Back in 2007, Missing Palmer West had just released our first EP and it featured an old Wise and Foolish Builders song called “Kill the Soudman.” The song imagines a sad sack soundman, unhappy with his job, and frustrated with nights filled with open mics and chili fries. The video features photos of soundmen culled from Google images. I always thought of it as ode, but the soundmen on the internet, understandably, never much cared for it. (Everyone knows bands are often made up of self-important jerks; it hardly seems necessary to write that song.)

The video has gotten over 31,000 views, certainly a lot more attention than anything else I’ve ever done. Soundmen from around the world continue to take issue with the song’s story. Their comments on the video are all very funny—and, of course, mostly true. They roll in monthly, mostly diatribes on the egotistical musician, his ridiculous demands, and their thankless job. And to be honest, ever since I wrote the song, I’ve worked almost exclusively with really great, helpful soundmen. 

It was just a song. 

Check out the video at the attached link—but mostly just to read the comments.