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# Can Merch Save Music?
- URL: https://www.hypebot.com/can-merch-save/
- Published: 2007-07-13T01:05:00.000Z
- Updated: 2007-07-13T01:05:00.000Z
- Description: With record company advances and regular royalty checks a thing of the past, I know many bands for whom selling merchandise on the road is the difference between a profitable. Continue reading [https://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2007/07/can-merch-save.html]
- Author: Bruce Houghton
- Tags: Music Marketing, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-01-21 11:06

With record company advances and regular royalty checks a thing of the past, I know many bands for whom selling merchandise on the road is the difference between a profitable tour and no tour. Others survive between gigs because of online sales. For some selling t-shirts and CD’s provides the extra cash they need

[![Jeans](https://hypebot.typepad.com/hypebot/images/2007/06/09/jeans.jpg "Jeans")](http://hypebot.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2007/06/09/jeans.jpg&ref=hypebot.com)

to run their digital marketing campaigns or upgrade promo.

Recently the Wall Street Journal ran a piece on how some marketers want to take the "rag trade" to a whole new level:

> "What does the Beatles fan who’s already shelled out $62 for a carefully aged "Help!" T-shirt do for a second act? Lyric Jeans Inc., a year-old Los Angeles start-up, has a suggestion: How about paying $350 for a pair of jeans with the words to "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds" written on the leg in a swirl of crystals? "

Then there are the pictured Cher "Gypsies Tramps & Theives" inspired jeans. ([more](http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118127164643028755.html?mod=mm%5Fmedia%5Fmarketing%5Fhs%5Fleft&ref=hypebot.com))  
Is this sad or just another dose of reality?