Gama Bomb: 'Music Should Be Free'

In the digital age, many artists have experimented with different forms of distribution. Radiohead's seventh studio album for instance, namely "In Rainbows", was released in October 2007 as a digital download where customers could order the full length for whatever price they felt reasonable. Nine Inch Nails, on the other hand, released thirty-six track instrumental album "Ghosts I-IV" free as a digital download in March 2008, following up that release two months later with "The Slip". Less commercially popular artists, however, are also indulging in such experimentation. Irish thrash act Gama Bomb, a stalwart amongst thrash's revival with the likes of Evile, Bonded By Blood, and Municipal Waste amongst others, made third album "Tales From The Grave In Space" freely available to download through www.earache.com, the official website for Gama Bomb's record label Earache.

"It happened very organically" says Gama Bomb frontman Philly Byrne of how the decision came to be. "One night, me and Joe (McGuigan) our bassist were having a bit of a chat, sitting about in his house with a cup of tea. We started saying "Yeah, we're gonna make another album", and "We're gonna make an album a year for a wee while. There was an album last year. We'll make one this year. It'll be more consistent, like the way bands used to be in the eighties". Releasing albums frequently is dying off a lot, so that was the first thing that we thought, that we would make one. Then we said "What if we give it away for free?". I don't really remember who said it first. We talked to the rest of the lads, and they said "Yeah, that's a good idea". We played a show in London, and Digby Pearson, who runs Earache Records, came along to the show. We spoke to him, and he said "Yeah, so you guys are talking about an album?". We said "Yeah, yeah. We want to give it away for free", and he just said "Yeah, good idea" (laughs), which was surprising."

Given Earache Records' penchant for off the wall decisions though, the most notable being the release of 1987 Napalm Death album 'Scum', was Pearson's reaction that much of a surprise?

"He has a history of doing things his way I suppose. It's not that alarming, really. They were waiting for a band who were willing to do it for some time, and obviously with the changing trends and all these things in music consumption, and music trends, it's actually quite a smart move for them to make. So yeah, it came about really organically, and it's just a reflection of how we've been listening to music. I've been downloading music for ages now, and I'm not paying for any of it. I don't think you should have to either. You should pay for gigs, you should pay for T-shirts, and for I don't know, thermal flasks with logos on them or whatever other rubbish you want, but music should be free. That's why the album is."

More cynical quarters might simply dismiss Gama Bomb's decision to issue 'Tales From the Grave In Space' as a ploy to encourage more concert ticket sales, though Byrne stresses this wasn't a factor in the group's decision.

"T-shirts and gig sales, the money side, weren't really what motivated us. Obviously, money does smooth the way and you keep doing what you're doing for longer. If there was no money, you'd be back home in a month. The Earache stance on it was that if we made our CD available in the traditional way, it'd only sell X thousand number of copies, and that'd only generate this much of a return. If we took a gamble though, and said "This is for free", it might generate more interest, and make more of a return in the long term. Our interest in giving it away for free was to draw people in, to get more fans, and to get our songs out there so that we could play bigger gigs, play better tours, meet more people, play more shows, and have more fans. That's the be all, and end all - just to enjoy the music with other people really. I think it is actually working right now. The first day the album was on release, we got six thousand downloads from the Earache site, and that's a significant number. Yeah, I think it's working - our shows are better attended and everything already."

As mentioned, embracing newer methods of distribution is something commonly associated with Nine Inch Nails and Radiohead. In reality however, Gama Bomb have little in common with either, finances being the major difference. Surely digitally distributing 'Tales From the Grave In Space' must've been a riskier decision by comparison?

"There's two big differences. One, they're not on a record label and we are, and two, they're all fucking minted. There's five million people who are insanely into Radiohead, me included, who want to have the album, whether it be for free, or paying a quid or whatever (laughs). That's the difference. There is a bigger risk involved, because we're on a label, and it's some guy's money we're spending. But then again, it may be the best use of that money, rather than just another CD. It's worth the risk."

To digitally distribute 'Tales From the Grave In Space', Earache Records has partnered with RapidShare, one of the world's largest file-hosting websites.

"We're delighted with RapidShare" Philly enthuses. "RapidShare are our friends in downloading; if you want to get an album, just go onto RapidShare, and get your link. We're very happy to partner with RapidShare, because as I say, we're very familiar with their service. It's a goodwill gesture, and that's what the album is all about. There's other people who are making that gesture too. In December, Metal Hammer are gonna give away our album for free as a CD, which has never been done before to my knowledge. They're paying to print up all the CDs - they're printing an X number, thousands of pounds worth, and giving it away for nothing, because they understand the gesture is worth making. It's really cool to see that."

Read the entire Robert Gray's interview at DottedMusic.com.

Comments

[TheBassment]

cool stuff.

[Menza_]

That album is actually amazing I recommend everyone checks it out!

[oldschoolthrash]

Menza_ wrote:

That album is actually amazing I recommend everyone checks it out!

I agree, its surprising how good of an album such a new band can put out.

[irontremelo]

Now thats what Thrash is all about

[Crozmo]

Fuck yes Gama Bomb

[slorggetti]

oldschoolthrash wrote:

Menza_ wrote:

That album is actually amazing I recommend everyone checks it out!

I agree, its surprising how good of an album such a new band can put out.

I don't get how that's surprising... It happens all the time

[jeowy]

absolutely HUGE respect for these guys

[metal overlord]

It's free, sure, but for this i'd throw a wad of cash at them. They deserve the money.
Plus, the only downside to this is you don't get an actual CD.

[MorbidBrain]

amazing and good to see that they know what they are doing ... finally someone who understands music ^^

[FearOfTheDuck]

Good album, it was a great idea

[shmbluh12]

They aren't that new really...

[AngryGoldfish]

They sound like bang-on dudes.

[Grave Robber]

My friends band plays alot with Gama Bomb. Check em out their called Visceral Attack!

[korinaflyingv]

respect. gonna go download it now.

[strat07]

these guys are awesome and great musicians!

I'M THE HELL TRUCKEEER!

[trivium036]

I downloaded a week or two ago, it's really good, in the same league as municipal waste.

And good to see some of my belfast bretheren spreading the metal

Wasn't too keen on their last one, but since it's free I guess I'll give it a go.

Checked.

[Vermintide]

It's great that a lot of bands are doing stuff like this nowadays, although I don't see why Gama Bomb deserve particular attention for it.

Hospital Of Death have ALWAYS released their music for free, and for what it's worth I'd far rather pay for their music than I would Gama Bomb's. It's a fantastic kind of speed/thrash, kind of like Judas Priest on crack. I heartily reccomend you all give them a listen.

[evilotto77]

UG quite often does mini-profiles on some pretty crap new bands... they've made up for that this time!!
Gama Bomb are one of the best new bands I've heard in ages

[isabiggles]

Did anyone rage when they saw Rapidshit? lol

[Legendaryhero7]

All these guy's song's sound the same =/
I mean it's alright but common

[david_safc]

One problem. How can bands afford to make high quality recordings in top end studios when they're giving their cd's away for free?

[jthm_guitarist]

Vermintide wrote:
It's great that a lot of bands are doing stuff like this nowadays, although I don't see why Gama Bomb deserve particular attention for it.

Hospital Of Death have ALWAYS released their music for free, and for what it's worth I'd far rather pay for their music than I would Gama Bomb's. It's a fantastic kind of speed/thrash, kind of like Judas Priest on crack. I heartily reccomend you all give them a listen.

Gama Bomb are signed and HoD (great band) aren't.

[Guitar_Dan_666]

"Plus, the only downside to this is you don't get an actual CD."

I think that if you want an actual CD you should have to pay for it, But I do think that there should be a digital copy of the music that should be available to everyone for free.

[xdan666x]

is a seriously good album!!

[ShredHead396]

Hell yes, Gama Bomb are a good band and i'm listening to bullet belt right now, i think they should release CD's and let it be free digitally, but then a lot of people wouldn't order CD's.

I hate people, then again, i can't afford to buy CD's otherwise i would

[ippystratman]

metal overlord wrote:

It's free, sure, but for this i'd throw a wad of cash at them. They deserve the money.
Plus, the only downside to this is you don't get an actual CD.

hehe im like the only kid i know who actually buys CDs not just download em. i dont know why i just lke actually having the music not just having it on computer. hmm i might just check these guys out anyway

[Rimfrost]

I like the fact that they give it away for free, but i´ll take a physically released album any day, even if i have to pay a couple of bucks for it

[AngelWolf]

i only download to see if i like an album.. then i go and buy it when i get money spare for it. if i dont like ill delete it. i prefer having the copy of the disk in my hand.. that way if the computer fails i have still got it.. plus the artwork pictures history and stories in the little book and shit you dont get with a digital copy.

[forstringwonder]

my view on this issue:

digital form of the music for free
bands should make money off of cd's, merch and tickets

[silent caution]

you know what,so many people are saying give the music a listen..and thats what im gonna do

[RUIN717]

just downloaded the album, good old school thrash, excellent stuff

[Robert Gray]

Rimfrost wrote:

I like the fact that they give it away for free, but i´ll take a physically released album any day, even if i have to pay a couple of bucks for it

Well, the album is being physically issued in February along with an EP's worth of exclusive songs, as an incentive to buy the disc. So my advice would be to download the album for free, and if you like, just buy it physically when it comes out.

[benx3000]

Meh. I would've just pirated it anyway.

[Flibo]

It wasn't that bad actually! Especially for a new band, but it could've sounded a bit heavier (as in more distortion) :/

[jonny108]

im reaaaaaly surprised their label wouldnt go crazy..
i d buy more cd's if the money was used on helping new bands or to the actual bandd.. Now, 90% of the money i pay goes to some talentless guys in suits who "make management" of the all recording process... w\e..
Nonetheless, this is good news, but doubtly a start of any revolution.. A great, (probably mainstream) album needs to be done like this.. So the whole label\market scenario changes.. XD Its sad, but its only way i see this hapenning as a really massive thing..

[chaoticfables]

Very nice band.

[loaded_]

i saw these guys live a few months ago, i was very impressed

[Zeppelin Addict]

never heard of em before but i wish i heard of their attitudes in other groups.. this is fantastic, exactly what its about. if all groups did this we wouldnt have problems with the corporate world infecting the music industry..

kinda ingenius to.. what better way to get exposure then to give away your music? frees a price nobody's ever had a problem with

[k90728]

Me likes thrash alot

[Ali-b912]

oldschoolthrash wrote:

Menza_ wrote:

That album is actually amazing I recommend everyone checks it out!

I agree, its surprising how good of an album such a new band can put out.

It's free, so there's no reason not too. I've never listened to them, but an album like this will likely get me into them, and then their old stuff too, so it's a good idea really.

[pwrmax]

Still can't beat seeing a stack of CDs on my desk every day.

[ZombieDuck]

Um, if you had to pay for CDs but not to download, CDs wouldn't exist in five years. I mean really, no one would pay $10 dollars when you could just get on the internet and click a button. I love CDs, but I'm broke as it gets; internet downloading seems to be the way of the future, for better or for worse.

[EpiExplorer]

Eh, thrash is thrash.. no real differentiation between todays bands. Gama Bombs album was fun though.. even if the wierd Game noises were badly placed.

[Uranutan]

ZombieDuck wrote:

Um, if you had to pay for CDs but not to download, CDs wouldn't exist in five years. I mean really, no one would pay $10 dollars when you could just get on the internet and click a button. I love CDs, but I'm broke as it gets; internet downloading seems to be the way of the future, for better or for worse.

Newflash: You can download music for free, and you have been able to for at least ten years now. And CDs still exist. What does that tell you?

[vanhalen241]

dont get me wrong. i appreciate the whole concept of "free music" it makes sense to a degree. but you have to consider, what youre doing costs a ton of money and youve got yourselves to think about. so i cant complain if people charge money for music. theyve gotta consider their own well-beings. it just makes sense

[Uranutan]

david_safc wrote:

One problem. How can bands afford to make high quality recordings in top end studios when they're giving their cd's away for free?

Why do they need to? You don't need top notch recording quality to make great music.

[niel9802]

thrash will rise again! i can feel it!

[GisleAune]

I respect everythin said in this article, except for that rapid$hare part. Rapidshare are fast for those4 who pay for it.

[SOADrox429]

I haven't heard much from this band, but what I have heard is great. This is a pretty interesting thing to do, especially for a band that doesn't already have a huge following like Radiohead or NIN did when they did this.

[BassFishin]

slorggetti wrote:

oldschoolthrash wrote:

Menza_ wrote:

That album is actually amazing I recommend everyone checks it out!

I agree, its surprising how good of an album such a new band can put out.
I don't get how that's surprising... It happens all the time

Not ALL the time. New bands put out crap way more often than they do good material.

[BassFishin]

Oh and on that note...this album is AWESOME!

As many others said, if you haven't already, i highly recommend you give this album a download.

[david_safc]

Uranutan wrote:
Why do they need to? You don't need top notch recording quality to make great music.

Yeah but no matter what you do with home recording, you won't come close to the quality you can get at top end studios, would stepping back in quality really be good for music as a whole? There's also the fact that most artists would not know how to engineer an album at a high standard and therefore would be very limited in music creation.

[Slashness]

trivium036 wrote:

I downloaded a week or two ago, it's really good, in the same league as municipal waste.

That's not a very nice thing to say

[pistols]

fair enough for him to release an album for free, but to say that he illegally downloads everything? not everyone has the same opinion as him, and a lot of bands die out because of a lack of money, in many cases due to illegal downloading.

in rainbows'd

checked

[BriGuy7727]

Just listened to the album. Every single song sounds IDENTICAL to each other. It's good stuff, but vary it up a little bit!

[Kalvinise]

i know paul from this band , the drummer , got pissed with him last night gave me a gama bomb hoody , fantastic new uprising irish thrash metal band

[GisleAune]

BriGuy7727 wrote:

Just listened to the album. Every single song sounds IDENTICAL to each other. It's good stuff, but vary it up a little bit!

ig.ig.ig.ig.ignorance.

I listened too and i don't even listen to thrash metal and i disagree with you.