the clash signed on with abc

U2 promoting Apple

Given their beginings as a rebel band, this is one band that embodies the word SELL-OUT

Using the word 'sell-out' for bands like U2, who start off with a rebel image and then become mainstream and non-rebellious, would seem appropriate. This is because it seems they have used one image to gain popularity to begin with, but then once they got popular they changed the image and music so that they could profit from it. I think its appropriate only to use the term for bands who try to make big statements early in their careers and then seem to take back their original views when it suits them financially (like they were a bunch of dodgy politicians).

For me selling out relates more to image and public profile than it does to actual music. Jrs. point about Elton John and Aerosmith music getting worse with time is true, but that doesn't constitue selling out, what it does represent is the loss of inspiration, energy and true connection with the average person that often happens when a person becomes rich, famous and successful. That isn't "selling out" though, because I don't think they do it on purpose... in that they didn't change their music to make money, but instead their music changed BECAUSE they had made so much money. I don't think that Elton and Aerosmith changed their music intentionally to have wider appeal. But the position of fame and fortune makes it more difficult for some artists to get the right inspiration to fuel their creative drive and also the 'luck' which leads musicians to write some really good songs which get them initial attention can't last forever. On the contrary, their music got weaker, so less people would be interested in it - but their increased fame, through exposure, meant that more people were able to hear it in the first place, so their sales went up.

INXS would fall into this category as well

yeah

but INXS is still pretty good

even though the TV show didn't make me very happy.

:eek::confused: Thats weird, it seems for that I'm the only one around my area. :(

So?

RATM was signed to Sony.

No bands EVER "Sell out"



They simply "Buy in"

I really like that way of putting it, good job.

But on the issue as a whole, the word "sellout" has been tossed around so much that it's just lost all meaning. If you label every band that becomes popular a sellout, then the reality is that eventually, pretty much every good band will be a "sellout" sooner or later. Especially with all the exposure available over the internet, bands don't need a major record label to become popular, just a spot on purevolume and a few devoted fans to spread the word.

CBS