Focusing on pop punkers for the Warped Tour set Paramore, The New York Times does a decent job of explaining the art of the 360 deal, i.e. where young, up-and-coming bands and artists sign with labels to sell more than just their CDs. Or as the paper of record succinctly puts it, creating the ''"Band as Brand.''"

The 2,000-plus word tome points out: ''"Though its success is in large part due to smart pop songwriting and a fashion-forward frontwoman, music executives and talent managers also cite Paramore as a promising example of a rising new model for developing talent, one in which artists share not just revenue from their album sales but concert, merchandise and other earnings with their label in exchange for more comprehensive career support."
With ever slipping CD sales, this makes complete sense for the labels, and the artists get more time to develop and don'''t get dropped for not creating a megahit right off the bat, proponents say. However, detractors see this as a quick money grab for the labels.
If anything, it'''s entertaining to see what these bands are coming up with to market themselves. Paramore sell flip flops and tube tops at their shows. But Finnish metal band Lordi take the cake with their own soft drink and credit card. I don'''t know about you, but when I think of Finnish metal, I always think of locking down a low APR.