The "bands are unfashionable" line is a misleading assertion. Really, the story is: the big record labels cannot afford to sign and develop bands. Or, rather: many bands simply cannot survive because everyone is stealing their music for free. Yes, stealing. So labels don't bother with them any more.
Tellingly, as a music journalist the big thing I've noticed this past year is the sheer number of bands I've interviewed during their lunch breaks while working jobs at, say, the local council or in the admin office of universities. These are bands with several albums out, who tour America on their holidays. Once we'd have chatted for hours – now interviews are squeezed between sandwiches and that meeting with Sandra in Accounts.
But great bands still exist, so why does the list not include Nottingham quartet Baby Godzilla, currently the most exciting new heavy band in the country, or unhinged rickets-stricken Dickensian urchins Fat White Family? Why no head-bending skronk jazzers Melt Yourself Down? Because all are too volatile and fringe for an industry-backed poll that relies on fiscal success to keep its job. Solo artists are easier to manage and cheaper to sustain.
― A Skanger Barkley (nakhchivan), Monday, 9 December 2013 01:26 (ten years ago) link
one month passes...
Songs by 60s groups that charted in Sweden but not in Norway (1960-64)
Songs by 60s groups that charted in Sweden but not in Norway (1965-69)
Songs by 60s groups that charted in Norway but not in Sweden (1960-64)
Songs by 60s groups that charted in Norway but not in Sweden (1965-69)
― when skrillex just stood there (unregistered), Saturday, 11 January 2014 16:38 (ten years ago) link
correction:
Songs by British/American 60s groups that charted in Sweden but not in Norway (1960-64)
Songs by British/American 60s groups that charted in Sweden but not in Norway (1965-69)
Songs by British/American 60s groups that charted in Norway but not in Sweden (1960-64)
Songs by British/American 60s groups that charted in Norway but not in Sweden (1965-69)
― when skrillex just stood there (unregistered), Saturday, 11 January 2014 16:38 (ten years ago) link
eight months pass...
four months pass...
nine months pass...