WIDE
4The Big Join


By  now  probably everyone realized that 3Balance and Frogs1 melted into one big
Balance,  and  they  continue  their  mags  as  one  big  2Upstream1  (but still
one-file).   This  was  the first time when 2 groups made such radical change,
and  were  brave  enough to do what some others just talked about.  Now Sledge
Hammer presents an interview with both of the interested sides giving them the
same  questions.   (Note  that  they  didn't  know  that  the  other  one  was
interviewed,  too, so they didn't discuss the answers). 3So let's find out what
they had in mind!1

2                Was it hard to give up your team/mag name?

              2Cesium:1                                  3Wolfman:1
No,  not  at  all.  We all had grown a  Well,  not  really.  Only when I found
bit  tired  of  the Frogs name and the  that 3Magbox1 was on the 3rd position on
time   suited  fine  to  make  a  name  the  Eurochart,  I got a bit confused,
chance.  And after all, 2Balance sounds1  but  that was because I thought of the
2much  better  than  Frogs,1  we  think.  PR-value  of  the  position.  The only
More proffesional, in a way.            hard  times I've had with it, was when
                                        Estrup, Mount, Playboy and Quackbuster
                                        threatend  me  not to ;-), but no.. 3I
                                        really had no problems real with it.1

3       Do you think that mags can join without joining the groups?

               2Cesium:1                                 3Wolfman:1
Probably,  but in our case I think the  I  haven't really thought of this, but
best   solution   was  a  merge.   Our  I  think  that people wouldn't like to
artists wanted to cooperate beside the  join   with   the   mags,  since  they
mag work also, and we figured out that  wouldn't     be    maineditors    (Two
all  the  members  would  team up with  maineditors are enough)...  Otherwise,
Balance.   This  meant  that  we could  I   don't  think  that  we  would  let
2release  productions  more frequently,1  another   mag  join  us,  unless  they
we'd   get  a  feeling  of  being  all  joined  BLC  and  they  acted  as  co-
together   on   this  and  we'd  be  a  editors, and then it would not be much
stronger group as a whole.              fun for those who joined...


2    What were the main fights between you an Wolfman about the mag(s)?

               2Cesium:1                                 3Wolfman:1
2The decision of what the mag was going1  Fights?   3We didn't have any fights or1
2to  be  called was much harder to pull3  anything.1  Actually me and Cesium were
2through  than I had expected.1  Some of  the  ones  agreeing the most.  Anyway,
the Danish Balance members resisted to  we had some problems deciding what the
give  up  the  Magbox  name since they  number of Upstream should be, 2 1/2 or
thought  that it was a more known name  6,  it  became  6  as  you  must  have
in the scene.  We discussed this quite  noticed  and  that's  really all there
much,  but after hard negotiating from  was  to  it.  I think Cesium and I are
my  side  we  agreed  upon calling the  too alike to have a a fight.
magazine  Upstream.  2Personally I like
this name far better than Magbox.1

Fortunately   I  met  Wolfman  at  The             @IPeye
2Gathering 931 which was held quite soon
after  our  merging, so we had time to
discuss  several topics concerning the
handling  of  the new mag.  But I have
to  admit  that  I  think  some of the
Danish  BLC'ers  are very concervative       @IPicecube
and   bureaucratic  in  their  way  of
thinking,  and  a  lot would have been
easier   if   they   had   been   more
cooperative.

3   At this point of time, do you think this cooperation will work out?

               2Cesium:1                                 3Wolfman:1
2Yes  I  do,  definately.1   Just take a  Well,  given  that 3I'm quite satisfied1
look at our new issue (#6) and I think  3with issue 61 of Upstream, I'd say that
you'll  agree  with  me  that our mags  we have quite a bright future.  Cesium
have  improved a lot from the merging,  and  I  are  working good together and
and taken a step up the ladder when it  the   expansion   of  the  staff  have
comes     to    both    quality    and  increased  the  quality  (I think), so
professionality.                        yes,  I  ABSOLUTEly  (hehe) think that
                                        this will work out just fine.


2  a  third  group  would  offer you their mag to join would you accept their
                                  proposal?

               2Cesium:1                                 3Wolfman:1
Not  as  an equal producer of the mag.  Uuuh,  I dunno...  It would all depend
We  have  actually  had several offers  who   and  how  many.   The  group  is
from  2smaller groups1 (trying to become  already quite big, so I don't know who
famous?)  to go into a coop, but we've  should  join  the  group with the mag.
turned  them  down.   Often  in such a  It  would  without doubt depend on how
proposal,  it's  only  2-3 guys in the  talented  they were in other purposes.
group  who's  willing to work fulltime  It  would depend on the circumstances:
for  the  mag.  Promoting ourselves as  3Good  crew  with  nice members: OKAY!1
in  an  equal  cooperation  with  this  3Less  good group with average members:1
group  wouldn't  be  correct, I think.  3NO WAY!1
Therefore,  if  anyone is very keen on
supporting   the   mag   and   writing
articles for Upstream (AND if he's got
the  talent),  we  ask him to join the
2Upstream  Staff,1  the  sub-division of
Balance   which  only  takes  care  of
magwork.   Anyone interested?  Contact
me.
                                				-Fester

Well, opinions were not so matching, though....