"They sold out"

[theFijian]

I frequently hear people say that band x or artist y have "sold out", most recently in the Depeche Mode thread. Just what is this supposed to mean?

regards,
Andy

 

[lizardbit]

For every band/group/musician the term is applied differently, but mainly I take it as the group/band/musician did something they said they would never do to gain money or profit. I know the term has been used against Metallica as well when they made their first video (for the song "One" I believe) because they were a metal band and it was supposed to be a form of rebellion and they did exactly what everyone else was doing. But ya mainly they are doing something they wouldn't normally to gain profit. Although as I said for each band the term is something different.

 

[Sign Of The Fish Burger]

Im not saying this is the case, but I have heared before, people saying that Nirvana sold out, when Kurt Kobain became exactly what he said he would never be.

But thats just something I heared... not necessarily something I believe. Please dont throw thigns at me *ducks*

 

[Qyöt27]

A lot of times it's used in reference to punk bands who sign to major labels also, since it's kind of an unspoken rule that true bands only stick to independent labels to make sure there's no pressure to make something pop-friendly (at least, that's how I interpret it). I personally think it's a waste, but I also like Industrial, which isn't one of those types that can easily become pop-friendly, even if the artist is on a major label.

I'm pretty sure it's just a shorter way of saying, "They sold out to the man."

 

[nadroj1985]

I think it's an incredibly overused phrase that actually has some merit if used properly. Unfortunately, it seems to have come to correspond to a band that is "underground" or "indie" in any way having any sort of mainstream success (this can be in many forms- signing a deal with a major record label, having a hit single, etc.). Notice that this definition says nothing about the quality of the music, but only talks about how popular the music is.

My definition is more connected with the quality of the music. Selling out, IMO, is changing the type of music you make for the sole purpose of monetary gain. Usually it carries a negative connotation- someone makes lower quality music because they tried to pander to the lowest common denominator. I guess it's possible that selling out could lead to what I might call better music, but that's probably extremely rare according to my tastes. Whether that's possible or not, making better (or worse) music is merely an indirect result; the main purpose is to make money. Interestingly, it doesn't even matter if that purpose is successful; the motive to make money is still the prime consideration. And it is the motive that matters-- if the motive behind the music is money, and not the creation of good art, the phrase "sell out" as I use it is applicable.

 

[Mϋzikdϋde]

I frequently hear people say that band x or artist y have "sold out", most recently in the Depech Mode thread. Just what is this supposed to mean?

regards,
Andy

In short: Someone didn't like a business decision that a band made. Of course, they probably heard about it from their friends at school and couldn't even BEGIN to phathom the details of what they're talking about.

 

[Mϋzikdϋde]

Im not saying this is the case, but I have heared before, people saying that Nirvana sold out, when Kurt Kobain became exactly what he said he would never be.

But thats just something I heared... not necessarily something I believe. Please dont throw thigns at me *ducks*

Kurt was a visionary/dreamer. He talked a lot of smack until he realized he couldn't reach his goals on the road he was traveling. He didn't sell out, he grew up.

 

[Sign Of The Fish Burger]

I wasnt necesarily saying I agreed with what they said. All I was stating was that in the past, I have heared others day that nirvana were "sell outs". Also heared it about RHCP's but I really dont think thats the case AT ALL.

 

[Mϋzikdϋde]

...and I wasn't refuting anything you said (like I would ever do that). I was just enhancing your original thought.

 

[Rufus T Firefly]

Hooker with a Penis by Tool has an interesting comment on this whole subject, mind you it might burn the sensibilities of some participants on this here forum. The Aenima album, is where you'll locate this little gem.

 

[oldrooster]

I frequently hear people say that band x or artist y have "sold out", most recently in the Depech Mode thread. Just what is this supposed to mean?

regards,
Andy

Mostly from those who cannot accept change, or new directions that bands go in....

 

[Western Deity]

...and I wasn't refuting anything you said (like I would ever do that). I was just enhancing your original thought.

Lmao... classic.

 

[cygnusx1]

Mostly from those who cannot accept change, or new directions that bands go in....

How True oldrooster !!

BTW , RUSH sold out , it was almost impossible to get a ticket for this tour , they even had to add dates!

 

[theFijian]

BTW , RUSH sold out , it was almost impossible to get a ticket for this tour , they even had to add dates!

Har de har! Very droll

 

[Arwen Undomiel]

I hear the term frequently when people are talking about musicians allowing their work to be used in advertising. A few years ago this caused more of an uproar, whereas now it's almost expected that you'll hear a song from an iconic band or artist in a commercial. I think the biggest controversies were The Beatles' "Revolution" for Nike, and Bob Dylan for Victoria's Secret. (Offhand remark: Slate's commentary on Dylan was titled "Tangled Up In Boobs") Now we have The Clash selling cars. I guess that's 'selling out' in a very literal sense.

 

[theFijian]

I think my own opinion on this is that a band might be termed to have "sold out" in two ways:

a) You can't buy any of their music or concert tickets as they have "sold out" (thanks Cygnus! )

b) They have compromised in some manner eg. creatively or ideologically.

 

[ps139]

Selling out: Its not being you, frankly. Some small bands might be underground with a devoted following, then some huge record label sees their talent - and wants to take control of it, transforming it (or really "watering it down") into a pop hit. As a result it doesn't really sound like the band, and the original fans feel abandoned. No Doubt is a case of this. (Or so I've heard from my friend who is really into ska). I think Dave Matthews did this about 5 or 6 years ago (I forget what album, but I hated it because it was so "poppy"). Since then though Dave has returned to the good side . Phish also flirted with selling out in the early 90s with their album Hoist and their MTV video for "Down with Disease" (which was a major flop on MTV, thank God!). If you listen to Hoist, you'll see its unlike any other Phish album, its very, very "radio-friendly." Not that thats always a bad thing, but its not Phish. There are some good songs on Hoist, but if you listen to them played in concert the last 10 years they've undergone a huge transformation, and are more "Phishy," which is the way it should be.

From a financial standpoint I can understand a band selling out, not everyone wants to be the "starving artist" their whole life, but from the POV of artistic merit and purity of intent, I have no respect at all for selling out, I consider it downgrading. Unfortunately thats what money does.

 

[Western Deity]

^ Some people just have to write essays for responses and show off how smart they are .

Seriously though, well said. You wrapped it up quite nicely .

 

[Oblivious]

I would say that a band "sells out" when they change their style of music to be what is at that time considered "mainstream"

Examples:

Late 70's - Many bands went "disco"

80's - Many bands went "electronic" or "pop"

Early 90's - Many bands went "grunge"

 

[Mϋzikdϋde]

Let's throw a little perspective on this.

I do construction as a side job.
I hate doing drywall. So I generally don't take on basement finishes.
I love building decks, so I advertise myself as a deck builder.
This summer I didn't get a single deck job but I had 4 people ask me to finish their basements.
But I'm not a "Basement finisher" I thought. I need the money in order to get by though and people want a finished basement.
SO, I finished their basements and now I'm a sellout.

Music is no different. Many bands don't do very well when audience tastes change so they try to keep up with the mainstream. The problem is this: We have bands that we really like and we buy their stuff. We're used to hearing a certain style from that band. THen the band changes it's style in order to sell more records, otherwise they'll have to sell the Ferrari. So now they sound like a different band and we hate them because they sold out. But they get to keep the Ferrari.

Question:
If you had a Ferarri, would you give it up for me?