In mid 2011 I went to an autograph signing with Zakk Wylde where I was told that I didn't look like I a fan because of my appearance; I was headed to work suited up and clean shaven. Although I thought nothing of it at the time, genre's of music typically have a scene and a style. Metal and hard rock's scene is clearly not suit and tie; nonetheless it got me thinking on perceptions.
Should I be dressing a certain way if I listen this type of music? Should I not have a good job? Should my hair be long? Possibly instead of sitting at a desk for 10 hours and calling it a job should be replaced with similar hours lingering under a car engine? Isn't this what we expect metal heads to do?
I actually started this post over a year and a half ago; it's funny how something that you once felt gets pushed to the side until it is reminded so innocently that it sparks up the ever-long conversation hiding in your brain.
Rewind two months ago; Trapt concert in St Pete, Fla; my lovely wife to be is in tow. We enter the small, rather poorly lit theater with beer stuck floors and head to our standing place. Not 10 mins there and she leans over to me and says in not so many words "we don't fit in here". There it is again; hence why I am sitting here finally finishing the post. (now you know)
So back to topic; appearances in this world are everything. One of one of the first questions I ask a person is what kind of music they listen to? Inevitability there is always the, "I listen to a bit of everything". I hate that damn answer. It's such a cop out / middle of the road answer, and I can't stand when people don't voice opinions. The better question I have learned to ask is what was the last concert you went to? What was the last album you bought? I find that when people put hard earned money on the line they tend to really be into something. When that answer comes I am usually not surprised. You can almost see what a person listens to by the clothes they choose, style of hair, kind of car, and overall mannerisms. Yet somehow my love for metal does not translate to my attire. I find this to be true with a lot of hard rock / metal fans. It's almost like we keep it quite due to some of the stigma that might go along with our choice in music. I think that it is a great disservice to believe that all metal and hard rock lovers have long hair, are heavily tattooed (which I am), and don't hold down a suit and tie job.
So when told I don't fit into the hard rock and metal scene I take little to no offense. You see to me not fitting in is what metal and hard rock is all about.
