When bands you like get popular all the sudden

[thcbongman]

I hate it.

I was going to a show of a band called Of Montreal. I saw them live about 9 months ago to a pretty much empty venue, something I ENJOY because all the people there were there because they truly appreciate with the music.

Fastforward to yesterday. Their show sold out. All because of one outback steakhouse commercial, which was altered from the original song. I could tell 90% of people there haven't heard anything by them but that one song "wraith pinned to the mist." Damn scensters.

thcbongman Reviewed by thcbongman on 03-07-2007. When bands you like get popular all the sudden I hate it. I was going to a show of a band called Of Montreal. I saw them live about 9 months ago to a pretty much empty venue, something I ENJOY because all the people there were there because they truly appreciate with the music. Fastforward to yesterday. Their show sold out. All because of one outback steakhouse commercial, which was altered from the original song. I could tell 90% of people there haven't heard anything by them but that one song "wraith pinned to the mist." Damn Rating: 5

[SonicBloom]

Why should you care? If a band is good enough for you to like it, others are going to as well. If you want to be "different" then find something completely terrible, or just make it, and pretend you like it.

Of Montreal is a good live band. When I first saw them it was the first I'd heard of them, and I thought I'd found something I would really like. I was wrong though. Theire recordings are terribly weak sounding, and the songs could have been written by five year olds.

[thcbongman]

Of course I care when I couldn't get tickets of a band I didn't expect to have a sold out show. If I known, I would've gotten tickets in advance.

I'm not a big fan of getting tickets upfront, unless I know it's a band that will eventually have a sold-out show. I don't know about you, but I prefer shows at a smaller, more initimate venues.

I'm not trying to say I suddenly dislike Of Montreal because they had a sold-out show. My opinion doesn't change of the band, as you said, they're a damn good live band, and it's a shame I couldn't see them again yesterday. It's just annoying when you get denied tickets because of their new-found popularity.

Yea, most their records stick to traditional lo-fi recordings. Try to listen to their new album Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer? It's pretty good if you like more evolved version of their sound. But then again, to some it either sounds beautiful and harmous, or like it's written by 5 year olds. lol.

[SonicBloom]

I've heard all their records, and it's not that I think there is anything wrong with the music, aside from the fact that I don't see "why?". That's something I look for when listening to music, is why was this piece made, or why did the drummer play that fill there, etc. I actually like thier older records better though, if I had to pick. The newer one sounds really thin, and lacks substance.

[SonicBloom]

Oh, also, it definatly does suck when you don't realize a band is as popular as they are, and you can't get into thier shows anymore. I've followed Cursive, Bright Eyes, and Modest Mouse for years, and lately all three have been selling out. It doesn't stop me from going though, I find ways in. Last time I went to a Cursive show, I met Ted Stevens (guitar) outside the venue, and he put me on the guest list. I sneak in if I have to, which happens a lot too. I'll be sneaking into Coachella this year, as I have for the last few years. I'm also trying to find a way into the Bright Eyes concert tonight.

[thcbongman]

Good luck for Bright Eyes. You have to be on the ball to get tickets for that show.

So you seen the Mouse before they got popular? I bet that was something real special, especially at a smaller venue.

[SonicBloom]

I've seen MM 5 times. I feel like I've watched them grow up. The earliest gig of theirs I went to I think was in '99, and the last was earlier this year, or maybe late '06, I can't remember. Every show has been significantly different, and the amount of growth they've shown as a band is tremendous.

[Fengzi]

I know what you mean. I got into the Grateful Dead back around 1984 and started going to their concerts in '85. Back then they played in little places and, except for special dates like New Years Eve, I could get tickets the night of the show. Most of the people going were the typical happy-hippy Deadhead types and it was a totally laid-back scene.

Then, in 1987, they came out with that Touch Of Grey song that made the top 10 and overnight they became a big sensation. They had to start playing bigger venues and waiting in lines overnight for tickets became the norm. Worst of all though, there was suddenly this surge of nouveau Dead-Heads. People who only knew the one song and were just coming for the party scene. They caused a lot of problems, totally changed the whole scene, and the reputation of Deadheads quickly went from "happy-hippy" to "troublemaker".

It really was much better before they became so popular. Even the band said so.

The same thing happened with Santana. It was only about 3-4 months before they released Supernatural that I saw them at the Fillmore West in San Francisco, a classic little 1000 person venue. It was general admission and I got there about an hour before the show. I was able to walk right in and got a spot about 10 feet from the stage, right in from of Carlos. Try doing that today.

[TheFatKid]

Perfect examples of this are AFI and Dragonforce. AFI put out fucking GOOD music. It was bliss. Dragonforce got all popular, and now everyone is all googoo over them so they keep putting out the same damn album with a few slight changes.

[Samwhore]

hmm, I dont really mind, that means they get more air time on the radio, but the music I like is old or either internation so it doesnt get much play time on the radio or tv.

But as for when people say "there my new favorite band" Ill just be like sure, whatever, most of the time when bands get a lot of airtime, its the most popular songs play, not necessarily the best :thumbsup: