xilddx Posted May 31, 2013 Author Share Posted May 31, 2013 [quote name='Dave Vader' timestamp='1369990697' post='2095198'] I do recall as a teenager deciding to stop liking bands if I saw my brother in one of their T-shirts (he is a cultural barometer of what is overly popular, and therefore unacceptable to be seen to enjoy), and thus went Nirvana.... [/quote] I'm getting a vibe that if an artist becomes very popular, then the more hardcore early adopters start thinking the band must have lost its credibility because the band becoming 'popular' must mean it appeals to the lowest common denominator. The hardcore fan feels 'above' such percieved crass commercialism and banality, they refuse to be part of the herd and subjugate their elevated self-image. 'Oh I loved early Muse, but they've sold out now'. I think this is misguided. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Vader Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 Also the fact that Nevermind sounded all polished and shiny, rather than the terrifying gutteral screech of brilliance that is Bleach, that didn't help. I am no longer 14 so I don't in reality mind about selling out. But a lot of bands do peak, and then go a bit dull. At the moment, I am being disappointed by Laura marling's new album, which is a bit pony. And some others that I was hoping for more from, Vampire Weekend started well a few years back, and are now unsufferably annoying. Also don't like the new Daft Punk stuff much either, might be some weird switch in my head. I didn't love early Muse, and I don't like them now. So I'm fine with that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurksalot Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 I agree totally Nige , But, sometimes the draw of a band is in the individuality of it , you feel more in touch with the spirit and music of the band because they are smaller, more attainable and easier to relate to . If a band turns massive , it might just seem that your emotional connection to what you percieved is exponentially diluted amongst all the new followers. The music is still as good , possibly, but you might just not connect with it in the same way , and music is as much about how it makes you feel as how good it sounds . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassTractor Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 [quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1369993827' post='2095251'] they refuse to be part of the herd and subjugate their elevated self-image. [/quote] Typically young males, and it also points towards the strong link between insecurity and progrock. Not that I don't accept it. It's part of growing up. b, b Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megallica Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 Underground grunge, punk or metal bands signing to major labels can quite often lead to a more mainstream direction in their songwriting. I have discovered a few bands who went on to become really popular, some like Queensryche, did change their direction and went for a more mainstream sound that I didn't like so much and I did lose interest. I still love Nirvana's Nevermind album but there was something a bit too out of character and calculated about Metallica's Black Album that spoiled things for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Vader Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 [quote name='megallica' timestamp='1369999060' post='2095337'] I still love Nirvana's Nevermind album but there was something a bit too out of character and calculated about Metallica's Black Album that spoiled things for me. [/quote] The fact that it was pretty bloody terrible and yet had loads of people fawning over it was what spoiled the black album for me. I went to Donington 91 just to see Metallica, and came away as a massive AC/DC fan and haven't really listened to much 'tallica since. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skol303 Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 [quote name='Dave Vader' timestamp='1369990697' post='2095198']I think you may be my northern doppelganger Paul [/quote] There's increasingly strong evidence to support this mate. For one I'm partial to cider... [quote name='Dave Vader' timestamp='1370000187' post='2095352']...I went to Donington 91 just to see Metallica, and came away as a massive AC/DC fan[/quote] ...and secondly I was there too! Came away with Jason Newstead's plectrum in my pocket, no less. Good times PS: one of the biggest fanboy moments of my youth was discovering Nomeansno (I still love them now). Everyone was listening to Nirvana at the time - and rightly so, they were great - and then I stumbled upon this weird Canadian band that just seemed to do everything faster and harder. My mates all hated it but I got hooked. I still think Rob Wright is an unsung hero among bassists. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bartelby Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 [quote name='Skol303' timestamp='1370005453' post='2095444'] I still think Rob Wright is an unsung hero among bassists. [/quote] He certainly is... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twigman Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 [quote name='Dave Vader' timestamp='1369995380' post='2095272'] Also the fact that Nevermind sounded all polished and shiny, rather than the terrifying gutteral screech of brilliance that is Bleach, that didn't help. I am no longer 14 so I don't in reality mind about selling out. But a lot of bands do peak, and then go a bit dull. At the moment, I am being disappointed by Laura marling's new album, which is a bit pony. And some others that I was hoping for more from, Vampire Weekend started well a few years back, and are now unsufferably annoying. Also don't like the new Daft Punk stuff much either, might be some weird switch in my head. I didn't love early Muse, and I don't like them now. So I'm fine with that. [/quote] [quote name='lurksalot' timestamp='1369995461' post='2095274'] I agree totally Nige , But, sometimes the draw of a band is in the individuality of it , you feel more in touch with the spirit and music of the band because they are smaller, more attainable and easier to relate to . If a band turns massive , it might just seem that your emotional connection to what you percieved is exponentially diluted amongst all the new followers. The music is still as good , possibly, but you might just not connect with it in the same way , and music is as much about how it makes you feel as how good it sounds . [/quote] Whereas some bands, I believe, seem to get better and better as their popularity grows. The National are one of only 2 bands currently working that I would classify myself as a fan of these days. Their first few albums weren't the greatest ([i]The National / Alligator / Cherry Tree / Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers[/i]) then came [i]Boxer[/i]. (that said many 'fans' cling to the idea that [i]Alligator [/i]is the only album worth listening to.). I thought [i]Boxer[/i] was great, Then [i]High Violet[/i], IMO, blew everything that went before it into the weeds and this new album [i]Trouble Will Find Me[/i] is a masterpiece, IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waldflote8 Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 Original example of Rush is an interesting one for me too. I got into them in the late 70s, 'Hemispheres' was just about to come out and an older family member let me hear 'A Farewell to Kings' - friend of his had seen some tracks on the Whistle Test. I'd never heard anything like it and became a fan,.. collecting the back catalogue, new albums as they came out,.. telling people that you were a fan. ( big thing when all around you was new wave and the media seemed to hate your fave band, no airplay etc.) As you say though, the exclusivity became a positive thing and I cringe at many aspects of their current popularity (saw them last night in Glasgow - thread to come when I can upload a pic) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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