VICTORY ARTISTS AREN’T THE ONLY ONES WHO HATE TONY BRUMMEL
Thursday, August 13th, 2009 at 4:00pm by Axl Rosenberg
That Victory Records’ head honcho, Tony Brummel, is a scum bag isn’t news. But usually the man only makes enemies with young bands that don’t realize they’re about to take an eyeful of Brummel’s spunk. Now he’s fighting with other record label-types.
From our friend Bram Teitelman at Metal Insider:
Pitchfork reports that Matador [label for bands such as Belle & Sebastian and Cat Power] co-owner Gerard Cosley has been making fun of Victory owner Tony Brummel on the label’s blog for some time now, calling him out for his sketchy business practices and even making an image of Victory’s bulldog logo getting humped with the words “Fuck Victory.” Earlier this week, Cosley’s home burned to the ground, and he got an e-mail from either Brummel or someone claiming to be Brummel with the image of the Victory bulldog getting humped and the word “KARMA.”
“I’ve got to admit, I had previously underestimated Brummel,” Cosley wrote. “Not only would I have bet real money he couldn’t spell karma is you spotted him the K-A-R, but he’s even capable of attaching a .gif all by himself. But here’s the serious conclusion you can take away from the ill-advised attempt at a rejoinder; Brummel considers my watching my home and possessions turned to ashes karmic payoff for… criticism of his record label? An innocent pet burning to death is acceptable payback for mocking his dopey-as-fuck records, ads, and business practices?”
Brummel has since admitted that he wrote the e-mail, and stood up for his right to do so:
“I do not know and have never spoken to Gerard Cosloy or anyone at Matador. I have never said anything derogatory about the label (that he is part owner of along with the company being 50% owned by Martin Mills at Beggars Banquet), its bands or anyone that works there. However, over the last several years Cosloy has gone out of his way to take shots at me (via his blog), my company and my artists. He even took the time to create his own rendition of our logo (his rendition has two male bulldogs having sex). If standing up for my company and my artists is wrong to some people that is too bad. It is my job and obligation. I do not have the time or desire to hurt Cosloy, his company or artists. I am not happy that he lost his home but his immature, snide and unwarranted actions are bad karma. ‘If you don’t have anything nice to say (especially about someone that you do not know), don’t say anything at all.’ He should focus on his company and artists instead of blogging. The man is at least 8 years older than me. As a man, why not ‘man up’ and pick up the phone if you have a problem with someone? I am an easy guy to find. Regardless of his juvenile ramblings I wish him and his company the best of luck.”
Geez. I’m feeling kinda torn about this. On the one hand, I am clearly just the kind of prick who would laugh if an enemy’s house burned down; on the other hand, I’d like to think that my enemies did something more offensive than just make fun of me on a blog. Balls666 and Ziltoid might irritate me from time to time, but they amuse me just as much, and even if Balls666 does claim to want to “drive a railroad spike into [my] fucking jugular,” I don’t wish the guy nut cancer or anything.
In conclusion: I’m scoring this one for Cosley. Not because I’m a Cat Power fan or anything, but just because, y’know, he’s not Tony Brummel.
-AR
thats funny that tony victory would bash another band claiming he stands up for his company and his artists. what a fucking joke. that mad is the epitome of whats wrong with hardcore.
another label*
Absolutely. Cosloy criticized Tony Victory’s business practices, and Brummel strikes back with a fucking personal email? That’s low, low shit.
Low class move…then again, like you said…we’re talking about Tony Brummel.
it’s not that Cosley wants to address Brummel’s personal conduct, so to ‘man-up and pick up the phone’ would be pointless. Cosley’s comments are both a public service (stay far from Victory) and p.r. for the indie recording establishment (not all label heads are like Brummel).
so it’s brummel who should suck it up and publicly address the meaning of Cosley’s — and the world’s — comments.
excellent observation
you too
this is a really interesting read regarding brummel and how he handles his lable. very much worth the read.
http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vdGhldHJjLm5ldC92aWN0b3J5Lmh0bWw=
Interesting read indeed – thanks for posting
not a problem dude. gives some really interesting insight into mr victory.
I believe that you forgot to tag me. I play a vital role in this article, as you can see my name mentioned in it.
And Axl, know that I wish no harm upon you or anyone else I criticize on this site. I may hate lots of the shitty music posted here, but wishing harm upon people over music is retarded.
And Brummel is a piece of shit. Hell, he helped unleash Emmure to the world. Enough said.
lol, Emmure fucking sucks
pretty much
Yeah, Brummel “Stands” up for his “artists”…but does he ever fuckin pay them?
I’m pretty sure there aren’t any bands on Victory worth caring about.
Between the buried and me is worth caring about.
i wonder, why darkest hour is still on victory
Darkest Hour as of completing this cd are not i believe
I am undecided about Between The Buried And Me, I have heard several songs from them that I thought I might really like, but then I saw them at Progressive Nation last year and they just sucked.
It might be that they sound a little too core-ish to me.
you are a fucking moron. btbam is an amazing band life
Agreed about Between The Buried And Me, and the With Blood Comes Cleansing record that was released on Victory was good fun to listen to. However, Victory is full of Emmures, Hawthorne Heights, and A Day To Remembers, so BTBAM does not quite redeem the label. Also, After The Great Misdirect drops, BTBAM’s contract is fulfilled, and I highly doubt that they will renew.
If both labels closed it would be for the best. But what does Matador dude even care for. Obviously Victory is successful (bigger than Matador I would think and if that Beggars Banquet thing is true, Victory is more indepedent) so the owner can’t be that dumb. Why would he say he couldn’t spell ‘karma’? Who can’t spell that? He is just being antagonistic. I looked at the Matador back catalog…what a bunch of garbage. I am not defending Victory but they have had way better albums and acts over the years. I mean Matador lists Lou Reed as one of their artists? Bullshit, he had 1 live release on that label and a hundred on other labels but he’s ‘their act’? Strife, Snapcase, Earth Crisis…all better than Cat Power or Pavement. Victory might suck now but they were hardcore once. Matador has never been anything but indie hipsters.
Dude, cat power is way better than earth crisis.
Both labels are irrelevant.
Also, Victory’s success is simply a mask. All of the talented bands that aren’t “Fill-in-the-blankxCore” are more than likely going to leave Victory when all is said and done.
Indie Hipsters vs. Corrupt Scene Posturing Frosting-Cake-Core?
Both are set to fail.
Indie hipster is redundant. And also there’s little hipster anything to Matador, they’ve been an indie rock/90’s alternative label for years, before any of this dayglo viserXcore shit
Victory has put out some of the most important records in hardcore, no doubt…but get some perspective, we’re still only talking about hardcore! When the history of rock is written, nothing Victory has ever done will get mentioned…but Pavement will.
Notice how established bands never sign with Victory?
Like OTEP???
And looking back on the importance of Victory’s past is scattershot at best…Deadguy, Integrity, and Bloodlet have stood the test of time, ExC, Snapcase, and Strife definitely have not.
Regardless, Brummel is a douche gargler who should be burned at the stake!
Shortly after reading this earlier today I had my ipod on shuffle and Total Fucking Destruction- Kill Your Boss came on and my first thought is this has to be every victory employee/bands favorite song haha
A picture is worth a thousand words:
http://www.lanimilbus.com/scenerant/nowandthen.jpg
none of those shemales know who snapcase is.
I know nothing of this Tony Brummell character, all i know is there was an article done on him in Guitar World and he looked (and sounded) like a fucking ass clown. It definately cheapened that monthly experience. Anyway fuck any type of music that needs [Insert tag here]Core after it. If its got double bass drums, Bass, (preferably but not required) dual guitars- its goddamn metal.
lol Damn. I’ve been gone too long. I don’t even know who this Balls666 guy is. Or that Tony Brummel was causin’ such a ruckus. I gotta catch up.
considering that tony brummel will pretty much take the time to send you death threats in your email no matter who you are for talking shit about him, his business practices, the bands on his label or how he’s screwing them, it doesn’t surprise me that he’s trying to kick the dude when he’s down. frankly, it wouldn’t even surprise me if he paid someone to do it.
p.s: unsane released 3 albums on matador which automatically makes them better.