UPDATED: Did the Gin Blossoms really sell 30 million records?

From Fox 10:

It’s been nearly 20 years since the Gin Blossoms burst onto the local music scene in Tempe. With hits like Hey Jealously[sic], Found Out About You, and Till I Hear It From You, the Blossoms have sold 30 million records worldwide.

Off the top of my head I say pish posh.

The band went multi-platinum in the early 1990s, and I was a fan even before they were big.

But 30 million? I could be wrong; will research the issue and report back.

FIRST UPDATE:

Two commenters more or less agree with me:

Mark:

I was thinking the same thing recently. Especially since a few years back NME was at about 4 million, and I think CIS was getting on to 1 million. Even if those figures are US only (not sure, but don’t think so) 30 million seems way over inflated.

Thanks for researching, I’d be interested to see how much weight is really behind this number, or if the marketing team just thought it sounded like an impressive number – which to me seems more feasible.

We were happy to see one of Martin Cizmar’s most ardent defenders get in on the discussion as well:

Dan Gibson:

A crazy idea, I realize, but why not check the information BEFORE posting about it? It only took me two minutes to use the search on the RIAA’s site, after all.

Anyhow, it’s not (likely) true. The RIAA has certified “New Miserable Experience” four times platinum and “Congratulations, I’m Sorry” one time platinum. Unless they’re killing it overseas sales-wise, FOX 10 might want to dial down the hyperbole.

Dear Dan: You understand, don’t you, that I did say in the piece they had gone multiplatinum, right?

That information was provided for you!

RIAA information is iffy—quadruple platinum might mean only 3,500,000 sold.

And in any case, we’re talking about worldwide record sales, which are calculated nowhere reliably.

PHXated, fortunately, has a crack team of researchers working on this issue, even as we speak.

We will report back soonest!