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VICTORY ARTISTS AREN’T THE ONLY ONES WHO HATE TONY BRUMMEL

  • Axl Rosenberg
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matadorvsvictory215That Victory Records’ head honcho, Tony Brummel, is a scum bag isn’t news. But usually the man only makes enemies with young bands that don’t realize they’re about to take an eyeful of Brummel’s spunk. Now he’s fighting with other record label-types.

From our friend Bram Teitelman at Metal Insider:

Pitchfork reports that Matador [label for bands such as Belle & Sebastian and Cat Power] co-owner Gerard Cosley has been making fun of Victory owner Tony Brummel on the label’s blog for some time now, calling him out for his sketchy business practices and even making an image of Victory’s bulldog logo getting humped with the words “Fuck Victory.” Earlier this week, Cosley’s home burned to the ground, and he got an e-mail from either Brummel or someone claiming to be Brummel with the image of the Victory bulldog getting humped and the word “KARMA.”

“I’ve got to admit, I had previously underestimated Brummel,” Cosley wrote. “Not only would I have bet real money he couldn’t spell karma is you spotted him the K-A-R, but he’s even capable of attaching a .gif all by himself. But here’s the serious conclusion you can take away from the ill-advised attempt at a rejoinder; Brummel considers my watching my home and possessions turned to ashes karmic payoff for… criticism of his record label? An innocent pet burning to death is acceptable payback for mocking his dopey-as-fuck records, ads, and business practices?”

Brummel has since admitted that he wrote the e-mail, and stood up for his right to do so:

“I do not know and have never spoken to Gerard Cosloy or anyone at Matador. I have never said anything derogatory about the label (that he is part owner of along with the company being 50% owned by Martin Mills at Beggars Banquet), its bands or anyone that works there. However, over the last several years Cosloy has gone out of his way to take shots at me (via his blog), my company and my artists. He even took the time to create his own rendition of our logo (his rendition has two male bulldogs having sex). If standing up for my company and my artists is wrong to some people that is too bad. It is my job and obligation. I do not have the time or desire to hurt Cosloy, his company or artists. I am not happy that he lost his home but his immature, snide and unwarranted actions are bad karma. ‘If you don’t have anything nice to say (especially about someone that you do not know), don’t say anything at all.’ He should focus on his company and artists instead of blogging. The man is at least 8 years older than me. As a man, why not ‘man up’ and pick up the phone if you have a problem with someone? I am an easy guy to find. Regardless of his juvenile ramblings I wish him and his company the best of luck.”

Geez. I’m feeling kinda torn about this. On the one hand, I am clearly just the kind of prick who would laugh if an enemy’s house burned down; on the other hand, I’d like to think that my enemies did something more offensive than  just make fun of me on a blog. Balls666 and Ziltoid might irritate me from time to time, but they amuse me just as much, and even if Balls666 does claim to want to “drive a railroad spike into [my] fucking jugular,” I don’t wish the guy nut cancer or anything.

In conclusion: I’m scoring this one for Cosley. Not because I’m a Cat Power fan or anything, but just because, y’know, he’s not Tony Brummel.

-AR

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