Band vs Brand

Dozens of artists, most from the world of heavy metal, offer their thoughts about bands as brands in Bob Nalbandian’s informative, if somewhat dispiriting documentary. There’s a degree to which major acts have always been brands as they lose key members but retain the name. For Dave Lombardo (Slayer), that model idea makes him uncomfortable as fans get taken in by outfits that have little relation to their original incarnation. As David Ellefson (Megadeth) puts it, "It’s so much better to see the original guys playing it." In some cases, however, fans want to see tribute bands in order to experience something they would have missed out on otherwise. With record company profits in decline, more artists are following the brand model by generating income though merchandising, licensing arrangements, and VIP packages. This has always been the case for the rock band KISS, who licensed their logo and images for innumerable products. As Marc Ferrari (Keel) notes, the profit margin is also higher on T-shirts than record sales (a significant issue for him personally, since the motor company Ferrari once objected to the use of his name on a shirt). Jean Beavoir (Plasmatics, Little Steven) says that it can be a rude wake-up call for musicians to realize that "the brand is more powerful than I am." Other speakers include publicists, managers, and label owners. Band vs Brand is a scrappy-looking documentary (with functional camera work and crude graphics) that would have benefited from examining more genres than metal, but it provides food for thought for musicians, fans, and others interested in the music business. A strong optional purchase. Aud: P. (K. Fennessy)