Call it neglectful, forgetful, a lack of motivation or just being incredibly busy these last few weeks, but it’s obvious that I haven’t written any new material for my miniscule corner of the internet. While this may be due to a combination of the aforementioned reasons, I believe a nagging sense of disillusionment regarding the changing (local) metal scene may have something to do with it. With that being said, I might as well throw in a disclaimer now. If you’re not prepared to read a potential rant saturated with opinion, consider skipping over this post altogether.
Lately I’ve noticed the local scene undergoing changes. I’m not the only one who has observed this either. Sometimes change is good. Some change is needed. Sometimes change is bad and other times it falls under the blade of a double edged sword. In this case, the changes are not exactly positive. I suppose there are some positive points, but I’m currently having considerable difficulty reconciling them.
An influx of mostly young people not previously in attendance at shows seems to be the root of the problem. While it’s inevitable that ‘new’ people will discover metal and attend concerts, the change in attitude that has been accompanying these new people is, quite honestly, verging on infuriating. I’m beginning to feel old when I go to most metal shows, and I’m not actually that old. There appears to be a widening chasm between the ‘regulars’ along with those who occasionally attended shows and the idiots that have been making their presence known lately. They are the ‘kids’ that have recently (and coincidently) become old enough to legally drink. Kids, in this case, does not necessarily refer entirely to age but rather to attitude.
You can often find the same people at metal shows. No real surprise there as the scene is generally quite tight knit, several friends and acquaintances exist, and there is some sense of respect for musicians and fellow metal heads alike. If you are of the perceptive type, an unspoken code of conduct exists. It’s not really something that can be written or defined, and you either understand it or you don’t. These ‘kids’ don’t seem to understand it.
Metal shows as of late have seen an influx of disrespectful, self entitled idiots who seem to think that being a metal head involves getting as drunk as possible, and having an utter lack of respect for everyone surrounding them. It was never too unusual to find a handful of these types at larger shows, but there has been an invasion of the smaller shows lately. Often, the smaller shows with lesser known bands were attended by those die-hards and those heavily involved in the metal scene. The type who live and breathe metal every day and spend time educating themselves about the nuances of the widely varied blanket term for the genre known as metal.
It doesn’t appear that the idea of a smaller show with die-hard fans can exist for much longer. Now it seems that anyone and everyone who could normally be found carousing a bar has decided to attend metal shows. While it’s difficult to organize a coherent thought process and put it on paper regarding this, I’m making an attempt. Agree with me or not, that is a choice I leave to you.
Returning to the idea of a double-edged sword, higher attendance at shows should be a good thing. It means more tickets sold, which translates into more revenue for artists. It also demonstrates that a strong market for metal exists. Those who have been participants in the scene for several years already know this, but many international artists do not realize this. Speaking casually with metal musicians from other countries, many of them are amazed at the well-versed fans that exist in this area. More exposure hopefully means that metal bands will be inclined to return and that some of the lesser-listened-to ones will eventually tour here.
For someone who has been a generally non-obnoxious metal head, the idea of metal becoming more popular is not all that appealing. Folk metal especially is almost starting to lean towards becoming mainstream. It is arguably one of the more accessible sub-genres of metal, but was not that recognized locally five or six years ago. It was satisfying to be someone who had some knowledge of these hidden gems and to be able to discuss that knowledge with a few others. Females at metal shows are becoming a common sight, whereas they were definitely in the minority a few years ago. You could find most of the women who were attending shows then wearing a band shirt and looking like they belonged in a crowd of leather jackets and other band shirts. Now most of them look like they should be in some random dance bar, but that could turn into an entire conversation in itself and thus will be left alone for now.
I’d hazard a guess that the ever increasing use of social media platforms and the internet in general has a lot to do with metal’s move toward greater popularity. Perhaps this is so irking because I am a reluctant user of social media (when I use it all) and somewhat detest the endless self promotion that seems to occur. Again, from the perspective of an artist, more outlets to promote and share material is fantastic. Tending to be more old-school, I still prefer gaining information in the print form, from a book rather than a screen. I do not download music. I enjoy having a hard copy to display and to ponder over. I do, however, enjoy having more access to news and timely updates from bands, as well as the ability to sample material from a ‘new’ artist through outlets like YouTube before buying a hard copy of an album. The attitude has obviously shifted away from the idea of print and magazines, now focusing on instant, small tidbits of sometimes irrelevant information. Smartphones and social media sites have shifted culture in general, and this is also evident in the metal scene. The divide between those who feel older, and the generations of instant info, tech obsessed kids might never be reconciled. My hope is that it does not further negatively effect the metal scene.
For this to happen, some of those instant information and gratification types need to figure out a way to interact with people without relying on an electronic device. Face it, a crowd at a show is just that, and requires some form of social skill to successfully navigate and ensure that you respect those around you and are respected in return. (Electronic communications have seemed to dull the senses to successful human interaction in society in general, but again, that’s an argument entirely in itself and more of a premise to be used as an example here). The majority of metal heads are polite, well informed, educated members of society with diverse interests and talents. Not the type who show up to metal shows because they have apparently become the new ‘cool’ to brag to friends about. To throw in a few stereotypes, not every ‘kid’, ‘bro’, ‘hipster’ and college partier that has recently began to appear at metal shows falls under the shadow of this umbrella, but if actions speak louder than words, it’s becoming difficult to make a case otherwise.
So often older adults complain about the younger generation and the lack of respect they possess for anything and everything. Lately many have said that the ‘new’ young generation are the most arrogant, self important, disrespectful group that they’ve ever seen. While it might be dismissed as a typical thing for older people to say, I’m unfortunately beginning to agree. This seems to be emerging at metal shows as well, reinforced by several individuals and their actions. With the metal scene growing and changing, it is becoming tainted and frankly, it sucks.
