The Sellout Thread

soundave

soundave

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Oct 13, 2005
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On selling out:

1. What does it mean to you? For example, is it even possible for a band with record contract to sell out? (Yeah, all you folks who like to argue about semantics and shit, knock yourselves out--this is for you. So no people bitching about the thread getting derailed...it's actually a big part of this.)

2. Who's done it and what was it that caused you to think so?
 
quick and easy: Nickelback.

Everyone hates them now, but you know what... long, long ago they were a decent band. Fame and fortune ate them alive, and now all their albums sound exactly the same, same radio-friendly formula, no risk taking anymore, and the number of albums they just keep pumping out makes me wonder if they even put anything into it anymore. It's not worth listening to at all.
 
My definition of selling out is thus: compromising your own artistic vision for the sake of greater revenue or a wider audience.

So to answer question 1, yes it is possible for an artist with a recording contract to sell out. Having a record contract is in itself not selling out if you are doing what you want to be doing. If you are changing all of your ideas with the intent of getting a better record contract then you are selling out.

It's pretty hard to answer who has actually done it with that definition because you'd need to know the true intentions of an artist in order to determine that.
 
Metallica is what I think of when I hear sellout. It seems that once a band becomes famous like this they stop making good music, which is strange because you'd think they'd have more motivation to make good music. But I guess you could have motivation to make awful music to. Which I think is what happens to a lot of bands.
 
When "art" is thought of as object, which is synonymous with product (commodity) in our system. The problem of "art-object" production, which is not art at all, is a much larger issue than recording contracts, although the latter are a sign of the extent of commoditization.
 
Slayer101 said:
Metallica is what I think of when I hear sellout. It seems that once a band becomes famous like this they stop making good music, which is strange because you'd think they'd have more motivation to make good music. But I guess you could have motivation to make awful music to. Which I think is what happens to a lot of bands.
Click to expand...

Metallica sold out with the Black Album, then sold back in with the Loads, then back outa gain with St. Anger.

Just to clarify...
 
I don't believe in selling out. I believe in bands or people who (justifibly so) want to make more money to live comfortably.
People in general don't always do what they want to do, they don't live up to their own "vision", but they need to keep living. You might as well call a garbage man a sell out because he's doing the so-called safe and comfortable thing and making money to live off of, instead of trying to be an astronaut and not comprimising.

Life isn't that easy. Everyone (including musicians) has the right to make a product that more people will buy. Because, in the end, that's what it is - a product. And this is his job.

Maybe because I'm Jewish, but I don't see the harm in wanting to make more money if you choose so. And it's not like these artists that "sold out" are forcing people to buy bad products. If the majority doesn't like it, they won't buy it.

Also, for those artists who don't compromise their visions, yet put their music on commercials or do anything that gets there art out there, are even more justified in my eyes. I know that a certain artist here got flack for selling his cd at a well known cafe chain restaurant thingy here. And I'm thinking "good for him, more people will be exposed". And, again, the dude gets money. Because that his livelihood. Well done.

In the end, I think that it's ok to want to make money. On the other hand, it's also ok (and even better for me) to want to make a worthwile product.
 
Also, to double post, I don't think Metallica did anyhting near "selling out".

I can't imagine any other band that has the balls to do such a 180, and just do whatever the fuck they want. They did it because they wanted to change their music, not because they wanted cash.
 
Justin S. said:
When "art" is thought of as object, which is synonymous with product (commodity) in our system. The problem of "art-object" production, which is not art at all, is a much larger issue than recording contracts, although the latter are a sign of the extent of commoditization.
Click to expand...
I agree. It's rampant in our consumerism-driven society.
 
These bands all got simplier and more "very radio friendly" in the 80s... Are they sell outs?

Rush
Yes
Van Halen
Rainbow
 
Kenneth R. said:
quick and easy: Nickelback.

Everyone hates them now, but you know what... long, long ago they were a decent band. Fame and fortune ate them alive, and now all their albums sound exactly the same, same radio-friendly formula, no risk taking anymore, and the number of albums they just keep pumping out makes me wonder if they even put anything into it anymore. It's not worth listening to at all.
Click to expand...

This reminded me of the thing Bumblefoot made a few years ago.

http://www.thewebshite.net/nickelback.htm
 
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