There are two ways to get me into a heated discussion, one way is to tell me that Superman is the greatest superhero ever, and the other is to talk about music. Music is a real big deal to me, it has always played an important part in my life. Whether it is because I connect it to a certain part of my life, or because I listen to it while playing a game, or writing an article it’s something that is very important to me.


Lets not worry what everyone else thinks!

When people use music as a way to be cool, I feel that a line is crossed. When someone stops liking a band just because they became cool, I really can not fathom that. I think you should like music because it makes you feel good, or because it makes you think. NOT because it is some sort of pawn in the game of chess that you call life.

Lets take for instance Rise Against, one of my favorite bands. Now prior to 2001 they had two albums out, I had a few friends who also listened to this band and we all loved them. With the release of Siren Song of a Counter Culture this changed. This is the album that put them on the map, and all the sudden my friends were spouting off at how much they sucked and how they sold out. BUT WAIT, the music still sounded the same, so how had they sold out.

At this point in life, I was a junior in high school, and I didn’t really get it. But then again, I never understood why people got so worked up over these things. People confuse me in this area, because I believe if you like something, then that is all that should matter.

I don’t care if you like music because it has some deep meaning to you, that lyrics have to cut deep for you. I also don’t care if you like music because it makes you get up in the middle of the room and dance around like a fool, because both of those are great. Music should evoke something inside of you, something that makes you feel good, horrible, sad, or anger. As long as it makes you feel then that is what matters.

I have got to figure out what isn’t in style!

I know people (to many in my opinion) that only like things that aren’t in, and the second they become cool it’s like this sin. “Well I liked it first.” REALLY!? That is great, but isn’t what we want is for our band to be noticed. “Oh man, these guys are so underrated.” But the second they become overrated it’s the ultimate blow.

NOW, I also can understand in a way things becoming cool upsets people. Lets take The Beatles for instance. John Lennon stood for a lot, the man was a genius when it came to lyrics, and what he wrote he believed in. But when I was in New York, I went to the Imagine Circle, and I couldn’t believe my eyes when they were selling buttons for 3 dollars a piece. I bet you, Lennon is rolling in his grave over this. The Beatles have become a commercial success, and it’s sad because it is more of a fad, then being about their music. Now, that doesn’t mean I will stop listening to them, because that would just be stupid. But I hate it when I mention a song to one of these fanatics, that they have to go and quiz me on everything about the Beatles. I like their music, doesn’t mean I know what time Harrison died.

What would he say now!?

See, thats me getting emotion about music. I go into big rants, and usually move my hands around in a crazy motion. I feel the same about the fact that I like Britney Spears (YES I DO!) because I listen to it, and sit in my car dancing and singing. It brings joy to me, it makes me feel silly and happy. Music doesn’t have to be this complicated thing that people make it out to be.

So pull out your CD player, plug in your Ipod, and listen to what you like. Doesn’t matter if it is Bon Jovi, Bad Religion, or some local band. Listen to music for you, not for anyone else, say SCREW YOU to the people who seem to think that music is some sort of tool.

Albums that have played an important part in my life.

Eminem: Marshall Mathers LP

I had my mom buy this album when I was thirteen, at an outlet mall. I only got it because my brother has always been a juggalo, and I knew it would piss him off. I also got a crappy CD player, that I put a sticker of a huge mushroom on the top of. I would listen to this CD on the way to church and school. There was a song on it of Shaggy and Violent J (ICP) sucking off Eminem, which always pissed my brother off.

Backstreet Boys : Millennium

I got this album around the time my brother got Grand Theft Auto. I would put it into my crappy little CD player and listen to it as I play the game. To this day anytime I hear a song from that CD, I picture the ORIGINAL GTA, and sitting in his room playing this game for hours on end.

Gorillaz : Demon Days

My Junior year of High School I had to do a report on Ted Bundy. As I was reading all the information on him, I had this CD playing on my Ipod. Anytime I listen to this CD, the only thing that pops into my head is Ted Bundy, so it is a CD that I have a hard time listening to because of all the horrendous things I read. As I did my report on him, I played Every Planet We Reach Is Dead.

Rise Against: Siren Songs of the Counter Culture.

I had my first laptop when this CD came out, and I had a thing for my best friend. I started dating him, and a week later we broke up. The song Blood to Bleed was one I played over and over again in my room. We would later date for 2 years, and that song became a favorite between the two of us. This was also the last CD I bought at a local CD shop before it would close down.

These are just a few albums that played an important part of my life, I could spend all day talking about songs that have played some role in my life. All four of those bands are nothing a like, in fact the only thing they have in common is me, is the fact that I love them all. But to me that makes them very important.

Playlist as I wrote this article:

Swing Life Away – Rise Against
Gettin’ You Home – Chris Young
My Life Would Suck Without You – Kelly Clarkson
Cowboy Casanova – Carrie Underwood
Blood to Bleed – Rise Against
You and I – Michael Buble
The Noose – A Perfect Circle
Behind Those Eyes – Three Doors Down
Me and Mrs Jones – Michael Buble
Big Green Tractor – Jason Aldean
I’m Alive – Kenny Chesney with Dave Matthews