View Full Version : WHY IS THE OFFICIAL MEAT LOAF WEBSITE SO TERRIBLE?
nightinr
25 Jan 2015, 11:30
I've thought this for a number of years that the official website is nothing short of a disgrace for an established star such as Meat.
Surely one of his management team could at least update it every few months. To still be advertising the Las Vegas shows is embarrassing and is hardly encouraging new young fans in this digital era.
I've thought this for a number of years that the official website is nothing short of a disgrace for an established star such as Meat.
Surely one of his management team could at least update it every few months. To still be advertising the Las Vegas shows is embarrassing and is hardly encouraging new young fans in this digital era.
Meat has tried a succession of companies in the running of his official website. For many years he had an international fan club run out of Seattle, and his international website was run by a fan, who despite serious ill-health kept it up to date out of personal love and commitment until she died. Since then he has tried a succession of companies who run websites for artists and has not been served well by any of them. The first promised much and delivered nothing; in fact took membership fees and failed to deliver anything promised in exchange. He got out of that contract as soon as it was possible, and the next was somewhat improved. (It had a forum, but that was poorly moderated, and he had it closed down.)
Since then it has been hard to track who actually runs the site, there have been I think a few companies, none of whom seem to have shown much interest in anything save merchandising. Currently that is still managed by Live Nation. Who run the main page is difficult to see .. it seem to rely on automatic updates from his FB page. I don't think his "management team" had direct input into the sites, and may not have now either?
Three years ago he was exploring the possibility of a new website, one which would have had amongst other things a platform for people at shows to make donations to The Painted Turtle. That never came to pass for what reasons I don't know. Perhaps though at this stage in his career he feels that Facebook is a simple, and easy vehicle he can access and control himself, and fairly comprehensive in its reach? It is a medium which so many people (particularly the young) use now, and he has over a million followers who have "liked" the page and get automatic notifications of information posted, plus additional fans who simply visit the page.
The "Official website" now is a page which offers any visitor the opportunity to get alerts on tour dates and directs people to his FB page. I don't know who "runs" it. It would be good to see the main banner updated, but it seems to be simply a foothold to direct people to FB now.
Meat Loaf and the digital era is a chain of poor decisions. And if you listen carefully to Meat Loaf it's mostly because he doesn't (want to) understand the value of the internet. He considers it a platform of abuse and negativity. Hence his poor website. If you don't understand the value of something, you just don't care about it. And meatloaf.net is clearly a place that lacks the love and interest it deserves.
If he wasn't so oposed against it, Meat Loaf could get so much more revenue from platforms like YouTube, his website and many more places. It's a shame he refuses to embrace this important media. :(
Meat Loaf and the digital era is a chain of poor decisions. And if you listen carefully to Meat Loaf it's mostly because he doesn't (want to) understand the value of the internet. He considers it a platform of abuse and negativity. Hence his poor website. If you don't understand the value of something, you just don't care about it. And meatloaf.net is clearly a place that lacks the love and interest it deserves.
If he wasn't so oposed against it, Meat Loaf could get so much more revenue from platforms like YouTube, his website and many more places. It's a shame he refuses to embrace this important media. :(
I agree in the fact that it shouldn't be so difficult to find a company to run your website for you, especially an established artist like Meat, but I don't think you should just say Meat has no interest in a proper run fan community, he has said he hates the Internet trolls etc etc, but who doesn't? Tell me what celebrity or star does? It's not nice to have shit wrote about you. Look at the focus in the media the last few years about cyber bully's, it's effecting everyday life. The plumber, the baker, the candlestick maker. So I can see why he dislikes that side of it. Keyboard warriors as such, I have received crap like that on here in the past!! So have many others ( including Meat ). Also saying he doesn't understand the value of the Internet? It's a bit insulting imo, again I agree maybe the management team should step up their game.
I agree in the fact that it shouldn't be so difficult to find a company to run your website for you, especially an established artist like Meat, but I don't think you should just say Meat has no interest in a proper run fan community, he has said he hates the Internet trolls etc etc, but who doesn't? Tell me what celebrity or star does? It's not nice to have shit wrote about you. Look at the focus in the media the last few years about cyber bully's, it's effecting everyday life. The plumber, the baker, the candlestick maker. So I can see why he dislikes that side of it. Keyboard warriors as such, I have received crap like that on here in the past!! So have many others ( including Meat ). Also saying he doesn't understand the value of the Internet? It's a bit insulting imo,
I agree. And to say " He considers it a platform of abuse and negativity. Hence his poor website." doesn't make sense to me at all. Yes, he does think the internet offers huge scope for abuse, and for spreading untruths .. can't see that he's wrong in that belief either. But that isn't directly linked to having "a poor website" imo .. and he has embraced Facebook which is I think a platform that is far more accessed than a lot of websites, certainly no less. He reads the posts on his FB page, comments and responds as time allows.
I agree maybe the management team should step up their game.
Not knowing exactly who comprises his "management team" I'm not sure that his website is something they are involved in. Nor I suspect do any of us ;) So saying they should step up their game is a bit empty as we don't know that they are players in this area ;)
but I don't think you should just say Meat has no interest in a proper run fan community
Also saying he doesn't understand the value of the Internet? It's a bit insulting imo, again I agree maybe the management team should step up their game.
I haven't said he has no interest in a proper fan community. I said that Meat considers internet a platform of negativity. Which is a complete different thing.
That Meat doesn't value the digital era isn't insulting but an observation. Best example is the HiaH release. When he was questioned about the early Aussie release he compared it to the Bat2 release and how well that worked for him. We had a whole discussion about how the World is so much different from 1992. But Meat believed in a same kind of strategy as 1992. Same with the value of YouTube. Meat seems blind to the benefit of such a platform and only points out the negativity about it.
If anything it's a shame for him and his fans that he doesn't invest more in this World Wide Oportunity. Especially as big networks doesn't seem to have any interest in what he has to offer. Meat isn't the A-list artist we want him to be. Even that latest BBC documentary, people cheerde about, focussed on the old Meat and hardly gave any insight in today's Meat Loaf or his music.
So Meat could use this internet thing to his advantage. And that starts with his own website. And when that looks like crap... well... If Meat invested the same amount of energy into positive on-line revenue as he does on hunting down people/fan websites/youtube videos that he dislikes, he would certainly benefit from it.
I haven't said he has no interest in a proper fan community. I said that Meat considers internet a platform of negativity. Which is a complete different thing.
That Meat doesn't value the digital era isn't insulting but an observation. Best example is the HiaH release. When he was questioned about the early Aussie release he compared it to the Bat2 release and how well that worked for him. We had a whole discussion about how the World is so much different from 1992. But Meat believed in a same kind of strategy as 1992. Same with the value of YouTube. Meat seems blind to the benefit of such a platform and only points out the negativity about it.
If anything it's a shame for him and his fans that he doesn't invest more in this World Wide Oportunity. Especially as big networks doesn't seem to have any interest in what he has to offer. Meat isn't the A-list artist we want him to be. Even that latest BBC documentary, people cheerde about, focussed on the old Meat and hardly gave any insight in today's Meat Loaf or his music.
So Meat could use this internet thing to his advantage. And that starts with his own website. And when that looks like crap... well... If Meat invested the same amount of energy into positive on-line revenue as he does on hunting down people/fan websites/youtube videos that he dislikes, he would certainly benefit from it.
I can see some of your points, but you again have made reference to something you can not back up ( he spends all he's time hunting down people and websites? ) he has openly said that there are certain things he doesn't like or want put up, but to say he has hunted down people etc etc, is a bit far fetched imo, there were videos ( fan made ) recorded at concerts that have been allowed stay up? I think he objected to the poor quality ones, and in fairness I wouldn't want half them to stay up, they can make you sound pretty bad.
The web is a very important tool to promote yourself, it can spread the word faster than any format. I agree, there are huge benefits. But it's not the b all that ends all, example - Dolly Parton, Barbra Streisand, bette Midler, all released albums prior to xmas, they have all gone platinum? Legends of course, but not mainstream anymore to say, and most of the promo done was not through the Internet. It's all about timing imo, radio is still so important aswell, and the record company's need to take a chance just like in 1993. Plus the main buying fan base of any artist will always snap up a greatest hits package before a new studio album. Majority of people don't like change, sad but true
I agree. And to say " He considers it a platform of abuse and negativity. Hence his poor website." doesn't make sense to me at all. Yes, he does think the internet offers huge scope for abuse, and for spreading untruths .. can't see that he's wrong in that belief either. But that isn't directly linked to having "a poor website" imo .. and he has embraced Facebook which is I think a platform that is far more accessed than a lot of websites, certainly no less. He reads the posts on his FB page, comments and responds as time allows.
Not knowing exactly who comprises his "management team" I'm not sure that his website is something they are involved in. Nor I suspect do any of us ;) So saying they should step up their game is a bit empty as we don't know that they are players in this area ;)
Fair point, but I'm just pointing out IF they are involved? Maybe it's something that needs to be looked at.
( he spends all he's time hunting down people and websites? )
I partially agree.
And again! I never said the above.
'Same amount as'... is not nearly the same as 'all the time'
you try to make me sound more negative than I intended to be
As for the 3 artist you mentioned... how did they do globally?
I partially agree.
And again! I never said the above.
'Same amount as'... is not nearly the same as 'all the time'
you try to make me sound more negative than I intended to be
As for the 3 artist you mentioned... how did they do globally?
Words can hide meanings;)
Well Dolly Parton has had the best selling album of her career in the UK, it done pretty well the other side of the pond
Barbra Streisand has passed 1.6m ww in less than 3 months, ( more than some teeny bop bands )
Bette Midler hardly releases much stuff anymore, but has reached out to 250,000 fans so far across the UK. 2 tv appearances only
Album sales are nothing like they were,
Plus other example last year - Annie Lennox,
Words can hide meanings;)
They can, but I think, in this case, you were trying too hard to find something behind them ;)
Golbally only Streisand did very good. But she is like one of the last of the Mohicans.
Anyway, If it was up to me they all got a lot of media attention and do well on the charts. Fact of the matter is that some need other platforms to promote their material. Especially if the mainstream media is denying you. Bette Midler and Meat Loaf could use such a platform.
And I completely agree on timing (and even luck). Major factors.
But one thing is for sure. Nobody buys your CD if they don't know about it's existsence.
Which brings me back to the OP. The very least you can do as an artist, is making sure you put effort in your own website.
They can, but I think, in this case, you were trying too hard to find something behind them ;)
Golbally only Streisand did very good. But she is like one of the last of the Mohicans.
Anyway, If it was up to me they all got a lot of media attention and do well on the charts. Fact of the matter is that some need other platforms to promote their material. Especially if the mainstream media is denying you. Bette Midler and Meat Loaf could use such a platform.
And I completely agree on timing (and even luck). Major factors.
But one thing is for sure. Nobody buys your CD if they don't know about it's existsence.
Which brings me back to the OP. The very least you can do as an artist, is making sure you put effort in your own website.
Some good points, some fair points, but we can't comment on what Meat does in regards this? Not knowing all the facts etc etc,,
GenoJLaw
25 Jan 2015, 21:17
At least they updated the copy rights to this year.;-) It depresses me the lack of updates Meat's website gets. That's why I've been coming here I get better updates:lol: It was this fan site where I first found out the title changed from Brave and Crazy too Braver Than We Are. I know Meat posts a lot on FB but I have been avoiding getting on FB something I might finally do this year so Official websites are what I rely on for news.
At least they updated the copy rights to this year.;-) It depresses me the lack of updates Meat's website gets. That's why I've been coming here I get better updates:lol: It was this fan site where I first found out the title changed from Brave and Crazy too Braver Than We Are. I know Meat posts a lot on FB but I have been avoiding getting on FB something I might finally do this year so Official websites are what I rely on for news.
There should be an official website 100%,, that is kept updated. On this we all agree, but I can see why Facebook is a more handy promotion device
For many years he had an international fan club run out of Seattle, and his international website was run by a fan, who despite serious ill-health kept it up to date out of personal love and commitment until she died.
good heavens Caryl, you aren't talking about Wezzie are you? I know that goes way back but she did run a site for him for some time. Of course so did Susan for sometime ( and for Jim later ). Have to get in the "WABAC Machine " ( pronounced WayBack - Rocky & Bullwinkle show ) for this stuff.
lorenzoduke
26 Jan 2015, 01:56
If someone catches say, the BBC doc or a bit of a ML song as they're going about their day and think 'hmm, I used to like/quite like Meat Loaf. I wonder if he's up to anything lately' the first thing they will do is Google 'Meat Loaf official', head to his 'official' site, see a worthless mess and probably give it up as a bad job. There's no way that that isn't a shame.
Let's look at an older veteran artist who's recent albums have sold less than Meat's for comparison. Check out JerryLeeLewis.com
I don't think I even need to say more. If Meat wanted a decent website he could find a way to have one. Hell, if I wanted a decent website (and had the money) I could do so for myself. Anyone could. I would imagine a Vegas residency, a new album with Steinman, a movie career, record contracts etc. are all far trickier things to arrange than getting up an up-to-date web presence with good archival and current information and photos. It honestly surprises me that such a perfectionist is content to have www.meatloaf.net on his recent albums and be represented by such a shoddy, half-arsed website branded with his seal of approval.
good heavens Caryl, you aren't talking about Wezzie are you? I know that goes way back but she did run a site for him for some time. Of course so did Susan for sometime ( and for Jim later ). Have to get in the "WABAC Machine " ( pronounced WayBack - Rocky & Bullwinkle show ) for this stuff.
No, I was referring to Vee who had her own fansite, but then was webmaster for the Official International Fan Club site until her death. Wez only managed the chatroom there.
If someone catches say, the BBC doc or a bit of a ML song as they're going about their day and think 'hmm, I used to like/quite like Meat Loaf. I wonder if he's up to anything lately' the first thing they will do is Google 'Meat Loaf official', head to his 'official' site, see a worthless mess and probably give it up as a bad job. There's no way that that isn't a shame.
Let's look at an older veteran artist who's recent albums have sold less than Meat's for comparison. Check out JerryLeeLewis.com
I don't think I even need to say more. If Meat wanted a decent website he could find a way to have one. Hell, if I wanted a decent website (and had the money) I could do so for myself. Anyone could. I would imagine a Vegas residency, a new album with Steinman, a movie career, record contracts etc. are all far trickier things to arrange than getting up an up-to-date web presence with good archival and current information and photos. It honestly surprises me that such a perfectionist is content to have www.meatloaf.net on his recent albums and be represented by such a shoddy, half-arsed website branded with his seal of approval.
Some valid points again, but we don't know who's to blame in fairness
If someone catches say, the BBC doc or a bit of a ML song as they're going about their day and think 'hmm, I used to like/quite like Meat Loaf. I wonder if he's up to anything lately' the first thing they will do is Google 'Meat Loaf official', head to his 'official' site, see a worthless mess and probably give it up as a bad job.
Actually I think anyone who did this would see they can sign up for tour updates, and also see the invitation to join him on Facebook.
It's not really a "site" as such now; as I said, just a foothold to direct people to his FB page .. which attracted a significant number of new people in the days after the documentary and a sharp peak in "likes", so perhaps people didn't give the search up as a bad a job as you might imagine.
The site you reference makes it clear that you cannot contact the artist .. on FB fans can and do. They don't always get replies .. but they're in with a chance, and Meat often picks up on questions (Just recently someone posted a request for permission to play some of his songs at her son's funeral. Meat responded very quickly, offering condolences and saying she had no need to ask, but was welcome to have any songs played she wanted. Personally I find that kind of personal interest and interaction far more impressive than a slick website. And Meat DOES sell albums, sold out the Last At Bat tour, was invited to do two more residencies in Vegas on the back of the success of th first one .. and if he announced a set of tour dates on his page tomorrow he would fill those venues.
But fine .. let some say he doesn't embrace the internet, digital technology, YouTube etc, doesn't put effort into into an impressive website. He remains a successful artist, does what he sees fit, manages his affairs his own way, and perhaps feels that's his choice and works
Julie in the rv mirror
26 Jan 2015, 02:49
If someone catches say, the BBC doc or a bit of a ML song as they're going about their day and think 'hmm, I used to like/quite like Meat Loaf. I wonder if he's up to anything lately' the first thing they will do is Google 'Meat Loaf official', head to his 'official' site, see a worthless mess and probably give it up as a bad job. There's no way that that isn't a shame.
I agree with this. As effective as Facebook can be, there are people (I know many) who won't have anything to do with it (for various reasons), strange as that may seem. I can imagine there are plenty of competent companies out there (or even a willing intern) who can do a decent job updating a website. IMO, I don't think an official site needs to be slick, but it should at least be current.
Actually I think anyone who did this would see they can sign up for tour updates, and also see the invitation to join him on Facebook.
I signed up for updates long ago- I've never gotten a thing from the official site. I'm on Facebook, though as I mentioned above, I know many people who aren't.
chairboys
26 Jan 2015, 17:26
Even that latest BBC documentary, people cheerde about, focussed on the old Meat and hardly gave any insight in today's Meat Loaf or his music.
It was aired on BBC Four, no less. That's the Beeb's fourth channel. They don't currently have a fifth TV channel.
It was aired on BBC Four, no less. That's the Beeb's fourth channel. They don't currently have a fifth TV channel.
They put a lot of their music on this to be fair, bats been back in the UK top 100 the past 3 weeks, maybe it's the reason? Anyway regarding proper promotion, I would say if we hear nothing by end of February, it's most likely the album won't be released until later in the year
No, I was referring to Vee who had her own fansite, but then was webmaster for the Official International Fan Club site until her death. Wez only managed the chatroom there.
I vividly recall Vee's death. It was so sad. We made a huge online card for her - which is still up I imagine. I think when I came to this site that is how you or someone found my pic I had taken with Meat b/c I posted it on her card. She was a lovely self sacrificing person.
Then what site am I thinking of?? , I believe it was called The Room at the Top ]( reference to one of Meat's songs of course). Wezzie ran it ( I thought) . I know it did have a chat room too. as you can see my memory is not all that great. I am lucky to remember what I ate for breakfast. I was only sporadically involved in the fan club and chat rooms however b/c I had so much going on my on life and not too much time left to spend online. the first thing I did when I got my first computer in 96 was type in Meat loaf and find anyone who had a site up. fun times.
These are names from so long ago and it makes me feel sad to think about all these people. The 90's was a great decade to be a Meat Loaf fan, the net was new and it was all so exciting.
RIP VEE.
I wish he'd let me run it. Nuff said.
samurai7
27 Jan 2015, 00:06
I wish he'd let me run it. Nuff said.
Yeah, you could have given us a remastered 'extened' version :??:
I vividly recall Vee's death. It was so sad. We made a huge online card for her - which is still up I imagine. I think when I came to this site that is how you or someone found my pic I had taken with Meat b/c I posted it on her card.
The Tribute Book on Republic of Loafdom? That's still there .. I may not be able to update the site but I still keep it intact on the internet :D Everyone who wanted to be part of it had a page, sometimes two, and recounted some fond memory they had of Vee. We used a photo of the writer whenever possible, even had a contribution from Meat's daughter Pearl. The whole book was printed off and sent for her daughter, hence the Flower Fairies theme to all the pages :-)
http://www.republic-of-loafdom.com/main/Vee/MainTribute.htm
And yes, you're right. She showed so many kindnesses to so many people, and for her the site was a labour of love; a warm and happy place where so many fans met and made so many friends, and spent many happy hours :)
Then what site am I thinking of?? , I believe it was called The Room at the Top ]( reference to one of Meat's songs of course). Wezzie ran it ( I thought) .
Room at The Top WAS Vee's site and the OIFC, and Wez managed the chatroom there. She inherited the site from Vee, but like me was I think unable to handle the technical side of updating it. It moved to a main holding page after a while, and of course Wez has since died.
Room at The Top WAS Vee's site and the OIFC, and Wez managed the chatroom there. She inherited the site from Vee, but like me was I think unable to handle the technical side of updating it. It moved to a main holding page after a while, and of course Wez has since died.
__________________
Caryl,
I spoke to Wezzie a few years ago, not sure but it's been a while, maybe between 07/10. not sure my memory is not good at all. I really do have issues with my memory so 20 yrs ago seem like yesterday to me. She did remember me but did not sound good. I did not know she had died. :???: Wezzie helped make sure I got to meet Meat In St. Louis in late 99 ( where the pic on Vee's page is from).Where it not for her I'd never gotten to see him at that Meet and Greet. She made me feel welcome and got to meet the whole group of Loafers at the show( well the ones who came to dinner) .
This is so sad.
Thanks for putting up the online message card for Vee . I just went through it all and it seems like yesterday.
I signed up for updates long ago- I've never gotten a thing from the official site. I'm on Facebook, though as I mentioned above, I know many people who aren't.
That's strange because I've nearly always had notifications of tours to my email address. They might be a little slow but I always get them.
I once read an article which suggested that social media was 'killing' the more conventional website as more and more people are preferring to set up Facebook pages for their business. Whilst I think that standard websites still have their uses in eCommerce, I can see exactly why people are preferring Facebook pages for other kind of sites. For starters, they're a lot cheaper than having to pay for a website which is why I think so many people are preferring to go down that route. Whilst money might not be an issue for an artist of Meat's calibre, there are other advantages of this format that may make this the desirable way to go for him. I'd imagine that the main one would be the ease of how he can interact with his fans himself and I think we're in a fortunate position that he's willing to use that platform to engage with us. I also think that Facebook pages offer non-technical people a way of updating their customers themselves without having to ask and wait for a website manager to do it and because of that ease, we're more likely to see frequent updates than we would have done if Meat's attention was more focused on a standard website.
I appreciate that not everyone likes Facebook but I think in Meat's case, it's a platform that allows him to do the things he considers to be important in an easy way.
It is a shame that the official website is the way that it is and I think a fan could quite easily do a better job but I think that would open up a fresh can of worms for Meat. :|
Julie in the rv mirror
27 Jan 2015, 16:33
That's strange because I've nearly always had notifications of tours to my email address. They might be a little slow but I always get them.
Well, I guess they've either lost my address, or the notifications went to my spam folder. In either case, not very effective. It doesn't really matter though (for me), because I get plenty of news elsewhere. ;)
I once read an article which suggested that social media was 'killing' the more conventional website as more and more people are preferring to set up Facebook pages for their business
I think that's true, and you state good reasons why. As I said, it is an effective tool. But I think he's still missing out from reaching a large number of people, not to mention people of a certain age *ahem* ;) who don't go online at all, or very little (but that's a different story).
duke knooby
27 Jan 2015, 22:55
i dont do facebook, so i'm glad there are places like this to get up to date info, and opinions, banter etc with like minded people.
All this website lark aside, where is the new album? :lol:
As I said, it is an effective tool. But I think he's still missing out from reaching a large number of people, not to mention people of a certain age *ahem* ;) who don't go online at all, or very little (but that's a different story).
I think that it's very difficult to reach out to everyone, particularly those who aren't online in an easy way and I don't really think there is a solution to the matter. There will always be some people who can't or won't use whatever method Meat primarily uses to update and interact with his fanbase. For example, I know that some people find forums too difficult and complicated to use and they're not always easy to browse if your only Internet access is via a smartphone.
Mlukfc is basically Meats official website!!! And why not? Makes sense
Mlukfc is basically Meats official website!!! And why not? Makes sense
And the front page still shows Rocktellz & Cocktails ;)
Evil Ernie
28 Jan 2015, 05:12
Mlukfc is basically Meats official website!!! And why not? Makes sense
There's a website? :shock:
I think we're kinda losing the point here. Yes there are other ways to reach out to fans and other people. That's not the issue.
Fact of the matter is that we have an artist here that does have an official website. It's already there and people can see it. And it's listed as the official website so it reflects on the artist as well. Why not make it, at least, look like an official website. Now it uses a blown-up picture of Vegas. I mean even that image looks poor, pixelated and blurry. How hard is it to put up a sharp image?
So the question is not if there are other ways to reach out to people, the question is why there was made no effort, not even the slightest, to the existing and available site.
Even if Meat doesn't want to invest in it, it's 30 seconds of work to upload a decent main page image of Meat Loaf instead of that dreadful low quality image, that it has now.
And the front page still shows Rocktellz & Cocktails ;)
Have a word with R:D
AndrewG
31 Jan 2015, 02:28
I think we're kinda losing the point here. Yes there are other ways to reach out to fans and other people. That's not the issue.
Fact of the matter is that we have an artist here that does have an official website. It's already there and people can see it. And it's listed as the official website so it reflects on the artist as well. Why not make it, at least, look like an official website. Now it uses a blown-up picture of Vegas. I mean even that image looks poor, pixelated and blurry. How hard is it to put up a sharp image?
So the question is not if there are other ways to reach out to people, the question is why there was made no effort, not even the slightest, to the existing and available site.
Even if Meat doesn't want to invest in it, it's 30 seconds of work to upload a decent main page image of Meat Loaf instead of that dreadful low quality image, that it has now.
Someone listened!
GenoJLaw
31 Jan 2015, 14:44
Someone listened!
I did see that the picture has changed on his website. Lets hope for some more changes soon.
Evil One
31 Jan 2015, 15:02
One new picture does not redeem a shit website
AndrewG
01 Feb 2015, 18:16
One new picture does not redeem a shit website
It's disappointing when so much information and fun stuff is available which could be centralised into one massive site. There could be a list of all his albums and links where to buy, a full concert timeline going back to the 70s with all songs performed, a store with merchandise, all song lyrics, all movies, photos with other celebrities, photos with fans. Ideally the blog style news updates should never have been removed which would have meant we could go back to 2006 or so. In an even more ideal world one would have had the facility to comment on all shows and articles.
Instead the site has pretty much only been used to promote the current tour or latest album.
A lot of artists do seem to have these kind of websites and I think it's partly because of the different marketing / promotion companies involved. They're not going to give a rat's ass about the overall back catalogue of an artist (except for maybe in Meat's case rehashing the Bat and Bat 2 stories to win credibility or something) and instead push whatever needs to be pushed right now.
What's gone before quickly gets forgotten with an artist website which is a shame and in the case of Meat's massive back catalogue and number of shows etc quite sad. Dare I say even Patti Russo's site is better right now and it's just put together by one fan.
Surprisingly meatloaf.net still ranks number 1 in Google for meatloaf and Meat Loaf with hardly any content on it at the moment.
Facebook and Twitter may be good outlets to stay in touch with everyone but I think in the case of an artist these are exactly the vehicles for which the actual site has been used it seems: just promote Vegas now. etc. No doubt it will get an update when the next album comes out but it would be better I think to see the site being tackled by a group of people who can see beyond pushing just the next record and next tour.
It's disappointing when so much information and fun stuff is available which could be centralised into one massive site. There could be a list of all his albums and links where to buy, a full concert timeline going back to the 70s with all songs performed, a store with merchandise, all song lyrics, all movies, photos with other celebrities, photos with fans. Ideally the blog style news updates should never have been removed which would have meant we could go back to 2006 or so. In an even more ideal world one would have had the facility to comment on all shows and articles.
Instead the site has pretty much only been used to promote the current tour or latest album.
A lot of artists do seem to have these kind of websites and I think it's partly because of the different marketing / promotion companies involved. They're not going to give a rat's ass about the overall back catalogue of an artist (except for maybe in Meat's case rehashing the Bat and Bat 2 stories to win credibility or something) and instead push whatever needs to be pushed right now.
What's gone before quickly gets forgotten with an artist website which is a shame and in the case of Meat's massive back catalogue and number of shows etc quite sad. Dare I say even Patti Russo's site is better right now and it's just put together by one fan.
Surprisingly meatloaf.net still ranks number 1 in Google for meatloaf and Meat Loaf with hardly any content on it at the moment.
Facebook and Twitter may be good outlets to stay in touch with everyone but I think in the case of an artist these are exactly the vehicles for which the actual site has been used it seems: just promote Vegas now. etc. No doubt it will get an update when the next album comes out but it would be better I think to see the site being tackled by a group of people who can see beyond pushing just the next record and next tour.
Meat has so much archive photos, so many boardtapes. He could put footage and highlights on his page.
If he hires me I will do it, I would love to do it.
It's disappointing when so much information and fun stuff is available which could be centralised into one massive site.
I agree that so much more could be made of the site, particularly with a career as vast as Meat's has but I sense that the website is not a priority for Meat, who is much more interested in investing his time into other aspects of his work such as new material, preparing for a film role or interacting with fans. I have to wonder if he also feels that fansites are doing a better job of covering some of the material that the official website/facebook/twitter don't. I personally think that fansites do a better job of covering Meat's career but can understand entirely why Meat wouldn't want to go down the route of choosing a fan to run the official site.
Surprisingly meatloaf.net still ranks number 1 in Google for meatloaf and Meat Loaf with hardly any content on it at the moment.
Part of me has to wonder if that is solely because it's the official site rather than because it has anything worthwhile on it.
Julie in the rv mirror
02 Feb 2015, 00:14
I personally think that fansites do a better job of covering Meat's career but can understand entirely why Meat wouldn't want to go down the route of choosing a fan to run the official site.
Could you elaborate on that, Jenna? Why do you think it would be a problem?
Part of me has to wonder if that is solely because it's the official site rather than because it has anything worthwhile on it.
It comes up pretty high in a Google search (Wikipedia is first), and I imagine most people go there first since it's the official site. All the more reason, IMO, to have a current, informative site.
AndrewG
02 Feb 2015, 01:13
It comes up pretty high in a Google search (Wikipedia is first), and I imagine most people go there first since it's the official site. All the more reason, IMO, to have a current, informative site.
You are correct. On google.com it is Wiki. (on uk it's still .net) And that is the problem. The lack of content could be to blame for that second spot. Compare for example the results for Springsteen and Bob Dylan, both on number one with their own sites. Other artists such as Rihanna and Beyonce have been beaten by their own wiki page too since they have pretty poor sites at this time in my opinion.
If anything a more comprehensive site would probably help to sell a few more albums / MP3s / DVDs.
Nothing wrong with that surely. And if you know a little bit about the internet they could get a little kick back out of that too.
There are plenty of people out there who won't know all the albums Meat has done. There could be a few audio fragments and other things. Trawling through a wiki page isn't exactly exciting.
No problem a fan making the site I think but it should be done in an objective way rather than pushing certain things the fan is interested in. And of course it needs a nice design, be responsive so work well on tablets and mobiles. It wouldn't cost much in reality. Just some time to build it up and keep updating it. I suspect the money generated from it would probably pay for the work within a year anyway.
Julie in the rv mirror
02 Feb 2015, 03:18
Compare for example the results for Springsteen and Bob Dylan, both on number one with their own sites.
Bruce's page had a big overhaul a couple of years ago, and I want to say it was done with some fan involvement, though I can't remember for sure. It's currently light years better than the previous site, though the fan sites are still better for certain things (and often quicker with news). However, it's still definitely current, and has integrated ticket and merchandise sales effectively, IMO.
Could you elaborate on that, Jenna? Why do you think it would be a problem?
I think that there is a lot of jealousy that exists within fan communities and to choose someone to run an official website is quite a significant honour. How do you choose a fan out of all of the fans that can create and run a website? If you pick one of the people who run one of the fansites, is Meat risking alienating the others by not choosing them? There is also the fact that fans can lose interest in an artist and then Meat would be back in a situation again where the site might not get updated as often as it should.
I'm not pretending to know that this is actually what Meat thinks, it's just something that crossed my mind and I appreciate that plenty of artists might have gone down that route but I don't think it's without issues. :|
I think that there is a lot of jealousy that exists within fan communities and to choose someone to run an official website is quite a significant honour. How do you choose a fan out of all of the fans that can create and run a website? If you pick one of the people who run one of the fansites, is Meat risking alienating the others by not choosing them? There is also the fact that fans can lose interest in an artist and then Meat would be back in a situation again where the site might not get updated as often as it should.
I'm not pretending to know that this is actually what Meat thinks, it's just something that crossed my mind and I appreciate that plenty of artists might have gone down that route but I don't think it's without issues. :|
I see that but for almost a decade, I think the name "warioloaf" is a very evry familiar one, and if I were to run the site, get to put together archive videos, clips form boardtapes from the older days, switchboard bvideo of the alst couple tours, itd be a mad interesting site!
Its not jealousy its people knowing the site is in good hands.
I could of made a kickass live DVD too. But thats beside the point.
Its all up to Meat. I feel like his site should be a celebration of HIM rather then the bland kinda thing it is right now.
Sorry if I seem egotistic, I just want everyone to be happy
I see that but for almost a decade, I think the name "warioloaf" is a very evry familiar one, and if I were to run the site, get to put together archive videos, clips form boardtapes from the older days, switchboard bvideo of the alst couple tours, itd be a mad interesting site!
Its not jealousy its people knowing the site is in good hands.
I could of made a kickass live DVD too. But thats beside the point.
Its all up to Meat. I feel like his site should be a celebration of HIM rather then the bland kinda thing it is right now.
Sorry if I seem egotistic, I just want everyone to be happy
Go ask Meat then!!! Lol
Evil One
02 Feb 2015, 20:14
I thought the name Warioloaf was synonymous with being banned from Youtube? :lol:
AndrewG
02 Feb 2015, 22:58
I see that but for almost a decade, I think the name "warioloaf" is a very evry familiar one, and if I were to run the site, get to put together archive videos, clips form boardtapes from the older days, switchboard bvideo of the alst couple tours, itd be a mad interesting site!
Not all site visitors would probably fall under the hardcore can't get enough of collecting live shows that are not generally available obsessed group I think. Some just want to see a list of studio material, some photos, lyrics and updates I reckon.
And Meat's career is more than stage rock performances. I agree with Jenna's point about the rivalries and jealousies that exist .. and also that the name Warrio is synonymous with a specific but limited take on Meat's career as a whole ;)
Not all site visitors would probably fall under the hardcore can't get enough of collecting live shows that are not generally available obsessed group I think. Some just want to see a list of studio material, some photos, lyrics and updates I reckon.
But more the merrier :))
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