Bongiorno, ragazzi. Let's start this week off with a hypothetical situation.
Check it... you’re in a band. You guys have been together for a few years and have two well-respected albums. Through hard work and a slow, steady upward progression, you’ve cultivated a relatively small, but dedicated fan base. You enjoy touring and you’re having fun on the road, but you come to realize you’re not getting younger and you want to start crafting a more respectable living. Makes sense, right? Management advises that in order for your next record to make a bigger splash on the market, you should ease up on your unique brand of prog rock in an effort widen your audience and make your music more palatable. Plus, they want you to retool your image a bit, maybe chuck out the t-shirts for some Diesel button ups. You know some fans will be disappointed if you make your music a bit more commercially viable, but you figure it’ll bring the group to greener pastures and bigger tours.
If you’ve ever uttered the phrase, "Man, those guys totally sold out!" you’d probably give your management the middle finger and keep on making the music YOU want to make. Or, if you really want to make a killing in the music biz, you may think it’s a good idea to make your band a little more accessible.
While "selling out" should be a term implying success – you sold out of merch! your album sold out of stores! – there’s definitely more negative connotations that go along with it. To the purist and idealist, as an artist that has "sold out", you have sold your soul (integrity, creativity) to the devil (the thoughtless masses).
Many people point to Metallica’s "Black Album" as being the point in time when the band sold out – the band’s traditional thrash sound was abandoned, the group brought in a Mötley Crüe and Bon Jovi producer, and although the songs were still heavy, they were definitely more radio-friendly. Metallica became mega-successful.
So is selling out a something that musicians need to do in order to break into the big leagues and earn a decent living? Or can it be avoided? Has there ever been a bigtime band that hasn’t "sold out?"
Let’s take a look at some of this week’s news stories and see how they relate to this idea of selling out, and maybe we can come up with more of a concrete definition of the term.
Oh, Green Day
I don’t think I’ve ever really written about Green Day, which is weird considering the very first song I learned on guitar was "Basket Case". But the band has popped up lately after a few years of relative silence with an ambitious upcoming album release, the staggered 3-album trilogy, "¡Uno! ¡Dos! ¡Tré!"
In a story posted earlier this week – "Green Day Refuse To Sell Out" – frontman Billie Joe Armstrong stated that he’s "not going to conform to a consumer need" by releasing albums in this fashion. True, while it’s not the norm to release a collection of albums with an overlying story arch, I don’t necessarily think that equals “we’re not selling out.”
Based on the new crisp and polished single, "Oh Love", it’s apparent that Green Day isn’t straying too far from their typical song approach and aesthetic. Although I won’t call myself a Green Day fan per se, I’m certain the album will sell well no matter what.
This is Green Day, they have a formula, and the public loves that formula. Sure, the band started as a pretty legit and influential pop-punk group with a distinct, raw, emotional, gritty(ish) sound, but since the late 90s, the band continues to spit-shine their albums and write increasingly poppier songs. Not to say that is necessarily bad, but the upward progression is to be expected. The band has more money. They have more resources. They are older and this is their livelihood.
Because being a band has never been a sure thing in terms of having a sustainable, fruitful and long-lasting career (especially nowadays), if you’re going to be in a band, you need to think about it as a business. You are a company releasing a product; if you sell a crappy product that isn’t what the consumer market wants, you’re not going to be a company much longer. But if you know what the market wants and you continue to release well-produced, quality products, you’ll have a higher chance to thrive.
Green Day does this. All “successful” bands do to an extent. The question is how much attention is paid to the audience and the business aspects over the quality of the music.
I guess arguments can be made for and against whether or not Green Day has sold out over the span of their career. I can’t make too strong of a distinction because I don’t know too much about them. But there’s another band that’s been present in music news this week that everyone can pretty much agree has sold out to the fullest extent.
KISS My A-s
Sigh... KISS. Here is a band that isn’t ashamed of marketing prowess. For decades now, KISS, perhaps because Gene Simmons and company realized they weren’t prolific songwriters, plastered black and white war paint on chochkies and coffins all over the world. Just when you figure the band couldn’t release any more ridiculous products that have NOTHING to do with their music, you’re shocked to hear that you can now wipe your ass with KISS/Hello Kitty toilet paper. I guess now a KISS Douche isn’t too far out of the realm of possibility.
Reported earlier this week, KISS guitarist Paul Stanley shared some tactics the band used in its early days to increase their popularity. The band essentially faked it until they made it by presenting themselves as being bigger than they actually were. They consciously created a "mythology" around the band. And it worked.
KISS is more of a business than it is a band. As long as they release content that will please their fans, all will be fine; take for instance KISS’s upcoming album, which is described as "a straight ahead rock record". That’s what KISS fans want - it wouldn’t make sense for KISS to change up their sound now in the name of personal artistic satisfaction. Plus, as any good businessperson would do, KISS learned from failure, realizing that they alienated a large percentage of their fan base when they released a disco album in the 70s. KISS is a successful band in the business sense, but will the band be remembered more for the music or the merchandise?
I think what it boils down to knows where that line is: where does the balance lie between making smart business choices AND releasing quality music? You look at bands like KISS, Nickelback and Limp Bizkit, bands that seem to sell out in the traditional sense, and you wonder why they can’t concentrate on making decent music. But then you also look at some of your favorite smaller bands that have always stayed true to their sound but were never able to breakthrough past a certain level.
Richie Blackmore, former Deep Purple guitarist weighs in a popular sentiment:
"It just goes to show that what’s a hit record and what isn’t really doesn’t have anything to do with the content of a song; it’s more about who’s hearing it most on the radio. That’s why I’m skeptical about what’s a hit today and what isn’t. People, I think, mix up popularity with success. I think to be successful, you have to be a good musician; to be popular you have to just be fashionable." - Richie Blackmore (from VH1 Classic Albums).
So hopefully, you can find a way to somehow release amazing music and appeal to a large audience. Maybe the Diesel wardrobe and salon haircut will be worth it.
And, come to think of it, the Blackmore quote is a perfect segue into the Pick of the Week. Huzzah.
Pick of the Week: Deep Purple - "Machine Head" (1971)
In honor of Deep Purple keyboardist Jon Lord’s unfortunate passing this week, I think it’s fitting to include one of Deep Purple’s most renowned albums as the Pick of the Week.
I have never been a big Deep Purple fan and my knowledge of the group has been pretty limited thus far, but DAMN, this "Machine Head" is pretty kicka-s. The most-famous lineup of Deep Purple - vocalist Ian Gillan, guitarist Richie Blackmore, drummer Ian Paice, bassist Roger Glover, and keyboardist Jon Lord - make up quite the hard rock machine for the early 70s. Simple, gritty, driving and groovy, the album cruises moves through memorable riffs and extended instrumental solos
Although Blackmore’s playing is undoubtedly sick, I’d say the real star on the album is Lord. The dude really brought a unique aspect to this riff-rock record with his keyboard presence. For example, in "Space Truckin", Lord’s Hammond organ went through a Marshal stack in order to sound more like a guitar. The result was an added heaviness captured on the track.
"Highway Star" can definitely be thought of as a precursor to heavy metal and the shred trend that would follow in coming decades. Again, Lord’s keyboard solo holds up nicely next to Blackmore’s guitar solo over a Bach-inspired chord progression. And then, of course, there’s "Smoke On The Water", one of the most instantly recognizable guitar riffs known to man.
Another amazing aspect to listening to classic rock such as this is hearing where future bands got their ideas/inspirations. Deep Purple MUST have inspired Queens Of The Stone Age for the hit "No One Knows", as the main riff sounds a hell of a lot like "Maybe I'm A Leo".
Also, to really get a feel for the band and the recording process (plus how interesting and intelligent Jon Lord came off as) check out VH1’s Classic Album program about the album’s recording.
On The Next It's The End Of The Week As We Know It:
Further reports come out linking skinny jeans to testicle damage; additional effects are discovered in which the jean wearer’s balls are slowly tucked up inside the body and the scrotum skin is fashioned a makeshift vagina.
Reports indicate the real reason why Bruce Springsteen’s recent concert in Hyde Park was shut down. It turns out the show wasn’t cut short because of a noise curfew violation, rather because Springsteen and guest Paul McCartney segued into "Revolution 9".
Realizing the absolute absurdity of the situation, Czech authorities lower bail and release Randy Blythe from prison.
Was the first part of the article about baroness? Because they went from being one of the coolest, rawest sludge bands to sounding like the foo fighters. I still love them and their guitar work is great, I just think their old stuff was more unique and all around more awesome.
Great article. It must be hard for a band not to sell out, pretty much impossible these days if they want to make a living from it. But for me, the music is the bottom line whether it's watered down for the masses or not, if the music makes you move then the music stands on its own. Yeah Metallica's "Black Album" wasn't on the lines of their earlier releases because they wanted to appeal to a bigger audience, still a great album full of great songs. Is that really selling out...
I am sick and tired of people going on and on and on about KISS selling out! Every band who signs a contract is a sell-out. Every band who sells a t-shirt at a concert is a sell-out. Sure KISS is going overboard but the Beatles paved the way for that. My mom has three of the four Beatles dolls to this day. What does making dolls of your band have to do with music? Hell there is even a Slash action figure now. That's right! Your precious Slash is a sell-out too.
I know most people don't agree with me, but I always saw Green Day's songs as somewhat similar, despite the year of their release. Sure, the production values kept on increasing, and the sound of the songs is more and more polished, but the songs as they are composed and stuff, have always followed the same path. If songs from the 21st Century Breakdown had the production of, let's say, Kerplunk, they would fit in that album without any doubt. Sure, Warning was a change in their sound, where they played around more with acoustic instruments, and since they have become more popular, some of the songs are more radio-friendly (like 21 Guns for example). But in the end, they are basically the same band, with the same type of songs, that happen to be produced differently. If Basket Case was recorded now, it wouldn't sound like it sounds as we know it, but it would be the same song.
I like some songs from Green Day. Every album that they release usually has three or four songs that I enjoy, even though I consider them a pretty normal band. But I always disagree with people claiming that they sond out.
Most people on UG hates Kiss, I don't think it's the fashion around here since everyone hates Kiss on UG. I bet you guys never took 10 minutes to listen to their first 3 albums!! and to do the work easy to you:
Kiss - Alive! which is one of the best live albums of all time.
I also bet all these people know about Kiss is "I was made for loving you".
Kiss did sell out, but Ritchie Blackmore with Rainbow did it too (thats why Dio left the band), AC/DC did it too, like many others but they did on purpose.
To sell out you have to be able to compose songs that will fit in arenas and other big venues. Composing a Disco record was something risky, and it failed for Kiss, they lost their fanbase and their identidy.
If Kiss inspired a lot of musicians, it's because they were really good before selling out. Sure it's easy to talk sh$t about Kiss if everyone hates their guts, you've nothing of a revolutionary Zach Pino. I'd even say you're fashionable.
After John Lydon made his butter commercial he was considered a sell-out. But he used the money to help pay for making a new PiL album. Didn't he make money from the Sex Pistols album and the reunion tour? Probably not as much as what you would think. Not too mention he had to sue Malcolm McLaren for royalties which took several years which probably cost him a lot of money. The point is it hard to not say any band doesn't sell-out one time in their career. I don't think anyone on UG wouldn't like to make money from their music. The more money you make, the more money you want.
I've always thought "selling out" is such a bullshit term. Bands are entitled to do whatever they want to do. Anyone who accuses bands of selling out clearly don't rely on music to pay the bills.
I am sick and tired of people going on and on and on about KISS selling out! Every band who signs a contract is a sell-out. Every band who sells a t-shirt at a concert is a sell-out. Sure KISS is going overboard but the Beatles paved the way for that. My mom has three of the four Beatles dolls to this day. What does making dolls of your band have to do with music? Hell there is even a Slash action figure now. That's right! Your precious Slash is a sell-out too.
The posters on this site are funny... they dislike a comment just because you say something bad about their favorite artist, no matter how great a point your making.
Your point is well taken, however, the difference I think between Slash selling his likeness in an action figure, and Metallica making Load, Reload, and the other garbage after black album, is that Slash is an always is slash, he never cut his hair, never changed his sound... he's always been Slash.
Even though Metallica and its members have a right to cut their hair, paint their fingernails, change to a cheesy hard rock style, and alter everything that their hardcore fans liked about them, fans also should have a right to say what they feel about the bands they like.
Still, I think the bands have the right to do what they want to be as successful as they want, doing whatever it takes.
I think when Metallica changed everything they may not have known what to do next. The everything they had done leading up to the Black album had been building up their level of success. They were the biggest act in the world. But then what? They couldn't make another Black album of even another Master of Puppets. So they went another direction. KISS is a band that also tried to change their direction with the disco stuff and then the concept album Music from the Elder. And it backfired bad. They took their make-up off then several years later got back with Peter and Ace put the make-up back on again. Now they are stuck there. I agree with Miyagi84. Every band has a right to be as successful as they want. It's either your band reaches success or they break-up. It's the toughest thing in the world to be in a band.
I am really bored today. All that said, I am really bummed at KISS for making toilet paper. And for Hello Kitty to involve themselves in this...what were they thinking?
As hard as it is for fans to hear, I think Rush has 'sold out' several times in their careers. They've attempted to follow trends in a couple decades. I mean, Time Stand Still? Roll the Bones?They just haven't been particularly good at it and in their later years have just embraced their nerdy quirkiness. They make cool music, but they've definitely made attempts to commercialize their sound more.
A band might not have much choice. If they need to make money, then they can sell out... so long as they return to their original sound or some real progression of it. We need to support the bands who aren't popular but have a great sound. I've decided to make sure to actually buy physical copies of albums from unpopular bands. It's easier to share with friends and expose them to new music. Over time, maybe we can shift the sound of popular music to something a little better in the future if we all put the effort in. Also if you want to know about selling out, just listen to the song "Hooker with a Penis" by Tool. You'll get a very angry explanation of what selling out means.
People are idiots, you make the same album twice people loose interest your a one hit wonder, ect But if you change your sound, your selling out. In the case of metallica, they were 30 when LOAD and Re-LOAD came out and James had always been a fan of the softer country style music so why not write some softer songs? Not to mention they were no longer stupid teenagers trying to play longer, heavier and faster songs the transition from heavy to softer music for metallica actually makes sense.
Unlike, Linkin Park going from heavy guitar rock with some beats to techno music and loosing the the heavy parts.
Everyone who complains about selling out has never been in a postion were they could make A LOT more money just selling their image, essentially its cash for doing nothing. Its the equivalent of a sports player leaving his home team that he was a fan of since he was a kid to go to another leave were he can make more money, get better exposure and have a better chance at winning.
I think that musicians can do whatever they want to feed their families and pay the bills. And arguing over the status of a band isnt very great lol. Im not a big green day fan, but id assume making the same style songs for fifteen years would get boring :/ they can change if theyd like i guess
Has there ever been a bigtime band that hasnt "sold out?"
Rush
Pink Floyd, Radiohead, The Beatles, Tool...
As much as I love The Beatles, I have to say they're one of the biggest sell outs in music history (which other than their music, helped them become the biggest band in history). I mean, they had a bunch of merchandise, they made movies, they even have their own Rock Band game.
Has there ever been a bigtime band that hasnt "sold out?"
Rush
Pink Floyd, Radiohead, The Beatles, Tool...
As much as I love The Beatles, I have to say they're one of the biggest sell outs in music history (which other than their music, helped them become the biggest band in history). I mean, they had a bunch of merchandise, they made movies, they even have their own Rock Band game.
Really? Ever listened to their later material? They started off pretty poppy, sure, but Sgt Pepper and White Album are pretty out there. I consider "selling out" to be compromising what was once a unique sound; the Beatles did the opposite of that. But to each their own, I guess.
Very interesting article. I was actually having a heated debate with my friend the other day about Ozzy, and whether he still deserves recognition for his work as an artist. I think he does, despite The Osbournes and his movie cameos, because he is so committed to music that even at 63 he still tours and makes albums. I don't care if he gets a few paychecks from elsewhere, because he's done enough for rock music to be given a break every now and again. And he never compromised his art in order to sell more records.
On the topic of Metallica as well, I don't think they 'sold out' in the typical sense. Maybe i'm a little biased as a diehard fan, but I'm pretty sure that they are more motivated by making music than selling records. The black album became popular because word of mouth spread due to their brilliant early records, not because they signed to a major label.
I agree with Root Beer on this one. The Beatles were like the first 'Sell Outs', but that was their original sound. Once they had become "the biggest band in the world", that's when they did the opposite of selling out by making albums completely different to their original sound that you could say were less consumer friendly. Lets face it, they, and their producers/sound engineers were pioneering recording techniques, and you don't really think of bands doing this as 'Sell Outs' do you? I personally don't anyway!
Very interesting article never the less, and I love those VH1 classic album video's. They really do make you appreciate what went on in a studio in those days and just how good the musicians actually were!
