I'm asking this question based on some of the replies in my "Do metal fans share a common mind-frame?" thread.
One poster commented on the fact that some metal fans attempt to be "more underground than thou", or something along those lines.
It's a mindset that appears all to often in metal circles, I feel.
Many metal people attempt to stand so far 'outside of mainstream existence', that they paint themselves into a corner. Basically, they yell at the masses for "following along" like sheep, but they then do the exact same thing, only they follow a particular subculture.
DOES a metal fan have to have long hair? Or have to wear black only?
In my view, whatever ultimately makes you happy & content is the "metal" thing to do. Do you have to wear the T-shirts of your fav bands?
I do not have long hair. In fact, I think it's unbecomming....not attractive on me at all (I tried it out years ago, when I was 15/16 years old). It just doesn't work for me.
And I dress rather conservatively. Most people are SHOCKED when they learn that I adore bands such as Motorhead, Emperor, Judas Priest and My Dying Bride. They simply "expect" all metal fans to be "dirty", or "stuck in the 80s" (these are the comments I hear most).
But I say they miss the point. Simply abandoning one super-cultures norms and taking on the norms of a subculture is the exact same, in my opinion.
Although the 'spirit' of the music lives in me, and in my worldview and ideology (actually, my worldview & ideology are what attracts me to the music, I think), I don't feel the need to throw on the uniform that pidgeonholes me to it.
What are your thoughts, opinions?
One poster commented on the fact that some metal fans attempt to be "more underground than thou", or something along those lines.
It's a mindset that appears all to often in metal circles, I feel.
Many metal people attempt to stand so far 'outside of mainstream existence', that they paint themselves into a corner. Basically, they yell at the masses for "following along" like sheep, but they then do the exact same thing, only they follow a particular subculture.
DOES a metal fan have to have long hair? Or have to wear black only?
In my view, whatever ultimately makes you happy & content is the "metal" thing to do. Do you have to wear the T-shirts of your fav bands?
I do not have long hair. In fact, I think it's unbecomming....not attractive on me at all (I tried it out years ago, when I was 15/16 years old). It just doesn't work for me.
And I dress rather conservatively. Most people are SHOCKED when they learn that I adore bands such as Motorhead, Emperor, Judas Priest and My Dying Bride. They simply "expect" all metal fans to be "dirty", or "stuck in the 80s" (these are the comments I hear most).
But I say they miss the point. Simply abandoning one super-cultures norms and taking on the norms of a subculture is the exact same, in my opinion.
Although the 'spirit' of the music lives in me, and in my worldview and ideology (actually, my worldview & ideology are what attracts me to the music, I think), I don't feel the need to throw on the uniform that pidgeonholes me to it.
What are your thoughts, opinions?
