Commentary

A hell of a term, eh? Think about it. Do you ever respond to the words “sell-out” without automatically letting its negative connotation taint the subject?

“Oh so-and-so sold out. Their song is on the Red Lobster commercial. Bummer.”

I remember when I was in 10th grade I would find myself utterly annoyed when I had no one to go with to see Of Montreal because no one knew who they were. But then I would find myself even more annoyed when, out of nowhere, everyone suddenly loved “Satanic Panic In the Attic.”

So how did this occur? How did a few boys from Athens, Georgia shed their anonymity to bathe in the light of fame and recognition? How do these things actually happen? And why exactly does it make people (as in me) angry?

Well, to be honest, it’s rather simple. And if you don’t believe me turn on the tube. Any restaurant commercial, any iPod commercial, any Saturn commercial will help you put the picture together. Why? Because almost all of them feature a song from an independent band. A band that has probably slaved away creating music that has a slightly different purpose than advertising the wheels of a 2006 Aura Sedan. But, wait a second, don’t those same bands have to agree to have their songs used? Why, yes, yes they do.

Hence the reason why people become critical of artists that sell their music for alternate motives (i.e. cash). After all, aren’t artists supposed to be in the game because of their passion for music, not their passion for cold, hard dinero?

Reality check people. Not everyone can survive on passion. Making those records, touring that globe costs just a wee bit more than a nickel.

Then why is it that I am still annoyed by Spank Rock’s decision to lend “Bump” to Wishbone salad dressing?

I really don’t know. I suppose it has something to do with integrity but who even has that these days.

Apparently, Wishbone salad dressing does. Yes, indeed.

Check out Spank and salad dressing for yourself: http://thelistenerd.com/2008/05/05/video-spank-rock-in-a-wishbone-salad-dressing-commercial/

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