What Is Your Definition Of A "Sell Out"?

Zer0 · 06-16-2010, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by james1

When a band changes their style in order to be accepted by a mainstream audience.

Exactly. But i suppose a better way to put it would be when a band compromises their style in order to be accepted by a mainstream audience.

Yeah close this thread it's only going to go around in circles.

The Bullet · 06-16-2010, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zero1986

Exactly. But i suppose a better way to put it would be when a band compromises their style in order to be accepted by a mainstream audience.

Depends on the level of comprimise. If the band doesn't even like the music that much, that's definately selling out. If the band leaves one or two slow and long songs off of an album, that's debatable. I think the line is somewhere in-between.

To me, Muse is an example of a band that has sold out. I mean, the video for their newest song has Twilight clips. (Music videos, as well as the music, is art. I think I should restate: if a band comprimises their art.) That's obviously "comprimising", if not completely ruining their music video.

Urban Hat€monger ? · 06-16-2010, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Bullet

To me, Muse is an example of a band that has sold out. I mean, the video for their newest song has Twilight clips. (Music videos, as well as the music, is art. I think I should restate: if a band comprimises their art.) That's obviously "comprimising", if not completely ruining their music video.

I don't think of Muse as being the type of band that could sell out.

They've always been a populist commercial stadium rock act.
I don't see how putting a few movie clips in one of their videos changes a thing.

As for Green Day they were putting out commercial pop songs even before they were signed to a major label. It's not as if their music has made any great changes since then that can't be attributed the the members of the band reaching middle age.

TheBig3 · 06-22-2010, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James

When a band changes their style in order to be more wealthy.

fix'd!

TheCunningStunt · 06-16-2010, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rammetal7

Ex: a band says they would never sign on to a major record label, but they later did, this makes them sellouts.

That. And a band that makes a record with 3 singles on it and a load of bland boring filler, in an attempt to sell.

I think in 4 posts we've managed to sum it up.

gunnels · 06-16-2010, 06:35 PM

Somebody give me an example of a sell out because as far as I'm concerned it doesn't exist.

TheCunningStunt · 06-16-2010, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gunnels

Somebody give me an example of a sell out because as far as I'm concerned it doesn't exist.

Saying the'd never sign to a major label but did: Green Day
Compromising their style of music to suit a mainstream audience: Kings Of Leon

Halpert · 06-16-2010, 09:09 PM

A band that signs to a major label and has no right to their music so the producers make it sound like 80's hair metal. Listen to White Crosses and you'll know what I mean.

Violent & Funky · 06-16-2010, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Halpert

A band that signs to a major label and has no right to their music so the producers make it sound like 80's hair metal. Listen to White Crosses and you'll know what I mean.

Yeah, that's a false statement. Check your facts and get back to us...

Dom · 06-17-2010, 02:02 AM

I think Wikipedia's definition is the most accurate personally:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wikipedia

"Selling out" refers to the perception that someone is compromising their integrity, morality, or principles in exchange for money or "success" (however defined). It is commonly associated with attempts to tailor material to a mainstream audience. Any artist who expands their creative path to encompass a wider audience, as opposed to continuing in the genre and venues of their initial success, may be disdainfully labeled by disapproving fans as a sellout. Selling out is often seen as gaining success at the cost of credibility.

I've read through a lot of the debate on this thread and what some of you seem to be missing is that whether or not the artist is good they can still be a sellout, whatever their motives - changing your art to make more money isn't necessarily a bad thing and I think the shame of "selling out" is exaggerated. Sellout is really just a term used by music elitists to shun mainstream bands who began underground.

06-16-2010, 09:09 PM	#8 (permalink)
Halpert Music Addict Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 141	A band that signs to a major label and has no right to their music so the producers make it sound like 80's hair metal. Listen to White Crosses and you'll know what I mean. __________________ My last.fm http://last.fm/user/af-halpert

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