the true art of selling out

[mirtizzle]

i don't want to flood this forum with the whole sell-out issue but i do want to touch on a subject that i was thinking about earlier --
i was watching tv when a minivan commercial came on and the music for the ad turned out to be a modest mouse song..

i mean, i guess understand a band selling the rights to their music after they are past their prime and can't make any money off records or touring.. lots of great rock bands have had their songs used to promote different products, there's happy jack by the who playing in the hummer ad and i'm sure if you left the tv on long enough you'd hear an entire rolling stones album
but for a band whose members belong in geriatric care, i don't really see the point.

anyway, it disturbed me. i'm preparing myself for the day i hear conor oberst singing the oscar meyer weiner song -
thoughts?

[kevin]

I have thoughts.

-Modest Mouse have no real punk ties, are on a pretty big label, and have been big for a while, so they can't really sell out.
-Their music hasn't changed and is still amazing.
-Sure they might have wanted some extra cash, but who cares? It's their money and their songs, let them do what they want as long as their music stays true to themselves.

[xnotedgex]

my thoughts....a band has the right to do whatever they wish with their music and their band...they don't owe anything to anyone...if they want to do everything they can to make as much money as possible, good for them...if they want to change their music to make as much money as possible, good for them...it's not a band's responsiblity to make sure every single fan approves of their decisions

[takingbackrufio]

my thoughts....a band has the right to do whatever they wish with their music and their band...they don't owe anything to anyone...if they want to do everything they can to make as much money as possible, good for them...if they want to change their music to make as much money as possible, good for them...it's not a band's responsiblity to make sure every single fan approves of their decisions
__

[shetpisfock]

id sell out

[yourprivateeye]

haha i would love to hear conor do the oscar mayer weiner song....

[huge raynor fan]

Oh, so a band SHOULD sell out because the have the irrevocable right to? rather, a band should take advantage of their spotlight and channel it towards a more worthwhile mission- such as service to others or something that shows the least bit of humility.

[MrChainsaw389]

Number one: I would sell out without thinking twice about it.
Number two: Does anyone else out there watch MTV at all? If you do, listen to the backround music. I promise you that at some point during a 48 hour period you will hear one of you favorite bands doing backround on MTV. I've heard TBS, The Postal Service, Audio Karate, Fenix TX, Alkaline Trio, and tons others that I can't remember off the top of my head.

[still_above_me]

selling out is changing what you like to do for money.
i would never do that ( i don't think) but i don't bitch about bands doing it.

[Lueda Alia]

I hope Indie won't become like the next big thing. but oh well..

[open mind]

my thoughts....a band has the right to do whatever they wish with their music and their band...they don't owe anything to anyone...if they want to do everything they can to make as much money as possible, good for them...if they want to change their music to make as much money as possible, good for them...it's not a band's responsiblity to make sure every single fan approves of their decisions
i mostly agree with you but when a band starts out and their all like fuck the mainstream and mtv and radio,then 5 years later their number one on trl,and the top 20,and are having their songs used on some corporate advertisement that's selling out.
if they never talk that kind of shit then do tv and radio and ads they wouldn't be selling out.

[richter915]

I wouldn't sell out...I'd just do whatever it takes to get to the top...


so ya...I'd sell out. but I mean...if a band wants to sellout (sign to a major label JUST for money...change sound JUST for money)...I can't really support em...it's just how my morals are.

[towhatend]

What if their new sound is totally awesome?

[BanMe]

That doesn't happen very often.

When bands change for themselves, it might be good. When bands change to appease a label or gain a wider fanbase, they usually end up sounding like shit. Boy Sets Fire, anyone?

But if you really want a sell-out band, look no further than Rancid. They preached and preached about the evils of major labels, and look where they are now. Not only that, they have the nerve to try to fool the fans by leaving the Warner Bros. logo off of their new CD. I never cared about Rancid in the first place, but if I was a fan of theirs, I'd be pissed.

[towhatend]

I agree except I thought Boy Sets Fire's new sound suits them well, I thought their latest Cd was really good.

[somuchcloser]

i'm preparing myself for the day i hear conor oberst singing the oscar meyer weiner song
i just have to say, that's the funniest thing i've heard in a long time.
um, except when i actually think about that happening.

[Phil507]

Number one: I would sell out without thinking twice about it.
Number two: Does anyone else out there watch MTV at all? If you do, listen to the backround music. I promise you that at some point during a 48 hour period you will hear one of you favorite bands doing backround on MTV. I've heard TBS, The Postal Service, Audio Karate, Fenix TX, Alkaline Trio, and tons others that I can't remember off the top of my head.

It is interesting to hear what background music they play because it is lesser known. However, I can't stand to watch shows about mid-twenty year olds acting like they are in middle-school (Real World). Dumbasses bickering about getting lost (Road Rules). "Shocking stunt" shows that are just tired and redundant (Jackass) and, let's not forget, sterotypical teens inspecting stereotypical teenage rooms for jiz stains (Room Raiders). <shudder>

[Albino_Virgin]

But if you really want a sell-out band, look no further than Rancid. They preached and preached about the evils of major labels, and look where they are now. Not only that, they have the nerve to try to fool the fans by leaving the Warner Bros. logo off of their new CD. I never cared about Rancid in the first place, but if I was a fan of theirs, I'd be pissed.

Holy shnikies! Rancid is pissing the crap out of me! For years and years, the band, especially Tim from his freakin' OpIvy days, have been saying how coporate America sucks, like you were saying. I have nothing against a band who wants to make some extra bucks, but when you make your whole career on the foundation of "Coporate anything sucks," then do exactly that (I see my sisters little friends who love GC and Simple Plan now talking about Rancid), I just lose a ton of respect. That is selling out, and I hate that phrase, but Tim, ol' buddy, ol' Lint from OpIvy....I am very disappointed in you young man.

[The Bled 13]

Modest Moust is also playing HFSTIVAL which is a concert for motherfucking losers.