The Data Lab: Difference between revisions

[[Image:Data Lab ID.png|right|thumb|250px|An example of an ID card given to Data Lab members]]

The Data Lab came to fruition in Summer [[1995]] when [[Matt Sharp]] approached Mykel and Carli about forming a Rentals fan club.<ref name="Omnibus">[[Karl Koch|Koch, Karl]]. (2016). "fan club empire - the rentals". ''[[Weezine Omnibus: Deluxe Edition]]'' (pp. 353–357).</ref> The sisters, who had been running {{PN|Weezer}} fan club for a number of months already, obliged and got to work organizing materials and gathering members. The club was formed and named, with the choice made to loosely theme it around the concept that the Rentals' members operated in a discrete, mysterious facility, with club membership gaining fans access to its confidential information and products. A mailer was sent by the sisters to those in the Weezer fan club, offering membership to the Data Lab (in exchange for a $5 annual fee).<ref>[[Weezer Fan Club|Weezer fan club]] mailer. (1995). Scan: [[:File:Weezer Fan Club Data Lab Mailer.jpg]].</ref> The mailer additionally contained a message from Sharp titled "Intelligence From the Lab" where he described what the Rentals was and discussed the release of ''[[Return of the Rentals]]'', as well as an order form for Rentals merchandise. Those who signed up to the fan club received a custom ID card (fashioned after a security badge) signed by Sharp, stickers, and a promotional cassette single featuring "[[Friends of P.]]" and "[[So Soon]]".<ref name="Omnibus" /><ref>[[Karl Koch|Koch, Karl]]. "[[Collectors Discography - Appendix B|appendix B: Solo, Side and Other band releases + related

other projects by band members]]". ''[[Collectors Discography]]''.</ref> The Data Lab received multiple hundreds of members during [[1995]] and [[1996]].<ref name="Omnibus" />

In response to the unexpected success of "[[Friends of P.]]", the Rentals' label, Maverick Records, began more rapidly producing promotional items and goodies for the band to distribute. No less than 4 different sticker designs were printed, which would be given to Mykel and Carli to send out. Additionally, an unknown quantity of unique lanyards were produced, intended to be sent to fan club members as a counterpart to the ID badge design. It is uncertain whether any lanyards were sent out.<ref name="Omnibus" />

At some point between [[1996]] and [[1997]], Sharp requested that the sisters put fan club activity on pause until the Rentals were active again.<ref>[[Karl Koch|Koch, Karl]]. (1997). "[[Karl's Corner - Fall 1997|Data Lab Questions]]". ''[[Weezine Issue 11 - Fall 1997]]''.</ref> The Data Lab would then effectively become disbanded following the [[Historic event: 07/09/1997|death of its founders, Mykel and Carli Allan]] in late [[1997]]. Sharp would not officially announce the end of the club and stated there would be updates on its status after the release of the next Rentals album. In [[1998]], a note was left inside [[Weezine Issue 13 - Summer 1998|''Weezine'' Issue 13]] stating:<ref>[[Karl Koch|Koch, Karl]]. (1998). ""The World From Matt" Continues...". ''[[Weezine Issue 13 - Summer 1998]]''.</ref>

A new iteration of the Rentals' fan club, seemingly (though not definitively) separate from The Data Lab, would be created by the early 2000s. Information on the reformed club is poorly documented online.

[[Category: The Rentals]]

[[Category: The Rentals fan club]]

[[Category: Matt Sharp]]