What all is the subscription actually going to include. Right now, at this point, it doesn't seem like you get anything for your 30 dollars. Also, will the subscription be an annual thing or a one time deal. I hope there are plans for premium/vip ticket presales, discounts, exclusive content, member and band meet & greets... I know this is not a new concept, I have seen many bands take this direction, but I have never really been big enough of a fan to spend the money for subscribe, so I don't know exactly what to expect. I just hope it doesn't turn out like Everclear's. I remember there were many fans that got screwed on that deal. (mostly caused by the ending of a record contract, and an outside fan club management company) It seems benefits haven't actually hit the site yet. Any insight?

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That's how you become great, man, hang your balls out there.

As much as I have enjoyed the Baldys previous writeups,I think its a retarded idea, done by people who got no idea what the internet is. I will be following Baldys work on blogs, forums and youtube, no way im gonna pay for it, greedy idiots.

What "the powers that be" seems to dont understand is that Baldys section is excellent promotion which gives AIC more exposure meaning greater ticket and merchandise sales. Even from a business standpoint, the idea to make Baldys section subscription only is bad, I doubt more than about a 100 people will pay the 30 dollars. You dont have to sell alot of extra tickets/merchandise to make that kind of money.

 

We better get something decent in return otherwise this is just pure fucking greed.

 Explanation please.

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-How the mind does shout for rest
When the bodies shaken, yeah
Oh the tightness in my chest
Still your leaves I'm raking-

Also, this works with some kind of code or...?

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-How the mind does shout for rest
When the bodies shaken, yeah
Oh the tightness in my chest
Still your leaves I'm raking-

Eww, fucking Everclear has a subscription service for fans to read their shit?

Anyway, this is an absolutely HORRIBLE fucking idea to have the Baldy's material for 30 dollars.  If so, like the original poster said, there'd BETTER be first dibs at tickets, discounted tickets, or something.  30 bucks...my Man in the Box t-shirt isn't even worth 30 bucks! 

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Avatar pic is a bunny with pancakes on its head. The text says:
"Bunny with pancakes on head" says: REUNITE SOUNDGARDEN!

Coover:

Eww, fucking Everclear has a subscription service for fans to read their shit?

Anyway, this is an absolutely HORRIBLE fucking idea to have the Baldy's material for 30 dollars.  If so, like the original poster said, there'd BETTER be first dibs at tickets, discounted tickets, or something.  30 bucks...my Man in the Box t-shirt isn't even worth 30 bucks! 

Everclear had one that their label put in effect, and then when they had their falling out, all the fans subscribed lost out on nearly everything promised. The band was against it, and now that they are indie, they no longer have it.

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That's how you become great, man, hang your balls out there.

Redsand187:

What all is the subscription actually going to include. Right now, at this point, it doesn't seem like you get anything for your 30 dollars. Also, will the subscription be an annual thing or a one time deal. I hope there are plans for premium/vip ticket presales, discounts, exclusive content, member and band meet & greets... I know this is not a new concept, I have seen many bands take this direction, but I have never really been big enough of a fan to spend the money for subscribe, so I don't know exactly what to expect. I just hope it doesn't turn out like Everclear's. I remember there were many fans that got screwed on that deal. (mostly caused by the ending of a record contract, and an outside fan club management company) It seems benefits haven't actually hit the site yet. Any insight?

To start with the subscription just covers Baldy stuff including his posts, his photos and his videos. The plan is to get more video content from him this year including videos of the guys goofing around backstage (think the Roman candle video). All of that will be exclusive content available just to subscribers.

Beyond that, what would you guys want to see in a fan club? As Baldy said in the chat, all the shows for 2007 have been announced so we can't include any ticket-related items however maybe that will change if the guys head back out on the road in 2008.

But if say subscribers did have access to some kind of VIP ticket package, what would make a good package?

Discounts - so you mean discounts in the Store? Like subscribers gets 10% off all t-shirts or something like?

What about some kind of physical item like an exclusive t-shirt? And membership cards? Do people like membership cards or are they just a waste of plastic?

Subscriptions are good for one year and I would love to hear any ideas you have about how to make the subscriptions a great, fun thing to own.

Lindsay:

To start with the subscription just covers Baldy stuff including his posts, his photos and his videos. The plan is to get more video content from him this year including videos of the guys goofing around backstage (think the Roman candle video). All of that will be exclusive content available just to subscribers.

 
Wrong I will be downloading it from youtube or some torrent site instead, nothing you can do about it.

Who exactly have made the decision to make a subscription only section of the website ? And what are the bands opinion about it ?

I have nothing against the band making money, and I have spent a couple of hundred dollars on their merchandise within the last year, not to mention going to concerts and buying all available music. But theres no way I will support a subscription only part of the website. Even if it only costed 5$ I would still not support it.

Yes, Lindsay - I like the idea of exclusive merchandise and especially exclusive VIP packages, specifically first dibs on meet & greets, etc...  those are good ideas.

I do have to say that just for access to The Baldy's posts and even other exclusive video only, $30 is asking a lot (I recognize that you're planning to add more, but for now...).  As much as I love those and am probably one of the first to view/read them because I'm on this site all day long almost every day (because I leave it running in the background while I'm working most days), if it turns out to be only access to these videos/posts, I'll be less likely to spend the $30 even though I can afford to do so.

Most fan clubs (if that's what this is evolving into) give some sort of "gift" for joining.... other than simply being given access to another part of the website.  A key chain, stickers, etc., even..... doesn't have to be something huge, just something to show to brag about being in the "fan club".

I like the idea of discounts on merchandise, too.  I'd probably join for that because I'd be getting something tangible for my money.

Oh and how about exclusive contests??  That would be great.  Even to win a cd, dvd, t-shirt or something small.  Everyone who'd pay the $30 is going to be a big fan (like me) and we love any little piece of this great band we can get.....

These are my thoughts for what they're worth.

Rock on - and keep up the good work; I know it's a thankless job a lot of times.  You guys do a great job.

Thanks!

PL

 

 

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"We play so fine, don't you agree?" ~ Layne Staley

"We want to celebrate what we did and the memory of our friend." ~ Jerry Cantrell

Posts by the Baldy and 3min. backstage videos are definitely not worth 30$, imo. And a lot of people can't afford to pay 30$ for something like this; that doesn't make them any less of a fan. Some good ideas imo: include t-shirt include MUSIC MUSIC MUSIC MUSIC include dvd or some stuff like that, membership cards are... meh, not anything but indeed a waste of plastic imo.

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-How the mind does shout for rest
When the bodies shaken, yeah
Oh the tightness in my chest
Still your leaves I'm raking-

Alright, thanks for the reply Lindsay. I shot this thread out here last night before I went to bed, and check in this morning before work. Now that I have a few minutes, and I have an idea of what is going on, I would love to through in a few ideas. I know that the ticket sales for this tour are pretty much done and it is too late in the game to add any packages. That is fine. But in the future, a VIP type package would be great, and not like the ones that many band's websites sell, which are really just a ploy to get more money. Include stuff that the fans are actually going to want. Now, I know the band will probably not be keen on many meet and greet type things, but if we could at least get a few a tour (if that happens) maybe one for each major region the band tours. I got an email about VR, you get good seats, a picture and 50 dollar gift certificate for like 200 bucks. Or something like that, I deleted it so I can't go back to recall it. They had a few different options.... To me though, packaging merchandise with tickets is just a way to inflate the stores profits. If I am going to buy a ticket package, I want it to be stuff that I can't get any other way. I'm pretty sure I can find an 8x10 and a gift certificate just about anywhere. Things like special seating and special access, I cannot find any where else. ***Special access, that's another idea. Maybe have members be able to get early entry and view sound-check... that would require the boys to actually do a real sound-check. (I'm pretty sure they don't really need to sound-check much these days with the technology) Me personally, if I have the chance, I'll be outside a venue hours before door just to get a chance to maybe hear or see something special, so actually be able to be in there would be great. And face it, we are probably talking no more then 100 people or so that would actually be there. It could be a fun mini show with 3 or 4 songs that maybe even the crowd requests. That I would pay extra for! Of course, members should get choice of prime seats. I guess numbers will be dependent on club members, but I would imagine the band could get somewhere from 10-40 additional premium seats (front and center) for fan club members reserved as part of their rider. Now beyond just the show stuff, no plastic membership cards, a waste of money, plastic and postage. Maybe though a special T-Shirt, or something like that of some use. If we are talking enough members here maybe even special merchandise just available to members. Another thing that is a MUST is contests. There should always be give-a-ways going on, one a month or whatever, there should always be something to look forward to. Maybe a few autographed pictures, drum heads, Baldy's soul in a mason jar... anything interesting and one of a kind that is from the band. Another thing that is probably out there a bit, maybe some exclusive MP3's or something of a demo or two. Of course they probably would need to find a really good way to secure it. And finally, before I go, let me touch on this.... Personal touches. It really means something to get those little personal things. It helps show this isn't really a corporate scam. Things like a Christmas/Holiday card, and maybe even something special for members birthdays... that really is stand out. It really shows appreciation to the fans, thanking them for sticking by the band, and being big enough supporters to drop their coin just to be part of the family. Bottom line is, a fan club isn't really about making the money, it's more about the fan's. That needs to be top priority. You can't think of it as service that you are trying to sell, it has to be thought of as what we'd like to do for the fans, and then what is actually accomplishable for a x amount of dollars.

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That's how you become great, man, hang your balls out there.

Redsand187:

Everclear had one that their label put in effect, and then when they had their falling out, all the fans subscribed lost out on nearly everything promised. The band was against it, and now that they are indie, they no longer have it.

Well, if Everclear did it at some point during their "height", then i guess AIC isn't immune to it either.

However, IF (still not going to say when) the Baldy's material will be a pay service, make it reasonable.  Say, 2 dollars...Canadian...using the inflation rates of the Canuck dollar when it was still 60 cents to one US dollar.  In other words, JUST LEAVE IT FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Avatar pic is a bunny with pancakes on its head. The text says:
"Bunny with pancakes on head" says: REUNITE SOUNDGARDEN!

Lindsay:

 

To start with the subscription just covers Baldy stuff including his posts, his photos and his videos. The plan is to get more video content from him this year including videos of the guys goofing around backstage (think the Roman candle video). All of that will be exclusive content available just to subscribers.

 

....hehehe, sounds like they're making Baldy pay his way on this tour....... 

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Check out WILLIAM'S OTHER BAND
CWTF music page: http://www.comeswiththefall.com/music.html
Newest music: http://www.myspace.com/comeswiththefall

Coover:

However, IF (still not going to say when) the Baldy's material will be a pay service, make it reasonable.  Say, 2 dollars...Canadian...using the inflation rates of the Canuck dollar when it was still 60 cents to one US dollar.  In other words, JUST LEAVE IT FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't say it better. I'm not going to even visit the site if I have to pay to read the Baldy stuff. I'm on here to waste time, but... Are these higher powers planning on doing like Queensrÿche and making the board off-limits too unless you pay money? It's going to be close... I don't have any money, and what I do have, I've worked for with the goal of buying a quality guitar that I can depend on. I'm sorry, no offense to the band, but I don't like them more than I want a guitar. Why I want one? To be like Jerry, hopefully get in a local band, or at least I'll spend all day playing AiC songs... Their influence on me. But I'm not paying to see what they do backstage. I can't even see the videos in the first place with my internet's speed, or lack thereof. The Baldy's posts are hilarious, but it's really not worth me setting myself back, and I'm not the only one thinking this as it seems. Even if paying members got better tickets, chances to meet the band, tshirts, that shit... I'd just hate the site more. Is AiC really hurting for money or something? I doubt it. Why is this even necessary? Release a new CD then. I'll pay for that. Gladly. This is just pissing me off and shaking my faith in the band, and I don't think I'm the only one offended by just the thought of this.

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HiP QWNS

^^^The ol' "wanting to play in a band" dream, eh?  Too bad i personally suck at music...good luck on your career.

Ok, i just thought of a real good reason why the Baldy's material should still be free:

The Playboy Channel (which makes men and lesbians very happy) is free-to-air in the United Kingdom.

Now, Lindsay, you're gonna tell us here in North America, we're supposed to pay something at an unreasonable price to read and watch amateur work from a guy we know as "the Baldy", while those in the UK can watch beautiful, naked women for free?

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Avatar pic is a bunny with pancakes on its head. The text says:
"Bunny with pancakes on head" says: REUNITE SOUNDGARDEN!