Some of you may remember when I stepped back from things here on the boards about a year ago in order to concentrate on personal matters. I would have preferred to permanently hand everything over to someone else at that time, but I was never able to find anyone with the technical skills as well as the time and willingness to do so. After a year or so, the community was having a few problems, so I slowly came back to try and address these. More recently, I brought Jade in to pick up some of my slack and lead the community in a new direction, but we've been rather disappointed in the community's response. While I've been wanting to hand-off the site for quite some time, the recent resistance and immaturity has reached a level that requires more time than I would expect of any moderator. For those of you not aware, Jade and I are busy planning a wedding and both feel it's time for us to move on from panheads.org.

Rather than leave things in a state of limbo again, I've decided to completely hand panheads.org over to the band so that they can decide the best way to proceed. It's hard to believe this place has been around for six years this month and for the most part it has truly been a labor of love. You'll still see Jade and I at shows, and we'll always be fans of the band's music and ministry; we will just be supporting the band in a different capacity.

I've been talking with Skillet's management for the last couple of weeks, and they have expressed concern about the level of interest from the community as a whole. The lack of band-related discussion on the boards has not gone unnoticed nor has the lack of response with the street team and various emails. The only area that seems to be getting any kind of response is their MySpace page, and it's not clear why these other avenues are not producing similar results. Are people really just not interested in Skillet like they used to be? Are they advertising to the wrong market or demographic? Basically, what's happened to all the panheads? (Timmy, you don't count... we know how you feel about all this :) )

Wow. First crack. Sweet.

OK. I know I'm new compared to most of you. But I am active on a lot of message boards and I own two (for This Beautiful Republic and Radial Angel).

And my concern is this: I think you've missed the purpose of band-based message boards. Our lives here, battling the Good Fight and trying to glorify God and love each other, are not filled with simple answers and clear paths to righteousness. We flounder and are subject to deep and dangerous levels of despair.

Yet even before the fall, God knew that it was not good for man to be alone. He created us to be social creatures. In this world of hate and sin and death, we need each other. We sustain each other and keep each other accountable. This life of Christian brotherhood and sisterhood was the cornerstone of the church that Christ established, primarily through the apostle Paul.

So I challenge that these boards should be primarily about the band. I'm actually a little saddened that the lack of discussion about Skillet and their music has caused anyone to question the "direction" of these boards.

Band-based message boards should be about gathering a group of people with something in common (the band) to do what we are all called to do with every moment of our lives: glorify God and love each other.

I look around this place and am uplifted because the message of the band, the purpose of the band - to glorify God - is being lived here. Distress that the Creator is the focus and not the band is, in my opinion, disturbing.

I look around and I see it's about God and about loving each other. No man, or group, or generation for that matter, can aspire to a greater thing.

I don't think we're the ones who have lost appropriate focus.

I'm such a panhead! I'm still here. And interested in Skillet. I've recruited two people and am drawing more of my friends in who will appreciate the band.

I think you have enough appeal but some people aren't as dedicated. I'm a faithful member.

I don't have the time or means to run this but I'll help where I can. Just give the word and I'm at your service as much as possible:).

Hope this get's figured out. Let's pray about it.

~You're faithful servant, V-Ball Queen 32

I'm still way into Skillet. Although, I did just start being interested.. haha.

I will always love Skillet. :)

Well, I may not have as many posts as a lot of other of you guys, but I've been on here for just about 2 years and I've noticed all of these things and I admit it, I'm guilty of not going on the Skillet related threads, etc.

I know my reason for not going on, and it's just as simple as I'm not as big of a panhead as I used to be. My reason for that? Well, I moved on I guess. Skillet was a great beginning to introduce me into the world of Christian Rock/Metal, but in my opinion, they've changed. I still like their older songs the best, when it seems they had more passion and a real unique sound. But now Skillet is starting to sound just like every other band to me. I still love them (always will) and they still rank high with me, don't get me wrong, but their not my favorite band anymore.

Anyways, I agree with Dave, I think the boards should be narrowed down to just the band and the Christianity boards...isn't that what we are here for anyways? The other stuff is amusing, but playing forum games, introducing our artwork and writings to people, and discussing materialistic things like make up and facial hair do not have anything to do with Skillet or God. I would keep the Music Buzz forum also, as that applies to music and music applies to Skillet.

Anyways, there's my opinion. However, I definitely would not want to take over this board and I realize it's a bigger task than anyone can imagine...therefore I will say Thank You to Will and Jade for putting up with the crap we seemingly excrete, You've done a great job with the boards and they will not be the same without you!

-Savannah-

wow... im glad you made this reality check.
Question: are you and Jade marrying each other?

Will even though you and I havent had the most smooth past, i would just like to thank you for everything. this community has been a pleasure (although sometimes a chore :) ) to be a part of. although you were a fan way before i was, i look to you as a great panhead innovator. youve created my favorite place on the web ( yes even rivaling myspace), i really appreciate it, and will never forget you.

Thank you Will.


Timmy

I don't think interest in Skillet has dropped. I'm not a forum person, but there are other issues going on that have caused interest in *PANHEADS.ORG*, and not the band itself, to drop.

I won't go into politics, partially because I despise politics, partially because I have brought some of my concerns to you personally in private in the past and they don't need to be publicized.

I love the music, but I love so many other bands that it's REALLY hard for me to give too much attention to just one. I'm not someone who listens to one style of music. I listen to just about every genre from classical to death metal. Imagine how big my music collection is. Certainly the better bands get more attention from me, and Skillet is obviously one of them, but I still can't sit on just one band's forums all day long. I'm also not one to sit around reading up on band forums where the only thing discussed is the band. I think the other areas have become an integral part of the community, and had they not been there, I'd not have even registered. As I mentioned above, I'm not a forum person, and maybe visit any given forum every so often.

Will: If you want to discuss the "not to be public" matter further, feel free to drop me a PM.

First, congrats on the wedding! =]
Second, I'm new to the Skillet/Panhead community, but i'm more than willing to stay around for a lonnng time and help to support the band and my fellow fans. =] I'm in to do what it takes to keep this place going!<3

I don't think interest in Skillet has dropped. I'm not a forum person, but there are other issues going on that have caused interest in *PANHEADS.ORG*, and not the band itself, to drop.

I won't go into politics, partially because I despise politics, partially because I have brought some of my concerns to you personally in private in the past and they don't need to be publicized.

I love the music, but I love so many other bands that it's REALLY hard for me to give too much attention to just one. I'm not someone who listens to one style of music. I listen to just about every genre from classical to death metal. Imagine how big my music collection is. Certainly the better bands get more attention from me, and Skillet is obviously one of them, but I still can't sit on just one band's forums all day long. I'm also not one to sit around reading up on band forums where the only thing discussed is the band. I think the other areas have become an integral part of the community, and had they not been there, I'd not have even registered. As I mentioned above, I'm not a forum person, and maybe visit any given forum every so often.

Will: If you want to discuss the "not to be public" matter further, feel free to drop me a PM.

seeing as how me and like 2 other people post in the Frying Pan, id definitely say that is a losing of interest.

I have noticed a lack of discussion in the Frying Pan and I have found it to be a bummer. Skillet is my favorite band. The reason I joined the forum in the first place was because I love discussing the band and topics related to them. I know that Timmy is in the Frying Pan a lot because he posts about requesting and about the status of radio singles. Besides him, I think there are only a few other people who comment there. The problem is that I’m finding a lack of new band-related things to discuss.

I really wouldn’t mind if Panheads were downsized to the Skillet forums and the Christianity forums. There are a few General Discussion threads I’m a little fond of, but over all I think I could deal without them. What kind of response are we trying to attain, however? Are we looking for an increase in Skillet boards activities? Enlargement of Panheads requesting their songs for the radio? Increase of people joining the street team?

I would have to say that I'm no longer interested in Panheads.org because Skillet is not interested in Panheads.org.

Take a look at some of the threads on In the Frying Pan, and you'll see the conversations run into brick wall after brick wall because of a lack of communication between Skillet's management and the Panheads here. The first topic that really excited me here on panheads was the discussion over releasing the songs Heaven in my Viens and Always the Same for download of some sort. There was the beginning of chatter... then nothing. We discussed the thing to a standstill while we waited for the management to let us know. We never found out. At least I didn't. Question after burning question gets unanswered. What are the sales figures for the Accoustic EP? What happened to the other accoustic songs? What happened to Live Free or Let Me Die?

Panheads.org should be a place where Skillet and Skillet's management hang out and interact with the fans. Unfortunately, nothing like that is happening here. So those who have found friendship here remain for the friendship, and those who have not leave for myspace, where the band members actually take time to care for their fans.

True, some interaction with the band members / management would be rather awesome. Plus, if we could do the live chats again, I'd like that.

I myself, would be willing to take over panheads.org, but I honestly know nothing about managing a forum and writing code.

Also, the drama has been a big issue with some members here and when people get their toes stepped on they seem to leave. Oh yeah, and a link to the forums from their myspace would probably be a great idea.

I have noticed Frying Pan threads that kinda fade off into a standstill but that always seemed because we ran out of things to say about the topic.

I don't like blaming the band. I have always assumed that the band and management is busy handling the art and business of a music career, touring and what not. I’ve noticed that management has been making an attempt to update us in the Frying Pan. And Skillet does have their Myspace updates linked to the Frying Pan now. And they’ve set up videos and stuff. So it’s not like they’re doing nothing. I would love to be able to have more interactions with the band members and management, but, like I said, I’ve always assumed they didn’t have time for that.

I blame Bob, it's all his fault.

I've been on alot of bands boards and I've never seen any roughly this size with alot of duisscusion about the band,
although I would say this site is a little slower than most in the respect it's not by much.
As far as the whole we need to get more focused on skillet mentality it'll never work to the degree preposed by some. Actually duisscussing a band isn't going to keep people here long mmabey a few mins every now and then for the most part unless there's a new cd coming out or something but even then it's still not much to talk about unless there's some huge drama going on in the band on top of that I've notticed many Skillet fans and Kutless fans have tendencies to be random chatty and imature (depending on their age group which for Skillet seems to have gotten more young peeps on after comatose) making focusing on the band all the harder and explaining why you would have a dispointing response from the comunity when the ability to do those things (be randoom imature chatty) was limited.
Now as to making the site more accesable myspace and purevolume advertising would probably help a little mabey something in the back page of the cd booklet near the thanks or wherever. btw Skillet isn't the only band having that problem Pillar and Disciple are having similar probs w/ lack of traffic.
my personal opinion on the general porpuse of not only ths board but all boards is that they should be for fans of the band to meet eachother, duiscuss what ever their little hearta desire (with obvious limits on family freindly sites)but encraged to duiscuss the band , get to know eachother, if possible get to know the band.

Sorry it's so out of order I'm tired

I’m wondering what Will means by “resistance and immaturity” on the Panhead forums. Does that just mean the way people reacted to "too much" moderation? Or something else? I’m wondering if I contributed to this in anyway? If so, how to fix things?

just a couple of replies to the easy questions before I go to bed. Hopefully we can address some of the other questions tomorrow.

Question: are you and Jade marrying each other?yes, that's the idea. That's why I moved to California last February.

I’m wondering what Will means by “resistance and immaturity” on the Panhead forums. Does that just mean the way people reacted to "too much" moderation? Or something else? I’m wondering if I contributed to this in anyway? If so, how to fix things?I'm primarily referring to the events that followed this (http://www.panheads.org/boards/showthread.php?t=6107)... some of it occurred in the thread, but the vast majority of it was elsewhere. Every 6-9 months or so it seems we get a person or two that is bored, don't like the way we run things, or whatever, and they decide to be a real disruption to the community. I don't recall you being a part of it... it was just a couple of very specific people. I assure you that if I knew the answer of how to fix it, I would have done so and we probably wouldn't be having this discussion. :)

seeing as how me and like 2 other people post in the Frying Pan, id definitely say that is a losing of interest.

Well. I never said "drop in interest in <particular area of forum>." I said "The interest in skillet is still up there." I hear skillet on the radio, I know people are talking about them. I hear older people saying "you hear of this band called skillet? it's not usually my style, but they might be a band you would like." Of course, I don't know how much of this is because of the heavier bands that I listen to (although for the most part they're still christian) and how much of it is someone wanting to show me a new band - even though I've listened to skillet for years.

What I did say was that interest in the FORUM was dropping. I'm seeing fewer and fewer people posting all over the place. I don't get involved in theological discussions. Never have, never will. Nor do I get involved in trolling forums usually at all. I'm more of a chatroom person myself. It's a faster means of communication, and to me is just easier. I think that band chats would be wonderful. Last time I saw a band "chat" happen was when Ben wandered into the #panheads channel about 2 networks back when I was a server admin for that network. I was tired and I didn't realize he was here until he specifically said "I'm Ben, the guitarist for Skillet."

However, I think to get people more involved in the forum it'd be nice to have more band/management interaction. Sure talking to the people here is nice, but we are kinda here for the band.

Anyways, that's just my $0.02. Take it or leave it, don't matter to me, I have a $5 in my other pants pocket anyways. :-P

The problem lies in that there is only so much you can post about a single topic before it becomes repetitive. Repetitiveness won't keep people active if there are the same topics over and over and over again. There is only so much about Skillet you can discuss before you've discussed it all and suddenly you have repete threads every few months that all say exactly the same things.

The reason this site has even lasted this long is because of the community aspect. Skillet fans who have been able to come together in a single place and discuss anything from the band to whatever is on their minds at the time. However, the majority of the posts made here aren't about Skillet. That's not a bad thing. If every post had to be about the band, no one would stick around very long because they would run out of topics to talk about.

CJ

The lack of band-related discussion on the boards has not gone unnoticed

How many times can you talk about "I heard Skillet on the radio"? Or "I seen Skillet live"? There's really only so much to discuss regarding the band. At a new video, new single... then there's some discussion. But what about the in-between time? We can discuss cancelled conerts and whatever vid/single is out.... Great selection.

Regarding street team I think the management should take a peek at active member's locations. After all I live in freaking Ireland! There are no Skillet shows, no radio, no street team, no promotions of any kind. Exactly what does someone in my position have to talk about or do? There's only a handful of people in this country that know of Skillet. Not exactly street team numbers. With how hard it is to find their albums (I've had to import them in the past) and the total lack of shows in the UK, I really doubt anyone would be interested.

Now onto other matters...

For those of you not aware, Jade and I are busy planning a wedding

Congrats to both of you. :D Hope it all goes well with no glaring problems cropping up in the arrangements.

The only area that seems to be getting any kind of response is their MySpace page

Skillet's Myspace has 120'000+ friends. PH has 245 active members. So yeah I'd say the Myspace would produce a bigger response too.

and various emails.

Ohhh noooo Skillet shows I could never get to anyway are cancelled cause of the Flyleaf lead singers illness. Whatever shall I do? Lol.

I'd really like to know exactly what the management expects of us. If we're somehow not reaching the standard of response they want.

EDIT: Is there an echo in here? LOL

Thank you both! You two said what I couldn't say in 2 different posts. :-P

I never said I was good with words though. I'm much better with a circuit board and a multimeter than I am with words.

What I haven't managed to say yet, is that we need to do a coordinated effort on 2 fronts. I've watched the chat do similar. It's turned from 20-30 regular users to a handful of people very quickly. We need to not only rebuild the forum, but also rebuild the chat. The two have practically gone hand in hand in the past, and that seems to be changing.

Forgive me for being an evil linkster, but the only chat that has any movement is the one a few friends and I have run from pretty much day 1. I had a server for the chat ages ago, and still keep it online even today, which is where the zoelife4u.org/chat directs to. It directs to me and a good friend's network. We can't keep 100% of the discussion on the band. That gets boring REALLY fast. That's where you'll lose more users than you'll ever regain.

Again, I'm not a forum person, but I can at least try to draw parallels to my "bag" - the chat. About 10% of the discussion, if that, is about Skillet. That's great, there's a lot of other things to discuss, and considering that there's usually some sort of movement 98% of the time, be it us night crew, or the day crew in chatting during the day time. Rather than cut out more parts of the forum, it'd be healthier for the chat overall to allow more freedom. Yes, some parts of the forum were...err...cancered for lack of a better term. That doesn't mean that we need to carpet bomb the forum. (From medical terms to military terms in 2 seconds. That's what I get for being the son of two military medical types.)

I'm not saying let the inmates run the asylum either. There needs to be moderation or the forum will run away with itself and you'll drive away more users. I think what you're seeing is the very difficult balance that is required of forum moderators, a balance even more difficult to achieve than being a chatroom moderator or server administrator (which is why I don't touch forums usually :-P)

I know I promised myself this would be a short post, but so sue me, my book will be published next month under the name "Rantings of a Madman". :-P

I'm primarily referring to the events that followed this (http://www.panheads.org/boards/showthread.php?t=6107)

Well, that conflict probably would've been avoided if you wouldn't have directly said that somebody was band. As for the whole issue of maturity, we're not all your age Will. I was 12 back when I started using the Alien Youth forums and 14 when we switched over to this forum, I obviously was less mature back then. Some of the users that come here are as young as 12, how much maturity are we to expect out of them?

how much maturity are we to expect out of them?

Enough to read the rules and follow them.

First, if someone questions how things are done they are immature and a disturbance? ...for the sake of avoiding anger and off topic arguing: no comment.

I can't speak for everyone here, but personally I've moved past my teenage idol worship of the bands I like. Not only that, but most of the "discussion" that goes on the frying pan isn't exactly fun to read. As has been said already, the interest in the band is still there, but the trendy thing nowadays is to get on myspace, not on forums and messageboards. Does that mean get rid of the forum? I'd say no. Because there are people like me out there, rare as we are, that don't really want anything to do with pornoplace...I mean myspace. That and all the controversy and bitter arguing hasn't helped I'm sure.

just a couple of replies to the easy questions before I go to bed. Hopefully we can address some of the other questions tomorrow.

yes, that's the idea. That's why I moved to California last February.



That is awesome man, there is nothing better than companionship.



and to respond to many who have said that there is only so much to talk about in the Frying Pan. i bring so much to the table as has the band lately, so i dont see how that is true. i can see things getting slow in Skillet's discussion when they arent addressing their fans during recording, for relaxation, but their radio singles are doing better than ever, Comatose is selling more than any other Skillet album. the band itself is touring like crazy, and they are leaving emails pretty frequently as well as myspace blogs, witch do transfer over here. to me this place is much easier to talk about Skillet than Myspace.
now i dont know the solution to getting Panheads interest back, but to say it hasnt dropped just wouldnt be true. im not saying we should eliminate the other forums and use PH strictly for Skillet discussion either.
to Jon i realize your position also applies to many on the boards, im 19 and am starting to feel the same way, except for with Skillet. i mean i dont even listen to them as much as some other bands anymore, but i feel this connection to them, like i am supposed to promote these guys. it may sound silly, especially cause i spend so much time doing it, but its probably the hobby i spend most time on. anyways im really just rambling on...
i do think a link from Skillet's myspace to PH.org would be huge.

i do think a link from Skillet's myspace to PH.org would be huge.

I agree and disagree. It would help bring more "interested" fans in, but it would also bring in a bunch of people that don't sincerely like the band, and they just wanna goof around and talk about pointless things. I guess everything has a down side to it though.

i just saw this thread and instantly thought "Oh crap!".....

i understand what Will means when he says that the "Frying Pan" section is losing viewers. when i started to get on this site late last year, i fell in love with those threads. i didn't post on the other sections, frankly because i didn't care about all the games and gay marriage discusions lol. when the new cd came out, the "Frying Pan" was booming with interest. then slowly, as comatose hysteria died down, so did all the posts that i contributed to for so long.....then, i moved on to other sections of the boards, occasionaly replying to timmy when he announced where skillet was on the charts....i'd hate to see panheads.org end. plain and simple. even if a few sections were deleted, i would still be somewhat disappointed....but at the same time i understand.

Total number of Skillet posts: 27191

Total number of Christian posts: 30514

Ok so the number of posts on Skillet RIVALS all the prayers, studies and Christian discussion...

Total number of Skillet posts: 27191

Total number of Christian posts: 30514

Ok so the number of posts on Skillet RIVALS all the prayers, studies and Christian discussion...

perhaps I should clarify what I said before then. It's not that people aren't talking about Skillet... I mean I don't think they really care how much we discuss John's latest hairstyle or makeup. The problem is that they are getting no support from this community. They still have singles out on the radio competing for airplay and there is no indication here that anyone more than just a handful are doing anything to support that. They are (or were rather) out on tour with Flyleaf and there were no signs that anyone was helping promote the shows in their area or get the word out. I'm not placing blame here, just clarifying what I meant... you can argue all you want that Skillet isn't engaging the community like they should or providing the street team with any resources to do promotion... that is all good feedback that the band and their management need to hear if that is really how you all feel.

Ah that makes more sense. Well my point of location stands anyway, there are no tours and no Skillet radio singles here. If Skillet came to Belfast, I can guarantee I'd have informed as many churches, youth groups and people as possible... but they don't :P

Total number of Skillet posts: 27191

Total number of Christian posts: 30514

Ok so the number of posts on Skillet RIVALS all the prayers, studies and Christian discussion...


that is only one section, general discussion is much higher, but this isnt even the point to anything really so i dont know what you are trying to get at. plus the Frying pan has been active in the past, but total numbers will NOT show the recent decline.

okay, here i go...

first of all, i would like to say congrats! hope you two have a wonderful life together.

second of all, i would like to say that i would be very not happy if ph.org was closed. i would lose quite a few friends that i have met on here, and i would have to find some other board to live on. yes, i live on this board. its pretty much the only thing on the net that i go to now a days.

third, i would like to say that i pretty much like how things are run around here, because everyone is friendly, the mods arent overly oppressive, and for the most part, they dont have to lock that many threads. on another forum that i was on, (runescape. i quit about three to six months ago) it was not uncommon for there to be a page just of locked threads, all with explicit titles. there is not that much of a need for a cencor here, because it is a Christian board, and there is no real need to cuss on here. on rs, they cencored everything. and i mean every thing. if you miss-typed a word, they would likely cencor it.

i also think that a link from skillet's would be nice, but it would probally bring an influx of people that want to just goof around, and act immature, but, i doubt that it would be that bad. it would be nice if the chat room was more popular, and i know that i for one have been on there once, mostly because i dont know how it works, or what it does. i feel that there should be a sticky that explains, in depth, how to use it. i know that there probally is, but, i havnt seen it lol... oh well...

i am also guilty of not going to the skillet threads much, but as has been stated before, there is only so much that you can talk about, and im not that interested in ratings and things like that.

okay, i think im finished....

lol.

Ah that makes more sense. Well my point of location stands anyway, there are no tours and no Skillet radio singles here. If Skillet came to Belfast, I can guarantee I'd have informed as many churches, youth groups and people as possible... but they don't :P


same here. they never come here. the closest theyve been (before the tour was canceled) was indianapolis. and thats four hours away. i think that skillet should take more time touring to rural areas and less time going to the same city that theyve been to three or four times already.

guys, Skillet doesnt just go where they want, if Scott knew someone who wanted to book them in Belfast, they would come.
and Joe, if you got people together and booked them, they would come. venues book the bands... its not like they are purposely neglecting you.

4 hours is nothing im excited when they come within 8 hours of me. they are coming to Oregon for the first time in 4 years next week! its still 3 hours from me, and im going. Oregon is a bigger than indiana, and they always tour in the mid-west...

Well with the Street Team, I can honestly say it's been a huge disappointment. To start, they started way too late. Most street teams start for a year or more before an album comes out to try to build up interest of the band so that the first weeks sales are bigger. When the street team started, it was nothing more than "Do this quiz and we'll send you a prize!" No information on pretty much anything. Now days, all I see from the street team is an occasional contest or pretty much the same information that comes a day later in the newsletter. Whoever is running this seriously needs to look at other successful street teams and learn how they work and try to implement the way they run into this one because obviously what they have been doing hasn't worked for them so far.

Then there is the resource area... which is non-existent. Not everyone has time to look up shows in their area every week or remembers to check to see if new ones have been listed. If they want help promoting shows, they need to have a system in place that emails people within a specific radius of the location of the show when there is one scheduled there. This is something I've tried to push in the past and still doesn't exist. Nor do visual resources like flyers and/or cards to print out and give to people.

They can also do things to help motivate people into putting the time into promoting, but the whole street team something they don't put the time into, so this is the end result. I really hope that is why they are looking for information is so they can change that...

CJ

Will, I understand where you're coming from.

But still, you can't really expect everyone to talk about Skillet all the time- although they're an amazing band. And I'm not really one to talk on that subject, I've mostly isolated myself to Muisc Buzz and The Studio.

But, the thing about this site is, it's just such a great community. Sure, I haven't been to every topic to see every example, but I always see the love of Christ everywhere I've been on this site.

And, personally, I've received so much encouragement from this site. If you knew my life, you'd be amazed that I'm not just some punk screw-up. I've been a Skillet fan since I was 11 and on this site since I was 13, and I can't imagine where I'd be without Skillet or this site.

I've just received so much encouragement that it amazes me. My music writing has grown so much over the years, and really began to grow after I'd started posting my lyrics here. My newest story, the one I post here, has gone so much farther than my other stories because of the encouragement and constructive criticism I've gotten here.

Yeah, I've been able to talk about the band that I love so much that changed my life. But I've also been able to talk about other important things. I've been able to see the love of a Christian community. I've been able to ask for prayers without any fear holding me back, and I've been able to grow stronger in my faith.

This is the best forum site I've ever been to because it's helped me to get through some hard times, not just because it's a Skillet-based site.

So, basically, don't get discouraged or disappointed because Skillet's not the main focus. Just feel good about the fact that you've helped raise a community of fellow Christians and panheads who support each other.

Forgot to say: Congrats Will and Jade for your wedding.

Well with the Street Team, I can honestly say it's been a huge disappointment. To start, they started way too late. Most street teams start for a year or more before an album comes out to try to build up interest of the band so that the first weeks sales are bigger. When the street team started, it was nothing more than "Do this quiz and we'll send you a prize!" No information on pretty much anything. Now days, all I see from the street team is an occasional contest or pretty much the same information that comes a day later in the newsletter. Whoever is running this seriously needs to look at other successful street teams and learn how they work and try to implement the way they run into this one because obviously what they have been doing hasn't worked for them so far.

Then there is the resource area... which is non-existent. Not everyone has time to look up shows in their area every week or remembers to check to see if new ones have been listed. If they want help promoting shows, they need to have a system in place that emails people within a specific radius of the location of the show when there is one scheduled there. This is something I've tried to push in the past and still doesn't exist. Nor do visual resources like flyers and/or cards to print out and give to people.

They can also do things to help motivate people into putting the time into promoting, but the whole street team something they don't put the time into, so this is the end result. I really hope that is why they are looking for information is so they can change that...

CJ

I was going to join the street team, but I had problems filling out the form because I couldn't figure out what skills I had to offer, which was a question posed on the street team. All I can really do is write, and I'm not the best writer either. So I wasn't sure what the band was looking for or how I could contribute.

perhaps I should clarify what I said before then. It's not that people aren't talking about Skillet... I mean I don't think they really care how much we discuss John's latest hairstyle or makeup. The problem is that they are getting no support from this community. They still have singles out on the radio competing for airplay and there is no indication here that anyone more than just a handful are doing anything to support that. They are (or were rather) out on tour with Flyleaf and there were no signs that anyone was helping promote the shows in their area or get the word out. I'm not placing blame here, just clarifying what I meant... you can argue all you want that Skillet isn't engaging the community like they should or providing the street team with any resources to do promotion... that is all good feedback that the band and their management need to hear if that is really how you all feel.

I know my opinion doesn't matter whatsoever, but I'm giving it anyway.

In all the years I have lived in Alaska, Skillet has come once. I guarantee you, if they ever, ever come again, I'll be doing all I can to get people psyched about it. Flyers, talking to people on the streets, anything. But they don't come, and I can't really blame them, we're kinda far out, but honestly, what am I supposed to do to support Skillet when they're not even coming into town?

In regards to not posting in the Frying Pan. Honestly, I think its great when Comatose hits a record high, and if I can vote to make it happen, I do. But honestly, there's not much to talk about. As stated before, you can only talk statistics for how long before it gets boring[timmyrotter excluded].

If Panheads closed down...I would probably cry. Even with everything thats gone on, I still come on this site every single day. This community, for the most part, has given me so much encouragement and I've met a few friends here that I will have forever. To close it down...Would be a horrible thing.

^agree^:)

I was talking about this with John last night. This may seem dumb but I was wondering if there's still a way to join the street team? The only threads I post in on this forum are Skillet related, with the exception of a few on the Christianity boards. I would hate to see PH come to an end... :( I love this place, even if I don't post as much as others do.

What John say about this? I'm mostly wondering how supported John feels by the Panheads.

Well, to be honest John said he's not really feeling the love. He said pretty much the same thing Will has just said; that for some reason the only feedback they feel like they're getting is on Myspace, & that it feels like all the old Panheads are losing interest & he's trying to figure out why. :(

That's really sad. So, how could I help him start feeling the love again? Aka, what results is he looking for?

But still, you can't really expect everyone to talk about Skillet all the timeWhen did I ever say that I did? Did you read my last post (http://www.panheads.org/boards/showthread.php?p=342264#post342264)?

Well, he said there aren't very many street team members, so if you're not a member of the street team, become one! (Hence my earlier question.) He said what they really need most right now is people out there getting the word out. Tell all your friends about them, advertise them in any way you can; T-shirts, blasting their music when you're driving in your car...whatever it takes to get more people involved! I hate to say it, but I've been a fan for about 7 years now & it seems like even concert attendance is down. :(

I just joined the street team. There's a section on the website for signing in.

I joined the street team awhile ago. And I just made a bunch of flyers to put up everywhere.

Well, he said there aren't very many street team members, so if you're not a member of the street team, become one! (Hence my earlier question.) He said what they really need most right now is people out there getting the word out. Tell all your friends about them, advertise them in any way you can; T-shirts, blasting their music when you're driving in your car...whatever it takes to get more people involved! I hate to say it, but I've been a fan for about 7 years now & it seems like even concert attendance is down. :(

you know, that if John or any band members posted on panheads, to show the love, that would be awesome. so maybe next time you talk to John you can tell him that. honestly, if the band isnt feeling the love, perhaps they should look at their album sales (and despite what Cara said, their concert attendance). and maybe a little interaction with us Panheads. this isnt particular to me, but panheads as a whole im sure would benifit, and have a renewed interest in band related issues.
Like when Zach (Q MGR) started posting, it made my day! it was great to feel appreciated, and have an inside man updating us. cause i bring a lot of info to the boards, but it takes a lot of time to find it. while someone on the inside like Oats (used to be) or Zach can check their email and post that info here.
in all reality the members of panheads.org though we may be relatively a small number, we are the core. im sure given the opportunity and resources, we could promote like crazy! but how do we do that when we get a radio tool 6 months late that doesnt really work well, and only has rock stations. and what ever happened to those chats with the band? there hasnt been one of those since the collide era.
just some thoughts before people say that we arent loving the band. i dont neccesarily agree 100% with everything i said, but i wanted to present both sides. i understand the band is busy, but too busy for fans? where would they be without us?

Great! :) That's really all we can do for now is support the band in any way possible.

Timmy: I totally know what you mean. I was thinking about that while reading your post--maybe the reason their Myspace is getting such a positive response is that THEY are the ones updating it. I will definitely let John know that next time I talk with him. And to clarify what I said earlier, I don't think that John meant that we aren't loving the band, I think he mostly just meant that they're seeing a change that might not be positive. And we all know that if the fans don't respond, Skillet may cease to exist. I don't know about you all, but I can't think of anything worse!

Well, to be honest John said he's not really feeling the love.

But . . . I love John!

Are we going to get to know when the band feels like they are getting a more positive response? Because I do have a tendency to feel responsibility for other's feelings. And if John feels let down in any way, I'm gonna want to fix and thus would like to know when John feels better about the response toward the band.

I've been spreadin' the word as best I can, but you can count on me "kicking it up a notch." (sorry, i've never used that phrase and felt it was an appropriate time. =p) Flyers, shirts, the works, i'll try my best. =D

Anything i can do to help, i'm totally there. =]

Well, I'll be seeing him again in a couple of weeks. I'll definitely let him know what's been happening on the boards & what we've discussed may help. I will post any updates he may have on here ASAP.

EDIT: Btw, I don't know how long it's been up, but there is now a link to PH on skillet.com

Well, I'll be seeing him again in a couple of weeks.

Tell him Bob still loves him! :D :P

I think that Skillet has definitely made progress considering 3 or 4 years ago they were getting 0 airtime.

Tell John I love him too!!!

Edit: In a fan way of course. I don't want to sound like I have a crush on him or anything stupid like that. Had an afterthought on how that^ might come off.

I'll send everyone's love his way. :)

is it too much for skillet to individually post on their own freakin fansite???? i mean, John's talkin about how the band needs support but can't he spend 5 minutes a day just occasionaly posting on this site????

What's wrong with unconditional love? :P

i think Jennifer has a crush on John, im gonna tell him when i see him next monday...

is it too much for skillet to individually post on their own freakin fansite???? i mean, John's talkin about how the band needs support but can't he spend 5 minutes a day just occasionaly posting on this site????

Maybe this has changed, but I had the impression that John's computer skills were not too great and excused him under the assumption that it was Ben and Lori who did most of the online contacts.

I love Skillet, and the main reasons I am here is two things: 1) I wanted to find some violin pieces from Skillet, and 2) there is a ton of Skillet fans to talk to!! We are all connected in that way. And as I'm sure many people have said before, we are here in the love of Christ helping each other. How would that be the case without the board? And I know some techy stuff, so if you haven't gotten enough volenteers yet, I'm willing to help. Oh, and congrats on getting married!!

Ha ha, yeah. As far as I know John still doesn't know how to turn a computer on. ;)

i think Jennifer has a crush on John, im gonna tell him when i see him next monday...

Thank you, Timmy.

Ha ha, yeah. As far as I know John still doesn't know how to turn a computer on. ;)

Yeah, notice he hardly EVER posts anything on Myspace. ;)

my grandma knows how to email, and i know John does. he sends emails out, so im sure he can post on a forum.

my grandma knows how to email, and i know John does. he sends emails out, so im sure he can post on a forum.

He has to rest his fingers! They're his money makers. :P

So it really is John who types them? I mean, I trust that he actually writes the emails but I thought maybe someone else typed for him? It was just an assumption because didn't that happen for a Skillet chat before? I hope I'm not grossly underestimating John's technical skills because I know he's not stupid or anything like that.

i just find the fact that the band doesn't visit this site kinda of arrogant....

I can think of several reasons the concert attendance hasn't gone up over the years. Many of them I won't go into, but many others exist such as location issues, promotional problems, production issues, and show dates.

I've rarely ever seen Skillet perform in a city. They are usually outside cities in smaller towns about 45 minutes away, but I rarely see them inside the actual city. This is a problem because most people in cities don't want to or can't travel outside the city, or they just don't even hear about the show. Many people out there aren't forum lurkers, nor do they avidly check a bands myspace page. The only way they hear about shows in their area is by checking out the upcoming shows via outside posters of whatever venues they go to, or by seeing it listed in local papers.

Promotional issues exist in all aspects and I've noticed over the years doing shows with them that it's not getting any better. Either the promoter skimps out on promoting the shows, or the word just doesn't get out to the people in their area from the show list on Skillet's pages. Either way, it's revenue lost.

Then there is the production issue where the band is stuck with crappy sound and lighting. There have been more shows than not where the sound has been messy or just goes out because something went wrong with whatever connections, shows where the items specified in the rider weren't the items rented out and they had to "make due" with what they had, and shows where the venue doesn't even come close to the specifications required in the rider, yet was booked anyway... Then there is also the lighting, or should I say, lack there of, that promoters regularly skimp out on to save a few bucks. A regular irritant to me whenever I do lighting for them and an eyesore to me as a lighting director in general.

Last, there is the show dates... Skillet, on average, does many many more shows per year than most other bands. This is a good thing and a bad thing. It's good because people know they will get to see them several times a year, but a bad thing because that also means that their shows won't sell as well others who may have saw them earlier in the year and they don't have the desire to spend the money to see them again till the following year. You can't play around the same locations several times a year and expect huge turnouts.

What it boils down to is that Skillet needs to have their own production traveling with them if they want to make sure the quality of their performance is going to be the best they can get. That way they know that the equipment they are using at every show will be what they need to make it sound and look great. What that would mean for fans is there would be less shows (which again, isn't necessarily a bad thing) and higher ticket prices to help offset the cost of having a traveling production. However, the benefit is that things run much more smoothly and fans end up with a much better quality show rather than what is usually the case. This would also mean they would likely be playing more actual cities rather than out in the middle of nowhere where they are trying to bring in people from a local community of a few thousand AND they would more than likely be working with actual promoters who know what they are doing rather than people who want to skimp them to save a buck.

is it too much for skillet to individually post on their own freakin fansite???? i mean, John's talkin about how the band needs support but can't he spend 5 minutes a day just occasionaly posting on this site????
i just find the fact that the band doesn't visit this site kinda of arrogant....
Umm... most bands don't often get on to fansite forums. I actually don't think it's a very good idea simply because of the same result you end up with on their myspace... just read the posts people make there. The same thing would happen here with people posting things like "OMG JOHN I <3 YOU!!!" constantly. It would be an even bigger nightmare for the mods.

Then there is the time issue. Remember that, not only are they usually driving places, but that he needs his family time as well. Most people spend their day at work and come home to a nice supper and relax... they are stuck on a bus all day long, do a show, then are stuck on a bus till they reach the next venue. His home time is his family time... not his fan time.

The same thing would happen here with people posting things like "OMG JOHN I <3 YOU!!!" constantly. It would be an even bigger nightmare for the mods.

That would be obnoxious to no end. And in all seriousness, part of what I have liked about the band forums is a lack of "_____is so hot" threads. And it would be annoying for those to suddenly sprout up, which I think is probable.

i agree with CJ on the concert issue. while i know their fanbase is growing, and i assumed their concert attendance would be as well. i posted the Billboard Boxscore a couple weeks ago, and the SKillet/flyleaf date at ATF did really well, but then of course poeple were there for ATF anyways... my point is that when Skillet headlines, they dont get a lot of new fans, but when they tour with a bigger band, IE flyleaf, three days grace, saliva etc. they get new fans from the other bands, so hopefully they get picked up by a big rock act this summer...

That would be obnoxious to no end.


i honestly think that that wouldn't happen much.....

Out of curiosity, how so?

Umm... most bands don't often get on to fansite forums. I actually don't think it's a very good idea simply because of the same result you end up with on their myspace... just read the posts people make there. The same thing would happen here with people posting things like "OMG JOHN I <3 YOU!!!" constantly. It would be an even bigger nightmare for the mods.

Then there is the time issue. Remember that, not only are they usually driving places, but that he needs his family time as well. Most people spend their day at work and come home to a nice supper and relax... they are stuck on a bus all day long, do a show, then are stuck on a bus till they reach the next venue. His home time is his family time... not his fan time.

That's actually a really good point...& their Myspace is a perfect example (what you said about the "OMG U GUYZ R LYK SOOO GR8" comments). I don't neccessarily think they need to be posting on here all the time, but if one of their crew members wants to keep us posted that would be great! And if you think about it, concerts for us are only an hour or two. For them, they have to set up before hand & then they hang around for at least an hour afterwards & talk to fans. By the time he gets back to the bus the kids are probably asleep. He has other concerns besides this forum, & I don't think that makes him arrogant.

I don’t think the band is being arrogant at all either. Hopefully Jesse’s was the lone opinion of that kind. As I said, Skillet’s done pretty good job of updating us and I assume the reason they aren’t constantly updating us 24/7 is because they have lives and are busy. It seems to me that expecting Skillet to update their Myspace, Panheads, chat constantly, etc is a case of "here we are now, entertain us."

On another note, I just requested them a bunch. So I’m gonna try to up their support level.

Jennifer rocks! maybe ill take a video of the concert and post it online, so it will be like you were there... kinda...

Thanks, Timmy. You're cool.

So what are our goals? So far, I understand that we want to:

-Increase Panheads requesting Skillet singles
-Increase Street Team membership, which would require Panheads getting our friends, etc. into the band
-Increase band-related discussion in Frying Pan (which has happened today)

Anything else? Is there a certian point in which we could say that we've finally gotten the band where we want them to be?

The main reason I stopped posting was because these boards were taken over by a non-moderating moderator who insists he is always right and refuses to engage in a rational, grown-up discussion with anyone who doesn’t agree with his posts.

Even before that, the “everyone just get along” environment of these boards was a turn-off. I understand that tolerance is a good thing, but tolerance is not enough on these boards. I would term the requirement to be more along the lines of acceptance. Tolerance and acceptance are not the same. Just because I can tolerate someone’s view doesn’t mean that I would accept their views as “right,” but that is what is required here.

But, in the spirit of contributing to the conversation: the fans seem to be getting younger and younger every time I see Skillet, which is about two times per year. I realize that’s not the case—I’m just getting older—but the average age of the crowds isn’t aging. It’s been the same since the first time I saw Skillet—the crowds usually consist of the junior high and early high school youth group kids. The attention span is about five or six years, and then the kids move on.

If everyone who was ever a fan of Skillet from 1996 to present was still a fan, the concert crowds would not only be older, but they would be huge. That’s not Skillet’s fault. Bandwagon fans are the same in music as they are in sports. Once these kids leave high school and get punched right in the face by the real world, it’s suddenly no longer socially profitable to be an “active” fan anymore.

Maybe I just haven’t grown up enough yet, but I haven’t outgrown Skillet. The songs about how “parents don’t understand” and suicide don’t speak to me on a personal level, but they still rock my face. As self-righteous as it may sound, I never liked Skillet because my friends did—I liked (and still like) Skillet just because I like them.

I don’t know how that problem can be fixed, except to suggest (and this isn’t really my place) that the songs not deal with such adolescent issues. Pull a Johnny Cash and sing about a guy in jail—except sing about a guy who gives his life to Christ and turns his life around. Sing about a problems that most Christians don’t want to hear about. Forget about the youth groups full of kids who only think they have problems. Don’t get me wrong—some kids do have problems. But the vast majority just “have problems” because they want attention, and I think it’s unfortunate that Skillet caters to such kids.

I’ve not lost interest in Skillet. They are still my favorite band, and that will be true as long as they are around. I can’t wait to see them twice in two days on May 17 and 18, and I promise I’ll be acting someone else’s age the whole time.

I don’t think the band is being arrogant at all either. Hopefully Jesse’s was the lone opinion of that kind. As I said, Skillet’s done pretty good job of updating us and I assume the reason they aren’t constantly updating us 24/7 is because they have lives and are busy. It seems to me that expecting Skillet to update their Myspace, Panheads, chat constantly, etc is a case of "here we are now, entertain us."
First, i agree. I dont find the lack of them posting here at all arrogant. I mean, sure it'd be really cool to see them post and talk to them, like you guys've said, some people would pretty much just be "ohmigosh" and all that. Also, i figure they have pretty busy lives, right? I mean,
like you guys already said, being on tour isnt exactly easy- especially when John and Korey have two little kids. Family always comes first- no matter how much you love your fans. I dunno, i'll definately join the street team and do my best to help boost 'em up. =]

Ehehe, and also, the "here we are now, entertain us," reminded me extremely of Nirvana's "Smells like teen spirit."

I personally like the "pointless posts" but they really do need to be narrowed down to 5 max. Since band related posts can only last so long we could look into more interviews or other stuff so there's not just one or two discussions that we feel obligated to drag out because we can't do otherwise. I know I'm new here so I don't know all that's going on, but from what I've seen and heard that's what seems to make sense to me.

Ehehe, and also, the "here we are now, entertain us," reminded me extremely of Nirvana's "Smells like teen spirit."

Twas where I got it from.

Thanks, Timmy. You're cool.

So what are our goals? So far, I understand that we want to:

-Increase Panheads requesting Skillet singles
-Increase Street Team membership, which would require Panheads getting our friends, etc. into the band
-Increase band-related discussion in Frying Pan (which has happened today)

Anything else? Is there a certian point in which we could say that we've finally gotten the band where we want them to be?

Sounds great to me. :) I just requested them a bunch too.

Twas where I got it from.

ahah, i love that song.
Anywho, i'll definately do a lot of requesting. =D

i would request, but the local radio station's lines are always buisy, and i dont get the local Christian station so i wouldnt know if it played... plus i dont really know how so... ugh im tired lol...

Tracing back to what Will said in the first post, if the site is given over to the band, what are they going to do with it? Will the mods still be the same?

Tracing back to what Will said in the first post, if the site is given over to the band, what are they going to do with it? Will the mods still be the same?

I assume what he means by giving it over to the band is that since he couldnt find anyone to take his place, the band will have to find someone.

Oh, I see. That makes sense. I was thinking about the band actually running it, which was weird to me.

They are (or were rather) out on tour with Flyleaf and there were no signs that anyone was helping promote the shows in their area or get the word out.

This in particular piqued me.

1) There were no Cleveland dates (or places sort of nearby that I found accessible to me).

2) The closest venues were canceled at the last minute.

Therefore, no real promotion was made, although I made mention of the Columbus date to people; luckily none were able to go. The best sort of promotion I've done in the past is tell people face-to-face, who I think might like the music. And I've gotten an excellent response from these people. The main response in turn from this would have to be album sales. It's been rather dry concert-wise on the Cleveland front; and the radio seems not to wanna play their music. I've had people I know who like Skillet ask me when their next concert will be around the area, and I have to tell them that there really isn't one soon, unless they decide to travel a hundred or so miles out of state... and with the present situation in regards to gas prices, that option is not as prudential.

It's too bad also, since I know that a lot of the Ohio area used to have quite a few fans, and multiple concerts. I remember going to the Collide release party at the end of 2003, and there being a ton of people there at the show.

Skillet is an important part of my life no question - they came into my life at the perfect time, during my late high school years. As years have passed, my interest has waned, but I still hold Skillet as one of the things in my life that helped me when I needed it. I'm eternally thankful.

And believe me, the best I can do right now, especially with how my life's panning out, is what I've already said....

Telling people verbatim about the band. Allowing them to listen. Leading then to them buying the band's CDs.

I wish I could do more.

I guess this entry doesn't really have much to do directly about the boards, but I needed to speak for a bit.

i just find the fact that the band doesn't visit this site kinda of arrogant....

ben has posted on here a few times in the past.

this has already been discussed so i won't repeat what CJ and others have said.

i will say that i think it is rather selfish on our part, as fans, to demand so much from them.

time is a precious gift... and look how much of it the give us already? in rehersal times, traveling to concerts, recording music, performing shows, doing interviews, taking time after shows to meet the fans, updating myspace blogs, sending out emails to those on their email list...

and now we expect them to chat on a messageboard??

they sacrice so much for us already... i think we, as fans, can be a bit more understanding when it comes to their free time. their family and friends deserve time with them.

ben has posted on here a few times in the past.

this has already been discussed so i won't repeat what CJ and others have said.

i will say that i think it is rather selfish on our part, as fans, to demand so much from them.

time is a precious gift... and look how much of it the give us already? in rehersal times, traveling to concerts, recording music, performing shows, doing interviews, taking time after shows to meet the fans, updating myspace blogs, sending out emails to those on their email list...

and now we expect them to chat on a messageboard??

they sacrice so much for us already... i think we, as fans, can be a bit more understanding when it comes to their free time. their family and friends deserve time with them.

i cant remember Ben posting here in the past year... and no offense tracy but i disagree with you. the fans, especially us Panheads are the reason Skillet is where they are. what good is a concert without people? what good is a play without an audience? not only that, but we are the ones who promote, and are Skillet enthusiasts. now im not demanding that they spend time on the boards, but i know if i had a group of people making me money and worshiping my work, i would do just about everything in my power to make those people feel appreciated time after time. and before i break out into song ... you will find me, time after time... okay i digress

Benvolio34 was last active 06-22-2006 08:31 AM

That's not to say he posted, because he didn't. But he still comes by.



(This post was brought to you by Acme Fence Company: "The only piece of property used by both sides.")

still comes by? you do realize that it is currently 5-2-2007 5:53 pst. correct. and by my calculations that makes it about 10.5 months since he was last active. i hardly consider that still coming by. anyone else?

They're busy. Let's cut 'em some slack. =]

I agree with Tracy on this one. I think the band does so much already and while it's true that their "product/service" wouldn't be much without the fans, I think it is unreasonable to expect that they are on the forums all the time as well. They have their own lives with family, friends, God, etc that need attention and I think that the band deserves courtesy and understanding when it comes to that.

be much without the fans, I think it is unreasonable to expect that they are on the forums all the time as well.


first of all they would be NOTHING without fans, as much as a store without customers...

second, i never said they need to be here all the time. i think an update, a hello here and there would be generous. if you have time to eat, at Mcdonalds. you have time to make a post on PH.org. but again im not demanding, im just saying that it would be nice.

There are other bands that post on their own forums fairly regularly, when not on the road of course. Disciple used to, but haven't been to their forum in forever, and Tourniquet still does all the time. Last I remember Disciple didn't have all of the "OMG!!! U GUYZ R SOO COOL!!!!" posts, and Tourniquet mostly wouldn't because I'm one of their younger fans at the age of 21.

Not an insult to the younger posters here, but there is maturity that comes with age, particularly once you get into your 30's like most of Tourniquet's fans have reached.

True, it happens on Myspace, but that's also part of that community and how their site works. Forums don't usually have that sort of thing. We have trolls like CJ instead. :-P

True it would be cool if Skillet dropped by every one in awhile but like Tracy said they're already putting in:

rehersal times, traveling to concerts, recording music, performing shows, doing interviews, taking time after shows to meet the fans, updating myspace blogs, sending out emails to those on their email list...

And they do need time for everything that is included in their private lives. Their lives are not all about Skillet afterall. I don't think that, by not posting on the Panhead forums, Skillet is being arrogant or skimping on connection to the fans.

still comes by? you do realize that it is currently 5-2-2007 5:53 pst. correct. and by my calculations that makes it about 10.5 months since he was last active. i hardly consider that still coming by. anyone else?

Part of that might be because of the Myspace blog. Ben, as well as Korey, Lori and sometimes John, all are able to post there and we get the blogs in the Skillet News sub-forum in the Frying Pan.

if you have time to eat, at Mcdonalds. you have time to make a post on PH.org.

Maybe they got frustrated with the response times and bailed. That happens to me at least once a day. :-\

Well, they have enough time to record videos. They could include something like "Just saying hey to all of you at panheads.org" or something like that. :P

I think some of you are missing the point. The issue is not, "Skillet should post here." The issue is that Skillet, their management, and the dedicated runners of panheads.org are wondering why there's a disconnect between panheads and Skillet. So the point I made, and some others made, is that if Skillet would give panheads.org a few updates like their myspace updates, maybe there wouldn't be so much disconnect here on panheads.org.

I was not implying that Skillet is not taking the time to reach out to their fans. They are doing that a ton. But they aren't doing it through panheads.org, hence, some of us have moved on.

well i just think that maybe someone in skillet can spend a couple minutes looking at their own forums once in a while....and if they're not too "busy", they can even post!

Well, they have enough time to record videos. They could include something like "Just saying hey to all of you at panheads.org" or something like that. :P

That would be cool. :D

I think some of you are missing the point. The issue is not, "Skillet should post here." The issue is that Skillet, their management, and the dedicated runners of panheads.org are wondering why there's a disconnect between panheads and Skillet. So the point I made, and some others made, is that if Skillet would give panheads.org a few updates like their myspace updates, maybe there wouldn't be so much disconnect here on panheads.org.

I was not implying that Skillet is not taking the time to reach out to their fans. They are doing that a ton. But they aren't doing it through panheads.org, hence, some of us have moved on.

I can see that. ;)

The "rules" have gotten so strict, to the point where it's not fun to be here. I understand the mods want a environment where we can be positive and so forth and so forth. However, the internet is not the place to ask question about your beliefs. (The church community is for that.)

The "rules" have gotten so strict, to the point where it's not fun to be here. I understand the mods want a environment where we can be positive and so forth and so forth. However, the internet is not the place to ask question about your beliefs. (The church community is for that.)


i don't understand....::]

The "rules" have gotten so strict, to the point where it's not fun to be here. I understand the mods want a environment where we can be positive and so forth and so forth. However, the internet is not the place to ask question about your beliefs. (The church community is for that.)

Do you mean that you're not happy with the increase in moderation? If so, I don't really get your last sentence about questioning beliefs.

i don't understand....::]

me neither...

What if one (like myself) dosent have a church community? i cant drive yet, so i cant go to one either. i personally feel that it is very good to be able to talk about our faith. no one is making you go to those threads...

and these are actually very lax about pretty much everything. on another forum i was on for quite a while (runescape.com ) you couldnt mention politics, religion, and a large ammount of other things or your thread/post would be hidden VERY quickly and you might get banned. that was really, really, really over controlled.

However, the internet is not the place to ask question about your beliefs. (The church community is for that.)

I'm in the same position as Quadripeman, no church, no car to get to one.

I know Christian sites that BAN all Christian discussion. Prayer requests are fine, anything else gets a big fat BAN sticker on it.

I actually like having the Christianity threads. They are the ones that I frequent the most. I like that Panheads has the aspect of being a prayerful group. I like that there are so many Christians here willing to talk about religious or ethical issues or simply think about everyday situations from a biblical mindset. I always felt that that was something that really strengthened our community.

Sarah, I'm wondering if you might elaborate a little more on what you are feeling and why?

I agree with Jennifer. I love talking about that stuff here. Before I came I would have never even entered that kinda discussion!! But now I love it, and if it wasn't there, my learning in the areas that we talk about would go downhill, and where would I go to do it? Churches don't usually have discussion forums on their website or a meeting hall for such discussion.

Churches don't usually have discussion forums on their website or a meeting hall for such discussion.

I've noticed that, and I think it's a real disappointment! My old Pastor and I used to have great discussions about stuff, but the church in general doesn't... I grow so much faster and learn so much more in a discussion based environment than I do in a one to many sermon environment.

Agreed. Its more one on one, which I like better. Maybe we should set up an in-church forum? :P

It is true that, in churches, I feel that I'm supposed to be listening to a sermon, whether in the main service or the small college group I attend. There isn't as much room for discussion as I would like.

Many churches do have small groups for the adults, youth groups for the youth, and Sunday school for the kids, though.

Yeah, I'm in a college-age small group but we don't have much discussion time. We sing three worship songs and then have a fifteen-minute sermon.

I would like to have more time for discussion and debating. I think that would add a great deal of depth instead of taking what we're told without really questioning it. I would also like to time where we pray for each other because, apart from the opening prayer, we don't seriously have a time set apart to pray for each others needs or to even talk about them.

Many churches do have small groups for the adults, youth groups for the youth, and Sunday school for the kids, though.

Here the small groups and youth groups are just another Sunday service with less people...

Very true, but at least its a bit more one on one, though it might not be much. And usually the group leaders have control over what they will do.

Because the Panheads have been re-inspired into requesting, would it be safe to say that things are looking up now? Or at least improving from the state that impelled the start of this thread?

Because the Panheads have been re-inspired into requesting, would it be safe to say that things are looking up now? Or at least improving from the state that impelled the start of this thread?

Jennifer, while the response has perked up discussion some, there is about 8 people (if that) who regularly post in The Frying Pan. that is out of 240 active members, im in statistics, and that isnt a good percentage :)

the starting of the thread i believe is that Will is moving on, and has been for the past, what, over a year? so i dont think Will left due to the lack of Skillet discussion, but left those final words to invoke a wake up call to all those who have lost sight of what Panheads are about.

all in all, things are looking better, but it is only one step of this road to a fluid, solid fanbase (panbase? too corny?)

But it's getting a little better.

And I like Panbase.

I think the important thing is that Skillet feels that we as fans support them, whether it's inviting people to shows or requesting their songs or posting on this forum. It shouldn't be a chore to have to glance through the frying pan & find a thread to post in--Skillet is why we're here! We all share one common interest & that is them & their music! As long as I'm supporting them in any way that I can, I'm satisfied that I've done my part. Now imagine if everyone did that? :)

A couple things:

MySpace: No doubt the band gets hits and comments on MySpace. But how many people rutinely return to their MySpace page?

Albums: The band comes out with an album every other year. There simply isn't that many topics to discuss to dicuss 10-12on a disc.

Street Team: The best invitations are made by those who actually benefit. IE-Let the band visit the boards, post, and invite people in various cities to promote the band.

The Board as a whole: Is a community for people who enjoy Skillet music. As a salesman I understand what I want isn't important, what my customers want is.

Albums: The band comes out with an album every other year.

More like every 3 years. :P

I hope this is a good website to keep up with info. on Skillet. I Love them!!

I hope this is a good website to keep up with info. on Skillet. I Love them!!

oh boy howdy it is, that is if you keep your head in the pan.

keep your head in the pan.

That's our new motto:

"Keep your head in the pan."

I wouldn't say that panheads are losing interest, but more of the ones that used to frequent this board when it first started (like me) have basically grown up and have other matters to attend to than we did 5 or 6 years ago. Like you will, I'm planning for a wedding in August and running around getting things done.

I still try to see Skillet any time they come to town. I'll support them no matter what. They've stuck true to their roots and still have songs that inspire hope.

I will say I miss those good ol' years, but sadly it is time to move on.

-J

^This could be the case, especially with Panheads dating back from '96.

Or it could be the fact that these too progressions seem to be related:

Young -----------------------> Old
Cool -------------------------> Lame

;)

Are you saying I'm gonna be lame one day? Lol

Losing the use of your legs is a possiblity you face with aging. :P

Oh, ok. Fair enough. :P Enough with off topicness, though...lol

I'm sorry, human nature man. See, when I talk conversations progress. :P

But never the less.

Panheads.org . . . may she never die!

Good chant...Lets walk around in the streets shouting that at the top of our voices. And know this: I shall never forsake you miss Panheads.org!! ...Or whatever I should say in some way of that sort...

Heh.

It's been confirmed that panheads are crazy!

New intro to Alien Youth. ;)

Totally, lol. See, we talk Skillet!! :P

Enough off-topic conversation.

Or it could be the fact that these too progressions seem to be related:

Young -----------------------> Old
Cool -------------------------> Lame

;)

That is an interesting analysis. I find it worth considering.

Wow, did I honestly make such a bad typo there. :\

Allow me to correct myself.

*two

I must've been more tired than I thought last night. Blah.

I know what you meant. At least I think I do:

Young----------->Cool
Old------------->Lame

Correct?

Okay, back to panheads.org losing interest. One of the main things that kept me interested in Skillet was the chatroom. I in fact still go to the chatroom. But the room I go to is no longer linked to by this site because Will decided to remove afiliation from the room for whatever reason. When ever a post goes astray we get the response of "this should be kept in a chatroom" but the panheads chatroom was killed simply because of political reasons that I won't go into.

*shrugs*

*steps off soap box*

I could never get the chat room to load in the first place.

What do you mean it was killed? Like it won't connect?

The link in my signature was faulty, when I discovered this I changed it. It should work.

Nope.

Edit: I may not have the right program to load it.

Bob, it goes to some RLSC website. Isn't it zoelife4u that you use?

Yeah, that's the site. The link in my siggy goes to a java applet that will connect to zoelife4u.org. Not everyone has an IRC client, so I provided an applet that can suffice. There's another link at http://panheads.zoelife4u.org/chat/ but it has never worked for me for whatever reason. But it works for other people.

That^channel works for me.

It works for me. Just a warning, though, if you go there, you'd better be prepared for some crazy, random people. :P

Anyway, we should get back on topic....

Anyway, we should get back on topic....

I think the chatroom is quite relevant to panheads.org.

Maybe that's just me.

It used to be an integral part to the boards. I was reminiscing with a friend via the chatroom last night about how back in the day conversations from threads would jump into the chatroom and continue there. None of that is seen these days. Nostalgia . . .

lets bring it back ya'll

I think the chatroom is quite relevant to panheads.org.

Ya, I know. I was meaning more from the part about the link part of it. Its not the chatroom, really.

Bring the chatroom back? That'd be cool, but there is two problems I see: 1) I don't like using the panheads.zoelife4u chatroom without x-chat, which I only have on one comp and I use multiple computers. 2) When to many people get onto a chat room it gets really confusing, because by the time you type a word, five more people have said something, and eventually it breaks off into like 10 convos and it gets really confusing, and people coming on feel left out. Just thought I'd voice that.

There are alternatives to x-chat like chatzilla (which I use), it's a firefox extension and installs nicely onto the browser.

Oh, sweet. I use Firefox as my main browser. But if I end up at some public computer, its not as nice. :(

The extension takes a minute to load if you know what you're doing. I think I've installed it on 30 different computers in my life. :P

It took bit to figure out, but once I did that I got it on my other comp in like 5 secs!!

I wouldn't say that panheads are losing interest, but more of the ones that used to frequent this board when it first started (like me) have basically grown up and have other matters to attend to than we did 5 or 6 years ago. Like you will, I'm planning for a wedding in August and running around getting things done.

I still try to see Skillet any time they come to town. I'll support them no matter what. They've stuck true to their roots and still have songs that inspire hope.

I will say I miss those good ol' years, but sadly it is time to move on.

-J


I definately agree with this. College sort of eats up my life..and I definately don't identify with Skillet as much as I did when I was younger..I still listen to them, but my tastes have shifted towards more ethnic, latin flavor..with a dash of '50's jazz. Wierd..but when I want to remember fun times, I rock the Skillet!:afro:

a while ago i gave the computer a break and stopped coming on. Now i only stay in the chat room, i don't have the patients anymore for reply's on message boards and how hard i try to come back i still cant. :(

Check out the board I used to go to...It was the exact opposite! This is actually quite a relief, since the other one was 'post as fast as you can or else your post is suddenly out of context!!'