Unlike many hipsters, I’m always glad to see bands I like featured in commercials. If they’re keeping food on the table and gas in the tour van, then I’m a happy camper.

On that note, one of my current favorite bands has landed the new iPhone 3g commercial. It’s The Submarines and the best song off their new album Honeysuckle Weeks. The song is called “You, Me and the Bourgeoisie” and it’s driven by some bouncy keyboards and the sweet/smokey voice of singer Blake Hazard (who is — fun fact — the great-great grandaughter of F. Scott Fitzgerald. The more you know, indeed!)

If you’re a long-time reader, you probably still won’t remember this, but I covered The Submarines for this here blog a couple years ago. I think I was still getting over the cuteness of the band. It’s made up of a man and woman who began trading musical tapes after they had broken up. Eventually, they fell back in love over the music and now they’re married.

Babies!

Below, find the Italian version of the commercial (no one appears to have uploaded the American version yet).

And now, here’s the band performing the song live.

We may only be able to get married in two states and the presidential candidates don’t really like to talk or think about us, but the gays are out and about.

In fact, we are usually out and about at the mall. And capitalism knows no prejudice.

The Commercial Closet has nominated companies for awards based on their advertisements targeted toward the gays. Below, find the nominated clips.

Personally, I think the biggest strides are taken by Orbitz and Levi — two companies that could totally choose to ignore the demographic. Dolce & Gabbana need to embrace the community because if gay people don’t, who will.

(And that Wrigley add is just a bit too heterosexual man “ooh la la, lesbians!” for me.)

Orbitz

Levi’s

Chemistry.com

Dolce & Gabanna

Eclipse

So, remember that mayo ad I shared with you the other day?

It couldn’t be long until someone got bent out of shape about it, right? Sorry to make today all about gay commercials (plus, there’s more to come soon. Sorry again.) but here’s a tiring debate about the whole matter. As a back story, the commercial has been pulled from the airwaves in the UK.

Oh, Neil Patrick Harris. I love how you continue to defy expectations.

You claw your way out of the child star purgatory and wiggle your way into a successful prime time gig. You come out of the closet and refuse to only take gay roles, instead tackling the role of a misogynist on a pretty funny network series.

It just warms my heart is all.

On that note, take a look at NPH’s new Old Spice commercial. It’s both genuinely chuckle-worthy (which is a higher compliment than it sounds) as well as defiant of the expectations one would have from an openly gay actor.

Take a look:

Via Joe My God, I have to show you this ad that has been airing in the New York area.

Is this not the most incredible thing you’ve ever seen? I swear to God this lady is going to be famous — this is going to grow viral and she’ll get a guest spot on Ellen or something.

This is a surprising little Heniz commercial from across the pond. It weirded me out for a second, but I actually think it’s ultimately sort of cute. Particularly the “mmmm” noise. You’ll know what I mean.

I was watching last week’s Grey’s Anatomy (it was strangely comforting to return to Seattle Grace, even though no one changed and everyone is still just as annoying as ever) the other night and I came across this Dodge Journey commercial. I didn’t care about the product — not really looking for something to schlep the kids to soccer practice in — but the song was awesome. What’s more, it sounded familiar.

The song is by Grandaddy and is called A.M. 180. It is delightful, with its crunchy guitars and kindergarten bloops and bleeps. You might remember it from 28 Days Later, which is probably what triggered some sort of response in the recesses of my brain.

And you can download it here!

Meanwhile, enough with Meredith and the not talking during the long-overdue therapy.

So watch this…

… and now tell me if it’s real or a hoax. It’s kind of reminiscent of the e-Harmony ads with the white backgrounds and earnest tone. Which makes me think it’s a hoax. But also, aside from the “dig deep” reference, there aren’t that many overt, silly double entendres.

If you think it’s a hoax, which it very well may be, just know that there’s much crazier shit out there.

For further reference, here’s the corresponding Web page.

I was watching something the other day.

True story.

But during the commercials, this song came on during a spot for Lexus. I really loved it and was immediately thrust into “must Google obsessively until I find out who did this track” mode. Here’s the commercial.

Sadly, my Googling yielded the answer that the music was made specifically for the commercial and there is no song to download, much less a whole album to get.

However, this song gets me excited to listen to The Album Leaf — the one-man-band of Jimmy LaVelle that is mostly instrumental, atmospheric and melodic. The Album Leaf has a nice mixture of electronic and organic textures, as well as a variety of instruments and sounds. I tend to like the instrumental tracks better than the ones with vocals — but what can ya do?

Here’s the video for The Album Leaf’s “Wherever I Go.” If you like that, try my favorite song off the same album — “Into the Sea.”

You guys, you need to see the new gay ad for Chemistry.com.

I find most online dating commercials depressing. Match.com is running ads with unrealistically good-looking people and those eHarmony ads make it pretty obvious that they don’t want you if you are a heretic like me.

But this ad was enough to make even an icy curmudgeon like me all ooey, gooey, baby feet and puppy ears.

I seriously just want to give Chemistry.com all my money just for being wonderful.

And for taking the piss out of eHarmony.

(Via Queerty)