Glassjaw Moving Away From Traditional Album Cycle
According to a recent interview conducted by Kerrang!, Glassjaw aren’t likely to release a new full-length album anytime soon. Instead the band are moving more towards their recent approach of EP’s and digital releases with band frontman Daryl Palumbo offering the following:
“People are so hung up on us not having a full-length out that they’re overlooking the fact that record labels are becoming increasingly irrelevant, that full-length records are becoming irrelevant and the whole album/tour cycle is pretty irrelevant.”
He went on to add that that the group would rather “put music out as it occurs and not bore people with 15 songs.”
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COMMENTS
Daryl Palumbo is so hung up on the irrelevance of record labels, full-length records and the whole album/tour cycle that he’s overlooking the fact that Glassjaw has been irrelevant for years.
Can’t say I’ve considered them irrelevant since I anticipated new music from them for almost a decade, and now in the last 12-15 months they’ve come out with 2 EP’s, 5 songs each. That in my book equals a whole album. If that’s what they want to do, I dont care. It’s new music, and that’s awesome.
I’m with Steve on this one. I think, with the release of there new material, they are more an relevant. I for one have been listening to them for the last 10+ years and will continue to do so. New music = good, however they want to reLease it.
Bring on the jams DP! I love “Coloring Book”. So much weirdo groove.
Releasing new music as a tour-only EP does not really help fans a lot, though.
as far as making it a “must have collectible” or anything of the sort, releasing music in the way they are is supremely beneficial to both glassjaw, and their fans (so long as they come around to you, or you happen to live in the vicinity of new york city)…i agree it is not entirely fun to not be able to get your hands on anything without overpaying on ebay, but in a world of record labels consistently screwing bands over (i.e. glassjaw), the best way to go about things is to make records 100% readily available to everyone in a digital format (thus making production costs considerably lower) or making things in limited quantities so you have to go and get it.
im going to go out on a limb and say glassjaw understands that they aren’t going to be making any money off of a “this is a free release as long as you went to our shows” release, which means they likely won’t mind if you download any number of various torrents of said works for free.
and if they come around, go see them. its worth the show if nothing else.
“Coloring Book” was easily the best thing released so far this year. Anyone who could call them irrelevant is just plain ignorant. “Worship and Tribute” was out summer 2002, all of the “Our Color Green” songs (with the exception of Junkies) were being played in 2006, “Natural Born Farmer” earlier than that. Another six incredible songs were released in 2011, with more on the horizon. While I would love if they put out an album every two years, you can’t complain about the quality of the stuff that’s been released. This site is littered with comments about how (insert your favorite band’s name here)’s new album isn’t as good as the last one, or as good as their old stuff. With GJ you have a band in their creative prime, a band who is pushing the envelope, a band whose best work has yet to be written. While other bands crank out subpar albums every couple years, concerned with moving units, and staying on peoples’ radar, glassjaw writes and records on their own terms, and the music and the people who love it reap the benefits. Viva GlassJAw!
well, that was my first post here and apparently capitalization helps, since enter keys don’t separate ideas very well. booooo.
@rockout54 welcome to theprp, your point was understood and is right on, they aren’t dependent on record sales for their survival. Bands like GJ make money off of touring and merch. Also, the fact that Justin runs a successful merch business, and Daryl has his hands in a bunch of things makes GJ less of a job, and the music is better for it.
after my “first post” a nice gentleman named Surly told me welcome to the comment board and I will extend that welcome to you also rockout54. we need more folk round here who enjoy sweet jams such as glassjaw.
and jayofdajungle, you took the words from my mouth… err… finger tips
@will great hands type alike…
@jayofdajungle and @will thanks. been reading here for 10 years. never joined when the site changed over but decided “why not?” today. probably won’t comment much since i know how the internet works (11 intelligent people for every 93752 jackasses aka lots of dumbass arguments). but i’ll throw my two cents in juuuuuuuuuust enough, heh
@rockout54 bunch of good guys with good music knowledge, such as will and myself, and a lot of lot bad guys who are idiots, I guess I can be considered either one on any given day, depends who you talk to and what band you’re talking about. You know what, fuck being modest, my opinon is generally law : )
Everything Daryl said makes total sense and I really respect them for doing it their own way. Takes balls (plus a good fan base already in place, I’m looking at you Trent Reznor…). I also agree with the reasons that everyone is giving for being supportive. The only thing I have an issue with is Daryl saying that the full length is irrelevant. How so? Some of my favorite music releases are concept albums. I think it’s great to see bands trying to achieve something with a larger artistic vision in mind and trying to create something bigger than the band itself. I understand that not all bands are suited for this type of record, GJ included, but I think it’s a farce to call the full length album irrelevant.
Daryl’s sentiment is right on. However, it might have gone over better if he said it in a way that didn’t seem to insult his fans.
@grant you got a point, Daryl’s pretty fan friendly for the most part though, it’s usually Justin Beck’s comments that get fans’ panties in a bunch
Why would Daryl say he doesn’t want to “bore people with a full length.” But earlier in the interview he says that it is what everybody wants and they are “hung up on it.” Sounds like he just isn’t into it and it really has nothing to do with boring the fans. But hey, idk I like Glassjaw and would love to see an album. I don’t consider the EP that new though I heard a few of those songs years ago.
Can certainly respect that but damn if they DON’T tour in the PNW or release any compact discs then they unfortunately have no nets to catch my monetary support
I think currently Palumbo is just not that into Glassjaw, but his countless other crap bands just weren’t bringing in enough money for him. Glassjaw=quick cash grab for the guy. While he might be a fan friendly guy, he still carries a big chip on his shoulder. Met him at warped one year, and he was a massive dick to the girl before me, who appeared to be a massive fan. Touring is not irrelevant, and any half witted person knows that. Nor are full lengths, nor will they ever not be relevant.
Hell, as much as I love Glassjaw, I’d be down with another Head Automatica
I’ve been loving Glassjaw since EYEWTKAS and the new music is AMAZING, but releasing it as a “tour only” EP is a pain in the ass. I don’t think Glassjaw have been within 3-4 hours from here for a decade and as easy as it was to steal the Coloring Book EP via mediafire, I would have gladly paid for it. They should think about this next time and put that shit up for sale on their website or digitally via iTunes/Amazon.
As for Daryl being into vs. not being into Glassjaw, I’d say he’s not into much of anything if that’s the case. The last Head Automatica album was five years ago and I doubt we’ll see another one any time soon.
well according to “articles” i have read over the past 6 months the songs on coloring book were supposed to be a “preview” of the new “album”, so although i agree with daryll, i hope to see the “2nd half” of the “album” soon (before new H.A.). i am just itching for it, what can i say i’m junkie.
Palumbo’s a jackass…. Glassjaw used to be ahead of the curve with marketing/promos but now they are just putting up too many barriers for fans (new/casual/hardcore) to access their music. I was GJ obsessed for over a decade, but as soon as DP started meddling with other dumb shit (… “SPORTS”…???) I considered gj to have a “weak chin/GLASS JAW” and been KOd. Head Automatica was just ok – I think he’s been spending too much time medicating and thinking too much. His band/s and him are not going to change the industry… Even if he thinks it’s become “irrelevant”. Without an extensive catolog built up – no one will show up. The album/tour cycle is the only way “rock/club” bands make money…… He ain’t some fucking pop star that’s destined for top 40 by releasing singles. They’re washed up… I haven’t heard ANY of the new shit in the last 5-8 years and frankly don’t think I’m missing much. Take my name off the “cool list” I guess. El Mark is the furthest I’m willing to go and will probably dl the first ep on iTunes, but they need to put up coloring book sometime – and put in a more considerable effort in meeting fans halfway. They couldve been sittin pretty right about now – but whatevs – it’s their m.o.
Got the right idea. Live shows, tickets prices are so low.. how do they even make money…. o yeah merch… ah well, when you know you can make a buck through a different light…. whatever works for you…. being in a band is like working a job.. it ain’t all fun, you gotta make your own.
@”graves dizzeaze ” i agree with your opening statement. the end.
As long as they are making new music who gives a shit how they release it??
Coloring book was fucking awesome and was released online anyways. Why
so many care about how they are going to pay their bills is beyond me. But if
they were to release some EP’s or whatever here and there I’m totally fine with it.
Stop being so asshurt over how they carry on.
I’m just glad they’re putting out music again. EPs mean faster releases which is fine by me, just put them online so I can buy it when its released. That’s my only real complaint, seeing that I don’t have and haven’t heard their latest – Coloring Book.
They can do whatever they want, but…. it would be nice if these past couple of EPs were of better recording quality. Anyone who has heard either of them over a dope high end stereo knows what I mean – a lot of it sounds cheap and harsh, which sucks because I dig the new stuff. It’s hard to enjoy when the sound quality just isn’t there. Plus, with OCG, you don’t even have a CD to go off of… and unless you took it deep to buy vinyl on EBay you’re stuck with download quality. All and all, glad they’re back at it. I saw a show on this past tour and loved it – but I couldn’t really argue with friends who hated it either.
I fully agree…..Now give us some new songs….HURRY THE FUCK UP:)
I think that Palumbo is actually a self-centered, ego-maniac to be quite honest. I understand everything him and his “god-like” band are trying to do. I really do. You have to do what’s right in your heart and whats right for business. Which is what they are involved in. A business. The music “business”. If doing what they’re doing the way they’re doing it makes them as much money as they can get, good for them. Buuuuuttttt in the same sense, it’s utterly assinine. DP has a “god-like” mentality. It’s message boards like this one that give him a big head. Don’t get me wrong, GJ is genius. Pure genius. I’ve been a fan since KKBB and have never stoped. But since he’s so against record labels and this and that and blah blah blah, his fans suffer as a consequence. Sure, you can DL torrents or ebay etc. But for those out there without those means, or without means to go to a show, suffer. Period. But neither him, nor GJ give a shit about those fans. Guess they’re not cool enough to deserve some fresh tunes after years and years of being teased with new albums and EP’s etc. Guess those fans aren’t “scene” kids and don’t get to hear new stuff. Bottom line, there’s no reason that GJ cannot independantly release this album. Even if they can only afford so many prints at a time, I’m sure there are people out there who are willing to wait (even after all this time) for new prints when GJ as a collective unit can afford them. This is only my opinion. Everyone is entitled to their own. I love GJ. Always will. But just because I do, doesn’t mean I have to agree with their actions. I don’t need to be up their ass and know every move they make in and out of the band to be a fan. Honestly, this is one of the biggest bands in the world, that NO ONE knows about. It’s like a cult following. Fuck that.
“full-length records are becoming irrelevant and the whole album/tour cycle is pretty irrelevant”
What do you know? ANOTHER opinion. SO lame. It’s almost as if the only people that are deserving enough to hear their new material are show-goers, or illegal DL’ers. You have to be “part of it” to listen to new music apparently.
So they choose to self-release EPs instead of going through the legal/promotional rigamarole of releasing a full-length. Big fucking deal. They put out an EP on itunes in January then gave away another EP 5 weeks later. Both are totally memorable. I like their approach – if an EP is an annual/biannual report of anything glassJAw that’s pertinant, fine by me. You don’t have to be ‘part of it’;you have to be resourceful. Do you honestly believe that with no label to back that Coloring Book (5/5, Wookibus!) EP that it’ll go online and not get torrented to death without the band knowing? They know what they are doing. If they release an EP for free at a show, likely they won’t pursue legal action from mediafire, etc. It’s guerilla marketing – it started with the 7″s. Look at how sought-after they are! Christ, those ebay prices are clownshoes stupid.
That said, I hope they continue to do what they do as long as they continue to produce. If you are a real fan, you wouldn’t sleep.
If they don’t want to release a full album, why should they? He’s 100% right, record labels and distribution companies are becoming irrelevant. Do you know how much it costs to independently record and release a full album and have it distributed to Best Buy? A stupid amount of money. Do you want to loan them the cash to do it? It’s cheaper for a band to record a few tracks and release them online. I can’t blame them for one second for not wanting to deal with record labels and distribution companies again. It screwed them over in the past. I know it’s hard to believe, but some bands aren’t just in it for the “business”. Just because they play music and are well known doesn’t mean they have to be a part of the “music business”. When you base your decisions on the business side of music, you get Nickelback. Fuck that. They play music for their reasons, and regardless of your entitlement issues, they can make the music they want and release it how they want.
the two times i met daryl he was as humble as almost any other touring musician i’ve met. if he wants to be a dick, fucking fine with me. it has to get annoying to have thousands of kids painting their pants as white as their belts while groveling for autographs or a sweet pic for their facebook page. i agree with some of the points horse makes BUT i think it needs to be stressed that as much of a business that music is, daryl and crew run their business, not us. it’s theirs to do what they want with it. if they only press 1000 copies you know they will sell every last one in like 3 minutes, personally i’d say that’s smart business in an industry where you can’t control how your product is distributed. look at radiohead, yorke recently said almost the same thing about full lengths, and if you don’t think radiohead is relevant in the music business you’re an idiot. besides, it’s refreshing to see a band not bend over head-up-ass backwards to please the disposable hot topic crabcore dipshit crowd. we all waited this whole time for new music, life went on, and when the color green tracks started leaking, most of us were on that shit immediately, full album or not. jay was right, ‘coloring book’ is one of the best releases this year, nothing sounds like it. so what if they had other projects that suck? graves threw out sports, i thought geometry was weak, so fucking what? if i want to hear glassjaw i don’t throw on ‘men, women, and children’. if anything is irrelevant its the bitching of message boards. we should instead be focusing our efforts on making fun of limp bizkit for the millionth time.
Not sure why I chose to read more opinions on this thread but the last sentence in Steve’s comment made it worthwhile lol
What a joke!! People can flame me all they want, but I’m pretty much done with Glassjaw. What? An almost 10 year wait for a 5 song ep(that sounds more like Radiohead now) that I have to listen to on youtube??? I don’t download. I can’t make it to their shows, I’m too far away. They can’t even release their EP?? Very unimpressed. It’s not that good anyways!! They should change their name then, cause it sounds NOTHING like their first 2. I’m all for bands experimenting, but this isnt even the same band. Thursday sound like this now too, and I just don’t get it. Half the new Thursday is filler! I sure miss the early 2000s, when these bands were good, and they ACTUALLY released cds at a CD store.
It’s not their fault that you don’t download. It’s a free ep – I don’t think they’d have anything against you downloading it. The only person standing in your way on this one is you.
Also, if you don’t think this sounds anything like their older stuff, you must have extremely limited musical tastes.
1. What is wrong with sounding more like Radiohead?
2. What frog said.
3. If you don’t like the music, why are you complaining in the first place? Do you want to buy a CD you don’t like?
4. If every band that changed sounds after its first two albums had to change its names, we would have a huge mess. I don’t think picking a band name requires you to stick to one sound for the rest of that band’s existence.
5. The bands still are good, if not better, than in 2000. Like you said, though, you “just don’t get it.”
Hey guys! Fun comments!! haha
1. If I want to listen to Radiohead, I’ll throw on Radiohead.
I love old-school Glassjaw, I drove halfway across the country 7-8 years ago to see them! I’m old and stubborn and if I can’t buy it at HMV, then I already have a distaste for the band. I ‘ve heard the new tunes a couple of times. I don’t have to like it just because it’s Glassjaw. My favorite band in the world, Iron Maiden put out 2 awful albums in the 90′s. They stunk!
I’ve got close to 2000 records, tapes and cds of all styles of metal, rock, alternative, melodic death metal, emo, screamo, metal-core, hair metal, etc. The only genre I don’t like if Indie and Black metal. So, I definitely don’t have limited musical taste. The songs on Coloring Book sound nothing like their first 2. I must have different ears or something then. And I already said before, I’m all for bands experimenting, as long as it resembles close to their original sound, or it doesnt sound like every other Radiohead ripoff band. And before you jump on me for dissing Radiohead, I have every Radiohead cd except the new one. I’ve seen the video for the new Radiohead – no thanks I’ll pass. I’ve been listening to screamo and emo for almost 15 years now. I wonder what the average age in this thread is? I’ve leave on the video channel all day long and I hear every new screamo band’s video. Pretty “cookie cutter” now!. I’ll take 2001 screamo over 2011 screamo anyday. When I see cd retail chains closing up shop, because people arent buying cds anymore, then I get real pissed off. And when I see bands choose to not release cds anymore, then well….
1. I’m going to assume that you just skip past Ape Dos Mil and Must Have Run All Day cause Coloring Book reminds me alot of those tracks, just more fleshed out.
2. If you can’t find a bands CD in a store, you’re missing out on so much good music.
3. Anyone who uses the term ‘screamo’ for anything that doesn’t refer to bands like Orchid or Reversal Of Man should give up on life.
4. Black metal is awesome.
5. The new Glassjaw stuff and the new Thursday is better than anything they’ve ever done.
6. Downloading isn’t bad. Must underground bands are actually for it for one reason or another. Especially if the band is already giving it away for free, I don’t understand the big deal.
7. I assume you don’t listen to any ‘cookie cutter’ Iron Maiden-ish bands?
i haven’t heard the new radiohead cd either, but one music video and you’re not even gonna give it a chance… but your a big fan with all the albums but the new one. kill yourself. you have no relevance on this site except to get shit on, and if thats your thing well then wlecome. allichs you have a new friend.
Sorry guys. I guess I’m not allowed to have an opinion. I still love old Glassjaw and will listen to the cds forever. And by the way, I love Ape Dos Mil. And no, when it comes to tradional metal, Iron Maiden is about the only band I listen to.
Wow acacia. I waste a lot of time on the internet and on various other things.
But reading youre posts rank up there with the worst of my time management. What in the hell is wrong with you? Stuck in the past and unable to evolve. What a glorious life you must have. Best to end it soon before you pass youre devolution around like a virus to the world.
Maybe I am a little stuck in the past and unable to evolve. Just a bored, broke, washed up musician with too much spare time. I’m just not big on the whole iTunes, iPods, downloading thing. Just my opinion though. I didnt mean to waste anybody’s time. I teach guitar and bass 5 days a week and just find ipods to be very unreliable. Half the time they don’t work properly. It’s much easier to learn songs from CD. I’m still a huge Glassjaw fan and I will give the new material another chance. I like mellow stuff like that. Sunny Day Real Estate and Silversun Pickups type stuff. But the ambient dub stuff has always taken me longer to get into. I just like The Bends era Radiohead so much better than the direction they seem to keep going in. Again, just opinion. So when I keep seeing bands going this way, I kinda lose interest. And losing a couple really big cd stores closing in my town, really upsets me. Some of my friends agree, some disagree. Everybody is entitled to opinions.
Again, didnt mean to be a downer, so I’m a little upset I can’t go buy the new Glassjaw cd…that’s all. I’ve been collecting them for over 20 years, cds, just a hobby of mine I see dieing.
I don’t really understand what the label has to do with releasing an album on your terms. I like full lengths rather than a mess of singles being spewed out whenever “it occurs”
I’m still and always will be pro-vinyl and cds. I only download stuff I already have that I’m too lazy to put on my ipod or stuff I don’t know that I want to hear first. It’s a shame when local record stores close. But when big places like Circuit City, Best Buy, FYE, etc. close, good. Fuck them.
‘metal, rock, alternative, melodic death metal, emo, screamo, metal-core, hair metal, etc. The only genre I don’t like if Indie and Black metal. So, I definitely don’t have limited musical taste.’
lmaooooooo
yes, you do. If everything you listen to falls under the category of ‘rock’, then you have very limited musical taste, no matter how ‘diverse’ your taste within rock music is.
@frog – Exactafuckinmundo.
And what the fuck is indie metal? Wait… don’t answer that.
I demand 10-12 fucking songs on a single release….right…now…Darryl. Do it. Do it. I need that commercial stability as a consumer. I don’t want to think outside the square damnit. Even make it self-titled if that’s easier for you. Go on…makethemoney. I got the $$$’s to spend. I’m good for it. Then world-tour the shit out of it. Repeat repeat repeat. What, no? You don’t do that? -It’s like Daryl is spilling some dark, mysterious unknown secret of a lost ancient tribe. We get it.
Haha, @surly. Suggesting a self-titled CD made that post.
“No, seriously! We titled this album after our band name because it represents us coming back together and getting back to our roots!”
Or… you just couldn’t think of anything better.
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