Bands that sold out

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ballet-on-ice
  • Start date Start date
Mad Eyed Screamer said:
Well lots of bands reform for the cash - but I back the Pistols on this charge for 2 reasons.
Firstly they hardly made a penny first time round as McClaren helped himself to the money.
2nd they were pretty open about it being the Filthy Lucre tour and doing it for the money rather than pretending it wasnt. Plus lets be honest, not too many folk got to see them 1st time around. I felt they were reclaiming the band and legacy back from McClaren
Click to expand...

Well they got £250'000 each in court in 1986 and make a tidy annual sum from royalties etc
It was just disappointing for those of us who felt punk shouldn't just be a cash cow like music was for the bands they claimed to hate.
I suspect the reformation was Lydon helping out certain members who were quite skint, he'd always opposed a reunion up until then.
 
Bowie occasionally sold out in order to fund his passion for making the type of music that he loved.
When he does collaborations with Klaus Nomi and la la la human steps it's not to make money. That's what China girl and cat people was for.
 
Magicpole said:
If any band thinks they will make more money in what is usually a short career, they will take it. And regardless how early fans feel cheated after they go more mainstream, this wouldn't bother me at all.

If people want a band to give up financial security, because they had a copy of a copy of the first gig at The Dog and Duck, and are appalled at the treachery, then go start your own fucking band.

I always found that those who held these, sold out views, weren't musicians, singers, or performers. Never been in a band, couldn't play a fucking note, telling other people who could to forgo financial security because they are a bunch of pretentious pricks.

And no, I'm not bitter, our band never made it. But I can assure you if we did and some twat came up and said you sold out, he would have been knocked out. Pronto.

For us we were just too ahead of our time with our Jazz Funk Folk vibe.
Click to expand...
The Bunnymen allowed The Killing Moon to be used on a commercial during Super Bowl a few years back and got something like $100,000 for it.
Fans going mad on messageboards saying the meaning of the song has been tarnished / ruined etc (i did ask what the meaning of the song actually was and didnt get a reply lol)
In the end i said "look, Mac and Will Seargant are approaching 60.... This one deal is their pension. Would you turn it down?"
Again, no reply.

Morrissey and Marr got (I think) 50K each for Marks and Sparks to do a cover of "Please Please Please let me get what I want " for the Xmas advert and reportedly 500K between them for allowing Tatu to cover "How soon is now?" and good luck to them both.
 
Last edited:
Most bands who don't "sell out" will not get the world wide recognition. You have to move with the times to stay relevant and if that means redefining your style they most will do it, some with great success and some not. Arctic Monkeys have done it very well but I wouldn't class them as selling out.
 
Mad Eyed Screamer said:
The Bunnymen allowed The Killing Moon to be used on a commercial during Super Bowl a few years back and got something like $100,000 for it.
Fans going mad on messageboards saying the meaning of the song has been tarnished / ruined etc (i did ask what the meaning of the song actually was and didnt get a reply lol)
In the end ibsaid "look, Mac and Will Seargant are approaching 60.... This one deal is their pension. Would you turn it down?"
Again, no reply.
Click to expand...

Surprise surprise. People who have absolutely no fucking idea of the creative process and financial reality, never fail to get on my tits. They seem to wrap themselves in a cloak of self congratulatory bullshit about how other people conduct their careers.

As I said, fed up with selling out, start a fucking band, be offered a deal and turn it down because they wouldn't let you keep that edgy tin can resonance, then come back on so we can laugh at you.
 
Magicpole said:
Surprise surprise. People who have absolutely no fucking idea of the creative process and financial reality, never fail to get on my tits. They seem to wrap themselves in a cloak of self congratulatory bullshit about how other people conduct their careers.

As I said, fed up with selling out, start a fucking band, be offered a deal and turn it down because they wouldn't let you keep that edgy tin can resonance, then come back on so we can laugh at you.
Click to expand...
This is it - my feelings and meaning about a song or a group dont pay the band members bills..... It did 30 years ago when i bought the album for £3.99 but it doesnt now.... So they have a choice..... Bank $100K for doing nothing and bang it away for when they are 65 / spend it all on coke or whatever OR turn it down because 5 fans on a messageboard "wont be able to listen to the song again without the same meaning"
 
Mad Eyed Screamer said:
This is it - my feelings and meaning about a song or a group dont pay the band members bills..... It did 30 years ago when i bought the album for £3.99 but it doesnt now.... So they have a choice..... Bank $100K for doing nothing and bang it away for when they are 65 / spend it all on coke or whatever OR turn it down because 5 fans on a messageboard "wont be able to listen tobthe song agaon without the same menaning"
Click to expand...

:) I would do it just to annoy that type of ****.
 
Mad Eyed Screamer said:
Folk.went mad when Johnny Rotten took 40K to advertise butter. I was like "well done John!"
If some butter company is daft enough to offer it him, why should he be daft enough to turn it down?
Click to expand...


Kerrygold, I remember it well.

And £40k then was a good days work. Still is, and I would guarantee not one of those so traumatised by it, would have turned it down had their name been on the cheque.

Oh the injustice of music!

I remember a member of the Fratellis we as asked why they "sold out' and allowed their songs to he used in TV ads.

"Listen mate, a year ago I was living in a fucking shithole not able to put the heating on. I'm working class and don't have the luxury to turn down that kind of money. Why shouldn't we be allowed to earn money from our music? "
 
James

The best Manchester band of the mid-late 80s (no mean feat with The Fall, New Order, The Smiths etc around). Don’t blame ‘em for wanting to make money, but everything after ‘Strip-mine’ was utter shite.
 
Morrissey had a right go at Pete Shelley for What Do I Get being used in a McDonald's ad

Generally concert ticket prices have increased well beyond inflation so in that sense they've all sold out.

We're not in the idealistic 60s and 70s anymore, the bands just probably think 'let's get as much money as possible even if it means low waged people being excluded we'll all be dead soon anyway'
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Unread Posts

Don't have an account? Register now and see fewer ads!

SIGN UP
Back
Top