singemonkey wrote
I think that, to followers of metal, it touches something inside them that nothing else touches. It expresses something that other music doesn't. So it's not all about the music. The typical story seems to be that people discover metal and suddenly feel at home. And it's very often a life-long thing. I don't think it's a superficial "uniform" thing. I think it's a really big deal for the people who're into it and helps them make sense of their lives - without having to hold any particularly kooky, reality defying, views. And it's not political either (like punks vs. skinheads) because you'll find the whole political spectrum among metalheads.
I have no doubt that it provides a way for people to find a place in which they feel accepted and at home. But then lots of things fill that role. In my family there is a lot of history of people "running away" to find themselves in some sort of congregational thing where they found cameraderie and acceptance. This has varied from churches to the communist party. Or, for that matter, running.
In all such cases I question wether it's really about the political agenda, the music or whatever. It seems to me that in a way those are side activities for many of the participants. The real attraction is an environment in which you have some sense of belonging.
I think though that it can involve giving up part of yourself as well as you buy into the look, the jargon and so on.
I've been wondering about this a lot since I went to see Guy Buttery on the weekend. That world of big-chops acoustic instrumental stuff does seem rather full of surfer types and alternate lifestyles. Mung beans, surfing and so on. Buttery's show is sort of a non-show. He just has a chair and some guitars and plays his music, but I found myself wondering what might happen if he cut his hair and wore a suit and tie for a show. Would half the audience say "ag NOOIT bru" and go somewhere else instead?
What would happen if you wore chinos to a Rammstein show?
Or crocs ?
