Following our the article we publish yesterday which told of Roadrunner Records apparent decision to shut down their UK and European offices, it now appears that staff at their all-important US offices could be losing their jobs too.
A lot more details have surfaced since rumours and news broke yesterday, and now Billboard have reported that label founder and CEO Cees Wessels has left the company – just a year and a half after the label was sold to Warner Music Group. Since then, it seems their new owners have taken what has been described online as a 'bid to save money', and have let go around 36 staff across the world – with a potential 20 more on the way.
Devil Driver frontman Dez Fafara has fuelled the rumours of the US offices losing staff and posted on his official Twitter page: “Thoughts with RR USA and to All who are Losing their Jobs...”
Fafara went on to suggest that the band's may be affected by the news, and replied to a Twitter user who asked 'does that mean that the bands signed to them are out of a label?' with the message: “Many shall be OUT.”
An official confirmation of what has gone on is expected from the company later today – so stay with Stereoboard for updates.
Arch Enemy vocalist Angela Gossow has become the latest start to comment on the news, and posted a message reading: “Metal fans stop buying music, they download it 'for free.' Labels dont make money with selling metal music anymore. Labels first cut down their offices and staff, then they will drop all the artists who don't sell CDs anymore. Metal bands are the first to go. It's a small niche compared to mainstream music.”
She continued: “Bands have no label support anymore, thus won't get any tour support, so they cannot go out and build a live profile / make a name as a good live band anymore. The only real income for a band these days. This results in lack of touring offers in general. Every time you rip music for free, you tick the 'I don't care if my fave band will die' box in a way. Think about it. Twice.”
We don't run any advertising! Our editorial content is solely funded by lovely people like yourself using Stereoboard's listings when buying tickets for live events. To keep supporting us, next time you're looking for concert, festival, sport or theatre tickets, please search for "Stereoboard". It costs you nothing, you may find a better price than the usual outlets, and save yourself from waiting in an endless queue on Friday mornings as we list ALL available sellers!
