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FRIDAY FLASHBACK! Musical Opinions Gone Wrong in the Real World
While we're slappin' five over musical highlights from the Summer of 2008, I was reminded of this old thread, one that examines the other side of the anticipated high five. Let's call this phenomenon Musical Opinions Go Wrong in the Real World. For those of you who weren't around when this first ran, maybe you've got your own examples of Musical Opinions Go Wrong in the Real World. For those of you who shared the first time around, maybe you've got some new experiences to share since then.
This post initially appeared 10/16/07.
For those of you who've spent some time here at Rock Town Hall you've probably taken for granted the freedom to express your musical opinions freely, sometimes even pompously, without shame. In fact, here in the Halls of Rock, a bold and well-pitched expression of an opinion on a band, song, album, or genre can be met with delight and a round of electronic high-fives. In fact, more than a few of you over the years have expressed thanks for the dynamic we afford such passionate thoughts on the music we love. You're welcome!
In the "real world," however, some of these opinions we harbor are not met with as much anticipation and support. Who hasn't been asked for an opinion on a band in work or at a party that's not populated by fellow rock nerds and forgotten to bite his or her tongue, or at least temper a response?
"Do you like Meat Loaf?" a well-meaning colleague may ask me on any given day, knowing that I am a music lover and probably seeking some approval from an "expert."
Follow up:
"I can't stand that fat fuck!" I want to blurt out, and then launch into a tirade on the time a girlfriend dragged me to see Rocky Horror Picture Show. But I think better of it and say something meaningfully tame, like "Nah, I'm not a fan of his music."
Usually...
Every few years - the frequency has stretched out as I've matured - I fail to hold back, and I lash out at an innocent, casual music fan with an opinion and tone that I quickly regret. A long time ago I met some "normal" people at a party who found out I played in a band. They perked up and asked me if I liked another local band from that era, our city's answer to a better known psychobilly band. This is about 2 minutes into our being introduced. I clearly remember, in fact, that we were still standing in the doorway of the home where the party was being held.
"I fucking hate that band!" I howled. The poor couple was driven back against the wall. My wife wisely abandoned me, letting me dangle as the couple quickly searched for a coat closet, a drink, whatever. It was a shameful performance on my part.
I'm pretty sure I'm not alone in having acted this way, in having expressed my true musical opinions in the absolutely worst setting possible. I know you have your own tales to tell. Let's hear them!
17 comments
I didn't feel that bad about it, but I didn't become friends with those folks either, seeing as I can barely remember them.
"Hey, man, how can you NOT like The Boss?"
"If he's the boss, I quit."
Over and over. Repeat when necessary.
But what would be the point in totally alienating a source of free Kasteel?
Now there's an interesting sub-thread. How much bad music, or bad music taste in a friend, is bearable when the issue is quality beer, and for free too?
How much bad music, or bad music taste in a friend, is bearable when the issue is quality beer, and for free too?
Good question, indeed. No beer, per se, was ever enough to make me sit through music I didn't like, but I'd been known to hang out in rooms with live Dead boots, Rush, and Genesis to reach a higher power.
I sat through Mahavishnu for weed.
And, of course, how much of my early days was spent seeking out music which specifically referenced nothing I knew? From Enoch Light to Schoenberg, bring it on, boys, I've had plenty of "what I know."
Also, Mod, there's the idea that what made that couple retreat in horror could have as much to do with your having tipped your hand immediately as someone with any strong idea whatsoever. It may be my bias talking, but when a lot of people say they love U2, they say it in the way they might love, say, cantaloupe with prosciutto appetizers. Yum. But if you want to get all "here's why they blow," well, man, you're just bringing the whole party down. Being a musician, hell even just an avid fan, is sometimes viewed as being one step above Conspiracy Theorist, socially.
A long time ago, I had a girlfriend who had a really stiff, uptight friend she'd invite over occasionally. I was playing some angryish stuff on a boom box, in fact, it may have even been a cassette of something Hrrundi and I were working up - and Miss Anal Von Type A said, "Oh, I can't listen to any music that isn't about love.
Wha? Hunh? sez I in my mind. Shut me up for a good hour.
Actually, that's pretty easy to do.
I do have a musical gripe, though. This is from my beloved wife: "Why don't you play music that I know. I like to hear music that I know." I think this is the dumbest response to hearing new music. I understand liking to hear music that you are familiar with. Turn your brain off and sing along. But at some point, you have never heard music. We are not born with a musical implant that allows us to "know" certain songs by certain artists. I think this translates to "Play something like they play on the radio. I need for the radio to tell me what to like." I buy new music all time. Music that I don't know. I listen to it. If I like it, chances are, I will listen to it again. Pretty soon, I "know" it. I just remember a time that I hadn't heard "Strawberry Fields Forever". I had to hear it first before I knew it. I hate playing music that I "know" all the time.
People love to make general sweeping remarks all the time about music or musicians. Those people are ususally idiots. Mine is the only musical opinion that counts. Mine and yours, of course.
TB
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