Snakepit 15 rules!

[Prof]

Finally, I got the latest issue - Laurent, you axed 'em all with this one. The Realm interview leaves little to be desired (by the way, they're as incommunicative as they were in the eighties...), the reviews shred all crap to bits. Even though I have some difficulties with some of your harsh views ('AIDS infested blood'- come on...), I admire your non-compromising attitude. And I've only read about 3% of the issue.

[Guest_big mouth]

thanks thanks prof! :unsure:

[Michael@SacredMetal]

Laurent - is it possible to pay via paypal? I don't want to send cash out.... paypal would be fantastic - and I really want this issue...

[Temple of Blood]

I would love to have this too! I assume it still has not been released in the US yet?

[SoBelow]

I'm having a hard time hearing about it and not being able to get it. Any idea on when it's going to be released in the States?

[ShoveIt]

Why don't you send some $ to the good Laurent and get the magazine ?! Just like in the old days before the internet/paypal. It is really not a problem. This magazine need all the support it can get

[bigmouth]

Michael:
No there's no other way for Europe than sending cash.... sorry..I don't have a paypal account and have no plans in having one.

To the U.S. hungry readers: well I really hope it's gonna be out for late March now.... it's just a question of funds..once Yosuke will have them he's gonna print it and you'll be able to pay it via paypal there....

Don't send $$$ here... I have no use of them so better wait until it's released. You won't regret it!

[Prof]

Well, since everyone here probably, at one point or another, has experienced a shortage of cash-flow, I had the following idea: why don't we all chip in the price of one or two issues BEFORE the next Snakepit will be out? In this way, Laurent will at least have some funds and a fair idea of how many copies he needs to photocopy. I mean, five or a few more euros should be possible, right?

I was wondering also what a printed cover would cost for the current amount of Snakepit-copies - I, for one, would love to have a printed cover again. The photocopied inside pages don't bother me, it's the contents that count, anyway.
Any info or ideas on that, Laurent?

[yjmetal]

Do like me: order multiple copies and sell to your friends...

[Prof]

Do like me: order multiple copies and sell to your friends...

That's all fine and dandy, but my friends already buy Snakepit themselves.

[big mouth]

Well Prof, thanks for your concern about the future of Snakepit?. It honestly means a lot to me to see such dedication/ interest from dedicated such dedicated readers? what surprise me the most is the fact that there?s like 100 people who have viewed this topic (the same can be said for other topics) but still there?s not many post? that?s something I hardly understand? don?t get me wrong, I?m not after getting praise or whatever? just comments may they be negative or positive... like I did ask previously if you Snakepit readers would be interested in seeing a MORBID SAINT interview conducted for a future issue? well there?s like 3 persons who answered to this? how can I make my mind on something with such a low response?
Now that reminds me of a person who wrote not so long ago on this forum that I should ?shut up? and just come up with another issue? too much complaining from my part? well sorry but I?m not the type of people to complain for the sake of complaining?. It?s understandable when you?re like 18 or 21 but at 40 you?re matured enough to think about things in a different way just? I guess it?s what I do? I mean my latest edito for 15 was not harsh for whatever.. it was just explicit and cleared up things on that D. DEALER/ A.CHORUS thing?. I had reasons to be disgusted? what did I ask in 14? I asked if that would be a good idea to start something like a subscription to help either A.C. or D. DEALER to come over..now it was just an idea, all I wanted was feedback? okay if I had gotten like 100 e mails/ letters replying yes or no then that would have been nice feedback (and feedback doesn?t cost shit!)? but fact is that I did receive like 2 letters regarding this!!!! YES 2 letters?. So it?s like to me ?why the fuck do I write an edito for?? People simply don?t care?. Some will say that it wasn?t the first time I was coming up with something ?negative?? yeah in issue 12 I was crying cos it could be Snakepit?s latest issue (it was supposed to be at the time) but I guess I had reasons huh?! Then with 13 I think I was crying cos the sales were low?. But fuck I wish people could really imagine what it is to carry this on your shoulders when you?re 40?. Of course people can say that those who have a label such as Iron Glory etc? have the same weight ?and even more- on their shoulders and they don?t complain? well I do because I see people praising praising Snakepit but fact is at the end that there?s so much work involved into doing this for not a lot (don?t think it?s a money issue here? there?s OF COURSE no extra money done with such a low budget thing)?. I mean nearly 950/ 1000 copies of Snakepit were sold when issue 11 was done?. Now with issue 15 there?s like 200 issues sold?. 3 weeks after I sent around the messages that it was out there?s was like no orders coming in anymore? 1 order every 15 days? I did print 500 covers of 15 basing on what had been sold of 14 (350/400) and now I?m here with 300 covers remaining? Not forgetting a certain deal that have been offered?. 1.50 Euro a copy (inc. postage) when putting together one copy cost 2,5 Euros (+ 3 Euros postage)? yeah what a nice deal?. But it?s the truth and you have to go with it if you want to sell a few copies ?and of course the guy won?t sell it for 3 Euros but for 5 Euros, real nice?there?s still the same work involved now as it was before even more cos I handle everything? so some have already said that there?s not enough European bands covered?. But what can I do? When I ask if people wants to see a M. SAINT interview? almost no feedback? just an exemple? so to the certain people who said/ think I should shut up?. Well think twice about what?s written here?. It?s definitively easier to read something than giving it a form? like I always say I do my best for you guys so can I do more? I don?t think so?.
So well you?re gonna think I?m totally away from the original subject but I wanted to clear up some things that I had on my heart for a while?. To those who read Snakepit and who read this? you?ll know better now about the whole situation and to conclude this: by no way you have to send money in advance for the next issues?. That?s a nice idea Prof but at this point it would be useless for me because there?s very few chances that I?ll do copies of 16 the way I was doing it for the last 4 issues?. I mean considering the number of copies sold, doing pro printing like before would be financial suicide for me?. I would have loved to have continued it that way but I simply never had the funds to do it?. Doing photocopies again, no way also, it?s way too much hassles. So the future looks like everything will be pro printed in the States via NWP because Yosuke does a wonderful job and he?s the only one who really took a chance with it- I wish a certain once U.S. partner would have been as dedicated as this guy is back in the day then things would be eventually different now- so it looks like everything will have to be ordered from the states when the next issue will be done?. I just hope you European readers won?t back on it because it has to be ordered from there (and cost a few extra bucks because of the postage)?. think about what I wrote here and the fact that Yosuke will really need your support if you want to get Snakepit going on? I think that?s the last chance here?. Plus you?ll get a pro printed copy (like before), you?ll be able to pay via paypal etc? everything I can?t offer you? you guys can already give it a chance by ordering 15 when it?ll be out there (soon hopefully)?. Even if you have already bought it from me?. You?ll get a better looking one there and you?ll help Yosuke that way to give him the funds for the next issue also?. It?s always a matter of funds?. Which explain the delay on having 15 printed in the States?. The same will probably happen to 16 too? so all of this to say that while it?s a nice idea to have thought about this possibility to send advance money to me Professor, but I won?t take a chance with it again here. Beginning of the end? I don?t think so..hopefully. Now for those who will reply to this and plan to eventually use ?verbal vitriol? ? please read what I wrote twice, think about what I wanted to say (the language barrier doesn?t help sometimes)?. It?s just the reality of the situation that I have described here, just not crying for the sake of crying?.

[Prof]

Well, I hope I won't be the only one replying here. I do understand your frustration at so little feedback. There's probably more than one reason for that. I've been writing for fanzines, newspapers, catalogues and monthly magazines for years now, focusing on European, Asian, obscure and classic cinema. In these trying times of globalization and Americanized culture, it has become increasingly difficult to write about my 'first love' (if you will), which is French cinema. Feedback is usually almost non-existent; if there's people out there who actually read and like what I'm digging up from cinema history, they hardly ever show it. I have (well, almost) resigned to the fact that most readers are not interested in communication, for whatever private reasons. If there's any feedback at all, it's usually negative.
On the other hand: I've struck up long-term friendships just because I wrote something about obscure spaghetti westerns or other stuff that is usually ignored in the press.

Financing a labour of love like a fanzine is a gamble; even contributing to them (I still do, by the way, if time allows) only costs money. That's okay, after all, it remains a hobby, whether it's gotten out of hand years ago or not. Nobody held a gun to your head and said: 'Publish a fanzine and get ruined!' At 40 (yep, we're from the same year, I guess), however, you tend to get irritated at times at the lack of (further) interest from readers. I know I do, anyway. You wish, perhaps almost demand, that their passion for a particular kind of music, literature or cinema be on the same level as your own. High expectancy levels have a peculiar way of backfiring! The point is not to get disillusioned by that.
Here's a little anecdote for you: years ago I designed a logo for a German metal fanzine called Raging Steel - the guy running it wouldn't even send me a t-shirt with my own goddamn logo on it. Even people you think are going to be cool, sometimes turn out to be a complete waste of space in your life. Again: the point is not to get bitter or disillusioned. I know for sure, though, many outstanding metalbands deserve to be just that.

As far as the 'vitriol' goes: people who have posted messages here telling you to 'shut up and publish the next issue' were probably referring to your own particular way of approaching musicians who (your words, not mine) 'betrayed' metal. That is taking an extreme view of things and causes extreme reactions in turn. You're over 18, you will understand.
All this is to say: keep doing what you like best doing, which is living for metal - and don't forget enjoying it in the process! Your metal heart beats loudly in each and every issue of Snakepit. I would not be writing this if I thought otherwise.

Last but not least: good to see new reviewers in issue 15 - it spices up the 'zine and makes for a welcome diversification. The enthusiastic Hibria-review by Brian Ash made me want to go out and buy the album straight away. That's a compliment for the band, the magazine editor and the review writer.

[Michael@SacredMetal]

I will definitely order a copy of the latest issue, Laurent.
I'm also understanding your concern and worries about lack of replies here and seemingly lack of interest. But as you are one of the most known Real Metal Powermongers I hope you will be able to gather all your strength and publish on. Metal needs you!!!

Michael

P.S.. What about hellionrecords? They have #15 in stock - how much did they buy? And did they buy the issues for 5 Euros, too? I really, really hope so!

[Jeff Ulmer]

Laurent, in reading your posts over the past year, I can totally sympathise with your position, which is pretty much the same as anyone who devotes their time and effort into doing something they love, simply because they have to - it is our calling. I agree that it is very disappointing after all the time, money and sacrifices that are required to come up with our products to have sales that nowhere near reflect the effort, or come anywhere close to allowing the next project to be financed. I share your frustration, but we must continue to battle onwards.

You would think that with the direct connection between the fans and publishers of both music and print that the internet allows (and the apparent backlash against the corporate structure that rewarded itself at the expense of the talent that was used to justify a lot of online trading), that fans of niche music would be supporting the efforts of those of us dedicated to pursuing our own vision, in your case with the bands you feature, and in ours, the music we create. But the reality is that there is still a dependence on the old form of distribution, with (some/most) dealers expecting to make more on our work than we do. I still believe that a change is possible, and that producing independently, and selling direct to our respective audiences can work. Although the number of units sold will be smaller, it won't matter as long as we can continue to support our efforts.

For what it's worth, even if you aren't covering the band (if you are, great, but the offer isn't conditional), I would be happy to support Snakepit by providing a link from our website for people to order the new issue once it is available in the US. Just let me know the details when things are ready.

Chin up, buddy.

Professor: I wasn't aware that you were into cinema. My own love of film got me into reviewing DVDs for digitallyOBSESSED.com. I don't have much in the way of French directors apart from Godard, Truffaut, Rohmer, Besson, Clémént or Tati (and others I'm forgetting). I'm still hoping for a decent transfer of Berri's Jean de Florette/Manon des Sources. While not French cinema, I would love to see some of our National Film Board's french language works released, like Perron's Taureau.

[Guest_MightyTior]

Hey Laurent - I will buy anything that you are involved in man!!! Don't give up...I am so happy that I found SNAKEPIT, I didn't think mags like this existed anymore...

LONG LIVE THE OLD SCHOOL, LONG LIVE SNAKEPIT!!!!

I will continue spreading the word....!!!

PS - You got T shirts still? XL? I will proudly wear one to Keep It True next month...let me know and the money is in the mail mon ami.