Interactions with Random People About Music

How do you explain your musical tastes to people with whom you're having a casual conversation?

I generally just tell people I listen to everything, and then give a few examples of what I've recently been spinning. Sometimes I'll just throw out genres as a guide or, depending on the person, actually tell them in-depth a bit more.

I normally don't geek out like the rest of you seem to when discussing music with outsides; it's too frustrating. I'll never forget my first class during my freshman year of college; some dude with long-hair was sitting next to me, and he had a Butthole Surfers patch on his backpack. When I tried to strike up a conversation, he told me he never listened to them and only put the patch there because he wanted something "non-mainstream." That was the last time I tried to engage someone about music without them engaging me first.

What do you say when people ask who your favorite band is?

Ween, which of course gets tons of questions or blank stares. I've often been asked to spell it, and some ask what type of music. Again, I stick with "everything" since that's what they play. Of I just tell them they used to be a punk band and are now big in jam band circles, which leads people to mention Phish. That's usually the end of the conversation.

Originally posted by TheDirector217:

Originally posted by le sonick:
can i just say you are all a bunch of SNOBS!

really, you are , dont even try to deny it.

I am. But I wouldn't be if the majority of people weren't so fucking ignorant in regards to music. Know your history, and if you're not into the classics at least be well-versed in current music/music period so you make an educated comment.

not to be a devil's advocate, but are you saying that unless you know the history of all music, you shouldnt strike up a music conversation?

i like drinking wine, but dont know much about it, so does that mean i have no right striking up a wine conversation with a waiter at a restaurant or another bat patron?

i love music, and i choose to spend too much time researching it and listening to it. other people do the same with video games, fashion, movies or sports.

i know you are just getting carried away and arent in real life a complete dick to anyone who expresses an opinion about music you dont agree with. but personally, when someone starts talking music with me that obviously doesnt spend as much time and energy on the subject as i, i like to "show off" a bit with my widespread knowledge of music. sometimes its nice to talk to people who dont think they know more than you (like most people on here, ahem, probably including me)

no wonder some of you go to shows alone.

I usually give an answer like "Carpathian chamber-pop" or "Balinese tribal fusion."

I hear what you're saying, buy why bother showing off something to people who don't give a shit about it and can't truly appreciate it?

I'd rather show off my music knowledge somewhere where it's appreciated…like this board, the odd friend who is into music, or my wife who usually humors me. Though obviously, my knowledge of music pales to some of y'all.

Originally posted by le sonick:
but personally, when someone starts talking music with me that obviously doesnt spend as much time and energy on the subject as i, i like to "show off" a bit with my widespread knowledge of music. sometimes its nice to talk to people who dont think they know more than you (like most people on here, ahem, probably including me)

no wonder some of you go to shows alone.

I do agree with you about this. It's such a drag to constantly hear how listening to Pop Punk Band X is pointless because you're unaware that Punk Band Y did it first. It's yawn-worthy, in my opinion. It's also why I sort of like Brian Wallace's rants, though I think he's just as foolish for counting out anything that's older.

The only reason in the world to listen to something is because you like it. Although I appreciate the influence that they had, I don't listen to the Stooges because they were the blueprint for blah blah blah; I listen to them because they SLAY. And maybe U2 had a larger impact on the world of music as we know it, but I'd still much rather listen to a Thermals album, who will probably not even be a blip on the radar in 15 years.

Originally posted by le sonick:
not to be a devil's advocate, but are you saying that unless you know the history of all music, you shouldnt strike up a music conversation?

Originally posted by le sonick:

Originally posted by TheDirector217:

Originally posted by le sonick:
can i just say you are all a bunch of SNOBS!

really, you are , dont even try to deny it.

I am. But I wouldn't be if the majority of people weren't so fucking ignorant in regards to music. Know your history, and if you're not into the classics at least be well-versed in current music/music period so you make an educated comment.

not to be a devil's advocate, but are you saying that unless you know the history of all music, you shouldnt strike up a music conversation?

i like drinking wine, but dont know much about it, so does that mean i have no right striking up a wine conversation with a waiter at a restaurant or another bat patron?

i love music, and i choose to spend too much time researching it and listening to it. other people do the same with video games, fashion, movies or sports.

i know you are just getting carried away and arent in real life a complete dick to anyone who expresses an opinion about music you dont agree with. but personally, when someone starts talking music with me that obviously doesnt spend as much time and energy on the subject as i, i like to "show off" a bit with my widespread knowledge of music. sometimes its nice to talk to people who dont think they know more than you (like most people on here, ahem, probably including me)

no wonder some of you go to shows alone.

I feel you on that. And no, you don't have to be a historian to appreciate music or anything for that matter. Maybe I just happen to come across really dumb people. Who knows? You just wouldn't believe the stupidity that comes out of people's mouths.

SCENARIO: Again, ran into what seemed to be a nice young lady @ a restaurant/bar. I had on a Clash T-shirt. She states, "Oh, they're cool. Not better than my groups, though." I figured she'd say something worthwhile/witty. She says "They aren't better than nor do they rock harder than Atreyu or A.F.I. Rock The Casbah was OK, but they didn't have any other hits."

I said nothing, turned my head, & buried my face back in my drink. That's the kinda shit I'm forced to deal with. She was kinda sexy before that came out of her mouth. Post-statement I watched all the sexiness simply ooze out of her. It would be one thing if she said she preferred said bands to The Clash. That's cool. I can rock with that all day. The courting stage/verbal foreplay would have continued. But she said that shit with conviction. Like it was gospel. As factual as the sky being blue.

I didn't think my statement was that ambiguous, nor do I believe I'm a know-it-all in spite of my vast music knowledge. But to reiterate, just be aware of what comes out of your mouth.

What do you expect when your criteria for being a "nice young lady" is having grand cleavage? :D Maybe you're hanging out in the wrong places. ;)

Originally posted by TheDirector217:
QUOTE]I feel you on that. And no, you don't have to be a historian to appreciate music or anything for that matter. Maybe I just happen to come across really dumb people. Who knows? You just wouldn't believe the stupidity that comes out of people's mouths.

SCENARIO: Again, ran into what seemed to be a nice young lady @ a restaurant/bar. I had on a Clash T-shirt. She states, "Oh, they're cool. Not better than my groups, though." I figured she'd say something worthwhile/witty. She says "They aren't better than nor do they rock harder than Atreyu or A.F.I. Rock The Casbah was OK, but they didn't have any other hits."

I said nothing, turned my head, & buried my face back in my drink. That's the kinda shit I'm forced to deal with. She was kinda sexy before that came out of her mouth. Post-statement I watched all the sexiness simply ooze out of her. It would be one thing if she said she preferred said bands to The Clash. That's cool. I can rock with that all day. The courting stage/verbal foreplay would have continued. But she said that shit with conviction. Like it was gospel. As factual as the sky being blue.

I didn't think my statement was that ambiguous, nor do I believe I'm a know-it-all in spite of my vast music knowledge. But to reiterate, just be aware of what comes out of your mouth. [/QB]

This girl that I've been seeing is a big fan of Iggy Pop, David Bowie, Lou Reed and New Order but had no idea who The Stooges, The Velvet Underground or Joy Division were.

Originally posted by econo:
This girl that I've been seeing is a big fan of Iggy Pop, David Bowie, Lou Reed and New Order but had no idea who The Stooges, The Velvet Underground or Joy Division were.

That's almost impressive, in a weird way.

my wife's favourites are Grateful Dead, Ryan Adams and Nelly….she thinks Sonic Youth, Beastie Boys and Rage are the best 90s bands and says that Broken Social Scene is the least artistic band on the planet.

and not a bit of it made her more or less sexy!!!!

though, it is cool that she thinks i know everything about music. I dont think i'd want to be with a girl who thought she knew music better than i!!!!!


oh , and AFI does rock harder than the Clash, not better, but harder.

Originally posted by le sonick:
she thinks Sonic Youth, Beastie Boys and Rage are the best 90s bands

She likes Rage. Sounds like a keeper to me. Tell her TheDirector says she's a great woman.

Originally posted by le sonick:
oh , and AFI does rock harder than the Clash, not better, but harder.

I most def 100% agree with that.

Originally posted by 6949:

Originally posted by TheDirector217:

Originally posted by 6949:
An old roommate told me when it comes to music he likes bands that nobody has heard of yet and when they become popular he stops liking them.
I never could figure the kid out.

That my friend, is hipsters in general & a majority of the people who populate this lovely board we convene at. Which is why I don't really tend to tip my hand as to my musical likes/preferences. You must figure out, as I did recently, that it's not your job to lead the blind. :cool:

I'm just trying to understand his/their logic. It would be like me saying I won't listen to bands unless they're already popular (which is far from true).

The armchair psychologist in me thinks that it's more about self-identity and self-esteem. We like to differentiate ourselves from others in some way that makes us feel authorative and elite. For some it's music; for others a luxury car. Bands that attain mainstream popularity while maintaining some semblance of integrity become less exclusive and special; they're no longer "my band." Some may still cling to them and claim "I was into them when…."

Originally posted by TheDirector217:
Again, ran into what seemed to be a nice young lady @ a restaurant/bar. I had on a Clash T-shirt. She states, "Oh, they're cool. Not better than my groups, though." I figured she'd say something worthwhile/witty. She says "They aren't better than nor do they rock harder than Atreyu or A.F.I. Rock The Casbah was OK, but they didn't have any other hits."

I said nothing, turned my head, & buried my face back in my drink. That's the kinda shit I'm forced to deal with. She was kinda sexy before that came out of her mouth. Post-statement I watched all the sexiness simply ooze out of her.

DUDE! Dude…. I'm speechless. A woman suddenly appeared less sexy because she thought A Fire Inside rocked harder than the Clash? Really? REALLY? Maybe all of you Rolling Stone/High Fidelity/nostalgic/the 60's-were-the-only-TRUE-golden-era-of-rock/Pitchfork/music snobs need to write your own version of "The Rules" with regards to dating people whose musical knowledge does not come up to your standards. You're probably missing out on some good tr*m, Director.

Where's the smiley for shaking your head in incomprehension?

Brian

P.S. AFI and Atreyu DO rock harder than the Clash.

P.P.S. ""I wanna take this time to say that this is real whiskey here… the only people who put iced tea in Jack Daniel's bottles is The Clash, baby!" - David Lee Roth, from the stage of the US festival, 1983.

Originally posted by 6949:
I told him he wasn't an actual fan of the music because if he liked a band he would continue to like them unless there was an artistic change or his tastes changed-not because people discovered them.

I think most often when a band makes it big there is an artistic change. I don't see how there can't be when an artist starts working with a major label, the artist will always have less say in the final album. And once they start putting out successful albums artists will try and repeat the success, which makes the music boring. The Decemberists last album is a perfect example of success making me dislike a band, not because they became popular, but what they did to their music to become popular.

And there is also some pretty simple logic in play here, if you believe the general population like shit, and your artist is suddenly well liked by the general population, the artist must be shit.

Originally posted by Brian Wallace:
DUDE! Dude…. I'm speechless. A woman suddenly appeared less sexy because she thought A Fire Inside rocked harder than the Clash? Really? REALLY? You're probably missing out on some good tr*m, Director.

Trust me, fam. Let's say I had my fair share. I've seen the top of the mountain & it was cool while it lasted. I feel I've earned the right to be picky. Sexy & stupid don't mix . . . True story. I tried many a night.

Originally posted by Brian Wallace:
P.S. AFI and Atreyu DO rock harder than the Clash.

That much I'll agree with. The rest of it was just pure idiocy. If you heard the conviction with which she said it, you'd understand. Like I'm a dumb ass for even fuckin' with The Clash.

Originally posted by Brian Wallace:
P.P.S. ""I wanna take this time to say that this is real whiskey here… the only people who put iced tea in Jack Daniel's bottles is The Clash, baby!" - David Lee Roth, from the stage of the US festival, 1983.

Diamond Dave rocked. Once upon a time. Back in my younger days before I started fuckin' with hip-hop, I thought Diamond Dave was the coolest motherfucker on the planet. I have VIVID memories being a young 6 year old MTV/Friday Night Videos addict watching him karate kick and ride that surfboard in "Jump." I'm not sure if I care about the reunion yet, but he at one time was a quintessential rock star. Even if they end up sucking on this tour, I'll give him a pass.


I'm just a gigoloooo . . . .

Originally posted by Brian Wallace:
You're probably missing out on some good tr*m, Director.

ha!!! :eek:

Originally posted by bearman:
I've been to over 500 shows and that I've been keeping a concert log from day one.

Man, I wish to HELL I'd done that. I just started keeping track in 2003, since I started an 'upcoming shows' list in my PalmPilot already, I transered the shows I attended to a list for that year.

But the record for 1983 - March 2003 is lost forever….my bad.

VERY cool, bearman.

Originally posted by TheDirector217:

Originally posted by 6949:
An old roommate told me when it comes to music he likes bands that nobody has heard of yet and when they become popular he stops liking them.

That my friend, is hipsters in general & a majority of the people who populate this lovely board we convene at.

I dunno, I don't think I agree. Although I have of course heard people say that, I think most of the folks here aren't so 'narrow' or "need to be hip" about music.

It's a different thing, though, to stop making an effort to see a band if they become very popular. I may have been blown away by those early Snow Patrol 9:30 club shows that were only half full, but I'm not going to head to Patriot Center or Verizon to see them at a sold out show with throngs of teenage girls. I still love them, but am not the ardent fan I was (just because I may not see them live as often, or at all depending on their trajectory and their next couple of albums).

No, I don't boycott bigger venues, as most of y'all know. But there are arena bands, and there are bands who are just playing bigger places.

I've been very good about saving all of my concert tickets since day one. The only shows I've lost track of are club shows where I paid at the door.

What I regret most is not noting who the opening bands were at many of those shows, and the many DC bands I saw in the mid-80s.

Originally posted by Bombay Chutney:
I've been very good about saving all of my concert tickets since day one. The only shows I've lost track of are club shows where I paid at the door.

What I regret most is not noting who the opening bands were at many of those shows, and the many DC bands I saw in the mid-80s.

i save all my concert tix too. :) found my rem - green stub the other day and was quite excited. lately with the lack of hard tix - ive been writing on wrist bands who the bands are as well as openers. as long as the ink lasts.

my real pet peeve is when i buy the ticket and the venue insists on keeping the entire ticket. they did that last night for the wombats and i was not happy. esp since it was their first show in the US.