Payola - how common is it these days?

Joe · Post by **Joe** » 2006-06-11 02:53am

If this is more appropriate in N&P, please move it there.

I know there was a time in the U.S. where a band couldn't get its records played unless someone was lining the jockeys' pockets, but the absolute shit quality of radio today combined with the fact that there is decent rock and roll music out there leads me to suspect that it's more prolific than ever before. Nickelback (I'm still waiting for an apology, Canadians) and Good Charlotte (though we have much to apologize for, as well) both still can make hits after over five years of sucking - how can there not be some sort of bribery going on here? Plus, I believe one of the major labels got caught in a HUGE payola scandal a year ago.

Anyone with more knowledge on this subject care to comment? How common is it, and is it ever going to go away?

DPDarkPrimus · Post by **DPDarkPrimus** » 2006-06-11 11:58am

Uh... like 90% of all radio stations in the country are owned by one company. And each of their stations have quota lists for what songs need to get played how often every day. "Payola" is more alive now than ever.

aerius · Post by **aerius** » 2006-06-11 12:08pm

These days it's a little more elaborate. Instead of slipping the DJ or station owner a few bills to play your song, you get your lawyer, PR guys, and record label to work a deal with the media guys who own the radio station chains. Money & other shit get exchanged, and they agree to play your song 300 times every month in certain markets. And that's why you hear Nickelback 10 times every day on every fucking station.

Pablo Sanchez · Post by **Pablo Sanchez** » 2006-06-11 01:14pm

That's really the only explanation for Nickelback. "Photograph" is a absolutely horrendous single, so bad that it pretty much defines everything that is rotten in what masquerades as modern "rock," yet it gets so much radio play month after month.

Is that what occurred with respect to that Hoobastank song from two summers ago, "The Reason?" That motherfucker got cycled in 20-30 times a day on every station and now it makes me want to vomit every time I hear it.

Joe · Post by **Joe** » 2006-06-11 01:18pm

Does anyone know someone who doesn't hate Nickelback? Just about every single person I've ever talked to about music hates the greasy fuckers, yet they still get constant airplay.

Post by **Gandalf** » 2006-06-11 01:36pm

A young friend (about 15) of mine likes them. Of course he's a "rebel" who watches Video Hits religiously.

In Australia, real music fans watch Rage on the ABC. VH has songs that are edited for time and content, lots of wanky crap with wanky hosts. Rage shit on VH. But that's my opinion.

Rye · Post by **Rye** » 2006-06-11 01:41pm

Joe wrote:Does anyone know someone who doesn't hate Nickelback? Just about every single person I've ever talked to about music hates the greasy fuckers, yet they still get constant airplay.

I had a girlfriend a few years ago that liked them, back when they first got popular over here. Sad thing is, she played guitar, too. She should've known better.

Redleader34 · Post by **Redleader34** » 2006-06-11 02:27pm

Sony was recently conviced for this payola problem, and it continues to grow everyday.

here
is what sony was convicted of doing

Enigma · Post by **Enigma** » 2006-06-11 03:43pm

Joe wrote:Does anyone know someone who doesn't hate Nickelback? Just about every single person I've ever talked to about music hates the greasy fuckers, yet they still get constant airplay.

They got pelted with bottles and other trash in Portugal.

Aparently Portugal hates them too.