Take Music Seriously…
“Take Music Seriously…” Anthony Raneri
I like to think of myself as a fan of music. It’s a huge part of my life, and not a day goes by that I don’t listen to it, or think about it. I like most kinds of music, and have several different bands and musicians that I love to listen to. I am always looking for new bands or musicians to get into. I appreciate most music, even if it’s not my thing. I try to be as open I can be when listening to music, and new bands.
With that said I have definitely bashed on some bands in the past. (Brokencyde, Katy Perry, 3Oh3, Nickelback, and Lady Gaga just to name a few.) I have had a really hard time figuring out why these bands have fans. It blows my mind, and I honestly don’t think I will ever understand. I have always been pretty anti any of these bands.
Lately though I have been thinking a lot about these bands, and music in general. After reading some blogs and watching some interviews, I have definitely changed my mind about music, and shitty bands.
Ironically I think a Brokencyde interview I watched changed my mind the most. In the interview they were being asked how they felt about being hated by so many people. More specifically the lead singer from Senses Fail would bash them every single night while they were touring again. I really respected the way they handled the question. Brokencyde’s answer was basically that people are going to think what they want. They are out there making the music they want to be making just like any other band out there. People are going to hate them, but they are doing what they want and they know that there are people that will appreciate the music they are making.
Music is such a personal thing. Every person is going to have different taste then everyone else. Everybody is going to have a different idea about what “good” music is. Personally I get so sick of watching bands’ videos on Youtube or whatever and looking through the comments and seeing people bash them. It drives me crazy. If you don’t like a band, if you don’t like a singer, don’t listen to their music. If you don’t like the music they make, don’t waste your time trying to prove how shitty they are on YouTube.
How can anyone argue that a band is shitty? Like I said it’s all a personal choice. I love Bayside with every ounce of my heart, in my opinion they are the best band out there. I think they are absolutely fantastic but I also know that there are people out there that would say that they are a ‘shitty’ band. (absurd I know!!!)
Everyone appreciates bands for different reasons, whether it be a bands lyrics, or their catchy guitar rifts, or good looks. People have their own reasons for liking the music they do.
I think that in order to be a fan of music and really appreciate it, but more importantly to take it seriously, you have to respect anyone that has the courage to sing the songs they want to sing. You may not like their song, hell you may hate it, but it’s their song, and someone somewhere is going to appreciate it.
I am sick of bands bashing other bands. And fans bashing fans. Music is so diverse and there are so many bands that if you don’t like a band you can easily avoid listening to them. I need to remember this and let people like the music they want to like. I may hate it, and it may drive me crazy that some of these people are getting rich and famous with the music they make, I still need to respect music enough to let them do their thing. And let their fans enjoy it.
I think the Golden Rule applies to music. Treat others as you want to be treated. We all have that band we love. We all have that one band that has that special place in our heart. Respect other peoples bands, because I know, I sure as hell want them to respect Bayside.
