STEWART COPELAND

So I'm waiting in line at Starbucks very early this morning (caveat: I do NOT usually go to Starbucks, I always try to frequent small independently owned coffee shops but I was out of town & desperate for caffeine. I will effortlessly give up alcohol during my pregnancy but not my java). Anyway, while standing in line & aimlessly scanning the racks of junk that Starbucks try to sell.....I see the new Paul McCartney CD (which doesn't surprise me b/c he sold out years ago), but then - WAIT - what?? the new Police greatest hits CD?? good lord. And there is a whole formally planned display. Egads.

I am speechless. And a bit sad. Its all so, tawdry and uncool. Starbucks sells mixed music cd collections to middleaged lowbrows who don't have enough taste to select their own music, right? Don't get me wrong, I'm all for capitalism, blah blah blah, the guys have the right to choose any venue to hawk their wares, etc., etc. But wow. I guess they are shooting for the soccer mom demographic now. And that really bums me out. Particularly b/c I realize that I am now part of that middleaged demographic, and that is too horrid to contemplate. (is it me, or does this whole starbucks thing shock/horrify anyone else?)

Ok, just had to rant. Back to business as usual....

[quote="mairinpgh"]Starbucks sells mixed music cd collections to middleaged lowbrows who don't have enough taste to select their own music, right? Don't get me wrong, I'm all for capitalism, blah blah blah, the guys have the right to choose any venue to hawk their wares, etc., etc. But wow. I guess they are shooting for the soccer mom demographic now. And that really bums me out. Particularly b/c I realize that I am now part of that middleaged demographic, and that is too horrid to contemplate. (is it me, or does this whole starbucks thing shock/horrify anyone else?)
[/quote]

Sounds like the perfect target group for an 80s band!

But you know the coffee isn't very nice there....

I'd like a an extra hot double shot decaff with a hint of cinamon and........oh fuck it. Yes, Starbucks is a repulsive corporate cow pedaling just about every little thing they can including the likes of suffed animals, $3,000 latte machines, organic milk and the latest flavour of the week CD.

As the owner/operator of a tiny, independent coffee shop thanks to those who frequent the local independent establishments.

That being said...in this day and age I imagine Starbucks is a better "record company" than the existing folks in the record industry who have had so much trouble coming up with a new business model in the digital age. You see it everywhere: groups you never thought would let their songs be in commercials or in Hollywood movies or TV shows. Wilco and the VW ads? The The, Modern English, The Smiths all let songs be used for commercials. It's the new way to get exposure. All the bands that get the iPod spots. Iggy Pop and the cruise line! I read an interview with John Mellencamp and they asked him about the Chevy commercials and he said, "Chevrolet was a better record company for me than Columbia ever was." It bothers me at first but then who am I to tell these guys they can't get a little something for their efforts. I'm guessing Iggy didn't make a dime when Lust For Life came out so what the hell...

As someone who works in the music business, I'll tell you that if the labels didn't have their heads up their ass for a decade while trying to negate the obvious changes happening in the world of music distribution (a.k.a., their industry), artists wouldn't HAVE to sell music through Bucky's.

As an artist, it's either sell through alternate distribution channels or die a slow death while all of your music is distributed via peer-to-peer systems. Almost all traditional "record stores" are gone.

Lastly, keep in mind that the deicison to distribute through Starbucks might not lie completely in the hands of the Police. Who holds the rights to their music? Could it be that this deal was more on the side of A&M Records than the boys? You never really know.

[quote="jeffdaweasel"]
Lastly, keep in mind that the deicison to distribute through Starbucks might not lie completely in the hands of the Police. Who holds the rights to their music? Could it be that this deal was more on the side of A&M Records than the boys? You never really know.[/quote]

Or they just don't give a fuck!
I mean it is just a place who sells coffee not the "Weapons of Mass Distruction Superstore"
I think Osama Bin Laden is a Phil Collins fan!

[quote="phaty"]>>>I mean it is just a place who sells coffee not the "Weapons of Mass Distruction Superstore"<<<[/quote]

Hi, can I get a grande carmel macchiato and a medium sized decaf nuclear warhead with soy?

"I am sorry Sir but Iran out of nuclear warheads this morning ... "

M-O-N-E-Y

it's like van halen said.... "everybody want's some!"

corporate whores.

phil collins....now, there's a guy whose records belong at starbucks.

[quote="policerule"]M-O-N-E-Y
it's like van halen said.... "everybody want's some!"
corporate whores.
phil collins....now, there's a guy whose records belong at starbucks.[/quote]

phil collins...he could work at Starbucks serving up java and organic biscotti.
Man, he sure is taking a bruising today on the forum
Su su super size me (whoops, wrong place)

Blimey!

Have to agree with Jeff - sounds like the licensing department at Universal / A&M have had a field day....

So, I walk 3 walks away, past 3 Starbucks and a coffee bean most mornings to go to Infuzion just past the Promenade (for all those Santa Monica stalkers out there).

But all the guys in my office go to Starbucks and sometimes, in a hurry I go along. I must admit- I am a mom, and I bought it there! UGH!

I wasn't going to buy it. I figure I have the Message in a Box set, and unless there is something new there, I'd rather save my pennies for an SC soundtrack.

But the guy in the office next to mine got it (and he's an 80s big hair band boy) and Stewart just kept STARING at me. I just can't take it when he STARES at me like that. Something in the knees weakens and I just put it down on the counter and said
"large nonfat latte and the worlds greatest drummer please"

weak moments.

[quote="mtobinjones"]>>>So, I walk 3 walks away, past 3 Starbucks and a coffee bean most mornings to go to Infuzion just past the Promenade (for all those Santa Monica stalkers out there).<<<[/quote]

I know that place. I used to work near 26th and Olympic, and would head down that direction most days for lunch.

[quote="mtobinjones"]>>>...and Stewart just kept STARING at me. I just can't take it when he STARES at me like that. <<<[/quote]

He only stares that way at you.

oh, to add to my last comment...

how many "greatest hits" albums are there from the police now???

i mean, at this point who cares that it's at starbucks... it's been done and done and done. if you don't have the songs on that disc yet, you don't deserve to buy it anyway!

it's the record companies and a promo for the tour and for the losers who forgot about the police until now.

money machine.

and yes, phil collins in taking a catholic school beating today on this site!