Has there been a double standard made in the music industry?

Balto91 · 08-02-2014, 11:33 AM

As a musician myself, it is fair to say I feel a bit miffed over the double standard he industry has created over not just the monetary payout but the rate of success as well. Now, this double standard might be viewed differently depending on how you view music but where I view the double standard created is specifically in the music the industry invests in. Now, as you may or may not know, I am passionate about rock n' roll. You know, punk and all that jazz and I strive to make a living off of it. Country and rock share the same elements. Both have guitars, both have drums, both have bass, but there is a difference. Over the months, I have kept an eagles eye out on the charts and the publicity made. Doesn't it feel a tad wrong when Keith Urban, Miranda Lambert, and Brad Paisley are getting exceptional praise not to mention the high class living while a hard working, rock band of the same instruments, the same environment, are at the best left in a outfitted bus, touring around the county maybe the world, and merely make a dent in the living and payoff these country moguls do?

Its pretty f'd up if you ask me. Now, when the day is done this is all merely a matter of opinion, but one should consider when many of these rock artists, such as NOFX, Anti Flag, and Rancid, that maybe have been out much longer than the roster of country artists today still fall in the indie category. NOFX is a bit older than The Offspring and way older than Blink 182, you'd think a million would be thrown in Fat Mikes direction. One should also consider the monumental albums that have come out that nowadays merely may raise an eyebrow, like Offspring's Smash or Americana or Green Days Dookie and American Idiot. Come Out and Play wouldn''t reach the same airplay Crash My Party would, let alone the momentum it reached in 94.

In conclusion, there is room for country and booze, but I challenge you to take a gander at the promotion, net worth's, and possessions Miranda Lambert possesses, and compare it to the middle class bands still eating Wendy's for lunch because if like Fox news the industry were fair and balanced, both Fat Mike and Keith Urban would both be in the millionaires club and Rancid could do "We're Never Ever, Ever Getting Back Together" and receive the same treasure and acclaim Taylor Swift did. Until we find that fair and balanced medium my comrades, the double standard the industry has birthed in alive and well. And I'm eager to hear your thoughts and remedies.

**Janszoon** · 08-02-2014, 11:43 AM

Not sure I understand the double standard here. 90s rock bands made more money in the 90s?

Balto91 · 08-02-2014, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janszoon

Not sure I understand the double standard here. 90s rock bands made more money in the 90s?

I guess you could say it was coincidental noting 90's bands.

I guess the double standard is the industry finger picking who they will promote when the elements of that band are of the same nature (if that makes any sense) which is why I using country as a comparison. Because they use the same instruments but used in a different fashion. One would think if the industry were fair and balanced, that labels and promotional companies would tailor a rock band the same way they do a country band because in ways they are very similar.

**Janszoon** · 08-02-2014, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Balto91

I guess you could say it was coincidental noting 90's bands.

I guess the double standard is the industry finger picking who they will promote when the elements of that band are of the same nature (if that makes any sense) which is why I using country as a comparison. Because they use the same instruments but used in a different fashion. One would think if the industry were fair and balanced, that labels and promotional companies would tailor a rock band the same way they do a country band because in ways they are very similar.

They're similar because they have the same instruments? Does that mean mean a group like The Flying Luttenbachers should also receive the same level of promotion? Because I'd love to live in that world.

Black Francis · 08-02-2014, 12:54 PM

I hear what you mean but maybe there are things we aren't taking into account, some bands aren't as ambitious as other bands or don't have the image or work ethic, yea they might have a similar sound of a current popular band but that doesn't mean they'll make it..

Apart from just the music you gotta also consider charisma and presence and also in what kinda movement that band is and if it is profitable..

It also depends on the fanbase the band has created, there are so many things the labels have to consider apart from just the music.

Psy-Fi · 08-02-2014, 01:53 PM

10 Punks Who Are Richer Than You Think

Balto91 · 08-02-2014, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Black Francis

I hear what you mean but maybe there are things we aren't taking into account, some bands aren't as ambitious as other bands or don't have the image or work ethic, yea they might have a similar sound of a current popular band but that doesn't mean they'll make it..

Apart from just the music you gotta also consider charisma and presence and also in what kinda movement that band is and if it is profitable..

It also depends on the fanbase the band has created, there are so many things the labels have to consider apart from just the music.

You have a point.

I watched this hour long video on YouTube by an artist development company known as Spotlight Global. Their research found more untalented artists got signed to major records and have done well over the talented, which was a little difficult to believe at first but then again that would explain the success of the clowns Barenaked Ladies.

They also said record labels don't look at sales as much as they do success, so this would validate your point with the fanbase and the presence. For example, you put a YouTube video up to exceeds a million views this they will take notice of. They'll also take notice of the Twitter and Facebook followers as well, if there is a good, un-bought amount of them.

And its sad that one of the legendary Ramones is only at $2 Million while Justin Biebers net worth is at $200 Million (makes you cringe your teeth, doesn't it?) You'd think it'd be the other way around, but then again aren't all the Ramones dead I thought? Also Bieber has sunk into the fashion and cologne business. Those with great fortunes (e.g. Beyonce and Jay-Z equal $1 billion, which cracked one of my knuckles upon seeing it) come from other prospects as well such as business and clothing. Sorry to burst bubbles but I don't think you can get to be a billionaire just by rhyming Dr. Suess lyrics. Dexter probably could make more if he went further than just the hot sauce.

Dylstew · 08-02-2014, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janszoon

They're similar because they have the same instruments? Does that mean mean a group like The Flying Luttenbachers should also receive the same level of promotion? Because I'd love to live in that world.

What was that? I didn't even know you could make some of those sounds on a guitar!

Black Francis · 08-02-2014, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Balto91

And its sad that one of the legendary Ramones is only at $2 Million while Justin Biebers net worth is at $200 Million (makes you cringe your teeth, doesn't it?)

Yea it does but the Ramones didn't choose to have the same career as a teen idol like justin bieber so it's expected they are worth less in dollars..

And it's not that sad for a punk band the Ramones did really well and even reached an iconic status Bieber on the othet hand was just the next teen idol fad to make it big, and yea there is alot of money rolling in the pop industry way more than in the punk industry but most of these pop acts are disposable and replaceable, Remember the Jonas brothers? or Hanson? or the New kids on the block? all of them were big profitable acts back in their day but they never amounted any credibility like the Ramones did..

Balto91 · 08-03-2014, 07:21 PM

Without going too off topic here, I have been mingling through Virtual Globe Trotting and it astounds me how short of a time rappers and pop stars careers can be and that they can afford these resorts as homes. Then I look at homes of the people in my genre and they don't look any bigger than the homes in my neighborhood. Maybe its the reluctance and lack of labels, promoters, managements, and other media outlets that have led to this double standard to grow. Because I'm lacking to see a coincidence personally.

08-02-2014, 11:33 AM	#1 (permalink)
Balto91 Groupie Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Colorado Posts: 12	Has there been a double standard made in the music industry? As a musician myself, it is fair to say I feel a bit miffed over the double standard he industry has created over not just the monetary payout but the rate of success as well. Now, this double standard might be viewed differently depending on how you view music but where I view the double standard created is specifically in the music the industry invests in. Now, as you may or may not know, I am passionate about rock n' roll. You know, punk and all that jazz and I strive to make a living off of it. Country and rock share the same elements. Both have guitars, both have drums, both have bass, but there is a difference. Over the months, I have kept an eagles eye out on the charts and the publicity made. Doesn't it feel a tad wrong when Keith Urban, Miranda Lambert, and Brad Paisley are getting exceptional praise not to mention the high class living while a hard working, rock band of the same instruments, the same environment, are at the best left in a outfitted bus, touring around the county maybe the world, and merely make a dent in the living and payoff these country moguls do? Its pretty f'd up if you ask me. Now, when the day is done this is all merely a matter of opinion, but one should consider when many of these rock artists, such as NOFX, Anti Flag, and Rancid, that maybe have been out much longer than the roster of country artists today still fall in the indie category. NOFX is a bit older than The Offspring and way older than Blink 182, you'd think a million would be thrown in Fat Mikes direction. One should also consider the monumental albums that have come out that nowadays merely may raise an eyebrow, like Offspring's Smash or Americana or Green Days Dookie and American Idiot. Come Out and Play wouldn''t reach the same airplay Crash My Party would, let alone the momentum it reached in 94. In conclusion, there is room for country and booze, but I challenge you to take a gander at the promotion, net worth's, and possessions Miranda Lambert possesses, and compare it to the middle class bands still eating Wendy's for lunch because if like Fox news the industry were fair and balanced, both Fat Mike and Keith Urban would both be in the millionaires club and Rancid could do "We're Never Ever, Ever Getting Back Together" and receive the same treasure and acclaim Taylor Swift did. Until we find that fair and balanced medium my comrades, the double standard the industry has birthed in alive and well. And I'm eager to hear your thoughts and remedies.

08-02-2014, 11:43 AM	#2 (permalink)
Janszoon Mate, Spawn & Die Join Date: May 2007 Location: The Rapping Community Posts: 24,593	Not sure I understand the double standard here. 90s rock bands made more money in the 90s? __________________ A Night in the Life of the Invisible Man Time & Place 25 Albums You Should Hear Before the Moon Crashes into the Earth and We All Die last.fm

08-02-2014, 12:54 PM	#5 (permalink)
Black Francis Out of Place Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: in an abstract house Posts: 4,111	I hear what you mean but maybe there are things we aren't taking into account, some bands aren't as ambitious as other bands or don't have the image or work ethic, yea they might have a similar sound of a current popular band but that doesn't mean they'll make it.. Apart from just the music you gotta also consider charisma and presence and also in what kinda movement that band is and if it is profitable.. It also depends on the fanbase the band has created, there are so many things the labels have to consider apart from just the music. __________________ "Hey Kids you got to meet the MIGHTY PIXIES!" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbRbCtIgW3A

08-03-2014, 07:21 PM	#10 (permalink)
Balto91 Groupie Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Colorado Posts: 12	Without going too off topic here, I have been mingling through Virtual Globe Trotting and it astounds me how short of a time rappers and pop stars careers can be and that they can afford these resorts as homes. Then I look at homes of the people in my genre and they don't look any bigger than the homes in my neighborhood. Maybe its the reluctance and lack of labels, promoters, managements, and other media outlets that have led to this double standard to grow. Because I'm lacking to see a coincidence personally.