Gary Numan Goes Commercial

Note to young rockers, if you can write a hit about something as ubiquitous as a car, it is going to keep you in eyeliner for a long long time.  

Witness below one godfather of electronic music, Gary Numan in a pair of unpredictable ads, one for Diehard batteries, the other a Scottish public service announcement.  

Perhaps my favorite part of these ads is Numan's unapologetically dour facade, even while these ads show this most seminal music figure must have a sense of humor buried deep within.  In view of Numan's upcoming Pleasure Principle Tour one would imagine he's not at a loss for ways to promote himself, but I do hear that even Gary Numan has to eat. 

Ozzy capitalizes on unintelligibility for cell ad

In case you aren't watching at the right daypart, here's the newest ad from Ozzy Osbourne.

Is there a moment when as this legendary rocker capitalizes on "I'm just an unintelligible old coot" that he thinks "Maybe this isn't a good idea?"

Upside - his hair looks great.

Flaming Lips love Guitar Hero

Now here's something pleasing. Enjoy Wayne Coyne from the Flaming Lips describing how they made their promo for NBC (also features the B-52's) and gives us a tour of his souped up double neck guitar - one guitar and one guitar hero.

Johnny Rotten Loves Butter

In the pantheon of surprising ads, this one certainly shocked me.
Former Sex Pistols frontman Johnny Lydon for Country Life Butter:



Says Lydon of the ad, in an interview at The Guardian ""I've never done anything like this before and never thought I would, but this Country Life ad was made for me and I couldn't resist the opportunity." Is this the ultimate rock and roll swindle? All I know is I sure could go for a piece of toast about now...

Devo angry McDonalds sells them out before they get a chance to do it themselves

In 'How To Make Your Unique Style Pay Off 30 Years Later News', Devo is currently suing McDonalds over their latest happy meal toy. Founding member Gerald Casale states the obvious about the wee plastic man currently found nestled twixt the buns of hungry youngsters "This New Wave Nigel doll that they've created is just a complete Devo rip-off and the red hat is exactly the red hat that I designed, and it's copyrighted and trademarked."

I see many Chicken McNuggets in somebody's future.

In other selling out news the band has lent a modified version of their hit "Whip It" to the good people at Tooth Tunes, so you now can sing along to "Brush It" while you practice good oral hygiene.

Remember, it's only bad if someone else sells you out without your permission!

More news on Devo's merchandising blitz from the NME and SF Gate.

Meatloaf hawks cellphones while Fujiya prefers beer

Plus side - Fujiya & Miyagi have sold another song into slavery, this time stateside, for Miller Lite. Since I always endorse situations where musicians get paid for making music, and additionally endorse ones where i don't have to listen to horrible jingles, I declare this a win-win situation.

Minus side - What is far from a win-win however is the newest ad for AT&T's Go Phone starring Meatloaf and his family crooning about getting their teenage son a cellphone to the tune of 'Paradise By The Dashboard Light" Question: Mr. Loaf, are you sure that doing this ad this provides you more dignity than say, having a job at a potato chip factory? Because if you were working at a potato chip factory you'd probably get free potato chips. Also, you wouldn't have to be a public embarrassment on national TV. Not really being much of a bat out of hell lately, are you?