Originally Posted by Zer0

Bands rarely gig their asses off these days? Really? I'm under the impression that there's tons of bands out there that get out and gig and gig and gig and gig and gig just like always. In fact I know there is.

Also gig attendances are nearly as high as they've ever been. And even if they are slightly lower that's due to economic reasons rather than laziness. And to echo what DJ said, live performance isn't the end all be all of the music experience. To me an artist's definitive statement, and something that they'll be remembered for decades down the line, is their best recorded work.