Metal discrimination
Okay, I'm pretty sure we've all gotten dissed some time or another by other people because we listen to metal. Talk about your experiences and reactions here. (I'm sure this has been discussed before but I'd like to restart the conversation if that's okay.)
I've gotten it from different kinds of people. With old people I think its a generational thing, that and a lot of them feel like they know everything (they're too shut off in their own world to at least give it a chance; no I'm not suggesting they jam to Deicide or something but we all know there are bands that make great soft ballads for example that can be enjoyed by almost anyone) and think we're dumb because we don't listen to big band music or whatever. I remember one time when I was in high school and I had to volunteer a certain amount hours for class fund raisers and we were working a vending booth while the old people listened to the Glen Miller orchestra in the gym, and when it was over they all came to us and sarcasticly asked "did YOU young kids enjoy it?!" Then walked off and muttered "gee they sure don't make good music like that nowadays" and "young people have no taste" etc. :
I've also heard the "metal music inspires people to violence" excuse. Oh please. Yeah, a lot of the bands we like may be fast and harsh sounding and the lyrics might be about war and whatnot but that doesn't cause you to have anger problems, a sudden desire for a school shooting, misanthropic feelings, a fascination with cutting yourself, or whatever sick and twisted stuff people accuse metal of causing people to experience. I remember a television media station (forgot which one, I think it was ABC or something) doing a special on how Marilyn Manson's music supposedly transformed a young bright kid into a goth freak who committed suicide. Pffft; I think this is just more evidence that nobody wants to take responsiblity for themselves when its so much easier to blame others for your own actions and faults.
Then there's people who think metal music has no artistic value. What's up with that? Go have a talk with a prog head sometime; they'll be sure to remind you of talented bands like Dream Theater, whose keyboardist got lessons at Juliard School when he was NINE YEARS OLD!!! And besides, all of us can probably name at least ten good guitarists who are in the metal scene off the top of our heads, and not just for the technique.
Finally, there's the people who are turned off by it simply because when they think "metal" there's attatched social vices of wild partying, guys with long hair (some people think it looks uncouth or whatever), degenerative and juvenile behavior, smoking and doing drugs, groupies and crazy sex, loud incoherent noise mistaken as "music", profanity, depression and suicide, rebellious young kids who just want to annoy their parents and dress in black, devil worship, etc. God, I wish people would learn to get passed all the imagery that's used mainly for attention, shock value, and selling more records and concert tickets and realize that there's more to it than that (and that not ALL bands partake in the stereotype).
Heh, sorry for the ranting topic, but lately I've had a lot of people I know tell me I have "poor taste" in music and they act all shocked and confused after they ask me what kinds of music I listen to. Yes, I try to tell them I enjoy other forms of music also even though metal is my main genre, but they can't seem to get passed that. What, just because I'm not loud and I don't act like Beavis and Butthead that means I can't be a metalhead? Psh.
Most of us probably don't care what others say though, and it probably varies depending on where you live in the world to some degree. I'm interested in hearing what you all think and your responses.
I've gotten it from different kinds of people. With old people I think its a generational thing, that and a lot of them feel like they know everything (they're too shut off in their own world to at least give it a chance; no I'm not suggesting they jam to Deicide or something but we all know there are bands that make great soft ballads for example that can be enjoyed by almost anyone) and think we're dumb because we don't listen to big band music or whatever. I remember one time when I was in high school and I had to volunteer a certain amount hours for class fund raisers and we were working a vending booth while the old people listened to the Glen Miller orchestra in the gym, and when it was over they all came to us and sarcasticly asked "did YOU young kids enjoy it?!" Then walked off and muttered "gee they sure don't make good music like that nowadays" and "young people have no taste" etc. :
I've also heard the "metal music inspires people to violence" excuse. Oh please. Yeah, a lot of the bands we like may be fast and harsh sounding and the lyrics might be about war and whatnot but that doesn't cause you to have anger problems, a sudden desire for a school shooting, misanthropic feelings, a fascination with cutting yourself, or whatever sick and twisted stuff people accuse metal of causing people to experience. I remember a television media station (forgot which one, I think it was ABC or something) doing a special on how Marilyn Manson's music supposedly transformed a young bright kid into a goth freak who committed suicide. Pffft; I think this is just more evidence that nobody wants to take responsiblity for themselves when its so much easier to blame others for your own actions and faults.
Then there's people who think metal music has no artistic value. What's up with that? Go have a talk with a prog head sometime; they'll be sure to remind you of talented bands like Dream Theater, whose keyboardist got lessons at Juliard School when he was NINE YEARS OLD!!! And besides, all of us can probably name at least ten good guitarists who are in the metal scene off the top of our heads, and not just for the technique.
Finally, there's the people who are turned off by it simply because when they think "metal" there's attatched social vices of wild partying, guys with long hair (some people think it looks uncouth or whatever), degenerative and juvenile behavior, smoking and doing drugs, groupies and crazy sex, loud incoherent noise mistaken as "music", profanity, depression and suicide, rebellious young kids who just want to annoy their parents and dress in black, devil worship, etc. God, I wish people would learn to get passed all the imagery that's used mainly for attention, shock value, and selling more records and concert tickets and realize that there's more to it than that (and that not ALL bands partake in the stereotype).
Heh, sorry for the ranting topic, but lately I've had a lot of people I know tell me I have "poor taste" in music and they act all shocked and confused after they ask me what kinds of music I listen to. Yes, I try to tell them I enjoy other forms of music also even though metal is my main genre, but they can't seem to get passed that. What, just because I'm not loud and I don't act like Beavis and Butthead that means I can't be a metalhead? Psh.
Most of us probably don't care what others say though, and it probably varies depending on where you live in the world to some degree. I'm interested in hearing what you all think and your responses.
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| Darth Satanious Post Destroyer Posts: 2154 From: Puerto Rico  |
I was walking my way to the University wearing a band t-shirt when this chick came walking opposite me with her baby on a stroller. Right when I was walking passed her she abruptly put her arm over the baby as if she was trying to keep me from kidnapping her baby. No woman, just because I have a Metal band shirt that doesn't mean I am gonna steal your baby and eat it or sacrifice it to the devil.
---- Christless
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| M C Vice ex-polydactyl Posts: 3348 From: Australia  |
Written by Darth Satanious on 18.11.2014 at 02:00 What band was it? If it was Stolen babies, I don't blame her. Who says it was the shirt anyway. You don't look like a 60s English pop musician, do you?
---- "Another day, another Doug." "I'll fight you on one condition. That you lower your nipples." " 'Tis a lie! Thy backside is whole and ungobbled, thou ungrateful whelp!"
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| angel. Evil Butterfly Posts: 2419  |
Written by M C Vice on 18.11.2014 at 09:39 How come you ask that? Are you referring to AC/DC?
---- The Fangirl.
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| Darth Satanious Post Destroyer Posts: 2154 From: Puerto Rico |
Written by M C Vice on 18.11.2014 at 09:39 I was clean shaved with military hair cut, carrying an mp3 player. I can't remember the t-shirt but it must have been some Black Metal stuff, it was years ago. The only other explanation I can think of is she having a general paranoia for random dudes on the street taking away her baby.
---- Christless
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| M C Vice ex-polydactyl Posts: 3348 From: Australia |
Written by angel. on 18.11.2014 at 09:50 More the Gary Glitter/Rolf Harris/Jimmy Saville types.
---- "Another day, another Doug." "I'll fight you on one condition. That you lower your nipples." " 'Tis a lie! Thy backside is whole and ungobbled, thou ungrateful whelp!"
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| Marcel Hubregtse Grumpy Old Fuck Posts: 40071 From: The Netherlands  |
Written by angel. on 18.11.2014 at 09:50 Since when are the AC/DC band members English, apart from Brian Johnson? 
---- Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.) 05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996 
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| angel. Evil Butterfly Posts: 2419 |
Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 18.11.2014 at 13:23 Well I just assumed wrong it seems.
---- The Fangirl.
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| Bad English Tage Westerlund Posts: 60958 From: Sweden  |
Written by angel. on 18.11.2014 at 13:46 I think you meant British , but in some way we can say Ausie is Britain, since ex colony and under union jack we stand, strong .... young brother parents moved from gloomy shithole 60's Glasgow to Ausie to search better life BTW Fill Rude has Lithuanian origins , well his parents has , if we trust wiki
---- Life is to short for LOVE, there is many great things to do online !!! Stormtroopers of Death - ''Speak English or Die''  apos;'[image] I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
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| Marcel Hubregtse Grumpy Old Fuck Posts: 40071 From: The Netherlands |
Written by deadone on 19.11.2014 at 00:49 Actually, Angus lives in Aalten, The Netherlands, with his Dutch wife. 
---- Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.) 05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996
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| M C Vice ex-polydactyl Posts: 3348 From: Australia |
Written by deadone on 19.11.2014 at 00:49 Yeah, a lot of Aussie rockers from the 60s/70s were British-born. Even Jimmy Barnes and Bon Scott are/were Scotts.
---- "Another day, another Doug." "I'll fight you on one condition. That you lower your nipples." " 'Tis a lie! Thy backside is whole and ungobbled, thou ungrateful whelp!"
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| Bad English Tage Westerlund Posts: 60958 From: Sweden |
Written by M C Vice on 19.11.2014 at 09:13 and probably your ancestors also came there from England Brian Johnson lives in the Florida IMO
---- Life is to short for LOVE, there is many great things to do online !!! Stormtroopers of Death - ''Speak English or Die'' apos;'[image] I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
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| M C Vice ex-polydactyl Posts: 3348 From: Australia |
Written by Bad English on 20.11.2014 at 11:59 And Germany and Scotland and Denmark. And Prussia if you count countries that don't exist anymore.
---- "Another day, another Doug." "I'll fight you on one condition. That you lower your nipples." " 'Tis a lie! Thy backside is whole and ungobbled, thou ungrateful whelp!"
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| Bad English Tage Westerlund Posts: 60958 From: Sweden |
Written by M C Vice on 20.11.2014 at 13:02 Prussia it does exist in to me, BTW was they germans or speaking in prusian whitch was Baltic language what is dead now
---- Life is to short for LOVE, there is many great things to do online !!! Stormtroopers of Death - ''Speak English or Die'' apos;'[image] I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
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| M C Vice ex-polydactyl Posts: 3348 From: Australia |
Written by Guest on 22.11.2014 at 02:54 Better be careful, then. You might be one of the people he wanted to have killed.
---- "Another day, another Doug." "I'll fight you on one condition. That you lower your nipples." " 'Tis a lie! Thy backside is whole and ungobbled, thou ungrateful whelp!"
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| M C Vice ex-polydactyl Posts: 3348 From: Australia |
Written by Doc G. on 15.01.2007 at 08:42 So what happen with this? I've been reading through the thread, curious to know what happened in the end. Did you get off or not?
---- "Another day, another Doug." "I'll fight you on one condition. That you lower your nipples." " 'Tis a lie! Thy backside is whole and ungobbled, thou ungrateful whelp!"
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| Doc G. Full Grown Hoser Posts: 9718 From: Canada  |
Written by M C Vice on 25.11.2014 at 08:11 Jesus, I completely forgot about this! What happened is everything fizzled out. Either A) they realized there wasn't much of a case, or B) it was a massive house party where things tend to get broken. Personally, I think they were just talking out of their asses about the charges, and just needed someone to pin it on. So nothing really came of it.
---- "I got a lot of really good ideas, problem is, most of them suck." - George Carlin
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| Cynic Metalhead Paisa Vich Nasha Posts: 6808 From: India  |
Written by Doc G. on 25.11.2014 at 17:41 Damn. You killed the fun. I thought it must have gone onto something interesting and there you go, you just ended it badly. It should have gone like you go to jail, spend some sleepless time, sweating, anxious and cam.......well just like any episode of Banged Up Abroad.
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| Doc G. Full Grown Hoser Posts: 9718 From: Canada |
Written by Cynic Metalhead on 25.11.2014 at 18:01 No, nothing so serious. In fact, looking back, I think that was my teenage brain blowing things out of proportion (I was 17 when I made that post). I think they just asked questions of everyone present, and tossed around the idea of pressing charges to spook people into pointing fingers. It wasnt us being singled out as i initially thought. Hell, i think the damage estimations were largely exxagerated if i recall correctly. In the end I think all parties involved just realized bad things happen when a shit ton of drunk teenagers are left unsupervised.
---- "I got a lot of really good ideas, problem is, most of them suck." - George Carlin
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| M C Vice ex-polydactyl Posts: 3348 From: Australia |
Written by Cynic Metalhead on 25.11.2014 at 18:01 And release a couple of ambient albums recorded on an old Casio.
---- "Another day, another Doug." "I'll fight you on one condition. That you lower your nipples." " 'Tis a lie! Thy backside is whole and ungobbled, thou ungrateful whelp!"
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| Karlabos Meat and Potatos Posts: 5658 From: Brazil  |
Written by M C Vice on 26.11.2014 at 02:21 Btw Tim Lambesis haven't released his' yet. I'm still waiting for ambient metalcore
---- "Aah! The cat turned into a cat!" - Reimu Hakurei
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| Jtbmetal123 Posts: 387 From: USA  |
Ive been frowned upon so many times for being a metalhead. Growing up in a christian household it was hard to wear a metal tee around and growing up in middle and high school liking metal. The area I live in is surrounded by meathead want to be rappers that suck. metal isnt welcome no matter where I go.
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| CobiWan1993 Secundum Filium Posts: 1364 From: USA  |
When I was first getting into metal music, my parents used to criticize me for listening to music about "death" and assuming I listen to lyrics like "I'm gonna throw the cat off the roof" or some shit like that (my dad brought that example up lol). Over the years, they pretty much got used to it, and now no questions are really asked when they see me with a metal shirt on these days. I've basically been a bit more open and comfortable about my tastes after some time.
---- Ordinary men hate solitude. But the Master makes use of it, embracing his aloneness, realizing he is one with the whole universe (Lao Tzu).
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| KRS Porlaneff Posts: 11 From: Brazil  |
In 2009, I were moved from the section I worked since my beginning in the job. All of it because my boss is a kind of born-again Christian woman that thinks every pepople need salvation. I always have as personal policy that never talk about politics, religion and soccer at work (I don't like to discuss about nome of three in any moment) and she probably looks at me, in 2009 a 23 years old bald and fat guy always wearing black t-shirts or black pants and cothurnus boots, and see a satanist with a goat head in a pentagram tattooed in chest (I don't even had tattoos) and a potential "man that have a soul without salvation". As she can't convert me for her Christian (in Brazil we have two types of catholic religion, "católicos" and "evangélicos" and one don't like the other; I'm agnostic but created as "católico" and she is "evangélica"), she recommended for I work at another section. And I were tranfered for a section that soccer is the main theme in every talks, but it's another history and don't have any metal discrimination.
---- Metal Is The Law The Law Is The Metal Metal The Law Is Metal (Massacration - Metal is the Law)
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| Totenlieder Posts: 274 From: USA  |
People usually give my strange looks when I go places and avoid me. That's if I wear my vest and bullet belt, which I probably shouldn't wear, the bullets anyways. But other than that nobody really does anything else.
---- Blut & Krieg
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| toxx Supreme being Posts: 390 From: Norway  |
I rarely get any reactions on wearing boots and band t-shirts. I'm guessing that people here are used to metalheads by now If anyone does react in any way, it's older folks. They usually just stare at you, like they're mad at you or something. The ones that's the most annoying are actually people I know. Like "friends" or people at work. They just have to bring up the fact that I (according to them) listen to "satan rock" and that it sounds like they're playing on barbed wire. Just the fact that they are calling it "satan-rock" proves their ignorance. I usually don't answer. I know what they listen to, but I don't give 'em shit about it.
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| Amy Posts: 137 From: USA |