Getting a lot of emails posing that question this afternoon, though the post title comes via reader Michael DeNight. The Stripes sent out cryptic little newsletter today:
To: White Stripes Fans
Subject: ?
Date: Fri, 12 Oct 2007 12:08:25 -0700
From: “The White Stripes newsletter team”“The tricks of today are the truths of tomorrow.” – Man Ray
X XV MMVII
Interesting. Thank god they didn’t sign off with a domain name, though; after beonlineb.com and inrainbows.com, don’t think we could handle another indie rock all-nighter this week. Who’s got info?
UPDATE: They’re selling…
…cameras!
More info here. Orders start online 10/15 at 12PM EST. First 333 get a “mystery gift.” When it comes to this sort of stuff, they really like the number 3.
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%s1 / %s2
they’re selling cameras.
yup. the diana is a plastic toy camera famous for fuzzy focus. I own a couple originals, and they are a lot of fun. they use 120 film, and have a bunch of neat little features.
http://www.lomography.com/diana/
that’s cool and weird and everything, but how is it going to destroy the record industry?
I love Holgas. Kinda want this one because of it’s flashy toy colors.
First 333 to buy both sets receive mystery gift? Maybe it’s an 8 X 10 screen grab of Meg White’s anus.
this may or may not be the weirdest form of band promotion i’ve ever witnessed.. i dont want a fucking camera with anyones name name on it– unless thier name is pentax or whatevs!!! fucking psychos
Um…what the hell? Cameras? What the hell are they thinking?
It looks like they’re just trying to make some money by pasting their names on some overpriced cameras. Tacky.
How much money you think they lost cancelling the tour?
I think this scheme speaks for itself.
Indie headline:
White stripes jump shark!
I downloaded Icky Thump but this is the kind of deluxe packaging I’ve been waiting for. Really, I hope to see more of this kind of “scheme”. If they were desparate for cash, wouldn’t they just sell their songs to Pentax or whoever? Sell the whole album to Volkswagen?
Umm,
maybe they just thought with all of the indie news and crazy-crytic messages going around lately that it would be funny to release some practically useless little camera and be all cryptic about it.
it made me laugh.
I really dont understand “lomography”… they’re reselling cheap Chinese cameras of the 60s and 70s to hipsters for over 10-100x their original price? Am I missing something?
I picked up a Diana for $2 US in Hong Kong, and the Lomography store wants FIFTY DOLLARS?
That is sooo lame. But it’s kind of funny.
How’s about selling me tickets to a show that I actually get to go to this time? Fucking cameras. Kiss my ass.
Unfortunately they’re STILL not touring in Detroit…ugh.
And considering the mystery of Meg’s condition and the future of the band, and Jack’s penchant for self-important drama, that cryptic email seemed like it was a prep for a break-up announcement on Monday or something of substance like that. Nope, just another shlocky gimmick bit of merchandising to prove, yet again, that their fans will buy anything with the White Stripes brand on it.
What a den of mental iniquity.
Adam’s comment for the win.
But really they’ve been doing this kitschy memoribillia crap from a way earlier date. I don’t know why everyone here is all surprised by cameras.
I don’t get it. The White Stripes get chastised for selling cameras, but everyone will suck Thom Yorke’s dick after he charges $90 or more for vinyl??? I guess I have to keep reminding myself what site I’m on
I’m super excited about this. I’ve been wanting a Holga for the past year, and depending on how much they’re selling this for, I would buy the “JACK”.
They’re promoting an art form. I think it’s cool.
“The tricks of today are the truths of tomorrow.” – Man Ray.
So the (supposedly fake) sex tape is real? And they’re selling cameras so you can make your own amateur porn?
Sorry, but 180 bucks per camera is a lot more than I was expecting them to cost.
Ya, 180 bucks… THATS BULLSHIT
Does anyone know what the special surpise is??
I called and they told me its a mike jones poster.
That would be ROB Jones. Although, a Mike Jones poster would have been pretty swell too.
The special surprise is that you just wasted 360 dollars on two toy cameras.
I just bought them both & I am not ashamed of it! I LOVE JACK, I LOVE THE WHITE STRIPES & I WILL LOVE MY CAMERAS!
Is it wrong of me to purchase a Meg camera for a “his” Christmas gift?
I bought both, can’t wait until they arrive. Some truly unique items and rock & roll memorabilia.
I think its hilarious that people get angry at a band when they try to sell something that isn’t a tshirt. The Beatles sold all sorts of memorabilia all the time, and people bought them, it never took away from the music they created. Yes people will buy anything with the white stripes brand on it, just like people bought anything with the beatles logo on it. Welcome to human behaviour.
Yes lets stick to the old business model of selling tshirts.
because THAT still works.
The comment left by Tom about people willing to spend a hefty amount of money on the new Radiohead album in tangible formats hit the nail on the head. Nothing further needs to be said.
“Some truly unique items of Rock & Roll memorabilia”
I think you’re slightly confused as to the meaning of the word “unique”…
whats not unique about them? what’s unique about a tshirt? funny how some of us are so selective about what is deemed ‘original’ or ‘creative’ merchandising.
What part of only 3000 in existence don’t you understand?
You can pick up a regular holga whenever you want, these won’t be as widespread.