Recently two bands that I like have gotten signed - Kill Hannah & Rise Against. I mean this in the major label sense of the word and I don't see this as a bad thing. If you really think of it, isn't it a good thing that after who knows how many shows and years of playing they deserve this? I will throw this to KH due to knowing their music longer. (I remember the days yrs back of the glitter and fairy wings & when the band wasn't all guys.) I haven't seen the backlash against them signing to a major, but I know it has to be out there somewhere. I'm just not in the mood to go hunting for it. They paid there dues the past like 9 yrs so kudos for them.

Now Rise Against is major label-ed. Again, a highly deserving band. Their music was stuff that made me go "who IS this band" the first time I've heard them + the fact that they are local adds to it to. So I read about their new deal and think about how this is a good thing. You figure major label = more money as a "duh" response. + then more people will be able to hear them.

I know there is at least one person saying no way to all of this. I have had some in depth discussions w/ JT about things like this over the yrs. (He is my friend and I respect his opinion, he respects mine and we agree to disagree most of the time.) So yes the cries of SELLOUT must be ringing in someone's ears. With all the complaints about the music of today - mine included - I see it as a good thing. I would rather turn on the radio and hear something that I like. I must admit that I am becoming even more eclectic in my musical tastes (There was a day I listened to the Best of Blondie all day though I have had that tape as long as I can remember. Yes, tape...and we are talking one of the opaque plastic beige ones too. OLLLLLLD school) but it always rocks when I hear something good. If I turn on the radio and hear something I like then I listen more to it. Believe me I channel surf a lot and the buttons on my car radio are getting worn out to prove it.

With some people I get this from their views:
a) bands are supposed to stay low key in terms of labels/if signed at all and venues
b) a bands sound cannot grow in any terms - artistically, ability wise or quality of sound recording
c) fan bases must remain "old school"/underground associated or they are no longer cool

Bah.

I am not against small labels or smaller venues. (Most people don't know this but if I had the chance I would have a venue/bar thingy and a small label. I just don't have the $ for it so LOTTERY do you hear me??? The usual reply from my dear sweet friends is "suuuuuuuuuuuure, that'll happen" so feel free to jump on the bandwagon if you wish.) I like shows in smaller settings but if it is at a larger venue and I really want to see the band I'm not going to say no. Working college radio got me exposed to numerous smaller labels. Quite a few of these had bands that impressed me and so I frequent their pages and/or are part of their mailing lists. However, bashing a band for signing to a major I see as somewhat silly. What most people don't realize is that the indie labels aren't the only ones who had low radar releases. I remember getting cds in the mail from artists waaaaaaay before they got any sort of major recognition. What about the bands that luck out and get signed right away? You can't really say that they are "selling out" - how could you. I have heard people talking about how they would never sign to a major, or should I say heard/read. It always makes question their reasoning. True you want to keep a good fan base but if the fans were truly fans wouldn't they stay fans no matter what or are they just fickle fans to begin with?

No changes in band sound/look/etc. Hmm I know AFI comes up in regards this a lot. True the new stuff doesn't sound like Answer That... stuff but HELLO it is still good. There is so much more there artistically than before. I like the old stuff as much as anyone else but to say that this is such a drastic change is silly. Play more than one song by them and you will see. If you listen to the releases in chronological order you can watch it progress. It is quite cool too.

The whole exclusive scene deal... hmm is everyone like 15 again? That is when I really thought it was horrible to see someone else trying to "get in" or whatever term you want to use for it. Nowadays I could care less. I remember how it was so cool to be the only ones listening to something. There was such a severe split musically at times though that this was just part of the separation of ranks or whatever other hierarchical term you want to use. Now it makes me go "awww look at the little punkers" when I drive past my old hs. Then I laugh because that was me. Well tech sorta since this was the 90s and more so the days of baby doll dresses, combat boots, and flannels. (Yes I had all 3 but I did have part of my hair blue from time to time so I can relate.)

Anywho...

I know a few people who got signed to larger scale labels, not major majors but still, and it is very cool. If someone got signed to a major, I'd be ecstatic. I know people will forever complain about this but as long as the bands stay true to the fans then GOOD. If they bail on the people who have stood by them, then they deserve the complaints. If the bands treat the old fans the same way they always have and then are nice to people who have just found the band WHERE is there something wrong?