Best bands to ever sell out

Ghoulish Delight · 01-09-2005, 02:55 AM

Is there anything sadder than a young promising band with undeniable raw talent and creativity completely compromising their music for the sake of making it in the mainstream? And as much as it sucks when an established legend caves and sells their song for a car commercial, I find it even worse when they sell out at the begnning of their career, depriving the world of what they could have created.

My most painful example is No Doubt. At this point, it's almost depressing to hear their debut album. It's just so damned good. It's so incredibly unique, and impossible to pigeonhole. They got tagged with the ska label a lot because they had brass and lived in Anaheim, and were caught up early in the ska revival. But that doesn't even begin to describe their early sound. It had the ska undertones, but add to that punk, straight rock, and some seriously funky base (a-la the Chilli Peppers). There was nothing like them. And Gwen's song writing was stellar. That first album was as lyrically driven as it was musically. They didn't take themselves seriously. I mean, they had a song about Gwen getting her wisdom teeth pulled and another about masturbating to Paulina Petorskia (or whatever her last name is). Gwen's on-stage attitude was entirely her own. She single handedly opened my eyes to the fact that flat-chested can be damned hot! And she loved the crowd. She'd come out after the show. I had a few conversations with her, she was always friendly. One time she even said, "Hey, you were that guy over on the side in the front." Made my day!

Their second offering, Beacon Street Collection, was also solid. Nearly as good as the first, perhaps only missing the novelty factor. It still had that great sound and attitude, I love that album. But then Eric, Gwen's brother, left the band. At it seems he was the one driving that individual style, 'cause suddenly the brass went away, and the music became blah. Tragic Kindom's okay, but seriously lacks the spark. And then Just a Girl hit the radio. Whoo boy, that was the end of it. Suddenly, Gwen was yet another "girl power" star. Her unique stage presence was gone, losing her previous connection with the crowd. Instead she was trying to play the part of rock star. And now, that girl with incredibly song writing abilities and one heck of a voice, is shaping up to be yet another forgettable starlet, singing a horrific pop piece of crap glorifying the fact that she sold out.

I'm damned glad I saw them as much as I did when they were small. But damn does it suck that they became what they did.

FEJ · 01-09-2005, 01:02 PM

In a way, they have evolved. Gwen was always on track to be a super-icon. You could just tell. From the days when they would practice in the room next to the band I was working for at the stompbox and bandwest, to bogarts, and even as they got bigger, they became what the public wanted them to be. we cant blame it all on them. kroq and mtv definately played their part also. actually, in my interactions with the band in the last couple years, they seem pretty down to earth and still playing what they believe and feel. even "underneath it all" is a good look into gwen. If they had just done it for the money or to be a couple hit wonder, I would call it selling out. I just think they have grown.

If you want a band that I think is the greatest to sell out, then it would have to be DEVO.
A swiffer commercial, enough said.
but I like their reasoning also. "Why not, we have made our mark, now lets make some money" <----(paraphrasing)

Cadaverous Pallor · 01-09-2005, 01:10 PM

I'm not so much annoyed at "selling out", but when a band has a great album then totally changes direction with the next one in a crappy way.

Beck's "Mutations" album pisses me off. As does Reel Big Fish's later stuff. Incubus' last effort was ok but not really what I wanted. Hell, Michael Jackson's "Invincible" album sucked ass. Although he didn't change direction, he just got totally unoriginal.

FEJ · 01-09-2005, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

I'm not so much annoyed at "selling out", but when a band has a great album then totally changes direction with the next one in a crappy way....Hell, Michael Jackson's "Invincible" album sucked ass. Although he didn't change direction, he just got totally unoriginal.

I would much rather a band change direction and do something a bit different and take a risk than try to stick to the same formula and have the new stuff become uninteligable from the old. My example is: I loved 311's first album and there second one was pretty good also, but then on susequent albums it just became the same song to me over and over.

innerSpaceman · 01-10-2005, 02:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

Her unique stage presence was gone, losing her previous connection with the crowd.

Well, whether you think they sold out or merely evolved, I have to say that I find this statement to be completely wrong. I saw Gwen perform just a few months ago, and she's still got a unique stage style and an increbilble connection with the crowd.

If it's not the same connection as when No Doubt was your local club band, I will have to say it's one of the best connections I've seen between a major music artist and her audience. She has not by any means lost that.

In fact, sir, I think I'm just gonna have to bad mojo you some on that one. (Take down a little of that artificial admin. starting advantage anyhow.)

Ghoulish Delight · 01-10-2005, 02:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

If it's not the same connection as when No Doubt was your local club band, I will have to say it's one of the best connections I've seen between a major music artist and her audience. She has not by any means lost that.

I'll admit that I haven't seen them in years. I stopped once I went to a show and was crushed against the stage for an hour and got kicked in the head (and almost blacked out) by a crowd surfer. Had to be pulled out by security. It was absolutlely raucus, and the band ignored it. Which is normal for other concerts, but the previous time I saw ND (which was before KROQ was playing them), they flat out stopped playing in the middle of a song because the mosh pit was getting nasty. That was enough of a change of attitude for me. And then Gwen started going through her Madaonna wanna-be phase. And all the while, their music was getting duller and duller, imo.

innerSpaceman · 01-10-2005, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

And all the while, their music was getting duller and duller, imo.

I might have to agree with this premise, but since the band seems to have entered their performing-of-greatest-hits phase, I found both recent concert experiences to be really enjoyable. Their newer stuff is much more palatable when served up with the better works of yesteryear, and the band (and 'specially Gwen) still puts on quite a show!

Gemini Cricket · 01-10-2005, 05:47 PM

Group: Dave Matthews Band
Sell out album: Everyday
Bleh.
'nuff said

Claire · 01-18-2005, 01:05 AM

I had the misfortune of hearing Depeche Mode's "Just Can't Get Enough" on a Mary Kate and Ashley DVD this weekend. I was devastated.

01-09-2005, 02:55 AM	#1
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	Best bands to ever sell out Is there anything sadder than a young promising band with undeniable raw talent and creativity completely compromising their music for the sake of making it in the mainstream? And as much as it sucks when an established legend caves and sells their song for a car commercial, I find it even worse when they sell out at the begnning of their career, depriving the world of what they could have created. My most painful example is No Doubt. At this point, it's almost depressing to hear their debut album. It's just so damned good. It's so incredibly unique, and impossible to pigeonhole. They got tagged with the ska label a lot because they had brass and lived in Anaheim, and were caught up early in the ska revival. But that doesn't even begin to describe their early sound. It had the ska undertones, but add to that punk, straight rock, and some seriously funky base (a-la the Chilli Peppers). There was nothing like them. And Gwen's song writing was stellar. That first album was as lyrically driven as it was musically. They didn't take themselves seriously. I mean, they had a song about Gwen getting her wisdom teeth pulled and another about masturbating to Paulina Petorskia (or whatever her last name is). Gwen's on-stage attitude was entirely her own. She single handedly opened my eyes to the fact that flat-chested can be damned hot! And she loved the crowd. She'd come out after the show. I had a few conversations with her, she was always friendly. One time she even said, "Hey, you were that guy over on the side in the front." Made my day! Their second offering, Beacon Street Collection, was also solid. Nearly as good as the first, perhaps only missing the novelty factor. It still had that great sound and attitude, I love that album. But then Eric, Gwen's brother, left the band. At it seems he was the one driving that individual style, 'cause suddenly the brass went away, and the music became blah. Tragic Kindom's okay, but seriously lacks the spark. And then Just a Girl hit the radio. Whoo boy, that was the end of it. Suddenly, Gwen was yet another "girl power" star. Her unique stage presence was gone, losing her previous connection with the crowd. Instead she was trying to play the part of rock star. And now, that girl with incredibly song writing abilities and one heck of a voice, is shaping up to be yet another forgettable starlet, singing a horrific pop piece of crap glorifying the fact that she sold out. I'm damned glad I saw them as much as I did when they were small. But damn does it suck that they became what they did.
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01-09-2005, 01:02 PM	#2
FEJ Living Now Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 563	In a way, they have evolved. Gwen was always on track to be a super-icon. You could just tell. From the days when they would practice in the room next to the band I was working for at the stompbox and bandwest, to bogarts, and even as they got bigger, they became what the public wanted them to be. we cant blame it all on them. kroq and mtv definately played their part also. actually, in my interactions with the band in the last couple years, they seem pretty down to earth and still playing what they believe and feel. even "underneath it all" is a good look into gwen. If they had just done it for the money or to be a couple hit wonder, I would call it selling out. I just think they have grown. If you want a band that I think is the greatest to sell out, then it would have to be DEVO. A swiffer commercial, enough said. but I like their reasoning also. "Why not, we have made our mark, now lets make some money" <----(paraphrasing)
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01-09-2005, 01:10 PM	#3
Cadaverous Pallor ohhhh baby Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Parental Bliss Posts: 12,364	I'm not so much annoyed at "selling out", but when a band has a great album then totally changes direction with the next one in a crappy way. Beck's "Mutations" album pisses me off. As does Reel Big Fish's later stuff. Incubus' last effort was ok but not really what I wanted. Hell, Michael Jackson's "Invincible" album sucked ass. Although he didn't change direction, he just got totally unoriginal. Last edited by Cadaverous Pallor : 01-09-2005 at 01:13 PM.
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01-10-2005, 05:47 PM	#8
Gemini Cricket ... Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 13,244	Group: Dave Matthews Band Sell out album: Everyday Bleh. 'nuff said
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01-18-2005, 01:05 AM	#9
Claire Shagilicious Disneyland!! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Fulfilling my destiny..... Posts: 740	I had the misfortune of hearing Depeche Mode's "Just Can't Get Enough" on a Mary Kate and Ashley DVD this weekend. I was devastated. __________________ Miles: It tastes like the back of a fing L.A. school bus. Now they probably didn't de-stem, hoping for some semblance of concentration, crushed it up with leaves and mice, and then wound up with this rancid tar and turpentine bull**. Fin' Raid. Jack: Tastes pretty good to me.
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