Brand Identification

[AFK]

I dunno, I think when it comes to something like band t-shirts, there is more than just consumerism to consider, you also have to consider ideas of culture. 

Sam Dunn did a documentary on Metal and Metal culture, and in it, he points out the importance of the metal t-shirts as part of the way members of the culture identify themselves.  They go to the festivals and concerts and one of the important rituals is deciding which band shirt they are going to wear, not necessarily to sell the band, but I think it is more about "selling" the individual to the rest of the community.  "Hey, I'm a Children of Bodom fan!"  Or maybe selling is the wrong word.  I think you know what I'm saying. 

[P3nT4gR4m]

Totally - that's the "herd" thing I was talking about.

[Nephew Twiddleton]

I dunno, I think when it comes to something like band t-shirts, there is more than just consumerism to consider, you also have to consider ideas of culture. 

Sam Dunn did a documentary on Metal and Metal culture, and in it, he points out the importance of the metal t-shirts as part of the way members of the culture identify themselves.  They go to the festivals and concerts and one of the important rituals is deciding which band shirt they are going to wear, not necessarily to sell the band, but I think it is more about "selling" the individual to the rest of the community.  "Hey, I'm a Children of Bodom fan!"  Or maybe selling is the wrong word.  I think you know what I'm saying. 

Yeah, it's more than just advertizing for the band. I wear band shirts all the time (usually one of my way too many Maiden tee-shirts). I just feel comfortable wearing them, and it always catches my attention when I see someone wearing the shirt of a band I like. It's always pretty cool to walk by someone on the street and you give each other the horns and just go about your day. I even get approached by not obvious metalheads.

Aside from that bands generally make more money from merch than album sales. Near as I can tell, the record company snags a big chunk of album sales but the merch is mostly profit for the band. If the band comes out with a mediocre album but goes on tour, I'm buying the shirt because if I'm at the concert I obviously like the band and want to support them.

[AFK]

Oh sure, it certainly is a consumerist, money-making set up.  But, I think in this case, it goes a little deeper into culture than just wanting to look like one of the cool kids.  I think there is wanting to be in a group for superficial reasons and then there is wanting to be in a group for the legitimate comradery.  I want to have the Nike shoes so I can look like a hip guy vs. I want to find some Slayer fans to hang with at the concert so I'll wear my Slayer shirt. 

[Requia ☣]

Even if it is brand identification, there would seem to be a difference between wearing advertising for a band, part of actual culture, and wearing something that advertises a shoe.

[Adios]

Even if it is brand identification, there would seem to be a difference between wearing advertising for a band, part of actual culture, and wearing something that advertises a shoe.

Every year we buy shirts at the Country Stampede. I like the Stampede and most of the bands. I don't identify myself as a follower but I do think supporting them is important if I want to keep hearing them.

[Nephew Twiddleton]

Oh sure, it certainly is a consumerist, money-making set up.  But, I think in this case, it goes a little deeper into culture than just wanting to look like one of the cool kids.  I think there is wanting to be in a group for superficial reasons and then there is wanting to be in a group for the legitimate comradery.  I want to have the Nike shoes so I can look like a hip guy vs. I want to find some Slayer fans to hang with at the concert so I'll wear my Slayer shirt. 

Precisely- You run into some pretty cool people that way, and if you get sucked into a moshpit you don't want to be in, he'll help you out. I got smoked up at a Type O Negative concert once because of a t-shirt.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

I buy band shirts to support musicians. I also buy CDs at shows because usually, when you buy the CD directly from the band, they keep the whole profit.

I'll pirate the shit out of music but if I get a chance to buy a CD directly from a band I like, I always will, even if I have a friend who could burn it for me, and even if I already have a ripped copy.

[LMNO]

I'll pirate the shit out of music but if I get a chance to buy a CD directly from a band I like, I always will, even if I have a friend who could burn it for me, and even if I already have a ripped copy.

Thank you for that.  It's very noble.

[Cramulus]

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

I'll pirate the shit out of music but if I get a chance to buy a CD directly from a band I like, I always will, even if I have a friend who could burn it for me, and even if I already have a ripped copy.

Thank you for that.  It's very noble.

Dunno if it's "noble" as much as, I want those guys to keep making music, and in order to do that they have to be able to eat. Same reason I will tell six hundred people about a favorite band if they're playing in town. Please come see this musician I love so he keeps playing here! Etc.

[LMNO]

Speaking as a musician, I hereby declare it to be noble.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

So what does it say about me that the branded T-shirt I wear most is my own?

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

Speaking as a musician, I hereby declare it to be noble.

Awww thanks!

[Dimocritus]

However, being uncontrollably aroused for six hours has a downside.

Try it 24/7 and get back to me