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Dustin Kensrue commits 5% of proceeds to charity

Posted by aubin on Monday, February 26, 2007 at 12:00 PM (EST)

Dustin Kensrue, also of Thrice, has announced plans to donate 5% of his proceeds from his solo album, Please Come Home, to a non-profit organization called To Write Love on Her Arms..

To Write Love on Her Arms is a nonprofit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for those struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide. To Write Love on Her Arms began in March 2006 as a written story and an attempt to raise money for one girl's treatment.

Dustin and his band are no strangers to these types of projects, with their first few albums on Subcity and their ensuing albums on Island, the band has always donated proceeds to various charities. When they made the jump to major label Island Records in 2002, they even negotiated a matching funds plan with the label.

Equal Vision Records (103 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.

The_Ken_Chin_Imposter (February 26, 2007)

5%, now that's impressive.

Those cheap fuckers from Good Riddance only donate like 10 cents from each CD to charity. Greedy fucking capitalists.

1+ Reply

Dakotacore (February 26, 2007)

It is even more impressive when you think that not only is he doing this with his solo album, but with Thrice's album, and Island matches what they donate. So he is responsible for a lot of money being donated to charity this year alone. I commend him for that.

Someone (February 26, 2007)

nice

Someone (February 26, 2007)

Hmm. Always good to give part of your profits to Charity. For Thrice's upcoming "Quad-Album", they should give like 25% to charity, since people are going to have to pay about $40 for the fucking thing anyway.

2+ Replies

Someone (February 26, 2007)

you could always illegially download it so they don't give any money to charity.

niveK82 (February 26, 2007)

or illegally download it and give $40 to charity.

Evil_Dead (February 26, 2007)

Or not subject yerself to crap and just give the $40.

JXS

Evil_Dead (February 26, 2007)

Or not subject yerself to crap and just give the $40.

JXS

Someone (February 26, 2007)

or post the same message twice and look like a retard.

Evil_Dead (February 27, 2007)

:-'(

JXS

Someone (February 26, 2007)

Wonderful news. Very nice to see news about people doing good things.

Someone (February 26, 2007)

5 percecnt? Greedy fucker

5+ Replies

kjb83 (February 26, 2007)

I don't see how donating money to charity makes him greedy. 5 percent really isn't that bad. Sounds like a lot less than it really is. And it's better than nothing.

baseball (February 26, 2007)

5% is pretty damn significant

if he netted $50,000 then that's $2500 right there

how much do you donate to charity again?

baseball (February 26, 2007)

and i'm not implying he makes anything like that, the math was just easy

ThomPunkAheaddotcom (February 26, 2007)

I very much doubt he'll make much from this CD personally after label costs, studio etc...

dorkatour (February 26, 2007)

are you fucking kidding? how much of your salary do you donate to charity. shut the fuck up.

Dante3000 (rich) (February 26, 2007)

All my proceeds go to charity.
The charity of buying me stuff.
-Dante

2+ Replies

niveK82 (February 26, 2007)

you get proceeds?

Dante3000 (rich) (February 26, 2007)

It's a long and torrid affair, that actually involves an affair with a chick who shops at Torrid.
Hey, bigg uns need love too, they just gotta pay.
-Dante

Someone (February 26, 2007)

I thought this was gonna say "Dustin Kensrue commits suicide."

I don't even know who the hell the dude is, but I always enjoy a good suicide story.

I suppose it's commendable that he's contributing some money to that organization. But how much money is 5% of his solo album proceeds gonna be? A drop in the bucket.

Maybe, with the money he's contributed, the organization can help his family deal with the crisis when Dustin Kensrue commits suicide. Haw!

6+ Replies

kjb83 (February 26, 2007)

Wow, that was one of the worst posts in the history of the internet. And if you were trying to be funny, you failed miserably.

Someone (February 26, 2007)

"And if you were trying to be funny, you failed miserably."

I wasn't trying to amuse you, prick. I was trying to amuse ME, and I succeeded.

Here's a funnier one: I'll be glad when the money Kensrue has donated to this charity helps your family in their, haha, "hour of need," when you're left paralyzed and brain dead (but still alive) after your failed suicide attempt. That will be really "hardcore" for them, changing your diaper and all.

kjb83 (February 26, 2007)

Wow, you're a pretty awful human being. Good luck in life.

Someone (February 26, 2007)

it's always the worst when a frustrated only child finds places to post on the internet

ConsolationPrizefighter (February 26, 2007)

What does being an only child have to do with making really crappy posts on an internet message board?

Someone (February 26, 2007)

hmmm- i don't know but we should totally take time out of our day to argue about it, though.

ConsolationPrizefighter (February 26, 2007)

As opposed to making a really smartass, hypocritical remark?

Someone (February 26, 2007)

I'd have to agree. This guy really bumbled though that. Not impressed.

Someone (February 26, 2007)

Oh my goodness! I've bungled.

I'll bunghole. I'll bunghole you.

Someone (February 26, 2007)

actually, he said bumbled you moron

im guessing youre not the sharpest tool in the shed

Someone (February 26, 2007)

Bumble on the AIDS bone.

Someone (February 26, 2007)

dude, what are you, like 13? grow up

Someone (February 26, 2007)

I'm 50. Now, suck my disease infested penis, which is covered in stinking, filthy, running, open sores.

Someone (February 26, 2007)

i pity you.

tylerdurden8136 (February 26, 2007)

5%? So what, after all his album sales that'll come out to maybe $100?

This dude sucks.

4+ Replies

Someone (February 26, 2007)

And how much do you donate to charity every year? Pull your head out of your ass fucker, at least he's doing something.

SuperRad (February 26, 2007)

Well I'm pretty sure Tyler isnt in a popular rock band. Also, he's probably in school. The point is, he's in Thrice. He isnt in This Bike is a Pipe Bomb, we're talking serious money. Yeah, ok, he's giving something, awesome. It just makes you wonder, this is a solo cd. Obviously it isnt going to sell tons. If you're going to give to a charity you really care about, wouldnt you want to REALLY give? I don't know, like I said I don't know how much 5% is going to equal.

Someone (February 26, 2007)

Oh man, you had to drag This Bike is a Pipe Bomb into this.

P-Cola represent!

Someone (February 26, 2007)

According to the US government, in 2005:

"Americans thus donated 2.2 percent of their average disposable (after-tax) income."

So his "paltry" 5% is already over double what the average American gives each year. I know he has more money than the average American, but to shit on him for giving 5% is pretty low.

Plus being in school doesn't mean anything...I still donated to charities while I was in university, even if it wasn't a whole lot. At least the thought was there.

Plus the number of records sold isn't the issue...if you read the whole story they point out how Thrice has a history of doing this type of thing, and it's nice for him to continue the trend.

giant_robot (February 26, 2007)

How much does the guy have to give? I want to give to charity, but on top of caring for my wife and son, paying rent, utilities, car payments and other bills, medical issurance and everything else, I'm left with little to nothing. It's hard. I think it's impressive that the guy is giving at all. I don't know about the dynamics of other major artists, but if people like Gwen Steffani or Jay-Z, or any other huge star negotiated with their labels to match their charitable contributions from their record sales, then yeah, this may seem like nothing. But the fact is, as far as I understand, that not many artists do this, so whatever contribution he may give from his record sales is honorable. Don't bag on the guy for doing a good deed.

TheMike (February 26, 2007)

As opposed to the 0% other musicians donate. Yep, Dustin is the cheap prick here.

Someone (February 26, 2007)

Yea! My chemcal romance is srsly awesome good taste!!

SuperRad (February 26, 2007)

I'm not going to pretend to know how much 5% is going to be, but I do know that 5% sounds like very little. I mean, would it really kill you to give 10? He's in a pretty popular band, and I'm sure he makes enough from those cds. It would be awesome to see him donate all his proceeds from this album to charity. It's not going to be that much anyway.

6+ Replies

Someone (February 26, 2007)

"I'm sure he makes enough from those cds"

After all the overhead, the artist doesn't really make a whole lot. He's very lucky if if he gets 25% after all is said and done. And with 5% of each sale going to charity I'd say he's probably getting closer 16% or 17%. The big money makers on album sales are the record labels.

Someone (February 26, 2007)

yea, because 25-5=16 or 17....

Someone (February 26, 2007)

I wrote that he would be LUCKY to make 25%. I didn't write that that is exactly how much he makes, genius.

Someone (February 26, 2007)

Smart Punx

Someone (February 26, 2007)

This is just a percentage of one album. Who's to say how much he gives to charity out of his own pocket with money that is not related to any album sales?

giant_robot (February 26, 2007)

exactly.

skaboom (February 26, 2007)

"I'm not going to pretend to know how much 5% is going to be"

You should have stopped there and refrained from looking like an asshole. Kensrue is a class act. Even fairly big bands like Thrice aren't rich. He probably makes enough that he doesn't have to work between tours, but costs add up. 5% makes a difference to someone who has nothing.

Someone (February 26, 2007)

on man, this is just unbearable to watch- all the punknews kids trying to figure out percentage royalties...

ConsolationPrizefighter (February 26, 2007)

While this is commendable, and 5% is certainly better than nothing, you'd think with the number of records Thrice can sell nowadays that he would be a little more generous.

2+ Replies

Someone (February 26, 2007)

but you have to remember, this isnt a Thrice record. It's just him. Also, Equal Vision is much smaller than Island, so the profit he is making off of this CD might not be anywhere near what Island pays them. Thrice, as a whole, may donate more of a percentage to charity, but when its just him, on a smaller label, with a smaller intake, I think 5% is pretty generous.

ConsolationPrizefighter (February 26, 2007)

"so the profit he is making off of this CD might not be anywhere near what Island pays them"

Which was exactly my point. His solo album sales will be negligible compared to the amounts of sales Thrice will do and have done so why not chip a little extra into his donation percentage?

But don't get me wrong, 5% in a world of artists doing it all for the money is a noble thing to do and I certainly give him a lot of respect for that.

Someone (February 26, 2007)

i see your point in that fact.

Someone (February 26, 2007)

at least he's giving something. he could be a bitch and give nothing.

Someone (February 26, 2007)

At least now people that buy these shitty CDs can have an excuse... "I did it for charity."

3+ Replies

Someone (February 26, 2007)

Are you honestly arguing that 5% is too little. How many other well know bands/artists are doing this? At least he's doing something which is ultimately better than nothing. If other big artists followed his lead, that "little" 5% could be a lot bigger.

Someone (February 26, 2007)

Are you honestly arguing that 5% is too little. How many other well know bands/artists are doing this? At least he's doing something which is ultimately better than nothing. If other big artists followed his lead, that "little" 5% could be a lot bigger.

Someone (February 26, 2007)

No... I think 5% is great. I'm arguing that Thrice sucks.

kjb83 (February 26, 2007)

Yeah....but this isn't Thrice, it's Dustin Kensrue's solo work, which is extremely different from his Thrice material.

Someone (February 26, 2007)

Looks like you finally signed on.

kjb83 (February 26, 2007)

What are you talking about?

DrDeath (February 26, 2007)

Can I buy his record and then write it off at the end of the year??

baseball (February 26, 2007)

well i did the math and i gave between 1 and 2% to charity last year

so everyone can bitch at me instead for not giving enough

1+ Reply

Someone (February 26, 2007)

bitch bitch bitch
just kidding, good job

Someone (February 26, 2007)

The fact that anyone has qualms with him donating any portion of the proceeds is ridiculous. 99% of artists donating nothing. If he donated a dime from ever album, it would still be more than most bands donate, and anyone on this board for that matter.

kjb83 (February 26, 2007)

Its ridiculous how anytime anyone tries to something good, they get shit for not "doing enough." Meanwhile, the people who don't do anything don't get shit.

Scruffy (February 26, 2007)

I know 5% might seem like a small amount to everyone complaining here, but I'd be willing to bet that that's pretty close to the amount of money Kensrue will personally see from CD sales as well.

jamespastepunk (February 26, 2007)

Major props to Dustin.

skaboom (February 26, 2007)

Leave it to PN trolls to bash a guy for giving his money away. Dustin is donating his money to people who need it. Considering half of you don't have an income outside of your parents' weekly allowance, you really don't have any room criticizing someone else's charity. Anyone who says 5% is insignificant has never lived on a budget. 5% matters to someone.

Someone (February 26, 2007)

charitynews.org?

1+ Reply

Someone (February 26, 2007)

no

Someone (February 26, 2007)

God, even the anti-suicide organization has an emo name. Honestly, if it said, "Dustin Kensrue to title new album 'To Write Love on Her Arms'" I wouldn't be surprised. Oh, wait, does "write love" mean "cut with razor"? Because then she would be doing that. On her arms.
-feeeding5000

4+ Replies

TheMike (February 26, 2007)

I think the connection is pretty obvious. Those typical emo kids become easily depressed. Make sense?

kjb83 (February 26, 2007)

Have you listened to his songs?

Someone (February 26, 2007)

I'm glad you think depression, addiction, and suicide are something to joke about.

Someone (February 26, 2007)

If you actually checked out the story behind the organization, you'd find that it does include self injury, and the line "to write love on her arms" is in the story so it's not just an "emo name." You are the reason this organization is around, to bring love where people hate.

damnitsderek (February 26, 2007)

You know, for everyone who's shitting on Dustin for doing this, at least he's doing something. How often do you see news on here about artists donating to charity? Not too often. No matter how you look at it, every little bit can help, and whether that five percent amounts to a small or large total, the point is that it's a contribution, and like a few other people have said, it's the intent that counts.

kjb83 (February 26, 2007)

People seem to have some misconception that all musicians make a lot of money. They don't. Yes there are huge bands out there (eg. Fall Out Boy, Coldplay, etc) that make lots of money, but most bands don't. Even a fairly popular band like Thrice probably isn't making that much. I'm not saying they're poor or anything like that, but they're certainly not rich.

1+ Reply

baseball (February 26, 2007)

true, i seriously doubt the guys in Thrice are living in swank $2500 a month apartments or anything

Someone (February 26, 2007)

It's 5% more than Against Me! and The Lawrence Arms are giving.

3+ Replies

Someone (February 26, 2007)

or Rise Against or Bad Religion. thrice has given and done way more for charities and actual people than simply posing in a PETA ad.

SalsaShark (February 26, 2007)

Those are my favorite bands. :(

Someone (February 26, 2007)

How typically org of you! :)

Someone (February 26, 2007)

Too bad this album is terrible.

2+ Replies

Someone (February 26, 2007)

liar

Someone (February 26, 2007)

Actually, I have listened to this.

Booooooorrrrrrinnnnnnnngggg.

IKnowNothing (February 26, 2007)

I don't think the guys a dick for only giving 5%. I think he's a dick for announcing it.

Now if you're donating all proceeds from an album to charity that's one thing. If it's just 5% then donate it, don't tell anyone, and be happy you did a good thing. No one is going to but a $20 CD just because a dude is giving $1 of that to charity. The people who were going to buy it still are and those who weren't still won't.

Way to taint your good deed by using it as a self promoting PR piece. It's not like you're not gonna use this as a tax write off and come out even in the end.

3+ Replies

Someone (February 26, 2007)

your parent's need to take your computer away and give you some chores or something

Someone (February 26, 2007)

I love how this guy has put himself in charge of morality on this subject.

TheMike (February 27, 2007)

So what's the big deal? It's obviously not some publicity stunt for his music, then. He's donating money, and raising awareness. So, I might not pick up his album for the sole purpose of making a contribution, but now I know about this charity and its cause. Do you see where I'm going with this?

I think it's a very noble act. He's not just tricking us into buying his album, and he's getting more people to make their own donations.

Someone (February 26, 2007)

to all of those saying that bands dont give any money to charity, most large record labels do actually give to chairty, so the artists are giving in a sense by contributing money to those record labels. most large lables (or corporations) are just itching to give money away cuase 1. they have so much and 2. it looks good for PR

people who have fundraised before know this.

if you want free money(for band costs, booking, drug habbits ect) from big companies just write them fancy letters saying your fundraising to organize a community band or some bs and ask for like 25-50 bucks and 80% of the time youll get money.

I had to do a community service project as part of graduation for my high school, i just sent like 200 letters at least to every big companey you can think of, asking for bucks. ended up with 1500 dollars (it was for a trackm

show rest of comment

Someone (February 26, 2007)

Wow its the second coming of john lennon, thats pretty much what this guy and his band have become, a crappy folk hippy act.

1+ Reply

Someone (February 26, 2007)

I hate to call you out on this one, but, judging by your command of basic writing skills, I would say that you're probably a little too young to be making John Lennon comparisons.

CapnHawk (February 26, 2007)

I actually enjoy this album, but eh I didn't have to pay for it. One of the best things about working for a zine.

1+ Reply

Someone (February 26, 2007)

that and saying you work for ' a zine' on punknews.org.

Someone (February 26, 2007)

What about Benji from Good Charlotte? He's against animal cruelty- I even heard him say it in an interview. They asked him, "What do you think about animal cruelty" and he said, "I'm not down wit it..."

Someone (February 26, 2007)

its not weak that hes donating 5 percent, its weak that anyone knows. what a publicity stunt.

3+ Replies

Someone (February 26, 2007)

Holy ESL post, Batman!

Someone (February 26, 2007)

or he could raise awareness for the charity so more people knew about it.
he's putting his money where his mouth is. what're you doing?

Someone (February 28, 2007)

5% might not seem like a huge deal but its a step in the right direction. Artist's really dont make their money from CD sales and he probably has advances to pay back for this album and shit of that sort. How many other bands have you seen lately do something like this?

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