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News

Cracker’s F.U. To Neil Young

Yesterday the Huffington Post ran a story entitled “Neil Young: Piracy Is ‘The New Radio,’ Way To Get Your Music Heard.” This piece summarized Young’s talk at the D: Dive into Media conference from this past January. At that event Young spoke about digital music distribution and had this to say about piracy: “It doesn’t affect me because I look at the internet as the new radio. I look at the radio as gone … Piracy is the new radio. That’s how music gets around … That’s the radio. If you really want to hear it, let’s make it available, let them hear it, let them hear the 95 percent of it.”

Cracker’s Johnny Hickman had this to say in response: “Fuck you Neil Young. I love most of your music (some of it sucks ass) that you made millions upon millions of dollars on….you own property all over the world, have 50 antique gas guzzling cars and a full recording studio….you have no sa
y in the matter NOW you rich, greedy old asshole. We hundredaire working class musicians DO!”

His bandmate David Lowery has long been unspoken on the challenges for artists in the current environment.

Hickman’s latest solo album is entitled Tilting (and that Don Quixote reference certainly is applicable here).

Comments

There are 15 comments associated with this post

TM September 20, 2012, 17:14:35

I wonder how many of you clowns would like to work on your craft and not get paid for it. Chances are that all of you would be whining a lot louder than Cracker. In fact, chances are that most you don’t know what work is and don’t want to admit that getting something for free that is supposed to be paid for IS STEALING.

Scott September 18, 2012, 09:59:55

Maybe if Cracker made music worth buying, they wouldn’t be so bitter.

Steven Johnson September 18, 2012, 10:37:28

Well, Cracker will get their 5 minutes if Fame by attacking Neil Young. But the truth is they just don’t get it. I wouldn’t advocate stealing music to anyone, but freely distributing music that you control over the internet is the new radio, as Neil puts it. It’s how Fans discover you and if your music is worth buying, they will buy.

steve b September 18, 2012, 10:49:53

sounds like a spoiled rich cracker…

coogles September 18, 2012, 11:28:04

Cracker sucks, Neil rocks! Sounds like Cracker is greedy, I know lots of musicians who would love to be in your shoes.

Jimbo September 18, 2012, 11:19:17

Hey fuck you Johnny Hickman. Neil Young is God.

KM September 18, 2012, 12:34:58

Gee whiz, I forget that Cracker even existed. When they last sell an LP, 20 years ago? Those of us who are unable to secure a career as musicians get normal day jobs to pay the bills. Sorry man; not all of us can be Neil.

another music lover September 18, 2012, 12:45:13

Fact: If you release music in a digital format you have given it to the world. Solution: Don’t suck and play more live shows.

DK September 18, 2012, 15:08:33

Cracker. Give me a break. Neil is dead on correct about the state of industry. I didn’t know that Crackhead was even around anymore. Bitter one hit wonders dissing one of the most wonderful prolific songwriters of all time.

Ken Clark September 18, 2012, 16:30:35

I thought Cracker had died. One hit wonders who you can get to play at a Shakeys pizza parlor for $300. Bitter, heh? Neil Young has more talent in his little finger nail than your ha-s been band. If anyone on earth understands the music business, it’s Neil Young, Fuck you Crackhead!

Sean September 18, 2012, 19:23:12

the only asshole here is Hickman

toby e. September 19, 2012, 15:42:22

The issue is NOT piracy, its about owning up to one’s behavior and taking resposibility for it. This isn’t about opinions, it’s about character or lack thereof. For the same reasons I would not belong to or associate with any hate groups, i will not associate with a group that subcribes to or tolerates hate.

Eric Stowe September 19, 2012, 23:58:48

If only John Hickmans dad had acknowledged what a stylin Hacky-Sack ‘artist’ he is ——maybe he would not be known throughout the inland Empire as the dude that always makes the bus late!!...(occupy a library….)

PM September 28, 2012, 12:52:59

Neil is right. i have personally discovered so much music i would NEVER had the chance to hear both new and old, i also go to many live shows from artists i discovered due to music i DOWNLOADED FOR FREE. I mean really where are you going to hear Soulive or Anders Osbourne

ELNIGGERO March 15, 2013, 21:23:33

FUCK YOU NEIL YOUNG. YOU TOLD ME TO GET OFF THOSE TOWERS MUMBLING SOME NIGGER SHIT ABOUT EXTRA WEIGHT NIGGER FUCK YOU. FUCK YOU NIEL YUNG I AINT EVEN SPELLIN UR NAME RIGHT KEKEKEKEKEKE NIGGERFAGGOT