📺 5.10: Jon Schaffer (Iced Earth) on changing the business model [

“[Record companies] need to start realizing that they have got to come in as partners of the bands instead of being the pimps and we’re their whores. That’s the way that artists have been treated for far too long.” - Jon Schaffer, Iced Earth.
We had the great pleasure to talk to one of heavy metal’s most legendary artists: Jon Schaffer of Iced Earth. In this #fhtz interview, Jon elaborates on the importance of building a ‘band home', why anyone who wants to be in the music business needs to be a fighter, and he expressed his feelings on the changing music business environment looking at challenges and opportunities and the relationship between artists and record companies. Jon also pays a compliment to Pär Sundström from Sabaton for his business acumen.
Produced by Simon Kurt & Sebastiano Mereu.
Videography by Simon Kurt.

[@seanqueryinmont5745]

Speaking of somebody who's getting unfairly demonized is John Schaffer I support you and can't wait for you to repair iced earth and get another album out

[@canofnothing]

This is a great interview! Love hearing about the business side of things, especially from a guy like Jon who has seemed to take part in every aspect of his band since the beginning and understands the importance of learning that side of things rather than just being a rock star.

[@FromHerotoZero]

Glad you liked the interview. Many thanks for watching and commenting. /Sebi

[@mvsfan3335]

Jon Schaffer did nothing wrong. So he happened to be there that day. what part of it does nobody understand? Im sure it took him a while to come to his descision to go there. But he definately made a point. Everyone, good or bad is talking about Jon and that day now and how he stood up for America.
Btw, the only thing thats sad is to see Jon so grey. I wish hed dye his hair again. Jon Still looks so young, but has that head of grey hair now.
I look forward to this album and also look forward to Jon getting a break over his small protest in dc.

[@andrerone8208]

The one thing that's going to happen is the record companies are going to still be there but it's not going to be the way it used to be because a lot of the Bands need to wake up and think about what they're doing they need to First sit down with each other at a table and discuss their future regarding their futures as a band and as a family one is to do the same thing that they have always done since the 80s join in with the major record label and get pimped and hoard by the record labels for 50 to 60% off the top over and over again what they need to do is grab ahold of their back catalogue of all their material buy it back from the record labels so they can do what they need to do with those releases alone not the record company and then break ties with the record company and form their own record label did Iced Earth are Motley records or Black Sabbath label they cut ties with their label and start their own find people to handle the booking to put the bands in arenas and amphitheaters etc etc for the United States and International that's what keeps it been going and as far as the musical changes go go back to 1996-1997 when LimeWire and Napster we're at the height of free music now don't get me wrong I was a part of it too I would download a lot of free songs on the two CDs of a lot of stuff and I still have those CDs to this day I do agree that are just like Metallica And Iced Earth are right they need to make their money and take care of themselves and their families with the songs that they put out on CDs for the public music should not be free you have to pay for it no matter what and people need to understand that I wouldn't want to put my music out there and have it ripped for free now if I put out a CD to give to the public for free sure of my music no problem the problem is is today a lot of the bands of putting out music and they're not going to get that kind of support like it used to be back in those days now you have to think how do I put myself out there and get the band its exposure to publicity and acknowledgement from the music critics today will we be able to play stadiums amphitheaters theaters or clubs or just some Porta-Potty s******* of a club like I said back in the days the man we're going to the studio to record their songs or write their songs and do maybe 10 or 15 songs for an album that album gets on the radio it gets promotional airplay it gets put in the record stores so your t-shirts and merchandise at concession stands for the fans to buy and then at the end of the night tally up how much you made in total but to be truthful I think all the rock bands need to form their own record label and buy back their whole entire back catalogue for themselves and release their records by their terms and their terms alone not by anybody else's have people they can trust to run the machine and keep the band going Papa's secretaries to put the handle the merchandise the cash-flow find out how many tickets were sold a booking agent to book the bands in the Arenas in the United States and internationally excetera excetera excetera that's what needs to be done put out videos on UA-cam or released them on DVD a Blu-ray which will help tremendously and put them on cable markets are internet markets that will welcome them.

[@MichaelHolmgaard]

Fantastic interview man! Really good questions and interesting topics which aren't always touched upon :)

[@FromHerotoZero]

+Michael Holmgaard Thanks a bunch for watching and for the kind words, Michael. Really appreciate that 👍 /Sebi

[@CriticsConfession]

That Blind Guardian shirt. I see you, Jon. Demons & Wizards 3 is coming!!!

[@FromHerotoZero]

+w/e 😎👍

[@misterbrocoli]

you have great taste in music

[@FromHerotoZero]

Thank you very much, Mr Brocoli. So do you for recognising that ~B-) /Sebi

[@GhoulishGrinMedia]

I'm an underground filmmaker and not a musician but Jon Schaffer's drive and work ethic have always inspired me to never quit and persevere. He's a personal hero of mine.

[@FromHerotoZero]

+Ghoulish Grin Films 👍👍👍 / Sebi

[@wightangel]

love the interview. with what Jon had to deal with over the years with record companies etc. there Is no one who knows the business better. plus he don't feed you with bullshit he says it how it is. pm

[@FromHerotoZero]

+Ray Mew Thanks for commenting, Ray. It was very interesting indeed talking to Jon. Good to see that he's applying all his learnings into the business strategy. Very good moves behind the scenes 👏 / Sebi

[@MrSlantwise]

Is treason and insurrection part of the business model? Prison time part of the model too?

[@anoni81b4u]

I wonder if he sings for the other inmates