When we talk about Jamband music and radio, there are a number issues at the root of the problem. The obvious, and what most people think is the major factor is the jammings. For commercial or even college radio to consider a song for airplay, the song must be almost completely devoid of a jam. This is something most of us in the community have come to understand. But the underlining reason, and what I think is the major factor in the lack of airplay is much deeper.

Deadheads shudder when they remember the commercial success of “In the Dark.” To them, during this time period the scene was the worst in the just about thirty years the Dead toured. Wayne Gucker, an avid moe. fan, and ex-deadhead remembers that scene. He says, “Touch Of Grey for the Dead effectively killed the scene. It struck a nerve with people that had no clue who the Dead were simply because it was a great song.” The commercial success of the song and the album drew in a new breed of fans, and, in a way, drew negative reaction for their loyal fans. We see two things from this, one, that fans have come to hate anything commercial because it signifies to them a loss of intimacy with the band, and two, the fans start to hate poppy, radio-friendly songs.

Which raises an interesting question. Is there a problem with the short, poppy songs? The poppy songs are easier to get onto the radio, and they help carry the music to a wider appeal. But from the fans perspective, that’s a fate worse than death.

This has sparked a debate on the moe. fan list, the moe-L. The question they have been debating has been over does anyone really want to hear the shorter, more poppy songs. The general consensus has been no, but it is interesting to hear why. Nick Sullivan an avid moe. fan said in an email post that, “[we] fear that the poppy songs are gonna start a Frankenstein monster of a radio one hit wonder...most fans see the repercussions of being really popular (Phish now, dead in late 80's early 90's) and don't want to see that happen to [moe.]... How do you do that? Stay away from the teeny bopperish, short tunes for the most part.” Fans are scared of their bands becoming more popular.

So what is a band to do? They want all the advantages of commercialism, but without the negative reactions from their fans. That’s a fine line to thread. But bands should remember, done correctly, a pop song may not alienate their fans. As Rusted Root proved in 1994, you can have a hit song, and still go back to your roots of constant touring. As Alex Rosenfeld, a moe. and Disco Biscuits fan, says, “Pop music isn't always the evil it's made out to be, and it takes incredible talent to be able to write a good pop song. Pop songs might not be an essential part of the jamband scene, but they shouldn't be instantly dismissed by fans. Sometimes there's as much artistic beauty in a sweet three minute song then there might be in a forty minute jam.”