i agree totally. to write you're own music you don't need to be up to anyone else standards, because what else do they have to judge it by? originality is the main thing i look for in any kind of music.

yeah, but the "band wagon" of music trends really brings in money, and always will. record labels always bring in money with money written music.I hate money! I dont ever buy into the mainstreem ever unless it is a good song in melody, which about every good song is...

yeah it always will, there are bands out there though that have broken into the mainstream without comprimising their sound, eg. system of a down, very popular, very original and talented.

Sure songwriting is more important, but good musicianship dosent hurt, it all depends on what kind of music you write. If you write punk, alternative rock or something along those lines, you dont need very talented musicians, but if we are talking about something like Jazz, Metal or Prog, you will certainly need a good musician or two. Sid Vicious could write a very complex song is he wanted to, but no way in hell would he have actualy been able to play it.

complexity is a necessity in music to me. if it has power then I think that is the best thing it could have. The only kinda punk band I like is the clash.if thats, whatever. I always hear little kids saying rancid! sid vicious! ramones! so that really turns me off to that type of music.