They Sold Out

[Fresh Tendrils]

This was originally a journal of mine on Last.fm, and I thought it would be an interesting topic.

've heard this said about a lot of bands. From the White Stripes, to Modest Mouse, to Soundgarden, and almost every band that has had popular success in the industry.

But what the hell is selling out? What is selling out to you fellow OSers?

To me, you've sold out when you've stopped making music you like and when you essentially force yourself to play/sing. Letting movies/companies use your music, so what? Who says you can't take advantage of your talent? Hell, thats your career is anyway - playing and selling music. I can understand how if a band completely changes their sound just to get played on a Top 40 station, then yes they would be sell outs. But if a band keeps their style like they've always had it, their fan base grows, and they gain popular success, how is that selling out?

Anyway. The question at hand. What determines selling out in YOUR opinion?

[The GIGGAS]

Re: They Sold Out

When you put out singles primarily to be played on MTV. Weezer, I'm talking to you here!

[eXperiment63]

Re: They Sold Out

Staind <- They sold out HARDCORE! They were an alt-metal band and now are faux-hard rock.

Going mainstream doesn't make you a sell-out, that makes you mainstream. As long as you stay true to yourself and your REAL fanbase, there is no selling out.

[ehh]

Re: They Sold Out

"I dumb down my lyrics to double my dollars" - Jay-Z


That's the definition of selling out......



IMO, it's when you make your music so it's aimed at 16 year old white chicks in the suburbs....aka the MTV crowd like Giggas said.

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: They Sold Out

Going mainstream doesn't make you a sell-out, that makes you mainstream. As long as you stay true to yourself and your REAL fanbase, there is no selling out.

I agree with this. When an idie band gets some popular success, such as Modest Mouse, some of the "original" fans get pissed off because A) the band isn't their little secret anymore and B) they equate mainstream with selling out, which doesn't necessarily have to come hand in hand.

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: They Sold Out

Also, when a guy from band A says Band B sold out, they're just either jealous or just really bitter.

[ehh]

Re: They Sold Out

Well I really only know hip-hop very well, and in hip-hop is no such thing as a mainstream artist that didn't sell out.

But I can see your point FT, in regards to other genres.

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: They Sold Out

Well I really only know hip-hop very well, and in hip-hop is no such thing as a mainstream artist that didn't sell out.

But I can see your point FT, in regards to other genres.

I know the Gorillaz aren't "true" hip hop, but regardless, they're are very mainstream friendly, yet they haven't sold out.

[ehh]

Re: They Sold Out

I know the Gorillaz aren't "true" hip hop, but regardless, they're are very mainstream friendly, yet they haven't sold out.

Yeah, for me they aren't "true" hip-hop. I really have heard very little of them so I can't analyze them a ton.

[dieselboy]

Re: They Sold Out

Staind <- They sold out HARDCORE!

One of the biggest examples that came to my mind.

That first cd, "Disfunction" or whatever...is so different than everything else Staind has done.

[Herbsinator]

Re: They Sold Out

I know the Gorillaz aren't "true" hip hop, but regardless, they're are very mainstream friendly, yet they haven't sold out.

I'd agree with that statement...they are popular, yet they don't have 50 cent doing cameo's on their album...who would have thought it was possible?

[BigTim]

Re: They Sold Out

Im sensing a satire-type similarity to the current removal of the EE board and this question.

You arent trying to angle in that OS sold out are you?

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: They Sold Out

Im sensing a satire-type similarity to the current removal of the EE board and this question.

You arent trying to angle in that OS sold out are you?

No. I'm not sure how that would work anyway. I actually posted a journal on this same topic on Last.fm earlier this week and thought it was a good topic to discuss.

[RailStone]

Re: They Sold Out

You can't spell sell out without LL..

also, a serious question for true hip hop fans, has any group every sold out worse than the black eyed peas?

[eXperiment63]

Re: They Sold Out

One of the biggest examples that came to my mind.

That first cd, "Disfunction" or whatever...is so different than everything else Staind has done.

Staind didn't sell out until 14 shades of gray... Before that, they got a little lighter, but it was still true music. They didn't pretend to be hard, they still had that edge. It's sad too, just because Aaron became a happier person and didn't wanna write depressing stuff as much, doesn't mean your whole band has to change it's complete sound like they did.

Shinedown did something similar on their new album, it sounds completely different than their first album, yet its easy to tell they didn't sell out. They are still true to their fans and the new album is more back-to-roots rock more than anything else. You can say, yea they went for a few more ballds this time around, but guess what? Their BEST song was a ballad, they are great at making ballads. 45 was the first true mega power-ballad since the late 80's. Had that hard edge, yet was even better acoustic.

A change in sound doesn't make it a sellout, that is just part of it. Egos getting in the way and not staying true to your fans makes you a sellout.