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Lookout! downsizes, scales back plans for the future

Posted by aubin on Monday, August 1, 2005 at 6:48 PM (EDT)

Due to concerns over unpaid royalties, Green Day has pulled their catalog from Lookout!. The long-running Berkeley-based label played host to both 1,039/Smoothed Out Slappy Hours and Kerplunk! for the past decade, and also reissued a remastered version of the former last year.

As a result, six of the nine employees at the label have been laid off. Label president Chris Appelgren spoke to Punknews.org about the future for the label, explaining that despite the setback, Lookout! will continue, albeit in a scaled back form. Currently, no new releases are scheduled beyond the label DVD/CD samplers expected in September, with a focus on catalog titles after that. In 2006, Appelgren hopes to resume recording and producing new records.

The Berkeley-based staple boasts a catalog which includes seminal material from Operation Ivy, The Queers, Mr.T.Experience and many others. The label has also recently issued material from Ted Leo and the Pharmacists including 2004's Shake the Sheets, the final self-titled full length from Engine Down and Troubled Hubble's Making Beds in a Burning House.

Green Day's most recent release American Idiot earned the band a Grammy Award and has proved to be their biggest album since 1994's breakout Dookie.

Update: It bears mentioning that Green Day is not the first band to move its catalog. Other recent acts to do the same include Avail, Screeching Weasel, Riverdales, Lillingtons and Enemy You.

Lookout Records (461 comments)

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not responsible for them in any way. Seriously.

Someone (August 1, 2005)

thats stupid.

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Someone (August 2, 2005)

I don't blame them if Lookout wasn't holding up it's part of the contract. Green Day would be stupid if they let Lookout not pay the agreed upon royalties. Green Day was doing Lookout a favor in the first place by letting them keep these albums after they switched labels. Lookout was doing very bad business and hurting themselves by not sticking to the contract.

Someone (August 1, 2005)

that was pretty dick.

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Someone (December 7, 2005)

A CONTRACT IS A CONTRACT. Any signed musician will tell you that if Green Day hadn't held up their side...There'd be NO AMERICAN IDIOT right now...or even Dookie. I'm the biggest Green Day fan I know. But I'm also a musician. And when you're on the road selling albums and going broke/hungry....you earn your dues. Lookout didn't hold up their end. Plain and simple. Yay for Green Day creating an example so other bands won't get in trouble.

Someone (August 1, 2005)

that's pretty awful to do that to the label that made you what you are. fuck green day.

21+ Replies

pastepunk (August 1, 2005)

yea... another idiot w/ no clue about what they're talking about...

CrookedSuperhero (August 1, 2005)

Much like nearly everyone else in the few hundred comments that are coming.

StevePantalones (August 1, 2005)

haha yup! It's kind of like CBGBs...too greedy to pay the bills and its finally catching up

rkl (August 1, 2005)

yeah, i dont care for green day musically, but unpaid royalties are unpaid royalties.

Someone (August 1, 2005)

i believe Larry Livermore, the guy who started Lookout!, has not been involved with the label for a few years. the unpaid royalties problem seems to have started after he split. in other words, green day doesn't owe lookout shit

Someone (August 2, 2005)

you're right. he retired in 1997. There was also a co-founder, David Hayes who left lookout in 1987.

Someone (August 2, 2005)

God bless lawrence livermooooooore!

Someone (August 2, 2005)

fuck u not green day

Someone (August 2, 2005)

Whoever said fuck green day they can go fuck themselvels

Someone (August 2, 2005)

green day sucks, deal with it

Someone (August 2, 2005)

yeah, theres no reason to say fuck greenday...they don't deserve it....right back atcha whoever said that!

Someone (August 2, 2005)

Fuck Green Day? Fuck You!

Someone (August 2, 2005)

Yeah it may be stupid and stuff but green day can do what they want. They r fuckin green day. They can do what the fuck they want its their life and no one else's so all of u ppl deal with the fact.

Someone (August 3, 2005)

fuckin right

Someone (August 3, 2005)

no, not fuck green day.... stupid or not, it was their choice..... (i love green day)

Someone (August 3, 2005)

lookout! didnt make green day who they are......... did you not watch Driven... dont be a dumbass!!! the Founder of lookout! that signed Green Day said "lookout! records wouldnt be anything with out green day." think about it.... how did lookout! get so big... green day was big before lookout! came along lookout! talked green day into makin a record with them.. green day had tons of other offers being thrown at them... maybe you should be watching Driven before you say shit about this... you dont even know whats going on!! PLEASE GROW UP!!!! -lindsay

Someone (August 3, 2005)

lalala my life revolves around an MTV show shut up whore

Someone (August 6, 2005)

I'm not justifying anyone saying "fuck greenday" but you shouldn't just say, "Watch DRIVEN (aka incredibley biased television series made with the sole purpose of selling advertising space and more records) and then you'll have the real story!" I mean, anyone can sit on a chair and say, "Well, this is how it is." But does that make it true? I was raised in Oakland California, saw Green Day, Rancid, AFI (to name some of the top sellers now) when I was only 8, 9, 10 years old... etc... My friends older brother is Mike, my friend lived next door to Billie (who let him skate in his driveway), and Tre and places like Gilman are still putting on shows without help from the big guys who they helped promote. I was there, in the thick of it, since I was a little kid with I LOVE GREEN DAY drawings on my moms fridge done up in all green crayolas. So, anyone who says "WATCH DR

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Someone (August 3, 2005)

what the hell is wrong with Lookout!

Someone (August 8, 2005)

Fuck you for saying that. Green Day had pretty good reasons to do what they did. I wonder what you'd do, were you in their position.

VivaLaJunkpile (July 28, 2006)

This is from the Lookout Records site. read it, then fuck off about saying shit about Green Day.

An Open Letter From Label Prez Chris Appelgren
By now most of you that visit the Lookout Records site are aware of something happening here at the label and I'd like to take this time to let you know a few things and really set the record straight if I can.

There are a lot of questions about the future of Lookout so I want to say the following. Lookout Records is not going under or closing up shop. We are however making some significant changes. After over 16 years of operating, Lookout has gotten to be quite an operation. We have a staff, a building, big shelves, desks, computers, shipping materials, fax machines and bunches of records and CDs laying around. That translates into a lot of expense every month and frankly we haven't been selling enoug

show rest of commentThis is from the Lookout Records site. read it, then fuck off about saying shit about Green Day.

An Open Letter From Label Prez Chris Appelgren
By now most of you that visit the Lookout Records site are aware of something happening here at the label and I'd like to take this time to let you know a few things and really set the record straight if I can.

There are a lot of questions about the future of Lookout so I want to say the following. Lookout Records is not going under or closing up shop. We are however making some significant changes. After over 16 years of operating, Lookout has gotten to be quite an operation. We have a staff, a building, big shelves, desks, computers, shipping materials, fax machines and bunches of records and CDs laying around. That translates into a lot of expense every month and frankly we haven't been selling enough records to cover all these costs. Top that with some of the bad business decisions we've made and you have an understanding of how we got to where we are.

Want examples? Without getting into specifics it was acquiring labels, maintaining our new release schedule, signing bands while not giving enough attention to financial concerns that were not going away. Bad decisions and poor judgement came into play - most strikingly in hoping that things would all somehow magically work out, that the shortcomings in operating income and the fact that our new bands were not selling as many records as we hoped would all somehow just turn out okay on their own if we just kept working hard and doing the best job we could.

Not all of our decisions were bad and we honestly tried to turn things around, enjoying some great successes too including some incredible releases and a great celebration of 15 years of business in 2003. But the bottom line didn't change despite modest upturns in our sales. My two partners often had a better sense of our problems than I did - I was the source of the naive hope in some of our internal discussions. I probably owe Cathy & Molly an apology for my problem-solving always relying on a big dose of pure luck. We got behind in payments as money that was due to artists was used to maintain our business or in some cases fund new releases. We were in touch with a good deal of our bands as this was happening - although not everyone - and many were understanding and willing to bear with us and this hopefully brief downturn in business, including Green Day.

But the downturn was not brief and as has been reported all over, Green Day has decided that they can't bear with us any longer and are taking control of their Lookout albums. They hung in there with us through thick and thin but now it's time to move on. It has not been a battle and, however insincere it may have seemed in the light of all the hubub, our statement about friendship, respect and trust between Lookout and Green Day is accurate. They're one of the greatest bands in the world and we had a relationship with them that lasted longer than many major labels deals do. That's something to be proud of even in the face of the truth that it could have continued had Lookout made some different decisions about our own business.

Coming to this decision and looking at what it meant was a huge wake-up call. I sat down with my two partners to assess what this would mean for Lookout and a few things were very clear. It was high time to make some hard decisions about how Lookout will exist in the future. It was also time for us to get to work on meeting our current and past due obligations before we take on any more. The changes we looked at were not because Lookout would no longer have Green Day's first two albums but had to happen because our business was not healthy. Green Day's decision was a result of our internal problems not a cause.

We looked long and hard at our situation and what we would need to do for Lookout to continue and build back up to a secure, solvent business. It was clear we had to let our staff go, relocate into a smaller office space and hold off on any new releases. We're a very small business and we had to start acting like it.

It is heartbreaking that the team that has been Lookout Records will no longer be here working with each other day to day. This is a good opportunity to say thank you to Tristin, Erin, Taggylee, Todd, Patrick, Lisa and Ben for all your time, energy and spirit. The contribution that each of you has made to this company is indelible and I appreciate the years you have given to Lookout Records - Todd and Erin over five years each; Tristin over eight; Patrick, something like fifteen - but each day that everyone of you was here means a lot. We weren't perfect but we worked hard because we cared about what we were doing and we pulled off some pretty incredible things along the way.

Things are going to change. In fact they have already started to. We're tightening our belts and getting to work to meet our obligations, do right by our bands and partners, our supporters and even our detractors. I've never particularly been good at taking advice but now more than ever I need to listen to my friends and peers and learn from my mistakes.

Thanks for reading, Chris

Someone (August 1, 2005)

3 employees? SELLOUTS.

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Someone (August 2, 2005)

3 too many to be punx !¬!!¬!¬!¬¬¬!!!"222343446576elev3nty

Someone (August 3, 2005)

best comment EV4R!!!! thanks for making me laugh

Someone (August 1, 2005)

If that is the true story, than Green Day can burn in hell

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MattRamone (August 1, 2005)

You're ignorant.

Someone (August 1, 2005)

agreed... people should look into shit like this before mouthing off. check out the vindictives, the queers, screeching weasel... see what they have to say about lookout royalties and their business ethics.

Someone (August 2, 2005)

I cant belive you lot they were stealing from green dayhow would u like it if someone stole from u and anyway i bought 1039/smoothed out slappy hours and kerplunk a couple of months ago so fuck u

Someone (August 2, 2005)

Punctuation! use it.

Someone (August 2, 2005)

how is that green day's fault? they stayed with lookout records for ten fucking year even though it was hurting them, finally they had enough and they left. it was admirable to stay with lookout for as long as they did, but it would have been stupid to stay any longer when it obviously wasnt doing its job.

Someone (August 2, 2005)

no, you can burn in hell!!! i'm sure they've accomplished more than you have and sometimes you have to do what u have to do retard...

Someone (August 2, 2005)

I think they did the only thing they could do and God bless them for sticking it out this long. I mean, my hubby & I make a decent living but if I went to work and they stopped paying me, I would quit so fast and sue those a**$%^es. It's kind of the same thing when you think about it. It doesn't matter how much you having in your savings account...you deserve to be paid for the work that you do. End of story.

Someone (August 3, 2005)

You know what you can burn in hell for all I care, so what you agree with lookout records your pretty fucked up in the head?! i am pretty sure all other green day fans agree with me when i say they don't need you! You are not a true green day fan I think you hide in your bedroom listening to brittney spears and your big collection of barney CD's but your just a poser!!!! SO STICK THAT UP YOUR ASS BITCH!!! P.S. (BURRRNNNNN!!!)

Someone (August 1, 2005)

Was there a Kerplunk issue? I got the one for 1039 but never saw one for Kerplunk. Oh, and this is crap.

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RightCliqificus (August 1, 2005)

no. there isn't a remastered version of kerplunk.... yet.. i heard talk of them doing that to it as well, but i doubt it will happen now.. at least under lookout.

Someone (August 1, 2005)

HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAA just because an album has politically sounding titles in it, and a concept album description in the liner notes doesn't MAKE IT A CONCEPT ALBUM you've been HAAAAAAAAAAAD. GREEN DAYS COMMODITY IS YOUR DISSENT ;) carpetbagging peoples jobs at a tiny indie label to squeeze a few dimes of royalties out of it :)

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Someone (August 1, 2005)

Do you know what 'commodity' means? Do you know what 'carpetbagging' means? You sound like a mother fucking reeeeeeeeeeetard.

Someone (August 2, 2005)

yes. obviously by the context i do.

Someone (August 2, 2005)

i think the phrase you were looking for is "commodify your dissent"

Someone (August 2, 2005)

Thank you Steve Ignorant.

Someone (August 4, 2005)

OH! A real live conspiracy theorist!

TheOneTrueBill (August 1, 2005)

da da dum dum dum Another one bites the dust da da dum dum dum Another one bites the dust. Wow, Lookout must have really shitty business practices. I'm sorry that they're going down the tubes because they've released some of my favorite music of all time, but you gotta do what you gotta do.

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Someone (August 4, 2005)

Well said.

CrookedSuperhero (August 1, 2005)

Has Ted Leo left yet? Oh, and i suspect it was more a moral thing that Green Day pulled there catalog. If they were being conned or at least believed they were, they probably didn't want to feel like they were letting Lookout get away with it.

Someone (August 1, 2005)

I'm not going to immediately rip on Green Day like some of you. Of course this article makes them sound like huge douches, but Lookout wasn't paying so I can't blame them for doing what's best for themselves...

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Aubin (August 1, 2005)

That wasn't my intention, was there anything in particular that made it seem like we were "blaming" Green Day? I ask because I read over the story a few times to make it as even handed as possible.

Dante3000 (rich) (August 1, 2005)

No the story is fine. People just see "Look Out! Downsizes" and read that Green Day pulled their catalog. So it must be their fault and they must be greedy assholes. I know I love it when my boss says he can't pay me this week because he hired more people, but if they work hard than the company will earn more money and then I'll finally get paid. -Dante

Someone (August 1, 2005)

yeah, the prostitution racket is like that sometimes.

Someone (August 2, 2005)

zing!

Someone (August 1, 2005)

Your items does seem to infer that Lookout! layed people off and their future is in doubt since Green Day pulled their catalog. If you are one to read between the lines like myself, You'd infer that it was Green Day's "fault." Yes, fault implies blame.

Aubin (August 1, 2005)

Based on my conversations with people at Lookout! the loss of the catalog was responsible for the layoffs. That part is not in dispute.

Someone (August 1, 2005)

Well, then Green Day IS to blame. You didn't "assign" blame, Lookout! apparently did.

RightCliqificus (August 1, 2005)

how is green day to blame if they weren't getting paid for something they were legally entitled to? lookout is clearly to blame. you have to trace everything back to the source before calling for blame. i agree that green is teh suck now, but that doesn't automatically make them wrong all the time.

Someone (August 2, 2005)

I was simply calling Aubin out, as he claims his item wasn't blaming GD. Well, someone did, and looks like it was Lookout.

Someone (August 2, 2005)

did you contact green day for comment/clarification?

rkl (August 1, 2005)

loathing for bj armstrong & co, aside, i dont feel the article blames green day. the problem here is that people just read the headline and click "comment," without reading the text. really, would you expect anything else?

swingline (August 1, 2005)

bj armstrong is such a great stripper/hooker name.

theownzenator (August 1, 2005)

"the problem here is that people just read the headline and click "comment," without reading the text" that is fucking hilarious.

Pacer (August 2, 2005)

I think it's fine up until the bit at the end about how good green day are doing. I mean, it's true and everything, but it's kinda like "Lookout are scaling back as green day pulled their stuff, the same green day that are freaken rolling in the cash". But i mean, that is the facts in a sense, so there's nothing you can do. Any other changes would be editorialising.

Icecreamwiththeenemy (August 2, 2005)

they are worth a lot of money. true.. it's unfair, but it they don't completely need it.. especially on those albums. not many people are buying them.. because they are mediocre. i was a mad green day fan a while back and i own everything, but i can still say that's completely shitty.

Bowen (August 2, 2005)

No, I'm gonna go with if they have to scale down their company and whatnot because of the lack of these royalties that they were keeping...sounds like alot of people are buying it and it was bringing them alot of revenue.

Someone (September 16, 2005)

Very nice site!

MattRamone (August 1, 2005)

What about a new Ted Leo record? I can't wait until 2006!

1+ Reply

Someone (August 2, 2005)

Hopefully, coming soon on a label other than Lookout... If Green Day wasn't getting paid, it's likely Ted Leo wasn't getting regular royalty check either. Plus, a label with a staff of three that had to lay off 6 people because of money problems won't be able to do the work to support an album of that caliber.

ThreeChordsAndTheTruth (August 1, 2005)

Fuck Green Day. I say that as a longtime fan of the band and someone who owns all their records besides American Idiot. Really, it's hardly like they need to fuck Lookout over for dollar, they must be rolling in it after all their MTV-shagging. If this kills Lookout I will be a sad man. We don't know the circumstances but I don't think it's fair of Green Day to do it this way.

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Pope_Skeletor (August 1, 2005)

Is it fair of Lookout to simply keep the profits from those albums? Especially given that they'rere probably substantially higher than they have been for years now that Green Day is a household name again.

Someone (August 1, 2005)

That is pretty flawed logic that Green Day should simply not worry about getting paid from their back catalog, since they are now "rolling in dough" to quote someone on this board. Look at it like this, your job lays you off, promising you a severance. You get a new job, making loads more than your last one. Would you simply "forget" about the severance you were promised, just because you are "rolling in dough" now? I didn't think so.

Someone (August 2, 2005)

actually, if i was living well and my previous employer had helped me attain that succes through experience or connections, I really wouldn't care. They helped me, hell, I don't need the money, hopefully the last employer helps someone else like me in the future.

Someone (August 2, 2005)

That is bullshit. Real life doesn't work that way. Well, for at least 99% of the people on planet earth. Congrads, 1%er.

Someone (August 1, 2005)

Totally agree. What the hell right did Lookout have for keeping all the $$$$ from those first 2 records? .Maybe that's not the reason they pulled them but seems like that to me.

ThreeChordsAndTheTruth (August 1, 2005)

Don't get me wrong, I agree, they should get their dues, but maybe they could have dealt with it less harshly. From what I know, Lookout is generally pretty good for its dealings, so it's not like they're some assholes who will fuck them over intentionally (I hope).

CrookedSuperhero (August 1, 2005)

I think you've heard wrong. This is just the latest in a long list of bands not happy with Lookout and have decided to pull their records.

the_other_scott (August 1, 2005)

why would you own every green day record except for the new one the first 2 are ok, kind of overrated in my eyes (ears?), dookie is an undeniably killer album (it's punk-ness is another question), the 2 (3?) after dookie were fucking garbage and american idiot is good but overrated sorry to rant

RightCliqificus (August 1, 2005)

insomniac is pretty good man.. i think the garbage you were speaking of was nimrod, warning and american idiot....

Someone (August 2, 2005)

well said!

Someone (August 1, 2005)

This is a fucking business. Contracts were signed. Maybe the only way for Lookout to still exists was to screw Green Day. Really good way to do business.

Someone (August 2, 2005)

whoever said fuck greenday has issues...obviously they didn't have much business anyways if taking one catalog made them lay off 6 of 9 employees. i'm sure there is more to it and you have no reason to say anything about them because i'm sure you would have done the same thing in this issue.

SteveJonesTheRealBones (August 1, 2005)

damn, so the greenday back catalogue is basically what keeps this label afloat? i mean, if they have to lay off 2/3 of their employees because greenday pulls their pre-dookie records...then all i have to say is wow... or did some employees leave because they didnt like what lookout was doing? - jones the bones - stevejones8770@yahoo.com

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Someone (August 1, 2005)

thats exactly what I was thinking.

Someone (August 1, 2005)

If someone owed you tens of thousands of dollars you would probably be pretty upset too, all of you who don't realize that business is business should burn in hell. Lookout! got what was coming to them and I apploaud Green Day for not allowing their former label to capitalize off of their sucess.

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Someone (August 1, 2005)

first off, fuck you, and second of all do you think that in the past few years they have been making thousands upon thousands of dollars from those pre dookie re-issues. green day is one shameful band that missed being on TV.

rkl (August 1, 2005)

do you think that in the past few years they have been making thousands upon thousands of dollars probably, yes. in case you havent noticed, when people with disposable income(re:teenagers) discover a new band, they go out to get the band's older releases. $17/album @5000 albums = ~$9500

Someone (August 1, 2005)

Yeah, but the label only makes back a fraction of that. Distro and taxes, not to mention add-on fees (17 bucks is not standard price for an old CD in the U.S.) take away a sizeable chunk of that 9500... Overall, while no one should deny that it's just fucking petty of Green Day to pull this, Look Out was certainly fucking them over. From reading this, I gather that they aren't really denying how they withheld royalties. It looks like they thought GD would look the other way just because they're a big time band now. -BSD

Someone (August 1, 2005)

if you assume lookout gets SEVENTEEN dollars for an old green day cd...you clearly know what youre talking about

housewrecker (August 2, 2005)

Brilliant! They haters are also not allowed to complain if their boss (up-and coming taco bell managers) decides not to pay them for months on end. Oh wait, people that call other people sellouts don't work, they get get money from Mom and Dad selling out.

Someone (August 1, 2005)

read post above, subject line "agreed."

Someone (August 1, 2005)

i don't see how Lookout was riding on 2 Green Day releases. but if Lookout gets fucked over big time cause of GD, then bitches are gonna die.

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Someone (August 1, 2005)

yeah dude huh huh, idiot.

Someone (August 1, 2005)

you mean... american idiot... idiot

Someone (August 2, 2005)

dude, you dont even know waht the fuck you're talking about....lookout shouldn't have screwed green day out of thousands of dollars.....especially when green day is so big right now....fuckin everybody loves them (probably only cuz Billie Joe, but he is damn hott) they knew that this was gonna come around again and bite 'em in the ass, so you need to shut up you fucking bastard

Someone (August 1, 2005)

as someone semi familiar with the situation, lookout put to much money into to many bands that never panned out. sure green day has tons of money, but is it fair for someone to make money off you and not pay you a %. the sad thing is they owe money to lots of other bands who rely on it more than green day. thats bad business...

Someone (August 1, 2005)

green day is one of the few punk bands that i like and have to defend. but if this is true thats so fucking stupid. those were their best two albums. lookout made them who they are, and theyre already millionaires. but since they wanted more money they had to downsize lookout, congrats

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Someone (August 1, 2005)

just because they're rich, they shouldn't get dicked over. lookout is not the same label that it used to be. i miss the days of getting their catalog/poster updates in the mail and ordering cds for $8 postage paid, but the label kind of turned it's back on its original sound and business practices when larry left. it's sad if they go down, but they haven't interested me as a label for years.

Someone (August 1, 2005)

lookout! DID NOT make them who they are. they did.

Someone (August 2, 2005)

dude, green day did what was best for the band.....Lookout had good music and all, but everybody knows that if you screw somebody around, especially someone like green day, it will come back to bite you in the ass. you would probably do the same thing if someone screwed you out of thousands of dollars and just because green day has lots of money now doesnt mean anything....they have to save that money until they make another record.....being a rockstar isnt that easy.....you dont get paid every week

Someone (August 1, 2005)

now we wait for the artical where we find out adaline gets the records, allowing them to become much much larger Same thing with the Plan-it-x and Crime by against me. They took the record back, no doubt so sabot could get more money to put out more CD's or thats my take on it

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Someone (August 1, 2005)

Ok, you're right in the sense that "any money" is "more money". You can't just not pay people and expect to get away with it.

Someone (August 1, 2005)

Are you sure that Against Me! took back the Crime! release, thought that was up in the air ... and resolved.

Someone (August 2, 2005)

I thought they did.... i might be mistaken, but from what i last read, they were planning to print it themselfs from now on,

StevePantalones (August 1, 2005)

Maybe they can start a paypal account and link it from the savecbgbs website

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Someone (August 2, 2005)

hahahahaha! Awesome.

Someone (October 27, 2005)

That is FUCKIN' HILARIOUS..!!!!!!!!!!! hahahahahahaaaaa.... Ohhh, my stomach hurts from laughing.....

Someone (August 1, 2005)

Everyone take a deep breath and remember that Green Day isn't the first band to pull their catalog from Lookout! Have people forgotten Screeching Weasel? Or Avail? The real questions people should be asking are these: 1) does this mean the Downfall CD will never come out? 2) how could Lookout! be so badly managed that they didn't fix their business practices after losing Avail? OC

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Evil_Dead (August 1, 2005)

Word, that Downfall album is amazing, it NEEDS to be released, I need the packaging and better sound quality. JXS

Someone (August 1, 2005)

ya know i forgot about that, i mean loosing Avail and Screeching Weasel proablly hurt them as bad as green day leaving.

Someone (August 1, 2005)

Not at all, in terms of albums sold. Green Day was responsible, exponentially, for more albums sold.

Someone (August 1, 2005)

The Downfall CD is pretty much never going to come out. It wasn't going to come out regardless of this current fiasco with the label. I have the word from high above that the ONLY thing that will bring about the release of the Downfall album is if the members of the project come together, agree on certain terms, and push for the record's release --- something that has yet to happen. Think about it. Lookout has known for well over a decade that it is in their best interest to release the record.

Someone (August 1, 2005)

But it's more likely to happen if Lookout! is still in business than if it's not!

Cos (August 2, 2005)

I don't understand why Downfall wouldn't want their album out. I'm sure the guys could come together and agree that they could sell a shitload to the current Rancid/Op Ivy/Dance Hall Crashers fanbase. That would make more money than not having it released at all. Plus, its a pretty cool album --Cos

Mr_Pink (August 1, 2005)

There have been complaints about Lookout burning bands on royalties for a while now, Screeching Weasel for example. Nostalgia only buys so much good will. Lookout's not even owned by the label's founder anymore, is it?

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TheOneTrueBill (August 1, 2005)

Yeah, Larry Livermore's been done with Lookout! for quite some time. It's Chris Applegreen's ship now.

Someone (August 1, 2005)

don't greenday know that once you've made 1,000,000 dollars you aren't allowed to expect money for your own records anymore? they teach that it punk hypocrisy 101.

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CrookedSuperhero (August 1, 2005)

Ripping people off isn't very punk though....

Someone (August 2, 2005)

you apparently have never heard of the Sex Pistols.

Dante3000 (rich) (August 1, 2005)

So correct me if I'm wrong here but they had to lay off those employees because Green Day had their catalog pulled? If this is in fact the case I can't see why people are getting pissed at Green Day. Look at all the other former Look Out bands who have pulled their back catalog off of Look Out. It seems like the writing is on the wall. Look Out apparently has less than perfect artist relations and it's catching up to them big time. -Dante

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CrookedSuperhero (August 1, 2005)

And it's pretty lame that six peoples salaries were taken from sales from two albums released over ten years ago.

Dante3000 (rich) (August 1, 2005)

For real. That's like when Fat first started they were floated on NOFX's releases on the label (granted they didn't sell huge but they had low overhead) but I can't imagine Fat needing those albums now to pay salaries, no more than Epitaph should need "Stranger Than Fiction" to pay bills. You start with a good product and build from there. If you need royalties from an album released in the 90's to pay your staff you obviously have a house built on chopsticks in the sand one the coast of Florida. -Dante P.S. Can't imagine what would happen if Opp Ivy pulled their stuff from Look Out! since that's probably their number two highest selling album.

fistchode (August 1, 2005)

I always thought Operation Ivy was the number one selling album for lookout.. and Stranger than Fiction was never on Epitaph.. I'm not sure if you were making some point over my head.. but it was only on Atlantic.. Recipe for Hate was first on Epitaph and then Atlantic.

Dante3000 (rich) (August 1, 2005)

Blah. I can never get my Bad Religion records straight (all I know is that Against the Grain is my favorite and I don't know why). And it is possible that Op Ivy is number one. I heard that stat a while ago (about Op Ivy being number one) but I figure it changed after Green Days new wave of popularity. Still bad business practices. -Dante

NoUse4aScnName00 (August 2, 2005)

Op Ivy's album went gold a good year back but Kerplunk by Green Day is definately Lookout's biggest album. It's been platinum for a while.

Someone (August 2, 2005)

Thank you for saying that!!!! i completely agree!!!

Inspection12e (August 1, 2005)

This has been a long time coming. Too many bad bands that didnt pan out is right.

Someone (August 1, 2005)

That's funny that Green Day's old albums were solely responsible for Lookout as we knew it. Good riddance. Survival of the fittest. Lookout has been horrid since American Steel broke up...not that it was great before.

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Someone (August 1, 2005)

survival of the fittest? I bet you listen to american idiot, and dont get the irony. dog eat dog, but oh, yeah, musically, fuck bush and the business elite. wyzo

Someone (August 1, 2005)

What the fuck are you talking about? Did I say "Fuck Bush" somewhere in there without noticing? I'll bet you ARE an idiot, and can't read. If Lookout can't support itself by putting out good new records, it deserves to die. Natural selection. Moron.

MattRamone (August 1, 2005)

What about Ted Leo? Putz.

gregs (August 1, 2005)

Damn, I miss American Steel...and I will say it every time someone brings that wonderful band up...

Someone (August 1, 2005)

As another person who is somewhat familiar with the situation, Green Day is 100% justified in doing what they did. Why should they be nothing more than a charity for Lookout? Sure the label helped them immensely when they were starting out, which is why they left their records on Lookout for the last decade. They could have taken them away years ago and made way more money off them. The only reason they took the albums away is because Lookout breached their contract with the band. How many of you would keep working at your job if your bosses stopped paying you? How long would you let this go on? This situation has been a long time coming. Do you think it's a coincidence that in the last few years Avail, Screeching Weasel, Groovie Ghoulies, Pansy Division, Blatz/Filth, and The Criminals have ALL taken their records away from the label? Why are those bands not the assholes

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Dante3000 (rich) (August 1, 2005)

Hey hey hey...Easy there cowboy. They still got The Donnas catalog...*cough*..BWAHAHAHA! -Dante

Someone (August 2, 2005)

you can laugh but the donnas are bigger than ALL of those bands (in terms of being on tv and what not) except green day... although i dont know if those kinda popmusic fans are so much the kind that will go and buy a bands whole back catologue

Someone (August 2, 2005)

i think the point being made was that the donnas are fucking horrible.

Someone (August 1, 2005)

A-fucking-men

Someone (August 3, 2005)

i agree totally

Someone (August 3, 2005)

i agree w/ you i have just heard about all this, so i dont know much, but this is what i think: (using Someone's explanation) how would you feel if you lived a good life, yet you were working for no pay? it wouldn't matter how rich you were; you worked expecting pay and you didn't get it. you were cheated. its not like green day gave lookout! their money and turned their backs on them. its not even like lookout! just stopped paying green day. it was in a contract, and a contract is a contract. sure lookout! helped them in their career, but think about it. your mom cared for you all your life, but that doesn't mean she steals your money and buys herself a birthday present in exchange for all she's done for you. i'd be really angry w/ my mom if she did that. and surely your mom would learn from your older brothers and sisters how you would react (talking about the other

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Someone (August 3, 2005)

(btw, im replying to my own message) maybe lookout! and green day will make a truce. i mean, you wouldn't stay mad at you mom forever? also, im not calling lookout! green day's mom or something. im just comparing the situation.... its hard to explain. anyway, it would be nice if green day and lookout! and everybody else would just be happy. im sure thats the goal here, right?

Someone (August 1, 2005)

lets not forget the great Ann Beretta has some good cds from this label.

Someone (August 1, 2005)

Today's Lookout has very little to do with the Lookout Green Day was signed to. They're not fucking over the people that (arguably) made them famous, they're just taking what's theirs from some other people who were using their money to put out indie rock records. You gotta get yours, but fool I gotta get mine.

Someone (August 1, 2005)

Green day didn't want more money. Lookout owes them money. there is a difference. being the last band to pull their catalogs, they were fairly patient. wyzo

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MattRamone (August 1, 2005)

Best comment here.

Someone (August 1, 2005)

comment of the year!

Someone (August 1, 2005)

Oi!

Someone (August 1, 2005)

Green Day was doing them a favor by letting them keep the two records for so long. It's the three people now left at Lookout who are the ones that pissed away all the money that came from Green Day and other bands. They fully deserve losing those releases and having to deal with the sheer embarrassment of fucking over a lot of bands and the six people who now have no jobs and everyone in the world knowing about it.

Someone (August 1, 2005)

this is open and shut. green day didnt get paid, so they pulled theit catalogue. they arent sueing fot the money like they could. lookout fucked up, simple as that. green day had every right to do it.

Someone (August 1, 2005)

This is certainly a tragic development but neither green day or lookout are calling each other names so why should we?

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fistchode (August 1, 2005)

good point. it has always annoyed me how when certain people see a problem, the first step always seems to be "alright, who should we blame for this?"

SteveJonesTheRealBones (August 1, 2005)

green day?...eh...more like Green FAG HAHAHHAHAHAHA Lookout!...more like... FAGout! HAHHAHAHAHHAHA 1,039/Smoothed Out Slappy Hours... more like... 1,069/Queered out Queery hours HAHAHHAHA Kerplunk!...more like... Kerplunk! we like it in the BUTT HAHHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHA operation ivy...more like ... Operation Queermosy HAHAHHAHAHAH the QUeers...eh more like...Le Queers HAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAH Mr. T experience...eh...more like ... Mr. Meh Experience HAHAHHAHAHHAHAH GAY Shake the sheets...more like....shake the shits!!!!! AHAHAHHAHAHAH self-titled...more like...shit titled HAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHA Making Beds in a Burning House...more like....Anal Beeds in a FLaming ASS HAHAHHAHAHAHHA American Idiot...more like... Billie Joe Armstrong HAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAH Grammy award...more like....GAY HAHAHAHHAHAHHAHA Dookie....more like...okie dokie pokie HAHAHAHAHHAHHAH - jones the bones - stevejones8770@yahoo.com - took

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Dante3000 (rich) (August 1, 2005)

I feel somewhat like the family in the new "War of the Worlds" after the plane crashes into their house. I'm very cautious and feel as if some strange unknown force just rained shit upon the world. That was one of the strangest things ever. -Dante

CrookedSuperhero (August 1, 2005)

That Ted Leo review was better.

swingline (August 1, 2005)

Score

swingline (August 1, 2005)

fuck yea! fuck yea!

skaboom (August 1, 2005)

I smell a pulitzer

Someone (August 1, 2005)

You missed one. Seminal material.... more like...SEMENAL MATERIAL AHHAHAHAHHAA SELLOUTZ.

Someone (August 1, 2005)

I swear I bet you have no fucking friends and thats the way it should be and okie dokie pokie?What are you a fucking fag?Go suck your moms dick bitch

Someone (August 2, 2005)

You must be retarded. Poor you.

AlmostPunkEnough (August 2, 2005)

HAHAHAHAHA... some of your best work yet

Someone (August 2, 2005)

ok, that was funny.

Pacer (August 2, 2005)

Excellent

Someone (August 2, 2005)

You know what how fucking immature was that? Are you fucking retarded?

Pacer (August 2, 2005)

That was taking the piss out of the idiots on here. Dumbass.

Someone (August 3, 2005)

I haven't read anything stupider in my whole life... I got brain damage from that... You must be high or something... Go fuck Barney with your little nursery rhimes.

Someone (August 3, 2005)

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha P.S . you're an idiot steve jones-real bones

Someone (August 16, 2005)

you're a fucking idiot.

SoupIsGoodFood (August 1, 2005)

That reminds me I need to buy that, especially before it's stopped pressing.

AAHHHH (August 1, 2005)

if anything, green day should sign back with lookout! maybe they'll start making good music again. lookout! was pretty cool. when they reissued 1039 they actually put time and effort into it. i can only imagine what reprise will do

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Someone (August 2, 2005)

It was crap...I have it...its shit mpegs and mp3s as bonus...pure money making scheme...

AAHHHH (August 2, 2005)

and pictures of them? and the written lyrics to the songs? its far more effort than most labels put into rereleases

Someone (August 2, 2005)

do you even know why they stopped making records with lookout? it was because around the dookie era they were selling so well that lookout's small little record label couldn't keep up, therefore they signed to a bigger record label. kapeesh?

Someone (August 1, 2005)

green day pulls their back catalouge (2 records) and so lookout says they have to lay off 6 people. so 2/3rds of their staff was there for green day records? no way, it sounds more like lookout had been doing bad business and not paying a ton of other, less well-off bands (screaching weasel, filth, criminals, avail, etc) their royalties but release this news to make it sound like it's green day's fault that they're in trouble. that way, lots of reactionairy idiots who still aren't over the fact that green day got huge will jump the gun and yell "green day destroyed lookout!!1! omg!" instead of noticing that lookout breached their contract and fucked over a ton of bands.

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Someone (August 1, 2005)

yup.. good call

nerdtech (August 1, 2005)

Since when has Lookout! released anything remotely "punk" in the past few years? They are a hell of a long way from their roots - and if they haven't been paying their royalties as they should have been - then that's just desserts. And I can totally see how GREEN DAY releases carry Lookout! along. And if it wasn't apparent to Lookout! - I bet it is now. Heh.

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crossfiyaaa (August 1, 2005)

Oh yeah man, I guess if record labels don't consistenly release what you consider "punk" they've strayed from their roots, right? Ugh, FAT doesn't just release bands that sound exactly like NOFX now! God! Selloutz! And dude, I'm pretty sure Lookout! would know if was only two records that were keeping them afloat.

Dante3000 (rich) (August 1, 2005)

Well apparently they didn't. Because those two records were pulled and so was a good portion of their staff. -Dante

crossfiyaaa (August 2, 2005)

Yeah, but like a guy above me said, this could be a backlash also to Avail, Screeching Weasel, Pansy Division, etc. pulling their catalogues out in an attempt to make it seem like it was all Green Day's fault for 2/3 of their staff being laid off.

Dante3000 (rich) (August 2, 2005)

Well since they spoke with Look Out! I'm assuming that they were the ones who said that since Green Day is pulling their records that they have to lay people off. Now this may be the result of all those bands pulling out but the article doesn't make it seem that way and since the article is a direct result of a conversation with the people of Look Out! I imagine their feelings are pretty close to what is said in the article. -Dante

Someone (August 1, 2005)

As someone who knows something about this, Lookout didn't screw over a bunch of bands. Yes they made a mistake with this Green Day stuff and probably with other bands too in their like 16 years of being a label but what the fuck have most of you done besides post a bunch on this site?

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CrookedSuperhero (August 1, 2005)

Well, i haven't started a label then fucked over a load of bands. But then again, i'm pretty happy that i haven't.

rkl (August 1, 2005)

gotten dicked out of about $1400 by a label. its not fun.

Dante3000 (rich) (August 1, 2005)

I made millions of dollars in the stock market. Then lost it all in one summer at the horse races. -Dante

skaboom (August 1, 2005)

Yeah, all those bands that left before green day were just meanie heads. Lookout didn't do something wrong, bands just pull their releases for the hell of it. Good analysis, someone.

Pacer (August 2, 2005)

Lookout has been the name of that label for 16 years sure, but the folks who're there now are in no way the folks who started it and built it up. Lookout was Larry Livermore. All the shite bands and screwing people over is Chris Appelgren.

Someone (August 2, 2005)

skr8 up

Someone (October 27, 2005)

Hooray for Larry Livermore..!! Hip hip hooray!!!!

Someone (August 1, 2005)

while I do think that a label should pay what they owe, I would have to disagree with this situation. If I was in the position of green day making millions, I would gladly let the label that gave me my start bend me over and have there way with me. These guys make millions and aren't going to be hurt even if Lookout kept ALL royalties. Come on, Know where you came from. If a discrepency like this comes up just let it slide. Your past means more than burning all bridges with a lit $100 bill

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TheNightProwler (August 1, 2005)

Yeah but Lookout were also fucking over people like Screeching Weasel, Avail, and the Groovie Ghoulies... So if you think Green Day should support a label who doesn't pay bands like Avail or Groovie Ghoules who needed their royalty checks to eat & stuff then seriously get a fucking clue.

Someone (August 1, 2005)

its called principle you stupid fuck...apparently you have no integrity

Someone (August 1, 2005)

So because you have success your first label can screw you? You're not gonna go very far in life. You're a little person with a little brain.

Someone (August 1, 2005)

Ya that sounds like a grea idea. Lets all lose some integrity and let some dude do me in the bum. I swear you are a hippy with that kind of comment.

Pacer (August 2, 2005)

Larry livermore gave Greenday a start. The current Lookout has nothing to do with him or anyone involved with those records, so Green Day owe them nothing. If anything, Green Day's walking away will be good for the bands who're still unpain - it might convince Chris Appelgren et al that they can't continute this way.

Someone (August 17, 2005)

It's all very well people coming out with all this remember your roots shit but I think it's more the principle, after all contracts are there for a reason, and just because they are the label that got Green Day started does not give people the right to emotionally blackmail them into leaving the rights to THEIR (not anyone elses) music and getting fucked over in the process.

Someone (August 1, 2005)

For Lookout Records to be riding the gravy train and employing 2/3rds of its workforce this long on 10-year-old Green Day releases is pretty damn pathetic. They might as well be the Rhino Records or Cleopatra Records of the punk scene, releasing shit that has been milked long and hard 'til the teats can barely even give anymore. A record label is not some damn charity case--and the same holds true for some damn dank hole of a club that can't pay its bills. We might fret that the label is in trouble, but should we really mourn for the wrong reasons: that the label didn't try to diversify its record holdings like Epitaph did to ensure its financial viability?! Epitaph had that Offspring album--and they didn't try that re-mastering cash cow on it--yet. Oh, yeah and, when Moon Ska Records and Dead Droid Records folded, who really gave a shit?! Life goes on--a

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Skanknsmile (August 1, 2005)

this is much along the same lines as SST not paying their bands royalties or how sub pop almost went bankrupt if the majors didnt buy the nirvana albums. this isnt a matter of friendship or loyaties, its about trust and business. Green Day isnt doing this because they want to see the label go under, they want their cash, same way that Mudhoney, Nirvana, Husker Du, Sonic Youth, all those bands who didnt get their royalties. its a sad state, but im sure that green day isnt the only band they owe money too.

CellarDoor (August 1, 2005)

You guys can talk shit about a band and you guys can disrespect hard-working people, but damn, at the end of the day, will we ever know who shot 2pac ? (Hint hint: Suge Knight killed Pac.)

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Dante3000 (rich) (August 1, 2005)

HAHA! Holy shit. That was awesome. Isn't that what we should really be talking about? I mean Look Out! is alright and all, but did Look Out! write "I Get Around"? How about "Dear Mamma"? That's what I thought. -Dante

Someone (August 1, 2005)

Wasn't Sean Combs in the car!? Personally, the East/West rap wars were the best thing that ever happened for me, cuz when Biggie got shot (god bless, RIP), my boy Jazzy Z took over NYC! And as you know, if you are alive, it's only cos the 'Hov lets you live. -BSD

crossfiyaaa (August 1, 2005)

Guys, it's called ETHICS. And to the guy who compared this to the Against Me!/Plan-it-x situation, these are incredibly different. Sure, on the surface it's just two successful bands pulling records from the labels that helped them start out, but in Against Me!'s case, they were telling Chris that his CD price for Crime was too high (they even cited No Idea's price, $4.50... except No Idea doesn't include shipping), the packaging of the CD, never knowing the status of the CD (although it's listed on the website, and Chris is always a phone call away, plus the CD has never been Out of Print), and the fact that Plan-it-X kids talk too much shit about Against Me!. In Green Day's case, all that we know is that Lookout! wasn't giving them their record royalties. You can dispute the two bands' success and ethics until you're blue in the face, but the fact of the matter is that

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AAHHHH (August 1, 2005)

are you saying green day has "better" ethics than against me? if thats the case you might want to think twice, or maybe a third time too (depending on how long it takes you).

Someone (August 2, 2005)

Business ethics, yeah... I know I'll get a million flames for this, but AM! were fucking immature to pull the "Crime" EP off P-X... P-X are a small label who function without fucking over their bands (ala Lookout!) or packing racks at Tower Records/Best Buy/Virgin Music. Many speculate that the reason they took that record was so that they could turn around and basically sell it for more money to another company. Anarchists or not, that's just fucking over a small business for money and partially out of spite. Anarchist or not, that should not be accepted in underground music.

crossfiyaaa (August 2, 2005)

I'm not making a blanket statement on every single ethical decision either band has ever made, and whether or not one band is more ethical than another. I'm giving one specific example of how the Green Day and Against Me! situations are not the same.

Someone (August 2, 2005)

But they are the similar situation. PIX should not depend on Against Me! "Crime" to keep their label a float like it appears Lookout! was doing w/ Green Day.

crossfiyaaa (August 2, 2005)

Um, I don't think It's plan-it-x's choice as to what record of their's most people buy. And nobody ever said Crime was keeping pix afloat. I think you just made that one up.

Someone (August 1, 2005)

What the fuck, Green Day far for need more fucking money. Just who the fuck do these assholes think they are... Care about indergrond and the world my ass.... I bet the merch they sell is made in sweat shops... sixpackcourage@hotmail.com

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crossfiyaaa (August 1, 2005)

I care about the indergrond.

Someone (August 1, 2005)

Wow, that is the smartest thing I have ever heard. I don't know about you but if I was to make an album I would expect the record company to pay me. And what the hell does the merch thing have to do with any of this?

Someone (August 2, 2005)

I am shocked that you spelled "hotmail" correctly when typing out your email address.

BeaArthur (August 2, 2005)

Let me make sure I understand your view of this... Lookout are robbing Green Day, but Green Day are the assholes for not letting Lookout continue?

colin (August 1, 2005)

i must say it's really apparent here who knows a thing or two and who is riding high on a 'punker than thou' mentality. i hate to see lookout go, but if green day is owed money (and most likely has been owed money for a long time), it's their call. it's been over ten years since these records came out, there's obviously a lot more than just the three paragraphs we're reading, so i don't think everyone should resort to name calling and accusations of selling out. besides, without green day and / or lookout, i bet a substantial number of people here would have different musical tastes.

Someone (August 1, 2005)

i won't pass judgment on this, because i don't know the details. it might be good idea for many of you to do the same. however, i do think lookout really dug itself into a hole by apparently not making any plans to survive on something other than the back catalog of a former band.

Someone (August 1, 2005)

6 out of 9 employees laid off... that must have been pretty awkward for those three

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Dante3000 (rich) (August 1, 2005)

The strange thing is they drew straws. -Dante

Someone (August 2, 2005)

i heard they accidentally cut 2 straws the same lengthe and there was a sudden death mathc of rock-paper-scissors. oh boy the intensity in that room, i tell ya.

Someone (August 1, 2005)

The story is a little misleading. The 3 remaining "employees" are the 3 owners of the label.

Tahoejeff (August 1, 2005)

Does anyone know if GD is trying to collect those unpaid royalties? Because if they are not, Lookout! is getting off easy. If GD tried to collect I'm sure that would be the end. I think people have it backwards. GD made Lookout! Had it not been for GD signing with a major, they would have never gained as much popularity. And without that popularity, there is no fucking way that those 2 albums would have kept Lookout afloat over 10 years later.

Someone (August 1, 2005)

fuck lookout...they're dicking everyone not just green day...the label should close. fucking green day isn't as bad as fucking ben weasel and even smaller bands...the label sucks now anyway

Someone (August 1, 2005)

Wow, nice job trying to scapegoat Green Day, seeing as they only let you live as long as you did, you slimey Lookout! fucks!w2 -BSD

Someone (August 1, 2005)

Green Day will get paid their royalties

jamespastepunk (August 1, 2005)

Hold on. Avail and Screeching Weasel, two pretty well respected bands around here, have their albums re-issued on labels that will actually pay them, but when Green Day does it, its fucking the label over? Someone else said it best: Unpaid royalties are unpaid royalties. That's not fucking a label over, that's taking that label's dick out of your ass.

swingline (August 1, 2005)

rumor has it lindsay lohan got some big ass titties.

TheNightProwler (August 1, 2005)

So what's the official list of bands that have left Lookout Record? Here's what I've taken note of... Avail Screeching Weasel Riverdales Groovie Ghoulies The Lillingtons Green Day Am I missing any bands?

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Someone (August 1, 2005)

The Criminals Filth/Blatz

hungryjoe (August 1, 2005)

Pretty Girls Make Graves.

Someone (August 1, 2005)

Enemy You

Someone (August 2, 2005)

Pansy Division.

Someone (August 2, 2005)

OP IVY. Pinhead Gunpowder which is signed to adeline and signed to lookout for some reason..

Someone (August 3, 2005)

Pinhead Gunpower got together a little after Sweet Children/Green Day got together, so they ended up on Lookout! becuase they were basically already on Lookout!.

Someone (August 1, 2005)

This is REALLY lame. Last week, i was thinking about how my copies of 1,039/Smoothed Out Slappy Hours and Kerplunk had been lost for years, and that I should get new ones. Then I thought, there's no rush.... but now, there is no way in hell I will buy these albums unless they say "Lookout!" on it. Minus 109325829359025 punk points for green day.

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TheNightProwler (August 1, 2005)

Your support for a label that doesn't pay it's artists is fucking pathetic. You people need to get a fucking clue.

jamespastepunk (August 1, 2005)

Yeah, minus points for a band that wants to get paid for its work by so called friends. Thank god Green Day never listened to you or your ilk.

Tahoejeff (August 1, 2005)

wow..sounds like you're a real music fan... If you buy albums because of a stupid fucking logo on the back corner of a cd you are a fucking retard.

Someone (August 1, 2005)

"Punk Points"?? I think this post could be a joke....

Someone (August 2, 2005)

exactly, because lookout should be able to sell records and not pay anyone. ya know, because theyre lookout. douche.

Someone (August 1, 2005)

Yeah, like any of you kids were buying albums from Lookout! anyways.

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Dante3000 (rich) (August 1, 2005)

Honestly. If all the kids who posted "Fuck Green Day" actually bought albums from Look Out! they wouldn't be in this situation in the first place. -Dante

Someone (August 1, 2005)

Heh, i dont think Green Day shouldve pulled this move, and i have both their lookout CDs, three Avail lookout records, the Young Pioneers LP, the Avail/Young Pioneers split 7" and both Lookout American Steel full lengths and the CBDS cd. Fuck em.

Dante3000 (rich) (August 2, 2005)

I said ALL the kids. But hey, at least you support the label in action and not only words. Kudos (the chocolate kind, with M&M's, they's the best). -Dante

Colm (August 1, 2005)

I'd been meaning to pick up the new Oranges Band and Troubled Hubble records for a while. Might as well, now.

Someone (August 1, 2005)

Though others have said it already: 1. Green Day didn't just up and pull their records from Lookout. This has been an ongoing problem that has not been corrected. Finally they got fed up and pulled their albums. 2. They would have never been able to pull the said albums had not a judge looked over the situation and found Lookout guilty of wrongdoing in this case. 3. The Lookout records of today is NOT the Lookout who helped Green Day long ago. These are different owners. This is not the same label. 4. Again...as said above...this is not the first band to do this. They were lucky that Green Day waited this long. Probably because they are so big it took this long for them to notice a problem. 5. This fucking label sits on its back catalog to much anyway. I loved this label once upon a time....nowadays....they don't put anything out except bands the staff sta

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Someone (October 27, 2005)

Larry Livermore should get his Label back... His the MAN..!!!! He can bring it back up to it's glory days. If there's anyone who can, Livermore can!

Someone (August 1, 2005)

Yep, Lookout! is done for. But really, anyone that tries to blame Green Day is stupid. Just because Green Day pulled their back catalog doesn't mean shit. Avail, Screeching Weasel, the Lillingtons, and Enemy You all pulled their back catalogs....yet people don't give THEM shit. It's obvious that Lookout! are dicks to their former bands. So this serves them right. Goodbye Lookout!. -phdecontrol

Someone (August 1, 2005)

SERIOUSLY DUDES, THE LABEL HAS BEEN DOING THIS TO BANDS FOR A LONG TIME. If you are interested, here is a post from Jeff Ott (Fifteen/Crimpshrine) that is on the Lookout Records message board...where he felt he had to post it as the label wouldn't respond to him... http://www.lookoutrecords.com/bb/msg-list.php?bbthrd_id =7718 What's it take for a band to get paid around here? Of course, it's five months later, no word on any of this as of yet........................... the real drag is that I've had to buy my own music on emusic.com just to find out for sure that lookout isn't paying on it. now i've had to go to all the other ones (downloadpunk.com/imusic.com/etc.) and buy my own records just to find out whther or not lookout records is honest. oh well, jeff ----- Original

show rest of commentSERIOUSLY DUDES, THE LABEL HAS BEEN DOING THIS TO BANDS FOR A LONG TIME. If you are interested, here is a post from Jeff Ott (Fifteen/Crimpshrine) that is on the Lookout Records message board...where he felt he had to post it as the label wouldn't respond to him... http://www.lookoutrecords.com/bb/msg-list.php?bbthrd_id =7718 What's it take for a band to get paid around here? Of course, it's five months later, no word on any of this as of yet........................... the real drag is that I've had to buy my own music on emusic.com just to find out for sure that lookout isn't paying on it. now i've had to go to all the other ones (downloadpunk.com/imusic.com/etc.) and buy my own records just to find out whther or not lookout records is honest. oh well, jeff ----- Original Message ----- From: "Christopher Appelgren" champ@lookoutrecords.com To: "Fifteen" 15xv@mchsi.com Sent: Monday, August 09, 2004 8:32 AM Subject: Re: Royalties, Emusic, etc. Jeff, With regards to Emusic, Lookout is currently in the process of getting an accounting for all sales history. As soon as we have this, we will process the information and send out a special statement and payment for this income. Subsequently we will incorporate reporting for any music purchased by subscribers into future royalty statements. I am aware of the fact that Crimpshrine music should not be made available through Emusic and was not aware of the fact that it has been. This is a mistake. I will have that corrected and any income associated will be paid out according to the contractual breakdown. As to the larger issue of royalties being reported and paid late, I am sorry for any inconvenience. I realize that we haven't included an interest payment on any late amounts due to you. It is our intention to make payments on time but I will make sure that if for any reason that doesn't happen that Andy is in contact with you and that we calculate and include interest with the payments. Yours, Chris

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CorpseOfMyMotivation (August 1, 2005)

Wow. You know a label isn't functioning right when the people in charge communicate with their bands via public message boards.

Someone (August 2, 2005)

He's not in charge anymore. Hasn't been for a while.

Someone (August 1, 2005)

It's long been rumored that Lookout! was not handling their royalities very well. They went through a period of mass expansion, ie the retail store and signing a number of bands that were frankly, not that great. The coffin nails were Avail, Blatz, Filth, Blatz and few others moved their back catalog off of Lookout! Records. All I can say, it's sad to see another once successful label hit the floor like this. But they should have seen it coming, they should have learned from SST. In Greenday's defense, they did let Lookout! Record use their catalog for over ten years. That should have been enough time to get their house in order.

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CorpseOfMyMotivation (August 1, 2005)

What happened to SST?

TheOneTrueBill (August 1, 2005)

They signed too many bands, put out too many records, fell apart and couldn't pay anyone. A whole bunch of their stuff that's not from marquee names is out of print, and bands like Sonic Youth and Dinosaur Jr. took their albums back and re-released them on other labels.

Someone (August 1, 2005)

Wow, I just read through this thread and found that about 3/4 of these comments are rational. What site is this?

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Someone (September 16, 2005)

Very interesting blog!

Someone (August 1, 2005)

Where's Lindsey Nagle?

Someone (August 1, 2005)

Maybe Lookout did "help" Green Day in their very early days, but it seems more accurate to say that Green Day helped Lookout more by letting them keep the back catalog and taking some of their bands on tour with them when they signed to Warner. In short, it's o whether Lookout was integral to Green Day's success (it could have been any other punk label), but Green Day was definitely instrumental in making Lookout what it is today. The three remaining "employees" are the current owners of Lookout that laid off the staff because their shitty business skills tanked the company. And as for releasing new records next year, what current Lookout band, or any half-decent band anywhere, will want to work with the label after it has become very public that they screwed their bands and their staff? Probably someone very delusional, gullible, desperate, or all of the above, which would

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Someone (August 1, 2005)

In the words of Judge Smails, "The world needs dig diggers too."

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Someone (August 1, 2005)

That of course should say "ditch diggers". No matter.

DickAround (August 1, 2005)

Stupid fuck.

maverick (scott) (August 1, 2005)

Paging Jesse Luscious... Come in, Jesse... -Scott

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Someone (August 2, 2005)

Hey, I'm here out on tour with Lookout band Communique, we're touring with Tegan And Sara. We're @ the end of the tour, tonight Anaheim, next 2 days San Francisco. That's why I've been awol. We've been aware of this since Friday afternoon, but there's nothing I've got to add to this thread. Jesse Luscious (not signing in cuz it's not my computer)

wehavecomeforyourchildren (August 3, 2005)

the first thing i did when i read this article was ctrl+F the page for lushj to see if he had anything to say about this. not that there's much to say really....royalties are royalties whether you're rich or poor. and i agree with someone who posted somewhere above here, it's admirable that they kept their catalog with lookout for this long. i'm sure it's been a problem they'e been aware of for years.

Someone (August 1, 2005)

What's wrong with their website?

DickAround (August 1, 2005)

Haha, Green Day killed Lookout! Records.

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ChokingVictim (August 2, 2005)

They made Lookout Records too.

GIVEMEnewWAVE (August 1, 2005)

green day should just do what they named their band after. roll up a joint and fire up! they will be happier when they are high.

FishBulb (August 1, 2005)

Posted by Larry Livermore, former president of Lookout!, on the pop punk message board: "I don't know too many details, but I do know the problem has been going on for a long time, and that Green Day has been more than patient. If anyone should be griping, it should be me: I basically gave those Green Day records to the current Lookout owners, and they basically threw them away."

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FishBulb (August 1, 2005)

More from Larry: "It's about money, and also about bad faith. Lookout has been failing to pay Green Day (and other bands) for years now, and apparently using the money instead to put out a series of terrible records that very few people wanted to buy. Gambling on new bands is part of what a record label does, but you don't do it with other people's money. Green Day could have taken their records away several years ago when Lookout first breached their contract, but they were generous enough to allow Lookout to keep licensing the records in hopes that the label would get back on its feet. No matter how rich a band is, they shouldn't be expected to subsidize a failing label forever, especially when that label isn't doing anything particularly worthwhile. Sorry if that sounds harsh, but it kind of makes me sick to see what's happened to a label I put so much of my heart

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Someone (August 2, 2005)

Where are you getting the Larry news from?

FishBulb (August 2, 2005)

http://www.knockknockrecords.com/board General discussion, Lookout thread.

very_metal (August 4, 2005)

Here's the relevant thread with Larry's comments: http://bored.knockknockrecords.com/index.php?topic=7 069.msg124689 And, for good measure, here's his profile on the site -- might acually be easier to get to the relevant quotes that way: http://bored.knockknockrecords.com/index.php?action=profi le;u=42

Someone (August 1, 2005)

Lookout's been headed in the wrong direction since Livermore left.

Someone (August 1, 2005)

1) A contact is a contract. Wether rich or not, every band deserves a cut of their music. 2) Lookout did help them out long ago. It's not the same Lookout!, not the same owners, I think Green Day did their part in helping out the people that helped them letting them run their label off 2 albums. 3) It's not fair to take this all off on Green Day just because they are successful. Yeah they have a new fame going on, i doubt Green Day cared about the money, I'm sure they just got tired of letting the label use their name to keep the company afloat. Any chance Green Day or Lookout will put out something regarding this. Cause lots of people i talk to said that this whole thing may not be true.

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Aubin (August 2, 2005)

Any chance Green Day or Lookout will put out something regarding this. Cause lots of people i talk to said that this whole thing may not be true. The source of the story is Lookout itself; I spoke to the co-owner/president of the label.

Someone (August 2, 2005)

thanks for the clarification.

Someone (August 1, 2005)

My god people, stop getting so overworked by all of this! Alot of those classic punk bands pulled thier catalogs a long time ago, and just because Green Day were last, and made Lookout go under, it doesnt mean you should get pissed at them. I highly respect Green Day, and im with everything they do. They are hard working men, and they make music! Thats what they do!

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Someone (September 16, 2005)

Thank you for the info!

Someone (August 2, 2005)

consider this for a moment.. each year it costs at least hundreds of thousands to keep a label with the distribution like that of lookout! afloat. consider this: some of our parents never made over a hundred thousand dollars a year, some of us talking on here never will. if someone was selling hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of something that was in your name, and you werent getting paid for it- wouldn't you be pissed? i think i would. green day deserves their records.

Someone (August 2, 2005)

Yeah, well Larry might be right, but I think he got a fat chunk of change when he got rid of the label and I might add, that David Hayes got even more fucked because he distanced himself from the label (that they both worked on), I guess that is his own fault/deal, but Larry could have thrown him some dough, too much petty shit in the short history of punk labels.

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Someone (August 2, 2005)

When you see all those classic British punk reissues on shady labels, they usually pay dirt for their rights IN PERPETUITY, and usually around $3K. Just enough to keep some old junkie anaesthetized for a few weeks....

Dante3000 (rich) (August 2, 2005)

I forgot, I know it's late in this topic and no one cares BUT Green Day has done other things to support Look Out! other than be patient. For Example the 2000 Warped Tour when they were asked to headline they noticed the show was devoid of a Look Out! artist and they said they'd only play if they put a Look Out! band on the main stage...Enter The Donnas. Of course The Donnas had been asked to play Warped before but with Green Days support Lyman (sp?) agreed to pay The Donnas what they would need to not take a loss on Warped. Also, The Donnas couldn't say no to Green Day. -Dante

jawwpunx (August 2, 2005)

everyone bashing Green Day is completely missing the details here...its not a dick move, Lookout is in major trouble, likely their current releases are just not doing that well, so they are livinig off the sales of Green Day's back catalog, but in essence are "robbing Peter to pay Paul" as they say. If greenday pulling the catalog, neceisitates cutting 70 percent of the staff, that also speaks about Lookouts overall health. Lookout likley isn't purposefully screwing GD out of royalties either, this stuff just happenes in business sometimes, where one thing is making your money and it funds everything else, but when it comes time to pay up on the "one thing".... I also wonder if all the Screeching Weasel reissues going to Asian Man reflect anything on the situation. At any result, don't be dueche bags...Green Day and Lookout have had a relationship longer than many of you have

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Someone (August 2, 2005)

extremely well said.

Someone (August 2, 2005)

amen brosef.

Someone (August 2, 2005)

Why is Green Day stupid? Lookout is only serviving because of Green Day and if they aren't paying them what they're supposed too then Lookout is the stupid one. They just lost their bread and butter. Other then Ted Leo they haven't put out anything worth a shit in years, they were just living off of those two Green Day albums!

Someone (August 2, 2005)

fuck u all. green day is the best punk band in the entire world. so they wanted more money? who the fuck doesnt? i reckon they did the right thing, lookout was selling them out. if its tru that they werent paying other bands then lookout can burn in hell cos they are shit. all of you hu hate green day have bad taste. grow a fuckin backbone and move on. veratee

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CorpseOfMyMotivation (August 2, 2005)

Your point is somewhat valid, but you're a fucking moron.

Someone (September 16, 2005)

Thank you for the info!

Someone (August 2, 2005)

Lookout! Has gone down the fucking drain since Livermore left. I'm sure if he hadn't left GD would've never have pulled 39/Smooth and Kerplunk. Not just because Lookouts! would've had someone actually knowing what the fuck to do but also because he was their friend and I think ((not postive on this)) he's the one who got them their first gig at Gilman.

Someone (August 2, 2005)

Green day are gods,,, fuck lookout...

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GreenDayFreak (August 2, 2005)

Right on!!

GreenDayFreak (August 2, 2005)

Whatever floats Green Day's boats :P lol Green Day still rocks!!

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AlmostPunkEnough (August 2, 2005)

you really truly love green day, don't you?

Icecreamwiththeenemy (August 2, 2005)

hmm.. questionable.

AlmostPunkEnough (August 2, 2005)

excellent name

Someone (August 2, 2005)

Any label that keeps money from their bands is unethical no matter the size of the band. Sure, Green Day doesn't need the money, but the other bands on the label that do are getting ripped off do. The most political thing Green Day could do is pull their records and make a statement that what they are doing is wrong and, as usual, you fuckheads on the board missed the point. Go Green Day for taking a hit for the underdogs!

hitlerbadzakgood (August 2, 2005)

well, they could pull a dead kennedys move and sue lookout, but they arent, so it seems like green day really isnt doing this for money. i think theres more to this story than what lookout is saying. it seems like green day was helping them out alot and got fed up because someone got sick of it or the debt rode too high to continue allowing them to release thier album. i'd like to hear green days take on it.

Icecreamwiththeenemy (August 2, 2005)

i think it's ridiculous. what is green day fuckin oprah now? people aren't doing what they say and they slap them. i know green day deserves their royalities.. they made the music, but it's still ridiculous. they are all over everything making mad money... stupid.

Someone (August 2, 2005)

I hear it's cause Lookout didn't hold up their end of the deal. S'just what I hear, though.

Someone (August 2, 2005)

Why don't you guys get the details before you just go and talk shit. Lookout! hasn't been paying them (and some other bands) for a while and Green Day has been patient. Everyone at Lookout! knew this day was comming they just better hope they don't lose Operation Ivy, then they'd really be screwed.

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Someone (August 4, 2005)

Nope, they lost the OP Ivy stuff too...as of last year, I believe all OP Ivy stuff is now (back) in Lint/Tim's hands.

Someone (August 2, 2005)

I hardly think that Green Day would pull out because they arnt getting paid- obviously Lookout hasnt bn pulling their weight plus- dont say green day is famous and watever becoz of lookout, its their music that got them places, green day has had a good time at lookout records-theres nothing to mourn. Fuck who cares? Green Day are just taking care of themselves- would you let a record label push you around? hell i wouldnt

Someone (August 2, 2005)

I don't get the logic of everyone... Lookout should be allowed to rip bands off depending on how successful the band is? Greenday should gladly bend over and take one for the "punk scene" that totally rejected them after they signed to a major? That band doesn't owe that lame scene, or crooked label, a goddamn ounce of loyalty. And it's wrong to steal money from someone, regardless of how rich they are. Even Communists should be honest, and not thieves.

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Someone (August 2, 2005)

PS If these two Greenday records were so important to the existance of the label... they should've taken more care to not piss the band off. Duh. They should be kissing GD's ass.. not ripping them off.

Someone (August 2, 2005)

Why should green day use there albums to prop up a label when they have a label of there own...does this mean pinhead gunpowder will pull thier stuff?

Someone (August 2, 2005)

I like how (by the general consensus on here) Green Day was right to do this, and yet the Dead Kennedys trying to get unpaid royalties out of a label ripping them off were the scum of the earth.

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Someone (August 2, 2005)

Who said that? Jello deserved what he got. People probably have a sour taste in their mouths from the DK's trying to continue the band without Jello (whose voice clearly defined them). But I don't see how anyone in their right mind would say that Jello stealing from the band was ok.

Someone (August 2, 2005)

The Lookout-Green Day situation and the DK situation are different. In the DK situation, there was an accounting error that led to the label owing some money in addition to what was being paid to the band on a regular basis. Once that mistake was discovered, the label offered to pay up. The DKs decided to go ahead with a very public, ugly lawsuit even though they could have taken some sort of settlement with the unpaid royalties plus damages or had the dispute mediated. Lookout knowingly kept the money they should have paid Green Day to make up for the losses from their bad business decisions. Green Day just took their records back instead of wasting everyone's time and money while lining lawyers' pockets with money with a lawsuit. Lookout got off easy. The bands are just taking back their records instead of suing the company to get paid.

Someone (August 2, 2005)

But Jello told his staff not to tell the DKs and used the promise of extra money as leverage to keep the back catalogue on AT with a 'golden handcuffs' type deal. Sounds just as bent as Lookout

Someone (August 2, 2005)

I also think that Greenday is taking the high road. I assume that they're taking their catalogue, and calling it even. As opposed to simply suing the label out of extistence... which they could easily do.

Someone (August 2, 2005)

If Lookout's entire operating cost was based on a couple of Green Day releases that no one has bought in the last 10 years, there's definitely more to this story than "Green Day are dicks." People need money to live. Grow up. I'm willing to bet that your favorite band gets paid, too.

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Someone (August 2, 2005)

i wont pretend to know much about lookout! you dont hear much about them here so i'm not gonna say they desevred it cause i dont know but lets put it this way, if you were rich and then you're boss stoppped paying you, you'd be mad not to do something wheter you needed the money or not

Someone (August 2, 2005)

it seems to me that lookout must have mismanaged their funds...they should have been raking in the royalties from the green day catalog -- especially after the release of american idiot i'm sure green day wouldn't have taken the rights away if they didn't have good reason to -- it's not like they need the money

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Someone (August 2, 2005)

i agree

Someone (August 2, 2005)

Green day rock. they got to do what they got to do even if it does meen putting down lookout.

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Someone (August 2, 2005)

Green Day aren't arseholes. Yeah sure, they can be arrogant, but fuck! Of course they are! They've made 9 records, and anyone who isn't a moron loves them. They arent doing this for money, because if they wanted more money they would just fuck their music up the arse and ruin it to make it "cool" and they'd all become actors and release lingerie. It was Lookout's fault because everyone else has been pulling their records out. If Lookout was dependant on Green Day's 2 measly records, well they suck anyway. Disclaimer - 39/Smooth and Kerplunk certainly weren't measly. They rocked, it was just a figure of speech.

Marlon (August 2, 2005)

From what I'm hearing it sort of seems like both parties are at fault.

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Someone (August 3, 2005)

An artist is at fault for not getting their properly earned royalties they earned? Exactly what "fault" is Green Day to be blamed for here - having integrity? They are not LookOut's bank - their are their CLIENT - LookOut needs to serve the NEEDS of the ARTIST - as per a CONTRACT - when this does not happen - they are in breach of said CONTRACT - Green Day did the absolute right flippin' thing here.

Haushinka (August 2, 2005)

Ever thought this may be down to there new labels management. They take the money and they cut it between the 3 members...they all earn a percentage...maybe green day went about saying "yeah sure" but where not aware of the consequences of there actions, there not the ones who said "your fired" thats down to lookout.

theundergroundscene (August 2, 2005)

i would just like to mention that every person here would sell out if given the chance

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Someone (August 2, 2005)

you have a damn good point.

Someone (August 2, 2005)

not true, not everybody.

Someone (August 2, 2005)

Its stupid as hell to say "Lookout! made them who they are". You dont see 90% of the bands that were on Epitaph pulling their albulms do ya ? Green Day would be just as big if Epitaph had released their records. I think the correct phrasing would have been. Green Day made THEM what they are along with bands like Screeching Weasel, The Queers and MTX yet no one sees a problem or thinks Ben Weasel is trying to "kill" lookout when he re-releases on Asian Man

Someone (August 2, 2005)

wow... uh... i love green day... so i'm not to sure what to say right now...

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Someone (September 16, 2005)

Realy good site!

Someone (August 2, 2005)

thats not stupid

Someone (August 2, 2005)

That sucks that they are pulling Kerplunk and 1039 off of Lookout... that was the record label that started them off... although i am a huge fan of green day, it seems that money is their main concern now. That sucks. I'm not going to say "fuck green day" for what they did, but i do think that that is a pretty fucking lame thing to do.

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Someone (August 2, 2005)

Read some of the other comments, moron.

Someone (August 2, 2005)

oh dude, totally. i mean, to people like you and i, money means nothing! that's why i give money i earn for my work to homeless people in the street. i assume you do too. oh, i mean except for the majority which i give to my parents. after all, they did make me who i am today. even though i live in a different home and go out without them and accomplished a lot since i moved out of home, i still think i owe them that much. i'm sure you agree.

Kenjamin (August 2, 2005)

haha that was funny.

Someone (August 2, 2005)

I like chicken

Lil (August 2, 2005)

Blame Green Day? Please - grow up everybody....If you have a job and you don't get paid - do you stay there? No - you quit and leave the gig. So Green Day has shown much patience in this entire matter more so than the other bands there but enough is enough....This is simply mismanagement on the part of LookOut Records. And it is illegal not to pay royalties. It doesn't matter if Green Day is rich now from American Idiot or not - you need to pay your ARTISTS ! LookOut should also have not based their operations on two releases from over 10 years ago to support their current operations. GREEN DAY - you did the right thing.

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Someone (August 2, 2005)

Thank you. I figure most of the people bitching about this are lving in their 'rents garage. Nice one.

Lil (August 2, 2005)

You're most welcome...and no..I am a 52 mother of 2 in New Jersey who is out of work for months now and have a mortgage and car payment and a bunch of other crap to pay out. I just can't stand these simple minded idiots (some not American..lol) feeling GD are "not punk" anymore because they are breaking the spine of LookOut by pulling out..or GD are selfish or whatever.. This is America last time I looked and this is a capitalistic country - and thank god for that ! GD earned every damned penny of those royalties and it must be paid out..GD is NOT LookOut's bank or lending institution...those LP's should go to Adeline...let Adi keep an eye on it....lol ! Seeing GD in 29 days in NJ-BJ I met after show in casino in AC -he was the best to me and my daughter...love GD guys forever.

Someone (August 3, 2005)

you're damn right!!!!

sfbarker (August 2, 2005)

Why is it the holier than thou punk rock folks are always the ones stealing the royalties from their bands? What a bunch of bitches.

Someone (August 2, 2005)

business is business. it's just a matter of who gets down to it first. i think that all of you guys hating on Green Day and saying stuff like 'burn in hell' should just grow up.

Someone (August 2, 2005)

I think most of everyone on here is missing the point... GD pulled their catalogue from Lookout! because the label wasn't holding up their end of the bargain. It's a legal issue, people. Period. Lookout! screwed themselves over when they ignored the contract they had made with GD over a decade ago. I doubt the guys are doing it just to get a couple thousand dollars. They make millions a year. This whole thing is just a battle of morals. Right and wrong.. Lookout! was obviously wrong and corrupt. GD did the right thing. They let the label keep the rights to the albums because they were being nice and not greedy. They could've gotten more money by giving the albums to Reprise right away, but they didn't. They were very patient with the label but I guess they finally had enough. Lookout! was using GD's albums to get money without giving the band their money. It's THEIR albums.

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Someone (August 2, 2005)

well put.

Someone (August 2, 2005)

why is Green day the only band getting crap for this? what about screeching weasel, and avail, who also pulled their catalog. I guess its always cool to rip a band on a major first.

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Someone (August 2, 2005)

green day can buy and sell your family. Screeching Weasel for example can not.

Scruffy (August 2, 2005)

So it's okay to steal from people who have more than you? (I think some people will answer that differently than I intended it to be answered.) If Green Day was a small band and Lookout ripped them off, you wouldn't blame Green Day. If the label doing this was a major, you wouldn't blame Green Day. And, to whatever extent that Lookout helped make Green Day, Green Day helped make Lookout.

Someone (August 2, 2005)

Lookout's nothing like it used to be. If they go out of business now it's their own fault. They actually put that shitty techno band Bis on one of their samplers. Don't fuck Green Day... Fuck Bis. They ruined Lookout Records.

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Someone (August 2, 2005)

They put a Bis record out years ago, when Livermore was still there... still, it doesn't deter fromthe fact that both Bis and Lookout! is mind frighteningly wank,

Someone (August 2, 2005)

omg iM oNlY 12 bUt i kNoW 1 tHiNg.....lol.... GrEeN DaY RuLeZ! :)

Someone (August 2, 2005)

Maybe if lookout had honest dealings with their bands.....then maybe the bands wouldnt leave. Greenday wasn't the first band that left because they were not getting paid (and were not talking being short on a royalty check ...were talking they recieved NO MONEY from lookout over a ten year span) they are not sell outs for the move they made. All they did was brush the parasites off thier coatails. I never saw Chris applegren riding around in a bread van in the middle of winter playing a house show for maybe $100. But I do see him sitting back using Green Days rightfully earned money to fund the Donnas...yeah the Donnas...it blows my mind too! Parasites do make you sick after awhile if you dont take care of them- maybe Chris will learn what Karma is because this sure was a hard bite in the ass- Chris you deserve it- Maybe you can leech off the donnas now?

Someone (August 2, 2005)

Lookout has used the money from good selling records to put out bad selling records. Applegren thought that the label name would carry the bands, but people just stopped caring about lookout.

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Someone (August 2, 2005)

Very true. Plus his own band, The Pattern, is a bag of shit.

Someone (August 2, 2005)

sadly, thats what too much money can make you into. sellouts. but, even though the money messes with their minds, controlling their love for who made them who they are today, you have to admit, their music is still awesome. but seriously, how could our good old band, green day, do such an awful thing? its just wrong...

ChokingVictim (August 2, 2005)

Shit, that's a lot of decent bands who pulled their catalog....Lookout! is fucked.

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Someone (September 16, 2005)

Realy good site!

Someone (August 2, 2005)

lookout was withholding royalties and now they're making green day out to be assholes for finally having enough. Sure green day doesn't need anymore money, but come on, record companies owe artists money, that's how it works. If this was RCA, you'd all be ready to skullfuck their CEO.

Someone (August 2, 2005)

well, if there was a deal, and one end of it was broken, then green day had the right to do that. plus it's their music, they can do what they want with it in my opinion. but even if you don't think that, i'm sure they had a good reason...

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Someone (September 16, 2005)

Very nice site!

Someone (August 2, 2005)

i love lamp.

Someone (August 2, 2005)

STOP BLAMING GREEN DAY, YOU STUPID TWITS! As a member of one of the bands who defected from Lookout! Records, I can tell you that it's a case of very bad management. I won't go into our personal problems with them because they're not bad people, just misguided. All of the energies of Molly Neuman and Chris Appelgren have lately been put into the Donnas, their bid for major label stardom. They've continued to sign questionable bands and not tended after the BANDS that made the LABEL what it is. Remember that a label is only as good as its bands. Larry Livermore sold the business to Chris and Molly and they drove it into the ground, plain and simple. I watched it happen. Lookout! has not been the same since Larry left, and every band who was there before will tell you that. In his own words, Larry Livermore: Re: Lookout! downsizes, scales back plans for the future (Score: 1

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Someone (August 2, 2005)

Well then maybe the idiots who own it now should find a more competent person to take it over. It isn't Green Day's fault.

Someone (August 2, 2005)

i've seen that livermore quote elsewhere... what message board did that come from?

Someone (August 2, 2005)

i dont get it ..was does that mean

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Someone (August 2, 2005)

That's really low that LookOut! has to resort to saying that they had to lay off 6 out of 9 employees because of Green Day pulling out. That just seems to me like they're trying to get people to feel sorry for them and take their side.

Someone (August 2, 2005)

Well, I guess that was kinda mean, considering six people got fired because of it, but maybe there's more to the story.

daveman34 (August 2, 2005)

Lookout did the same to screaching weasel they burned them and didn't pay them for there royalties either so Lookout is to blame there is a history there

Someone (August 2, 2005)

That's really low that LookOut! has to resort to saying that they had to lay off 6 out of 9 employees because of Green Day pulling out. That just seems to me like they're trying to get people to feel sorry for them and take their side.

Someone (August 2, 2005)

i think many people who are getting mad with green day are holding a bit of a grudge against them because they signed with reprise for dookie, and now they're big with american idiot. i think it's rather dumb.

Someone (August 2, 2005)

well, what would you do if a record company wasn't giving you royalties?.....it's not fair for them to do that

Someone (August 2, 2005)

Look, if you are being ripped off for money, would you just sit back? No. No one would. Common, if you have to layoff over half your employees because a band pulled out, then there is a problem. And the problem is that you are running a bad business! This article makes Green Day sound horrible. In my opinion, if they were money hungry, then they would have brought the two CDs with them when they first switched labels years ago. If they pulled out now after years of dealing with Lookout! then something went wrong. And why just blame green day? You can't ignore the other groups who have left the label, apparently for similar reasons. Why is it OK for them, but if the big band does it then they are sellouts? I just don't get that reasoning.

Someone (August 2, 2005)

Well, I just hope that the albums go to a BETTER record company that won't screw around with them or promote the crap out of them. I hope that they go to Adeline, so that Billie Joe Armstrong can keep an eye on the albums.

Someone (August 2, 2005)

well anyone going against green day has a real problem they r one of the best punk bands around and if i wasnt getting paid and was getting cheated out of money hell i would have done the same thing congrats to green day for standing up and taking action

Someone (August 2, 2005)

What a bunch of rip-offs.

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Someone (August 2, 2005)

it was there problem what ever... its may go to adeline so it will be around. and its been on the adeline site for a really long time just without the rights to press it.

Someone (August 2, 2005)

Lookout records have it coming to them for years of mistreating the older bands after LArry sold off. They could care less about the bands that made them rich in the first place. Serves them right.

Someone (August 2, 2005)

i would like to point out that green day had every right to do what they did. Lookout could not/did not keep there end of the deal in the contract Green Day gave them in order to keep the material. Green Day should not have to "burn in hell" and they are not awful, stupid, or dicks. They are just a famous band who are going up in the world and dont need companies like Lookout bringing them down. I'm sure they felt guilty over the decision and thought long and hard about it as they know their roots and are NOT the sort of band who prioritise fame over respect for the people who got them where they are. People shouldn't judge them purely on what they know from this article, there's alot more to it. Get your facts right before slagging such respect-giving and caring people as of which they are. Leave them alone for gods sake.

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Someone (August 2, 2005)

i agree with the person who posted the long comment (4 comments above this one i think)

Kenjamin (August 2, 2005)

how is lookout any different from Enron?

Someone (August 2, 2005)

you guys its not green days fault its look out records, they screwed everything up, green day should seriously switch to adeline for rights

Someone (August 2, 2005)

green day has been very patient, i mean VERY patient, because lookout! failed to pay them (and many other punk bands) they been wattin like 15 years fort eh money

Someone (August 2, 2005)

If Lookout! goes down, don't blame Green Day blame The Donnas. It's common knowledge to alot of people in the bay area that one of the owners of Lookout! is the manager of The Donnas and has put all of Lookouts! money into funding their quest for super stardom. Meanwhile none of the other bands on the label were paid their royalties that were rightfully owed to them. Did you ever wonder how such a horrible band(The Donnas) got any attention at all? Green Day had every right to pull the money that was rightfully due them and now everyone can finally see Lookout! for what it really is.

Someone (August 2, 2005)

Lookout! got lazy... Lookout! got illegal... After many years of undeniable patience, Green Day have hopefully given Lookout! the kick up the ass they needed if they wish to keep the label up and running independently (as the label was first intended). If the people at Lookout! have anything about them they will stop wallowing in self pity and get their asses into gear and get back into helping out bands without relying on previous hard working bands to fund them. If Lookout are incapable of doing so then they are nowhere near to being the same label Larry Livermore set up all those years ago. And as many of the above have stated business is business.

Someone (August 2, 2005)

Oh you guys are losers, saying Green day are Sell-Outs, and all this other shit. They happen to be my favorite band...the "fans" are the ones making Green Day sell outs...they aren't doing it to themselves...all you bastards out there saying Green Day are shit know you have a soft spot for Green Day, and you know they have kick ass music. And this thing with Lookout Records, good for effing them. Yes, Lookout gave them the start they needed, but they did not make them big. Green Day was going to get a major label deal, whether or not Lookout was there. I mean, Green Day's music is too amazing to go unnoticed. They had labels lining up like...well don't let me go on. Green Day brought punk back, and you bitches know it. Oh and really, if Green Day has anything bad happening to them, its the posers doing it. And even Green Day said it themselves they don't like seeing the k

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Someone (August 2, 2005)

Thats right u seem like a die hard fan same here greenday rocks

Someone (August 2, 2005)

Oh you guys are losers, saying Green day are Sell-Outs, and all this other shit. They happen to be my favorite band...the "fans" are the ones making Green Day sell outs...they aren't doing it to themselves...all you bastards out there saying Green Day are shit know you have a soft spot for Green Day, and you know they have kick ass music. And this thing with Lookout Records, good for effing them. Yes, Lookout gave them the start they needed, but they did not make them big. Green Day was going to get a major label deal, whether or not Lookout was there. I mean, Green Day's music is too amazing to go unnoticed. They had labels lining up like...well don't let me go on. Green Day brought punk back, and you bitches know it. Oh and really, if Green Day has anything bad happening to them, its the posers doing it. And even Green Day said it themselves they don't like seeing the k

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Someone (August 2, 2005)

Omg i fuckin luv u man, i fuckin love u. Ahhhhh u fuckin rock and yes they introudced everything to me too includin masterbation, and yes they did bring back the realmeanin of punk.

Someone (August 3, 2005)

lmao thanks, Green Day fucking kicks mother fucking ass and you agree, so you are the same! woo hoo!

Someone (August 2, 2005)

Yeah it may be stupid and stuff but green day can do what they want. They r fuckin green day. They can do what the fuck they want its their life and no one else's so all of u ppl deal with the fact.

Someone (August 2, 2005)

green day is just doin whats best and that label may have recorded the record but you cant just make green day they are hwat they are ad its not sonethimg that one label does that makes them so fuck you

Someone (August 2, 2005)

I think they did the only thing they could do and God bless them for sticking it out this long. I mean, my hubby & I make a decent living but if I went to work and they stopped paying me, I would quit so fast and sue those a**$%^es. It's kind of the same thing when you think about it. It doesn't matter how much you having in your savings account...you deserve to be paid for the work that you do. End of story.

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Someone (August 3, 2005)

ya. thats how it is. Like going to work and not getting paid. YOU WOULD WANT UR MONEY THAT YOU EARNED! so yes, green day made the right desicion. (sp?) it doesnt matter if they're millionaires- THEY EARNED THE FUKING MONEY! ok? good.. glad u understand :-D p.s. everbody would be happy if money was never invented, so, ya....... would that help out africa or what? *kati*

Someone (August 2, 2005)

Seriously assholes, if you even understood a fucken deal, you'd realize where Green Day are coming from on this, I don't give a fuck what anyone else has to say, when you are in a band, you gotta do what you gotta do, whether its in people's best interests or not. I mean, it does suck that people got laid off, but Lookout! could have prevented it from happening just by keeping up their end of the deal... its as simple as that. So deal, bitches.

Someone (August 2, 2005)

lookout records can burn in hell cause they didn't make it what they were today cause they weren't big till dookie GREENDAY IS THE BEST FUCKING BAND

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thedumbcookie (August 3, 2005)

do ay of you remember when Lookout put out he 1039 smoothed out slappy hours "remastered"... it didnt sound remastered to me.. the only cool part wsa the live shit and the pics... i love lookout, but in my mind... they were ridiing on green day way to hard.. and if your green day getting of the catalouge isnt punk.. then how could exploiting a band thta has made it big be punk rock?... all in all.. i love lookout and if they were to flal id be pretty upest, but g/d wasnt the first band.. they only got shit cas they are big

Someone (August 3, 2005)

do any of you remember when Lookout put out he 1039 smoothed out slappy hours "remastered"... it didnt sound remastered to me.. the only cool part wsa the live shit and the pics... i love lookout, but in my mind... they were ridiing on green day way to hard.. and if your green day getting of the catalouge isnt punk.. then how could exploiting a band thta has made it big be punk rock?... all in all.. i love lookout and if they were to flal id be pretty upest, but g/d wasnt the first band.. they only got shit cas they are big

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Someone (September 16, 2005)

Very interesting blog!

Someone (August 3, 2005)

oook. all these people complaining about Green Day are just stupid. I mean really, do you look at the whole picture and take shit in, or do you just look for anything and everything so you can yell "SELLOUT!"? I really want to know this. I mean, is this the "punk" attitude? Because if it is I don't fucking get it. All it reminds me of are the little kids around here who claim to be "punk" and "hardcore", when in reality they are as hardcore as a cotton ball. Is Green Day's leaving Lookout! records affecting you personally to the point that you should care this much and hate them? I don't think so. Worry about yourself, let Lookout! worry about their situation, and let Green Day do what is right for them.

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Someone (August 3, 2005)

Green Day suck anyway,poser punks

Someone (August 3, 2005)

They are not posers - you complete pultroon. They are musicians/artists simply doing what they do best - and they are great at it. What is it with you cretins having a NEED to call Green Day posers? All they want to do is do their music - leave it alone man....and grow the hell up.

Someone (August 3, 2005)

ok.. think... and consider.. before you make an ass out of yourselves. Greenday make a deal with someone, and the knowingly tried to screw them over, it would have been un-punk of them NOT to pull they're records!

Someone (August 3, 2005)

People it does't matter what your opinion is really, because its done and over with!!!! and for you people who hate green day, i sugest you pull that stick out of your ass!!! i am a fan and agree with what they did so, in my opinion: go fuck yourselfs you posers and go back to listening barney and the teletubbies you pussies!!! :p

Someone (August 3, 2005)

Ok, all of you need to stop calling Green Day "assholes" and "dicks". They are none of that. They're a hard working band that deserves the money that is owed to them. They arent doing this cuz the WANT money. The fucking record label OWES them money. Green Day are a great band and u guys need to stop blaming this on them and calling them selfish and all that shit. They're NOT.! As everybody else who knows what they're talking about said, this is NOT the same lookout that signed them many years ago. There's a different owner and all that stuff. So shut your fucking mouth if u think GD sucks or w/e. You don't know what you're talking about. *kati*

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Someone (August 3, 2005)

Fuck you all anti Green Day faggots!! They did what they had to do!! Letting some parasite company steal your money is lame and stupid. Green Day was nice to wait soo long for doing that. I´m happy they did it!! The bitchin' company made a recent ´´remake´´ but I rarely see it in stores anyway. There are 2 kinds of antis here, the morons and the ppl who hate Green Day for no reason whatsoever like the lame asshole that posted song comparisons... Seriously that guy had to be high or something to post something so lame!! XD And if you are one of those morons and still think GD sucks you are now officialy as dumb as the president. So umm yeah Anti Green Day fags fuck off and die or go piss on some other band. By the way those 2 weren't Green Day's success it was Dookie/Reprise records. And yeah Dookie is way better than slappy *Tre isn't even in the band

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Someone (August 3, 2005)

Fuck you all anti Green Day faggots!! They did what they had to do!! Letting some parasite company steal your money is lame and stupid. Green Day was nice to wait soo long for doing that. I´m happy they did it!! The bitchin' company made a recent ´´remake´´ but I rarely see it in stores anyway. There are 2 kinds of antis here, the morons and the ppl who hate Green Day for no reason whatsoever like the lame asshole that posted song comparisons... Seriously that guy had to be high or something to post something so lame!! XD And if you are one of those morons and still think GD sucks you are now officialy as dumb as the president. So umm yeah Anti Green Day fags fuck off and die or go piss on some other band. By the way those 2 weren't Green Day's success it was Dookie/Reprise records. And yeah Dookie is way better than slappy *Tre isn't even in the band

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Someone (August 3, 2005)

holy crap I cant believe I just read all those comments...anyway yeah Green Day were right for pulling out, Green Day is a band but they are also buisness men so they had every right to pull out of a label that was not living up to their end up the contract, I do feel worry for lookout they did start off alot of good bands, but their poor managment has been their downfall And for all you who somehow seem to think this is all Green Day's fault are complete idiots, get your information straight before you go to a board and bash the shit out of something that you know nothing about

Someone (August 4, 2005)

Fair enough, but that goes for bashing Lookout! as well. And by the way, I'm sure Green Day would be really fucking stoked to hear the person who commented above calling people "faggotts." Maybe Punk actually is dead.

Someone (August 3, 2005)

Fuck you all anti Green Day faggots!! They did what they had to do!! Letting some parasite company steal your money is lame and stupid. Green Day was nice to wait soo long for doing that. I´m happy they did it!! The bitchin' company made a recent ´´remake´´ but I rarely see it in stores anyway. There are 2 kinds of antis here, the morons and the ppl who hate Green Day for no reason whatsoever like the lame asshole that posted song comparisons... Seriously that guy had to be high or something to post something so lame!! XD And if you are one of those morons and still think GD sucks you are now officialy as dumb as the president. So umm yeah Anti Green Day fags fuck off and die or go piss on some other band. By the way those 2 weren't Green Day's success it was Dookie/Reprise records. And yeah Dookie is way better than slappy *Tre isn't even in the band

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Someone (August 4, 2005)

So let me get this straight -- you hate just "bitchin' fags" or all fags? Either way, you're obviously a very smart individual who's opinion we should all pay a great deal of attnetion to. Thanks.

Someone (August 5, 2005)

I just hate ppl that hate and curse Green Day. I'm sorry i got that question in your mind I was just so fucking pissed off at all the stupidity that I wrote down every single word that came to my mind. I tried to fix it up a bit but instead I created some embarrasing double post >.< Sorry for that too, again when I get angry I just can't control myself. Ooh and I used the word faggot alot 'cause last week I entered some huge crowded area in a mall wearing a Green Day jacket and some guys with a Michael Jackson voice started screaming GREEN DAY!! GREEN DAY!! SUCKS!! SHE'S AN IDIOT!! But I couldn't see them and I had to keep walking because people where pushing and I was with my ''OMG BAD WORDS ARE BAD'' aunt. The only thing I could do was just raise my hand and show the finger so I kinda kept that rage inside of me. -Punk Girl

Someone (December 12, 2005)

Dude people have their reasons for not liking GreenDay. Mainly becuase their music is so fucking mainstream that it irratates the fuck out of me. There are other bands that deserve awards then Greenday but instead, the auidience preferes their kind of.. "music." Anyway, "punk girl" stop telling Anti Green Days to fuck off and that you're fucking bored. If you're so bored turn off your stupid computer and live that "great" life of yours. People who don't like Green Day should be at least respected for their opinons and views. Especially those who don't consider themselves "PUNK" because that's just a fucking label. Whatever. You're a TYPICAL GREEN DAY ZOMBIE. And by the way, FAG means cigarette. I don't care what you say I am after you GAZE and READ this and try to BRING YOUR GREEN DAY GROUPIES HERE AND START THINKING OF NAMES TO CALL ME BECAUSE YOU'RE BORED AND YOU'RE LISTENI

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Someone (August 3, 2005)

I can understand that the article makes green day look pretty harsh, but you cant judge anything just from this article. You cant even tell what really happened so give green day a break.

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Someone (August 3, 2005)

holy crap I cant believe I just read all those comments...anyway yeah Green Day were right for pulling out, Green Day is a band but they are also buisness men so they had every right to pull out of a label that was not living up to their end up the contract, I do feel worry for lookout they did start off alot of good bands, but their poor managment has been their downfall And for all you who somehow seem to think this is all Green Day's fault are complete idiots, get your information straight before you go to a board and bash the shit out of something that you know nothing about

Someone (August 3, 2005)

I'm not surprised at all that Green Day finally pulled their catalog from Lookout! That label isn't even the same Lookout! we know anymore especially since Larry Livermore left!

Someone (August 3, 2005)

I think Green Day were right to pull the albums from Lookout if Lookout weren't keeping their part of the contract. Business is business, you do work, you expect to get paid for that work. If they weren't getting the money that Lookout owed them then they had every right to be angry and to take the albums off of the label. You can be as nostalgic as you like about the situation (eg 'Lookout is a great label', 'Green Day have been with Lookout for 10 years' etc. etc.) but the fact of the matter is they have a right to the money which they have worked for, regardless of how much money they already have. Like someone already said, what respect should Green Day have for a scene which no longer respects them and largely hasn't since they went major label. Why should they stay on Lookout just because it started them out? It seems like some people want Green Day to 'prove how

show rest of commentI think Green Day were right to pull the albums from Lookout if Lookout weren't keeping their part of the contract. Business is business, you do work, you expect to get paid for that work. If they weren't getting the money that Lookout owed them then they had every right to be angry and to take the albums off of the label. You can be as nostalgic as you like about the situation (eg 'Lookout is a great label', 'Green Day have been with Lookout for 10 years' etc. etc.) but the fact of the matter is they have a right to the money which they have worked for, regardless of how much money they already have. Like someone already said, what respect should Green Day have for a scene which no longer respects them and largely hasn't since they went major label. Why should they stay on Lookout just because it started them out? It seems like some people want Green Day to 'prove how punk they really are', is letting someone walk all over you really going to prove it? Also, it seems like Lookout hasn't been paying out to various bands for quite a while now and if other bands have left the label without cries of 'you're killing Lookout' then why are Green Day being made scapegoat in all of this purely because they are on a major label and are a very famous band? If this really has been going on for as long as it is said to have been then I think Green Day have been very patient not to have taken the albums off the label sooner (with the release of American Idiot there has been renewed interest in 1,039/Smoothed Out Slappy Hours and Kerplunk and both titles have recently been in the UK Rock Album Charts). It says a lot about a business when they have to lay off six staff members because two albums both released over two years ago are pulled from the label.

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AJH (August 3, 2005)

green day were keeping lookout records going and if lookout didn't pay up then thats their fault. Green day have bigger fish to fry then worry about their old days.

Someone (August 3, 2005)

if Lookout! had to cut so many employees jus cuz they lost the rights to green day's old albums, THATS PATHETIC. company must be goin down the drain anyways if thats the case. and why the hell should green day jus allow Lookout! to get away with screwing them? green day earned the money and they had a deal with the record label, and if the company didn't live up to its agreement, then green day has every right to leave them. i applaud their actions--its jus good business.

Someone (August 3, 2005)

Good, Green Day shouldn't be taken for a ride.

Someone (August 3, 2005)

Pitchfork just posted this news and they say they got it from here! Go punknews! And by the way, that does suck that such an important label may be going under, but if it's true that lookout wasnt paying them, they have every right to leave under breach of contract. Also, I didnt know Lookout was so small... damn! -Greg

Someone (August 3, 2005)

why is everyone slagging off green day about this? if someone owed you money, you'd want it back - wouldn't you? it's lookout!'s fault for not paying them.

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Someone (August 3, 2005)

I think that Green Day did the right thing. Lookout! records had no right at all to keep their rightful money from them! I personally would never had stayed with Lookout! records as long as Green Day did so i think that they were letting them off easy. I probably would have sued! Lookout! had what was coming to them for a long time. They ripped off a lot of bands and not one band should have to take the records shit or take the blame for the company's downfall. Also Green Day did not "sell out". They wanted to make the best music they could and people like what they made. Would you really write shitty music just so that you wouldn't be named as a "sell out"? No, i don't think so. So get your facts straight and put yourselves in the bands' positions. Then you might not be calling names.

Someone (August 3, 2005)

i dont care what anyone has to say about green day casue in my mind green day is the best kick ass band out there. and green day can do there own thing. they dont need the lookouts. billies biggest fan ericka green day rocks!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!

Someone (August 3, 2005)

i dont think they should blame Green Day because it proves that Lookout Records are crap because they have to keep going by relying on 1 band that left them years ago!!

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Someone (August 3, 2005)

I dont see how some of you people that claim to be huge green day fans and then just turn your back and say that they are sell outs! then you arent true fans in the first place...... if your boss stopped payin you would you keep working for them? no one would keep working for fun...... the point of work is to get paid and get income.... Plus if you watched Driven, the founder of lookout! records said that they wouldn't be anything if Green Day didnt sign with them! Green Day is the only reason that lookout! is still around.. and for you people saying that you arent goin to get any of the records that they stopped making unless they say lookout! records on them... dont be a dumbass! they will still say Lookout! records on them... just the rest of them wont... geeze! and.......green day can be suing them... they are letting lookout! off easy! tons of other bands signed

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Someone (August 3, 2005)

I dont see how some of you people that claim to be huge green day fans and then just turn your back and say that they are sell outs! then you arent true fans in the first place...... if your boss stopped payin you would you keep working for them? no one would keep working for fun...... the point of work is to get paid and get income.... Plus if you watched Driven, the founder of lookout! records said that they wouldn't be anything if Green Day didnt sign with them! Green Day is the only reason that lookout! is still around.. and for you people saying that you arent goin to get any of the records that they stopped making unless they say lookout! records on them... dont be a dumbass! they will still say Lookout! records on them... just the rest of them wont... geeze! and.......green day can be suing them... they are letting lookout! off easy! tons of other bands signed of

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Someone (August 3, 2005)

I agree with her! _--_Whitney!_--_

Someone (August 3, 2005)

Green Day prolly had a reason so you can all just STFU and deal with it.

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Someone (August 4, 2005)

Right!!

Someone (August 4, 2005)

The reason was that Lookout was not paying royalties. Green Day should have to subsidize a label that is killing itself by releasing shitty music.

readmag (August 3, 2005)

Lookout goes kerplunk! Label was in financial trouble for years. Only things keeping them afloat were the Green Day catalog, Donnas and Ted Leo. Sad for a label that used to consistently put out some of the best pop-punk. But not so sad for a label that then greatly diversified, alienating their core audience, and released nothing but crap for the past 5 years.

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Someone (August 4, 2005)

i didn't get it!! y did green day took the rights from Lookout! ?? and y does 3 imployees had been fired?! oh yeah, and green day ruuuuuuuuuuulz!!

Someone (August 4, 2005)

They took the rights awy from Lookout because Lookout was not paying the band royalties. The employees were let go because Lookout has no money anymore.

Someone (August 4, 2005)

Why aren't you guys giving the Riverdales and the other bands who took their albums back shit too? Green Day waited this out for years, and they are not filing any legal action to recoup the lost royalties, they just took the masters back. Lookout! should have more hope than 10+ year old Green Day albums. I'm sad to see it go, but it's really their mistake and it would've happened anyway most likely.

Someone (August 4, 2005)

Why aren't you guys giving the Riverdales and the other bands who took their albums back shit too? Green Day waited this out for years, and they are not filing any legal action to recoup the lost royalties, they just took the masters back. Lookout! should have more hope than 10+ year old Green Day albums. I'm sad to see it go, but it's really their mistake and it would've happened anyway most likely.

Someone (August 4, 2005)

green day rocks...they had to do what they had to do so fuck off!!

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Someone (August 4, 2005)

please don't link the pop punk bored on this site, im scared it may attract people like this. (not that green day doesn't rule, but you guys type like you're retards.)

Someone (September 16, 2005)

Very nice site!

Someone (August 4, 2005)

all u ppl stop fuckin blaming green day. i mean if u were getting cheated out of money lke that woud u just do nothing, i sure as hell wouldn't. u KNOW I SAY GOOOOOOOOO FUCKIN GREEN DAY, FOR DOIN WHAT THE DID, NOW ALL U FUCKIN PPL OUTT THERE WHO DON'T AGREE WITH WHAT GREEN DAY DID, FUCK U

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Someone (August 4, 2005)

Woah, you give me a headache. Please, never comment again.

Someone (August 5, 2005)

Look at least Green Day let them keep the rights for this long rather than pulling them as soon as they got with a major label. I'm sure there was a bit more to it than anyone thinks because Lookout! gave them their break and they would not have pulled out unless they really, really had to. They are still an amazing band and I still love them.

Someone (August 8, 2005)

I think all of you are being dicks to Green Day, they can do what they want wether you don't like it or do like it. If Operation Ivy did the same thing I could almost promise you guys would praise them, I still say Green Day is punk rock and I listen to bands like: INDK Leftover Crack Morning Glory Choking Victim Subhumans TSOL Social Distortion Crass etc. I will always consider Green Day punk and a great story of how a punk band can be a major band as well. So the rest of you that stabbed Green Day in the back can go to hell.

Someone (August 8, 2005)

fucktards

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Someone (September 16, 2005)

Your site is realy very interesting!

Someone (August 8, 2005)

Green Day rule all the way. They did what they needed to do, and that's it. Whoever condemns Green Day for doing the right thing is an idiot. Bollocks to that.

Someone (August 8, 2005)

No one makes as good music as Green Day. Now if you can't cope with that than go to hell. They made the best decision. And they'll always kick more arse than everybody else!

Someone (August 8, 2005)

the bunch of you are fucking idiots. fucking lookout was getting a free ride from the sales of green days cds,and they wouldnt even pay the small percentage they needed too to green day. thats like not payng your taxes.whats the IRS gonna do? TAKE ALL YOUR SHIT.ive lost ALOT of respect for lookout, its pathetic.

Someone (August 11, 2005)

you dipshits, i have seen green day 30+ times before the release of dookie and i am not really much of a fan these days but..... if a label is making serious $$$$$ off of you and not paying you for it.. that is FUCKED. the label didn't make them, they toured their asses off and never let up. now the label is soaking it up and not paying for it. that is wrong. YANK that fucker.

mikiplanas (August 12, 2005)

i'm dissapointed ,

1+ Reply

Someone (September 16, 2005)

Your site is realy very interesting!

Someone (August 17, 2005)

If Lookout! wasn't paying then Green Day was right to pull their catalog. Lookout! are big fucks!

Someone (October 27, 2005)

Larry Livermore, get Lookout Records back..! Chris is KILLING the mecca of punk rock label...

SVXHCPRODUCTIONS (December 7, 2005)

That is such a bunch of greedy arrogant bullshit. Green Day have been my favorite band since I was eleven years old, and i'm VERY pissed at them right now for this. I cannot believe they would be so greedy. might as well be FUCKING METALLICA. that is such bullshit. Lookout records handed green day the key to the fucking world, and this is what they do in return. this has ruined the month of december for me. thanx a lot green day. i didnt think you were capable of depressing me.

3+ Replies

tjsquishface138 (December 7, 2005)

they really forgot their roots...like they don't have enough fucking money...lookout helped them in the past and now green day and return the fucking favor...greedy bastards...

Someone (December 7, 2005)

So why do punks hate major labels? They fuck you out of your money and basically bend you over and have their way with you. And what was the current Lookout! Records doing to Green Day? Fucking them out of their money and basically bending them over. Face it kids, if Green Day had ever tried to sell out, Dookie would've sounded more like a Nirvana record.

Someone (January 29, 2006)

yr a dumb ass go to hell green day still kicks ass and if you cant deal with there decesion then yr not a true fan ,u poser,they did whut they thought was right

Someone (December 7, 2005)

o why do punks hate major labels? They fuck you out of your money and basically bend you over and have their way with you. And what was the current Lookout! Records doing to Green Day? Fucking them out of their money and basically bending them over. Face it kids, if Green Day had ever tried to sell out, Dookie would've sounded more like a Nirvana record.

mattthefucker (December 7, 2005)

dang thats retarded

Someone (December 7, 2005)

In terms of contract, if a record company can not pay back the royalties that are due then the band is able to pull out their records. it's a simple breach of contract. Now, ethically it may depend on who was at fault? If it was the label's poor abilities at bookeeping and finance, the burden falls on the label If it was the band's urgency for royalty checks... then their green may be showing...

Someone (December 7, 2005)

all the kids who say this was a "dick move" or anything along those lines is stupid and naive. why should they allow a company to profit from their hard work and creativity without themselves seeing any of the royalites they are due. the label should have paid the royalties, and they wouldnt be in this mess. green day hasn't done anything wrong in this regard. their only fault is making lame music.

Someone (December 7, 2005)

ok im kind of on the neautral side of this. Yes, I think it is a douche thing to do wat green day AND MANY OTHERS did. im not putting all kinds of blame on only them though. but then again, some of u guys have a point. buisness is buisness. ANd they must have poor relations with their artists and it has started catching up with then. also, its not fair for them to be capitalizing off the success of green day, when Lookout! are only their former label. Lookout! Records is one of the greatest independent labels ever, with bands such as Green Day, Operation Ivy, The Donnas, and many many more formerly signed to them. But I think they should get their affairs strainghted out. I do think Green Day could have let it go, because with or without the sale of their first 2 records, they are still millionares. But I can understand why they did it.

Someone (December 8, 2005)

that sucks

_Jesus_of_suburbia_ (December 29, 2005)

wtf who cares green day still kicks ass

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