THIS PAGE IS TO VOICE OPINIONS ABOUT THE FATE OF MODERN MUSIC, TO STATE YOUR OPNION MAIL ME BY PRESSING HERE ALL E-MAIL ADDRESSES WILL NOT BE POSTED UNLESS REQUESTED OR YOU CONSTANTLY ANOY ME!
To whom this may concern, I wish to submit an opinion regarding how it is essential that underground industrial acts be brought to the mainstream public. A band doesnt have to go mainstream to reach its full musical potential, but it ceartainly can generate finance levels needed to acend the bands image. All acts which have made it to the mainstream come from humble underground beginnings. Strangely enough, many fans who had loved such bands when they were underground, disrespect them once they have become popular. This is nothing but extreme snobery. Trent Reznor states that this is true regarding his group, and that people want to have their own little elite band which no one else but them knows about. Id hate to think that an incredible band like Wumpscut or Psychopomps would choose to stay underground because they are afraid of loosing respect from their fans. In fact I wish that they eventually do reach mainstream heights. Such great music should be heard by every man woman and child! Imagine the joy of seeing full budget videos of such bands on MTV. This may seem a pipe dream, but if people start appreciating these bands then we may be able to see a whole new way in wich videos are currently presented. It is high time that the music of the underground break through the surface and crash down the art-less bile which floods todays market. In the words of Marilyn Manson: ' the only way you can change the mainstream is to become it.'
NOTE: I do not give marilyn manson any respect. They represent the current crap MTV and there artists shamelessly promote products. They might not promote products themselves but to help a corperate entity hock shity things such as aol, 1-800-collect, etc. is not a financal move. I do not mind bands making a profit from their music, hell they need money like the rest of us do, but at least they should be intelligent in what they choose to be linked to, Such as supporting equipment used by the band or selling albums and t-shirts. Most people don't view music for more than what it adds to their look. Seening people who wear trendy shit listing to angst driven music is not ironic enough just look at modern music today. Music doesn't need videos, I enjoy listing to music even more without a video because I can use a long lost ability of man, imagination. It's fine and dandy for a band to decide to make a video but entities like mtv force their corperate will on the artists in order to increase viewer numbers and also sponsership money. Industrial bands will make a name for themselves, but they do it on their terms. Becoming known like Bad Religion and KMFDM is possible. They made it big from touring and putting on good shows and albums, not from their video being on mtv. So to those who think mainstream is the pinnical or important part of being a rock musician then you don't know the real reason for becoming one.
Previously I had sent you a letter regarding my view on underground music incorperating itself into the mainstream. I was supprised to see it printed along with your response. You've given some real adjusting feedback, even if it's contrary to my own. Having mentioned Marilyn Manson I realize that I've dug my own grave. As the bandwagon is headed for its collision course, all I can really do is hope that everyones all black hemi-downs haven't cut the air off to their brains. Sadly however, many true fans like myself are left to take the heat from stuck up industrial high rollers. I believe that your loathing of MTV,(aside from the obvious) is due to you're miss-lead parinoia of thinking that all music video's as wicked corperate driven sale snagers. It is a truly great feat if a band like KMFDM is able to promote itself by concerts and word of mouth alone, but I'll gaurantee you that their videos have helped make more fans than both two combined. So is that wrong? Certainly not! They're videos are anything but unimaginative and commercial, and I wouldnt loose any respect for them if suddenly their incredible 'MEGALOMANIAC' video was to top the charts. Rammstein is another group that is steadly growing in popularity. I suppose I should start hating them if they are to eventually perform on the MTV music awards like poor old Manson did. Maybe one day if KMFDM really starts selling records they themselves will need to have a little mercy for the majority, and hope to god that the're fans dont turn on em for making it. A good band won't sell out as long as their fans don't sell them out.
MY RESPONSE NUMBER 2
I care not to see KMFDM follow in Manson's footsteps. MTV tried to play KMFDM with Trent when he became mainstream but they refused and pulled the video. Manson was just some normal run of the mill metal band trying to pull off a goth like image, much like I see coal chamber trying to do. Once reznor taught them how to operate samplers and other equipment commonly found in an industrial group's studio, they were finally able to do something. I think that as long a Trent is there to guide them they stand a chance but by themselves they haven't got a clue, check out the sneaker pimps article in CMJ about there attempt to make a track for the spawn soundtrack. The last statement is particulary strange, if a band I like decides to go mainstream fine, but that is usually followed by a second record that is some cheap attmpt to reproduce the hit of the original, AKA KORN, DEFTONES trying to be KORN, BROKEN AS TO DOWNWARD SPIRAL. This is what mainstream bands commonly chose, they make a crappy album an expect their fans to want to listen to it. Stabbing Westward, a mainstream group, I like their new album, I think it reaches back to the original album. Most people want to be mindless followers, It's not a group of people on their industrial music high horse that makes people like me hate the mainstream. It's the shitty products hocked, the crappy albums, and just watching people act in the dumbest way.
"We came to wreck everything, God sent us," -Psychopomps
What happened to intelligent writing in the english language. Are we all that brain dead? Granted I cannot spell well myself, but at least I come across with an intelligent sentance. Just by looking a guestbooks today is a english teacher's nightmare. Such sayings as "Nice page", "Your page is awesome",etc litter most guestbooks. Occasionaly someone comments why they like the page, but it is usually followed by some idiotic conjecture of why is was such, eg. "That page on KMFDM was FUCKING awesome". Notice the cursing used as the conjecture. This is not the worst part. It seems people who hate the page they're visiting have lost compete grammer control. The over abundant use of the F word is killing improtant space on the server, granted text is so small but it is used that often. If you don't enjoy the page then why the hell did you come here. Go visit another site, If I don't like the movie I change the channel rather than call the tv station and bitch. Sometimes is is aproprate to leave a hateful message. For example there is a person crediting your page and asking for a link to his, upon viewing his page you notice it is the single worst site you've seen is a long while. Then you should do it intelligently an not only with cursing.
