Rock group Coldplay attacks 'corporate evil'

BBC ^ | 5/18/05 | n/a

[kiriath_jearim]

Wednesday, 18 May, 2005, 08:00 GMT 09:00 UK

Coldplay attack 'corporate evil'

Coldplay's Chris Martin has dismissed pressure to boost his record company's profits, saying: "Shareholders are the great evil of this modern world."

EMI issued a profit warning in February partly because the release of the UK band's latest album X&Y was delayed.

But Coldplay frontman Martin said: "I don't really care about EMI. I'm not really concerned about that."

He spoke about the "the slavery that we are all under to shareholders" ahead of the album's release in early June.

'Corporate machine'

Coldplay have sold 20 million albums worldwide, having a big UK and US hit with 2002 album A Rush of Blood to the Head.

Also famous for being the husband of Oscar-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow, Martin spoke to reporters before a 90-minute concert at New York's Beacon Theatre on Tuesday.

He said their new album was delayed because their first eight months of recording sessions produced songs that lacked the "spark" of such earlier hits as Yellow, Clocks and The Scientist.

"It's very strange for us that we spent 18 months in the studio just trying to make songs that make us feel a certain way and then suddenly become part of this corporate machine," Martin said.

He said the band's success gave them artistic freedom and the ability to talk about subjects dear to them such as fair trade - paying fair prices for products such as coffee and cotton from developing nations.

[bigjoesaddle]

**

[PBRSTREETGANG]

He said the band's success gave them artistic freedom and the ability to talk about subjects dear to them such as fair trade - paying fair prices for products such as coffee and cotton from developing nations.

[avg_freeper]

The only problem I have with corporations is that nutbars like Chris here are marketed and promoted beyond their level of intelligence. In a more perfect world Chris would still be slouching around alone and waisted in his mom's basement.

[hobbes1]

As if he'd even be cleaning Paltrows toilet, let alone sleeping with her, without the $$$$$$ EMI's Corporate backing provides.....RMFE.

[wideawake]

"Shareholders are the great evil of this modern world."

What a dumbass.

Basically, what he's saying is: "Anybody who says that I have to work first before I get paid is the great evil of this modern world."

In other words, he's a two year old.

[DoctorMichael]

"Welcome my son,

Welcome to The Machine........."

[Luddite Patent Counsel]

This guy can't really be that dumb and still be able to breathe without mechanical assistance.

[wideawake]

As if he'd even be cleaning Paltrows toilet, let alone sleeping with her, without the $$$$$$ EMI's Corporate backing provides.....RMFE.

As if Paltrow herself would be anywhere if her father hadn't been a successful director and producer who aggressively promoted his daughter's career.

[Lekker 1]

Gee, Mr. Martin...exactly how many poor men have EVER offered YOU a job?

[RepoGirl]

Well, if he doesn't like having to deliver to the shareholders, he can go back to selling his plasma at the homeless shelter or waiting tables.

What a clueless, no talent a$$ clown.

[hobbes1]

True enough, but she was born (as is 90% of hollywood) with a leg up, thats part of my point, she comes from $$$$ and privelege, without EMI, the chances of her even acknowledging his existence, are as good as any other garage band hack, toiling away in the clubs of South Jersey right now....


In a word,

Nil.

[WolfRunnerWoman]

"Shareholders are the great evil of this modern world."

WRONG!

Spoiled little sh*t a$$es like him are the great evil of this modern world.

[gopwinsin04]

Chris, just go back to changing Apple's diapers..thank you! (and shut up and sing)

[wideawake]

That's true.

She may have had a fling with him, but she never would have married him or borne his child.

[VegasCowboy]

Maybe he should quit the label and start playing at coffee pubs. He'd have no money, but then he wouldn't be dictated to by the evil shareholders.

What's that? He likes being rich? Oh, now what will he do?

[Mr. Jeeves]

Coldplay's Chris Martin has dismissed pressure to boost his record company's profits, saying: "Shareholders are the great evil of this modern world."

Yeah, all those ex-Soviet rockers with the mansions in South Florida really show how it should be done. ;)

Actually, he does have a point about the stifling effect of large record companies on musical creativity - he just errs in trying to extend that point into a general condemnation of capitalism.

[joebuck]

"It's very strange for us that we spent 18 months in the studio just trying to make songs that make us feel a certain way and then suddenly become part of this corporate machine," Martin said."

Wake up dude. You voluntarily became part of the corporate machine the day you signed a contract with a big record label, and you know it. You can't jump in a pool and then act shocked that you got wet.

[NRA1995]

And this is important why?