I'm complaining that he's a twat for 'marketing' and trying to 'sell' something he doesn't have. It's not just a 'box'. It's what that box represents.
He's trying to fool people that he's using a real Mellotron, that he maybe tracked one down, maybe bought it, maybe repaired it, and is using the sounds in the music - and maybe supporting the good ole' Mellotron companies ---- none of which is true.
So it's somewhere between a laugh and an insult to those of us who did track down Mellotrons, spend tons of money on them, took the time to restore them, and basically give them new lives. A real Mellotron is a sacrifice of time, money, diligence, etc.
We've earned our battle scars and whatever pats on the back might go with that.
This guy has 'battle scar tattoos' . He's merely another form of poseur.
He's not supporting Markus or Streetly. If he was, there'd be nothing to complain about because the money he spent on the samples from them is going to a good cause - which is keeping the real machines alive.
But he hasn't, and he probably won't.
Why is he doing it? He's doing it for hipster cred; because he thinks it will make him and his band cool.
But they aren't. Because dishonesty is not cool.
So if this action is 'suspect', then how do you believe in their music? album credits? studio musicianship?
Where is their credibility? How do you trust them? How do you believe in them as a band?
Maybe you can't. And if you really can't trust in them, or believe in them, you forget them, and find something you can believe in.
And if you do like their music, you probably download it for free (because how can you feel bad about not paying someone who is dishonest with you to begin with?)
And you save your money for albums by bands you can believe in, bands you can be happy and comfortable listening to.
Because you're not just buying music - you're buying into a belief system about the musicians themselves.
The Beatles are the probably the best example of this.
Everyone wants to see the hard worker succeed, and the cheater fail.
So for me this is a definition of 'tasteless' . It wouldn't be if he was using actual Mellotron sounds.
But he isn't. He's the Mellotron Milli Vanilli, as are the prog bands Mike refers to.
And it's a fatal public relations mistake for those in the know.
I mentioned the word 'professional', but I meant a band that has standards for it's music, image, art etc and wouldn't resort to this stunt.
I wasn't necessarily referring to bands signed to labels - which are basically somewhat corrupt to begin with.
I meant that their day to day operations are consistently professional, honest and reliable - basically trying to do all the right things with good intentions.
No one is perfect, but there are some important shades of grey between black and white.
As far as the reference to the Musicians Union - the Mellotron never could replace an orchestra, just as a sampler with digital Mellotron sounds - never can replace a Mellotron - certainly not in a recording environment. You can't really argue against the laws of physics. I even can't make my two M400's sound like the Wakeman MK V.
Why do orchestras still use grand pianos on stage? We don't 'need' them.
Why do guitarists still use guitars? All the sounds are available from a triggered MIDI guitar.
Because it's not just about the sound. It's about the physical nature of playing something.
Still, I don't fault anyone for their choice of where they get their Mellotron sounds. If I knew my Mellotron was going to be subjected to severe risks during a live concert, then of course I would choose a Memotron or M4000D. They're reliable, can handle the rigors of a concert and can be replaced easily. An M400? Not so. Not always.
Yes, the Musicians Union objected to the Mellotron and Chamberlin because they thought it would put musicians out of work.
Is this comparable here?
Not really. The Mellotron and Chamberlin actually provided employment for these same musicians to record the tapes.
The Musicians Unions in the USA were even happy to be paid their wages when a Chamberlin was used in a major studio or on stage in an expensive lounge. They didn't even have to show up for work. Those guys were laughing all the way to bank. And I'm sure the London Symphony made a fortune recording the Birotron sounds for 3 or 4 years.
So this is different. I object to this because of the dishonesty factor. Because it's about a machine that has bordered on extinction for the last 20 years and has taken the efforts of several people around the world to prevent that from happening.
And it has cost them precious time, money, friendships, business partnerships, their health, a job, a marriage. The stakes have been higher. People are oblivious and insensitive to that.
If this guy knew all that, maybe he wouldn't ponce around with his cabinet.
Most people here who have a Mellotron also have a story of untold sacrifice, and effort, and they deserve recognition for those efforts. They deserve the recognition for making a small but quality difference.
Not some hipster/poseur who has done nothing and achieved nothing related to it.
At the end of the day, I don't really care that this guy is doing what he's doing. He's just another schmuck trying to make a dollar using the PT Barnum method. It doesn't cause me any direct harm.
I'm uh..."happy with what I have to be happy with"
But I'm also happy not be his customer. I won't be buying this bands CD's or seeing their concerts.
I like the music, but in light of everything I know about Mellotrons, I don't believe in what the keyboard player stands for. It doesn't feel right. I can't respect him. So I don't invest in it.
I'd rather give my money for a CD or album by one of you guys. I don't have to question that your efforts are genuine, well intentioned and authentic.
