I come to you for counsel...

[FatVin]

We put a guestbook on our website a while back, many of you have them on your website and a lot of you are way better at this computer stuff than I, so maybe you'd know what to do.

Our new drummer, Jeff Van Clief, who is a great guy and a great drummer and we are more than happy to have him with us, was checking out or website and he looked at the guestbook and saw some enteries that were negative. Mostly attacks against me personally, just a series of stupid mean-spirited diatribes.

Jeff, a little upset by this, called Randy, who called me and while I was reading (and then deleting) these enteries I recognized all the misspellings, punctuation and capitalization errors and I was sure who wrote them, well, I'm not 100% sure about that, but my spidey sense tells me it was a former member of the band (NOT a Shoe salesman, and NOT a Patriots fan)

My instinct on this is to delete these posts, which I have done, and get on with it. Success and happiness are often the best revenge.

Personal attacks never bothered me, to me, it goes to show just how out of ideas the other person is. I mean c'mon I call myself Fat Vinny, It's name I invented, if all you've got to come at me with are fat jokes, then you're a moron. It does upset the people around me tho and THAT upsets me.

So anyway what do I do about this guestbook thing?

[Killjingle]

some very simple solutions for this problem (in no particular order)

1. find the perpetrator and beat him down

2. use a guestbook that tracks IP addresses, some have an IP blocker which may come in handy, then report the perp

3. use a guestbook that uses entry submission, basically say yes or no to accept message into book

btw, unless its constructive criticism, there is no need to leave negative comments attached to site which promotes your business, so deleting posts is appropriate. and constructive criticism really has no place on your site, unless you and your bandmates feel it is not detrimental to the band and its business. lastly, the "they're just jealous" crap doesnt fly with me. most jackoffs impale you with their diatribes because they cant find any one else to pay attention to them, so why should you?

the world is full of assholes. sometimes we just need to point them out.

[pxprocks]

Hey Vinny, I know exactly what you are saying as webmaster for so many sites we have to monitor many guestbooks and we are always removing posts and cleaning up after ex-bandmates, ex-girlfriends, pissed off fans and even band members themselves.

With doing this for years now I have just chalked it up as people being petty and having nothing better to do with their lives. Most of the people we deal with have a certain level of professionalism and, I know alot of this you know and I am rambling. I will tell you one thing from my experience the worst thing you can do is reply or argue although tempting all this does is cause more grief and cause more work for you to keep things cleaned out.

Guestbooks are a place kind of like this for people to share comments and fans to post to the bands. When it comes to negativity or problems that is what email should be used for. I hope this helps ya out Vinny.

Deviance1 is right try a different guestbook that allows you to approve messages before they post and/or one that allows you to track and block IP addresses. Most of ours have that capability. If you would like some help setting one of them up get in touch with me.


PS. No matter what anyone says I think you guys kick ass, and I have alot of respect for anyone who takes the stage. I dont have that kind of musical talent. I wish I did. So kudo's to you and anyone who has the drive and balls to do what you do for the love of their craft. And to the people who have nothing better to do besides being nevative all the time....GET A LIFE or GET A HOBBY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ron]

Fahgetaboudit.
Like you said, Vin... "Success and happiness are often the best revenge".

[byndrsn]

Fat Vin,

Screw the bastard! Granted, you don't want any new comers to the site getting turned off by the ignorance of a self absorbed, egotistical, only certain equipment endorsing (if it's who i'm thinking it is) prick! I agree, let the bullshit continue to roll off those broad shoulders and delete the posts.

Those who have had the opportunity to hear you guys know that they're in for some good blues and a good time...... they'll show more influence with everyone than this idiot ever will!!


Keep it real, but keep it ROCKIN!!

Dan

[Danette]

Want a real fun way to handle the negative posts? Edit it .. lol .. take out the negative bits and change them to positive. lol On the whole tho -I agree with Donnie. As much as it might make you feel better to reply to to the person writing the post, usually it does no good and in the end causes more headache.

[MOONDOGGY]

I really have no business in this disiccuion, but i hope all turns out OK. I also hope no feelings are hurt, and no friendships are lost.

[Ron]

I think I remember a post that needed to be squelched on this site. maybe it was the same "perp". ROFL.

[musicmadman]

I was recently informed about the postings on Fat Vinny's web page,
and I being his old or ex Drummer am being very wrongly accused, I have been having trouble with my old E-mail address and AOL and I just NOT too long ago got a NEW E-mail address, and I had NO IDEA what the devil was goin on and or what was even posted, and I'm SORRY Vinny but your Spidy feelings are wrong, I can say that, I agree with you all on a lot of your points, Like I have a VERY, VERY, BUSY Schedule and DON'T have the time to post any negitive things...... and if I were able to I WOULD NOT POST ANY NEGITIVE THINGS ABOUT ANYBODY even If I had just cause to post negitive things about them because of the Situation that be happening here I am Being Crucified and this post is going to become a free for all at Mark Panek's expense (I hope somebody has enough sense to put a stop to it if NOT do your worst to me I'll Continue to play on) it's like it's been said in the past any news is Good news in this Business either be good or bad, maybe I should be saying Thanks for the Attention and all your posts about me, Again Vinny sorry about your web page and I'm sorry for any inconviences that may have cause you and your Band.

Good Luck in all your Endevors Vinny (whatever they may be)
Sorry things DIDN'T work out with us I can say we Rocked Buddy and I'm sure you'll Continue to rock all the Clubs you gig at.

take Care
Mark

[RobTheDrummer]

I just ignore it, most posts that are negative are out of jealousy. We used to get posts like that on the old Sauce Monster website, we'd laugh about it and leave them up, the fans would be the ones to get pissed and respond to these kind of posts more than the band. This way, the "perp" as they say, will be thoroughly reemed!

[FatVin]

It's good that we can come together to solve these little problems, that's the kind of thing that a community of musicians should do for each other, I think.

Thank you for your words of counsel, I have set our guest book to notify me of any new posting so that it can be properly presented to the public, good advice that, thanks.

Thanks for your words of support

As to denials, well those of you who know the personalities involved, judge for yourself.

anyway check out our new and improved guestbook, you can get to it through our Rockpage site.

Grazi

[SUperstar]

I saw your site a while back after you signed our guestbook... Checked out the mp3's- Somone else said it above... if people hear what you do... I don't think they will care what one person w/ a persecution complex has to say. Just keep rockin'