Is Metal Really a Subculture or Just Another Form of Music?

[HarleyQuinn]

Sparked by Laz's post in the Metal Thread and the 2-3 posts that came after, I thought this could actually be a good argument to have in a folder that rarely sees much action.

This also is somewhat inspired by the whole Punk/Hardcore scene of the late 70s/early 80s in which it was subculture that spawned into just music.

Side A: Metal is a Culture Unto Itself, You Inbred Goat: You have the Metal culture. Certain clothing styles denote fandom for different bands while genres upon genres are treated as gospel for what constitutes "real Metal bands" vs. general Hard Rock bands. This largely ties into guitar tunings, style of drumming, vocal delivery, etc. and gets murkier the deeper you go into some genres + subgenres as to whether a band is Type A, Type B, or Varies based on Album Release. Then you also have fans who stay slavishly loyal to their favorite bands while being quick to cry, "Sell Out," when said band tries something different or stay loyal to particular genres within the Metal umbrella.

Side B: Metal is Just Music, Maaaaaan: The rebelliousness behind Metal has rapidly devolved if not outright vanished given that there is no longer a mainstream culture to counter against. There isn't even a simplistic "Mainstream" style of music to rebel against with radio stations/Billboard popularity largely giving way to personal playlists. Metal itself became mainstream several times over the past 30 years and nowadays every genre of Metal can be heard by a mass of people that it never would have even 15-20 years ago. Also the constant subgenres have diluted the musical pool of what constitutes Metal to the point that, "old school Metal," nowadays would be called Hard Rock by some of the fandom.

So which side do you fall on? Do you agree or disagree that Metal could ever regain its Subculture status or lose that Subculture status in society?

 

[Big Papa Paegan]

It's both, but the big difference is between those who buy into the subculture (henceforth known as "the scene") and those who aren't a part of it. There's nothing wrong with listening to the music but not being a part of the scene (I got my girlfriend into TBDM and Gwar but she's definitely not a metalhead), and the real issues arise when talking about acts that are metal on a surface level but lack the authenticity to gain credibility.

The core tenet of the scene, the one thing that is true between all subgenres and regional styles and gimmick mash-up's, is a classic line from Shakespeare:

This above all: to thine own self be true

Want to sing about Dungeons & Dragons? Go for it. Want to make music so ugly and abhorrent that your gigs will only have a handful of people, if that, show up? Do it. There's been plenty of cases where metal musicians have openly decided to branch off into non-metal material and not had the "sell out" cry thrown their way, Ihsahn's foray into folk music alone being proof, and the reason they get a pass while other artists don't is intent.

I don't really have time to elaborate more (not right now), but I have a feeling I will. There's the possibility I might even crowdsource this question on another board, one that's metal-centric (and is nearly bereft of the typical "everybody's a poseur but me" trappings of a scene-focused board).

 

[Gary]

I've said this before (and on this issue), but I personally don't believe there is a true musical subculture anymore. Everything eventually a.) gets co-opted, and b.) the rise of the internet basically means democratization. On one hand, it means "hey, I can find out about all kinds of bands in the span of 20 minutes". On the other, that also means websites that usually don't cater to Metal reviewing it, which means wider exposure for people who don't call themselves metalheads.

I do understand some of this-I tend to cringe when people wear metal logos as a fashion statement instead of you know, love for the bands. Even bands that I enjoy like Deafheaven, are bands I can understand why others might not like or may dismiss as "hipster" (which let's be honest, doesn't really mean anything anymore) band.

All I'm saying is feel how you wanna feel. Just don't be like this guy or these guys*

*remember that site ANUS that Tack liked? This is those guys.

 

[Big Papa Paegan]

It does get co-opted, and it has several times over, but it was also co-opted early on. How many glam bands were called "heavy metal" by mainstream press, sending Paul Baloff into coke-fueled frenzies against Cinderella fans? Co-opting is nothing new. It happened with the hair bands, it happened with mallcore, and it happened with screamo.

That second point, about non-metal media doling out favorable reviews to metal releases, doesn't negate it being a subculture, though. That would mean, if we stretch it realistically, that any sort of culture that can be viewed by those outside of it would not count as a culture.

I'm not sure what the scene's like in your neck of the woods, but the MA/RI scene is starting to twist into something halfway decent again. For lack of a better term, the poseur scum are moving on (by this I mean the type who would rather rip off Deftones for the billionth time and call themselves a grind act because they add a blast beat) and the elitist douchenozzles are being kept quiet. There's still plenty of bullshit, sure, but I think Abnormality getting signed to Metal Blade put a lot of the area on notice. If your local scene is either nonexistent or garbage, though, I can totally understand not seeing it the same as I do.

 

[NoCalMike]

I'd say there is definitely still a "sub-culture" out there of hardcore metalheads, but at the same time because of the availability of music instantly everywhere at any time, it's allowed a lot more tourists into the scene.

I still enjoy metal but I don't consider myself a "metal head" anymore. I often tell people my "Metal or Die" years are long over, for almost a good 10 years now. I don't necessarily keep up with the genre(s) anymore, although when I hear something new I like, I do share it around to my friends that would be interested.

I also still go to shows from time to time, and often feel old and out of place among the sub-culture/scene kids. I don't get mad, in fact I actually smile and become pretty happy and satisfied with how the youngsters are carrying the banner that I used to in my mid teens - late 20's.

 

[Big Papa Paegan]

That last part actually raises a question:
What are your feelings on the current wave of bands/fans?

Ignoring the social justice aspect of the late teens/early 20s crowd that's solidifying their place in the scene (and gain credibility by citing Viking culture in regards to egalitarian principles), there's a lot of more authentic and interesting music coming from them. More than when we were in that age group, I'd wager. There's still throwback acts, with a newfound popularity for retro death serving as the natural evolution of retro thrash, but there's also a sense of love and admiration for the music that seems more pure and whole than the "unholier than thou" douches we've had to suffer through.

 

[Super Leather]

Infrequent poster here who stumbled into the music folder while bored and getting stoned.

I've been attending underground punk and metal shows in the Bay Area for 23 years. Venues like Gilman Street, as well as assorted illegal warehouses and house parties and the like. I've probably seen and rubbed shoulders with a lot of bands of this ilk that you like a lot.

Ever see High on Fire play a Halloween party in a living room? I have. How about Exodus ripping out classics from Bonded by Blood at their practice spot in East Oakland? You bet I have! AFI during their scrappy punk years in front of no more than 200 people? All true; your boy used to have the OG white Love is a Many Splendored Thing t-shirt.

I'm bragging a little bit about seeing these bands, but it's more so folks know where my perspective lies when I say that the subcultural die-hard makes it possible for the casual observer to exist. Most bands don't exactly start out playing large clubs and arenas that the more casual fans attend; they got there in no small part due to building a fanbase in the underground circuit where the die-hards live.

That is why the Side A types often look snidely at Side B. Side A was there from the beginning. Side A has the demo tapes. Side A was at the early shows that took place in their friend's backyard. Side A has all of the out-of-print vinyl, including that one compilation that started it all. Side A has the original DIY silkscreened version of the sick t-shirt that eventually became the iconic album cover.

Side B found out after the local weekly wrote about the band for a couple of years or worse yet, a glossy magazine. Side B saw the band open for the much bigger band that they actually paid to see at a large-sized venue. Side B only has the most recent release on CD from the subsidiary label. Side B paid $25 for the professionally screened shirt in a store or online.

Side B types are seen as lazy, undevoted phony fans following a trend like the lowest common denominator. Side B are the weekend warriors while Side A is all day and every day wherever they are.

I'd be lying if I said that I didn't agree with that sentiment on some level. However, I am not so elitist as to think that it is inconceivable for any Side B type to be just as big of a fan.

As for comments regarding rigidly defined sub-genres, you mean to tell me that this doesn't happen in any other form of music? Blues doesn't have its own sub-genres, nor does hip-hop? I think once you delve past the entry level of any music, you will find that these do in fact exist in some way or another. They also have their own die-hard fans with particular preferences and an educated ear that can tell you the differences between one and another. Does Robert Johnson sound like Wynonie Harris? No, but both are respected blues artists whose approach to the form is different from one another - one is Delta blues and the other is urban jump blues. One band is death metal and the other is black metal.

Fake vs. real arguments take place in other forms as well. Plenty of Merle Haggard fans would like to see Garth Brooks and his fans no longer exist. I'm sure scores of Mac Dre fans hate Drake too.