Is it possible to play on a major label and not "sell out"?

Group Question :: Punk

Is it possible to play on a major label and not "sell out"?

by Brian Kemp Posted December 19, 2008 17:01:56

9 answers
Read all 24 comments
+4 raves

Just curious what the rest of you think. I mean, if a band gets paid but doesn't change their style, is it selling out?

Results
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	It's not selling out if you stay true to your roots. 67% 6 votes
	Undecided 33% 3 votes
	Yes, taking the money is always selling out. 0% 0 votes

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Comments

Guy Mann Dude-In Metal I Tr... July 11, 2009 02:46:58

$Guy Mann Dude-In Metal I Trust \☻/$
Answered: It's not selling out if you stay true to your roots.
Yeah its not selling out as long as you stay true to your roots and dont cater to the mainstream.
lowerclassrock666 July 09, 2009 05:11:57

Answered: It's not selling out if you stay true to your roots.
if they sing the same stuff and be who they are then no
Milk Maid Dud Bean June 14, 2009 15:33:50

Answered: Undecided
It depends on the artist. I'm thinking that when people like J.G. Thirlwell or Rufus Wainwright (although they are not punk) get major label backing, it's an opportunity to hear their artistic vision truly fleshed out. I'm glad Sony released the Foetus album "Gash", I don't think there's anything "sell-out" about it. The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion didn't have to change labels to release something shiny and commercial like the aptly-titled "Plastic Fang".
GONE4GOOD February 27, 2009 02:31:43

Answered: It's not selling out if you stay true to your roots.
all i can say is green day never forgot from where theycame but this was not the way they were treated by the genre. they called them sell outs because they made it out of the underground and got paid. hypocracy humans can't seem to live without it
1088799 January 10, 2009 22:08:32

Answered: Undecided
Define "major label". Define "selling out".
xpunkox December 23, 2008 18:16:04

Answered: It's not selling out if you stay true to your roots.
In the old days major labels meant horrbile music and corporate moral. These days everything has become so convoluted that it doesn't neccessary mean so. Bands jump to the biggies then jump back, never changing. Morals seemingly intact. Even the indies we loved so much in days passed have become ruthless money machines. sniff sniff
JESTER576 December 20, 2008 21:41:20

Answered: It's not selling out if you stay true to your roots.
Rigor Mortis was signed with Capitol and they never sold out.
Fef December 20, 2008 02:04:22

Answered: It's not selling out if you stay true to your roots.
Few bands can do it, but you can sign a band to a major label and not sell out. I think the Red Hot Chili Peppers prove it. They actually disappointed the label early in the 80s by not selling records because they stayed true to their roots. The label didn't like that.
diaverde08-MolecularGastron... December 19, 2008 19:22:30

Answered: Undecided
Probably not.