By Jack Bartholomew
Last week it was announced that The Killers had made UK ‘chart history’ with their instantly recognizable hit ‘Mr Brightside.’ Yes, as a Killers fan I can admit, they have much stronger material that deserves more recognition. Yes, the song is over a decade and a half old. Yes, it is played at every street corner. It was just refreshing to see an indie rock band get the attention of mainstream media outlets. Yet, still people weren’t satisfied. Who wasn’t? Indie fans. Wait. What!? The same fans that complained about the genre not getting enough acknowledgement for it’s achievements are flaring-up when it does!? Hypocrisy at its finest. “They’re not indie enough”, “I never liked them”, “why wasn’t it Echo And The Bunnymen?” We get it. Your ‘darling’ bands weren’t in the limelight. Boohoo! Just accept that a band in your beloved genre has got people outside of your circle talking. This is happening too frequently and it’s debilitating the collective genre. Not just in indie but rock and metal too.
If you’ve made it this far into the article you’re probably wondering ‘what’s wrong with disliking certain bands?’ Well, let me explain. Let’s be honest to ourselves here, rock and metal haven’t exactly been thriving in terms of mainstream popularity in the last ten years. In fact, it’s seldom to even see the genre even delicately brush on that territory. When it does, shouldn’t we celebrate? I’m not exactly fond of Bring Me The Horizon but I don’t constantly weep publicly when they’re widely discussed. It’s refreshing to see a young(ish) band strive within the metal genre and headline arenas. Still, there are people that take great pleasure in writing “that’s not metal” or “sell outs’ under everything affiliated with them. It’s toxic and will more than likely turn people away from the genre as a whole if anything.
You may dislike certain bands that are successful but it’s these ‘sell outs’ that will create more exposure to newer fans who are likely to branch off and discover other artists within the genre. It should be encouraged for these artists to have success not to diminish them at any opportunity. The real perplexity is the same people that devote their time to complaining are the ones complaining that pop and rap are always in the charts and getting attention. It reeks of hypocrisy. It really does.
Though I touched on this earlier, don’t get me started on the “that’s not metal” crowd. When anyone is categorized in that genre who doesn’t meet their niche requirements automatically they don’t qualify to be affiliated with it whatsoever. This seems to be the scenario with any newer artist that has broken into popularity. Just look at… I’m going to say it… Ghost. Dun! Dun! Dunnnnn!!! Arguably they’re one of the most successful bands to come out the genre in the past ten years. Metal purists are intimidated by their existence and will continue until their last breath to inform you they’re not heavy. Sure, there’s heavier bands out there but preference exists. Some people prefer more commercial metal with an eccentric twist. They still play to arenas around the world and are, like it or not, considered metal by a majority of people.
Recently rock and metal have been attracting more eyes than it has in some time. Architects’ For Those That Wish To Exist reached number one in the UK. People complained they’re too generic and overly produced. Alice Cooper’s Detroit Stories reached number three in the charts. People still complained proclaiming he should retire, whilst still dismantling younger bands. Arctic Monkeys achieved the fasted selling vinyl in twenty five years in 2018. People complained they’re too commercial or monotonous. Where does this end!?
People even complain when other genres collide and attempt introducing a new style to a different demographic. In 2019, Post Malone collaborated with Ozzy Osbourne. It’s encouraging to see two entirely different worlds collide. The perfect opportunity to introduce new people to the greatness of our genre. People were stupefied at the very thought of it. Some were even insisting it had ruined Ozzy’s career. My only response to that is grow up. Let’s be honest, the same people probably praise Aerosmith and Run DMC’s ‘Walk This Way’ to the moon. Once again, two different worlds colliding. If done well, it is beneficial for fans on both sides. It also carries a burden on other rock fans that we’re all close-minded. Why would people from the pop or rap orientated world want to join our community if we’re perceived like that?
All I’m really trying to say is: GUITAR ROCK FANS HAVE TO STICK TOGETHER. We’re scarce. A dying breed. Appreciate what is popular. If we keep complaining about what is what isn’t in our genre as soon as it becomes popular there’ll be a real predicament. We need to cherish what we have now and allow them to expand. After all, who are we to shun bands? Rock n roll, heavy metal, indie rock, industrial metal, prog rock…. They’re not just a sound. They’re a lifestyle, an image, a community… Fans live and breathe for it. Don’t let that die because of ignorance. Let’s stand together as proud rock fans and celebrate preference in our community. Not shoot down someone who isn’t the enemy.
Earie Entertainment 