Libraryman
Apr 16th, 2003

First a music post: I

First a music post:
I just saw a Subaru ad featuring Lance Armstrong. More importantly in my world is that the ad features a song by The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion. It may not be that exciting to any of you folks, but JSBX used to be the absolute shiznit back in the day. I?ve seen them live eight times and met John twice. Check out this picture as proof. They did a very abstract Miller Light/bowling ad a few years ago too. I now hope Jon, his wife Christina (from Boss Hogg), and their son Gomez are now set for life and are rolling in cash flow. Jon used to be in a rather seminal punkish band called Pussy Galore years and years ago. He also studied semiotics in college. Many will think that is corny, but I think it?s one of the coolest things to study. Sorry for the fan geek rant.

One last thing, buy their album ?Orange? and you will rock out mightily.

Now a library post:
I wonder if Mary Carmen Chimato from The Indie Rock Librarian would approve of the above post?

11 Responses to “First a music post: I”

  1. # Mary Carmenon 17 Apr 2003 at 4:53 am

    I approve!!!!! I love JSBX! Back in the day, I went to see Pussy Galore at CBGB’s and they actually gave us ticket stubs! When I asked why, the guy said that he thought that everyone should have a ticket stub in their collection that said, “Pussy Galore” on it.

    I am becoming increasingly frightened by the amount of ads I am seeing that are using music from people I never thought in a million years would “sell out.” But I guess everyone needs to make money some how. I am still recovering from the Magnetic Fields “Desert Island” Dewars ad.

  2. # MPon 17 Apr 2003 at 11:27 am

    I agree Mary Carmen, though I must say that every time I listened that “Reno Dakota” song I always thought of Dewars. Oh wait, that was Boone’s Farm. Mmmmm…Ripple… My bad.

  3. # Michael Porteron 18 Apr 2003 at 3:40 am

    I seriously debated sending this post to Gerard Cosloy-the JSBX label co-president and old school NYC rock icon. But alas, Gerard signed JSBX while I just made a fan boy/libraryman rant. Maybe they would sent me a sticker or something autographed. Or a turd.
    gcosloy@nospam_earthlink.net

  4. # krison 18 Apr 2003 at 5:54 am

    I saw that Magnetic Fields commercial. But what about Aphex Twin doing anti-drug commercials? And Mary Lou Lord selling cars (or something like that). Ick.

  5. # dr. chameleonon 18 Apr 2003 at 10:20 am

    I heard a Papa M song in a TV ad for medical technology or something ridiculous like that, and of course there was the shock of hearing Low’s version of “Little Drummer Boy” in a Gap commercial.

    In Magnet magazine a few months ago, Tom Waits attacked the recontextualization of music in advertising. I turn into a big New-Agey bastard when it comes to these things [insert long-winded tirade about capitalism, art, history, and emotion here].

  6. # Simon Chamberlainon 18 Apr 2003 at 6:18 pm

    I thought it was weird enough hearing the Stooges’ ‘Search and Destroy’ on a Nike ad - I’m glad I live somewhere (New Zealand) where no-one’s heard of the Magnetic Fields, so they don’t get used in advertising (I hope Stephen Merritt’s making loads of money off it, but I’m glad I don’t have to listen to it :-) )

    OTOH, reading what Dr Chameleon said, I have to agree - Groove Armada’s ‘At the River’ is being ruined for me by being thrashed on a telecommunications ad here…

  7. # Aaronon 18 Apr 2003 at 11:14 pm

    I can’t even begin to convey the satisfaction I feel from the knowledge that, with the notable exception of the Stooges, I’ve never heard of any of the bands you’re all discussing, nor want to.

    Long live AC/DC!! That’s real rock and roll.

  8. # Krison 19 Apr 2003 at 7:38 am

    That’s the point Aaron. Most of these bands are still paving their own paths. But we’re all afraid of catching that well-document illness called “selling-outoritis,” the most accute sympton of which is the inability to listen a band without great scorn or disdain once it has hit the big time. We just want to keep loving our bands. That’s all.

  9. # Aaronon 19 Apr 2003 at 8:36 am

    I was just kidding, Kris. My previous comments would perhaps be better explained by an admission on my part that I wrote the comment last night at 2am while extremely inebriated.

  10. # Michael Porteron 19 Apr 2003 at 1:05 pm

    Go Aaron! Now you can understand the freaky, ranty post I left on your blog the other night.
    So I’m wondering, does every post about music get this many comment or what? Some of the comments for this post are great/b>, even if I don’t agree necessarily that selling your song to a commercial is a bad thing. Maybe little Gomez Spencer just got his college scholarship from freakin’ Subaru. I say more power to the Spencers. They have earned it.

  11. # Simon Chamberlainon 24 Apr 2003 at 8:13 pm

    Michael - I’m generally glad that artists I like are getting acknowledgment (and loads of cash) from selling songs for commercials. I just don’t want to see the commercial myself, know what I mean?