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Does the world need another indie band?

independent.co.uk — Once, indie was a world away from the mainstream. These days the term 'indie' is little more than a generic sonic description for any band that plays guitars and probably wears skinny ties, skinny jeans, and skinny cardigans. Critics have dubbed their sound 'indie landfill'. Is it the death knell of a once-vibrant underground scene?

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  • Carbonlord, on 07/20/2008, -5/+13I don't wear a tie!
    • electricwaffles, on 07/20/2008, -1/+7Aside from those cheesy, thick-rimmed glasses, all of those clothing descriptions seemed to embody emo kids. Indie guys often stick to flannel, beards and not showering.
    • omenmedia, on 07/21/2008, -2/+4I'm not in a band!
    • MatthewDuke, on 07/22/2008, -0/+3I wrote and recorded an entire rap album in GarageBand with a keyboard I got from a pawn shop and mailed copies to everybody I know...

      Now THAT'S indie!
  • migshark, on 07/20/2008, -18/+51What a load of biased, repetitive dribble. Buried. Unearthed bands need a chance, cast a wider net; catch more big fish. Besides if its going to be the biggest concert season ever, then competitive pricing will be an equalizer.
    • harris, on 07/21/2008, -4/+17I don't think you're getting the point:

      "'Indie' has become a meaningless term. It just covers guitar bands. But it was never meant to be about a type of music, it wasa spirit and an attitude. When I glance around the bands that are supposedly 'indie' today, I don't see any attitude. I don't see any content in their records, any political interest in the band members. They're a terrible generation, unfortunately, but they're becoming famous overnight and selling a lot of records. I've heard them called 'mortgage indie'. It's a career path – a way of making a lot of money very quickly."
      • WoollyMittens, on 07/21/2008, -5/+4And indie artist is independent of RIAA influence. Anyone who is sick of corporate influence in music is a hero in my book, just for trying.

        Guitar-bands are apparently easiest to set up. This is a symptom not the cause of their abundance.
      • LiberalKid, on 07/21/2008, -0/+1Sadly enough Arts & Crafts is an RIAA label as are some other independent labels, but the really hardcore indie artists that are self-releasing stuff because they haven't been signed yet, are free of the RIAA.
      • subliminali, on 07/21/2008, -1/+5"a way of making a lot of money very quickly"

        if you think an up and coming indie band is making a ton of money then you are sorely mistaken. This is really offensive to all the bands out there that have to struggle just to make enough at their shows for the gas money to get to their next venue.

        I could name maybe a dozen 'indie' bands that are actually living comfortably off of their music and hundreds of others that are struggling through it all just because they believe strongly in what they're doing. anyone who thinks there's millions to be made by being an indie rock musician is delusional.
      • Myonosken, on 07/21/2008, -0/+6@subliminali: By "indie" it refers to the current UK mainstream stuff. Not actual indie.
      • netcropolis, on 07/21/2008, -0/+0I've personally been shocked at times, when I check bands and records on the RIAA Radar. There's a LOT of music out there that you'd truly think is 100% indie, but in actuality, the RIAA is selling what they have to offer. The RIAA are the people taking everyone to court and micro-managing every download and every YouTube video posted... definitely NOT the independent spirit we all fight for, yet they're pretty sneaky buggers, and have many, many ties to bands you'd think had the indie spirit, but only APPEAR to.
    • tunafizzle, on 07/21/2008, -4/+4Should be titled "Does the UK need another indie band?"

      The UK has had mediocre indie scene for over a decade, while Canada and US have been quite well for over a decade.
      • Myonosken, on 07/21/2008, -1/+1What? What the ***** are you talking about?

        We've had some good stuff in the past decade, but the NME has recently just started selling anything with guitars as "indie".
    • whosmatt, on 07/21/2008, -0/+4I think you mean "drivel." As in: "What a load of biased, repetitive drivel."
  • JSatt, on 07/20/2008, -13/+58This has to be one of the most pompous, self important music articles I've ever read.
    • LiberalKid, on 07/21/2008, -1/+2Its also amazing to see an article about the self-destruction of indie music in recent times, without the mention of pitchfork and more recent successful indie bands such as Arcade Fire or The Flaming Lips... At any rate we all know anyone who is referencing NME like NME knows what they're talking about is full of ***** (not that p4k knows what they're talking about all the time, but at the very least should be mentioned in discussions of Indie popularity).
      • michaelz92, on 07/21/2008, -0/+3LOL @ Flaming lips being indie. They're signed to Warner Bros.
      • LiberalKid, on 07/21/2008, -0/+3I don't mean indie in the classical sense of an independent band, but indie in the sense of their layered synth-pop reflecting indie pop music.
      • AlexClewes, on 07/21/2008, -0/+3cause it's a UK article.
      • jiminynuggets, on 07/21/2008, -0/+3It's a British article about British trends, that's why they don't mention those bands
      • JSatt, on 07/21/2008, -0/+3WTF? Recent success of the Flaming Lips. The Flaming Lips have been around since 1983.
      • netcropolis, on 07/21/2008, -0/+0This is precisely why this article is important. Many "indie" labels [now] ARE just majors in disguise, usually formed by people that flunked out of, or saw the chance to leave a major label to make tons of money on their own as an "indie."

        Disguised as indie labels, the majors have become quite proficient at grabbing up a once legitimate underground movement that begins through word-of-mouth, and then exploiting it for beyond its worth, and then making it a mainstream joke.

        The sad thing is, most of the "indie" bands that are getting signed because they're part of the newest craze, will get "shelved" by the labels if their first record doesn't do amazing numbers inside of a week. Unfortunately, at times, this will include bands in that genre that may actually be BETTER than some bands that have "made it" big-time in the mainstream.

        It's nothing new, but it's growing more and more rampant with the advent of MySpace and the Internet encouraging the growth of independent music. Independent music is now another big label cash-cow, so the entire meaning and significance of "indie" bands and music is now down the *****.

        I say, bring on the Chopin!
    • garrettsdiggs, on 07/21/2008, -0/+2it's still too mainstream now.. indie used to be full of talent and unique artists, but mass media has latched onto it and are sucking the life out of it, so more talentless fools jump on the indie bandwagon, just like all fads that came before

      which is why i've made an exodus to classical music, and i'm highly recommending the stuff to all my good pals here at digg

      some chopin or rachmaninov or liszt or tchaikovsky or anybody will bolster creativity and happiness and make you rich beyond your wildest dreams and live to be 100, guaranteed... if that doesn't do it, maybe you'll appreciate a little talent?
  • frenchkick, on 07/21/2008, -12/+3i don't know where to start with this article...


    just stop...please...***** morons
  • darkchild82, on 07/21/2008, -9/+27I'm sick of bands with 'The' in the title!
  • smashfest, on 07/21/2008, -17/+52INDIE IS NOT A GENRE
    • cadmiumpaint, on 07/21/2008, -10/+25actually it is.
      • smashfest, on 07/21/2008, -3/+9how so? there's indie rock. there's indie pop. there's indie rap. there's indie hip-hop. there's indie nerdcore. and everything in between.
      • jd72277, on 07/21/2008, -2/+19it kind of is a genre, but shouldn't be. Its become nothing more than a modern way of saying "alternative".
      • loopyloopy, on 07/21/2008, -0/+11well it wasnt before the record companies decided they could create their own versions of that 'unsigned band sound' and called it 'Indie' even though it wasnt
      • boobsbr, on 07/21/2008, -1/+3i thought "indie" meant "independent", not a music genre.
    • Chadbr0chill17, on 07/21/2008, -2/+19It used to not be 20 years ago, it really WAS just a type of label, but now it is a genre
    • ProfessorRiffs, on 07/21/2008, -4/+9Yes it is and your caps lock is on.
    • FPFP, on 07/21/2008, -4/+1Way to miss the point of the article. go you!
    • bipolarruledout, on 07/21/2008, -4/+5It is and it isn't. If I need to tell my unhip friends about what album I'm listening to I'm going to tell them it's indie... I'm not going to say it's "post rock" or "baroque pop" or whatever. They just won't get it.
    • AnalogAssassin, on 07/21/2008, -0/+1People said 'alternative' wasn't a genre some years back also. Remember that? Just another label that meant nothing.
  • dwninjungleland, on 07/21/2008, -13/+25The term "indie" is such a joke. Where it used to stand for something, now it's just a buzzword that enables corporate guys in ties writing lyrics around a boardroom table to stick their dicks *just* a little further in your *****.
    • flossdaily, on 07/21/2008, -9/+10The only thing indie used to stand for was "independent." Guess what, it still stands for that. Go read a book.
      • dwninjungleland, on 07/21/2008, -4/+12Right.
        "Independent" labels, as opposed to mainstream record labels. The term loses all meaning when huge record companies market their artists as "Indie" in order to steal the wallets of toolbags like you, who would give anything (including your cash, dignity, and principles) to be real 'scene'.
        It's like "alternative" music being marketed and played on mainstream radio stations-- it makes no sense.

        I'm pretty excited that while I can go read a book, you, in turn, will never be able to stop being an idiot.
      • LiberalKid, on 07/21/2008, -3/+4There is a ridiculous amount of indie artists that aren't on mainstream record labels, so please don't feed me that ***** about mainstream record labels creating indie...
    • bdbr, on 07/22/2008, -0/+1There are several independent labels that are thriving now, and if you ever saw their office you'd know how completely wrong your "boardroom table" comment is. Its still has attitude, and they're still trying new stuff.
  • Stavrosian, on 07/21/2008, -5/+34Horrendously pompous, and unnecessarily harsh on a couple of fairly decent bands.

    Admittedly lots of them are *****, but just blanketly dismissing an entire generation of bands simply because many of them suck is retarded. If we did that, we'd dismiss every band that ever released anything.
    • keeperofkeys, on 07/21/2008, -0/+5"Fairly decent" seems to be what he's railing against. You shouldn't get to be second-to-last on at Glastonbury by being "fairly decent". Most music is by definition mediocre, but let's not pretend it's better than it actually is.
    • Myonosken, on 07/21/2008, -2/+4What fairly decent band was he insulting? You mean Fratellis and Scouting for Girls? Wow, you have no taste.
      • Stavrosian, on 07/21/2008, -1/+2I'm sure if I listed some other acts I liked, you would agree that I do in fact have taste. If, to meet your expectations of good taste, somebody has to like only the acts you like and absolutely no more then I suspect you will be disappointed by almost everybody you meet in the course of your life.

        Scouting for girls suck ass. The Fratellis aren't breaking any new ground, but they can write a good melody and play crowd-pleasing, fun tunes. The other fairly decent band I alluded to was The Kooks, whose first album had enough strong songs to make it worth repeated listening to me. In the context of guitar music over the last ten years, if you can release one album which I listen to more than once, I consider you to be a fairly decent band.

        Now be off with you. Stroke your chin and listen to more Pink Floyd, all the while thinking solely about how brilliant your taste in music is.
  • wisammy, on 07/21/2008, -16/+8I really want to post a huge comment. Because this is something that means a lot to me.

    But this article is insane

    it is true the best bands came out in the mid 90's. Hot Water Music, Samiam, Hum, The Blackout Pact.

    But there is a real underground scene going on. And whatever name you attach to it is dumb.

    Emo was an amazing music movement, mostly out of the midwest in the mid to late 90's. The Promise Ring, American Footbal, Knapsack to name a few. Now the term describes some dumb "mall punk" or some ***** on MTV.

    Do some reading up on music history.

    I think the Digg comunnity at no fault of their own has been veered in the wrong direction. There is a lot of great music out there. A lot of the bands broke up. Some got back together and others are just starting.

    check out Waxwing, or The Lawrence Arms
    • rationalbeats, on 07/21/2008, -0/+2What do you think of Melt Banana tough guy?
    • jd72277, on 07/21/2008, -0/+3I agree - when I watched Broken Hearts Are Blue, and all those forgotten 90s bands, I never thought the term "emo" would be widely known 10 years later. Dude, Knapsack was so good!
    • dwninjungleland, on 07/21/2008, -0/+3Yeah, and how about Acrylic Pantaloons?

      Dear wisammy: I believe your copy of "Sub-culture for Dummies" is long overdue.
    • StupidLiberal, on 07/22/2008, -0/+1Dug for including HWM
  • SlapAyoda, on 07/21/2008, -5/+65... Checks FM radio.

    Yes, the world does need more indie bands.
    • Equinox2012, on 07/21/2008, -1/+5***** CLEAR CHANNEL!!!

      Bring back small independent stations! Support college radio! (except the Christian schools... that ***** sux)
      • brettg102, on 07/21/2008, -0/+1If college radio actually broadcasted over the air and not just on the internet anymore, I would. I can't listen to internet radio in my car.
      • Equinox2012, on 07/21/2008, -0/+1Rice College Radio does here in Houston... it's pretty good.
    • djHBRD, on 07/21/2008, -0/+2Even XM has some mediocre stuff on XMU, their supposedly "indie" channel.

      I have found some pretty good bands there, Paper Rival, Hercules and Love Affair, Young Knives, etc.
      • BNash577, on 07/21/2008, -0/+1And honestly, how can you not love Paper Rival? That stuff needs to be all over the radio. Seriously.
      • Lutremi, on 07/21/2008, -0/+1Found Blonde Redhead and Working For A Nuclear Free City in there.
      • faceless323, on 07/21/2008, -0/+1Found Ladytron, Stellastarr*, and Snowden
  • willynilly, on 07/21/2008, -9/+14"Emo was an amazing music movement, mostly out of the midwest in the mid to late 90's."

    "Emo" was another unnecessary, ***** label. Part of what killed the development of our musical heritage is people's insistence on clinging to some obscure flavor of some obscure splinter of some sub-category of music. So no longer do people grow up with the fun of a common musical background to revel in when they get together through the years.

    And the ***** radio and other media of today have only too happily killed people's musical variety as well. Look at the irrelevance of the "charts" and the Grammies. There will never be another legitimate #1 song, because it'll only be #1 on some hyper-focused chart that doesn't have broad enough appeal to be meaningful.

    And "'s" does not make something plural.

    And the apostrophe comes BEFORE the numerals, to take the place of the missing "19": '90s.
    • Rfriaz, on 07/21/2008, -0/+6And this would make more sense with use of the 'reply' button.
    • loopyloopy, on 07/21/2008, -0/+1i remember when "At the Drive In" (parent band of The Mars Volta for the younger players) were considered an Emo band.

      now we have My Chemical Romance etc (rolls eyes)
  • ericmerrill, on 07/21/2008, -0/+38"In the age of Soulja Boy, Nickelback and Hannah Montana, do we really need musicians who aren't with large record labels?"
    • iofthestorm, on 07/21/2008, -5/+2I didn't RTFA, but is that seriously a question? *groan*
    • no1joel, on 07/21/2008, -1/+1The article is talking about the UK mainstream genre of Indie, which is mainly pop bands who play guitars and typically sing with a harsh accent.

      NOT actual indie. I think this is a very UK-based article which is why there's a lot of confusion over what its trying to say.
      • ATLien74, on 07/21/2008, -0/+1But Blowja Boy, Nickelbutt, and Haddah "take-a-dump-on-music" Montana are all American artists....I'm ashamed to say.
      • ATLien74, on 07/21/2008, -0/+1Oh wait, Nickelbutt is Canadian, right? Whew!
  • kufu91, on 07/21/2008, -2/+8Was that entire article's point that people like ***** indie music just like people like ***** mainstream music? and "mortgage indie"? come on, people have been playing music for cash since the troubadours.
  • cadmiumpaint, on 07/21/2008, -3/+21Indie is a genre, much like "alternative" was in the 90s.

    Indie at one time meant you were on your own and did your own thing the DIY way...not anymore.

    the names and the outfits change but its always the same thing. Hipsters form bands that imitate each other. They entire thing becomes fashionable for a time, and then they all fade away into obscurity. Only the rare few that were truley talented and brought something new to the table get remembered.

    • ericmerrill, on 07/21/2008, -1/+4That's every popular wave of music. If person A makes good music, persons B, C and D are gonna copy them.

      That doesn't make person A or his or her music any less awesome.
      • dwninjungleland, on 07/21/2008, -0/+2But that makes B, C, D, E .... ZZZZ all really boring imitators with absolutely no originality. And as soon as the record labels see the success of A, you can bet your sweet ass that all the other losers will get deals/airtime also.
    • LiberalKid, on 07/21/2008, -1/+4Tons of great music doesn't become fashionable and gets forgotten...
    • discoe2monster, on 07/21/2008, -1/+2Indie and alternative are basically the same thing.
  • pagno, on 07/21/2008, -12/+4Buried for comparing The White Stripes and The Who in the same sentence, in the first ***** paragraph. *****.

    Also, "Indie" now days is code for "Emo." More ***** *****.
    • pagno, on 07/21/2008, -1/+1Haha! Diggers are emo fags! I knew it!
  • kpaphysicist, on 07/21/2008, -1/+36I don't care what indie means or if it's dying. As long as Canada keeps its music scene going, I'll be a happy camper (Arcade fire, Wolf Parade, Sunset Rubdown, The New Pornographers, Destroyer, Frog Eyes, Stars, Broken Social Scene, Final Fantasy... and more).
    • ericmerrill, on 07/21/2008, -7/+4Mmmmmm, Broken Social Scene.

      I'm starting to think the Brits who wrote this article are just jealous of North America's superior indie scene. Our bands thrive in timelessness, while their bands lately seem to pop hard and fizz fast (anyone remember The Hives? The Vines?)
      • mattgee725, on 07/21/2008, -0/+10The Hives aren't British.
      • shlolz, on 07/21/2008, -0/+13The Vines are Australian...
      • philhatesyou, on 07/21/2008, -4/+5I'd be extremely happy if The Hives came from North America. Right now, if they're not the best band on the planet, they're damned close. All we get coming out of North America is ***** like Flobots or Fallout Boy. North America's indie scene is broken.
      • LiberalKid, on 07/21/2008, -0/+6Hey man... We've got like... *****... Bon Iver, Bowerbirds, The Magnetic Fields, The National, Wilco, Spoon and Malkmus still puts out some decent albums. Admittedly the Canadian Indie Scene is better.. but there's hope.
      • saynotocensors, on 07/21/2008, -1/+2Way to make a point. I think you'll find The Vines are Swedish and The Vines are Australian.
      • Myonosken, on 07/21/2008, -0/+3Arctic Monkeys, Radiohead, Belle and Sebastian, Long Blondes, Cribs, Foals, Guillemots, Jamie T, Late of the Pier, Lightspeed Champion, Mystery Jets

        Mmm yeah, there's absolutely NOTHING good hidden amongst all the usual guitar lite *****.
    • jd72277, on 07/21/2008, -3/+2you forgot the band Stars. Other than that, you nailed it.
      • Brododium, on 07/21/2008, -0/+7Nah, it's there sandwiched between Frog Eyes and Broken Social Scene.
        He forgot The Unicorns, though.
      • dugmartsch, on 07/21/2008, -1/+1He forgot jens lekman and chromeo, though.
      • brettg102, on 07/21/2008, -0/+1When there's nothing left to burn, you have to set yourself on fire.
    • alchemist27, on 07/21/2008, -0/+8you forgot tokyo police club!
    • LiberalKid, on 07/21/2008, -0/+5He forgot a lot of bands and half the bands he mentioned have spencer krug in them (but there's absolutely nothing wrong with that).
      • kpaphysicist, on 07/21/2008, -0/+1good eye. Spencer Krug is my absolute favorite! He's such an amazing song writer. And he always comes out with new stuff.
    • brheath, on 07/21/2008, -1/+1So true. It seems like Canada and Sweden are producing some of the best music out there nowadays.
    • afx114, on 07/21/2008, -0/+1You forgot Hayden.
    • jks15, on 07/21/2008, -1/+1Canada music FTW. Minus Alanis Morisette
  • shlolz, on 07/21/2008, -3/+28Although the article is a bit harsh, I do agree that there are too many bland, boring indie bands trying to imitate the success of bands like the Strokes and the Libertines.

    However, as someone who follows the "genre" quite closely and listens to every band mentioned in the article, I've noticed the public start to embrace indie a lot more than they have in recent times - mainly due to how accessible the music of bands like the Kooks (who are starting to do well in North America) and the Arctic Monkeys is. This exposure of the genre is good for other, more obscure/original-sounding bands such as Mystery Jets, Born Ruffians, Late of the Pier, Lightspeed Champion, etc., etc. who are now being sought out by kids wanting to hear more.

    Just listen to music you like and everything will be okay :)
    • dwninjungleland, on 07/21/2008, -0/+7I'm digging you up only for that last sentence.
    • Lutremi, on 07/21/2008, -0/+2Dugg for the last sentence too. I hate indielitist snobs who think they're the coolest thing ever since they listen to music nobody else knows (even though I am guilty of this occasionally).
    • ATLien74, on 07/21/2008, -0/+1Yeah I feel ya..... but the Arctic Monkeys suck.
    • Hodor, on 07/21/2008, -0/+1the strokes were the furthest thing from "indie" in the world.. the strokes were more like Boston.
  • mastercheif, on 07/21/2008, -1/+11This article isn't really bashing the whole indie scene, just the british one. And I agree, you can only have so many Strokes wannabees.
    • ericmerrill, on 07/21/2008, -0/+5The Strokes are from New York, though, and they're NY band Television wannabes.
      • mastercheif, on 07/21/2008, -0/+2I know. But if you are going to rip a sound why not do it from the greats instead of a bunch of brats from NYC?
      • Wolfgarden, on 07/21/2008, -0/+2Television is awesome.
  • DownIsTheNewUp, on 07/21/2008, -9/+2Vampire Weekend is ***** terrible.
    • Scottievm, on 07/21/2008, -0/+4I'm digging you down because I disagree.
    • chadillak, on 07/21/2008, -1/+2they're ok, but the hype behind them kinda ruins it for me. besides, they're not indie, they're afro-pop. get it right.
    • LiberalKid, on 07/21/2008, -1/+1They're mediocre, not terrible, they released a fun listenable album that gets old after a few listens, that got a ridiculous amount of press.
    • dugmartsch, on 07/21/2008, -0/+3Goddamn. Just because a band is popular doesn't make them ***** terrible.
      • DownIsTheNewUp, on 07/22/2008, -0/+1Yeah, it's Vampire Weekend's horrible music that makes them ***** terrible.
  • Asheis, on 07/21/2008, -4/+9First of all, let me preface this post by explaining something.. I like all kinds of music. I like some of the most commercial, mainstream stuff out there, from R&B, rap, hard rock, alt rock, acoustic, etc, all different flavors, but you know what? I like indie music too! I like bands that are just starting out, that are off the beaten track with regards to sound.

    With that said.. I really have to agree with parts of this article. There is some really (from my SUBJECTIVE perception) terrible indie music out there. It's not that it's just noise.. noise can be artistic.. noise can be fun, different. It's (as this article says) bland. It has no soul to it. But I suppose that's part of finding the stuff that's really amazing.. not all bands have that character that's needed to be truly great.. you have to weed through the muck to get to the good stuff (it's exactly the same with mainstream stuff).

    I feel we do need another indie band.. because regardless of what this article seems to think, indie does still mean something.
    • mousagenre, on 07/21/2008, -0/+1Amen! There is still something good in indie bands, of course there are bands who want to be indie and they don't have it in them; they could ruin it. Indie will be and forever will be Indie; like rock, alternative even EMO.
    • AlexClewes, on 07/21/2008, -0/+1i agree here to an extent, but here, indie is a style of clothing, music, which many teenage boys (and in their 20s) in the UK like to be a part of, as to feel different, like emo, but different style. It isn't independant - but eh.
  • Jugador12, on 07/21/2008, -10/+2You're a part time lover and a full time friend
    The monkey on you're back is the latest trend
    I don't see what anyone can see, in anyone else
    But you
    • Myonosken, on 07/21/2008, -0/+1Mouldy peaches.....Why?
    • Jugador12, on 07/21/2008, -0/+1I figured it would go along with the wannabe indie theme
  • HouseCentipede, on 07/21/2008, -6/+6No.
  • frenchkick, on 07/21/2008, -7/+6i just want to bury this now because of one thing: i dont like music articles on digg
    music is subjective.
    if you like it, listen to it...if you don't, no one is forcing you

    one band is better than the other, my scene is better than yours, i know more obscure bands that you...

    who the ***** cares....just enjoy it
    • jd72277, on 07/21/2008, -0/+7very true. Hope your name isnt after the band, because everyone knows the French Kicks suck!
    • Equinox2012, on 07/21/2008, -0/+2On the contrary, Clear Channel is forcing you. I live in Houston Tx. and 80% of the radio is fixed programming from Clear Channel. The 20% that is left is Tejano and Christian. Every other ***** song on the rock stations is either Green Day or Aerosmith. My mp3 collection is rather eclectic and expansive, but how long does that last before you get burned out?
  • veganvelma, on 07/21/2008, -3/+8The majority of indie bands I've seen live don't wear skinny jeans, ties, OR cardigans.
    • cheifchuck0, on 07/21/2008, -2/+1like who?
      • michaelz92, on 07/21/2008, -1/+2Arcade Fire? Sigur Ros? Casiotone for the painfully alone? Fugazi? Joy Division?
      • veganvelma, on 07/21/2008, -0/+1The Hold Steady, The Rosebuds, Band of Horses, Xiu Xiu, Menomena, Animal Collective, Shearwater, Oxford Collapse, !!!....
    • LiberalKid, on 07/21/2008, -2/+1must be mainstream bands...
      • veganvelma, on 07/21/2008, -0/+2Damn, I've been discovered.
        How am I ever going to prove that I'm 'indier than thou' on digg when I actually listen to Panic at the Disco?
      • Karmavs, on 07/21/2008, -0/+1I think you’ll find Panic at the disco wear skinny jeans, ties, AND cardigans; now that they’ve turned into rather pathetic Beatles wannabes. OUTED AGAIN. (or is it ousted? I don’t know.)
    • subliminali, on 07/21/2008, -0/+2amen man, i go to indie rock shows every couple weeks and i wouldn't even attempt to describe what each artist wears because its always ***** different. just like their musical styles and their stage presence. the main reason i like indie rock (if it even is a definable movement) is its diversity.
    • AlexClewes, on 07/21/2008, -0/+1you haven't been to england.
  • Chadbr0chill17, on 07/21/2008, -2/+6Who cares what it's called.

    You should like something because it's good, and not stop liking it because of the pricks that wrote this article or any other reason.
  • holyreality, on 07/21/2008, -6/+5I could not agree with this article more. it's especially hard to bear here in nyc where everyone dresses like they're in an indie band. hence the reason that I follow extreme metal and harsh noise musicians. they sound different, they use different tempos and they're not dumb, pretentious hipsters.
    • michaelz92, on 07/21/2008, -2/+2No, they're just dumb metalheads with zero personality. Two can play at this generalization game.
    • ProfessorRiffs, on 07/21/2008, -0/+1Your post is a pile of words trying and yet at the same time failing to make you sound cooler than others.

      p.s. Metal for life \m//
  • SuperIntendo, on 07/21/2008, -1/+1I wouldnt mind more but I'm more than content with what we've got. *continues listening to "Lua"*
  • FurDieNosferatu, on 07/21/2008, -2/+26I listen to bands that don't even exist yet.
  • neocitron, on 07/21/2008, -2/+5I like how the first thing used to describe music is what clothing musicians are wearing... Not how they sound or what they stand for anymore.


    Music sucks.
  • alchemist27, on 07/21/2008, -3/+3yes they are, they're dumb, prentious hipsters to a different crowed
  • loopyloopy, on 07/21/2008, -2/+5does the world need another generation that believe they're so much cooler than the one which preceded them yet in reality they're just an even more manipulated pale imitation?

    will it still be cool to own a guitar when every second person owns one?

    ...yeah i'm bitter! :)
    • dugmartsch, on 07/21/2008, -0/+1Haha, yeah this has only been going on for like, 5000 years.

      • loopyloopy, on 07/21/2008, -0/+1you believe in god dont you?

        its ok. just saying.
      • loopyloopy, on 07/21/2008, -0/+1ignore that comment, i was trying to be a smartarse, but i didnt even amuse myself
  • gmitchel, on 07/21/2008, -2/+9I happen to like the Kooks... Do i call them indie? Sure. I call them "indie/mainstream." I don't make the mistake of writing off a band simply because they become popular with people that have little taste in music. There are tons of good indie bands out there. Wolf Parade, Port O'Brien, Shout Out Louds etc etc.

    Just because some ***** thinks that something is banal doesn't mean they can write off an entire generation of indie music. And I reject the idea that indie is now a genre. The only people dumb enough to believe that are people who haven't been "in the loop" since the 80's. My itunes library attests to the fact that indie is not itself a genre. I have "indie rock, indie pop, indie rap, indie folk, indie/mainstream etc" all listed as genres, all with albums in them from the last year. It'd be a mistake to say indie is only the first two. I think maybe some out of touch assholes should pay a little more attention and do a bit less arrogant ranting.

    And since when were the Arctic Monkeys suddenly above all the other brit-rock/pop bands? Sure, they're good, but they talk about them as if they're the exception to the rule rather than one of a good number of decent brit bands.
    • LiberalKid, on 07/21/2008, -1/+4Indie/Mainstream isn't that an oxymoron?
    • subliminali, on 07/21/2008, -0/+1definitely dugg you up. thanks for the well thought out response-- it made my day after feeling depressed reading so many negative narrow minded comments
    • cyberwiz01, on 07/21/2008, -0/+1Shout out Louds are AWESOME!!
    • gmitchel, on 07/22/2008, -0/+0I suppose my point in having "indie/mainstream" as a label is to speak to those bands that play music within the mainstream, that become popular, but are not necessarily the equivalent of some crap like simple plan etc. There is an indie mentality/approach to music about certain bands that are extremely popular. So, ya it's a little strange, but when we have bands like death cab that used to be "indie" and are now popular, I think it works all right.
  • atliberty2say, on 07/21/2008, -0/+4Once, R&B was a world away from the mainstream. These days the term 'R&B' is little more than a generic sonic description for any artist that doesn't play an instrument and probably wears designer labels with some rap chrous for 'street cred' . Critics have dubbed their sound 'R&B landfill'. Is it the death knell of a once-vibrant underground scene? - Let's hope so.
  • Trav3133, on 07/21/2008, -10/+12indie sucks.
    • dinot, on 07/21/2008, -0/+2what a thoroughly enjoyable, and wholeheartedly unbiased and informed observation! Where can I sign up for your zine?
  • ProfessorRiffs, on 07/21/2008, -0/+6Things begin and things end.
    • atliberty2say, on 07/21/2008, -0/+1Interesting and mysterious. I certainly would like to know more about this begins and ends theory of yours.
      • ProfessorRiffs, on 07/21/2008, -1/+1This statement has begun. There is nothing more to know about what I have said. This statement has ended.
    • uberduger, on 07/21/2008, -0/+2You obviously don't watch Lost. Beginning->Content->Ending is so last millenium.
    • dinot, on 07/21/2008, -0/+1Thank you, Confucius.
    • ajb2015, on 07/21/2008, -0/+1riffs, is that the name of your new indie band?
  • IrvineKinneas50, on 07/21/2008, -1/+8Call me an elitist if you will, but I really wish music was 'music' instead of something that defines your persona. Music has been taken over by pop-culture. Being 'punk' or 'emo' or a 'rocker' kills the artistic integrity of music. Music isn't supposed to be something you listen to so you can put a 'Ramones' patch on your backpack.

    That said, 'indie' kids (along with emo kids) are the worst about this.
    • bipolarruledout, on 07/21/2008, -0/+1See also: Scene kids. Anyone older than their mid 20's should be way past this.
  • kinseyincanada, on 07/21/2008, -2/+3why do we have to put a label on everything. This new surge of "indie" bands coming into the mainstream is great in my opinion, i would much rather have my kids listening to bands like Fall Out Boy whom i completely hate then the Pussycat Dolls or some other offensive *****, and least bands like Fall Out Boy make music, thou ***** music, its the much lesser of two evils.
    • uberduger, on 07/21/2008, -0/+2Fall Out Boy are not indie, at least not in the sense that the article intends to portray. That in itself was a valid point though - Pussycat Dolls are (or all-but-one of them) dancers. They didn't even count themselves as singers - they were picked for a contract because they can sell out those ridiculous gigs that boybands used to do where they just do synchronized routines in big stadiums for 14 year olds. Fall Out Boy, regardless of my feelings towards them, are >> Pussycat Dolls.
  • fireinbergen, on 07/21/2008, -2/+6The article is *****. Do I really want to listen to music that is force fed to me on MTV and the FM radio dial? No thanks. Indie music is where its at and I'll listen to it rather than being a lazy music listener. Yes, what I'm saying is that if you enjoy music off of MTV you are pretty lazy about finding new music.
    • waydee, on 07/21/2008, -0/+4You missed the point, "indie" has been adopted as name for the mainstream guitar based skinny tied, skinny jeaned, skinny led style of mainstream rock music currently popular in the UK.

      It's feeding off the success of genuine acts like The Libertines etc. It's not Indie music, it's "indie" in that the style is similar to what Indie acts traditionally play but toned down for the mainstream.

  • wipis, on 07/21/2008, -3/+2I'm all for indie music. But I don't care much for indie snobs. Just because a band is famous or on a big label doesn't mean I can't like them.

    This article is pompous but it does make a point. There are a lot of indie bands that keep coming out that all sound the same with a muddy sound. They have a high voice a simple drum rhythm plucky base and a punk inspired, yet mellow, 3 cord guitar melody, if they are really talented they will have a singer that plays the piano about as well as their guitarist and he tries to mosh with it.

    But prove me and this writer wrong and reply to this comment with indie bands that A) Don't suck B) sound unique. I'll get the ball rolling with a few.

    http://www.myspace.com/sheandhimsheandhim
    http://www.enormousd.com/ (sorry flash)
    http://www.myspace.com/wearemanman (I suggest "Mister jung stuffed" or "Hurly Burly")
    • dezee96, on 07/21/2008, -0/+0I dunno if you'd call all of this indie. In my opinion, non of these are "punk based".

      Jump Little Children - be sure to try 10 or so songs of theirs....wide variety..
      Andrew Bird
      Guster
      Rosebud
      Ben Folds
      Owen Beverly
    • bdbr, on 07/22/2008, -0/+1The Hold Steady
      The National
      Aimee Mann
      Beirut
      Explosions In The Sky
      Fleet Foxes
      M. Ward
      Midlake
      Pinback
      Spoon
      The Decemberists
      Tindersticks

      And this is a short list. Indie music is alive and well, and there is a LOT of diversity for those who pay attention.
  • afx114, on 07/21/2008, -6/+2Indie just stole from Grunge which stole from Punk which stole from Rock which stole from Blues which came from Africa which came from...
    • Chrysalii, on 07/21/2008, -0/+2The Monkees
    • dezee96, on 07/21/2008, -0/+0Blues came from slaves after being forced to live in a place other than Africa, but I think you could continue your stealing bit all the way back to Africa....just need a few more steps :)
  • hamishmacdonald, on 07/21/2008, -3/+0I don't think the author of this article realises how much this piece makes him sound like an old crank, looking in at something current from the outside and dismissing it wholesale because it isn't as cool, authentic, raw, whatever as what his generation had. Once you start reviewing music -- or any contemporary culture -- that way, you've proven that you're no longer enough a part of it to 'get' it and speak coherently about it, let alone contribute any new insights.

    However homogenous these bands might be, any one of them is more talented than a guttersnipe critic whining about "kids these days".
  • amoirae, on 07/21/2008, -3/+2Does the world need another MrBabyMan post? No, but it's going to get one anyway.
    • uberduger, on 07/21/2008, -0/+2You know how annoyed some of you Diggers get about MrBabyMan posts? That's how irritating 'indie' music is in the UK. It's a continuous barrage of generic crap.
    • Karmavs, on 07/21/2008, -0/+1Come on, Tim Walker deserves at least some, minor credit for ,you know, WRITING the article. Doesn’t he?
  • japface, on 07/21/2008, -0/+1most indie i hear seems to be more concerned with fashion and being in a clique, than the creation of truly original sounding music.
  • AlexClewes, on 07/21/2008, -0/+3Just so everyone understands, this is generally focused on the UK 'Indie' - which is alot worse quality than US/CA 'Indie.'

    UK 'indie' music scene is effectively run by NME Magazine, NME TV, MTV2 and Q which pick up bands who are just starting to get noticed on the internet or more independant people. We get the ***** like the wombats and other pop-rock bands who all dress the same and sound the same. It is COMPLETLEY different to US indie.

    It suxx. That's why I look around on Last.FM/Hype Machine. I can't stand 'Indie' All WAY too similiar.
    • nojax, on 07/21/2008, -0/+1The sad thing about Hype Machine is its dying right now. It used to be good but now its *****. The more popular it gets the ***** the music is going to be.
  • secondfiddle, on 07/21/2008, -0/+0Music is music and everyone has an *****.
  • crossmr, on 07/21/2008, -0/+2Does the world need another MrBabyman submission? No..but hey look another 4 on this page..
  • imeddy, on 07/21/2008, -1/+1> Critics have dubbed their sound 'indie landfill'

    Well maybe they should try and do better, in stead of whining about it..?!

  • kamisama, on 07/21/2008, -0/+2And I thought Indie just meant anything on an independent record label.
  • Austin7687, on 07/21/2008, -0/+2Blur is indie? PSHH!

    Indie is short for independent. And believe me, there is still good music on independent labels out there.
  • dugmartsch, on 07/21/2008, -0/+1This author is either retarded, British, or doesn't realize that indie stopped being indie when built to spill signed with epic. Considering they released their best album on a major, and they were definitely still indie, what the hell were you supposed to do?
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