Here’s a lunchbox I found in the office today.  The image of the Ramones immortalized so generations can enjoy their PB&J with a side of Punk.  The lunchbox is a classic as far as Merch goes.  If you’re ever in Columbus, Georgia make sure to check out the River Market Antiques and Lunchbox Museum.  It’s the largest lunchbox museum in the world. 

This might not qualify as merch, but it’s free and it’s music, so good enough! Starbucks and iTunes paired up a while ago to bring “Hear Music” to the world. Every Tuesday Starbucks releases 2 songs available for free download on iTunes. To download said songs you need to pick up a little card that has a promotional code you enter into iTunes. The cards are available at Starbucks.

Coney Island was once again host to the eighth Siren Fest. Performances included Canadian Broken Social Scene, Stephen Malkmus’ (of Pavement fame) band Stephen Malkmus and the Jinks, and North Carolina’s Annuals. The Annuals were in a giving mood at this already free show, and during their performance released beach balls imprinted with “Annuals” into the crowd. Appropriate given that Coney Island’s beachiness.

Beatles fans everywhere get to Waukesha, Wisconsin post-haste.  The Waukesha Museum is featuring a Beatles exhibit from August 16 through September 1.  Along with original artwork by John Lennon, the museum features a collection of rare Beatles memorabilia and merch!     

With the music industry slumping and the growth of legal and illegal mp3 downloads no one would expect records to sell, but the thing is, Vinyl LPs are making a comeback.  The sale of vinyl record grew 36 percent between 2006 and 2007, showing up on shelves at various retailers, music stores, and yes, the merch stand at the back of that tiny venue.    

Vinyl’s comeback is refreshing.  Analog offers a less synthetic sound than digital music.  Look for records at the next show you go to, cause that’s definitely merch done right!

Seattle based record label Sub Pop has a long, rich history in the alternative, grunge and indie rock scenes. The label released music by notable musicians such as Nirvana (Bleach is Sub Pop’s only platinum album), Sunny Day Real Estate, The Shins, and The Postal Service. This year marks Sub Pop’s 20th anniversary. While still not legal to drink in the United States, Sub Pop is still seriously celebrating! This past weekend (July 12 and 13) the label hosted an Anniversary show at Redmond, WA’s Marymoor Park where bands such as Iron and Wine, The Helio Sequence and Wolf Parade (to name a few) performed. Tickets came with a nice little surprise: a 20th anniversary Sub-Pop compilation CD!

Ever wanted to sleep with band members from The Thermals? Well, looks like your chance may come sooner than you think. Of course, it might cost you a little. A woman recently crafted 2 dolls in the image of Kathy and Hutch. Right now one of each exists, but if these little guys are sewn in greater quantity the band will sell them, giving you the chance to go to bed with two members of the Portland based group.

The free music movement (as I call it) is really catching on despite the outrage of Music Executives (and Metallica, I’m sure).  Last year anyone who bought the Sunday Mail found Prince’s new album tucked within its pages.  Radiohead then allowed free downloading of their newest album in late 2007.  Artists’ Oasis and Jamiroquai are said to follow suit.  With the growth of free music there will probably be less free merch considering bands will no be dependent on the sale of things that aren’t albums for revenue.  Which would you rather get free music or free merch?   

It’s always nice when a musician is understanding of their young fan bases sometimes-tight-for-money lifestyles (aka college) and offer options.  Jonah Matranga (of Far, Onelinedrawing and Gratitude) has always been considerate asking fans pay what they can for merch (ranging from CDs to Hoodies).  The “sliding scale.”

Now here’s some Merch that makes a difference! Inspired by musicians such as Sufjan Stevens, Joanna Newsom, Feist, Animal Collective and Beirut (to name a few), artist Andy J. Miller created Colour It (Red), a coloring book in partnership with the (Red) organization, meaning half of the sales go to fighting HIV/AIDS in Africa.

Friday (July 4), River2River and WFMU brought Sonic Youth (and the Feelies) to Battery Park where they put on a pretty rockin’ show.  Not only was the show free (!), but the concert was full of people handing out promotions and giving away Sonic Youth and WFMU merch!