Merchandising Merchandising!!

[Boomchild]

but I think DDY would be the first to tell you that he would have never had the success he did without TS and JY. in fact, I think he's said it repeatedly over the years.

Here in lies the main point of this whole conversation. DDY himself is not going to discount the efforts and contributions of his band mates when talking about the band's success. I doubt he ever felt that he would be as successful on his own as he was in the band. I just don't see the need to dilute the efforts of the others. They each brought something to the table that when combined was the formula for success. If you listen to DDY he clearly states that it was the musical influences on each other that made their work special.

[yogi]

We have gotten off track here. The 'Assembly Line' title of this thread is Merchandising Merchandising!! It says so right above where I am typing.

If you have Sterling's book, he talks about (page 257) besides Kilroy being a major causing the band to split in late '82'( prior to Kilroy) Tommy and JY went to Dennis to talk about other avenues of income for the band. They were coming off a highly successful album & tour( Paradise Theater) and they wanted to 'strike or cash in' while the iron was still hot. Tommy loved using the word 'coffee' in his lyrics and wanted to develop a brand of Styx coffee ( page 261). Dennis agreed only if they offered a decaf type of coffee or something similar to Sanka. JY being the businessman of the group took TS side on this matter( page 269)
and a huge riff started.

[masque]

but I think DDY would be the first to tell you that he would have never had the success he did without TS and JY. in fact, I think he's said it repeatedly over the years.

Here in lies the main point of this whole conversation. DDY himself is not going to discount the efforts and contributions of his band mates when talking about the band's success. I doubt he ever felt that he would be as successful on his own as he was in the band. I just don't see the need to dilute the efforts of the others. They each brought something to the table that when combined was the formula for success. If you listen to DDY he clearly states that it was the musical influences on each other that made their work special.

^ yep

[masque]

another thing that cracks me up is why do any of you give a rat's ass as to what they sell or merchandise? it's their business now and they can literally sell anything they want.....it's up to you whether you buy it or not.

if you dont like it, dont buy it......if you do then by all means proceed. but why does it matter if they sell coffee or jewelry or condoms or anything else they can?

for those of you who thinks that styx coffee "hurts" the legacy then you are truly delusional.....as much as we LOVE this band and their contribution to pop music they are so incredibly irrelevant to pop culture now that there is literally next to nothing that they could do to hurt or enhance their "legacy".

[yogi]

kind of like Donny Osmond and the Partridge Family not thinking that a line of bubble gum would not hurt their legacy.

I also read where the Village People have sell soap products to various prisons throughout the NW and into Canada.

When you have not put out new music in nearly 15 years, but have the time to peddle dog leashes, gourmet coffee,shoe laces,light bulbs(tell me thats not a slam at DDY) and foot powder, then factor in that a founding member was booted because the other members stated ' that all they wanted to do was ROCK', not a mention of a 'rocking' bluegrass album and the legacy maybe doesnt suffer but it does slightly taint.

[Boomchild]

another thing that cracks me up is why do any of you give a rat's ass as to what they sell or merchandise? it's their business now and they can literally sell anything they want.....it's up to you whether you buy it or not.

I simply look at it as whoring out your brand. I thought musicians got into the business to be musicians not merchandisers.

[yogi]

DEAD ON BOOM!!!!!!!

[gr8dane]

another thing that cracks me up is why do any of you give a rat's ass as to what they sell or merchandise? it's their business now and they can literally sell anything they want.....it's up to you whether you buy it or not.

I simply look at it as whoring out your brand. I thought musicians got into the business to be musicians not merchandisers.

Ah well.Try and get over it.
Everybody else is doing it,but Dennis .

[Boomchild]

Ah well.Try and get over it.
Everybody else is doing it,but Dennis .

Reality bites doesn't it? That their "creative output" has come down to scarfs. What's next the Styx man purse?

[gr8dane]

Ah well.Try and get over it.
Everybody else is doing it,but Dennis .

Reality bites doesn't it?

So it would seem.Here is to a speedy recovery to you.
Mwah mwah

[masque]

another thing that cracks me up is why do any of you give a rat's ass as to what they sell or merchandise? it's their business now and they can literally sell anything they want.....it's up to you whether you buy it or not.

I simply look at it as whoring out your brand. I thought musicians got into the business to be musicians not merchandisers.

nearly everyone begins to play music for the love of music and they "hope" to become successful enough to only play music.

then some real fortunate ones becomes very rich and famous and their music careers and bands turn into businesses.......just like any other retail business. and then it becomes as much about keeping the money coming in as it does about the music.....and then it becomes more about keeping the money coming in than it does the music. it's not a slam at all, just human nature.

i remember several years ago when steve walsh had a real issue with alcohol and had an accident that resulted in some bad things....he was facing potential real time in prison over the situation.

however, kansas's drum, phil ehart, showed up at the hearing and make a plea to the judge to lighten his sentence because kansas had like 65 people, band members, families and crew that were dependent on them being able to tour and make a living. so the judge helped him and they continued.

that's just one example and those boys made millions back in the day. so whether you made money and spent it, or you made money and your afraid to lose it or you dont have enough of it, you will find a way to make more money. I dont think they see it as "whoring out their band" at all....I think they see it as having a brand name that is capable of generating revenue in ways besides just new music.

[masque]

kind of like Donny Osmond and the Partridge Family not thinking that a line of bubble gum would not hurt their legacy.

I also read where the Village People have sell soap products to various prisons throughout the NW and into Canada.

When you have not put out new music in nearly 15 years, but have the time to peddle dog leashes, gourmet coffee,shoe laces,light bulbs(tell me thats not a slam at DDY) and foot powder, then factor in that a founding member was booted because the other members stated ' that all they wanted to do was ROCK', not a mention of a 'rocking' bluegrass album and the legacy maybe doesnt suffer but it does slightly taint.

it may taint their legacy to you......but that's just it, what legacy do you think they have? they were always slammed by critics, DDY is seen by many non-fans as a Vegas show lounge singer, their most famous songs are a sappy love ballad and a song about a robot that generally makes the rounds of getting made fun of in tv sitcoms from time to time.

do I feel this way? no, I love the band and their music......but as fans I think we have a hard time realizing that outside of us this band is not generally seen by joe q public they way we see them. they didn't have much of a legacy to tarnish to begin with and now 33 years after their heyday I really dont think there are more than a few thousand of us that really truly care about what any of them do.

[masque]

kind of like Donny Osmond and the Partridge Family not thinking that a line of bubble gum would not hurt their legacy.

I also read where the Village People have sell soap products to various prisons throughout the NW and into Canada.

When you have not put out new music in nearly 15 years, but have the time to peddle dog leashes, gourmet coffee,shoe laces,light bulbs(tell me thats not a slam at DDY) and foot powder, then factor in that a founding member was booted because the other members stated ' that all they wanted to do was ROCK', not a mention of a 'rocking' bluegrass album and the legacy maybe doesnt suffer but it does slightly taint.

as for the bubble gum thing, i dont really think that is what happens at all......to me, this kind of scenario nearly always boils down to overexposure and the general public getting "tired" of a band and they are ready to move on to the next "big thing".

whether it's a tv show, a band, a movie, or a sports team, we always see these iconic stars grow in popularity and the markets and magazines are flooded with "them" all the time.....folks cannot get enough of it, UNTIL they do get enough, and then it's over. whether you sold bubble gum or comic books or whatever, your time in the spot light nearly always runs out. and very few artists, sports icons or whatever pass up the opportunity to generate as much revenue as they possibly can and strike while the iron is hot so to speak....because management companies realize that fame and popularity for most is very fleeting and they burn the candle bright until it goes out with one and they light up another.

the ironic thing about styx is that they did little of that during their "heyday" but still lost their popularity and then saw a nostalgic resurgence in the mid to late 90's.......their merchandising now is sort of "bassacwards" but if it makes them happy and they can sell enough of it to warrant doing it then great! I support them in theory on it, while also not giving enough of a shit to buy ANY of it.....but the fact that they sell styx coffee has nothing to do with whether I want to pay to see them live again or not.

[Boomchild]

do I feel this way? no, I love the band and their music......but as fans I think we have a hard time realizing that outside of us this band is not generally seen by joe q public they way we see them. they didn't have much of a legacy to tarnish to begin with and now 33 years after their heyday I really dont think there are more than a few thousand of us that really truly care about what any of them do.

I think the negativity or poking fun at them was more centered around music critics then anything else. If their base is a "few thousand", I can't see where merchandising is a profitable venture.

[Monker]

do I feel this way? no, I love the band and their music......but as fans I think we have a hard time realizing that outside of us this band is not generally seen by joe q public they way we see them. they didn't have much of a legacy to tarnish to begin with and now 33 years after their heyday I really dont think there are more than a few thousand of us that really truly care about what any of them do.

I think the negativity or poking fun at them was more centered around music critics then anything else. If their base is a "few thousand", I can't see where merchandising is a profitable venture.

It probably isn't that "profitable"...I don't know why anybody would think it is.

That is the whole point. The only people who really care about it are the people who bitch about it.

[Monker]

and a song about a robot that generally makes the rounds of getting made fun of in tv sitcoms from time to time.

And, a good one was on one of the Austin Powers movies.

[Toph]

do I feel this way? no, I love the band and their music......but as fans I think we have a hard time realizing that outside of us this band is not generally seen by joe q public they way we see them. they didn't have much of a legacy to tarnish to begin with and now 33 years after their heyday I really dont think there are more than a few thousand of us that really truly care about what any of them do.

I think the negativity or poking fun at them was more centered around music critics then anything else. If their base is a "few thousand", I can't see where merchandising is a profitable venture.

It probably isn't that "profitable"...I don't know why anybody would think it is.

That is the whole point. The only people who really care about it are the people who bitch about it.

We "bitch" about it because we see Styx as sellouts. They aren't musicians anymore. They want to cash in wherever they can.

[Monker]

We "bitch" about it because we see Styx as sellouts. They aren't musicians anymore. They want to cash in wherever they can.

If that is all you see, and all you can talk about, then you are no longer a Styx fan and you should leave the forum. Go bitch about it on DDY's facebook page, or whatever.

Saying ridiculous things like, "they aren't musicians anymore", or demeaning the rest of the band to the point where they barely contributed anything to Styx success, has no productive meaning on a fan forum like this.

Whether you wish to admit it or not, what swag they sells means NOTHING to normal people. It ONLY matters to those who are stalking the band and looking for things to complain about.

[masque]

do I feel this way? no, I love the band and their music......but as fans I think we have a hard time realizing that outside of us this band is not generally seen by joe q public they way we see them. they didn't have much of a legacy to tarnish to begin with and now 33 years after their heyday I really dont think there are more than a few thousand of us that really truly care about what any of them do.

I think the negativity or poking fun at them was more centered around music critics then anything else. If their base is a "few thousand", I can't see where merchandising is a profitable venture.

I dont really know for sure what their exact fan base is these days......but I think we could all agree that it is a fraction of what it once was. however, i think it is impossible to declare that they are "sell outs" and "all they care about is money" while also agreeing with me that it is likely not a very profitable venture.

but that's sort of the whole point.....it has such little impact to what they do or what they did I just dont see why it matters.

look, my fanboy status with this band borders on the creepy. I grew up listening to them because of my older brother, I dont remember a time in my life they weren't my favorite band....ive seen them live close to 30 times, seen DDY live several times, saw DY live multiple times, in fact saw them four nights in a row at one point. I own every album they have ever done or been a part of....I own all kinds of memorabilia.....my brother even contacted their former manager and purchased some of his own memorabilia directly from him for me. suffice to say, I'm all in with the boys.

the point is that as much as I love and keep up with the band, I have no idea what kind of crazy shit they sell these days, simply because I just dont care if they have styx coffee or styx jewelry or styx scarves or styx tampons. i have not bought any of it, nor do I plan to do so......but the fact that they do sell it does not affect me in any way. I understand they are trying to make money. I just choose to not buy the stuff but it doesnt turn me against them in anyway and I truly dont understand why it would matter to anyone else that they do try to make money. it's not like you have to buy any of it or that you have a monthly subscription to all things styx and they keep raising the prices on you or anything. it's just pointless to me.

[masque]

and the grand illusion behind any of this is believing that money isn't the deciding factor to what 99% of professional musicians choose to do with their careers. as much as we want to romanticize what they do, it truly is a business.

[Everett]

I don't see tophinator bitching about their new credit card design

https://www.card.com/styx?option=all&nw ... hdeviceid=

[yogi]

Now thats some FUNNY shi t!!!

[Boomchild]

I don't see tophinator bitching about their new credit card design

https://www.card.com/styx?option=all&nw ... hdeviceid=

Only "True Styx Fans" would have this card. Used exclusively to purchase all the "rockin' " merch from styxworld.com of course!!

[yogi]

Most merchants( if they knew who Styx was) would die laughing with that Kilroy card.

Imagine using that card at a chicken joint.

[yogi]

Just tried to purchase Whale Vomit( http://www.whalevomit.org) using my Pieces Of Eight Styx Visa.

Card wouldnt go through. Got an e-mail back stating that 'I would have better luck using wooden nickels'.

What ever the hell that meant.

[yogi]

If you order Styx merchandise ( Oh Mamma Key chain, Styx dog whistle,leash or collar, Styx brand coffee, Styx ping pong paddles, Styx lawn chairs and patio furniture,Dr. Rightious microwavable chicken dinners, Styx/TS polka music, etc...) and use your Styx credit card do you receive a discount???

'All I wannna do is rock' TS

[masque]

so what's your guys' take on things like this below?

iron maiden trooper beer

aerosmith coffee

kiss kondoms

def leppard bottle openers and coffee mugs

journey tote bags and beach balls



is any band that is selling anything other than tour shirts, programs, bandanas and hats sellouts? if so, where does that leave bands like the beatles and pink floyd, who's management sell just about anything you can imagine with their names or images on them. i'm just curious.

[yogi]

Did any of these bands boot a founding member 'because all they wanted to do was rock'. TS, while this founding member was sick? - Then they have not produced a new album in well over a decade while making a ton of money off the sick guy that they booted. Along the way while not making any new music they peddled coffee beans, pet items, jewelry, credit cards, solo polka music etc...

Artists create. These guys no longer create anything (musically). Then they make a very good portion of their $$$$ off the back of the guy that they booted because they said he no longer created the music that they liked and wanted to play. How on earth does this band have balls big enough to peddle a credit card with Roboto/Kilroy on it is beyond my comprehension. 'I honestly just couldnt think of any songs about robots'TS- He can sure think of em now about corn bread, vittles and plowing maws field. UNREAL

The members of Def Leppard did keep their drummer around and waited to record and tour while he recovered from a horrific car wreck where he lost a limb.

Produce a new album for your fans( every decade or so) and maybe some of us wont feel this way about credit cards, jewelry, coffee and dog bowls

[pinkfloyd1973]

so what's your guys' take on things like this below?

iron maiden trooper beer

aerosmith coffee

kiss kondoms

def leppard bottle openers and coffee mugs

journey tote bags and beach balls



is any band that is selling anything other than tour shirts, programs, bandanas and hats sellouts? if so, where does that leave bands like the beatles and pink floyd, who's management sell just about anything you can imagine with their names or images on them. i'm just curious.

Speaking of KISS, they pretty much put their name on anything these days...

[Boomchild]

Speaking of KISS, they pretty much put their name on anything these days... [/b][/color][/size][/i]

Speaking of condoms, when are the Styx condoms coming out??? Having some of those has to be a sure fire way to get laid! Just think of the marketing possibilities > "Get your Styx for your Stick!