soldout

   I hear it at every show, at every discussion, the same degrading phrase given to bands of disapproval by thier fans or critics. We are all guilty of this terrible sin, but some have seen the light and changed their labeling ways, but the majority hasn't. Every band nowadays seems to be labeled a "Sell Out." Bands on major labels, bands on MTV, bands that have fine tuned their sound, and even bands that are on more popular underground labels such as Epitaph, Look Out, and Fat have been called sell outs. Others will argue that when a band sacrafices it's beliefs and values for money is when they are sell outs. So where do we draw the line? Or do we keep stretching the boundaries until every band is condemned. That seems to be the path we're heading towards.
    I honestly don't care if a band "sells out" as long as the music is good. But, as usual, I'm in the minority with this view. What's wrong with signing to a major record label? I'll tell you what's wrong with that: nothing. The up and coming band At the Drive In signed to Grand Royal Records because they kept getting screwed over by independent record companies. The other kink in the armor of a band's reputation is when they create a video or release a track for radio play. It is stupid and unfair to dislike a band for those reasons. There are two logical purposes for video and radio play. One: some bands have a message or messages that they want to get across to people. Say what you will about MTV, it is a great oulet for reaching the masses, as well as radio. Both are productive catapults to the consumer. Causing them to hear the message, or maybe they just want to get them to purchase the album. Which brings me to the second reason. Two: money. Bands play music for the love of music. Bands create songs, albums, t-shirts, etc. so they can make money (and that includes Fugazi, danny). It's better than an ordinary 40 hours a week job right? It's a great thing to make a living doing something you love. You should have that ability without being ridiculed as a sell out. I have no problem with bands trying to make some money off of their musical creations. Some may go overboard and whore themselves out (as Busta Rythms has done with his Mountain Dew ads) but I'm sure they consider that before they made that decision. But it doesn't make them sell outs. Some bands music may change over time, but that is unaviodable. As people we evolve (just ask Charles Darwin), our tastes change and as a result, the music we produce will change. People have said that bands like Metallica and Korn have sold out because their music has become weaker and less aggressive. They didn't become mellower for money. They are millionaires now. How can you still be pissed off and create pissed off angst music when your not pissed? They have become more content with their economic condition and that has influenced their sound. If you don't like it, don't buy their music. I don't buy the music because I am not a big fan of either, but it's not because they're sell outs.
    Here's the shocking truth that everyone already knows, but just don't seem to acknowledge. The real sell outs aren't the bands at all. In fact, the real sell outs are the members of the scene they so dearly love and support. Throughout the 80's and 90's the devoted followers have come and gone. Some are in it for a year, some for a couple of years, and some might be into the underground scene for a week. It is very rare for someone to stay loyal for life.
    Here's a question. How many 30 or 40-year-old people do you see in the scene? Not many. In fact I can't even think of one. Here's another question. So what happened to those always faithful and committed members of the underground scene? They apparently had a small change of heart during their years of rebellion and mischief. Now they're working their 9 to 5 jobs while trying to make a living and support their family. They traded in their studded belts for ties and business suits. They got rid of the spike bracelet for a Rolex watch. The Mohawks and Mullets were replaced by shorter and some times balding hair (and the occasional bad hair wig.) Instead of going to concerts their going to their children's soccer games and plays. They nose ring: gone. The leather jacket: gone. The Doc Martins: gone. They've given up on their head banging, pleas for anarchy, crowd surfing, moshing ways, and instead worry about bills, taxes, car payments, dental bills, insurance, child's schooling, safety, and on and on. They've changed their priorities, beliefs, and values to conform to societies criteria. Basically, they sold out. Right? Hey, I'm just using the rules as set by many music critics.
    Now there are new members in the underground scene, (this goes for all scenes, although my main perspective is the hardcore scene, all scenes can make the same arguments.) New followers come along chanting their favorite songs, going to the shows, sporting their patches, and supporting the scene they will eventually abandon. It is a road we all face and will eventually have to travel down that path. But the harsh truth is, we all will one day leave the scene (myself included.) So, in a way we are all sell outs. Therefore, we have no right to criticize a band for selling out when we are the real sell outs. This doesn't just apply to underground music. Ever see a 40, 50, 60 year old hippie? I haven't. They've all given up on it. It was a fad. Just like the techno sound and hair metal bands of the 80's, the alternative Seattle grunge rock genre of the early 90's and even the early 20th century boy bands and pop craze will die out soon (I wish they would die out soon.)
    The least you need to know: They say there are no bad bands, just bad fans. The bands aren't the sell outs, we are. As sell outs we have no right to call bands sell outs. Ignite wrote a song entitled, "Who Sold Out Now?" to give the fans a taste of their own sell out prophecing ways. If you criticize a band, don't call them sell outs. That phrase is old, overused, and you have no right to. When you're 50 and you're still as involved in the scene as you were at 16, then you have the longevity to call a band a "sell out." Until then...........shut the fuck up!

                                                                                                Sammy K

"I care about hardcore, but I hate the scene!" - Zoli Teglas, Ignite