Post by Jesse on Sept 18, 2016 13:40:46 GMT -5
I have no illusions of this thread jump-starting this forum in any way. I'm just using this to jot down some thoughts and eventually make a Facebook post about it for shits and giggles.
I don't know about anyone else, but most of my favorite artists are "washed up" so most of these apply to my favorites artists.....check to see if they apply to yours
10-Duets-This one is sneaking in at #10 because it's about 50/50. In Country music, duets are a big thing and while there are instances of both artists in on the duet are doing so at their peak popularity (think Waylon and Willie circa mid-1970's), most duets feature one artist who is washed up tagging along with someone currently burning up the charts (think Bon Jovi not having too much in the way of hits until teaming up with Jennifer Nettles at Sugarland's peak popularity).
9-Christmas Albums-Again, there are instances of artists releasing a Christmas album at their peak popularity, but this is usually a sign that an artist is washed up and hopes someone out there will care to listen to their version of "Jingle Bell Rock". Some may point to Trans Siberian Orchestra as an exception to this rule in that their peak popularity came as a result of Christmas albums, the fact is Trans Siberian Orchestra was created out of a washed up Savatage.
8-Covers Album-Like Christmas albums, this is a plea by said artist to "look at me! Buy my album of songs you already know." As if we need another version of "Mississippi Queen" or "Helter Skelter" in our collections.
7-Soundtrack music- If you're scoring music for soundtracks that pretty much means you aren't having any luck selling music on your own.
6-Audience takes a bathroom break for new songs-I've seen artists play shows at their peak popularity and the audiences attention is focused on the stage for the entire performance and very open to any and all new material played. When the artist introduces a new song and half the audience heads out to take a piss or get a beer before the first note is even played, their best days are behind them.
5-They've latched on to current trends-Most likely your favorite artist is your favorite because they don't sound like anybody else. When they begin to make music that DOES sound like everybody else, it's over.
4-Package tour with REO Speedwagon- Since about 1989, REO Speedwagon has been the definition of "washed up". I can't off-hand think of anybody who toured with them in the last 25 years who wasn't also washed up.
3-Club tour-Yeah, if they can't even sell enough tickets for the 1200-2500 theater circuit, they're toast.
2-Less than 2 original members- This one hits me right where it hurts cuz most of my favorite bands are down to just one original member. Some are still making great music, but in the eyes of public opinion, they are definitely washed up.
1- Political talk- If your favorite artist is making headlines with their political talk rather than their new music, it is officially over for them. I don't care if it's the post-hippie liberal dip-shitisms of Neil Young, Cher and Springsteen or the yeee-haw 'Merica-isms of Ted Nugent, Charlie Daniels and Hank Williams Jr, if the only attention they can garner is for their political beliefs, they are officially "washed up".
I don't know about anyone else, but most of my favorite artists are "washed up" so most of these apply to my favorites artists.....check to see if they apply to yours
10-Duets-This one is sneaking in at #10 because it's about 50/50. In Country music, duets are a big thing and while there are instances of both artists in on the duet are doing so at their peak popularity (think Waylon and Willie circa mid-1970's), most duets feature one artist who is washed up tagging along with someone currently burning up the charts (think Bon Jovi not having too much in the way of hits until teaming up with Jennifer Nettles at Sugarland's peak popularity).
9-Christmas Albums-Again, there are instances of artists releasing a Christmas album at their peak popularity, but this is usually a sign that an artist is washed up and hopes someone out there will care to listen to their version of "Jingle Bell Rock". Some may point to Trans Siberian Orchestra as an exception to this rule in that their peak popularity came as a result of Christmas albums, the fact is Trans Siberian Orchestra was created out of a washed up Savatage.
8-Covers Album-Like Christmas albums, this is a plea by said artist to "look at me! Buy my album of songs you already know." As if we need another version of "Mississippi Queen" or "Helter Skelter" in our collections.
7-Soundtrack music- If you're scoring music for soundtracks that pretty much means you aren't having any luck selling music on your own.
6-Audience takes a bathroom break for new songs-I've seen artists play shows at their peak popularity and the audiences attention is focused on the stage for the entire performance and very open to any and all new material played. When the artist introduces a new song and half the audience heads out to take a piss or get a beer before the first note is even played, their best days are behind them.
5-They've latched on to current trends-Most likely your favorite artist is your favorite because they don't sound like anybody else. When they begin to make music that DOES sound like everybody else, it's over.
4-Package tour with REO Speedwagon- Since about 1989, REO Speedwagon has been the definition of "washed up". I can't off-hand think of anybody who toured with them in the last 25 years who wasn't also washed up.
3-Club tour-Yeah, if they can't even sell enough tickets for the 1200-2500 theater circuit, they're toast.
2-Less than 2 original members- This one hits me right where it hurts cuz most of my favorite bands are down to just one original member. Some are still making great music, but in the eyes of public opinion, they are definitely washed up.
1- Political talk- If your favorite artist is making headlines with their political talk rather than their new music, it is officially over for them. I don't care if it's the post-hippie liberal dip-shitisms of Neil Young, Cher and Springsteen or the yeee-haw 'Merica-isms of Ted Nugent, Charlie Daniels and Hank Williams Jr, if the only attention they can garner is for their political beliefs, they are officially "washed up".
