Sellout: The Major-Label Feeding Frenzy That Swept Punk, Emo, and Hardcore (1994–2007)

Sellout: The Major-Label Feeding Frenzy That Swept Punk, Emo, and Hardcore (1994–2007)

Rating

7.0

The Pequod Review:

It may be hard to imagine now, but the term "sellout" used to be among the most pejorative of insults, especially in the worlds of indie rock and alternative music. Dan Ozzi's 2021 book Sellout focuses on the hardcore and punk rock scenes to show how the post-Nirvana explosion of the 1990s and early 2000s led to a schism in these communities — not just musically but philosophically — when bands signed with major record labels or otherwise seemed too eager to become popular. Ozzi's book is well-researched as it draws on interviews with not just band members, but record executives and promoters. And he focuses on not just the genre's most successful bands (Green Day, Blink-182), but also other artists (At the Drive-In, Rise Against, Jawbreaker, The Donnas and others).