Using blatant sexual lyrics and bared breasts, Nashville Pussy is one of many bands taking it all off in an effort to make a buck.

While there is no denying that sexual allure and shocking spectacles play a large part in creating and promoting an artist’s image, when does it become too much?

It seems artists like Nashville Pussy are increasingly using sex and shock as a means to grab people’s attention and break into mainstream music.

After all, it is a tried and true method; everyone knows sex and scandal sell. And it is by no means a new promotional gimmick in the music world.

For years, bands and artists like Britney Spears and the Red Hot Chili Peppers have used sex to sell themselves. Sex has time and again been part of the spectacle that captures attention, and draws people to the music.

Whether through tube socks or tank tops, one can be assured a media circus stunt will be created to draw attention. While this does not necessarily entail a sexual stunt, the spectacle is always sure to catch the public’s eye.

Kiss, for example, had costumes, Pink Floyd built a wall, and the Backstreet Boys had space suits. Musicians such as Marilyn Manson and Alice Cooper have managed to build empires around the spectacular, and done so somewhat respectably.

However, problems arise when bands or artists become the spectacle. Their music becomes overshadowed, and the artists become little more than gimmicks themselves.

No one wants to worship an empty artist; they want to love music and the spectacle. People may be attracted to the sex and spectacle, but the music — ideally — makes them stay.

Still, it is not hard to understand why musicians become wrapped up in promotional packaging. A band’s image, and more specifically, the sexual spectacle, has become an increasingly essential aspect of a band’s mainstream success.

While artists should recognize the importance of image in securing success, no one wants to buy an eye-catching package with nothing inside. Sex and shock may sell, but only to an extent.

Given that consumers are also judged for the music they choose to listen to, it is hard to imagine Nashville Pussy developing much of a following.

Bands like Nashville Pussy spend so much time emphasizing their sexually appealing, shock rock image that they seem to forget the importance of promoting their music, too.

Image is not everything; selling sex can only take musicians so far. Artists need to balance the sex, the spectacle and the music if they hope to succeed.

Because the truth is — you can bare it all, bust out the breasts, and still not make it big.