Layaway section in the shop?

jeffbr

It isn't hard to step back and see both sides of the issue. As has been mentioned in this thread previously, the band is older and have families to think about, I'm sure Ed no longer has aspirations about being Fugazi, and they need to change with the changing revenue models. On the other hand we love the old band that had an independent streak and flipped off the corporate thing. A rock band traditionally sold shirts, music, and eventually posters. Now it feels like PJ are becoming KISS with their merchandising. Dog collars, silly toy sheep, squeeze balls, trading cards, and all sorts of other strange merch that suddenly becomes valuable because of a corporate logo (and yes, the band is a corp). If they eventually start peddling coffins and crotchless panties, I'll be on board with vzouzal. Until then I just roll with it. It is an unfortunate but understandable situation based on the industry and I don't fault PJ for it. They continue to tour and give fans what they want (except for quality, inexpensive vinyl releases), and we should be glad they're still doing what they do.

on2legs

vzouzal said:

on2legs said:

Oh... So when you tell people they're drinking koolaid and they have blinders on it's because you're curious to hear what other fans think?

Lots of people have shared insightful and intelligent points of view during the course of last few days and I have enjoyed their post and responded accordingly, except for yourself

Yes. You're definitely not trolling and trying to provoke people.

vzouzal

on2legs said:

vzouzal said:

on2legs said:

Oh... So when you tell people they're drinking koolaid and they have blinders on it's because you're curious to hear what other fans think?

Lots of people have shared insightful and intelligent points of view during the course of last few days and I have enjoyed their post and responded accordingly, except for yourself

Yes. You're definitely not trolling and trying to provoke people.

Only you!

High Fidelity 2000

jeffbr said:

It isn't hard to step back and see both sides of the issue. As has been mentioned in this thread previously, the band is older and have families to think about, I'm sure Ed no longer has aspirations about being Fugazi, and they need to change with the changing revenue models. On the other hand we love the old band that had an independent streak and flipped off the corporate thing. A rock band traditionally sold shirts, music, and eventually posters. Now it feels like PJ are becoming KISS with their merchandising. Dog collars, silly toy sheep, squeeze balls, trading cards, and all sorts of other strange merch that suddenly becomes valuable because of a corporate logo (and yes, the band is a corp). If they eventually start peddling coffins and crotchless panties, I'll be on board with vzouzal. Until then I just roll with it. It is an unfortunate but understandable situation based on the industry and I don't fault PJ for it. They continue to tour and give fans what they want (except for quality, inexpensive vinyl releases), and we should be glad they're still doing what they do.

Now wait just a minute....









There are Pearl Jam squeeze balls??!!!! Where do I get one???!!!!! My collection is incomplete!!

on2legs

High Fidelity 2000 said:

jeffbr said:

It isn't hard to step back and see both sides of the issue. As has been mentioned in this thread previously, the band is older and have families to think about, I'm sure Ed no longer has aspirations about being Fugazi, and they need to change with the changing revenue models. On the other hand we love the old band that had an independent streak and flipped off the corporate thing. A rock band traditionally sold shirts, music, and eventually posters. Now it feels like PJ are becoming KISS with their merchandising. Dog collars, silly toy sheep, squeeze balls, trading cards, and all sorts of other strange merch that suddenly becomes valuable because of a corporate logo (and yes, the band is a corp). If they eventually start peddling coffins and crotchless panties, I'll be on board with vzouzal. Until then I just roll with it. It is an unfortunate but understandable situation based on the industry and I don't fault PJ for it. They continue to tour and give fans what they want (except for quality, inexpensive vinyl releases), and we should be glad they're still doing what they do.

Now wait just a minute....









There are Pearl Jam squeeze balls??!!!! Where do I get one???!!!!! My collection is incomplete!!

I found mine in aisle 2 in Target!

vzouzal

on2legs said:

High Fidelity 2000 said:

jeffbr said:

It isn't hard to step back and see both sides of the issue. As has been mentioned in this thread previously, the band is older and have families to think about, I'm sure Ed no longer has aspirations about being Fugazi, and they need to change with the changing revenue models. On the other hand we love the old band that had an independent streak and flipped off the corporate thing. A rock band traditionally sold shirts, music, and eventually posters. Now it feels like PJ are becoming KISS with their merchandising. Dog collars, silly toy sheep, squeeze balls, trading cards, and all sorts of other strange merch that suddenly becomes valuable because of a corporate logo (and yes, the band is a corp). If they eventually start peddling coffins and crotchless panties, I'll be on board with vzouzal. Until then I just roll with it. It is an unfortunate but understandable situation based on the industry and I don't fault PJ for it. They continue to tour and give fans what they want (except for quality, inexpensive vinyl releases), and we should be glad they're still doing what they do.

Now wait just a minute....









There are Pearl Jam squeeze balls??!!!! Where do I get one???!!!!! My collection is incomplete!!

I found mine in aisle 2 in Target!

LOL! now that is funny!

HughFreakingDillon

I think a band is allowed to have fun with merchandising. the dog collars were a stretch, but again, as I mentioned before, all of them are dog lovers, so I'm guessing they probably put those out since maybe they think "hey, I would have loved a Fugazi dog collar for my little Mookie!". Who knows. the Falla Sheep were actually a political stance the band agrees with (anti gun). not sure why that one keeps coming up. other things (like the backspacer bouncy balls) are promotional items.

bottom line is every band and every person evolves over time. as someone else pointed out, this was never a band that hated everything about corporate america, it was a band that hated when corporate america tried to steal control of their image.

and just because someone disagrees/sides with the band doesn't mean they are drinking the kool aid. that is the lamest and laziest argument someone can make, no matter the context. one could argue that you are still drinking the kool aid that pearl jam USED to drink. tell me, what's the difference if you drank it then or you drink it now?

vzouzal

The only reason I think this subject needs dialogue is because the band was so vocal about some of the things they hated, which they now do as well. When someone or something uses their fame to make a point and then without explanation reverses course, don't you feel that deserves calling out?

vzouzal

The band can do, say, sell whatever they want, but that doesn't mean that it doesn't change the perception they worked so hard to create in the first place.

on2legs

Reversed course?

They charge 80 bucks for the best live show on the planet. Name one other band of their stature that charges under 100 bucks for the best seats in the house.

vzouzal

on2legs said:

Reversed course?

They charge 80 bucks for the best live show on the planet. Name one other band of their stature that charges under 100 bucks for the best seats in the house.

I'm not talking about tickets! I'm talking about the garbage they sell when you walk into the venue, the constant promoting of the pop-up merch shop, hockey jerseys for $150.....................................

it just feels more like a company and less like a band!

on2legs

All that stuff is optional to purchase. If they were reversing course like you say and becoming a company focused on profit they would have raised ticket prices long ago to 150 a pop. What company would leave all that ticket money on the table.

vzouzal

on2legs said:

All that stuff is optional to purchase. If they were reversing course like you say and becoming a company focused on profit they would have raised ticket prices long ago to 150 a pop. What company would leave all that ticket money on the table.

how many of their $80.00 tickets do you think actually get people in for $80.00? I will be patiently waiting to hear your answer.....

on2legs

vzouzal said:

on2legs said:

All that stuff is optional to purchase. If they were reversing course like you say and becoming a company focused on profit they would have raised ticket prices long ago to 150 a pop. What company would leave all that ticket money on the table.

how many of their $80.00 tickets do you think actually get people in for $80.00? I will be patiently waiting to hear your answer.....

Not sure what you're asking. Are you referring to scalping? What does that have to do with the band?

on2legs

And I will wait patiently for you to name another major act that charges $80 for front of house seats.

Abe Froman

The guys in PJ like dogs so maybe they thought it'd be cool to offer some collars. Who gives a shit? I wouldn't/didnt buy one but I don't care it was offered. They also like sports and have had the sport themed shirts at some shows, these I LOVE and can't get enough of them. The industry has changed and the band has adapted. I still feel their core beliefs/principals whatever you wanna call them have remained the same. Not to mention they are still putting out high quality music after 24 years and 2.5+ hour shows!

on2legs

I love that you think the band has become this evil company. A company with a horrible business plan that purposely charges half the going rate for concert tickets just so they can sucker people in the door to buy a $150 hockey jersey that they made about 9 total of. Brilliant plan!!! Keep the comedy coming!!!! Hahahha.

vzouzal

cheap tickets make it really easy for the scalpers to buy tons of blocks and turnaround and sell them for triple or more, while ensuring a full-house.

PJ_Soul

vzouzal said:

cheap tickets, make it really easy to buy tons of blocks and they turnaround and sell for triple or more, while ensuring a full-house.

There are simple ways around that, and 10C should definitely take advantage of those methods.... But 10C already prevents that for club tix.

vzouzal

PJ_Soul said:

vzouzal said:

cheap tickets, make it really easy to buy tons of blocks and they turnaround and sell for triple or more, while ensuring a full-house.

There are simple ways around that, and 10C should definitely take advantage of those methods.... But 10C already prevents that for club tix.

really cause most people around me at Wrigley paid hundreds and in some cases thousands a seat.