Coined circa 1980, to describe generic, predictable rock bands - arena rock, and the nameless, faceless cutout-bound who aspired to arenas. The REO Speedwagons and Journeys of the world. The sound of sameness, and, in the video age, a continuous déjà vu - e.g. endless Hair Bands on MTV. Nowadays, it could be an umbrella term for alternative bands, airbrushed singer/songwriters and gurl chantoozies (as seen on VH1), and the corporate rap of Puff Daddy and Will Smith.

• Rock music that is driven by marketing moreso than artistic expression. It tends to distil certain tangeable qualities of cutting-edge artists down to the level of schtik.
• One of my favorite bumper stickers from SST Records reads: corporate rock still sucks.