Selling Out Chicago Style (that's without ketchup)

By Julene McCoy in Arts & Entertainment on Jan 26, 2006 4:00PM

How does a band know when they've made it? Is it the large house? Five cars? Nah, it's when someone yells, "Sell Out!" We have two cases of that syndrome brewing right here in the Windy City.

Fall Out Boy have responded to criticism that they watered down their sound in order to get that coveted TRL spot with a big FU. Bassist Pete Wentz puts it eloquently:

"I didn't decide that I wanted to make a bunch of money and sell my soul to MTV. I just started a band doing something I really believe in and we wrote good songs that people wanted to hear. People are always going to have their opinion on why you're successful but I think it's down to good songs. Sure, we've been lucky enough to get exposure but it's the songs people have connected with. We've been offered all sorts of things that we've turned down because it's too removed from our world. True bands always stick by their guns and people can either like us or not but we are a real band. Fuck off if you think otherwise, you won't ruin my day."

And we thought is was for the girls...

Up next in the hype machine - get ready screaming boys and girls - Marty Casey and Lovehammers will be playing an in-store at the Virgin Megastore on Michigan Avenue. We're not sure if you've heard of Marty, but he was the first runner-up on the television show "Rock Star: INXS" and voted Miss Congeniality, as well. Purchase their self-titled CD and guarantee yourself a spot in line with a wristband and the ability to have it signed by Marty. We can hardly wait! Virgin's website states that pictures of the band are okay, as long as the lowly fans do not try to get in the photo. The in-store is Saturday, February 4th at 1 pm.

So as we listen for the inevitable rumblings from the masses of "Sell Out", these local guys will be laughing all the way to the bank.