Geez Wanderer, you are good at taking things the wrong way. First off, there was no criticism in my thread, so dont get defensive. To me, they dont get commercial assistance by having virtually no radio air time here. I cant speak for every other town/city in the world, but I can assure you there are plenty of fans here in Sydney. As for critics giving them excellent reviews, well...I really think its because they um...are liked? Not because some PR person is doing a great job. Yes it helps to get lots of good reviews doesnt it? It spreads the word, makes the average Joe aware. But radiohead dont have a massive PR machine blowing a gasket to keep them at number 1. Radio DJ's rarely mention them, they dont do yearly world sell out shows. They dont perform massive world onslaughts like U2 do. They have none of that caper yet are still regarded by many as one of the best bands of our time. They dont have to churn out album after album to keep in everyone's memories. They are allowed the luxury of releasing what they want when they are ready. Some '5 minutes of fame' bands aren't allowed that.
They earned their fame in a much more obtuse way than so many bands around now. Much like your example of The Velvet Underground. So many bands just wouldnt make it based on that or with little bits of help from word of mouth, praising reviews, 1 or 2 commercial hits, fan clubs, the internet, whatever. Radiohead have done that. I was simply making a statement at how they got so big without so much external assistance.
It seems you have a slightly different definition of commercialism too. I am not a fan, and hardly ever hear of them. You are and of course notice any bit of news on them, sure they make awards nights, they get Grammys, but so do lots of singers and bands who are in the same category. I would not compare the hype you described to groups like Creed, Destinys Child, Eminem, the spice girls...etc etc etc. take away the support they get and would those groups be in the same place as Radiohead? I doubt it. Everyone would forget them.
Argh. I hate it when people take something I say the wrong way then tell me I'm wrong.
Anyway. Last point. I said it seems they are popular because it seems cool to like them. Of course it isnt necessarily fact. We would have to ask every RH fan why they do to prove that. (I take it you didnt notice the faint sarcasm?) But to explain further there is definately an aspect of a kind cult kind of following to them. To genuine music fans, the real diehards of the rock kind of genre there are many RH types. For people looking to see new music thats about, who want to hear something new or different, Radiohead are one of them. A band you hear about, not a band you actually 'hear'.
If you have taken offense well not much I can do.
