Frequently Asked Questions
In an attempt to combat answering the same questions to people, this section is designed to provide information.
updated: 07/16/2005


Q
Is there a disclaimer for this site?
A
Yes, click here.

Q
How much do you want for this? I'd like to pay you for... I have nothing to trade so I'd like to buy?
A
No, do not ask me to sell you something; I will not respond. I do not sell anything. Nothing is for sale as that is illegal, messes with the band and only makes it harder for tapers when people sell live recordings.

Q
Is every show listed?
A
Not all, but some are hidden on the website. If you have ever heard of an "Easter Egg" on a DVD, there are a few on this site in the form of a review/info regarding recordings that are very rare. Those recordings links are hidden. They are accessible via direct links off of this site on various pages - if you know where to look. There are numerous shows of audience, sbd & various rarities that exist. This website is a guide as to the live recordings of Tool that are commonly, sometimes not so commonly, available in the trading scene. If something once is rare than is not rare later, I will add it to the site even if I have had it for X amount of time. Make sense?

Q
How fast are you in trading? How does it work?
A
If we have not traded before, you will send first. I will listen to it, check it out for possible errors & then send you your CD(s). Life is rather busy. This site & collecting Tool is a hobby but life comes first. As such, trades may take a while. But I do honor all trades.

Q
Why do you collect & record concerts of groups such as Tool when some bands  do not want live music of them going around even for trading or private, non-commercial uses?
A
I think that a good group is a group that is better -live- than in a controlled environment such as a studio. Tool has, many times,  said they are a live group. In many cases, they are  best to be seen/felt/immersed in a live setting to  understand their music fully. I think that is how all bands should be - live. As for me, I listen to live music almost exclusively.  If a band -seriously- has a problem with live recordings of their music they A) suck B) are too concerned with money and/or commercial bootlegs or C) are 'sucking up to the man'. Most recorders/tapers I've come into contact with would never, ever sell their recordings to make a profit as most take a certain amount of pride in their stuff & selling them would be a travesty. Getting back to the point, bands should encourage taping for the simple fact that overwhelming majority of people who collect/tape Tool & other bands will already have bought all official releases. People who trade & tape bands only end up promoting the band.

Q
Why are your dates listed as month, day, year instead of the logical way?
A
I live in America. We expect people to adapt to out interpretations of reality & symbols. Terrible, I know. But what can you say about a country that is ran by a puppet with visible strings, dines on fatty foods as a source of Mc Nutrition, gets it's sense of reality from government-influenced media sources + mind-numbing TV sitcoms & allows the power-elite room to wage a full-on assault on the consumption of marijuana + tie it into terrorism? If you smoke a joint then you support terrorism? Bah.. Not to even touch on the shit on the radio here in the States...

 Q
Can you tell me how 'X' show sounds? Any more information?
A
Click on the date, all the information I have is there.

Q
Why do you not provide rating examples; such as '8' or A- audio quality?
A
I do provide a verbal representation of the audio, something I feel is closer to the truth than an abstract. But, like using an  abstract symbol, they are only subjective opinions. For example, a DAT recording from 1994 is excellent for the time period  but may not be great by DAT or even MD sources in 2002. Make sense? I try to take the era in comparison when discussing the shows.

Q
Why should I trust you? Will you rip me off?
A
No, I'm not ripping off you nor anyone else. I always honor trades & keep my word. This site took a long, long time & I would not have my reputation tarnished by screwing  you over for a silly CD.  As long as we respect each other, will get along just fine.

Q
I see that you have some shows you cannot trade: "not for trade". What makes them so special? Are you
Mr. Cool for having them or something?
A
Usually, no-trades are recordings that are the only known source for a show from a taper(s) and sometimes collectors. One of the reason why the 'no-trade' started during 2001, 2002 was the fact that when a taper would trade a recording, "bulk" or "day-tripper" collectors were complicating matters by turning them into MP3, DAO and other various issues. Also, when a taper would want to trade a master recording, it was a bit more challenging than it should be to get anything cool for it. So, I started doing that as quite a few other traders did as well. My Tool masters, I ask that if I trade it to you, you not trade it & direct requests to me - I would do that for you. .And, no, I am not Mr. Cool for having them. You would be surprised that some people actually call me names & whatnot if I won't sell them, give them, trade them "X" show. It's funny.

Q
Well, you have a few Tool shows...so what? How long have you been listening to Tool ?
A
I bought Opiate when I was 14 years old back in 1992 on CD (back when they came in long-boxes). And, yes, I still have that same disc although it unplayable after years of misuse.

Q
What do you think of Tool's repetitive 2001 & 2002 setlists?
A
Actually, they managed to change things up a bit more than people give them credit for. However, the four '01 shows I saw were virtually identical. The key seems to have been to catch them at different locations throughout the tour for variety. But, I wasn't complaining at all at the show and I'm not complaining now. I think they could've mixed it up more if they really had to prove something but the tone of the time was  
to be a little mellow. As well as the music. But they are professionals; real people. They do their job (play music) then go home to their families. Why make your job more challenging than needs be? Although Tool has a connection with music that most artists can't even comprehend, they are just average guys with a life outside of music. They are just people like you & me. With something to say, musically. I know Tool does not hold some amazing revelation into whatever;  but they are a great band. Period. I hold them with the same respect as The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Mozart & Beethoven. I collect this band because I enjoy the music, live. Simple as that.

Q
Do you do B & P's?
A
No. Give me some good reasons why I should -other than- you were at the show, for a friend, etc. I may do you something  if you pick  some interesting shows, with rationale included. Use your mind. So far, only one person has given me an interesting reason why I should go against my pessimistic nature and hook a total stranger up. If any of this info is not clear, click here to view my B&P policy: click here.

Q
I do not have any Tool or APC stuff that you already do would like some of 'X'?
A
See my B&P page for your probably 'no' answer. But if you recorded a show I am looking for then we could have a trade.

Q
Why are you so reluctant to trade out your master recordings?
A
Although I openly trade some of my Tool & APC masters to other tapers, other bands are not in the same mindset. I do not take the time to master every show onto CD. If I do, I would probably trade it. Most are not mastered. If I had the time, maybe I'd do more but I only CD the really good stuff. I don't trade out my masters for the above reason plus the fact that I do not have a good enough reason to trade out all of my
recordings. Simple as that. Please do not bother me on this subject. People get angry at me for not trading them out to them. Oh well.

Q
How long did writing all the source info, reviews & whatever take you?
A
I have listened to everything I have at least one time, in it's entirety. Add that to the general design, construction, planning, production, maintenance and analyzation of this website & you have "X" amount
of time.

Q
How long have you been actively collecting Tool recordings?
A
Since 1997. I used to be a tape trader, then moved to CDs when the prices went down for burners. I did not enjoy the Napster revolution as much as other people. I never, even want anything sourced from MP3
or TAO.

Q
When did your site go online?
A
Jan. 12, 2002. But, there was a great deal of time that elapsed  before it went online so the actual date is unknown; Sept. 2001 is close to the point.

Q
What are you & Sarah doing with your lives?
A
Sarah is a dentist. Galen is an UAW Civil Servant for the State of Michigan: Rehabilitation Counselor.

Q
How long have you & Sarah been together?
A
Since 1997. We were married on the best day of summer, perfect day in Petoskey, MI, USA on July 19th, 2003.