Red Mosquito

Birds in Hell wrote:

stip wrote:

Birds in Hell wrote:

stip wrote:I think I just don't judge a band by the quality of their shirts.

you're right. I left out dog collars.


I don't agree with that position spenno. Not as a blanket statement. I'm not sure what the facebook post thing is referring to, but otherwise I pretty much am not judging the band as a band because of the merchandising decisions the business arm decides to make. At least none of the ones that they've made so far, since the critique of almost all of them seems to be that pearl jam is exploiting their fans by giving them things they want to buy that other fans (or ex-fans in some cases) don't think are necessary.

The point I was trying to make by way of the strawman picture is that what you wrote is a distortion of my post: nobody claimed Pearl Jam sucks solely because they make bad t-shirts or sell too many silly merchandise items.

My earlier position was simply that it's understandable that people will take those things into consideration, among other more important things like the quality of the music and live shows, when taking stock of how they feel about the band at this point in time. That's all.

And my post was just me saying that I don't (the merchandise). I wasn't distorting anything.

It would be really interesting to figure out how many people are currently perfectly happy with the quality of the music and live shows AND upset by the recent business practices. I suspect there aren't too many, which is why I think this thread and these conversations are mostly a proxy for expressing unhappiness with the music.

durdencommatyler wrote:

cutuphalfdead wrote:I'd rather the cocaine.

Real Talk: I've never done cocaine.

Should I?

I don't want your question to get bottom paged.

durdencommatyler wrote:

cutuphalfdead wrote:I'd rather the cocaine.

Real Talk: I've never done cocaine.

Should I?

It's fucking awesome until you make a habit out of it.

durdencommatyler wrote:

cutuphalfdead wrote:I'd rather the cocaine.

Real Talk: I've never done cocaine.

Should I?

Wait for the Ten Club Exclusive Deluxe Reissue of Ten made entirely out of cocaine.

cutuphalfdead wrote:

durdencommatyler wrote:

cutuphalfdead wrote:I'd rather the cocaine.

Real Talk: I've never done cocaine.

Should I?

It's fucking awesome until you make a habit out of it.

Well, I hate Habit. So it shouldn't be an issue.

Lament wrote:

durdencommatyler wrote:

cutuphalfdead wrote:I'd rather the cocaine.

Real Talk: I've never done cocaine.

Should I?

Wait for the Ten Club Exclusive Deluxe Reissue of Ten made entirely out of cocaine.

This is my favorite post on RM in a long time.

stip wrote:

durdencommatyler wrote:

cutuphalfdead wrote:I'd rather the cocaine.

Real Talk: I've never done cocaine.

Should I?

I don't want your question to get bottom paged.

Love ya, Stip. Always looking out for me.

durdencommatyler wrote:

cutuphalfdead wrote:I'd rather the cocaine.

Real Talk: I've never done cocaine.

Should I?

Real answer: No.

durdencommatyler wrote:

stip wrote:

durdencommatyler wrote:

cutuphalfdead wrote:I'd rather the cocaine.

Real Talk: I've never done cocaine.

Should I?

I don't want your question to get bottom paged.

Love ya, Stip. Always looking out for me.

I voted Yes. You should have some fun.

cutuphalfdead wrote:

given2trade wrote:

cutuphalfdead wrote:I thought the No Code dog collar was pretty cool, just overpriced. If it was cheaper I was getting one for Maggie.

That was on the one I was going to buy. Then I realized it was way overpriced and I hate Pearl Jam now. Otherwise, I had it in the cart.

I still listen to the good old years. Not super regularly, but No Code, Binaural, and Yield are all in my car.

No Code is the best. But I don't listen anymore though. Not out of spite I just like other music more. I put on the Sirius station now and then. Heard I Got Shit other day and wanted to cry for the wrong reasons.

Strat wrote:

given2trade wrote:Let me explain the merchandising criticism in a different way.

Pearl Jam is aware 500-2500 people are so mentally obsessed with the band (in an unhealthy way) they will buy anything they put out, especially if limited edition, and regardless of whether they can afford it.

Pearl Jam has milked the living shit out of these poor people for years now. That's our problem. And it's a MINOR problem compared to all the other problems.

Were you were that fan in the mid 90's though? (honest question). Is there any part of you that has such a disgust for it now just because you think the music sucks?

Yes; but I was 15-20 years old; I wasn't poor; and I am NOT making fun of that fan today. I'm upset at the band preying on them.

Is there a Pearl Jam Montreal Expos hat yet?

Really wish you could favorite posts.

I want to have a racket similar to the one Pearl Jam has one day, so they can sell whatever they want. I just hope I don't suck so bad when I'm fifty.

Is this poll like the one to allow me back on RM? Do I have to do it if everyone votes for it? Cuz... guys... I'm a-scared.

durdencommatyler wrote:Is this poll like the one to allow me back on RM? Do I have to do it if everyone votes for it? Cuz... guys... I'm a-scared.

A little coke never hurt anybody.

BurtReynolds wrote:

durdencommatyler wrote:Is this poll like the one to allow me back on RM? Do I have to do it if everyone votes for it? Cuz... guys... I'm a-scared.

A little coke never hurt anybody.

If this is a Tom Waits reference, you and I are friend forever, no matter what. And I mean that.

Never done coke. Dont want to either. Off that. Ill stick to alcohol. Bup bup.

Strat wrote:Never done coke. Dont want to either. Off that. Ill stick to alcohol. Bup bup.

When can we hang out, buddy. I feel like it's time.

stip wrote:he's definitely onto something. If a band is an important part of your identity you'll want to find ways to attach yourself to that band. Wearing the gear and buying the stuff is a way to make yourself a part of it. Sports teams work the same way. Movies. All of it.

That's the drive behind marketing departments, yes...establish a brand, nurture a connection or interest through various means, and then maximize the attainable profit off of that connection or interest.

I think Simmons is wrong to reduce the music to the merchandise, but the merchandise is a reflection of the commitment you have to the music.

"Merchandise is a reflection of the commitment you have to the music" is both a very vaseline-lensed version of the relationship between these massive marketing ventures and the band's occasional music-making, and indicative of a level of pessimism about love and life that not even I stoop to.

That's not to say that you need the merchandise to feel that connection, but that's where it's coming from.

Did you lift this line directly from a heroin dealer? Because if you did, that's pretty badass. Pretty fucking badass.

The difference between the t-shirt and those moonlander figurines is a difference of degree, not kind. And in the absence of harm being done there's no obvious place to draw the finish line

Suffice to say, it's somewhere north of moonlander.