Did Green Day sell out?

[ArmatageShanks39]

meh. i guess they did. how eles do you explain pulling their records from lookout?

[Christa]

If selling out means making a great record, then yes, they sold out.

No, honestly though. I don't think they've sold out. I think a lot of people say they did because Green Day jumped on the 'bash bush band wagon' a little late..

meh. i guess they did. how eles do you explain pulling their records from lookout?

Lookout records was cheating them.

[ArmatageShanks39]

^^ ya, i just remembered that lookout is complete different ownership now. so the lookout they pulled their records from was completely different than the lookout that started them. and the guys who own it now are supposed to be sleezy. op ivy pulled their records too. i guess if theyre gonna give charity they should give it to something useful, not the guys who ruined lookout. anyway, if larry livermore still owned it, i doubt they wouldve pulled em. so i aint mad at em

[*she-boy*]

i don't think they did. Selling Out to me means money over thoughts. Looking at American Idiot, you can tell that they released that album because that's what they felt, not for dollar signs and zeros. Had they really sold out, they'd release albums about butterflys, and pimps and hos. You know, shit like that. They'd also have videos that had half naked girls and models in them, not videos like WMUWSE that make you think and feel certain things and ways. i love green day and f*ck anyone that says they sold out.

[DarknessFury]

Looking from an underground point of view, Green Day sold out when they moved to Reprise.

Looking from a fan's point of view, the reason they moved to Reprise was because they wanted more people to hear their music but never did they imagine that they would get so much attention with Dookie. Anyone's who's gotten that much success wasn't gonna just get off it...obviously they would ride with it...but of course, the ride gradually slowed down before taking up speed again with American Idiot.

[farley drexel hatcher]

Hasn't Billie Joe always said he does as he wants, not as he's told? If the band has never signed to reprise because of what others said, then that would be contradicting themselves. I don't know much about punk but as far as i can tell, AI is the most punk thing Green Day ever did regarding what other punks would think of it. They knew some people wouldn't like it, and they did it anyway. If someone generally doesnt like the music then that's fair enough.

[Bachacek]

heck...actually, dont know what to say...or, well, i agree with andres and disagree with the other one...ech, and thats all, i guess

well, i will write later, you know, just now i am a little bit confused, ehm, or something like that:)

[warning_(666)]

i agree with Anna A, oh yea just grow up dude jeez

[Lorelei]

They're too far from punk to ever really go back. IMO

I agree and I wouldn't want them to.

[sweethang618]

Fuck stop it.. I am so sick of hearing these things..

[ArmatageShanks39]

i didnt think they did about an hour ago. i just saw the green day nascar. they are though. i mean, "im not part of a redneck agenda" (cus hardass conservatives watch nascar), and they dont give a shit as long as they can squeeze a few bucks outta it.

[Acadia]

weren't they talking about the car about a year ago ^?? no, i don't think they did. i mean, there are a lot of worse things out there that they could have done so they could make money. merchandise is just the simple thing that all bands put out, but the car was about the only thing that tipped over the line. i don't think they came out with AI to offend others, either. really, not all rednecks watch nascar a lot of people do. it doesn't promote them or anything as in 'oh, fuck, they're so special they get to be on a goddamn car!' i find it stupid that people even ask this question.

[ArmatageShanks39]

^^denail is more than a river in egypt. i would still like em even if they sold out, i dont care its their choice. but there IS such a thing as selling out. nofx wouldnt put their name on a nascar for 100 million dollars. selling out isnt getting money its how you do it. bret from bad religion (owns epitaph) probly has million and millions in the bank, but not a sellout. its how you get it.

[Acadia]

Alrighty, well i know this convo is never ending, but it is fun occasionally. And since I hold the 'Jesus' title I'm able to start threads like this.

So I posted a blog a couple days ago as a reply to my friends blog (which i posted here a couple weeks ago).

Here's what I wrote:

"Whats that...you're angry because Green Day is popular? Wait what...you hate them for making an album that people bought? You think they're sellouts because they are rich mother fuckers?

Well first of all, I'm sure they care what you think. Second, I'd like to know in what position you are in to criticize a band for writing their music.

It's not like Green Day just popped up out of no where after 9/11 and started making money by writing music about an unpopular war. Green Day has been making music together since most of us were small wittle babies. The past 17 years they have written music about whatever they're feeling and they put their own emotions into their own music.

They don't write to be like anyone, they don't write to sell music, they don't write to please anyone. They don’t write off anyone’s emotions except their own. They write for themselves. They always have. They write for what they believe in. Whether it be the war or jacking off, it's what they feel like writing, not what people want to hear. They used to write about being disenfranchised youth and sitting at home smoking weed all day. Everyone has to mature at some point, and the past three albums from them have reflected that stage in their lives. This last album just had a better combination of lyrics and style that most people could relate too, hence the over 11 million copies that were sold of American Idiot. It’s not just an “anti-war, anti-bush” album. It actually has a story about growing up. It’s the story that a lot of teenagers were able to relate to that helped them sell so many copies. American Idiot topped the US charts not once, but twice. Even a band like Thursday that has “been writing about this stuff for years” only got to number 7 with their last album. So apparently Green Day is doing something better.

People have been calling them sellouts for over a decade, and it hasn't changed anything yet. Selling out would be writing without reason just for money. If half of you who hate Green Day for that reason knew a damn thing about them, you’d understand why they write. Until then, you’ll continue just pulling shit out of your ass to prove a point with the wrong logic. "

And most the comments were "yeah. omg. green day rules." and most were stupid.

Anyways, so this guy replies today with:

"I hate them because they helped turn punk corperate, they didn't sell out because they were assholes to begin with, they were looking to get famous and sell that shit out. Same thing goes with anti-flag and rage against the machine. They do write to sell music and please people, if they didnt, they wouldnt sell any records. That's the way music works, trust me. Also, Green Day has flat out stolen other bands guitar riffs. All this shit you're talking about could just as easily apply to any other shitty band like simple plan or and of that rediculous shit. Selling out is buying into a corperation, and following their rules, which Green Day does, or they wouldnt be on a label. Selling out is signing a contract with a major record label. Most of their music isn't that bad really, except their new shit is horrible, but the classic stuff still sounds good... it doesn't mean they aren't sell outs.

Think. "

So i guess I just wanted you all to have fun with that. Post your thoughts.

this guy is stupid. where the fuck did he get the idea of them 'stealing guitar riffs' shit? and that simple plan sucks? go figure well, others do have opinions though

^^denail is more than a river in egypt. i would still like em even if they sold out, i dont care its their choice. but there IS such a thing as selling out. nofx wouldnt put their name on a nascar for 100 million dollars.

good point. i love green day with all my heart, and the 11 million copies are enough to show others like them too. but, maybe green day is half way selling out. like getting as much money as they want, but not losing their beliefs in music and the reason why they are doing it. i don't know, we shouldn't believe the shit others put in our heads.

[netty]

i didnt think they did about an hour ago. i just saw the green day nascar. they are though. i mean, "im not part of a redneck agenda" (cus hardass conservatives watch nascar), and they dont give a shit as long as they can squeeze a few bucks outta it.

I`ve just been looking for the original article about that but cant find it at the mo. just because they have their picture on it doesnt mean that they are getting paid for it. maybe they paid to have it done. yeah, its more publicity for them but it was also publicity for the event and whatever the reasons were for having it. without the full information about it I dont think you really have the right to slag them off for it.

[ArmatageShanks39]

I`ve just been looking for the original article about that but cant find it at the mo. just because they have their picture on it doesnt mean that they are getting paid for it. maybe they paid to have it done. yeah, its more publicity for them but it was also publicity for the event and whatever the reasons were for having it. without the full information about it I dont think you really have the right to slag them off for it.

either way, theyre getting money for it, or paying to get exposure to people that will buy their shit (the very crowd theyre preaching against). i mean, if selling out does exist...putting your name on a nascar is it. it pains me to say it, but its undenyable.

[netty]

does it not amuse you that by doing this they are spreading their so called message about not wanting to be part of that "red neck agenda" right into that community?

plus they like watching car races. so what?

[ArmatageShanks39]

does it not amuse you that by doing this they are spreading their so called message about not wanting to be part of that "red neck agenda" right into that community?

plus they like watching car races. so what?

give me a break. just admit it! if selling out does exist (which is debatable) then a liberal band putting their name on a nascar is.

[netty]

why would I say its selling out when I dont believe it is and dont give a stuff about this issue any way?

ever heard of subversion?

[rudiecantfail]

dude, what gave you the idea they get paid for having their name on a car. the whole REASON they put brand names and stuff on thsoe cars is because those people sponsor the driver, and give THEM money. not the other way around.

[ArmatageShanks39]

dude, what gave you the idea they get paid for having their name on a car. the whole REASON they put brand names and stuff on thsoe cars is because those people sponsor the driver, and give THEM money. not the other way around.

god....think about it. this isnt that complicated. pepsi doesnt put commercials during the superbowl in hopes of supporting the nfl.

[Pan.]

Here's what I think:

My definition of a "sell out" means when you write a certain type of music and change your music type in the midst of your career to help you sell more records. Green Day didn't do that. They always stayed true to their punk roots.

Who cares whether they're "sell outs" or not? They make a living and are maturing as musicians. That always angers me when people say, "Oh Metallica are sell outs" Please! They just grew up and are making a living. Where's the rest of the shitty 80's thrash bands now? Living in cars, washing dishes for a living... Please, people.

[Aless]

I think the whole "selling out" term is just plain stupid.

Just because Green Day made an album that everyone like doesn't mean they've sold out. It just means that they put a lot of thought and the right sound into their new album, instead of churning out crap.

Hell, if making good music means selling out, then I'd prefer to listen to sell out bands, rather then crap sounding "hardcore" bands.

[Acadia]

god....think about it. this isnt that complicated. pepsi doesnt put commercials during the superbowl in hopes of supporting the nfl.

we're talking about nascar, not the nfl. :/

either way, theyre getting money for it, or paying to get exposure to people that will buy their shit (the very crowd theyre preaching against). i mean, if selling out does exist...putting your name on a nascar is it. it pains me to say it, but its undenyable.

aren't you supposed to LIKE green day? you've been trying to convince everyone that they are sell outs. :verymad:

[ad001]

looks like green day are becoming the KISS of the 00's. i still like them, but there is no denying they've sold out over American Idiot. If 'sold out' means slapping your name on everything in sight then yes they have!