Off-topic, the MANDOM approach no longer works in Japan:

"Gillette for a long time was selling hyper masculine Western men, and that doesn't work in Japan," Miller said. "Twenty years ago, the Japanese liked seeing foreigners. Now when they see foreigners in advertising, it's almost like a parody. They are interested in seeing people that look like themselves, their own cultural figures and emulating those."

The White Stripes have been officially uncool for some time now. When The Mountain Goats start giving free surprise concerts, now, that'll be something.

Did they jump the shark with the Simpsons appearance?

They also made what must have been a massively expensive trip to Iqaluit, Nunavut (a town of 7000 north of the arctic circle), for a concert there.

Ogged, there's some comment spam on this thread. Jack White's a talent.

Some Serious bands get to this point where they see their making a random appearance on the street or what have you as having much the same rationale, effect and significance as Jesus does when He appears to the poor.

The White Stripes have been officially uncool for some time now.

They're still good, though.

When The Mountain Goats start giving free surprise concerts, now, that'll be something.

Sheerly in terms of impressiveness it would be less impressive for one guy with a guitar to give free surprise concerts.

Oh come on. It's the White Stripes, playing on a public bus—that's cool! I'm lucky if ol' Charlie the Tuna sings don't! you! want! me! ba! by! at a decibel level that doesn't cause ear damage whenever I'm taking the 92 across town.

Also, The Arcade Fire did this a couple years ago in NYC, giving at least one random little acoustic show in Central Park. Still a cool idea, and one that I'd like to see bands I like pick up on. The permits or fees would probably be a pain for anyone not already famous though.

Sheerly in terms of impressiveness it would be less impressive for one guy with a guitar to give free surprise concerts.

Darnielle travels with a good 2-3 man backing band when he tours as The Mountain Goats, or at least he did last year.

I'm still amused at how fast Journey became cool because it was used in the Sopranos finale.

10: That's been a staple singalong for some time, hasn't it? I feel like it's always playing at bars.

11 - Totally. We played that at the Flophouse birthday party back in January and people loved it.

I'm in the "White Stripes are the real thing" camp. I gotta pick up that new one. I loved Get Behind Me.

Darnielle travels with a good 2-3 man backing band when he tours as The Mountain Goats, or at least he did last year.

Too bad, too, 'cause they sucked.

Nooooooo, get that Journey song out of my head!!!

A couple of years ago, I came out of the university library on my way home, and U2 was playing on the back of a big ol' truck driving slowly by. So I stayed and listened to them for awhile. I assume it had something to do with a music video?

But did you moon them? No.

Weenie.