In my younger years I was very much a part of the "scene" and made a good go at booking and promoting metal bands, particularly European ones here in the US. A

In my younger years I was very much a part of the "scene" and made a good go at booking and promoting metal bands, particularly European ones here in the US. After a very short time I realized that it's very much a pit of vipers and an endless source of drama. Everyone puts on a front of being very cool but in almost all cases it's just that. It doesn't matter if it's bands, promoters, photographers, fans, etc., anyone who is even the slightest bit invested in it is likely to screw you over or air some irrelevant feud out in public. I don't go near any of it anymore (except the occasional Meshuggah or Ihsahn show) and remain a fan in private, with headphones on. As right as the guy is, he totally didn't go about any of this the right way and neither did the band.