The Black Keys Fan Lounge Forum

Yeah rollercoaster, it's me.

And I stick by my statement. I got mad love for the band and their work but since they shutdown their message board I don't think they (or their management) should have any say over what we post here - links or otherwise. If we link to a file that is infringing on a copyright, then they have every right to go after the source of the copyright infringment. I just don't think they should get to say shit to me or any of you about it. Like I said, they waived their right to control when they shut down their message board.

Brucini, does Patrick or Dan or their "entourage" pay you for your time and work done on this here board? I'm guessing the answer is no. And if the answer is no, why should they get to control anything that goes on here? If they want to be dicks and shut us down, so be it. I doubt they would do that though.

I love their music but I don't think that means we have to kiss their asses. In the same way- just because we like their music doesn't mean they owe us anything or need to kiss our asses either.

to answer a few questions that have been posted in this thread:

do i get paid for my time on this blog/forum by the black keys?
nope.

do the black keys or their 'entourage' control what's posted here?
nope.

did i agree to their request to remove the download link
yes.

surely they control what's posted then?
nope. it was removed when they advised the were releasing it to myspace. in this case I agreed to remove.

if a fan on the forum asks for something to be removed and I agree, am I controlled by the fan?
nope.

do i think fans are 'pushed' to create downloads when the song is not available to buy or stream?
yes.

would you have allowed the link to be there if the song was on myspace before the link was posted?
nope.

is it ok to post links to songs that can bought or stream in future?
nope.

but surely the black keys record label is big and rich and that makes it ok?
nope. was it ok when they were on a small 'cool' label and had no money? nope.

but if a download is posted to the forum, people on the forum will still go and buy merchandise, go to the shows?
probably. but that doesn't mean you should promote a free download here to others who might not share your views.

should this forum be a place/platform where people can share any song you can buy?
nope.

but you can google and find downloads everywhere?
sure. go and download, your choice. but I'm still unconvinced setting up a website about the black keys and then promoting fans to download the songs for free makes sense.

can we discuss the songs we might have downloaded elsewhere?
of course.

but what about live recordings, can they linked and downloaded?
no problem - there are links like that on the forum

but what about rare tracks you can't buy?
no problem - there are links like that on the forum

but the black keys shut the forum attached to their website down and asked fans to set up their own forum/network elsewhere, so you should don't owe them anything?

they did. but i dont think they also said 'you like us so much, set up a forum and give away our music on our behalf'

did the black keys allow free downloads on their old forum?
from memory, nope.

did you just remove the download link to 'kiss ass' with the record company?
nope. it was removed for the above reasons.

am i in a tough spot: do i have to side with the band's 'talking heads' or those 'on the forum with a gripe'?
as ever, i can only make a call on what i see as right and fair to all fans and the band, now and in the future.

Do I value my freedom? - FUCK yes I do.

Do I think censorship is dangerous and wrong? - YES, I do.

I think Brucini is walking a very fine line between dictator and moderator. If it starts leaning more towards dictator, I'm outta here.

It's his board, it's his right to run it how ever he wants. I respect and appreciate that. Just as it's my right to change the channel if I don't like what's going down. I'm just saying (not a threat), and I don't think it should matter to any of you (it's not like I'm some bigshot around here), if things start to get all "ruley" and whatnot... I won't be a part of it.

Most of the folks on this board are just a bunch of kiss-ass fanboys anyhow. It's like I said, just because you like their music doesn't mean you have to kiss their asses all day - ask TheLengths, he's a good guy and speaks his mind. There are some cool people and you know who you are.

I was only here to help get things moving again because let's face it, a couple months ago, this forum was dead in the water (pretty sad). I'm glad I could help get it going again, but Brucini please ban me or remove my account or whatever you can do. I don't wish to be a part of this any longer.

I can be a fan without being involved in this forum. In fact, I prefer to. Wish you all the best. Peace.

I fully agree with dusty reeds. Get of your high horse and lighten up StingyBrim.

“When I said that I was king of forwards, you’ve got to understand that I don’t come up with this stuff. I just forward it along. You wouldn’t arrest a guy who was just passing drugs from one guy to another.”

hrm, that was interesting
for the record i think i've only ever removed that one download link from a post. and some spam emails.
i don't recall threatening anyone, removing or censoring posts.
do i believe moderation makes a good forum. for sure. i've always made that clear.
does that make me a dictator because by default moderation control rests with me?
i wouldn't have thought so since, as mentioned, i've hardly ever moderated.
do i think the forum should be focused on the band?
sure. but i recognise i've maybe been clumsy getting that view across in the past. i've taken peoples views on board.
it's everyone's house, i just had a hand in building it like you have, come and go as you please, just don't shit on it

can we get back to discussing the music now?