I$ it ju$t me....?

Kelly Leak · July 2013

Thing$ around here have become overwhelmingly commercial. I have never $een $o much $tuff for $ale. I wa$ going to buy the Wrigley $etli$t $hirt until I $aw the price. What'$ happening to our $pon$or free band?

Backspacer_Backer · July 2013

They have to pay for this effectively run fan club, and making sure all the members of said club are kept perpetually happy. That ain't cheap, my friend.

Digital Twilight · July 2013

Kelly Leak wrote:

Thing$ around here have become overwhelmingly commercial. I have never $een $o much $tuff for $ale. I wa$ going to buy the Wrigley $etli$t $hirt until I $aw the price. What'$ happening to our $pon$or free band?

I disagree. I think the store has been understocked for the size of the band for years if you compare them to other bands of that size. The increase in merch is more of a reaction to the demand of the fans rather than PJ fueling it. It's the fans that have created the merch frenzy not the band, they're just playing up to it and why not?

mcgruff10 · July 2013

Kelly Leak wrote:

Thing$ around here have become overwhelmingly commercial. I have never $een $o much $tuff for $ale. I wa$ going to buy the Wrigley $etli$t $hirt until I $aw the price. What'$ happening to our $pon$or free band?

sponsor free band? i'm sure you're the same person you were in 1995.

Kelly Leak · July 2013

Digital Twilight wrote:

Kelly Leak wrote:

Thing$ around here have become overwhelmingly commercial. I have never $een $o much $tuff for $ale. I wa$ going to buy the Wrigley $etli$t $hirt until I $aw the price. What'$ happening to our $pon$or free band?

I disagree. I think the store has been understocked for the size of the band for years if you compare them to other bands of that size. The increase in merch is more of a reaction to the demand of the fans rather than PJ fueling it. It's the fans that have created the merch frenzy not the band, they're just playing up to it and why not?

I don't want to 'compare' them to anyone. I have just noticed a measurable change in 'stuff'.

Kelly Leak · July 2013

mcgruff10 wrote:

Kelly Leak wrote:

Thing$ around here have become overwhelmingly commercial. I have never $een $o much $tuff for $ale. I wa$ going to buy the Wrigley $etli$t $hirt until I $aw the price. What'$ happening to our $pon$or free band?

sponsor free band? i'm sure you're the same person you were in 1995.

I see your point. You are right, I have changed. We all have. I am only pointing out a recent laser-like focus on 'stuff'.

mcgruff10 · July 2013

I got ya and do agree with you to a point (i.e dog collars). And they did have the set list shirts back in 2000 so it's not exactly a new idea here.

Digital Twilight · July 2013

Kelly Leak wrote:

Digital Twilight wrote:

Kelly Leak wrote:

Thing$ around here have become overwhelmingly commercial. I have never $een $o much $tuff for $ale. I wa$ going to buy the Wrigley $etli$t $hirt until I $aw the price. What'$ happening to our $pon$or free band?

I disagree. I think the store has been understocked for the size of the band for years if you compare them to other bands of that size. The increase in merch is more of a reaction to the demand of the fans rather than PJ fueling it. It's the fans that have created the merch frenzy not the band, they're just playing up to it and why not?

I don't want to 'compare' them to anyone. I have just noticed a measurable change in 'stuff'.

Well it's OK, no one is forcing you to buy 'stuff' and it's not like they aren't touring or not bringing out a new album and just resting on their money. They wouldn't keep making 'stuff' if people weren't buying the 'stuff' so your options are buy 'stuff' or chose to not be apart of the commercial operations and don't buy the 'stuff'. Simples.

nutbarz · July 2013

Its Just a Pile of Stuff...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvgN5gCuLac

MayDay10 · July 2013

Im not going to analyze pricing and products and pass judgement on the band. They have earned a great amount of fame and fans over 23 years. They have people that work for the band and 10c, they have families. Im not going to get bent out of shape if things lend themselves to the suspicion that they want to make a few bucks. Look at the rest of the music industry these days if you want to truly see hollow money making. A 35 dollar setlist shirt from an historic show in the bands history proves nothing of them losing their grounding

Kelly Leak · July 2013

nutbarz wrote:

Its Just a Pile of Stuff...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvgN5gCuLac

Well Placed

Kelly Leak · July 2013

Anybody up for a game of 'profit margin poker' with my new $15 EV playing cards?

mookeywrench · July 2013

Kelly Leak wrote:

Thing$ around here have become overwhelmingly commercial. I have never $een $o much $tuff for $ale. I wa$ going to buy the Wrigley $etli$t $hirt until I $aw the price. What'$ happening to our $pon$or free band?

People stopped paying for music

morgie2 · July 2013

1. $35.00 is VERY reasonable for a concert shirt these days. Went to a Fleetwood Mac show recently where they we $40.00.
2. With all the various means people have in the digital world to access free music, the band needs to find alternate sources of revenue not only for themselves and their employees, but for their charities.
3. Another reason for all the "stuff" you see is WE, AS FANS, CONSTANTLY SCREAM FOR MORE. Tons of feedback on here about how we wish there was more selection etc.

titchinello · July 2013

Digital Twilight wrote:

Kelly Leak wrote:

Thing$ around here have become overwhelmingly commercial. I have never $een $o much $tuff for $ale. I wa$ going to buy the Wrigley $etli$t $hirt until I $aw the price. What'$ happening to our $pon$or free band?

I disagree. I think the store has been understocked for the size of the band for years if you compare them to other bands of that size. The increase in merch is more of a reaction to the demand of the fans rather than PJ fueling it. It's the fans that have created the merch frenzy not the band, they're just playing up to it and why not?

I agree with you Digital, I too think there was not enough goods on offer for the size of the band, and if people are crying out for more, then why not... and true nobody is saying.. we have goods for sale, you MUST buy, fair enough the prices are a bit expensive, but thats just the way of the world today i'm afraid. simple ecomomics 1 on 1.

JimmyV · July 2013

They have a fan base that is perfectly willing to stand in 95 degree heat for 4-5 hours in the hopes of buying a poster and/or t-shirt and/or whatever else. They would be fools not to provide merchandise to people so willing to spend their money.

quasi · July 2013

If you want to see a "sponsor free" band, go check out a local band. I'm seeing a local band tonight for only a $3 cover charge. No shirts, nor merchandise either probably. But, I'm sure if they had enough fans that demanded it, they would start making shirts to sell. In the end, music is a business of supply and demand and the fans are fueling it.

Get_Right · July 2013

I dont know for sure, but I think they hired a professional organization a few years back to help run the 10C and make it efficient and profitable. I would guess that the band approves some of the new suggestions for merchandising, marketing and additional revenue streams. Id bet that a good number get rejected as well.

Claireack · July 2013

To be honest, I don't really like this everything plus the kitchen sink having PJ written on it and sold for a ridiculous price. Hence, I don't buy anything I don't want/need, actually I mostly don't even look.

Each to their own.

I have started to think that 'Pearl Jam' is very much a brand now and that the people who run the merchandising side of things are really making the most of the desire of fans to buy things, almost to the point of exploiting them. But I guess everyones wages need paying.

we-were-but-stones · July 2013

It's juSt you

WhyGo91 · July 2013

I don't mean to start anything here, but honestly you would probably be making a big deal if they WEREN'T doing what they're doing. I mean you need to be happy with the amount of merch that PJ has, because honestly if they didn't then you wouldn't get to enjoy the memories every time you look at a shirt you bought at a show, or a hat you see yourself wearing from a picture, or whatever. I'm pleased with the amount of stuff they have (and the prices). I would love to see my future kids wearing a PJ onesie(?), or my doggy wearing a PJ dog collar, or hell even going swimming in the ocean with a pair of PJ board shorts!!!

As for the prices, I went to a Deftones show last August and they were selling shirts for $45 and a hat was $30. Also, go to a KISS concert some day, then come back and talk to me about being "sponsor-free".

63schoefflin · July 2013

It's about time they actually start offering a ton of options. I want an onslaught of PJ merch so I can pick and xhoose what I want. Not sure why people complain about a better selection when the alternative leads to people buying backpacks and shirts for 5 times cost.

Kelly Leak · July 2013

WhyGo91 wrote:

I don't mean to start anything here, but honestly you would probably be making a big deal if they WEREN'T doing what they're doing. I mean you need to be happy with the amount of merch that PJ has, because honestly if they didn't then you wouldn't get to enjoy the memories every time you look at a shirt you bought at a show, or a hat you see yourself wearing from a picture, or whatever. I'm pleased with the amount of stuff they have (and the prices). I would love to see my future kids wearing a PJ onesie(?), or my doggy wearing a PJ dog collar, or hell even going swimming in the ocean with a pair of PJ board shorts!!!

As for the prices, I went to a Deftones show last August and they were selling shirts for $45 and a hat was $30. Also, go to a KISS concert some day, then come back and talk to me about being "sponsor-free".

I have a feeling that if I posted the opposite on here, you, my friend, would also be making a big deal of my post. It's simply the way it goes on this board. I mean no disrespect, BTW.

I have framed posters from shows down in my basement. They are my pride-and-joy. However, when the PJ pinball machine comes out or the PJ Visa card, I am peacin' out.

Stay Gold.

Digital Twilight · July 2013

Damned if you do....

Kelly Leak · July 2013

Digital T,

You're right on with your cartoon. How about this, can we agree that over the past, let's call it 2 years, pearl jam the business has placed trust in an outside group's hands to manage the merchandise side of things? Again, I am not against capitalism. These guys have worked their asses off, toured like maniacs, earned their place in history, etc, etc, etc...

ALL I am saying is that I have noticed a measurable difference in the merchandising of products related to the band that are different than the first 18 years.

WhyGo91 · July 2013

Kelly Leak wrote:

WhyGo91 wrote:

I don't mean to start anything here, but honestly you would probably be making a big deal if they WEREN'T doing what they're doing. I mean you need to be happy with the amount of merch that PJ has, because honestly if they didn't then you wouldn't get to enjoy the memories every time you look at a shirt you bought at a show, or a hat you see yourself wearing from a picture, or whatever. I'm pleased with the amount of stuff they have (and the prices). I would love to see my future kids wearing a PJ onesie(?), or my doggy wearing a PJ dog collar, or hell even going swimming in the ocean with a pair of PJ board shorts!!!

As for the prices, I went to a Deftones show last August and they were selling shirts for $45 and a hat was $30. Also, go to a KISS concert some day, then come back and talk to me about being "sponsor-free".

I have a feeling that if I posted the opposite on here, you, my friend, would also be making a big deal of my post. It's simply the way it goes on this board. I mean no disrespect, BTW.

I have framed posters from shows down in my basement. They are my pride-and-joy. However, when the PJ pinball machine comes out or the PJ Visa card, I am peacin' out.

Stay Gold.

I find it weird that you would "peace out" just because a band starts being "more commercial" haha. You sound like one of those people who hates everything mainstream

Kelly Leak · July 2013

I hear ya, I would love to be one of those people that you mention as ' against everything mainstream', but I am not. I work hard at my job, provide for my family, and am planning for my future. I am very open minded about issues related to tweaks and modifications of a business model as long as it doesn't destroy the integrity of the band's original intent.

I made reference to a pinball machine and credit card because I have watched other bands like KISS stop making music and put all their effort into capitalizing on a brand.

I will not defend my love and dedication to this organization; like many do on here. I will continue to roll with the punches as far as ticketing goes...you won't see me complain about seniority recognition (See board join date) and you won't hear me complaining about set lists.

However, I will continue to raise an eyebrow when I notice a change in the way things are run.

locked · July 2013

What's the problem?
Don't like / don't buy?

This isn't communism!

Kelly Leak · July 2013

locked wrote:

What's the problem?
Don't like / don't buy?

This isn't communism!

How are the two related? Communism and the noticeable change in marketing in the past 2 years.

tribejammer05 · July 2013

They put stuff up for sale. We gobble that shit up. It's the circle of life.

Rossum20 · July 2013

I agree that the merch thing is more reactionary to the demand from the fans than anything else.

I also think a big part of things "seeming" a lot more expensive has to do with the fact that a lot of people have seen the prices of most things go up around them, but their take home pay hasn't adjusted appropriately for inflation over the past two decades. That, and many people just don't get how prices have risen substantially throughout the entire music industry for concerts and merch because as someone pointed out earlier in this thread, people don't pay much for music these days. We all know Pearl Jam could charge more for all the stuff they produce. Now everyone has a line, but I'd pay $50 for a show poster without blinking. I'd pay $200 for a show ticket, although if I were in a position to see a string of shows, I'd probably cut a couple out. It'd be a shit-ton easier to get tickets with a higher face value on tickets, and less margin of profit for the sleazy scalpers. The point is, you could argue the price of tickets is actually too low. But I'll stop doing that now because $95 is enough for me!

I$ it ju$t me....?

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