Friday, August 18, 2006
Red Hot Chili Peppers Get Social Philanthropy
I guess it was about 4:30 am
and I was sitting on the couch in the family room switching back and forth between VH1 and MTV. Yes, this is what happens when I can't sleep at night. I go downstirs as quietly as possible (so as not to wake the girls) and get a glass of water, then try to think about nothing... but thinking about nothing is that much harder when you're trying to think about nothing. Anyway, on with my story.
So I'm watching VH1 and the new
Red Hot Chili Peppers video for their new song "Tell Me Baby" comes on. The scene is a small room, probably no more than 25 ft wide by maybe 30 ft deep. It has black soundproof walls, cheap acoustic tile ceilings (if you're sitting at a job in corporate America somewhere just look directly above your head and you'll know the type of ceiling I'm talking about). Then one after another, aspiring musicians of all ages, start telling the camera why they came to California... The director tries to get you a bit jaded by showing the guy in his late thirties with a mullet that says the music industry handed his butt to him, and then a woman in her late 20's early 30's comes on saying the same thing. Just to keep things interesting they throw in one or two young dudes that are bright-eyed and bushy-tailed who haven't let go of their dreams but have no clue they're being mocked in the video.
So at this point I'm like, this is ridiculous, RHCP is ragging on these average people who had a dream and the dream has pretty much been crushed - that's not cool! And that's when I realized I followed the exact stream of consciousness the director and the band wanted me to follow.
Because then, one after the other, each of these aspiring rock stars of all ages, shapes and sizes get to jam with the Chili Peppers... the look on their faces is priceless. And then you realize that the band hasn't gotten too big for it's britches and that they're the same old rag tag bunch of dudes that look really funky, love California and love making music. At the end of the video, every one of these average people is in the frame and they're all jamming at the same time, it's a great feel good moment.
So What Does This Have To Do With Social Philanthropy or Marketing?Well, a lot. The Chili Peppers are
giving back to those that had a dream and took a shot at it and failed. They're saying thanks for the support you've given us and we want to include you in the video because we were there once. That's pretty cool if you ask me. It's also a fantastic way for a
band to connect with their audience, especially in the PR crazed internet /
MySpace fanclub climate we're currently in.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers BrandOkay so this may seem like a bit of a stretch but there is a great lesson for all aspiring entrepreneurs, musicians, marketers and anyone else interested in being successful as a person or brand. RHCP is staying close to their target market, people of all ages that have an eclectic taste in music. Those that also have an affinity for California earn bonus points with the band. These guys aren't trying to be Madonna and change their style just to stay on top of the latest trends. No, they have the same style they've always had but it just sounds differently and because we're humans we feel like we have to put a label on it but their true fans know it's just the Chili Peppers' sound that that's it.
By staying true to themselves they've created a brand image that is easily identifiable by only those they want to listen to their music. Their passion for life and especially music comes out in every song. Now I'll admit, I personally think
Anthony Kiedis sounds terrible in concert and that he must spend a lot of time in the studio recording vocals... yet I'm still drawn to his band's music... that's powerful branding.
If you want to help the band's brand out you can
vote for their video in this year's VMA's.
Posted By Jason Dowdell at 07:32 AM
Permanent Link: Red Hot Chili Peppers Get Social Philanthropy
|
(6) Comments on Red Hot Chili Peppers Get Social Philanthropy
That's a cool video idea. I'm thankful for any videos that aren't just close ups of the girl singer's face and body dancing around secuctively.
Comments by Emma : Saturday, August 19, 2006 at 12:44 PM
Jason Dowdell.
"Now I'll admit, I personally think Anthony Kiedis sounds terrible in concert and that he must spend a lot of time in the studio recording vocals... yet I'm still drawn to his band's music... that's powerful branding."
Well, I cannot really agree with you. I just saw the Chilis in Dortmund/Germany and have to say that I was rather impressed with Anthony's vocal skills! In my opinion - ok Im not a musician/singer - he hit every tone right on! Their abilities as musicians are incredible. The only drawback was, that they only played 1:20 plus two encores and a 15min. jamsession without Anthony. That sucked in terms of money/service value. The ticket cost about 50$ plus about 80$ for gas - the concert location was about 4 hours away from my hometown and gas prices in Germany are extremely high. By the way: I wasn't the only one feeling that was - on my way outside I heard it from almost everyone.
Nevertheless great concert, great performance, great band! One month before I w ent to see Bon Jovi and they performed almost 3 hours! Everyone went home with a satisfied smile on their face.
Cheers
Comments by Sonja : Monday, August 21, 2006 at 05:29 AM
Hi!
what are u talking about?! Anthony Kiedis have the best voice in the World!!! And the nicest body... He is SO sexy! I love him,
And I love Red hot chili peppers. And all of their songs... Especially "Tell me baby". It is SO cool! I wanna dance around every time I hear it! "Stadium arcadium" is the best cd I have. The music video for "Tell me baby" is cool too! I think it is fun. And Anthony is cute with that hat! And Flea (the bassist) is SO funny in the 'thing' he wears... He have a cool style. I like it! And it is funny when Flea throws a chair in the wall and when Anthony stands on his hands on the drum and a piece of the roof falls down and when Chad (the drummer) throws his sticks up in the air and they stay in the roof and later in the video his take them down and... Okay I just LOVE that video and that song! And all the other songs they have made... Okay I stop now! People always get insane when I talk about how much I love RHCP (and Anthony Kiedis).
See ya
Ps. of course everybody smile satisfied when they have heard Bonjovi for 3 hours... Bonjovi Rocks!!! And Jon Bonjovi is HOT/SEXY!!! Did you know that he have been chosen as "the sexiest rock singer"? But Anthony Kiedis is more sexy... Know what? Johnny Depp is sexy too, and funny. And Elijah Wood (Frodo)! And Viggo Mortensen (a danish/something-else-I-think-canadian actor)
Hey "Tell me baby" on VH1! Gotta go now! Bye
Pps. Colin Farrell is also hot...
Ppps. hope you understand what I am saying... You see I am danish and my english is TERRIBLY.
Pppps. ;P
Comments by Ida : Monday, August 21, 2006 at 09:30 AM
dont u ever bag the lead singer of the rhcp (forgot his name) i have seen them in concert and thet frikken rockd. it was nearly better than the fooies. dont ever bag his talent again he is a rock legend!
Comments by anthony : Saturday, September 02, 2006 at 04:19 AM
Obviously you have never seen the Red Hot Chili peppers in concert. You think Anthony Kiedis sings bad live? First of all, i'd like to see you try. Second, the Red Hot Chili peppers are huge supporters of live music. Now why would that be unless they themselves record music live? An interesting question to ask someone who obviously doent know what the fuck they are talking about. I am sorry to tell you, but Anthony kiedis has more talent then you could possibly hold in your one tiny pinky finger. Also, I think he gets more chicks than you dude.
Comments by Whitney : Saturday, September 02, 2006 at 09:40 PM
Whitney, you're right, I have no musical talent but I make up for it in other areas. I never claimed to have any musical talent. Scoring tons of chicks has never been my goal in life, I'm very happily married with two beautiful daughters so I think I have plenty of girls in my life. I know they're supporters of live music and I love the band, however, I still think Anthony doesn't sound as good live as he does on albums and I'm sticking by that.
Comments by Jason Dowdell : Sunday, September 03, 2006 at 05:30 AM
Post a Comment
Subscribe to The MarketingShift Feed