Smart or Desperate?

Bands can't tour and making money is hard these days. Now Steel Panther has a new idea when it comes to earning cash: record custom versions of their famous songs for fans.

For $7,500 you can have your own custom Steel Panther tune with the exact lyrics you choose. I can't imagine dropping that kind of scratch on something like this, but for wealthy folks looking for cool gift ideas, I suppose this would work. What do you think?

Comments

[fletch]

This is cool! I just may do this! Party All Day...fletch style! I've always maintained that they wrote this song about me to begin with.

[Basileus]

Steel Panther gotta eat

[Kixchix]

Smart

[Him]

If someone is willing, the Panther is able! I suspect that someone might bite. Hell, if I had money to shoot out of a T-Shirt Cannon, I might do this! I would dedicate it to only my friends at BBG! I kid. I would dedicate it to _all_ the people at BBG! After all, we all suffer from "The Burden of Being Wonderful," right?

Nothing desperate about this, Allyson. You want desperate (or pathetic)? How about Ole Horsehair's candles and dog toys? I am even willing to suggest that the estate of Motorhead is acting a bit desperate with $38 dollar artisanal "Ace of Spades" candles. So I ask other posters: what ploys by other bands we love do you find desperate?

The other side of the coin:

When I bought Mitch Perry's new album he corresponded with me throughout the process (even asking me if I had forgotten to ask for a personalized note on the CD). I responded in kind and thanked him. When the CD arrived it not only had a signed copy of the CD, it also had a thank you note (I kid you not!) and two free guitar picks. That is a band/man doing right by his fans. I also recently bought two patches and the newest CD from the Indian band Kryptos (the title song "Afterburner" recalls classic trash from the SF days). I mentioned in the comments section on Bandcamp that having it signed would be cool. Nolan Lewis (I assume) responded that they couldn't do that as the albums were shipped from a different location/country. I responded, thanking him for even taking the time to let me know . . . and letting him/them know that I hoped the band would eventually tours here in the States. Final comment: the last two Tygers albums I bought were shipped signed and I received confirmation and thanks from the drummer.

I know, I know. Random acts of kindness by bands that need the money. But nothing desperate about being grateful for your fans. Circling back, I bet Panther would actually enjoy doing this stunt (and, of course, the money). Ole Horsehair and the Estate of Motorhead? Methinks they enjoy the money and don't give two poops about the fans.

. . . and I say this as I drink a fine Mustaine Vineyards 2016 She-Wolf Tempranillo Rosé from a Solo cup, while gently squirting Joe Perry's Rock Your World Mango Peach Tango Hot Sauce onto my chicken wings. My musical accompaniment? Whitesnake's greatest hits (you pick which version). I was going to drink some of 'Tallica's whiskey. But I am letting it age next to my Bose speaker as I play Slayer's _Haunting the Chapel_. You gotta' let good whiskey age, you know? And if you are going to drink a sell-out, you might as well age it next to a speaker that is nothing but noise.

[stu]

i’ve seen this done before, mostly with local, indie bands, and mostly you pay for the band to cover a song of your choosing. i think it’s cool if both parties are willing to pay/play it.
but to be able to “weird al” a steel panther tune that’s already pretty much a parody - that’s greatness.

[Bryon]

Good on them. It's a bit cheesy, but it's perfect for them.

[bkallday]

Clearly an act of desparation. They should retire and get real jobs like the rest of us, now. They blow anyway.

[fletch]

Him: Hmmm...

The Burden of Being Wonderful like fletch.

My fans will love it. I could recoup the $7500 expenditure in no time.

Now, what rhymes with fletch? Retch, wretch sketch, stretch, etch, fetch, keche...oh, the possibilities!

I kid, of course...I think. Cheers!

[Him]

Fletch, you might ask if they will do this on a sliding scale of sorts. Maybe just a chorus for a few dollars less? One guitar lick and a word for even less? I suspect these guys would love to joke around with their joke offer.

To retire . . . from a job that they have to get a job that they don't have and likely don't want? I am not sure I follow, bkallday. But you know me: damp timber, slow to light. And when you say "they blow anyway," do you mean to imply that they blow just for kicks? Something like an afterthought after a good show? I am kidding. I get it. As I have said before, they aren't for everyone (and even I thought their last album was lacking). Hope you are doing well, Sir.

[fletch]

Him: wow boy, you are really getting my creative juices flowing. How 'bout "fletch Likes Drugs (but they don't like me)"?

I can even fly out to LA to record live the cough intro after the vape hit, of course, it'd be a medicinal hit. Oh, but wait, I would be in california. I could record it for recreation only

[Him]

You do you, Fletch! In all honesty, I really think you should contact them. It would be a hoot to hear how they responded to a sliding scale' slice of Panther' pitch.

[fletch]

I always do me, Him. It's just that I always get regulated to the sidelines. Oh, but I try. Damn, do I try.

[fletch]

I always do me, Him. It's just that I always get regulated to the sidelines. Oh, but I try. Damn, do I try.