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October 3, 2009

Wal-Mart, Axe Say Phoenix Are The Next Big Thing Hey Pearl Jam, Phoenix see your Target tie-in and raise you one Wal-Mart endorsement that also pimps Axe hair products. Watch at walmart.com. Apparently Axe has a product called Phoenix? Quelle coincidence (that's French for LOL).

Posted at 7:45 AM in ,
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27 Comments

Why, Phoenix, why did you do this? Sigh... Another great band tainted by bad hairspray and the evil empire.

Posted by: hatladyal at 10/03/09 10:53 AM  | Reply
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Don't worry, no one will remember this two weeks from now.

Posted by: NoahKnife profile link  in reply to hatladyal's comment at 10/05/09 2:49 AM  | Reply
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Can anyone explain all the hoopla about Phoenix to me? I mean, their music is pleasant enough, but I don't see how they are any different from a dozen other bands. Again, I'm not dogging their music, but why do so many people seem to worship them like they're so revolutionary and amazing?

Posted by: Brad at 10/03/09 10:58 AM  | Reply
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Eh, whatever. They're definitely risking over-saturation with 1901, but it's still one of the best songs of the year.

I do think it's funny that walmart/axe managed to eek 7:37 minutes looping just one song. Do they know Phoenix actually came out with a whole album?

Posted by: biasedbulldog profile link at 10/03/09 11:06 AM  | Reply
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sounds like you're dogging it, which you have every right to but it's really funny that you're trying your darnedest pretend that your not.

Me? Worship is a strong term -- they are in my top 25 favs of the moment but their optimistic catchy tunes help me feel like the recession my personal economy is in isn't quite so bad.

Posted by: hatladyal at 10/03/09 11:09 AM  | Reply
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Phoenix are now officially endorsed by Wal Mart, Axe Body Spray, and Animal Collective.
Thom Yorke is in a band with Flea.
Hell has apparently frozen over.

Posted by: NoahKnife profile link at 10/03/09 12:04 PM  | Reply
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I'm pretty sure Axe Phoenix has existed for years.

Posted by: Andrew at 10/03/09 12:36 PM  | Reply
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1901 is on a cadillac commercial, too

Posted by: robot hero at 10/03/09 2:38 PM  | Reply
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Maybe if I start using Axe Phoenix, I'll be as cool as them.

Posted by: Mr_Blue_Angel_Dood profile link at 10/03/09 7:35 PM  | Reply
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I think some people may be missing the point.
The point of this for a band like Phoenix is to broaden their fanbase to kids who normally wouldn't hear this band and couldn't give a fuck about indie rock or indie cred.

We can debate this issue as much as you like, but obviously Phoenix want to be a huge huge band. No one signs on for a masturbatory celebration of product placement like this ad is without expecting to gain a hell of a lot. And we're not only talking the short term monetary gain, but in the long term too.
I've been a long time fan but this isn't going to dissuade me from enjoying this band.
Yes it's unfortunate, but it is good to see a band that wants it all, who isn't a shlock rock band, and is using the opportunities given to do just that.

Posted by: Voyno profile link at 10/03/09 8:16 PM  | Reply
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you raise a pretty good point. honestly, i don't see what difference there is here from all of stereogum's favorite bands jumping on the twilight bandwagon for the new moon soundtrack. these are great opportunities for these bands to get out there, to appeal to a larger audience with music that we consider great. you're afraid of losing your indie cred because hot topic's going to start blasting bon iver? what's indie cred? who cares? these guys deserve the attention they're getting.

phoenix isn't going to start making terrible music now that they've garnered commercial appeal. what's creating the commercial appeal for these groups is the part where they're making genuinely great music. and that's a very, very good thing. the more people that listen to this music - the less i hear about lady gaga and taylor swift and miley cyrus and nickelback and everything that's come out of the american idol enterprise save "since u been gone" - the more faith i have in humankind.

and, yeah, i get it. wal-mart?! BOO!!! HISS!! it's not like these guys are shopping at wal-mart or wearing axe body spray. they're just taking their money and thanking their lucky stars.

Posted by: astro profile link  in reply to Voyno's comment at 10/04/09 6:18 PM  | Reply
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All this extraneous shit doesn't change the fact that the album is extremely solid.

Posted by: MK at 10/04/09 1:55 AM  | Reply
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Title's misleading. Click and watch the damn thing, this is basically an interview sponsored by Wal-mart (the no. 1 record seller in the United States) and Axe (who tend to do clever things when it comes to pleasing their crowd – young guys who want to know what's cool out there).
Get used to this type of thing; it's the 00's equivalent of being on a TV show.

Posted by: nandorocker profile link at 10/04/09 3:50 AM  | Reply
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good then we only have to deal with it for 3 more months

Posted by: shawn bradley  in reply to nandorocker's comment at 10/07/09 9:41 PM  | Reply
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i'm phoenix's manager and wanted to let you all this advert was something neither the band or i approved.
we did not get paid for it and have asked for it to be removed.

best,

simon white (coalition mgt)

Posted by: simon white at 10/04/09 9:44 AM  | Reply
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ps

excuse poor grammar, just got off an 11 hour flight. when the band did the interview we had no idea it was going to be loaded with product placement for hairspray. we would not have agreed thad we known in advance.

Posted by: simon white  in reply to simon white's comment at 10/04/09 9:52 AM  | Reply
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shens . . . .

Posted by: shawn bradley  in reply to simon white's comment at 10/07/09 9:42 PM  | Reply
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Simon White... you manage Bloc Party too, right?

Posted by: MGoAndy profile link  in reply to simon white's comment at 10/04/09 12:58 PM  | Reply
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correct

bloc party, phoenix, holy ghost

Posted by: simon white  in reply to MGoAndy's comment at 10/05/09 5:58 PM  | Reply
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so why's it still up then? i'm pretty sure that rather than posting in a comment on stereogum you would've just called the production company and asked them to take it down.

you are not who you say you are, sir.

Posted by: silas  in reply to simon white's comment at 10/09/09 4:58 AM  | Reply
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Why is the drummer staring off to the left and looking generally pissed-off and out of it?

Posted by: murrishmo profile link at 10/04/09 12:32 PM  | Reply
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Thank you. I mean, really it sounds like the only reason anyone has an issue with this is cause the content lives on walmart.com - if it didn't, nobody would be bitching. So uhhhh probably just try to deal with it.

Posted by: Silas at 10/04/09 10:09 PM  | Reply
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Great I´m on a deodorant website. Deodorant is definitely the future for music.

Posted by: Diego at 10/05/09 9:40 AM  | Reply
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The real question isn't why does Axe endorse Phoenix but rather, does Phoenix really endorse Axe? Because if they do I won't be getting within a 50 yard radius of them, being sure to stay up-wind.

Posted by: Alec at 10/05/09 12:41 PM  | Reply
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What?? According to wikipedia, Axe has released the Phoenix scent in 2000... this is not news and it's not related to the band.

Posted by: Tim at 10/08/09 3:13 AM  | Reply
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To be honest, I am more bothered by the Cadillac commercial than the Wal-Mart thing...

Posted by: James at 10/08/09 2:52 PM  | Reply
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I couldn't care less which bands endorse which products. These people have to make a living and if you recall, no one buys records anymore.

If you demand artists have artistic cred you have to buy their records. No calling foul unless you own 3 or more of their albums, or I'm calling you a poseur.

Posted by: Jonny at 10/09/09 3:59 PM  | Reply
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