What constitutes a sellout?

[Quiet Stranger]

I was wondering what exactly constitutes a sell out, I have a friend that says The Clash aren't punk just because they made the song "Rock the Casbah" (or however you spell it) I think she thinks this just because it's a popular song and ltos of people have probably heard it in their life. So I'm just wondering what exactly is a sellout?

 

[Johnnyallstar]

The reason most people call bands "sellouts" is because they move away from what they originally were in favor of making music that sells better. They sold out their foundation to make money.

 

[FinalHeart95]

Sellout is a useless term used by people that simply don't like a direction a band has taken musically, and the band has gained more fans over time. Sometimes there are artists who are sell-outs, but generally they start selling out as soon as their career starts, not halfway through.

 

[TheLaofKazi]

The reason most people call bands "sellouts" is because they move away from what they originally were in favor of making music that sells better. They sold out their foundation to make money.

This pretty much sums it up.

Although what I hate is when a band evolves and people say the band is "selling out," simply isn't trying anymore, or something else like that, it pisses me off. Even if I don't like the new direction a band is going in, it's their art and they can do whatever they want with it.

Or the worst is when a band evolves, while beginning to gain some mainstream success. Just because a band is becoming popular doesn't mean they sacrifice their artistic integrity, or are only making music geared at appealing to the masses.

I'm talking mostly about that part of the indie crowd that only likes things that aren't popular, as if how popular something makes a difference or something.

 

[Ham_authority95]

Making money.

Seriously, the second you try to sell anything you make, you have sold out.

Let's let Tool tell you all about that:

 

[Quiet Stranger]

Making money.

Seriously, the second you try to sell anything you make, you have sold out.

Let's let Tool tell you all about that:

Aren't bands all sell outs then? Since they put their music into CD albums and put them in stores to sell them for money??

 

[Ham_authority95]

Making money.

Seriously, the second you try to sell anything you make, you have sold out.

Let's let Tool tell you all about that:

Aren't bands all sell outs then? Since they put their music into CD albums and put them in stores to sell them for money??

Techically speaking, the record companies make more money than the artist does (unless its a huge 100 million dollar pop star contract).

But yes, that's what I was trying to say.

 

[Quiet Stranger]

Making money.

Seriously, the second you try to sell anything you make, you have sold out.

Let's let Tool tell you all about that:

Aren't bands all sell outs then? Since they put their music into CD albums and put them in stores to sell them for money??

Techically speaking, the record companies make more money than the artist does (unless its a huge 100 million dollar pop star contract).

But yes, that's what I was trying to say.

Well then how can they be sell outs if EVERYONE does it? How else would they make money? (other then through donations)

 

[Ham_authority95]

Or the worst is when a band evolves, while beginning to gain some mainstream success. Just because a band is becoming popular doesn't mean they sacrifice their artistic integrity, or are only making music geared at appealing to the masses.

I'm talking mostly about that part of the indie crowd that only likes things that aren't popular, as if how popular something makes a difference or something.

This is also something that needs to be said.

Bands like Rush have become multi-million selling acts, but they're still very progressive and excellent musicians.

 

[Ham_authority95]

*Chop*

What I was also try to say is that the term "sell out" is a silly and redundant phrase.

 

[Enigmers]

Selling out is a mentality, it's when you're willing to compromise the kind of music you'll make in favour of earning more money. If a band does some weird experimentation that happens to also be the best thing anyone within earshot has ever heard and they end up billionaires, they're not sellouts, they just happened to write something that other people liked. Now, if that same band had heard from their record companies that doing X will appeal to a larger demographic and they'd earn more fans and more money, that's selling out.

 

[Najos]

Making money.

Seriously, the second you try to sell anything you make, you have sold out.

Let's let Tool tell you all about that:

I absolutely love that song. I use it as a reference when people start talking about "selling out." People STILL say that shit about Tool/APC, which just makes me laugh.

 

[Ham_authority95]

Making money.

Seriously, the second you try to sell anything you make, you have sold out.

Let's let Tool tell you all about that:

I absolutely love that song. I use it as a reference when people start talking about "selling out." People STILL say that shit about Tool/APC, which just makes me laugh.

If anything, Tool has actually gotten more progressive and experimental since then.

And yes, I love this song aswell .

Its good to get your anger out to.

 

[TriggerUnhappy]

Personally, I'd say doing anything you don't want to, just for the purpose of money, regardless of profession.

 

[skitzo van]

When you change for the money

 

[likalaruku]

 

[Insane_Foxx]

"selling out" for my understanding is when a band, or director, or whatever. stops making the songs/movies/whatever that they want, and stop trying to make original stuff, and just do stuff that is specifically aimed at mass appeal. the best example of this would be a manager tells them to start writing songs a certain way, because focus groups prefer it that way.

 

[Jumping_Over_Fences]

People just get upset that their special little underground band has decided that they want to move out of their parents basement and start making some money. I do not see any problem with that, I would sell out in a second. You drive a dump truck full of money to my house and tell me how to write my next album, I'm in, I wouldn't even think twice.

I still think the biggest example of this has to be Sugar Ray. Don't believe me? Listen to Mean Machine, or RPM, then listen to Fly, or any of their later stuff then talk to me. I kind of feel bad for people who bought Floored thinking it would sound like Fly.

Also, The Clash are in no way sellouts. Before Rock the Casbah was released they already had hits with London Calling, Should I Stay or Should I Go and I Fought the Law. The Clash are still the only band that matters.

 

[II2]

The will to eat?

 

[Sexual Harassment Panda]

Well then how can they be sell outs if EVERYONE does it? How else would they make money? (other then through donations)

No, you have to change first. Establish a style, get fans, change style, alienate fans, earn more money.

I see what you're saying, but I don't think that changing is selling out. At some point you're going to have to change or you'll get bored or just become irrelevent...does anyone still buy ACDC albums?

I think you need to be preachy and establish and then contradict ethics rather than styles to sell out.

I'll give a shitty example. Some new band, we'll call them..."Curbstomp", who are obviously a punk band(apologies if there is a curbstomp). Curbstomp say that they'll "never make a music video, music video's are ruining music". If you see Curbstomp on MTV, I think you'd be very accurate in labelling them sellouts. If they decided they wanted to make a jazz album, I don't really see that as selling out...