"Dude, that band totally sold out for playing at ___"

A while ago Lawrence Arms bassist/vocalist Brendan Kelly posted on his blog The Bad Sandwich Chronicles about bands playing big venues (specifically he was referring to Against Me!) and how silly and stupid it'd be to stay an underground band with bills and a family and NOT want to progress to making more money...This makes absolute sense to me. His band hasn't blown up like underground sensation and friends Alkaline Trio, but they've probably come to terms with that. They've got super loyal fans all over, but just don't have the 'sound' to be dragged across radio waves on a mainstream level. Now I can see from both sides how the cause and effect of a band once small blowing up can be. From the fan's point of view, you loved watching your favourite band play intimate venues and hung out with them afterwords at the bar. They get bigger and play larger venues with a hefty ticket price or with bigger bands you don't have the slightest interest in. You then feel like they've 'sold out' since they're playing with band you don't care for, maybe on a sponsored tour package...such is life right? Imagine being the band starting out with next to no money, making the records in living rooms using a closet as a vocal booth. They hand-silk screened the shirt you're wearing and pulled up to the venue in a rusted van that also doubles as their hotel for the night. You watch them play that night as they give it their all putting every drop of energy into their set. They pick up their small amount of cash they made (since the venue screwed them over once again) and drive to the next town. Fast-forward 8 or so years from now. They've made 5 or so records, can afford a better vehicle and now can make the record at a somewhat better recording studio. Hell, they can even tour more cities with a better chance of hitting your hometown again. I guess after years of struggling to get bigger in the music scene and business, I can't turn my back on a band that deserves success. I mean, what band would want to stay on the bottom food chain while their buddies in other bands make a more comfortable living doing the exact same thing they do? It doesn't make sense to me. We all have goals in life. And Every band most likely would enjoy to continue to be successful doing what they love: playing for the fans and spreading their music. That would be like telling your favourite athlete they should have stayed playing minor ball or whatever because that would be "keeping it real".