The Future of Marketing Tested by 30 Seconds to Mars 1:11am, November 12, 2009
Sure Nine Inch Nails paved the way, but now other musicians are finding more and more unique ways of getting their fans involved. Fan or not of Jared Leto's band 30 Seconds to Mars, it's still exciting to see how they've turned the world of marketing on its head.
Earlier this year the band carried what they called "The Summit", which was a top secret get together for fans of the band. What would happen? Who knew. Being a fan of 30 Seconds, my wife, Zak and I trekked down to the Avalon theater in Hollywood to see what all the fuss was about.
Turns out, they wanted to record the audience to include on their next album, now titled "This is War". Anyone who has listened to the single "Kings & Queens" can here an example at the end of the song as the audience sings out the tune. What a cool idea to have their fans actually be ON the album, right?
A couple weeks ago Leto sent out tweets and MySpace messages telling fans to show up at various Los Angeles locations with their bike. Why? So they could be IN the first music video! Seriously, how many of you would have died for this opportunity years ago with any one of your favorite bands?
They took it even further as they've documented the experience and have made a book available entitled "This is War Photo Book". "The new 30 Seconds To Mars The Making of THIS IS WAR Photo Book contains full color photos of the band as they work on their new album." It's sure to include photos from the various sessions involving their fans.
Again, if you're not a fan of 30 Seconds to Mars, whatever, I just found this all to be very cool. How do you get someone to actually BUY the album? Get them on there! How do you account for people who won't buy it? Make a freakin' book that they're in. Sure these are baby steps, but can you imagine what cool adventures await us in the future? I cannot wait to see where it takes us.
'Kick Ass' Non-Horror Story 12:00am, November 11, 2009
April can't come soon enough....
"'Kick-Ass' tells the story of average teenager Dave Lizewski (Aaron Johnson), a comic-book fanboy who decides to take his obsession as inspiration to become a real-life superhero. As any good superhero would, he chooses a new name -- Kick-Ass -- assembles a suit and mask to wear, and gets to work fighting crime. There’s only one problem standing in his way: Kick-Ass has absolutely no superpowers. His life is forever changed as he inspires a subculture of copy cats, is hunted by assorted violent and unpleasant characters, and meets up with a pair of crazed vigilantes, including an 11-year-old sword-wielding dynamo, Hit Girl (Chloë Moretz) and her father, Big Daddy (Nicolas Cage)."
""Powershifter", a brand new song from the new band calling itself FEAR FACTORY — featuring original FF members Dino Cazares (guitar) and Burton C. Bell (vocals) alongside bassist Byron Stroud (who played on the last two FEAR FACTORY albums in addition to touring and recording with STRAPPING YOUNG LAD and ZIMMERS HOLE) and legendary drummer Gene Hoglan (DETHKLOK, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, DARK ANGEL, DEATH, TESTAMENT) — can be streamed below.
FEAR FACTORY will release its new studio album, "Mechanize", on February 9, 2010 via Candlelight Records. The CD, which was co-produced by the band with Rhys Fulber (FRONT LINE ASSEMBLY, PARADISE LOST), was recently mixed by Greg Reely (PARADISE LOST, FRONT LINE ASSEMBLY, SKINNY PUPPY). Other songtitles set to appear on the album include "Industrial Discipline" and "Fear Campaign"."
This is just plain creepy... 4:50pm, October 28, 2009
From Twitarded come "Pattinson Panties", so you can get Edward Cullen even closer to your own personal werewolf.
"You undoubtedly have heard of the Pattinson Pants, well... I give you straight from my devious little mind your very own Robward panties. Complete with extra lining in the special places for those times when the fan fiction gets steamy and the lady bits start to react. Oh and I also added the images of Robward's lips on the liner to help with those fantasies of having his mouth up against you... Enjoy! writes the creator of this soft cotton delight.
It gets creepier, much, much creepier. Click the image below and you'll see why.
