MMJ in upcoming Coors Commercial

[wordawg]

I must be missing the point.
Its music.  Its beer.  Its money for the band.
The band aren't advising people to drink till they drop (some manage that anyway  ;)) or that it will turn them into something else (some manage that anyway aswell).
Why are we being so precious?  Would it be ok if it was an advert for saving trees?

Good luck to them.

What's next - we tell them which songs to write?

[wordawg]

it is EXPOSURE, and that my friends is the key.   8)

Not on about bottoms again JC?
This is becoming a fixation with you I fear, unless there is something that you feel we should know?

[randorph]

I must be missing the point.
Its music.  Its beer.  Its money for the band.
The band aren't advising people to drink till they drop (some manage that anyway  ;)) or that it will turn them into something else (some manage that anyway aswell).
Why are we being so precious?  Would it be ok if it was an advert for saving trees?

Good luck to them.

What's next - we tell them which songs to write?

Um, sure, it's money for the band, but the point of advertising is, it's money for Coors first and foremost; you think they're using MMJ out of the desire to promote new music?  Puh-leez.  The kind of cultural activity they support runs at direct cross-current to the kind of group that sings songs with lyrics like "oh shit run" or "your ass it draws me in", and that's the most glaring, basic contradiction.

It's not about being "precious," it's about being not as convinced as you and a lot of other people on this board that everything may as well be for sale, because why not?  Obviously, we're not talking about a tree-saving ad, because there's no money to make there, for anyone, and so no ad.  We're talking about a band, who makes music, getting into the beverage industry in their own way--apples and oranges--for a little cash and exposure.

Which, of course, has nothing to do with the music they write--or I wouldn't be so surprised by the move.  Apparently you can't distinguish between what one thinks about a band's political/economic behavior and what one thinks about its music, so perhaps you should give some thought to that difference before blessing us with your next post.

[peanut butter puddin surprise]

Hold it.

First off, no badgering other posters like that about their replies...his opinion on this is just as valid as yours; to wit, everyone here has an equal amount of validity to their postings.

Secondly, I'll just say that we as fans should be so happy for the guys.  They just hit the music business lottery, and who the hell are we to question that?  Should they tour nonstop like animals for the rest of their days to avoid being labelled sell-outs?  I think not.

Thirdly, I don't think anyone here can speak for the band on what their motivations/"political/economic behaviors" are, quite frankly. I don't mean to be contrary, but I think we as fans should be happy and stop questioning their "motives" or whatever folks think is going on.  It is an opportunity for the band to not have to slave away for the rest of their days on some endless tour of the world, ala Grateful Dead or Rolling Stones or whomever else out there tours until they're 70 years old.  Record sales alone aren't enough, I would argue, and though touring is lucrative (in my somewhat educated speculation), it has to get freakin' old making circles around the continent to make ends meet.

If the objection is to Coors in particular, I would say step away from the computer and just imagine for a second where RCA, ATO, et al get THEIR money from, or from where your computer was manufactured, or what horrible atrocity was committed in Iraq to get me the fuel to drive to work today...I don't have the answers, but I sure do think we should celebrate this and not question things so much.  We can't live their lives...we can be FANS and friends and ask, argue, cajole, debate these points until Kingdom Come...but they're gonna do what they're gonna do.

[pingybrown]

 It is an opportunity for the band to not have to slave away for the rest of their days on some endless tour of the world, ala Grateful Dead or Rolling Stones or whomever else out there tours until they're 70 years old.

All good points John...but to the quote in question: The Dead didn't "slave" away by being on tour. They love(d) being on the road and playing live. That's what the Dead experience is all about--their live shows. Now the Stones, they'll probably be playing to sold out crowds with IVs in their arms. The Dead are in a different category. They built up a fan base by touring and playing live. Nothing wrong with that.

[Garth69]

I agree that the Dead are in a class by themselves, even though the current version is pretty much a joke. And the Stones don't have to work again, they're just money-grubbing bastards. It's pretty laughable, JC, to think that they're out their touring to make ends meet. They're just like Sting or James Taylor or Aerosmith or anybody else that's loaded and greedy.
This is no 'lottery' or 'jackpot'. It's pretty serious stuff. Again, I'll never call these guys sell-outs because if the opportunity is there to make some money, I'd probably do the same thing. At the same time, I can't really say I'm happy for them, other than being able to live a little more comfortably. Like I said before, they've got tons of fans worldwide: how much bigger do they need to be? But again, as long as they're calling their own shots, good luck to 'em. It just seems to me that they're in a great position as it is, without considering beer commercials.
It's just the 'slippery slope' principle...what's next? Jim dating a cast member of 'The O.C.' or something? Maybe a guest appearance on the VH1 fashion awards? A package tour with Kid Rock and Uncle Kracker? Who knows...

[marktwain]

they've got tons of fans worldwide: how much bigger do they need to be?

I would think it would be nice to be able to take a break from touring every now and then.  To be able to spend a little time around the people they love.  

Sure Coors is using MMJ, but MMJ is using Coors: for exposure, and to make a little money.  As far as corporate politics are concerned, too bad "Organic Breweries United to End Poverty and Suffering Worldwide" doesn't need a rock song for their commercials.

[bigger_rooty]

I can't believe that this argument has gone on this long.  Who cares if MMJ are in a commercial.  You know who else was?  The Walkmen.  Two years ago.  And, outside of a really really tight circle, does anyone know who they are?  Modest Mouse was in a beer commercial four years ago and are just now kinda/sorta almost getting to where you could recognize their name.  MMJ just needs some money, they probably like to drink Coors (or at least beer in general), and RCA/ATCO probably set this up.  I'm sure that they don't give a fuck about the rest.  Shit, I wouldn't.  It's not like they've sold out and are writing two-minute pop songs.  It's hard to make your living off of music.  MMJ is not that big, and you can only make so much off of doing their-scale tours.  I would be embarassed to begrudge them trying to get by by doing this.

[wordawg]

Apparently you can't distinguish between what one thinks about a band's political/economic behavior and what one thinks about its music, so perhaps you should give some thought to that difference before blessing us with your next post.

That's because I'm really thick and incapable of rational thought - so thanks very much for the enlightenment from your wealth of knowledge and experience.

Bless you.

There, you are blessed.

[wordawg]

I would think it would be nice to be able to take a break from touring every now and then.  To be able to spend a little time around the people they love.  

Sure Coors is using MMJ, but MMJ is using Coors: for exposure, and to make a little money.  As far as corporate politics are concerned, too bad "Organic Breweries United to End Poverty and Suffering Worldwide" doesn't need a rock song for their commercials.

Nicely put M..............but what do I know?

[wordawg]

Hoegaarden-commercial! (That's Belgian beer  :))

O
Is that the white lager we see over here?

[peanut butter puddin surprise]

All good points John...but to the quote in question: The Dead didn't "slave" away by being on tour. They love(d) being on the road and playing live. That's what the Dead experience is all about--their live shows. Now the Stones, they'll probably be playing to sold out crowds with IVs in their arms. The Dead are in a different category. They built up a fan base by touring and playing live. Nothing wrong with that.

Sure, they may have loved it in 1972 but surely didn't love it in 1993 before Jerry died, as the shows were totally uninspired and just seemed like they didn't give a shit.  

No, nothing wrong with building a fan base that way, but let's also remember that American Beautyand Workingman's Dead were both commerically successful in their day, allowing the Dead creative license to do whatever they wanted to...they chose incessant touring, and look at the body count in the wake of that choice.

And, to wit, I don't see Jim in the OC or anything cheesy like that...this ISN'T a slippery slope, it's just success.  Embrace it!

[randorph]

Well, at least this is finally being discussed, as opposed to a bunch of people sitting around going "yeah, that's fine, I support 'em."  Not that I'd expect anything less from the majority...

Fair enough, my last comment to greggy was outta line, but then, it was equally lame to make some link between my reaction to their doing an ad, and my trying to "write their songs for them."  Points made, points taken.

We'll never, ever, ever agree on this, that I'm sure of.  It's not about "selling out," it's about not standing for anything, least of all the rock ethic, which is that you make music and play shows, not sell beer, and you make your own choices, rather than reinforcing those already peddled by the suits.  Is it that hard being in an up-and-coming successful band?  Possibly.  But not as hard as being in a band that never gets a contract, or one that can't get a gig.

Why should they "make it big," or more accurately, bigger?  Why has it become the American way to try to make it big all the time, like life was some kind of lottery?  It's not like they're slaving away in a coal mine, or even a WalMart.  Or even constantly on the road.  Last I checked, the guys finished up in Europe in November, then went home until January.  That's a pretty solid vacation, and it's on again, after a short tour.  Even Jim's solo tour was short.  I'm not calling them lazy, far from it, but I don't see that they've had to work as hard since It Still Moves came out as they did before.  As far as I'm concerned, they have hit the big time.  You listen to those shows back in 2002, there's 50-100 people clapping in the audience.  Now they sell out in a lot of places.

Just seems to me, people ought to have enough principle to say, hell yeah, we're doing really well, and we don't want to just keep doing "better" (i.e. get exposure through commercials for crap beer from a crap company) at the expense of looking like we stand for nothing (i.e. it doesn't bother us one way or the other), other than trying to do better still.  People often don't, of course; look at what most of you think of it:  Hey!  Free money!  Free exposure!  Where's the problem?  

I don't hold it against you.  I guess I just expected more of this band is all.  Who knows, maybe I've got it all wrong; maybe the guys think Coors is a fine and upstanding cause.  I already said (twice) that I have no idea what their actual leanings are, political, economic, philosophical or otherwise.  Doesn't keep me from being really, really disappointed in them.

[SMc55]

Don't really know what to think about the commercial  ???  Of course they should be free to do whatever they like, but I think I know what Randorph feels about being disappointed. This band means so much to us all it's only natural to have a reaction when they do something we feel strongly about. I'm not convinced one ad will make them "mainstream". It could turn out to be a one off, a bit of fun, maybe.

From what I've read on the forum, I think a lot of people share my rather strange feeling of wanting the guys to succeed, but still wanting to keep them "our secret".  Perverse creatures, aren't we?   :-/

[MMJ_fanatic]

I say anything that puts money in these deserving guys' pockets is ok with me--the more successes they reap the greater their longevity!  Hoo rah!

[swampscrapper]

Just saw the ad.  It really caught me off-guard as i didnt kknow about it.  here i am watching the NCAA championships and i hear the Mageetah riff with a low-carb pint being poured in the background.

The timing seems really odd to me.  I mean that was the type of spot a band going nowhere or a publishing company capitalizing on a defunct/dead artist would use to make a little pocket cash.  With the amount of critical praise and widespread acclaim i dont think these guys will have to worry about money in the very near future.  concentrate on being a visionary band creating the best rock music on the planet.  The dough is just around the corner if you do, but there is still a chance to lose that critical support by doing Coors ads that will have a long term effect.  

[tinyorangepig]

i just saw it, while it was odd, i found it tastefully done.

just the riff, and then the part where it goes down to one geetar right before it is about to take off.  (that is my best description, sorry, i am no geetar expert)

pretty cool.

the flaming lips "kim's watermelon gun" was used by miller lite several years ago (mid 90's) and I think they are doing okay.  lots of critical acclaim, big european and US tours, and grammy nominations.

it will be okay

[bigger_rooty]

Does anyone have a link to watch the ad online?  I really don't wanna have to wait till Saturday's bball games (I don't plan on watching tomorrow).

[Garth69]

Wow, it's already airing? That was fast. I hope I catch it this weekend. Interesting. Too bad Kentucky got knocked out of the tournament already, goddammit.

[DD]

[quote author=randorph

We'll never, ever, ever agree on this, that I'm sure of.  It's not about "selling out," it's about not standing for anything, least of all the rock ethic, which is that you make music and play shows, not sell beer, and you make your own choices, rather than reinforcing those already peddled by the suits.  Is it that hard being in an up-and-coming successful band?  Possibly.  But not as hard as being in a band that never gets a contract, or one that can't get a gig.

Why should they "make it big," or more accurately, bigger?  Why has it become the American way to try to make it big all the time, like life was some kind of lottery?  It's not like they're slaving away in a coal mine, or even a WalMart.  Or even constantly on the road.  Last I checked, the guys finished up in Europe in November, then went home until January.  That's a pretty solid vacation, and it's on again, after a short tour.  Even Jim's solo tour was short.  I'm not calling them lazy, far from it, but I don't see that they've had to work as hard since It Still Moves came out as they did before.  As far as I'm concerned, they have hit the big time.  You listen to those shows back in 2002, there's 50-100 people clapping in the audience.  Now they sell out in a lot of places.

[/quote]


you really dont know much about the music business do you.  these guys have a contract.  they record company makes MOST of the money.  do you realize they probbalby havent seen a penny from the sales of it still moves....and maybe never will.  musicians havent "made it" just because they are on a label.  they didnt get a million dollars for free for signing a contract.  they dont get a free ride across the country and they are FAR from being rich.  IF they get salaries, which a lot of musicians do on these types of contracts, they probbably make a LOT less than you do.  yeah, they make $$ of the merchandise and stuff, but a HUGE percentage of that goes right BACK into the tour, gas, mor merchandise, food, hotels, coors light, etc.

oh and their "vacation" that made their lives so fucking easy....they had been on the road ALMOST NONSTOP for practically 5 years.  people like to think being in a band is easy.  the like to think you really FEEL like getting up in front of a bunch of drunk motherfuckers screaming "freeeeeebird" every night.  but thats just not the reality.  do you realize just HOW MANY musicians have to file for bankruptcy when they get dropped from their labels?


yeah, its seems glamerous from the outside.  sex and drugs and rock and roll, all my brain and body need and shit.  but thats just NOT the reality.  it becomes a fucking job just like any other fucking job you ever had eventually.  

also randorf, its easy to say you wouldnt take the $$ given the chance, when youve probbably never BEEN given the chance or i bet youd be a lot richer.

of COURSE though, you ARE entitled to your opinion.