Reading that juvenile screed that was quoted in the Screeching Weasel thread got me to thinking, is it Crap or Not Crap to accuse someone of being a sell out?
Selling out used to seem to be a big debate within the indie community (I think it was predominantly MaximumRocknRoll, calling everyone that wasn't in a band that sounded like a hardcore or pop-punk band from Oakland feigning a British accent, a sell out) but I don't seem to hear about it these days.
I say that a true act of selling out (defined as abandoning a pure motive in favor of a mercenary motive) is Crap.
On the other hand, I say that even though the act itself is Crap, accusing others of being sell outs is also Crap because it is often motivated by the accuser's interests rather than the true actions of those accused. There are also always many influences on specific decisions that people make and only those very close to the decision know the true circumstances, therefore, in most cases calling someone a sell out involves passing judgement on a situation that is not understood in its enterity. It would suck to be called a sell out by someone who knows nothing about you. I think that is Crap.
What says the forum?

I'd sell out in a minute. I've got bills to pay and mouths to feed.

horsewhip wrote:I'd sell out in a minute. I've got bills to pay and mouths to feed.

And I'm sure some 16 yr old jerkoff with a mohawk would tell you that you were a disgrace, only to do the same thing if in the same situation when he/she were older (and had lost the mohawk).

Crap, WF: 2 (just because I feel like I should have one.)

There's a fine line between being a "sellout" and being a whore. That said, there's a hell of a lot more territory on the sellout side on which one can find solid footing.

The Sellout Card is even more over-played as the race card, and for that I always tune out when I hear it.

Here's what I mean: I'd bet there are more than one or two bands that are represented on this forum who I'd be willing to take a bullet for. I mean, their music's meant that much to me through the hell that's been my 20's. I'd also be willing to bet, that some of those dudes could've gotten big label deals if they'd have done this or that with their sound or let Rick Ocasek produce it. If they'd have done that, then they'd be whores. If they'd have gotten the same deal to just make the records they'd make anyway, then great. I'd love to see these people not have to go into hock to make the music that I love. If that's selling out, I'm fine with it.

If someone alters the art they produce in order to be more popular then it could be argued that they're selling out but I am not sure they are if they still believe in what they are doing. As long as they still like what they are producing I am not sure they can be accused of selling out. If they are just producing bland poo to get more money then they are selling out but as there's no real way of knowing the motivations calling them a sell out is crap.

However, there are some circumstances where people are obviously selling out. An artist putting something they have produced on an advert for example is definitely selling out and accusing someone of that is Not Crap in my book.
Good music in adverts is one of the world's great evils to me - I fucking hate it.

Where di I sign up? I have got bills to pay and all sorts of cool ass music gear I want to buy but can not afford.

Sell out = $3000 preamps, $1500 mics, all those cool looking moog effect pedals, a mini moog, a Travis Bean, horn overhauls for all my horns, a mellotron, an amazing mixing desk, etcccccccccc.......

Can i sell out please!!!!!!

Since it's possible to make the accusation in a way that's Not Crap, I'd vote Not Crap.

But I remember (vaguely) some writer saying "how can you accuse XXX of selling out when all they ever wanted to do was to buy in"?

For example, I'd never accuse Malcom McClaren of selling out because he's only done exactly what he's always said he was doing.

I keep hearing all manner of late 70's punk on commericals. But I can't be too hard on the original artists because many of them didn't make much money the first time around. (I just hope they are actually making money on it this time around!)

When I hear songs on commercials within days of their release though...that seems quite over the line.

What about actors who act like they are above being in commericals...but in Japan they pull down quick millions for doing exactly just that?

galanter wrote:What about actors who act like they are above being in commericals...but in Japan they pull down quick millions for doing exactly just that?

Which actors would these be?
Bill Murray's character in Lost in Translation doesn't count. Although I'm sure he wouldn't have claimed to be above it.

Pretty sure both Harrison Ford and Jody Foster have done it.

Here you go:

http://www.japander.com/japander/