Meet the Doom Charts: John Gist

[@johgis1]

Thanks Scott for having me on the show and look forward to doing it again! See you at Planet Desert Rock Weekend V in Las Vegas!

[@cleanandsoberstoner1]

Can't wait!!!

[@shadowofjupiter6491]

Man... we absolutely adore John and everything he's done and continues to do for the scene. What an absolute great ambassador he's been!!!

[@cleanandsoberstoner1]

Indeed!

[@johgis1]

Oh geez man you are gonna make me blush!

[@sunchylde]

Nice one, watching right now. Let me add sth from the perspective of someone who's been in bands (and into this scene) for more than 20 yrs now, working with labels (even have my own), and is working on other parts of "the industry" (printed media in particular): IT IS COMPLEX - some bands don't even want commercial success - esp in "this scene"(as the best example: Kyuss split when they could have ruled the world LOL) ... so, there's many bands who just wanna hang out, have a few drinks, play a bit of heavy rawk, that's that ... then there's these who want success and have understood how to get there - yet: MANY others don't. First of all, you got it right: a lot depends on the band themselves - don't look for outside help so much (unto some degree: being on a label is not even necessary), although that special connection will always help! In many ways it's easy to start, it's very easy to record, to release by yourself, do it all ... YET: a lot of things have become more expensive (I'd say ten years ago was a better, or easier period for many things - the scene was IN BLOOM) ... on the other hand, the (mainstream) industry is kinda f***d up, or STUCK in a status quo from ca 30 yrs ago, where only very few examples even get any significant access (playtime on the radio? bigger coverage in magazines? - that's all connected to BIG marketing money) ... I could rave on for a while here ... I could imagine that even in Elder, or King Buffalo - not everyone in these bands can make a living from that kind of music. You have to play live a lot, in good places (E-U-R-O-P-E) and even there it became much more difficult. Talk about: I-N-F-L-A-T-I-O-N ... and rent prices that went up like CRAZY, insane, you know. Just few days ago I heard from a friend his studio rent went up to 2k EURO by month ... Let me conclude and continue watching: *In this scene, you gotta love what you do.* And when you love what you do, all else will not matter that much. Although, it can be tough! But that's life.

[@johgis1]

Whew a lot to unpack there! Yeah man in the end it’s about the love of the music and the scene!

[@billriddle9215]

My first concert at age 14 was Iron Maiden opening for 38.Special...last year I saw Earthless,rock never died you just need to know where to look,never give up on what makes you happy.

[@cleanandsoberstoner1]

Oh man...Earthless!!!

[@johgis1]

Holy crap that’s an odd combo Iron Maiden and 38 Special. By the way I just saw 38 for the first time ever a few months ago the back. Still rocking thru the night!

[@romanabereneth5683]

Wow the music industry is even more contracted than the publishing industry. Its no surprise both are suffering the same issues.

[@cleenband]

This was a great watch 🤘

[@cleanandsoberstoner1]

Thanks guys. We always appreciate it when the real Rawk Stars watch!!!

[@cleenband]

​@@cleanandsoberstoner1gotta watch what the big wigs are thinking and surprise them 😂🫡🤘

[@bluesfortheredsun]

1 thumb up for the great conversation and another thumb up for the Tom Warrior picture in the background :D UGH!!!

[@cleanandsoberstoner1]

You win. I don't have a prize, but you definitely win for catching that. Hey!!!

[@ericvarasifsky679]

AMEN TO THE GIST

[@thereturnofthemac]

"People are scared of black sabbath due to the name" lol that have me in stitches. Great interview Scott.

[@cleanandsoberstoner1]

Thanks!!!

[@sunchylde]

"HOPEFULLY NOT EXTINCT" (on where underground is going to be in 10 yrs)- man, that hits the spot!! Although there'll always hopefully be some kind of "weirdo" doing his / or her very own style of music, and recording stuff is easy - but: playing live has become DIFFICULT in some parts of the world. I can only imagine the US these days, here in South America I see it right now (some folks just gave up). Like I said, Europe is still a good place. But also more difficult than it was only few years ago .......

[@cleanandsoberstoner1]

I truly believe that if more people in the scene continue direct together, including labels, reviewers, bands, everybody, that the scene will continue to grow to the point It can't be ignored any longer.

[@sunchylde]

@@cleanandsoberstoner1 I did this and most of these connections remained the best over the last 15yrs or so ... But many bands don't get that concept of DIY and also stick to themselves and sometimes very naive ideas 😂 I have stories............

[@kloozman]

The scene's been active for 30 years. We'll be dead before it becomes mainstream, which I'm fine with, but not that great if you're a promoter or a band trying to turn a profit

[@cleanandsoberstoner1]

We can never guarantee that we will succeed, we can only guarantee failure if we give up fighting

[@johgis1]

Scene has been active for a long time. But without younger folks backfilling older fans with less motivation , health issues etc …. The stats will be tough in the bigger picture.

[@kloozman]

​@@cleanandsoberstoner1 when you name your band Sleepy Time Gorilla Museum or something most Americans can't pronounce, that doesn't help the situation either

[@kloozman]

​​@@johgis1 yep

[@trex2251]

The doom populist vs. The doom establishment

[@cleanandsoberstoner1]

Interesting way to put that!!!

[@johgis1]

@@trex2251 lol. Not many times in life has establishment been connected to me.

[@orionssword2876]

Just say no to Eddie Trunk

[@cleanandsoberstoner1]

Totally agreed!!!