Boy bands and Popstars, don't we all love em!

[Trouble]

samadhi: I stand corrected

Mr. Horse:
"Just to chuck a spanner in the works... I know a lot of classical and jazz musicians (being one, you get to know a few) who think I listen to/make electronic music because of the huge influence of drugs in the scene, and they think that about everyone who listens to it. Is it true? Are their generalisations correct? (do I see a double standard taking place?? )"
fair point: might have to think about that one when it's not Monday night

 

[GhOst]

i must say that NKOTB didnt appeal to me all that much... in fact they turned me off similar styles of pop music for a while, until Take That came along and took it to a higher level.
days when NKOTB were "hot", i preferred to listen to KLF and Guns&Roses.
this is personal choice of course, no offense meant to NKOTB fans/ex-fans.

 

[*bubble-fish*]

meh...my brains confused !! what the hell is pop ?? is New Order pop? (could be)is that stupid song by D-Mob pop??
heheheh...actually who cares if it is or not...i dunno but it really annoys me for some reason!!
*runs of screaming acieeed!!! acieed!!!*
aaaaagghhhhh....help me!

 

[MíkeySåmmy]

horsey - nah im serious.. we arent talking entire music industry, were talking POP music.
put it this way.. apart the issue of mp3's and the internet ..(cause its not clear how things are going to pan out with that yet and i cant be fucked carrying on),
how are you going to access the pop music you want to buy if its not in the cd stores ?
In reality, the major record companies are also the distributors and wholesalers of the CDs, and often even own the retail outlets.
So really, you dont have much of a choice in what you can buy.. only what they decide to distribute to the stores.
And people DO buy it cause theyre told to ! not directly.. through fox fm, etc.. you only hear the music that they decide to play.. and they play on the radio what theyre selling in the stores.. it sticks in your head, you decide to buy it, and ill be fucked if they dont have a million copies of pop-group#77's latest single waiting for you to choose from when you arrive at the store.
And i would be very surprised if the record company conglomerates werent hugely involved in the pop music radio stations..
anyway.. i'll take my marketing babble and leave you guys in peace..
"East End boys and a West End girls..."
i'm SURE that was east 17 who did that one. i probably have it on an ancient 100% hits volume here somewhere, hehe..

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The fact is that nothing becomes as old as quickly as a new s o u n d
Vote 1 B.O.A.R. -Slide Beneath The City-

 

[Pleonastic]

I agree with MíkeySåmmy.
How many people buy the "100% Hits" compilation because it claims to be just that. These songs are popular because they are on the CD, not on the CD because they are popular.
The interactive top 10 on Video Hits doesn't let the public choose what they think are the best songs, it lets them rank someone else's opinions.
There are exceptions of course, and many of them have been listed already. But how many of them are from the last few years? Sure, there is talent out there - but the big wigs still choose who they want to be popular.
If anyone missed the reference I was making in a previous post with the "finger bang" thing, it was the song from a South Park episode where the kids form a boy band. Watch that episode if you get a chance - I think it gets it pretty spot on.

 

[Samadhi]

this is the thing tho...whilst listening to NKOTB, i also listened to KLF, Gunners, as well as my parents record collection that ranged from Beethoven, to the Steve Miller Band, Pink Floyd, to a HUGE range of disco, funk and soul...along with heaps of other stuff...contemporary and older.
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Proud Members of B.O.A.R
(Burnt out Association of Ravers)- with orang pants
when your fun becomes your reality, what do you do for fun?

 

[Decimal Dan]

Hmm, my 2 bob

I sit here at work with TTFM in my ear for 9.5 hours a day, and I understand where Mikey is coming from. In fact, I agree with Mikey.
Anyone heard that song that goes "Dancing in the Moonlight", sung by some bunch of WANKERS (sorry, can't think of a better word), that sound like their balls are FAR from dropping? I was sitting down one Sunday in front of the TV eating my brekkie when I first saw/heard this song, and instantly thought how SHIT it was.
Now - I HEAR IT ON THE RADIO ALL THE FUCKING TIME!!! Why? Firstly, the tune is catchy. This is done on purpose. It's not good music - it just gets into your head. And that's what its designed to do!!!
Secondly, some record company found this little bunch of weeners and decided they could make some money out of them, so paid radio stations heaps of the good ole CASHOLA to play their song.
The song is catchy, so its gets in your head, gets played on the radio, gets heard, gets into MORE people's heads, so they go out and buy it. And - like magic - money is made!!! WOW!
There's nothing creative about it - full stop. It's a big money-making exercise from start to finish. I'm not disagreeing that the sound engineers that engineer the sound aren't skilled. What I wonder is how these guys can let their skills for creating sound be perverted in such a way.
It pisses me off.
I also wonder what will become of all these "pop stars" when everyone moves on to something else...
And lastly, Horsemeister. I love you, but do you REALLY want to be one of these sound engineers that makes these pop stars sound "good"? Are you THAT desperate to make money???
I feel better now I got that off my chest. Fuck this place is good therapy

Better do some work now

Dan

 

[fataliss]

People do have a choice!!, things like NSYNC are rammed down thier throats but as said before, people are not stupid. There are so many independant labels out there, also independant record shops. People are not zombies. Your are arrogance in thinking you know, and pop music buyers dont. People who like human nature, study marketing too.
Maybe popstars cant sing, but the public hear the produced version, which is 'slickly produced', and it is catchy, so its fair enough that people should like it. "Girl power" lol

As far as the first boyband/ girlgroup, lets go back a few decades more I dunno the most famous ones but there are the Deltones, the Supremes and the list goes on Im sure. They have been around for years and will continue to be around. Its not a new thing its tried and tested. The current popular boybands ect are just a reflection of technology and commercialism is all. They are packages.
Originally, like with the Supremes, they needed to sing well, not anymore, they are just eyecandy now, ingenious money making machines. Which many people profit from.
Personally I think what the future holds for pop music is in the hands of mixers/ producers. Look at people like David Morales, Paul Oakenfold, fatboy slim.... they chose what they remix and they make the hit, something produced by them gets an immediate listen by record companies.
I see Madonna as a pop trendsetter, if you have heard her lattest hit, who do you think really put the work in for that track??, she sang maybe two lines and they are repeated... it was the producer, he/she made that track. I think in the future top 10 hits will be labelled with "producer (feat. artist)".
I could go on and on about the marvel of commercialism, marketing, product and consumer relationships ect. Its a phenomenon, I personally appreciate it, I wish I could make a popstar, although I wouldnt want to be one.

 

[raw]

Those 100% hits compilations are just compilations of tunes on the major label and its affiliates. I admit, back when I was 9 or 10 I may have bought a few of those. And honestly I think the majority of the music buying public are ultimately tools of the major labels, they don't really feel what they are listening to very deeply.
Mr Horse in reference to the jazz scene haven't you seen a large amount of drug use there??? I know I did when I was part of it (although mainly pot and alcohol). The term 'cool' developed in the jazz scene in association with opiate use (from Writing on Drugs by Sadie Plant).
Oceanboy: I am not quite sure if I understand your point about positivity and negativity though. The music I love, I love with a passion, but the stuff I hate, I hate passionately too!! So I seek out music I like and immerse myself in that and avoid music I don't like, I guess that keeps me happy! Is that what you mean???

 

[Airwalk]

Sorry guys your all wrong about the first marketing oriented boy band. You actually have to go back to the 60's. The Monkey's was the first al boy band created for the sole purpose of making money.
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To the one you feel in the metronome of your mind.
Does it offend you that our rhythm looks strange.
Or causes your thinking to be re arranged.
Could it be that you would understand this beat to which we dance
more clearly had you been given a chance
So as you struggle to find the feel with your feet
Ask yourself can you dance to my beat!