why are bands called sell outs when they become famous?

Question

for example- fall out boy. i have always been a fan, and i like their new music best. so shoot me.

but why does being on mtv all of a sudden make them "bad?"
mtv CAN get it right sometimes, you know.

why would you be mad because they got famous and made more money?

there's other bands like this too. Boys like Girls. i saw them at a hellogoodbye concert with about 300 people before "the great escape" was on the radio. are they sellouts now, also?

yeah i love My Chemical Romance!

i guess i understand more now.
can someone give me a band that did change their style to be famous?

Answer 1

I know, they said that about My Chemical Romance as well. I think some people get all high and mighty about their favourite bands, and when they do well, they criticize them. I think people just want to believe that they're "elite" by listening to bands hardly any other people listen to. It's stupid.

Answer 2

They're not, and shouldn't be, called sellouts when they become famous. Some of the greatest bands ever are some of the most famous bands ever. It's when a band changes their sound to become more famous and to sell more music. Hence the term "sellouts."

And with Boys Like Girls, I don't think that they've even been around long enough to be called sellouts.

Answer 3

ooft we've got some name calling now havent we?
anywayss, its basically when the whole idea of living the dream and sending out the message stops and the band just chooses to make money or have an image.
I tend to ignore the fact that a band is a sellout, if i like the music then i listen to it, but i dont go around denying it and claiming to be a certain type of fan or whatever.
(and can I add that MCR havent become a sellout)

Answer 4

Often when previously unsigned bands get signed to major labels and get all kinds of new fame, fans and exposure, it comes with the price of having to submit before the new corporate masters. Many bands are willing to sacrifice their art for this. This is where the term "selling out" comes from. Selling your art to the Man.

While getting famous/signed doesn't automatically mean that a band sucks it can be a warning sign that the music is no longer going to be the same.

Answer 5

Because some people are stupid, they want to be called "original" and when a band they like becomes famous and all of a sudden when the band isnt "original" anymore they are sell outs...or just because they get played on mtv..and all the teeny boppers are on mtv....it doesnt make any sense

Answer 6

It depends on how they get famous. Some bands get famous by sticking to their original creative ideals whereas other bands try to be famous by pandering to public opinion or following a formula; that would be 'selling out' in my estimation.

Some people unfairly criticize a band for 'selling out' simply because they are famous. Nirvana is a good example of a band that became very famous without trying to be famous, they just rode the crest of a wave of their own making (and others like them). I don't think that Nirvana 'sold out' but I think that that was one of the many issues that Curt Cobain was struggling with.

I think that Metallica was unfairly criticized as 'selling out' by their fan base simply because they started exploring in new musical directions and it just happened to sell more. I don't think they needed the money. (but then again maybe they did, who knows what their motives were - its more about motivation than results)

In the end, its all about the music not the popularity. Some popular music is crap, some good music never becomes popular but there is nothing that says that good music can't be popular.

Answer 7

Bands SHOULD only be labeled sell-outs if they completely change their style of music to accomodate the industry and make it big, or if once they make it big they forget about the core fans who made them in the first place. Any other reason for the term is silly and immature on behalf of the fan.They probably just wanted the band to keep playing free shows at their local dive bar and now that they have to pay for a ticket they're pissed. To hell with them anyway.

Answer 8

Often Like Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears, when they first came out they had to depict a certain image to sell records. While under contract with which ever record company they are with. They have to look and at a certain way so they can keep their contract and hold up their end of the contract. They both came out as sweet and sexy (school girl types). But they broke away from that and showed who they really are.

Answer 9

nicely, yah. yet some people desire to be "renowned" and "edgey" so as quickly as something will become huge-unfold that can't help it reason this is going to wreck their photograph. people like that are the actual sell-outs. A sell-out is somenoe who comprimises their artwork for money. they'll initiate doing commercial, replace their sound (for muscians) or the varieties of movies they do, to realize a miles better aim industry and grow to be mainstream, so as that way they earn greater money.

Answer 10

i dont think they're being sell-outs, theyre just being famous.
they'd be sell-outs if before they were famous they'd been like IM NEVER GONNA HAVE A TOUR IM GOING TO PLAY SMALL PRIVATE GIGS.
but just becoming famous, isnt selling out. it's just them gaining popularity.