|
This was originally a blog I wrote, but still think it could be
of some benefit to people. Here it is in it's entirety:
I'm extremely tired of holding grudges on and "hating"
people from different music "scenes" and genres. I'm very well aware that I've done it before, and it's become apparent to
me that it's time to grow up and move past such a childish and immature mind-frame… and so should you. I mean, come
on, you know you've done it- practically everyone has- and it always seems to come about because some band tells you to hate
someone else's music, or is the result of some other pointless form of peer pressure. I think it's time to set things straight,
and abolish all the cluttered up crap that's been floating around inside my head in regards to this endeavor. I've had enough.
For right now, in this very moment, I'm going to talk about looking past the "ugliness" (reality, if you will) behind
different music genres (pop music, for example like Britney Spears is, by fact, about making money- big corporations, emotionless
record labels etc) and looking instead towards the core of what music in itself is to different people. What it comes down
to is that everyone's tastes are indeed different (obvious, right?) and hating on someone else, calling them "fag" or "lame"
for listening to music that isn't the same as your preferred style or taste is just downright stupid. I'll say it again: just
because someone likes a band or sound that's different from what you like doesn't justify you ganging up on them and talking
shit. So you think techno is "fucking stupid because it sounds dorky…" (so fucking what? Keep it to yourself). You think
"hard rock and metal is for idiots with no intelligence" (that's nice… no one really cares). Or maybe you think that
only fags listen to Indie… (shut the fuck up; no one's listening to your rants except yourself). Statements like these
(there are tons, as you surely already know) are just empty statements that simply re-justify to the person saying them, over
and over again, their own personal musical tastes and further create more gaps between people as humyns. Your opinions are
your own, and that's all there is to it- if you don't like something then that's fine; you don't have to like it. But you
don't need to go around shitting on other people's interests and pleasures because YOU think you listen or have got something
"better".
The problem with the examples/explanation above is that it's only a portion of the whole issue, and, in
the end, not entirely realistic. People who listen to different music genres (especially those that follow certain "lifestyles":
punks, metalheads, gangstas, ravers…etc, etc) don't just live blank, nondescript lives that are all the same-- absolutely
not. All of the different "scenes" have different lifestyles: rappers and punks (speaking generally about the two, of course)
don't necessarily "match up": one is concerned with things like "bling", fame and fortune, where the other is interested in
"never selling out", DIY and the "underground". For the most part, these interests are valid when pitted against each other--
it's a simple difference in tastes and styles.
For me, the real problem is the "ugly side(s)" to each scene; it is
essentially what I feel is the only justifiable reason for thinking (if not speaking) out against some genre or "scene" of
music. I already said that it's stupid to just bitch at someone for a song genre they like and you don't; what really matters
are the justifiable dislikes. These are basically what someone (myself, in this current case) ought to have a problem with
a certain "scene" over, and nothing else beyond that. Let me put it this way, starting with a quotation fill-in: "I will have
a problem with __________(genre) of music based not on how it sounds (or any other superficiality), but because….
-
the music encourages sexism, racism, or anything discriminatory.
- the music is pointlessly hateful of others: the "hatred"
has no progressive cause.
- the music encourages bodily harm (through any kind of drug, self mutilation & the like)
- the music encourages division amongst people.
- the music (specifically its record label and the money earned) directly
or indirectly support any kind of weapon production, human/animal exploitation, or planetary harm.
- (much like above)
the music supports oppression of DIY/non-profit musicians who are trying to make music for peoples' sake (instead of just
for money). It supports or encourages mass consumerism.
- the music downplays intelligence, learning, awareness, resistance,
protest or rebellion
- the music gives the musicians writing it an elite impression
- the music indoctrinates any
of the negative features mentioned here
Do you start to see the picture? Those negatives are what matter now;
nothing else. Beyond them is nothing but personal taste, and that's nothing to fight with someone over. Want to create more
divisions between people over how something sounds? Fine, be my guest, but I'll have very little (if anything) to do with
the likes of you; I'll listen to (and possibly agree with) your argument against a specific song, band, genre etc. IF you
have justifiable dislikes.
Thanks for reading this and I hope it inspires you to take action and change some of the
circles you too may run in.
I think it's quite possible that we can all respect, share and learn from each other.
"Understand
this: you might not agree with what they say, do, or stand for
You may just like the music and if that's all that concerns
you, fair enough
But don't ride along on the back of change, to play to all us caring, staring people
Forget it, we
won't be fooled again.
If a tune becomes so fucking important, if all that's talked about is notes, chords and bands,
when a records becomes rebellion - an alternative to action;
An excuse for doing nothing you help them… to oppress
us"
-Conflict
-Zak
|
