(no subject)
Pet peeve - fans who declare certain bands and songs as theirs and begin long-winded and often volatile Forum or LiveJournal conversations regarding how unfair it is that their band and their songs are being played around the world. They consider this the garnering of the loosely termed fake fan, as well as an indication that a band is selling out, or becoming more commercial and main-streamed.
A couple of points in this directions, because really, I've reached a bursting point -- thanks to a recent rant about radio stations being bombarded by hate mail for simply playing certain songs.
Number one -- No one can claim ownership to any band with the exception of the band members themselves. They are the only ones who have the right to claim any formation of said band, or any of the band's products as their own. Only the band members, the people who have poured heart, soul, blood, sweat and tears into everything they produce, have any right to say "this is ours, not yours, and you can't take it from us."
Number two - The only way for any band to grow is to expand their fan-base. How, in the world are they supposed to do that when the "older" fans….the true fans are claiming elite ownership, and ridiculously enough, listening rights to tracks or albums?
Number three - Bands release songs as singles in order for them to be given air time on the radio, or on the television (via music videos). If they wanted their fans to remain secret, like some sort of twisted exclusive club, then they would not release any songs to the world, nor would they agree to sign to labels, or publicize their record releases, shows, or single releases.
Number four - Anyone, and I repeat anyone can be a fan of any band. Just because they may not have adored them (or even known about them) since their first indie record, or even their demos, does not mean that they are any less of a fan than you. I'm sick and tired of watching the "true" fans bash and abuse the newer (and sometimes younger) fans. Knowing and liking a band longer than the Sally-Jane in front of you, does not give you any seniority over her. You are not a "better" fan than she is, and you have absolutely no right to question her right to meet/see/love/adore/or be proud of any band she decides to dedicate herself to.
Yes, I will agree that, for the most part, the younger, over-excitable-teeny-bopper fans can be more than slightly annoying (actually, I think maybe the term aggravating might be better in this case), but you do not have the right to question their loyalties, or the depth (or lack thereof) of their fandom.
And finally - Simply claiming that you are a hardcore fan means absolutely nothing. The person queuing beside you may have known the band for a shorter amount of time, or may only be a fan of their latest album, but you cannot question that, because for all you know, their newer material has saved his/her life. There's no measurement to a fan's love or dedication. You cannot possibly claim you love them more, because you have no clue about how much other may love them.
Get your heads out of your asses people. Being the fan of a band does not mean that you can claim ownership. It does not mean that you have been given a carte blanche at concerts and therefore the permission to strong-arm or beat on the younger, newer fans (even if their screams are annoying). It does not give you the right to questions the band's motives, or condemn them in any way, shape, or form for their choices. It does not give you the ultimate ticket to standing at the barrier during concerts, or any exclusive backstage passes. And it most certainly does not give you the right to dictate which songs the band decides to release for air-time on the radio.
Being a fan, however, does give you a sense of connection with the people who are in the queue with you. It gives you maybe a sense of connection to those people on stage pouring themselves into their music, or perhaps a sense of release - a safe haven. Fandom should never, under any circumstances, be a negative thing. It should be something positive, and brilliant - not condemning or elitist. Rather than sneering at the younger fan beside you in a concert, or pushing past them to move closer to the stage, take pride in the fact that that band you have decided to love is growing, reaching out to people, and connecting.