FANSOL letter to Chad Taylor, our thoughts and the mail compilation Options

[sh4rpz]

WOW, that was awesome! Just when you think you know a band, you read something like this and you realize you don't know half of it. That was just an amazing reply by Chad. Oddly enough, I found the information about "V" as some of the most interesting stuff. I would love hear the stuff that wasn't released on the album as Chad calls it some of "Ed's finest songwriting." I'd give anything to hear all those outtakes from TDTH. And that version of Ghost with a "massive pipe organ"...man, I gotta hear that. Christmas can't come soon enough!!

It's a shame though that the band and it's fans were deprived of all these great songs and versions, because of record companies and how they wanted Live to sound like.

A big thank you to Chad Taylor for writing this. And a big thank you to Chad T, Chad G, Pat and Ed for all the great music and memories.

I remember going to the sound check of the gig in Durban in November 2003 (25th I think), and I met a fan outside who was wearing a 'V' t-shirt and trying to convince me how good it was - and that it was an album LIVE made 'just for the fans' and I was thinking 'oh please, you know shit!'

Guess I shoulda listened hey.

[michael39]

Wow that was an amazing read.....thankyou so much Chad.

And the rest of the guys....chad ,chad ,ed & pat.

An amazing journey and story.

[BERLINONE]

This evening I will read my printed version of the CHAD story.
Can't wait !!
I do believe that I will be surprised and astonished by the things I will read.

You guys do deserve all our thanks for asking questions (+Ed+ and companions).
Unfortunately I was to late to react and be part of the "members of the lettre".

BERLINONE

[ItchyTriggerFinger]

I remember going to the sound check of the gig in Durban in November 2003 (25th I think), and I met a fan outside who was wearing a 'V' t-shirt and trying to convince me how good it was - and that it was an album LIVE made 'just for the fans' and I was thinking 'oh please, you know shit!'

Guess I shoulda listened hey.

Makes you wonder if some here are going to revise their opinion of it in light of what Chad had to say.

[+Ed+]

This evening I will read my printed version of the CHAD story.
Can't wait !!
I do believe that I will be surprised and astonished by the things I will read.

You guys do deserve all our thanks for asking questions (+Ed+ and companions).
Unfortunately I was to late to react and be part of the "members of the lettre".

BERLINONE

Do not worry, Maurice, the signature says "... and the overwhelming masses of fans who have supported you and have petitioned to hear more of the music you've been inspired to create over the years." Meaning you're in!

[OutToDry]

New insights to the inside view of the fractures clears some opinions up. But this doesn't solve the Ed on his island issue. None the less, Chad's forgiven him. The information shared shows that everyone has their faults and issues....so what, we're human. The record company stuff is a dirty and really hard business.....bands best interests do suffer from the corporate greed thing. I guess Ed bought into it more than anyone. Not casting my blame....(ive done a lot of that)...but to continue with schlock when the real art is buried can really knock someone down over time.

Once again I commend Mr Taylor for his hearfelt insights....I can't still get over the fact that they did DOAD in zman's backyard.

[Merica]

Reading it again, and I'm so entranced by the stuff on SS. It's awesome. And about the V stuff - I think it makes perfect sense that they intended V to be like an experimental release. And Chad says some of Ed's finest songwriting occurred in tracks that never made that album.

FUCK. WE NEED ALL THIS SHIT!!! This band was so amazing, and could still have been so if the label had let them do what they wanted. Fucking shittttttt.

[Deku]

WOW. First off, well done to Dmitry and Ray and everyone else who had a hand in getting that letter together, who'd have thought we'd get such an in-depth, passionate response from Chad Taylor.

I found Chad's response fascinating. It's enlightening to know that his thoughts mirrored our own as we witnessed the gradual downfall of the band. I don't think Ed came off too well in what he said but you get an idea of the amount of pressure all these guys were under, and the bullshit they had to put up with, which seemed to start with the accident that was V. The whole Overcome/9-11 thing must have been soul-destroying, wanting to put out your art as a means of helping others only to be told 'no' by a higher power.

Chad seems a lot more contented now and I'm uberly excited about whatever is coming our way, particularly "Transmission"

Well done to everyone again

[Merica]

To be honest, in some ways I think Ed came out better than he went in, if you see what I mean.

For me the jist of it was that the label really stuck a boot in and kicked shit apart. From there, Taylor wasn't interested, who knows about about Gracey and Pat, and then Ed got preferential treatment cause he's the singer, but he was just trying to make it work. Seems like he stopped caring a bit too, which he's even said in his current interviews. He initially didn't care to write for BOP, it had to come in later. I think the label started it all, and it really dragged Live down and made everyone involved care less.

I totally, wholeheartedly blame the label for Live's downfall, and for creating/encouraging the Ed we see today.

This post has been edited by Merica: Jul 19 2018, 9:01 am

[Deku]

Yeah I get you. The label bullshit obviously destroyed their own vision of the band and they probably felt like it wasn't even their own creation any more. Who would want to write for people like that? The fact that V started out as a spontaneous jamming for the fans and ended up with ludicrous photo shoots and stylists tells you all you need to know. They lost control of the band, and it obviously had an effect on all of the members.

[+Ed+]

Damn, damn, damn once again. I really really feel I understand it all a bit better now and let me tell you one thing... Now I do get Ed's position much better. He should not behave this way towards his bandmates and friends, but.... you know, all people try to find their own way out of situations like those. Chad wanted to fall out of the window, or get drunk, or leave the band... As we see, Gracey tried to kick the bald head in back in 1994! Wahaha! And Ed to some extent simply lost his mind in this struggle. I am not trying to say he is still that great lad who influenced me so much, but... you know... I looked at him from another point of view, really.

And the book. Nothing more than spectacular!

Can not wait!

[Deku]

Damn, damn, damn once again. I really really feel I understand it all a bit better now and let me tell you one thing... Now I do get Ed's position much better. He should not behave this way towards his bandmates and friends, but.... you know, all people try to find their own way out of situations like those. Chad wanted to fall out of the window, or get drunk, or leave the band... As we see, Gracey tried to kick the bald head in back in 1994! Wahaha! And Ed to some extent simply lost his mind in this struggle. I am not trying to say he is still that great lad who influenced me so much, but... you know... I looked at him from another point of view, really.

And the book. Nothing more than spectacular!

Can not wait!

Yeah the book, awesome! As for Ed - It couldn't be easy as a man with such spiritual ideals having to deal with the iron fist of the music industry in the way they had to

This post has been edited by Deku: Jul 20 2010, 6:59 am

[Merica]

Damn right, mate. Everyone dealt with things differently, and changed differently - but nobody wanted to. Nobody wanted it all to go pear shaped, it couldn't be helped.

Fucking sucks. I can understand some of Ed's position as the gap between them all widened. Like when he was at the venue or something waiting on Chad T and was pissed with him and stuff - I get that. Totally fine in my opinion. Shit got escalated and out of hand, and problems sprouted and it all just became a clusterfuck.

Can't really express it. Just listening to Secret Samadhi and vibing to the good stuff. Century, good track.

Finally, through all this, I really read into it that Chad feels Live has unfinished business. It took a huge fucked up detour that was never intended, and I think some time in the future, probably all depending on Ed - there's a big mashup independent get together somewhere in the future. Alongside the new projects - it'll probably never just be Live again... but I think there's something there. Somewhere... in the future.

Again. FUCK. What a read. Can't properly express it. So much to take in, I'm just rambling...

[maccaz69]

To be honest, in some ways I think Ed came out better than he went in, if you see what I mean.

For me the jist of it was that the label really stuck a boot in and kicked shit apart. From there, Taylor wasn't interested, who knows about about Gracey and Pat, and then Ed got preferential treatment cause he's the singer, but he was just trying to make it work. Seems like he stopped caring a bit too, which he's even said in his current interviews. He initially didn't care to write for BOP, it had to come in later. I think the label started it all, and it really dragged Live down and made everyone involved care less.

I totally, wholeheartedly blame the label for Live's downfall, and for creating/encouraging the Ed we see today.

The fucking cunts.

Gotta give the thumbs up for chad takin the time to do this its an amazing summary/insight. There was just so much info there i think i'l have to read it several times to take it all in! He also displays so much emotion without anger that it really does make you wonder what is going on I agree that Ed is, to an extent, a product of his environment whereby he was induced into making what the label wanted rather than let the creativeness of the 4 take over. That and maybe some greed that is! I can't wait for this 'material' to be released I haven't been a member of FOL for ages n ages but hell I may sign up again as I really want it. And, yeah maybe wishfull thinking, but I think Chad has not closed the door on a reunion. Ed needs to swallow some pride and become 1/4 again rather than 99% of live & also move on from 'spreading the word' but wouldn't it be great to get another TC where they all worked together and didn't give a stuff what the record label wanted?!! I really like his new album but now I almost hope it becomes a flop so that they get back together.....
PS. anyone have a recording of the Madison Square Garden concert after sept 11? Would love to hear it after hearing what chad said about it.....
PPS. awesome work guys to write the letter to chad!!!

[Merica]

wouldn't it be great to get another TC where they all worked together and didn't give a stuff what the record label wanted?!!

I don't think a record like that would sound like TC. More like SS, probably. Something just for themselves, and for the fans. More like SS, with perhaps sprinkles of TC and TDTH.