My wife was talking to her mother last night and she is coming to stay with us next week and for the record I have great in-laws and love them very much. While they were talking my wife explained that I was going to see Marilyn Manson that weekend and started taking jabs at me because I was going to the show.
I'm 36 years old and going to a show like this is not an irregular occurrence for me. About once a quarter I go to a metal show and I LOVE it. Its usually at a smaller venue and I am prone to get into the pit as well so this is actually a little more tame than usual for me since its at an outdoor venue. I think the deal here is that its Manson (Slayer is actually the headliner BTW) which proves to me the other thing she was talking about. Manson is a rock star.
While I was traveling I picked up Spin magazine and on the cover was Manson with the caption "The last rock star" which my wife and I also got into a discussion about. The point of the article was that there are very few rock stars the likes that we saw in the 80's like Tommy Lee, Axl Rose, Diamond Dave and so on with their legendary stories of debauchery. He is a polarizing figure whether you like his music or not. He is a rock star and great at self promotion and if you are an adult you see this guy is not taking himself to serious and is very much a show unto himself. I have a 4 year old and I don't know how I would handle it if she told me she was going to see Manson but that's another post for another day.
Anyway, the wife was going on about the kids making fun of me for being the old guy at the show. I don't care. I'm not some fat wrinkly biker looking dude with a beard trying to be cool. I have very few things I'm passionate about but metal is one of them so I am there for the music and the spectacle. It is one of those things that moves my soul and I guess it always will no matter how old I get. So I wonder for the other 30 somethings (or older) do they still have those guilty pleasures they had when they were younger and will they ever go away and do you care.
Peace.
Monday, July 16, 2007
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4 comments:
I'm way, way older than you. I like Marilyn Manson too. I don't go to concerts for anyone, but I used to go to lots of them. If you enjoy going, and it's not causing a problem either financially or in your relationship with your spouse, then I say keep going and have a great time!
I cant say with any conviction that I have a love of "metal music." That said,I do have a great feeling for an era before that called "rock and roll."The 60s produced great sounds.Ican still get a charge from Buddy Holly to Bo Diddley and he did know diddley,especially about guitars. There were groups and singles and it didnt have to be in your face and loud.I still get acharge going to Main Street here to hear groups launch into a Beatles tune or someone doing "Knights In White Satin" by The Moody Blues.Great music ,different time.Idont think we ever "act our age"because then we start to wither and die.Life,as we know it,is much to short and we are faced at times with things that have to be done.In short go for it,enjoy it ,and let the rough end drag.These are my musings from another point of view. Be cool and TCOB. DAD
So I guess since tonight is the infamous concert, I will finally post to your blog on this. Actually tonight is the first time I even read the blog on this to be quite honest....
I feel that we all have passions and things that will excite us and motivate us in life. Music is one that is a big passion for me as well. I remember going to concerts when I was younger of artists that were "controversial." So let's just get it out that I'm not some old fart or Miss Priss, by any means. I love music and can appreciate talent in any forms. I just have problems with people who sell themselves or their music off some image that they really are not. If you look back at all the "real rock stars," even from way back then, they were all controversial. From Elvis to the Doors to David Bowie to the Beatles - they all had their group of protestors and people who thought that they were straight from hell. The difference, in my opinion, between those musicians and musicians like Marilyn Manson is Manson is just acting and putting on some sick act on all the time in his image - on purpose - strictly for publicity and so people will talk about him. Why can't he just sell his music off who he really is? Look at Trent Rezner from Nine Inch Nails. He could be described as disturbed or bitter but he is who he is and is not playing some part of some horror movie just to sell records and yet no one doubts his musically ability or talent. One of the best examples of this is Prince. People have talked about him forever - he's a freak, he's gay, he's a pimp, he's a Christian, he's not a Christian. Who cares? Because the whole time people have been speculating on "who" Prince is, he has been himself and never portraying something just for the media and yet he's been a true "rock star" for 25 years because he is who he is and he's a brilliant musician.
Just be yourself dude, whoever that is. I lose respect for any musician, for anyone, who can't follow that simple rule.
And if you say that Manson IS being who he really is then I would question how you could go to his show, coupled with a band like Slayer, and still feel like you're only there for "the music."
When does the moral responsibility start kicking in, "Daddy?"
Good post.
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