Surface Noise | Bonus Trax: Merch Madness - Music’s Greatest Merch Machines

This round of BONUS TRAX starts with a bang as a couple of hot takes from the end of Surface Noise threaten to unravel the panel at the seams.

Then we build the Band/Artist Merch Mount Rushmore. From endless reissues, remasters and deluxe box sets to T-shirts, toys, collectibles, coffee, liquor, sneakers, action figures, cruises—and just about anything else you can slap a logo on—which artists have turned their music, image and intellectual property into full-blown merchandising machines?

But this isn’t just about who sells the most T-shirts. Which artists have been the smartest at extending their brand beyond the music? Who has created an instantly recognizable visual identity that can sell almost anything? Who keeps finding new ways to repackage the same catalog for another generation of fans—and convince longtime collectors to buy it all over again?

We’ll nominate, debate and ultimately rank the artists and bands that represent the gold standard of maximizing their brand and extracting every possible dollar from their fanbase. KISS? The Rolling Stones? The Beatles? Grateful Dead? Taylor Swift? Metallica? Elvis? Who deserves one of only four spots on the Merch Mount Rushmore—and who gets left off the mountain?

A spirited debate. A passionate fandom. Who wins...or loses? Only on BONUS TRAX! 

 

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For more on guest Norman Maslov (Mazzy):

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mazzysmusic

IG: @mazzys_music

 

For more on Kendall (Spin Doctor and His Vinyl Mayhem): 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@spindoctorandhisvinylmayhem

IG: @spindoctorsvinylmayhem

 

For more on host Concert Buddie:

https://www.youtube.com/@ConcertBuddie

https://concertbuddie.com

IG: @concertbuddie

 

For more on Arnaldo (fidelios_frequency): 

https://www.youtube.com/@fidelios_frequency

IG: @fidelios_frequency

 

For more on Jason Roxas:

https://www.youtube.com/@JasonRoxas

 

For more on Chris (Groove Seeker):

https://www.youtube.com/@Groove_Seeker

IG: @thegrooveseeker

 

For more information on Vinyl Community Podcasts:

https://vinylcommunitypodcasts.com

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Don't forget to visit FOTS (friends of the show) Vinyl Storage Solutions for the BEST sleeves to protect your best records (and your worst). Save 10% using the code(s) below: CONCERTBUDDIE

 

For more information on the Spinz Vinyl App for IOS and taking your collecting game to the next level, get your free download here: 

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/spinz-vinyl-record-scanner/id6758249212