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Jason Koivu's Reviews > Sellout: The Major-Label Feeding Frenzy That Swept Punk, Emo, and Hardcore
Sellout: The Major-Label Feeding Frenzy That Swept Punk, Emo, and Hardcore (1994–2007)
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This answered so many questions! I was a big fan of 90s hardcore and emo (the pre-make-up days), when you paid $5 to see 3-5 bands of sweaty musicians thrash and jangle through their set in a venue the size of a living room. In fact, one of my first shows when I moved out to California was at a place called the Living Room. About 11 bands played (Jenny Piccolo, Leadfoot Broadcast, Locust maybe?) in a warehouse space lined with old couches. It was '96 so I can't remember, but I might've paid $10 for that one. That was a lot of bands.
Sellout documents what happened to some of the bands from that era who left their DIY roots to sign with a major label. In some cases it was a good experience for the band (Green Day), in other cases it essentially destroyed them (Jawbreaker).
As time passed, I lost track of some of my favorite groups from this period. Back then the internet was not the fountain of info that it is today, where you can get live updates via tweets or whatever that let you know where a band is at. Back then you might be informed of an new album or disbanding months after the fact through Maximum Rocknroll, provided you could find a copy, and if Tim decided that particular band was punk-worthy enough for coverage. Hell, I used to do band interviews in my zine to find out more about them and their current situation just for myself! Until I read this book I had remained surprised that Jimmy Eat World actually replied to my mailed questions with thoughtful answers back '97 when they joined a major. Now I know that they were still nobodies desperate for interaction with fans.
It was great to get some closure on those bands I lost track of. It was also wonderful to dive back into the scene. Dan Ozzi does a good job putting you on the road and on stage with them. The sweat, the stink, the back-breaking work, the exuberance of the age, and the fucking tons of fun that was hardcore music in the 90s is all here. Highly recommended!
Sellout documents what happened to some of the bands from that era who left their DIY roots to sign with a major label. In some cases it was a good experience for the band (Green Day), in other cases it essentially destroyed them (Jawbreaker).
As time passed, I lost track of some of my favorite groups from this period. Back then the internet was not the fountain of info that it is today, where you can get live updates via tweets or whatever that let you know where a band is at. Back then you might be informed of an new album or disbanding months after the fact through Maximum Rocknroll, provided you could find a copy, and if Tim decided that particular band was punk-worthy enough for coverage. Hell, I used to do band interviews in my zine to find out more about them and their current situation just for myself! Until I read this book I had remained surprised that Jimmy Eat World actually replied to my mailed questions with thoughtful answers back '97 when they joined a major. Now I know that they were still nobodies desperate for interaction with fans.
It was great to get some closure on those bands I lost track of. It was also wonderful to dive back into the scene. Dan Ozzi does a good job putting you on the road and on stage with them. The sweat, the stink, the back-breaking work, the exuberance of the age, and the fucking tons of fun that was hardcore music in the 90s is all here. Highly recommended!
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Sellout.
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Reading Progress
October 10, 2023
–
Started Reading
October 10, 2023
– Shelved
October 16, 2023
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Finished Reading
