"Green Day took some initial flak from overzealous young punks, and on the day gossip Web site PunkNews.org reported Green Day's decision" hahaha "gossip website" nice.

Still reading this lengthy bit here. Must say it's pretty damn interesting. And I thought this shit was funny, when they were talking about how Ben Weasel thought he was being ripped off by the label but he just didn't understand the system. "Ben Weasel declined an interview for this article on the advice of his lawyer". Very punk rock Senior Weasel. Touche. -Dante

That was a dan fine article. It presented both sides and was a really good read.

I don't understand the argument that Fat is all about consistency with their records, and not straying from their original sound. It's as if the article (and Mike) ignore the last few years of Fat.

jesse was quoted. you famous now!

Hahah, look around on the site for a little bit and read the article about Rancid. The last page is just stuff from the "Rancid joins the Bunny?" story lifted verbatim.

Interesting article. Couple of notes: 1) I didn't reall learn anything new about Lookouts! situation or their problems. It has always been said that they simply spent too much on bands that weren't a sure thing (the shit on the wall bit). 2) With bands like Rise Against, Anti-Flag, and (possibly) Against Me! all moving up the ranks quickly can it be said that Fat no longer signs breaking bands? even if that isn't their intent it seems that it happens. 3) Whoever wrote that article has an issue with The Donnas. Hey there's only four of em, not everyone can bone one. 4) Why are people so reluctant to speak ill of LookOut!? Simply an attempt to take the higher ground? It sounds like more than a few people have been lied to. -Dante El Literary Gigante

The article is a really well-balanced piece that mentions a lot of the complexities and mixed feelings surrounding Lookout's past, present, and future. I was afraid they'd sink to the level of that Rancid hit piece you mention, which seems to be the m.o. for most East Bay Express/New Times cover stories about sensationalistic topics. P.S.- The article also Jon Ginoli/Pansy Division and Bill Michalski, who co-founded AK Press US with Ramsey years ago.

So the 'org is a "gossip web site"?

"Avail, a vaunted East Coast punk outfit once rumored to be preparing a lawsuit against Lookout, declined an interview, citing good friendship over bad business." I think we can all learn a lot from this - though it still doesn't excuse bad management. OC

"The rise and fall of an empire" makes me think of Scarface. Imagine Billie Joe with his arm in a sling - "I STAYED LOYAL TO YOU! I made what I could on the side, but I never CROSSED YOU! You a piece of shit."

I'm about halfway through the article... ...and I've been curious, the article says that Op IV has sold over a half-million records. Does anyone have a soundscan total or anything?

its kinda a sad read.. they ruled in the beginning i love fat wreck

They listed just about every band who left lookout except The Groovie Ghoulies!! I think this is a really good article though.

I don't exactly get why people feel sorry for Green Day for not getting all of their roayalties. I know they deserve it, but i still think it's rather harsh for them to basically destroy the label that got them to where they are now. Avail I can understand, same goes for Screeching Weasel and the others, but Green Day doesn't need the money. Someone please expain to me why i should be sympathetic when they've done more harm then good all for money they don't need. yayforapathy

I call bullshit on this article, there's a lot of things that don't add up and I am convinced this "journalist" is a friend of Larry Livermore. Seemed one sided against Chris and Screeching Weasel.

I anticipate this whole thing will get settled in Bankruptcy Court. ...and 91 days before Lookout officially files bankruptcy, its assets will 'mysteriously' be transferred somewhere. You just watch. (It's not like I didn't learn anything from power whoring...) Gray Davis Special Counsel Loeb & Loeb

What's going to happen to Ted Leo?

Sounds to me like Lookout! brought this on themselves. And this whole idea of blaming their failures on the bands wanting decent promotion is absurd.

The swer trouts "Songs about drinking" owns hockey nights new release on lookout is actualy realy good

That article was interesting.. I didn't know Epitaph spent that much money on the Distillers... Wow Brett, what the hell were you thinking? Just because she was Tim's wife at the time didn't mean you had to throw away all that cash on her garbage! The Distillers remind me very much of The Donnas; they got super promoted by their small labels, jumped ship to a major where they got promoted even more, and they just flopped big time into the abyss.

not re-releasing the stikky collection or a corrupted morals discography were lookout's biggest mistakes.