All I am saying... although the media and record industry may promote bands that they want to succeed, and ignore those that they don't see as financially viable to their company... they are not solely responsible. ALL bands are products. Departments are created to shamelessly promote them, whether the advertisers like them or not... it's their job.

If it is all up to the record companies... how can we explain those truly great bands that make HUGE profits and have a HUGE fan base? Just because a group sells out venues... doesn't mean that they are industry puppets. Ultimately, people buy into it because they like it.

BUT... what I was saying initially:
The Man tries to keep people from enjoying things that they don't agree with. When people make fun of someone because they like a particular band or genre... it is equivalent to The Man trying to keep us from smoking buds. The Man shamelessy shoves those Anti-Cannabis ads down my throat... I don't buy into it. Some people do though... because they agree with it. So, just because record companies shove a band down peoples throat... doesn't mean EVERYONE that likes it is brainwashed.

And those bands who struggle to make it... that curse those candy coated industry puppets (because they DO exist)... are crucial to keeping the music industry in a constant state of reinvention and evolution. They NEED to be oppressed by the record industry. If they weren't we would never be able to experience those TRULY amazing, dedicated bands that defy convention... and explode past the "posers."

Different strokes for different folks.... :rasta: