Now 9 months removed from Radiohead's revisionist model for record distribution, we're starting to get to the point where some of the less popular bands are searching for alternatives as well. The Dandy Warhols, a fine band who came close to the peaks of Radhiohead in their major label releases, has announced a new business model of their own. Rather than pay what you will however, there's a fixed price: a rather steep $34.99.

On their website today, The Dandy Warhols made the following announcement:

We like to think that this is something pretty major.

For us, the biggest advantage of declaring independence from major labels is being able to call the shots on how our music gets into your hands. So we're here to introduce our new Dandy Warhols ...EARTH TO THE DANDY WARHOLS...subscription service.

First off, you get the new record, ...Earth To The Dandy Warhols..., as a high quality digital download. That's today. Right now.

But we feel that a record just isn't a record unless you can hold it right in your hands. So we're going to mail you a copy of the compact disc before it hits the stores along with a limited edition silkscreen poster created just for us by our friends, The Christopher Twins - two of the most visually talented cats we know. Click Here to view the poster.

What else? We are throwing in ten percent off of all our merchandise at our webstore plus, you're going to have access to pre-sale concert tickets (US Only) - buy 'em before they go on sale to the general public.

Now here's the real big idea. To get an ...Earth To the Dandy Worlds... B-side, you don't have to fly to London, bid against other fans on eBay, or slog through the internet just to hear a new Dandys tune. B-sides, Live tracks and videos from ...Earth to the Dandy Warhols... will be posted throughout the year for you to download and keep. Listen to them on your computer, your iPod, burn them to a disc, throw it in the garbage - whatever you want.

ADDED TO ALL THIS, one member will win a custom, one of a kind guitar pedal built just for one of the songs on the album. Check it out here

How much bread is this going to set you back? Just $34.99 FOR A YEAR. (additional shipping for non-US orders)

With this move, the Dandys are assuming not waiting three weeks for an album, a silk screen that no one really wanted, discounted merchandise at one band's store, a couple of B-sides, and access to pre-sales of concerts that are unlikely to sell out are worth $25 more than an already inflated digital download price. All this coming from a band that hasn't released a quality album in 5 years. I know The Dandy Warhols have their fans, but with a price that high, I expect the piracy rate to go through the roof.

[NME]