The word fan comes from fanatic and in music, its never more glaringly obvious that humans are in fact animals. Defending your idol is instinct but since I have been with rocknyc I have seen it taken to a whole new level of madness.
A trip down memory lane will take you to Frank Sinatras ‘bobby soxers’ or the insane screams and swoons for Elvis Presley. Girls (and guys) so caught up in the euphoria of their hero that they complete lose control of their facilities. I have never been transported to that level.
I have had my idols of course. Starting at age four with Tom Jones and progressing to Joe Strummer or Elvis Costello in my teens but never to the point of complete control. I never stalked them (well.. there was that Elvis Costello event) nor got into raging arguments to defend their music
Flash forward to today and there is a whole new level of madness. Fan fiction for one. People writing fiction with themselves and their idols in gallant and often sexual adventures. Social media throw downs where people go mad if you don’t like a Katy Perry tune. Its a fucked up muddled up world out there kids and it aint getting better.
We as society need idols, I mean if we cant look for a God we can look for a Earthly source of glory. We often chose the dead ones and babble endlessly on the ‘what if’s …” they’re dead, move on. Nope Jackson, Lennon, Presley and even our guy Smith have more fans in death than in life and it renews itself with each generation based on urban legend and nostalgia cool.
I personally have received death threats, been called every name you can think of (and some you couldn’t dream of) and been bullied, stalked and written world pummeled for my opinions on performers from Bob Seger (that was the most insane lot of middle aged rednecks EVER), Hel (uh..where is that band now?) and well there is some vibes coming out of the Morrissey camp now, but not because of my opinion of the man himself (lovehimtilthedayIdie) but rather a sub culture of fans.
We all need an escape, life is a tough adventure. But lets keep our wits about ourselves shall we?
In the case of those artists I don’t have a tolerance for.. they suck. I don’t care what you may think they suck so you listen to what you like and I will shoot from the hip and voice my opinion. I don’t want you to choke on glass for liking Seger (‘cept that one guy and you know who you are you fucking pig) and I suggest you don’t wish death on me for not grooving to “Night Moves” it just makes you look like your mentally deficient.
As for your mixed up play world, I say go for it! Fan fiction is awesome and creative but if you start believing your own shit..its time for the co-pay at the psych office. Your just a regular person in a mundane life and One Direction is not coming to your house for lasagna. You are not David Bowie, you are not an actor on a stage you are not an impersonator, your a simple regular average person with a self esteem issue that forces you to act out the life you wish you had while eating cheese doodles and watching Oprah. Thats ok as long as you know deep in your heart that you are you.
But can you do the world a favor and defend your beliefs without wishing death or throwing insuts? State your defense in words of fact rather than emotional babble? Im not going to suddenly love Seger if you call me a cunt nor will I call you one for not diggining Elvis.
Time to behave like intelligent humans. I admire opinion and I admire articulate debate. Carry on.
