Victory Records adds catalogue to iTunes

Contributed by dpotts. Posted by aubin on Tuesday, September 26, 2006 at 12:05 PM (EDT)

After holding out for some time, Victory Records has begun adding it's catalogue to Apple's popular iTunes service. The label had originally hesitated with owner Tony Brummel concerned about the "entire musical experience" of albums, which he argued included the entirety of the recording, artwork and lyrics.

Brummel had also attempted to work on promotions with Apple CEO Steve Jobs. It is not entirely clear what motivated this change of heart, but Apple has begun offering both full lengths from Hawthorne Heights, as well as catalogue material from Taking Back Sunday, Thursday and others.

Victory Records (103 comments)

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

Someone (September 26, 2006)

About fucking time. Tony Victory is so gay.

Queue the picture!

Someone (September 26, 2006)

I love that picture. I have it set as my wallpaper

Someone (September 26, 2006)

Hahaha, rad!

Someone (September 26, 2006)

What picture?

kingofsuck (September 26, 2006)

http://www.punknews.org/images/interviews/tonyvictory.jpg

niveK82 (September 26, 2006)

http://havvek.com/pics/tonyisacock.jpg

Someone (September 26, 2006)

Hahahahahahaha

mikeinflames (September 26, 2006)

the new victory logo should be that dog with tony's head photoshopped in
that would be hillarious

Someone (September 26, 2006)

that would be funny. maybe i'll do it.

Someone (September 26, 2006)

maybe! please!

Someone (September 26, 2006)

OK! OK! Here you go.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v207/JoshCBFL/VictoryRec ords.jpg

Someone (September 26, 2006)

hahahaha

mikeinflames (September 26, 2006)

lol
that is fucking priceless

now the ORG needs to start using that as the logo everytime they post a Victory story

Someone (September 26, 2006)

Well thank you!

-JoshCBFL

Someone (September 26, 2006)

This isn't really about whether you like Victory music or not, it's more the question of whether digital music is a better option than getting the full package.

Dusticles (September 26, 2006)

i believe that if you pay for...whether it is a "hard copy" or something like iTunes....it doesnt matter. Artist's like Colin will disagree with me and I understand.

I will say that if I reaaaaaly dig a particular album I will go and buy the whole thing with the artwork just to see what it is like.

kingofsuck (September 26, 2006)

I can understand if you don't appreciate the art, but the better sound quality isn't important to you at all?

Dusticles (September 26, 2006)

I have never had a problem with sound quality. Well....I have never noticed it, even if there is a difference.

colin (September 26, 2006)

nah i don't disagree. i just hate itunes.

ThinMike (September 26, 2006)

Some people want the artwork, some people don't care. I, for one, don't care. I look at it once and toss it on a shelf somewhere. I expect there are a lot of people like me who would rather pay a couple bucks less and have the music RIGHT NOW instead of going to a store, buying the cd, and then ripping it themselves for their computer and mp3 player.

baseball (September 26, 2006)

which is why digital music is a good thing

i'll rarely buy something from a band i've never heard without downloading first to check it out, but i usually will replace it with the real thing if i enjoy it

also i know a lot of people that don't buy much music but never miss shows of the bands they download, which helps the bands just as much

in the end, exposure is the most important thing probably

baseball (September 26, 2006)

personally, i just can't enjoy a record without buying the real thing

givemeamuseumandillfillit (September 26, 2006)

You know what you're paying for.

Someone (September 26, 2006)

Artwork is usually a vital piece of the record, I think it's VERY important. A lot can be said (good and bad) through the artwork.

Someone (September 26, 2006)

maybe it's time that we rethink the digital format in general. we're all assuming that digital/mp3/itunes, etc. means there will be no accompanying visual aspect of the music. well, if that's the way everyone sees it then that's what will happen. maybe this is time for the arists who produce such amazing artwork for music they love to start designing for the digital age.

Someone (September 26, 2006)

Yes that's a good idea. There are still those of us who need the tangible. I have to have it in my hands, otherwise it's less fun, less engaging. But nothing changes the fact the Tony is a gigantic douchebag, perhaps the biggest.

RecordTheory (September 26, 2006)

Personally, I like to have the physical product in hand. The case and the artwork are part of the entire experience of the album. In most cases the band has a lot of say (if not complete design credit) for it, so therefore it is part of the album.

THAT SAID, I would check out a lot more albums if their labels offered an inexpensive way to download the album. $9.99 for a downloaded album crippled with DRM is WAY too expensive, especially when you can mail-order the album for $10.00 directly from the label. Selling a download costs the labels considerably less in production costs, which paves the way for them to pass the majority of the money made in this way directly to the artist.

Now, if only I could find a label that did just that....

(shameless)

punkbytheounce (September 26, 2006)

I like having physical copies, but it's so many steps when you live in a town where the only record store is at Walmart. I gotta order the CD, wait a few days, get it and finally hear it/rip it. It's such a fucking process. iTunes is just easier, at least for things I gotta hear now.

Someone (September 26, 2006)

There was an interview with the artist Pushead(did artwork for misfits, metallica and tons more) He was talking about how cd's started ruining album art, compared to LP's. Now with digital music it is really not necessary. Kind of sucks.

MrStylson (September 26, 2006)

my only complaint with iTunes is that damn DRM.

Luckily some labels are now starting to offer album downloads directly from their own websites, with higher bitrate files and no copy protection.

Someone (September 26, 2006)

dude sucks at life.

apparently he lives in the same town as me too.

a kid i know installs stereo equiptment and apparently installed a ridiculous sound system in his house.

Someone (September 27, 2006)

Um... Chicago?

ILOVESCOTT (September 26, 2006)

his bullshit never ceases to amaze me.

ThinMike (September 26, 2006)

It IS entirely clear what motivated this change of heart:

iTunes is now outselling most retail stores, and you're a complete idiot if you choose not to sell your CDs on iTunes. For a money grubbing greedmonger like Tony to have held out this long just proves he's not only an asshole, he's stupid.

justahippie (September 26, 2006)

Amen. money is the root of all evil and this guy loves it more than anything.

Andy

ThinMike (September 26, 2006)

Actually it's "the love of money is the root of all evil" but in Tony's case that definitely applies.

Someone (September 26, 2006)

PLUS if there's one thing that Tony Victory does love...

Its money.

Someone (September 26, 2006)

fucking sellout

fritobandito (September 26, 2006)

"I hate iTunes. but fuck, it'll make me some money, AMIRITE?" - Tony Brummel.

sickboi (chris) (September 26, 2006)

Is it the full Victory catalog or just artists that have moved on/currently moving on to larger labels?

mCLz (September 26, 2006)

probably the shitty big bands lat left the label so he can get money off of them

sickboi (chris) (September 26, 2006)

Nah, I just found Comeback Kid, Snapcase and Catch 22...

Someone (September 26, 2006)

Snapcase was awesome

DiscoFucker (September 26, 2006)

Fuckin A Right they were.

SkolarX (September 26, 2006)

i'd be willing to bet you won't be finding fury of five on there anytime soon. probably just the bankable names like spitalfield, silverstein and aiden along with a few of the older bands with a big name like refused or hatebreed

mustard (September 26, 2006)

yeah i noticed that...is this just so he can still make money off of tbs, thursday, and hawthorne heights

crazytoledo (September 26, 2006)

Oh boy I can buy my music on...

no wait...

I'm still not gonna pay for half the stuff on the label.

niveK82 (September 26, 2006)

I boycot victory, pay bands i like directly

Coldwaffles (September 26, 2006)

So why review 80% of the stuff on that label?

sickboi (chris) (September 26, 2006)

Just did some searching, apparently he's allowed the majority of the catalog to be available...

SkolarX (September 26, 2006)

yep, looks like i was wrong in guessing there would be no fury of five. meatheads everywhere will celebrate!

SkolarX (September 26, 2006)

has anyone bought any tv shows through i-tunes? i've been thinking about getting a few foster's home episodes and probably all of the venture bros second season so far

Archangel (September 26, 2006)

I bought Season 5 of Scrubs over iTunes.

SkolarX (September 26, 2006)

worth buying then?
i hadn't even thought of the fact that i don't have seasons 4 and 5 of scrubs yet

punkbytheounce (September 26, 2006)

I got season 2 of the office and the it's always sunny in philadelphia stuff. the quality is great, and you can of course burn them, so it works out pretty well.
You can subscribe to the daily show and colbert report too, so you can get that day's episode.

Coldwaffles (September 26, 2006)

Foster's Home...

That shitty ass cartoon network show?

jamespastepunk (September 26, 2006)

I wonder if you can get Jet Black New Year and not have to shell out the $12 that Victory wants you to pay for the EP...

ILOVESCOTT (September 26, 2006)

just download it. Tony's not worth giving your money to and Thursday doesn't care.

Someone (September 26, 2006)

Yeah Geoff Rickly said to download their music if you want. I'm taking his advice.

punkbytheounce (September 26, 2006)

It's $5, by the way.

Godfather (September 26, 2006)

way to stick to your guns you shitbag

Godfather (September 26, 2006)

http://www.last.fm/group/Victory%2BRecords%2Bsucks

everyone should join this group

ChokingVictim (September 26, 2006)

I've been a member for awhile!

Someone (September 26, 2006)

. It is not entirely clear what motivated this change of heart, other than he really really really likes money.

Someone (September 26, 2006)

don't you like money? i sure do. how do you pay your rent? or do you still live with mommy and daddy.

baseball (September 26, 2006)

cause you know Tony Brummell is really hurting for rent money

kingofsuck (September 26, 2006)

No, he's hurting for money to buy young Asian boys.

Someone (September 26, 2006)

Because I require money to live that means I'm not entitled to point out other peoples blatent greed?

kingofsuck (September 26, 2006)

""The #1 Independent label joins forces with iTunes".... its a great headline/story and business."

-Tony Brummel

fallingupwards84 (September 26, 2006)

haha i remember that. what a douchebag

niveK82 (September 26, 2006)

The first season of THE STATE is on iTunes now!

cash_money_hustla (September 26, 2006)

Are you shitting me? Greatest Show Ever.

Someone (September 26, 2006)

if anyone is gay it's iTunes.

Someone (September 26, 2006)

Yeah, fuck iTunes. Downloadpunk.com is where it's at.

Cos (September 26, 2006)

This is a "I'm going to make a shitload more money off Hawthrone Heights before they start suing the pants off me" move. I'll bet none of these bands' contracts mention a word about digital music too...

epoch (September 26, 2006)

I hate what this sorry excuse for a man has done to hardcore. Now, of course, since Victory is under the RIAA umbrella, it's available on iTunes, but not emusic.com. It used to be available on emusic, when Victory was still an independant label.

Go to hell, Tony, you greedy pig.

emusic.com's mp3s are free of DRM, only from independant labels, and give artists are rather hansome cut of the cost of the service ($20 for 90 downloads, each month).

This might sound like an advertisement, but I assure you, I don't work for emusic, I just absolutely love their service.

kingofsuck (September 26, 2006)

eMusic should go back to the unlimited downloads.

epoch (September 26, 2006)

That would be nice, but it's not fiscally possible. I find 90 downloads for $20 to be more than fair.

WorryRock (September 26, 2006)

Where's the Tony picture accompanying the article?

But really, it doesnt matter if he finally caved in and put his music on itunes, nobody buys music anyway.

cjmarsicano (September 26, 2006)

Speak for yourself, son.

Kenjamin (September 27, 2006)

or... itunes sold 1 billion songs last year...

Dante3000 (rich) (September 26, 2006)

It is not entirely clear what motivated this change of heart
Though many theories center around Tony Brummel being a raging douche.
-Dante

kingofsuck (September 26, 2006)

Hahahaha

SkolarX (September 26, 2006)

well played

cash_money_hustla (September 26, 2006)

and the fact that people are suing the shit out of him.

Grantino (September 26, 2006)

fucking sellout! way to actually start selling your cds for decent price! where is that capitilism tony brummel heart?

Someone (September 26, 2006)

You are a fucking idiot.

Someone (September 26, 2006)

It was only a matter of time. No matter what a douche he might be, his business sense would ultimately overcome his ego and push him towards going with iTunes.

Someone (September 26, 2006)

"entire musical experience"
of what? another cookie cutter victory piece of shit?
god i hate victory. worst decade spanning music catalog ever.

ChokingVictim (September 26, 2006)

I wish I was rich.

Someone (September 26, 2006)

Tony is probably the all time biggest weiner ever. I seriously can't stand that guy, fuck him.

cjmarsicano (September 26, 2006)

Methinks Tony-Boy needed some extra dough to pay his legal bills considering that Hawthorne Heights are suing his ass off.

Someone (September 26, 2006)

they can bring it right to my front door, it don't mean I'm gonna buy it.

Zorak_Ramone (September 26, 2006)

arrgghhh this is shit. punks hate money. and tony is doing this for the cash. therefore he isn't punk. because making money isn't punk. fuck this guy. he's a jock. because jocks are dumb. and punks are smart. so this guy isn't punk. fuck him. he likes sports. and money. errrr he's ruining punk. argh.

carstens (September 26, 2006)

I'm not saying that Tony isn't one ot the worst people in music today, but you just called him a jock. What the fuck, kid? The whole world isn't high school.

el_matt (September 26, 2006)

I am waiting for his formal explanation for the change of heart. It should be a laughter-riot.

Someone (September 26, 2006)

pfft.. Sellout.

I-type-poorly (September 26, 2006)

The only news out of this is you can download the album art for Keasbey Nights now.

crazytoledo (September 26, 2006)

I just got CDs by A18 and Count the Stars at the one record exchange store.

I should really try to find some Snapcase.

Any other good Old Victory hardcore bands?

Or anything similar to Bane? I just got 'The Note' for $7 there yesterday.

Bryne (September 26, 2006)

Dude. Count The Stars?

Allular (September 27, 2006)

Instead of Count The Stars, you should've bought Grade instead. Hands down.

crazytoledo (September 27, 2006)

The CTS was cheap, so why not? I think the Grade CD they had was still like 10 dollars.

Bryne (September 26, 2006)

Douchebaggery.