this comment
Funny, i remember when donald trump wanted to copyrights to “you’re fired” the phrase. He went to getting fired himself, and no $$$$$$$
I’m listening to some excellent simian mobile disco and bono must die remixes! Now THAT’s intellectual continuity. Fuck ZPZ, ZFT, and all those assorted condescending bozos.
December 13th, 2007 at 10:48 pm » Click to quote this comment
Does this mean there will be no more friday boots?
December 13th, 2007 at 11:23 pm » Click to quote this comment
It’s very sad that they’re killing the golden goose by alienating their fans by sniffing for royalties. I dont want to even think about the sheer amount of $ the KUR has spent or has caused to be spent on Zappa. Bully me out of Friday Boots will ya? Well I’ll just have to bittorrent the whole catalogue and encourage others to bootleg them out of existence, or at least bankruptcy so that they’ll have to sell away their publishing rights to someone with some sanity and lease the tapes to a company that knows their ass from Joe’s Domage!!!
(screaming obscenities into a pillow) It’s just mindboggling, the sheer arrogance and greed these people incite, I never thought someone outside of television, religion or politics could be so heartless…
So once the boycotts of ZPZ are in full swing and nobody goes to the ZFT charity show, let’s just hope they sell the Roxy reels and not burn them for warmth! Yeah Gail, there’s a reason why Frank told you to get out the business, he knew you were fucking wacked out and would tarnish his good name and skewer his loyal fans. I highly doubted that he wished his tapes would never see the light of day (as she so implied when she said he wanted her to get out of business), he probably had plans for them to be taken to Ryko or somebody else who knows that you can fit 70+ minutes on a disc!!!
Seriously, just sell the copyrights and the whole fucking vault to Warner Brothers, anything and anyone would be better than how she’s conducted business since the Ryko sale.
AR(F)GH, headache, bed…
December 13th, 2007 at 11:29 pm » Click to quote this comment
This is crazy - what’s wrong with a bit of fandom? Sounds like we could do with some sort of mass action here - what do people think to sending Gail e-mails en masse in support of KUR?
December 14th, 2007 at 12:24 am » Click to quote this comment
KUR is community, music, commitment, openness, quality, colorfulness, with multi-viewed opinions. Not business. No one makes money with it.
KUR is the Best. (Or do I remember well? How is this quote exactly?…)
December 14th, 2007 at 12:31 am » Click to quote this comment
We have to stick together
What are your plans, Barry ?
December 14th, 2007 at 12:39 am » Click to quote this comment
The ZFT made a collection, a list of articles USING the authorised names of Frnk Zpp, DwzlZpp, Z*Z, etc. At first I thought its a honour. Maybe they ALL will get a similar letter?
December 14th, 2007 at 12:48 am » Click to quote this comment
How sad. This is very petty behaviour. How is this going to turn on younger fans to Frank’s music?
For example, I live in the UK - there was 1 ZPZ show here this year, miles away from where I’m situated. So apparently I either spend myself in to a hole to get to the show “they” proclaim as the only worthwhile production - one which has taken over 10 years to arrive - and then wait another year to do the same again.; and god forbid I look at any other site other than zappa.com. Jeez…
December 14th, 2007 at 12:52 am » Click to quote this comment
Why must Gail shit all over the fans?
December 14th, 2007 at 12:56 am » Click to quote this comment
You guys have been performing a great service and I thank you for it. I look forward to you new plans being unveiled, I know they’ll be interesting and of course I’ll be joining you - I’m going nowhere, especially not to zappa.com.
December 14th, 2007 at 1:08 am » Click to quote this comment
I am thrilled to be a part of whatever Barry continues…
I am a fan that DOES NOT think the ZFT is over-stepping their rights in this matter. With what has gone on at this site over the years, I’m surprised only that the letter didn’t come sooner…
Those who believe they’re entitled because of their love for Frank and his Music? Peeeeuuw! FZ was a Capitalist of the first order - a true genius of a “self-made man”. He would most certainly think that he ‘owes’ you nothing… Gail believes that.
Smell the coffe (shit, if you will), Kids.
The bright side is that the ZFT’s copyright of “all things Frank” is limited; he was, after all, a public figure and hence much of what is perceived about him is public domain. KUR can most certainly continue - once they been *Mod-O-fied 1…
So don’t you be *Tarot-fied 2…
1. Ben Watson, “The Negative Dialectics Of Poodle Play”, (New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1993), 373.
2. ibid.
Suck on THAT Berger, Kahn
May I call you Genghis?
December 14th, 2007 at 1:38 am » Click to quote this comment
A quote from urbangraffito:
For years now I witnessed the bully tactics of GZ/ZFT with increasing disgust as website after website has received their C&D letters. If she/they think that the blank fanbase will go to the only site left standing (blank dot com - I don’t want to get sued!) she/they are kidding themselves. KUR is such an excellent site because it serves the fanbase in ways that blank dot com never did, which is why I became so frequent a visitor (and eventual poster). I’m certain KUR will continue to reveal its excellence in whatever direction it takes.
Yes, Barry, I will be joining you.
December 14th, 2007 at 2:03 am » Click to quote this comment
I am sure Barry has a grand plan in mind. I am also not so naive as to believe any kind of letter or petition to the ZFT will do much to GZ and the gang. But that’s what I want to do. Instead I think we should spread the word and boycott every new thing the ZFT tries to sell us until they can properly deal with fan sites such as these. I am beside myself with anger. I visit KUR every single day (sometimes multiple times), and I then link to Zappa.com to buy their goods. KUR has done nothing but promote FZ and the ZFT free of charge (to them). I am disgusted by GZ and their lawyers. Someone said earlier that no one outside of TV, politics, or religion should be as greedy and narrow-minded as GZ. Disgusted, I say. DISGUSTED! I need a bigger font. “Won’t somebody kindly tell me, what Gail Zappa’s trying to doo-ooh?! They’re all the same, so sing right along, GZ’s such an….”
December 14th, 2007 at 2:10 am » Click to quote this comment
A quote from urbangraffito:
Quite a mouthful, Iggy. While I wouldn’t suggest people go out and start bittorrenting the entire catalogue and bootleg them out of existence (depending on where you live, it’s illegal to bittorrent copyrighted material), I do suggest folks start buying their CD’s second hand. That way you can get the satisfaction of listening to some really great music in the knowledge that not a cent you paid for it will be going to they that killed the golden goose…
December 14th, 2007 at 2:30 am » Click to quote this comment
I disagree with Sofa, ZFT is over-stepping their bounds in this matter, there is definitely a fair use issue at play as well as the fact that the boots are legal (notice how the subtle Sloanspeak referred to the boots as a publishing/composition copyright issue?). I’m not sure how Amerikkkan servers work but why dont you just switch to a Canadian server (the country where you can copy and download copywritten information- READ: the actual albums), that will get you out of the reach of that hag’s slimy tentacles. Look into it, see what the copyright law is in Canada, you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
As for Gail, a boycott may be in order, I remember similar sentiments when she was giving FZ/fan profits to Al “PMRC” Gore, someone has to put a stop for this, 1st they took down the Dinette and now KUR, next’ll be good or globalia… she is unjustified with how she’s handling this. These sites are love letters to her dead husband and his work, fans who pay for her lawyers and the family’s wealth and work tirelessly on tributes above and beyond their ‘consumption’ of his catalogue. They engage in intense criticism, they promoted his music to fans until they were hoarse at a time when Zappa.com couldnt get their ass together (remember when the site was dead for 5 years?).
Come on Gail, these are people who love the music so much that they feel compelled to set-up websites and tirelessly update and perfect them since the 1st site in the early 1990’s. They hunt down rare articles, essays and interviews and transcribe for the sheer thrill and joy Zappa’s music has brought to all our hearts.
DOWNLOAD COMPLETE
December 14th, 2007 at 3:08 am » Click to quote this comment
Scandinavian countries have some pretty liberal copyright laws also.
December 14th, 2007 at 3:30 am » Click to quote this comment
GZ/ZFT’s reasoning is quite simple. They can’t take on YouTube or Google with any hope of success, so they go after the small fish instead. Remind you of any schoolyard bullies? And like all bullies, there’s just one word to describe them:
C O W A R D S.
December 14th, 2007 at 3:36 am » Click to quote this comment
P.S. Barry, given the shape of the outline on the top of the KUR page, you may wish to change Paul Anka to Paul Williams & Elsewhere…
December 14th, 2007 at 4:00 am » Click to quote this comment
simply put, she Can’t Understand Normal Thought!
December 14th, 2007 at 4:03 am » Click to quote this comment
Da-a-amn. I stumbled on your site yesterday, and today this happens. Sometimes it’s shitty being a Zappa fan.
December 14th, 2007 at 4:17 am » Click to quote this comment
Merry f*ckin’ Christmas!
How sad- you’ll probably have to change the name of the website too, since K.U.R. is the name of a recorded work belonging to the ZPT. And we shall have to refer to Gail’s husband as Z___a. Oh, maybe that’s too many letters…
I enjoyed your site throughly, I’m sorry you have to change so much of it. But I don’t want to see you get sued for doing nothing wrong by the wife of the musician you love so much. Dammit.
Watch out, btw…Paul Anka’s lawyers are bad too.
December 14th, 2007 at 5:14 am » Click to quote this comment
i vist this site daily
i like the interaction with the other fans
sometimes we agree, sometimes we argue
i have never posted any comments on the z.com website
i post here at least once a week
this site does a much better job of alerting fans of new releases
than does z.com
each new release I have purchased i did so because i saw it here 1st.
Now, will you please CEASE and DISIST.
NOW!!!
December 14th, 2007 at 5:44 am » Click to quote this comment
Kill Ugly Radio is the essential web site for Frank Zappa news, PERIOD. Zappa.com is only good for when the Family Trust is pushing a new object of income, or when good ol’ Dweezel shows up in a magazine! Want news on the actual PERFORMERS of Frank’s music? Go fuck yourself! “You will do as you are told, until the rights to you are sold”, and Gail is no better than any of the producers that Frank warned us about. I was about to go on a huge Barfko-Swill christmas spree, but I think I’d rather give my hard earned cash to people who’ve not only worked for it, but deserve it MORE THAN THAT BLOODSUCKING LEECH GAIL. Barry, I would more than welcome to throw a fistful of American cash at you.
Deep down, I really hope that Dweezel understands this more than his foolish mother, and would step in to fix all of this bullshit.
December 14th, 2007 at 6:16 am » Click to quote this comment
This sucks! I love this site and visit almost daily. The Friday boots are like food and sex to me, now where am I going to get my audible nutrients. Ahh, the grinch came to KUL. Someone needs to set up an FTP site and keep it a secret for us KUL fans and away from the prying eyes of GZ’s law firm of Dewey, Cheatham, & Howe.
Thanks Gail and Merry f*#^ing Christmas to you too!
December 14th, 2007 at 7:06 am » Click to quote this comment
When Zappa’s ghost finally figures out how lame his family and its lawyers are, he’ll murder them in their sleep.
December 14th, 2007 at 7:46 am » Click to quote this comment
Thanks for bringing me down for the holidays Gail.
No matter, I’ll still check out KUR.
Merry Christmas Barry. We’re with you!
December 14th, 2007 at 7:49 am » Click to quote this comment
One thing came into my mind, looking at the banner: in Hungary the contry had a soviet-type of flag with a communist symbol in the middle. During the revolution in 1956 people cut that out, and the flag-with-the-hole became the symbol of the refolution - of freedom.
The image of Frnk Zpp is not the symbol of any evil - it’s really sad that here it’s the only way of freedom.
*
One more thing: I’ve said it a few times before: the discography modul is something that was (jeezis! That past tense!!!) extremely, very-very-very valuable. With all th different viewpoints, the richness of it - it was always fun to read, it was very informative, etc. Also a really good place to start. I dont think the album titles are copirighted - I wish it was back here.
December 14th, 2007 at 8:07 am » Click to quote this comment
Graphic designer Cal Schenkel about the cover of „We’re Only In It For (I Don’T Remember What)”:
„There were a lot of things we had to do legally, but they mostly came from MGM’s paranioa: putting bars over the faces of anybody who was alive. Turning it inside out. They just wouldn’t take the chance” (Mojo Magazine, 1994)
December 14th, 2007 at 8:09 am » Click to quote this comment
In one of my recents posts (in tempore non suspecto ) I said that this bog is both a post autistic network and a post commercial blog.
I can only repeat this.
Always ready to be helpful in this dark period.
December 14th, 2007 at 8:15 am » Click to quote this comment
This is ridiculous. For NO PROFIT whatsoever, you provided reference material that ISN’T at zappa.com - but dammit if Gail doesn’t have t-shirts for $40 at her site - and all of it absolutely free.
One of the earliest comments said it best: the ZFT is not serving FZ or preserving his memory. It’s a tragedy that it’s come down to the kind of behavior that made him hate the music business to begin with. While Frank did despise bootleggers, all one has to do is listen to the mediocre track selections on the “You Can’t Do That On Stage Anymore” series (Vol. 2 notwithstanding of course) to understand why the bootlegs circulated.
For some it may very well have been in name of greed and profit, but from own perspective I see it as a source of curiosity for FZ fans. Songs evolve as they are played live, different singers and players bring different approaches to the tracks. And the bootlegs I have come across have all been free, except when I made the mistake of buying ‘Freaks And Motherfuckers’ back in 2003…strange how that officially released boot is the worst-sounding one I’ve come across.
Anyway, publishing out-of-print interviews that allow insight to the creator’s mind is nothing less than a service, and certainly not a financial liability to the Zappa Family Trust. This is legalistic bullying and total horseshit. If they REALLY think this site is a fiscal threat to the Barfko-Swill online catalog they are NUTS.
Intellectually, this site might be a threat since it presents Frank as he was, warts and all - he was human. This is in contrast to the superhuman view DZ has of his daddy - for God’s sake, he’s in a cover band of his father’s music - or the historical revisionism GZ has launched regarding Frank.
Find some solace in this: she won’t live forever.
Alex
December 14th, 2007 at 8:31 am » Click to quote this comment
Djeezis!
You are one of my daily sites.
Your discography with comments made me decide which postumous albums were worth buying.
Your posts and links made me laugh and expanded my mind.
I’ll stick with you!!
Good luck,
Jeroen
December 14th, 2007 at 8:40 am » Click to quote this comment
it’s the voice of your concience, Barry : go on !
and thanks billions of times
December 14th, 2007 at 8:42 am » Click to quote this comment
All about Frank Zappa beeeee World Heritage!
December 14th, 2007 at 9:35 am » Click to quote this comment
The thing is simple, give your site a new name, shame on ZFT and the old Gail wreck, but it’s America, you can talk about defiler of graves and no one seems to care, but if you have a EUROPEAN Website, only this is a reason for bombard you in thousand pieces. Barry if there is anything i can help you please let me know.
Keep on!
Best Regards
Frank B.
December 14th, 2007 at 9:59 am » Click to quote this comment
Reading all these posts makes my heart grow three times it’s size. How about you, Barry?
December 14th, 2007 at 10:13 am » Click to quote this comment
It is extremely sad, how the ZFT acts. I can´t believe that my big musical idol for a long long time, was married with children who call themselves the ZFT now. Family trust. What a laugh.
The only hope I have is, that the late Frank Zappa would disagree or not let this have happen to a fan site. Shame on you ZFT !
If there is anything I can help with KUR, I will - just let me know!
December 14th, 2007 at 10:42 am » Click to quote this comment
She used to suck Frank, now she sucks others.
We are not angry, we feel sorry for her.
December 14th, 2007 at 10:49 am » Click to quote this comment
Jeeziz!! I loved this site, especially the boots and insights into other stuff (P.S. Thanks Urbangraffito the info on that rare Tubes track). I am sincerely p-ed off. Spent last night drunk and alone and then I read about KUR bein’ closed down this morn! Merry F-ing Xmas- NART! All I can say is that I hope that some alternative can be arranged. I’ll miss KUR…Thanks to all that brought it to us.
December 14th, 2007 at 11:05 am » Click to quote this comment
Fuck Gail Zappa and ZFT
December 14th, 2007 at 11:20 am » Click to quote this comment
I presume, Barry, that I no longer need to draft the letter we discussed the other day? Lol!!!
Thanks for all the support boys and girls. It does indeed make one feel all fuzzy and warm. Keep it coming.
December 14th, 2007 at 11:32 am » Click to quote this comment
I remember a text from Genesis:
“There’s a fat old lady outside the saloon
Laying out the credit cards she plays Fortune”
I hope she will not win!
December 14th, 2007 at 11:32 am » Click to quote this comment
FZ didn’t mind tape sharing.
This is the same as tape sharing.
Nobody is losing out on money.
Nobody is making money.
End of subject surely.
December 14th, 2007 at 11:39 am » Click to quote this comment
This sucks ass big time. Where is the fuckin threat ? Huh ? Tell me, Gail, I’d like to know. Yup.. Fark orf, Gail.
December 14th, 2007 at 11:40 am » Click to quote this comment
Ow jeeezis. Not another legal team pulling a ‘Prince’!
When are they going to learn that they might have the legal position to sue, it is not in their interest to do so. This is the Internets!
They are really attacking the fans who are spending time and money to promote the FZ love and legacy. They’ve just made some dozens of people dislike the ZFT (more).
Furthermore, I can’t imagine sites like KUR doing any damage to the ZFT’s interests whatsoever. Quite the contrary!
So whatever the next step’ll be, we’re behind you Barry et al!
December 14th, 2007 at 12:05 pm » Click to quote this comment
I remember a few weeks back there was a 72 Wazoo show posted from London. Hearing that and then shortly after seeing that the offical Zappa Wazoo was being released only made me want it even more! I’ve normally tried to understand tha ZFT’s actions as “protecting” Frank’s legacy, but this is really sad and desperate of them.
Matt.
December 14th, 2007 at 12:20 pm » Click to quote this comment
Contrary to many other replies, I think the reaction of the composer/songwriter/bandleader etc whose name we have to avoid in the future would have been exactly similar to the one of his family trust - someone else getting so much attention as KUR - he would have hated it!
As I thoroughly read all three pages of Roper, Bender & Raper’s Cease and Desist Infringement letter - it looks like they are still quite easy on you - did they give you a donut and tell you to stick closer to ZFT oriented social activities?
December 14th, 2007 at 12:26 pm » Click to quote this comment
Thanks all for caring. You’re an outstanding bunch of freaks to have around, and your support is much appreciated. Spread the word!
Oh, and please stop referring to KUR in the past tense though!
December 14th, 2007 at 12:31 pm » Click to quote this comment
Bizarre - I think I’ve actually purchased considerably more ZFT Authorised Product(tm) as a result of discovering it’s existence via the medium of KUR than I ever did before I started reading this blog. Do they not understand the power of using the existing community as means to spread the word? They should take a page out of Jonathan Coulton’s book and open everything up, let people create their own stuff based on the works, get a vested interested in it, participate rather than being forced to observe from the outside. You end up with a much more loyal and happy fanbase that way…
Still mate, wherever you’re going with this count me in…always happy to help.
December 14th, 2007 at 1:27 pm » Click to quote this comment
These legal letters chill you to the bone, don’t they? (I’ve gotten one myself) But, in the legal world this is the opening salvo- they’re trying to pootch you out of existence. Send ‘em back your own letter. You are allowed to write about a musician’s recordings- they’re called reviews, I read them in the newspaper every day. You are allowed to say a musician’s name, you’re even allowed to wear a t shirt with his face on it. You just can’t sell it. Tell them you don’t. (Maybe they’re stupid and didn’t read this site very thoroughly). I do suppose Friday will have to go back to being a regular day again (sob!). Time for some disclaimers! ZFT would be perceived as being nicer if they just stated what a fan can do or not do. Except at the moment it seems a fan can’t do nothin’.
December 14th, 2007 at 1:29 pm » Click to quote this comment
what do you need>
email me
December 14th, 2007 at 1:32 pm » Click to quote this comment
my appreciation of zappa and all things faintly smelling of zappa was encouraged and helped along by the family of intelligent and informed people using this site right here!..i have been encouraged to send in examples of my own music instead of growing mold in my living room and furthermore encouraged to go out and buy all available legitimately released titles (that is before someone got greedy about the time of the domage release and thereafter).
What exactly is the zft trying to do?…if it is to alienate musically interested people as myself then you are to be commended on doing a ripper job otherwise you are not adding one iota to the universal family of music lovers…….you disappoint me (sad world weary shake of the head!)
December 14th, 2007 at 1:54 pm » Click to quote this comment
A typical “fat-eating” Gail / Moon Action. I believe if Zappa himself is aware of this, he divorce her postumeously.
December 14th, 2007 at 1:58 pm » Click to quote this comment
I am truly saddened by the grasping nature of the Zft. I am a Music Lecturer and musician and I’ve been a truly devoted fan for over twenty years. It’s just absolute bullying.They make enough from the back catalogue , and the (mediocre) Zpz shows >I was at the Manchester one the first time around.Only Napoleon and Steve made it worth going.The apple fell a long way from the tree Dweezil. Frank’s family have NO RIGHT to withold his music and thoughts from the fans.No money’s changing hands here . I play Frank’s music to my students and try to show how (as well as being a musical genius) that he fought very hard to stop censorship of music.That’s what this is.Gail is alienating the very people who have been paying for her existence for all these years.If it’s a question of legitemacy why don’t they release the stuff in the vaults? then we wouldn’t have to share these recordings.It’ stypical that puritanical scum in the US think they own the entire earth. She didn’t write any of it. And if Dweezil loves his dad so much why did he try to auction the Hendrix strat? what a bunch of WANKERS. I will NEVER buy another thing from the Zft. I’m beside myself with rage.No spouse or offspring should ever hold the copyright on music when the artist has died.It’s not theirs.If we all carry on they can’t afford to sue us all.Beat ‘em with their own stick!
It’s absolutely indefensible and amoral.I reckon she only ever used him as a fucking mealticket.KUR has only ever done a loving service to the great man’s work.Does she really think He would have wanted us to be denied this whilst being milked for very gradual and inferior posthumous releases they have (eventually) thrown us? He’ll be spinning in his grave.Poor Frank.I’m upset for HIM more than anything -that a bunch of evil grasping harpies should inherit his music and try to keep it from the fans.GAIL HOW DO YOU FUCKING SLEEP AT NIGHT?
December 14th, 2007 at 1:58 pm » Click to quote this comment
No worries. For you who miss KUR the coming period on the concert download service, check also (because there’s already the link to Aafnraa) :
http://concerts.wolfgangsvault.com/
or
http://tela.sugarmegs.org/_asxtela/
December 14th, 2007 at 2:08 pm » Click to quote this comment
Truly pathetic, but not surprising. For years now the ZFT has maintained a substandard website, released several CDs that make one question whether the vault really does contain gems and has continued the legal battles that were a hallmark of FZ’s career. As a music lover who has purchased the entire catalog, (in several formats, I might add) and was fortunate enough to have attended many FZ concerts, I have always felt a disconnect between the music that has had such an impact on my life and the producers of said product. Many, many bands encourage tapers and sharing of their music and they are neither destitute nor unpopular. They just grasp the simple concept of successful marketing in the age of the internet. Unfortunately, the Zappa family always seems to be attacking their own dwindling fan base. Will someone please issue a Cease and Desist order on this behavior? Or will the antics of Bender Roper and Raper continue to overshadow the music of one of the most unusual composers of our time?
Hopefully you will find a way to perservere. Your site has done more to promote FZ’s musical legacy and it’s fanbase than the ZFT seems capable of.
Oh, and Merry Christmas, Gail. You are reviled by millions. Feel the love.
December 14th, 2007 at 2:19 pm » Click to quote this comment
This is/was by far the best site I know of for finding useful FZ info. Gail should occasionally update the ZFT site’s FAQs page instead of spending her time threatening every other source of Zappa-related news. I’d like to hear Dweezil’s take on all of this, but he’s probably afraid mom may sue him, too!
December 14th, 2007 at 2:21 pm » Click to quote this comment
I think some of these comments are a little extreme. If FZ were around today, I’m sure he would be following a similar course of action.
I think it would be best for all concerned if Gail released a bullet point list of what is and is not permissible. At the minute she and her legal team are in danger of throwing the baby out with the bath water and alienating fans in the process.
December 14th, 2007 at 2:24 pm » Click to quote this comment
At the rate Gail is going, there will be ZFT goon squads breaking in in the middle of the night and dragging off any Z related material they find in your home. It’s hers! All hers!
December 14th, 2007 at 2:42 pm » Click to quote this comment
I ‘m with you guys.
December 14th, 2007 at 2:46 pm » Click to quote this comment
“Likely to lead the public to mistakenly believe that the webpage and it’s links are sponsored by or associated with Frank Zappa or his estate”? Pshaw!!!
I don’t think anyone in any way familiar with the perpetually inarticulate use of the English language that the Zappa clan continue to practice and champion, could ever make such a dumb mistake. The ZFT site remains as dull and uninspiring as their moribund posthumous release programme. KUR on the other hand is well written, obviously well loved and has a strong sense of community. Keep on truckin!
Beware everyone, Gail’s gonna be demanding a poodle pogrom, next.
This is my ‘home page’ and shall remain so.
Yes, Barry, I will be joining you.
December 14th, 2007 at 2:47 pm » Click to quote this comment
You’re calling this ‘censorship’? You’re funny, man. Real funny.
December 14th, 2007 at 3:04 pm » Click to quote this comment
I think deep down Gail would like to be fucked, and that’s why she fucks around like that.
ANY TAKERS???
BTW: the ZFT can’t even run a radio station, ever try to listen to the official Zappa Radio? Even that’s a fuck-up! Songs are cut off, dead air, songs start 15 seconds in and stuff. That’s how ZFT treats Frank Zappa’s music.
December 14th, 2007 at 3:04 pm » Click to quote this comment
It’s basically about a clash between two both legal & scientific cultures.
Does innovation needs patents?
- Yes: they’re happening to protect innovators, enabling them to get some money.
- No : innovation leads us to the next generaaion of innovation.
I belong to the second category.
December 14th, 2007 at 3:23 pm » Click to quote this comment
Kill Ugly ZFT
December 14th, 2007 at 3:30 pm » Click to quote this comment
Ted… needs… friday…. boot… arghhh!
December 14th, 2007 at 3:37 pm » Click to quote this comment
LONG POST ALERT!
Censorship this is not, but it IS one more heavy-handed action in a long, long series of heavy-handed actions by a group of people who appear to have absolutely no understanding of the fanbase / audience / consumers that they are dealing with.
As some have already pointed out, by the letter of the law, they may have something of a case. Sure, there were thumbnail pics of the albums been discussed in the ‘music’ section (which contained, for my money, some of the most interesting opinions on Fronk Zippa’s work that I have read - more interesting because they are the thoughts of people that genuinely love this music). But, this could in no way lead to any financial loss to the ZFT - and anyway, if they followed this line of action to this logical conclusion, they would have to go after evry poor sod selling a 2nd hand CD on ebay or Amazon or whatever.
Okay, now for the Friday boots - personally I see this as no more than tape sharing of live recordings. Of very variable quality. I’m afraid that again I cannot see that ZFT will have lost a penny from these recordings in lost sales of any of the official releases. I mean, lets face it they are only of interest to the hardcore Zeppo fan. No-one AT ALL (perhaps I’m mistaken, but I don’t think so) is going to make do with a shaky audience recording of, say, the 1988 tour, when there are a bunch of high quality, sparkly sounding official CDs available wherein you can hear every note in splendiferous stereo. Like the ‘music’ section, these boots can do no more than keep the interest in Zippu’s music alive.
The quotes page - hell, those quotes are all over the net, in TV programs, in magazine articles, EVERYWHERE! The ZFT seem to be happy for these humorous and biting comments to fade away. Why? Zoppo’s personality was a big part of the whole experience. It doesn’t make sense.
The problem is, the ZFT are acting as if this site is ripping them off in some way, but that can not be further from the truth. Every time they decide to put out some ‘product’ (which, with the exceptions of ‘Buffalo’, ‘Trance-fusion’ and, I would guess, the new live ‘Wazoo’ thing, have ben somewhat variable in quality), KUR has been there with links to the ‘Buy me buy me’ site straight away. Free advertising if anything.
It may sound a bit arrogant to say that the Trust should get a clue about the people they are selling to, but this really is the case. Cut down to simple financial terms, keep the customer happy and you’ll make more money out of them. As it is, I’m too pissed off to even thin of buying another thing from them. This is a last straw kind of thing here.
As has been suggested, some kind of petition etc might be a good idea. It won’t help, but it might be worth showing how fed up some people are with their behaviour.
And, lastly, best of luck with what you come up with next Barry. I’ll be sticking around (with shorter posts, honest).
END OF OVERLY-LONG DULL POST
December 14th, 2007 at 3:39 pm » Click to quote this comment
Well im glad i didnt buy zappa/ wazoo for the cheap price of 38 euros, today, when im reading this. Let’s boycot the ZFT ,untill they apoligize for this behavour.
December 14th, 2007 at 3:42 pm » Click to quote this comment
I think the worst point of this is that the people who enjoy this site (I presume) are almost all hard-core fans and will snap up official releases, products etc.
So to attack the most loyal section of the fan-base is not a bright thing to do. And the severity of it is laughable - GZ might receive a bit more sympathy if it was not so draconian - banning quotes from interviews?! Come on, that’s ridiculous.
December 14th, 2007 at 3:48 pm » Click to quote this comment
F**ck off and Go to H*LL , GAIL
oh, and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Freaks
long live KUR
December 14th, 2007 at 3:51 pm » Click to quote this comment
Very sad. Whatever direction you go, I will be there.
I will definitely be re-thinking