Quote Originally Posted by lnopia the great View Post
popular music is popular because it is popular
have you ever tried playing a musical instrument before?
It's not like riding a bicycle; if you don't practice every day (or at least once a week) you actually lose skill.
Most people don't have the time to throw away learning to play an instrument, and getting really good with that instrument. However, if you have a record deal, then you are getting paid to throw time away learning the instrument to mastership -- therefore, mainstream rock bands tend to be better than underground (the exception of course is the majority of rock bands for the past 10 years)