One Rock Band’s Secret Weapons: Charity, Beer, and Dogs
“[QR code marketing] is better than paying Facebook and Instagram for ads that don’t really work.”
Supermutt is a rock band from New Jersey with members who not only know how to rock, but are also great at using marketing strategies to promote their music. In a live streamed interview with Mike and Tommy, two brothers representing the Supermutt band, they reveal their secret marketing weapons – the C (charity) B (beer) D (dogs) of Supermutt.
As the creator of “crunchy” tunes, the Supermutt band builds their music and brand with a mix of creativity and humor. From song names such as “Show Them Fangs” to outrageous back stories of their songs (“Show Them Fangs” was written from the point of view of a dog dentist), songwriter Tommy simply doesn’t believe in giving real answers when people ask what their songs are about. “When someone asks us we just make up some random story and kind of run with it,” says Tommy. In other words, expect none of the truth and you’ll be thoroughly entertained with silliness.
Supermutt featured on the Offstage Tunes Live show
Despite being intentionally goofy, the one thing this band doesn’t joke about is charity. During the pandemic in 2020 and 2021, Supermutt gave performances online that raised more than $20,000 for different local communities to help provide free food for the homeless and the unemployed or help pay for wheelchairs for children who need them. “It's good to just kind of branch out to help as many people in need as possible,” says Mike.
The Supermutt beer featuring Freddie the dog – a Supermutt collaboration with 902 Brewing Co.
For their album release in June 2021, the band partnered with 902 Brewing Co, a local brewery in New Jersey, to put their album cover (featuring Freddie the dog) on a beer named after the band. A release party will not only feature the band in a live performance, their fans will also be able to enjoy the Supermutt beer served on coasters with a QR code that will link directly to the Supermutt Spotify profile for more crunchy tunes. “We just started realizing: Why don't we put QR codes on every possible thing? It's better than paying Facebook and Instagram for ads that don't really work.”
When it comes to Supermutt, nothing they do is conventional. These guys know how to rock with style. From charities to clever marketing, everything they do go hand in paw with what makes them incredibly unique and crunchy.
Interview conducted and written by Louise Lau. Connect with her on social media @offstagetunes
The interview was from episode #10 of the Offstage Tunes Live – The Brunch Series.
Visit Supermutt on Spotify, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter