How far heavy metal culture has come and how wrong 'they' were!

Alex Dee Rokket wrote:

It has been almost 3 decades since heavy metal exploded onto the world, and since along with it came the various controversies that attempted to dirty and spoil heavy metal music and culture. Yet despite the many attempts by Christian groups, parent organisations and even the government itself, heavy metal has endured for decades since that time. Most who during the 1980s believe that heavy metal advocated lewd and crude acts, suicide, and other such negative behaviour have been silenced.

Don't forget Geraldo Rivera, as he not only tried to demonize the movement on his show, but I believe he even had some prime time expose on the movement.

Alex Dee Rokket wrote:

I am starting this thread because I recently came across a 20/20 report on heavy metal from the mid 1980s (circa 1986 / 87). The report tries to explain why the kids of the time listened to heavy metal, and what its effects were or perhaps would be on those who were fans of the musical genre. In a way, it tries to leave any prejudices at the door, to create a balanced view - giving the fans a voice yet in my eyes it comes to some misguided, misinformed and slanted conclusions.

That was the greatest 20-30 minute news piece ever devoted to the scene. I had this on tape for the better part of a couple of years, and watched it religiously for the better part of 6 months after it first came on. Okay, so the kids from Teaneck, New Jersey weren't the greatest spokes people for the movement, but that was okay since Bruce Dickinson came off as absolutely brilliant in that news piece. I remember him being interviewed during the "Somewhere in Time" tour by, I think John Stossel, who was 20/20's answer to Geraldo Rivera after the show dumped him.

Alex Dee Rokket wrote:

The premise of this report is that heavy metal was somehow a form of brainwashing, a catalyst if you like of teen alienation, drug use, suicide among others.

I don't remember the piece talk about brainwashing at all, in fact, 20/20 was fair in the sense that there was a psychologist or maybe he was a metal aficionado who stated premise was, "If there wasn't outlet known as heavy metal for disenfranchised teens, then suicides and drug use would be even more prevalent. I thought John Stossel was fair in his report, as he asked the tough questions, but didn't come off as some self serving know it all. I think the only thing that did the heavy metal community some injustice were some of those teens from Teaneck, New Jersey. For instance, they show some other teens throwing a frisbee in the park, and one kid out of the group starts stereotyping those kids left and right. I got into heavy metal in 1983/84. I played basketball, baseball, and tennis growing up, but playing sports didn't detract me from becoming engrossed in this culture, nor did it with many of my other friends who played those same sports. Were we most likely in the minority? Sure, but I would have loved for that same kid from Teaneck try to tell me that I was somehow a dork in 1986 or 1987, because I didn't have extremely long hair or dressed in what were considered trendy clothes. He would've gotten a real rude awakening regarding what my listening habits were like in circa 1986/87.

Alex Dee Rokket wrote:

I was a child in the 1980s, not a teen nor a young adult. My reality of the 1980s was somewhat different from the rest as I did not grow up in the West nor did I have access to much heavy metal except for the odd MTV tape here and there. Nevertheless I liked what I heard and little as I was I was instantly hooked to the music. However, it seems to me that the 1980s critics tried to brand heavy metal as some form of witchcraft, or social heresy.

As a family, we didn't have cable T.V until 1987, so finding out about new bands was either by reading Circus and Hit Parader or people dubbing VCR tapes for me from MTV. I then took my hard teen age earned paper route dollars to either Music Land/N.R.M. or the locally owned Karma Record store. Obviously I had more access than some out there, but it wasn't even until 1986 that there was any kind of underground radio devoted to the genre. I can't remember what the station was back then, but if you turned the antenna just ever so slightly, you would lose the signal. Indianapolis, unfortunately was not the hotbed of metal, like Philly, New York, L.A and other major cities.

Alex Dee Rokket wrote:

As the report attempts to highlight, those who listened to heavy metal were outsiders and simply did not conform due to their looks and tastes to what society considered 'normal'. It appears to suggest that all have a predetermined future and destiny, and whatever that may be it heavy metal has no place in it.

Well, in many ways the music suggests one to be a non conformist. The genre has always been about not being a follower, and to think for oneself. It's funny how grass roots metal was around 1980, very esoteric in nature. Then one looks at what was going on in 1989, and you couldn't almost recognize the scene from its initial stages. What was once a culture open to a select few, was now open to almost every walk of life. Had 20/20 done this expose in 1989 versus that of 1987, I think it would've looked much different. Regarding kids having predetermined futures, there probably is some truth to that. One has to remember that kids socioeconomic issues can have a lasting affect towards how kids futures might play out. Kids growing up will look at life in one of two ways: They will either feel that they have the ability to uplift themselves towards a bright and better future, or they will look at life as being stuck behind the eight ball. As much as I love heavy metal, let's face it, it's not exactly the most uplifting music. It's lyrics are steeped in bleak futures. Does that mean that the industry was like that as a whole? No, but let's call a spade a spade.

Alex Dee Rokket wrote:

Yet almost 30 years ago, the fans featured in this report were but mere teenagers filled with the same raw unadulterated energy and passion as any other teen. Listening to heavy metal did not make them any different to play a sport or belonging to some social and youth club.

I totally disagree with this notion, as I remember what it was like growing up in the 80's. Of course these kids were different, as were a host of other kids within those same school walls. The unique thing about the 80's, based on just looks, you could probably peg what most kids likes were, especially as it pertained to their music interests. I mentioned before, I played sports, but I also listened to metal. This almost made me an outcast based on the fact that I didn't really have a status in school. I never felt like I was popular, but I never felt obscure either. I was in that gray area, and to me that was okay. I kind of liked not being stereotyped, but was I in the minority? Hell yes!!!

Alex Dee Rokket wrote:

Accusations of alienation, loneliness and aspirations of death and suicide could not be more misguided - the report itself shows how heavy metal is as much as hobby as any other "acceptable" hobby, guys and girls getting together and discussing their favorite bands and albums. Nothing lonely or macabre about that but it just so happened that the context was heavy metal.

There again, I disagree. Unless you were really super popular in school, I believe that alienation was a common feeling among many teens. Just because teens in the metal community had group to latch onto, don't kid yourself, there is always a need for acceptance. Even though I stated that I didn't mind not being stereotyped and growing up in that gray area in that social arena of high school life, don't think for a second I didn't enjoy getting my name announced over the loud speaker for winning a tennis match from the previous night. All kids want out of their high school years is to be accepted, and it just wasn't always that way. I remember going into high school orientation and the counselors stating how these would be the best times of our lives. Well, I GUARANTEE it wasn't that way for a lot of people.

Alex Dee Rokket wrote:

Little did the detractors know that heavy metal music would spawn a new generation of intellectuals and thinkers in all shapes of life and industry. I do not know where those kids are nowadays but I can at least assume they have all grown up, have jobs and families - to some heavy metal may have become a life long passion, and to others it perhaps was but a mere phase of their teenager years. But I am somewhat certain they all lived and continue to live decent lives.

I think it's tough to think what the detractors thought, because those detractors came from all different walks of life. They were you Preacher/Priest, who thought heavy metal's message was evil in nature and that your eternal soul was in jeopardy, they were your lawyers, who thought that there were subliminal messages in every song (and they couldn't wait to cash in on this), they were your politicians, who couldn't wait to get noticed on Capitol Hill after introducing legislation to sticker albums, they were your teachers, who didn't like you for a multitude of reasons, they were your parents, who just plain grew up in a different time and quite frankly didn't understand you.

In regards to my post heavy metal lifestyle after high school, I've always been indebted to the genre, even though I haven't always lived it. For much of the 90's my musical tastes expanded, and I probably listened to less heavy metal post 1996, but like all great things, I gravitated back to this scene that is a very much a part of my eternal makeup. I believe that heavy metal will always be a part of my life, even when it's not at the forefront.

Alex Dee Rokket wrote:

One of the preppy girls in the 20/20 feature says teenagers who listen to heavy metal do not have role models or anyone to look up to but I beg to differ. A band like Iron Maiden, or even Metallica (without getting into the debate of selling out) can inspired much creativity and ambition in a young person's mind. The success those bands attained through their hard work and dedication to their music, ultimately their trade, is equally as inspiring as a sportsperson, a movie actor, a writer, an activist, a philosopher.

Just like pro athletes, I don't think rock stars are necessarily the people we should have as role models. For every Bruce Dickinson out there, you probably have four Vince Neils. Let's face it, it's an industry that is plagued with substance abuse issues, adultery on a wide scale basis, women are objectified on a rampant scale, etc... With that being said, I think there have been bands/artists who have made great contributions to music within the heavy metal genre and should be recognized for it. But, if you want to know who I think kids should base their role models around, I think it should start with a parent/parents, teachers (the good ones), historical figures, humanitarians, some political figures (though that number is dwindling), etc...

Alex Dee Rokket wrote:

I for one can say that I never turned to any negative things as a result of heavy metal or as a result of anything. I've always known what I wanted in life and I've pursued my dreams in a constructive, civilised and law abiding manner. Where I am at now is as a result of hard work and massive amounts of dedication - parts of which were inspired particularly by the success of bands like Iron Maiden and Metallica. Whilst I did not make it in the music industry, I nevertheless made it in an industry which requires as much hard work and dedication.

This is the $500,000 question for myself. Though I've never had problems with addiction (I just drink occasionally), I don't objectify women, I have never been arrested, then I guess I would have to agree that heavy metal hasn't been detrimental in any extreme way. The only thing that bothers me is, when my life goes into a spiral, heavy metal music seems to take on a bigger role. I've tried to decide whether the cynic in me looks for a more cynical viewpoint since this can be a big part of metal music. I haven't quite decided where I fall on this issue.

Alex Dee Rokket wrote:

However, I feel like I need to cut 20/20 some slack - it was 1986 after all. The effects and consequences of heavy metal were not very well known at the time. But I do wish that those who put together the feature would look over it some 3 decades later in hope they will realise just how misguided and confused THEY were and not the heavy metal fans or musicians.

Is 20/20 even around anymore??? I know Stossel has been gone from the show for many years, Hugh Downs has retired, and Barbara Walters, well she's on The View. See, I don't feel 20/20 was that misguided, as I thought Stossel did a fair job at reporting that story. I thought he asked the tough questions, and respected the answers.

James B. wrote:

krokus wrote:

Lurideath wrote:

Well back in the 80's there was a strong stance against metal because parents in general thought it was evil and these talk shows and whatnot would keep pushing that same issue.

Metal is a lifestyle to me. Has been since I got into it.

Finaly somebody i can agree with. You and me understand what we are talking about. For you and me its more them music, its 100% dedication to the movement 24/7.

I expect, Shannon's defintion of "lifestyle" and your's have some similarities but are vastily different when you discern the particulars.

If I saw you on the street, right now. How would I be able to tell you are livin' the metal lifestyle ? I have an inclination you may answer with the way you look, correct ? And if that is your answer. Isn't there much more to it than that ? I mean does long hair make one more "metal" than not having hair at all ? Using the same premise, I can say one isn't actually living the "lifestyle" unless thay are in a band. I am not knocking you by any means just merely curious about another perspective on this subject.



This is just to satisfy mere curiosity. Hopefully, I am not coming across as rattling your cage too much. That is not my intent.

Yes, when you see me on the street you can see i am living the heavy metal lifestyle because the look is very important, it makes me different of the rest and it makes me feel special. Looking the way i do is already a big part of the lifesytle, but not the long hair. I have friends that look like me but with short hair, like paul di anno type of hair and its just pure metal the same.
An other important thing to live the lifestyle is to be part of a movement. I am part of the HEAVY METAL ESPECTROS and we organize concerts. We are going to bring to spain in two weeks time AVENGER from the UK to play at our anual party together with more bands.
An other important part of the metal lifestyle is to only have heavy metal friends, people with the same mind of things.
Also we only listen to metal or metal related music, no alternative music or pop etc....
When we go out, we only go out to metal pubs, or concerts, to hang around with our people. Travel 2500 km to see a band you must be dedicated to metal and living it.
I make me own fanzine with reviews and reports of festivals and concerts i go to, spending many hours a week dedicated to make this fanzine. Also my mind is thinking about metal, records etc...all the time hahaha, thats also important but thats just the way my mind works, 100% metal all the way.
Getting drunk is not really a metal lifestyle because everybody gets drunk even my father hahaha, but i like to get drunk too.
Anyway, its just hard to put in words what i feel and how dedicated i am to metal, i am just living it. People that are like me understand me better, the rest will just think i am stupid. I dont care. This is just a part of a fans heavy metal lifestyle, musicians have an other type of metal lifestyle. I have to go to work and dont tour.
I dont write good english i hope it was easy to understand.

But a heavy metal lifestyle dont have to be the same for everybody, we are all different even if we are alike and like the same music. We dont have a leader that tell us to live our metal lifestyle. We just now that we are living the lifestyle and its hard to put it in words.

Thanks Krokus for elaborating and I don't think you're stupid.

James B. wrote:

Thanks Krokus for elaborating and I don't think you're stupid.

I dont think he is either. I just think the 'lifestyle' is very much dependent on who you are as a person. No reason someone who has short, hair, clean shaven, and wears a suit cannot be metal.

Dear god, I feel like I'm in sociology class...

Shawn Of Fire wrote:

Dear god, I feel like I'm in sociology class...

I'll just wait for the Cliffs Notes version.

Thanks James B and exact33. The great thing about this forum is that we all love heavy metal and its nice we dont have to agree always but that we still have respect for each other.
Take care.

Great post Metalinmyveins.

exact33 wrote:

No reason someone who has short, hair, clean shaven, and wears a suit cannot be metal.

I always try and "metal" up somehow when I dress up. If I wear a suit, I usually try to get away with wearing my Doc Marten's or something. Or my spike studded boxers.

Shawn Of Fire wrote:

Dear god, I feel like I'm in sociology class...

at least we are better looking than your old teacher