| Queen Archivist 21.02.2010 17:58 |
I was at the dutch fan club convention one year, about 6 years ago, sitting drinking coffee with my good chums Frank Palstra and John Steinen. We happened to get around to the subject of people moaning about me on Queenzone, and all the endless complaining that was going on there, as usual. That doesn't happen any more of course; everyone here is greatly polite these days. But back then there were some really seriously rude and obnoxious tossers on here having a right go at me. Some of it was funny, and I do like a laugh. But some of it wasn't funny because I get the hump when faceless anonymous individuals hiding behind silly QZ i.d's threaten to kill me and my wife (by petrol bomb)... and despite me not having a wife. They're very BRAVE behind their QZ i'd's don't you know!!!! So anyway... Frank suddenly tells me that two of the QZers are "actually here, right now today." I was intrigued. Frank explained that these two people, whose names I did not want or care about, were in the main hall - a man and woman, who came together, both middle aged-ish. They know who they are I'm sure. So..... I thought it was a perfect opportunity for them to sit down with me, face to face, in person, there and then, look me in the eyes and tell me their various problems. Fair, you would think. Right? A reasonable thing to suggest. So, I asked Frank to go ask them to join us, at ANY point in the day or evening, or even tomorrow, at a time to suit them, so that they could have an in person assassination of my character and go at my work, to my face this time, for us to discuss, rather than behind my back. There I was. RIGHT THERE for the picking, for the personal attack, instead of an internet one. "Ask them if they would join us, and I will buy the coffees," I said. I'm generous and loving of human nature you see! Ten minutes later Frank returns. These people will not come and meet meet you, he says. Not at ANY time today or tomorrow. They feel "uncomfortable" with it. They feel "uncomfortable" with it. Can you believe it???????? I could not. Mr reaction was "Cowardly spineless weak-minded meek feeble tossers" of course. I think John and Frank agreed, but I can't swear to that. They certainly saw the irony. Such people are happy to moan and complain here, anonymously, and even (in extreme cases) make death threats to me and mine, BUT.... give them the opportunity to face you, in person to say what's on their mind, and they disappear into the dust like pathetic feeble spineless voiceless "uncomfortable" wimps. Can you imagine what those people must be like in the real world, outside of virtual Queen kingdom???? Don't you just HATE with every fibre of your being, people who will talk endlessly behind your back, or from the virtual safety of a forum like this, but whom have not the courage of their convictions when given the chance to vent in person? They make me utterly sick. MY SUGGESTION IS THIS.... how many of you QZers here, those of you that get into most of the more biting posts and threads, attend the Conventions?????? Why don't we all sit down together at the next one, and seriously debate like adults the grievances you all have with my job and how I conduct myself? Let's thrash out what you think it is I should be doing, not doing, saying, not saying, and let's have it all out in the open.... no faceless bullshit and cowardly hiding. I am very happy with my job and how I conduct myself, by the way, but some of you seem not to be. So come see me, tell me, don't be shy, don't be feeble bottom warts, don't back out with crappy excuses... Ok JSS??????? I think it could be constructive and productive. Better than all this tedious bullshit that goes down here most days. John Stuart got RIGHT UP MY HOOTER (that's nose) with his bullshit the other day about my job. He got it so very very wrong, and I told him so. So, JSS, should definitely attend, and all the other QZers that have a genuine interest and serious constructive approach to this. Let's talk like adults for a change. Let's see if you lot can understand what my job entails, rather than what you THINK it involves. John got it about as WRONG as it is possible to do, and I genuinely mean that. There are SOME things I can say, but things I can't. Intelligent people 'get' this. It's the same with most other jobs too, not just mine. But people treat me and my job completely differently to how they treat QZ Bank Managers or Doctors, Nurses, Fire Fighters, Therapists, Train Drivers, Lawyers. I dunno why. Perhaps they do! I think a serious debate would be good. I will put my money where my archivist mouth is. Will YOU, Holly, Johnst, Benn Kempster, Zebonka, etc etc etc. Put up or shut up, but i suggest the former. Lets move forward to a new place and see what you've got, once we scrape the surface bullshit out of the way. |
| Thistle 21.02.2010 18:17 |
Greg, I don't know you but I appreciate the Freddie box set, it was great. Back in the day, you'd answer people's questions (you had the Q&A section on the IQFC if my memory serves me correctly) and that was good. But 10 years later, it appears that you're nothing more than a carrot-dangler. That's why I personally called you a useless cunt in a previous thread. Obviously, I know you are - as a person - not useless (and hopefully not really a cunt, either). But the carrot-dangling routine is. If you can't say something (or anything at all) about the material you've uncovered, don't tease folk. Don't let them know what you've found, because you know what's going to happen as a result. I know you get a lot of stick, a lot uncalled for, and the death threats are way, way too much for you to have to deal with. Banter is one thing, but death threats are bang out of order. NOBODY has to listen to that shit. The main problem that people here, I've noticed, have with you is that you come across as being arrogant whilst carrot-dangling. You come here, rouse speculation and then disappear until you've generated enough heat to come back, and then you resort to name-calling. This is not on, it has caused a vicious circle and we're all just chasing our tails in it. Now I have a suggestion for you - I'm not coming to the convention. I don't have the time, nor money, to do so. So how about you come to Glasgow? I'll meet you up here, take you for a slap-up West End Meal or coffee or whatever you like, and we'll talk about the thing that bonds us together best - QUEEN. I can maybe air some of my suggestions about the material I know exists, try to find out a bit more about the stuff you're causing speculation over and get to know the real GB. What do you think? |
| ilikefreddyguy 22.02.2010 01:20 |
Queen is a band. |
| Mkls 22.02.2010 01:54 |
BlazeGoldmine wrote: Queen is a band. That is very very true . Greg, the difference that Queen is a music band and the music creates an addiction in the brain, just like smoking / drug users / gambling and so on. Anyone who spends half of his adult life being a 'fan' of a 'rock band' is mentally ILL - myself included! Psychologists will confirm that. Furthermore, Queen Productions as a business venture, have been using this addiction of people to make money in the last 35 years - so why are you surprised that all the people here are crying for more stuff (ie anything that hasnt been released?). That is why people treat your job differently - the carrot/dangle thing just makes the addiction worse - we are not addicted to bank managers or fire fighters (well some might - but most of us not ;)) "But people treat me and my job completely differently to how they treat QZ Bank Managers or Doctors, Nurses, Fire Fighters, Therapists, Train Drivers, Lawyers. I dunno why. Perhaps they do!" |
| Jam Monkey 22.02.2010 02:06 |
When is the next convention? I have to confess I let my fan club membership slip when I moved house, but I am going to rejoin. I've never been before but as my wife is going on holiday without me this year why the hell not? I'll buy you a drink Greg, however I am an amiable kind of guy with very few grievances, so you might be disappointed. |
| pittrek 22.02.2010 02:13 |
I'd like to get a drink with you Greg, but not if I have to go to UK just for this one drink :-) Well sorry for hijacking this thread, but since I've received your Queen live book last Christmas, I'd be interested in the revisited version you wrote about some time ago. Are you still working on it ? |
| Holly2003 22.02.2010 04:29 |
God this is dull. A few things: 1. There are a number of people on this forum I'd like to meet, but the Queen Archivist isn't one of them. Not at the bottom of the list, not even on the list. 2. I've never been to a Queen Convention and I won't start going just to meet some internet troll.. 3. What an ego the man has. "Come and meet ME, the great Greg Brooks!". Laughable. Like a lot of people with chips on their collective shoulders, he hasn't realised that just because he hangs around "important" people, it doesn't make HIM important. |
| bigV 22.02.2010 04:29 |
I'm beginning to have doubts that this really is Greg writing this bollocks. For the record, I'd never miss the opportunity to meet Greg in person. I'm sure that no serious Queenzoner would, no matter what beef they had with him. V. |
| Jam Monkey 22.02.2010 07:51 |
Just found out the convention is next month. Many next year... |
| Queen Archivist 22.02.2010 09:36 |
Do you know what, Holly2003, I find you incredibly dull too. Exceptionally so, in fact. You never have anything nice to say. Ok, you dislike me. I have no problem with that. People like you I can do without in my life, until you mature a bit and see things rather differently. But why can't you speak civilly and respond with something helpful or in some way useful? Why state the obvious EVERY time? I always know what you're going to say, more or less, and then, on cue, you say it. Never anything different; just the same old same old. I wasn't suggesting MEETING GREG BROOKS, in some egomaniac way. I made it clear I was only suggesting a debate in which intelligent people could meet and talk about intelligent issues, and maybe make some progress. Only YOU would come back with the so very obvious "Greg thinks we all want to meet him." Yawn yawn you boring tedious person. You of course have to denigrate that and belittle it in any way you can. That's what you do. You are the dull one Holly. You have no class or anything constructive to add. Yesterday all you could add to a thread of mine was "Fuck off". There again you show your lack of class and intelligence. Holly, can't you try occasionally to show some finesse, elegance, eloquence indeed... a sophisticated side? Has anyone ever suggested this to you? There used to be a time when girls, ladies, did not say things like "Fuck off" because to do so would show them in a shaby poor demeaning base light, and appear common and crude. In fact, for a bloke to swear in the presence of a woman was just a massive taboo until recent times where females like you turned all that on its arse... more's the pity. Here in 2010 females like you band about language like that as you were a welder working with like minded guys in a factory. It lacks class, and says so much about you that is ugly and inappropriate. Please try harder. I bet your mum and grandmother would agree. Ask them. Are you one of those people that tells your parents to fuck off, too, as well as strangers like me, without even batting an eye?? Is this 'normal' for you? "I've never been to a Queen Convention and I won't start going just to meet some internet troll," you say. I'm not surprised. But I am baffled at your continued presence on this Queen-themed forum and site. Why the hell are here on this site if you have such little interest in Queen? I don't get it. There a million other non-queen sites where you could be dull and classless, where you could tell people to Fuck off, with all the elegance of an old washer woman. So why here? How about you let the grown up intelligent QZers meet up for a constructive debate, while you continue to be dull, predictable and as elegant and ladylike as that old Crone in the Wizard of Oz. Or maybe you spend the time learning how to show a bit of class. We might make some overdue progress without your predictably dull interjections. Are you going to tell me to fuck off again now??? Your parents must be so proud. |
| Queen Archivist 22.02.2010 10:06 |
Thistleboy 1980 wrote: Greg, I don't know you but I appreciate the Freddie box set, it was great. Back in the day, you'd answer people's questions (you had the Q&A section on the IQFC if my memory serves me correctly) and that was good. But 10 years later, it appears that you're nothing more than a carrot-dangler. That's why I personally called you a useless cunt in a previous thread. Obviously, I know you are - as a person - not useless (and hopefully not really a cunt, either). But the carrot-dangling routine is. If you can't say something (or anything at all) about the material you've uncovered, don't tease folk. Don't let them know what you've found, because you know what's going to happen as a result. I know you get a lot of stick, a lot uncalled for, and the death threats are way, way too much for you to have to deal with. Banter is one thing, but death threats are bang out of order. NOBODY has to listen to that shit. The main problem that people here, I've noticed, have with you is that you come across as being arrogant whilst carrot-dangling. You come here, rouse speculation and then disappear until you've generated enough heat to come back, and then you resort to name-calling. This is not on, it has caused a vicious circle and we're all just chasing our tails in it. Now I have a suggestion for you - I'm not coming to the convention. I don't have the time, nor money, to do so. So how about you come to Glasgow? I'll meet you up here, take you for a slap-up West End Meal or coffee or whatever you like, and we'll talk about the thing that bonds us together best - QUEEN. I can maybe air some of my suggestions about the material I know exists, try to find out a bit more about the stuff you're causing speculation over and get to know the real GB. What do you think?Well Thistleboy, Nice of you to refer to me as a useless cunt, but that rather elegant side of you aside, which I'll come to later, you young brute, I will respond thus... There was a time when I responded to QZers here in the same way as I still respond to everyone else I meet these days OUTSIDE the peculiar QZ walls. I replied calmly and seriously. But then suddenly EMI released a few Queen products that you lot were not mad about and it became fashionable for various dick heads on QZ to pile the blame for the perceived errors and grievances they shared at my door. This was both ludicrous and illogical, and a bit galling. Predictable though I suppose, with hindsight. I am NOT a member of the band QUEEN, you see. I'm not one of the boys. There was only ever four band members and I wasn't one of them. So the decisions that Queen made then, and still make, was nothing to do with the archivist fellow - that's me. SIMPLE to understand, right???? No. Wrong. Many QZers thought all such annoyances came back to me. That's because they're a bit, well, thick and intellectually challenged, shall we say. Nothing I could do about that. So, the abuse began, the downward slope commenced. I decided to give back a little of what I got. And then a LOT. Certain people hated that. And thus we are where we are. But, whereas a lot of QZers are here every day, or several times a day, or several times an hour, I am here only once every 4 or 5 months, so I care not a jot about how I am perceived, and this EXACT THING is what pisses people off the most. They appear to think that I really should care a lot about how QZers view me. But why??? I really don't know. They think, and say it many times, that because I work for Queen, I should toe the line. But it simply doesnt work that way. I am my own person with my own views. MY views are not those of the band. Another simple concept. Also, I really think that a lot of QZers genuinely believe that Roger and Brian etc sit and monitor what is said on the net about them. This is laughable. Can you imagine them having the time or inclination or giving a damn about what I say here, or what John St Stuart says, or anyone else here ??? Not in this world chum. As if!!!!!!!!!! Yes I dangle carrots. This, you see, is also a small part of the job; to whet appetites in subtle ways. Get people talking about Queen product, and this certainly happens, especially if I put a spin on it, or make it controvercial in some way. And that nearly ALWAYS happens because a lot of QZers get all offended, like you Thistlechum, and draw attention to an otherwise innocuous comment. Either way, the subject gets debated, and that's always good. Please stop and consider this.... whenever I say something that others get annoyed about, or pissed off over, offended, insulted, interested, insensed by (which I can't spell), etc, suddenly that subject gets seen and talked about. Most of the time my threads, including all the crappy silly ones, inspire 5 or pages of comment from you guys. YOU GUYS respond. Who's to blame for that??????????? This is part of my job too. Like me or hate me, I don't give a rat's arse which, people do like to add to my threads and vent and vomit out their various verbal spew, and that is fine by me - otherwise I wouldn't be bothering. Yes thistleboy, lets have a pint together at the convention and chat, and teach you how to be a bit more courteous to strangers. If you call me a useless cunt, though, I will exercise hidari uraken to your jodan area and thus fracture your lower mandeville at the point at which it comes close to the base of your brain. This is to be avoided if at all possible. It's not a fatal blow but it would more than smart a bit. That's fair enough innit??? |
| Oi ! Fingers ! 22.02.2010 10:13 |
When is this met and greet with Greg Brooks ?I REALLY want a ticket, how much are they, and how long may we speak to him for ?I have so many questions for the wise one. |
| Queenman!! 22.02.2010 10:14 |
Dear Greg, Why don't you explain your whole workingposition to QZ so people can understand your points. It's easy to call names, if the QZ 'moaners' don't know what to expect from your site. We all know you're signed to QP and have restrictions and obligations towards QP. I think the crucial fact is you're are floating between.... Some replies and topics seem very clear... others with an underlaying message or strange expressed feeling. Please be clear and tell us your restrictions towards the QZ board. When we know the questions will be different and QZ'ners will know what to expect and what not. For example'the whole "Archive Topic' was very misleading for a lot of guys... The QZ'ners expected a detailed list of audio material and video footage lying in the archives. Instead there was a list what most people expected to be in the archives. Very clever but not very honest I think. So what main role does Jim Beach for example has relative to your expressions here on the forum? There are the restrictions I think. |
| Oi ! Fingers ! 22.02.2010 10:15 |
OOPs sorry , I meant meet and gret, before anyone has a pop about my gramma. |
| Holly2003 22.02.2010 10:16 |
Wow I didn't think my refusal to meet with you (a complete stranger and internet troll) would make you so hysterically angry. Maybe you were hoping for a date? Romantic candle lit dinner for two at whatever Travelodge you'll be staying at? Sorry to shatter your dreams 'luv'. Anyway, 'Holly2003' is a username and doesn't reflect my gender so you probably dodged a bullet there. Don't take it too badly, there's plenty more fish in the sea. Talking of a lack of class, as if you'd know what that actually meant, nice dig about my parents. Maybe it's just as well for you I don't go to conventions... |
| GratefulFan 22.02.2010 10:53 |
Holly2003 wrote: Wow I didn't think my refusal to meet with you (a complete stranger and internet troll) would make you so hysterically angry. Maybe you were hoping for a date? Romantic candle lit dinner for two at whatever Travelodge you'll be staying at? Sorry to shatter your dreams 'luv'. Anyway, 'Holly2003' is a username and doesn't reflect my gender so you probably dodged a bullet there. Don't take it too badly, there's plenty more fish in the sea. Talking of a lack of class, as if you'd know what that actually meant, nice dig about my parents. Maybe it's just as well for you I don't go to conventions... And Holly takes a commanding lead. |
| Vali 22.02.2010 10:53 |
Queenman!! wrote: The QZ'ners expected a detailed list of audio material and video footage lying in the archives. Instead there was a list what most people expected to be in the archives. Very clever but not very honest I think. Can't be said better. When Greg came here with his list of audio/video live recordings lying in the archives I guess most of us went like "ok, thanks Greg, but ..." I mean, yes, that's what we all expected. It's just my oppinion, but I think many of the fans here at QZ or at the QOL forum would appreciate precise information about the existing studio recordings. I don't expect Greg to come and write down a detailed excercise regarding each recording session, each outtake, each demo, etc etc etc, but it's been many years expecting confirmation, simply confirmation and general info of suposed facts. Does "Victory" exist? Ok, Greg told us it does but, can we have some additional infromation? Who can believe it could affect an eventual release if we knew the song is 4.30 minute long and it's a finished song ? who could believe it could affect an eventual release if Greg told us: "yes, and Play The Game with Andy Gibb is there too, and Andy's input went like this or like that" or something regarding Jeff Beck or Rod Stewart, or "Let Me In Your Heart Again", or the piano version of "Is This The World We Created". Just the contrary, it would provide additional motivation to the fans. I can't understand this secretism, really. |
| Queen Archivist 22.02.2010 12:36 |
Miklos wrote:Miklos, my good man...BlazeGoldmine wrote: Queen is a band.That is very very true . Greg, the difference that Queen is a music band and the music creates an addiction in the brain, just like smoking / drug users / gambling and so on. Anyone who spends half of his adult life being a 'fan' of a 'rock band' is mentally ILL - myself included! Psychologists will confirm that. Furthermore, Queen Productions as a business venture, have been using this addiction of people to make money in the last 35 years - so why are you surprised that all the people here are crying for more stuff (ie anything that hasnt been released?). That is why people treat your job differently - the carrot/dangle thing just makes the addiction worse - we are not addicted to bank managers or fire fighters (well some might - but most of us not ;)) "But people treat me and my job completely differently to how they treat QZ Bank Managers or Doctors, Nurses, Fire Fighters, Therapists, Train Drivers, Lawyers. I dunno why. Perhaps they do!" "so why are you surprised that all the people here are crying for more stuff (ie anything that hasnt been released?)" I am not remotely surprised by this. I never said I was. I fully and completely understand this feeling and I have said so MANY times. I too am a Queen fan, addict if you like, first and foremost, so I know the feeling well. I long for these things too.God knows where you got that notion from. You are preaching to the converted. i feel the same way. Time and time and time and time again people read things into my words that I just did not say or infer. Then they jump on them and go into a big attack with it.... yet I actually agree with them half the time and I sit here bemused at their 'take' on what they think I'm saying. It always baffles me. If I say, "I'm not sure if Budapest will be the next DVD or not," there are people here on QZ that will attack me for saying, "Budapest doesn't exist in the archive. Only four songs survive, the rest got shredded." How these things happen, who knows!!!!! People simply see and hear and read exactly what they want. "so why are you surprised that all the people here are crying for more stuff" I am not not not not not surprised by this. I never said that. |
| Thistle 22.02.2010 13:03 |
Queen Archivist wrote (Edited down to reduce clogging, my response in Bold): Well Thistleboy, Nice of you to refer to me as a useless cunt, but that rather elegant side of you aside, which I'll come to later, you young brute, I will respond thus... Yes, it was rather elegant, wasn't it? Actually, it was succinct, to the point. I felt you were coming across as a cunt, and that the carrot-dangling was useless. I don't mince my words and, if you're as ok with the banter as you say you are.....well, I think you know what I'm saying. On the subject of carrot-dangling: Yes I dangle carrots. This, you see, is also a small part of the job; to whet appetites in subtle ways. Get people talking about Queen product, and this certainly happens, especially if I put a spin on it, or make it controvercial in some way. And that nearly ALWAYS happens because a lot of QZers get all offended, like you Thistlechum, and draw attention to an otherwise innocuous comment. Firstly, I am not offended. You would have to say something personal to me in order for me to become offended. I am not jealous of your job, either. In fact, I admire your job. I wouldn't get all obsessive about it, I wouldn't kill for it, I just think it's cool. I don't know everything of what your job entails, I don't know the half of it (the bit we all know about is the cool part) - but what I do know is you're hiding behing the smoke-screen that is the word "spin". You're making out your positively "whetting appetites". But, you're not. Please don't use advertising and promotion as an excuse for posting worthless information. Promotion only happens when there's a product to sell. So far, whether down to QPL or yourself, there is no product to sell. You are using your position to show off. That's how it comes across. Either way, the subject gets debated, and that's always good. Yes, but only if the feedback is positive or the criticism constructive. You don't seem to have grasped the message. Yes thistleboy, lets have a pint together at the convention and chat.... Did I not just say I wasn't going? Do you even bother to listen? ....and teach you how to be a bit more courteous to strangers. I don't know you personally (although have invited you to my home city to meet up), and I can only go on the recent profile you've made of yourself, but that's a bit rich coming from you, is it not? Courteous to strangers? Don't make me laugh! If you call me a useless cunt, though, I will exercise hidari uraken to your jodan area and thus fracture your lower mandeville at the point at which it comes close to the base of your brain. This is to be avoided if at all possible. It's not a fatal blow but it would more than smart a bit. That's fair enough innit??? Not really! After I publically stated, in your defence, that the death threats you were receiving were bang out of order, you issue me with a public threat of violence (LMFAO, btw)? Now it's not just an impression you've made, it's now something I know - you ARE a useless cunt. |