What Would the Setbacks Do?
Email questions to advice[at]thesetbacks.com
The Denny's Menu
January 3rd, 2006
Trodvor 2006 writes:
Dear Setbacks,
As you all know, as a citizen of this fine country, sharing a japanese/irish background and full set of enterprising priviledges that go along with the conjoint geneology, I have a knack for great ideas benefitting all types of business.
Just take my "Miracle Maker" idea of 2004. It's a box, made completely of confetti and styrofoam (low cost) containing a spring mounted effigy of one of multiple religious figures that I have collected in the years since my birth. The "miracle" is that these effigies were made of potato crisps, celery stocks or other edibles I have found bearing likeness to the greats such as Jesus, Buddha, and Jan Michael Vincent. Like my Japanese brothers across the ocean, I have taken a simple idea like the Jack in the Box, and built upon it in a cost effective, groundbreaking manner...
My question is this... What do you think of a new Denny's breakfast plate called Set - backs bacon?
I think that is a miracle in itself!!!!
 Trevor |
Listen TRODVOR! You are just the man I was hoping to talk to, read the advice below. I want to start a band with you and Jack Fontana. It will be awesome!
But getting to your idea of set-backs bacon: that's weak. A top notch restaurant like Denny's wouldn't go for it. I tried to come up with some better ideas for you to combine The Setbacks and menu items in clever ways, but the best I came up with is The Setbacks Steak: a 19oz. rump cut steak with no sides. This is actually weaker than your suggestion. So kudos on beating me at your own game! |
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 Steve |
Our good buddy Trodvor!
On the surface this is a fantastic idea, but to put our name on a delicious breakfast from Denny's would put into question our integrity as a band. In short, we'd be selling out. As I'm sure you're all acutely aware, the Setbacks have always been about "keeping it real" and "sticking it to the establishment". It's not easy though, let me tell you that. This has been a real personal challenge for Chris, who has received many endorsement offers over the years from names like Reebok, Nike and Italian Rock Drummer magazine. The magazine had just done a "Where are they now?" cover story on Calzone, the all-boy acapella group Chris sang with in the early 90s. To promote the new issue, they wanted Chris to take part in an impromptu Calzone reunion in Times Square that would be broadcast live to 204 countries via satellite. In exchange for the appearance, Chris would be paid $1.2 million dollars (enough for the Setbacks to quit their day jobs, finance a record and go on a world tour... or enough for Chris to support his twins for 5 months). In the end, we determined collectively as a band that this would conflict with our ideals and would most likely compromise our street cred, so we passed on it. |
 Paul |
Awaiting wisdom... |
 Chris |
Trodvor,
Between you and Jack Fontana, I'm not sure who I am amused by more. Your idea is stupendous, but the truth is that I am less interested in answering your question, versus addressing the reunion of Calzone, the band I used to be part of back in the day. I was on the cover of the Ottawa Xpress with Calzone, and the artistic credibility I built up with this acapella supergroup was unherladed in the Canadian music industry for a long time. My decision not to join the reunion was simply based on not wanting to taint the magic of Calzone, what was, and in my humble opinion, what will probably never be again. I stand in line with Robert Zemeckis, who refused to do another Back To The Future, or George Lucas, who has plainly stated that another Star Wars would simply compromise the integrity of the franchise. I feel the same way about Calzone. Calzone will always share a special place in my heart, and my mind. I am being true to myself in not selling out, regardless of the millions, and that helps me sleep at night. |