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Rant: Music Industry Genres

Let's address the elephant in the room. First, an example. What exactly is it that made anyone assume that 5 Seconds of Summer even remotely resembles anything that ever qualified to be labeled "punk"? Even "pop-punk"?

I've grown increasingly annoyed over the last decade by what has become a separation of musical-genre and marketing-genre. It would appear you can label any artist/band with any genre and viola!... a new market of listeners. Why not just label 5SOS pop-punk-country? It fits this act as securely as the former. And then they can open for Taylor Swift!

While I'll be the first to admit that I am a punk-purist, I don't think I'm being unnecessarily obstinate here. I have nothing against 5SOS's look or sound. I have nothing against their art. But just for once, can we call a duck a duck and stop being ashamed of the label "pop"? If you're a pop band you're a pop band. If you're country then your country. If you're rock then you're rock. Wear your badge, play your guitar, and let's sell some music.

When John Lydon (fka Johnny Rotten of Sex Pistols) formed Public Image Ltd. he wasn't compelled to define a new genre to sell albums. In other words, a duck was called a duck.

"Get these mutts away from me. You know I don't find this stuff amusing anymore" --Paul Simon
 
This is OT, therefore here is a picture of my foot.

ImageUploadedByTalkBass1411053850.379140.jpg


lowsound
 
I don't know the band the OP is talking about. But I agree with calling things what they are. If this band is a pop and and they are being labeled as a punk band it can lead to making the label of punk useless.
I understand some music defies genre and some people don't like to give their music any particular label. However those labels can be useful if someone is looking for music that sounds a particular way.
I think that is the point the OP was trying to get across. It is not about liking or disliking certain types of music.
 
I've never heard of that band either, but I googled them and could instantly tell they aren't punk. Who exactly considers them a punk band? Wikipedia calls them a pop rock band with pop punk elements (aka one of them has a stupid colored hairdo).

Sadly, these guys not only label 5SOS as pop-punk, but use them as a beacon to the future of pop-punk. Invalid Link Removed
 
Sadly, these guys not only label 5SOS as pop-punk, but use them as a beacon to the future of pop-punk. Invalid Link Removed

Oh, geez. In that case, I can get behind your initial rant. I would have thought anyone with even an iota of knowledge of punk and such would immediately recognize this group as pop/pop-rock/power-pop.

(I'm certainly no punk purist ... I was equally excited to see NoFX and New Found Glory at a festival last weekend, but recognize each for what they are)
 
If you want a really good joke, check out BabyMetal. I mean their songs are about chocolate for pete's sake and the media keeps going on and on about how they are the next big thing in "death metal." It's just insulting really.