Why is it so much more awesome if I only listen to undiscovered bands and not the radio?

It's almost like you're a part of a special group with a secret that no one else knows. You get to groove along with some great music before it becomes polluted and overrun by studio execs.

Edit: Agreed! I hate snobbiness, in whatever form. I have respect for those people who can truly enjoy music without acting like they are better than others because they listened to No Doubt's "Trapped in a Box" when they were still playing late-night gigs as Apple Corps.

It's an interesting question. The fact of the matter is that it's all about what moves you. Music appreciation is purely subjective so if you get what you need on the radio then I am actually kind of envious. I've always had to dig because the radio hasn't really appealed to me for a very long time, and even when there was stuff I enjoyed out there it wasn't consistant enough to be worth it (the rabbit hole was never deep enough, except for classic rock radio when I was younger. That kept me busy for a while). The way I see it though, if you like the radio then there's nothing wrong with that.

There are two points though that your post brings to mind that may answer it, or at least bring some perspective. First, I think there is a certain gratification to coming in on the ground floor with a band, or taking a chance on that obscure cd in the record store that you've never heard of and having it pay off big time. There are a ton of amazing groups that would be found that way.

Also, and probably more pertinant to the question, the sounds on the radio are specific to a couple very large, but by no means all encompassing demographics. This is why not all good bands trickle up to mainstream radio. Also, for the same, "appeal to only the largest demographics" idea and the idea that with the radio you can't have people flat out not liking too many songs, radio songs generally end up being very formula driven and not terribly "challenging" for lack of a better word.

So, when you add it all up, there is an idea of the off radio bands (or at least the ones that people put up on pedastles) is more expansive in their sound, more innovative in many cases and there ends up being a bit more pride in discovery because generally you either had to take a chance or because you had to dig for the information. The internet has kind of changed that dynamic a bit, but you get my drift. At the end of the day though, if you're happy with what you're listening to then you're doing something right.

Well it's not a black and white issue. Some music on the radio is manufactured solely to make money. Miley Cyrus is an excellent example.

But my favorite band, The Killers, is pretty well known on the radio but I still think they're badass. Some bands are, like you said, so good that they get a lot of recognition whether they want it or not.

You just want to find something new and different and maybe be one of the first to hear some really awesome talent. The ones you hear on the radio have already been discovered. You want to do the discovering. I bet you're the same way with clothing and food and lots of other things. You're the adventurer. Cool!

If you have satellite radio there's a station for unsigned bands. Sometimes I listen to it to hear something new and a lot of times they sound just like everything else. My father only wants to listen to new stuff and scoffs at anything two years or older. I find that silly. I'll play something and he'll really like it but when he learns the year of release then all of the sudden he doesn't like it anymore. It makes no sense to me. Good music is good music. Great music stands through time.

Undiscovered bands don't have a mainstream sound to them. When they do get discovered then the producers force them to sound mainstream so the record company can make the money back from what they spent on getting the band recorded and edited. Plus when they do get discovered you tend to get that feeling of "I discovered this band"

its not that awesome. it cool when you discover things on your own and you get a feeling like ...your one of the very few that have heard that song/music... but thats about it, while the radio a lot of people hear it. but it doens't make the song or band anything less cool. its just the way some people think....

i don't care if its on the radio or if its undiscovered...if i like it i like it.

and yes i agree with you...when people think its so much cooler. to me its like yeah okay undiscovered bands are cool...some of them not all....its a shame they haven't gotten the fame they deserve...and the bands that are on the radio its like Great I love that they finally got the recognition. every artist sings to be heard. To me both things are "awesome."

i'll end this with some lyrics: RISE AGAINST- GIVE IT ALL

Break through the undertow, your hands I can't seem to find,

pollution burns my tongue, cough words I can't speak so I

stop my struggling, then I float to the surface,

fill my lungs with air, then let it out

I give it all, now there's a reason why I sing,

So give it all, and it's these reasons that belong to me

Rock bottoms where we live, and still we dig these trenches,

to bury ourselves in them, backs breaking under tension

For far too long these voices, muffled by distances,

it's time to come to our senses, up from the dirt

We give it all, now there's a reason why I sing,

So give it all, and it's these reasons that belong to me

Breathe (breathe), the air we give (give), the life we live (live), our pulses racing distances,

(breathe) so wet my tongue (give), break into song (live), through seas of competition

So please believe your eyes, a sacrifice,

is not what we had in our minds,

I'm coming home tonight, home tonight

We give it all, now there's a reason why I sing,

So give it all, and it's these reasons that belong to me

Today I offer all myself to this I'm living for my dying wish,

I give it all, now there's a reason, there's a reason, to give it all

I used to listen to a "pop" station all the time. I always knew all the new songs but since I have started tuning my tv to station that plays "adult alternative" I have found some killer stuff that puts the "bebop" to shame..

The Editors are truly awesome, and I love me some Butch Walker he is hawt.

a lot of undiscovered bands put their heart and soul into their music, but they aren't "radio friendly" or TOP 40 quality. So, they remain independent from major radio stations and music channels. Some of them DO get noticed and signed to larger labels, but still don't see air play.

Personally, I wouldn't want any radio station overplaying my favorite band.

I love to listen to bands that barely anyone has heard of; the bands aren't snobby or anything and they'll talk to you at the shows. And you know that the people who listen to them actually like them and don't just listen because it's "popular."

I totally agree with Salvador.