To Look “Metal” Is To Be “Metal”…Or Is It?
To Look “Metal” Is To Be “Metal”…Or Is It?
I kind of touched base on this before and I really hate to do it again but I’m going to anyway. This article is also going to be all over the place and my spelling might suck and my grammar may be worse, so just bare with me. And just to warn you…this is a bit long because I wanted to explain everything without someone jumping in my sh*t before understanding it. However I’m sure there are some people that will only read a bit and start rapping their fingers, typing up a flaming comments.
Last Friday I posted a press release on Soulidium front-man getting permanent fangs and him saying “Fangs are the new Tattoo.” I though this was a stupid statement because most of the time when someone gets a tattoo it has meaning and other times it’s because they liked the design or art. Piercing are the same way. Do I believe that you can take it too far? Yes and no. I say yes because some people think that getting a tattoo makes you more metal and the more tattoos you have the more metal you look. Some get all sorts of flash tattoo and sleeve up their arms to “better” their image as a rock star. Tattoos can be kind of addictive as well as piercing’s. Not in addictive way that crack, meth, or heroin can get you but in a way where you get one and just want another one. To some people it’s guitars, some cars and some…tattoos and/or piercing’s. Some like the pain of enduring a piercing or tattoo. Some get these to express themselves.
Self-expression. They say silence speaks louder than words. True in a sense but nothing says “I’m starving for attention” like going overboard with your “Self-expression” like trying to look like a human leopard…or in this case Nosferatu. I have tattoos and I’ve had piercing’s. Tattoos can be covered to an extent and piercing’s can be removed. However permanent is permanent. A bit more on the permanent thing is to comer a bit further down so keep reading before you spout off at the mouth.
So do you have to have tattoos, piercing’s, and/or fangs to express that you’re into metal music? No…god no. In fact I have found that people around you will gain more interest in metal music when they have no idea that you are a metal-head and finds out later. Let’s face it, when someone that doesn’t listen to metal thinks of a metal head they think of long hair tattoos, piercing’s, etc. Why? Because that’s what they see on TV and movies. That’s what they have seen in other places. When they find out that you’re in to metal they actually have a thought that maybe it’s just not as bad as it’s made out to be, which we know it’s not.
Why do so many people feel they have to wear a “Metal uniform”? I think that is why metal has grown so much over the past few years because a lot of bands have changed and just started focusing on the music instead of the look. Sometimes when you over-do it and try too hard to look metal you end up looking like a poser. Most will see this when they grow a little older. When you are younger it is all about trends and the look. Some of you may be saying “I’m not trendy!” Take a look at yourself, your friends, the people you hang around and some of the bands you look up to. Are you wearing similar clothing? If you answered “Yes” then you’re trendy. It may not be the same trend as the people that you don’t conform to but you are still conforming to a trend. Is this bad? Not really, it’s human nature.
Now look at things in a performance and entertainment point of view. Bands like Kiss, Slipknot, Mudvayne, Gwar and countless Black Metal bands. They hold true to entertainment gimmicks (I hate to call it that) or stage props such as make-up, masks etc.. They do it for entertainment value. It works for them, but they don’t go hanging at the local bar, or out with their families and friends dressed in their stage gear. They shed it and enjoy life off stage. I honestly thought the days of dressing like vampires and zombies was over years ago. Marilyn Manson still dresses like his stage-self when he goes to events and such but I seriously doubt that he dresses like that on his days off when he’s out and about the world. I think we have all gone through phases in our lives when we try to be something we’re not and sometimes realize it soon enough before looking like a total ass, like the millions of “gangsta” kids that know nothing about the “Thug Life”. Dressing the look they see on MTV or BET and talking the talk and would probably end up pissing themselves if they got dropped off in “Da hood”.
I went through a very short phases when I was 19. I got into The Misfits because of a friend. I really dug the old Misfits stuff and liked the new Misfits material and went to a few shows. And I also started to get into some Old School Punk. I started to try dressing the look within reason but soon realized that I was starting to look like a poser like all the other wannabe punks, so I just went back to being my metal-head self because I never really abandoned metal and the I never grew up during the old school punk scene so why bother trying to be something I’m not. I had a co-worker in the Marines that said to me “You don’t have to look the look in order to enjoy the music because in the end that’s what it’s all about.” He said “I like gangster rap, but I’m not a gangsta so why try to look like one.” That kind of helped my young, ignorant mind absorb it and after that I promised myself that I would never again be or look like that which I hated…a poser.
I don’t know how many times this has to be said. You don’t have to go overboard trying to make yourself look metal. You can enjoy the music, style and attitude all the same by being yourself. You go to metal shows and you see all sorts of people young and old, clean cut and rough cut. It doesn’t matter anymore what you look like. Be yourself. I’m not telling anyone how to dress, do what you want to do but if your trying to get attention then don’t go crying about it when it’s the type of attention you don’t want. The kid that was wearing the Cradle Of Filth t-shirt with the masturbating nun, calling Jesus a cunt wanted attention, that’s why he bought the shirt. He got attention, but it was from the cops. I don’t think he should have been arrested for it, but he got the effect he was going for. Shock Factor. The cop was shocked and offended and arrested him. In my personal opinion t-shirts like this should be better left to wear at shows, not on the street where young children can see them. If you offend a priest, cop or an adult that is one thing, but young children do not need to be exposed to masturbating nuns and/or the word cunt. When you have kids you will understand.
If you’re just a fan of metal you will grow out of “The Look” eventually. Take a lesson from the Yuppies. Who are the Yuppies? Yuppies are hippies that grew up after the scene had died out. They realized that community living and living as a hippie could only take them and their families so far. So they cleaned themselves up and most of them got corporate jobs and some make 6 figures. Do they still listen to their hippie music? I bet they do. They realized that in order to make a solid living that you sometimes have to conform a little and actually work hard. They also hold true to their hippie ways and values without having to look the look. When you get out of high school or college you’re going to want to find a good job. If you start a family you need stable income. Most places will not hire someone that looks like the poster child for Hot Topic or Vampirefreaks.com.
Now remember what I said about the permanent thing? Have fun while you’re young, get tattoos and piercing’s and have fun, but sometimes you need to know where to stop if you don’t have a guaranteed shot at being a professional musician, roadie, tattoo artist etc.. Sadly we live in a world where you will be judged on your outward appearance. Everybody does it and you can not tell yourself that you have never judged someone that way at one time or another. You try not to but you still do. When you get tattoos it’s not a bad idea to know where to stop, like below the neckline and above the wrist line. Tattoos on faces do not impress employers and will ultimately look really bad when you grow old. As far as piercing’s go, most will close up or at least shrink back to a normal size when jewelry is taken out. When you have huge gauge rings and loops in your ear like a native African or South Americans (don’t ask me what tribes), and you decide to take them out, your ears, nose and lips don’t quite shrink back in to place and when you’re 60 years old your grandchildren may hang Christmas ornaments on you’re face when you’re sleeping. People too often think about the now and not the then. Yes, please, live for the moment but don’t forget that you won’t be young forever. You can stay young in your mind but your body will eventually start to sag, bloat, shrink, whatever. Like I said, I’m not trying to tell anyone what to do. Just give it some thought before impulse takes over and you regret it later.
Image details: International Tattoo Convention served by picapp.com
In closing, I’m still fairly young at 32. I don’t feel I have to prove to anyone how “Metal” I am or how true to the scene I am. I’m a metal-head through and through and I don’t have to dress like Dimebag Darrell, Kerry King or Alexi Laiho to make a statement. I just have to be me and enjoy the music. In the end, everything else will die off just as any other trend does, but the music will always be there.
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17 opinions for To Look “Metal” Is To Be “Metal”…Or Is It?
Tate
Jul 14, 2008 at 8:51 pm
well hell, i took the time to read all that and it was pretty damn well said. i’m 18, of course i want the tattoos, but i know i’m not going to win over any employers with tattoos, hell i barely got through my college interview with some piercings. on the piercing topic, i had flesh tunnels a couple years back, (the ones that stretch the ear lobe), and after about a year and a half they closed up and it just looks like the piercing size for normal earings.
Breeg
Jul 14, 2008 at 9:16 pm
Those were some good points.
giles
Jul 14, 2008 at 9:30 pm
that was fking long, but well said. I am a metal-head but you wouldn’t know it from how i dress or look. to me though i think pearcings are about the same as getting fangs (just for looks and mostly, other than ears or something, shock value) thats cool if thats what you are doing it for though –log
kevin
Jul 14, 2008 at 9:44 pm
“Take a look at yourself, your friends, the people you hang around and some of the bands you look up to. Are you wearing similar clothing? If you answered “Yes” then you’re trendy.”
that statement is not true, and you are a fucking idiot.
Scott
Jul 14, 2008 at 11:17 pm
I’m a fucking idiot…but your not backing up your argument on how exactly it’s NOT true. If you’re wearing what everyone else that is in to metal is wearing then how is it not following a trend?
dale schmucker
Jul 15, 2008 at 12:56 am
scott I have no tattoo or piecing. as I said before I am r.n. and worked with people with skin cancers from infected needles or they get ther boyfriend/girlfriend name tattoo on them then they break up. not a scenoero.
dale schmucker
Jul 15, 2008 at 12:57 am
hey scott forgot log
Tate
Jul 15, 2008 at 5:19 am
the only thing though with the current metal trend is really wearing old metal band shirts. just kinda sucks for everyone who wore those before it became the thing to do. now every second prick is wearing a maiden or priest shirt without actually listening to the band.
Scott
Jul 15, 2008 at 9:01 am
I hear you, Tate. I had a Led Zeppelin t-shirt I used to wear…and then I saw Ashley Simpson wearing the same one and it kind of pissed me off.
Brendan
Jul 15, 2008 at 7:32 pm
Well put, my friend. And only one asshat felt like flaming you because of his own insecurities! That’s a pretty good ratio! You made good points i agree with all. I’m 26, and do want a couple of tats eventually, and i’ve had a pierced eyebrow, when i was 18, had short spiky hair and had a big thing for Static-X. Yeah, I was trendy - nu-metal trendy. But now i just wear what appeals to me, and is comfortable, and enjoy all my music.
izzy
Jul 16, 2008 at 5:11 am
I personally find it very funny to see all the young fans of metal trying to look metal. I drive by a high school everyday on my way to work. You would think I was driving by a manson concert. Nothing but a sea of black, and lots of chains, and pants that dont fit right. Like I said, very funny. Thousands of young people trying to look like an individual and in the end they all look identical.
LOG
Tate
Jul 16, 2008 at 7:38 am
it is kind of annoying seeing all the people trying to dress metal but i will still take that over the skater movement that is still going around my town. though the big problem is that most of those young metal fans think they fall under that group because they listen to avenged sevenfold and similar bands.
Scott
Jul 16, 2008 at 10:03 am
Brendan, thanks for reading all the way through. It was long because I wanted to ensure that my point was not misunderstood. I doubt that dude read it all the way through. I think we all go through a phase where we try to emulate our favorites. One of the things that really opened my eyes to that was the movie SLC Punk when he said something about the Uniform. I was well past trying to look the look by then but it just made even more sense to me after I saw that movie.
Izzy, when I went to Ozfest in 97 there was a buttload of kids looking like Manson in their striped stocking outfits and stuff, looking pissed off at the world…and the funniest part was that Manson was not even at that show. I don’t think they knew that before going in. That was a great year for Ozfest. Machinehead, Fear Factory, Pantera….man, oh, man, those were good times.
Tate. I hear you, man. I blame AX7 for a lot of trendy things…but as with every trend, it will die out sooner or later or as soon as the next trendy pop/rock/”metal” band comes along.
Eric
Jul 17, 2008 at 1:00 am
I Think you presented a good story. I understand your views clearly. But what I think you are missing is that not everything is done to try to just cast an “image” or prove they are more metal.
I found your post by accident while doing a google search on Soulidium. I have been following the band for about 2 months now. If you go read the singers myspace which can be found on the bands page I think you will see his story different.
the guys is slave to art and not in it for the image. He actually just digs the lifestyle slong with his chick. you will only understand if you read his own personal profile.
You said in your post that “Sadly we live in a world where you will be judged on your outward appearance”. I am a metalhead and the thing that really makes me one is that i dont give a shit what people think.
Some people live metal. Metal begins with music, but it is tied in together with a look. A specific look has always associated itself all though history amongst specific peoples, tribes, ect. There is nothing wrong with having a look if you identify with it better.
if it be tattoos or piercings, fanged teeth, whatever, you cant assume everyone is just trying to be “more metal” some people are metal. some people live metal. and those who do, will always be who they are with no regard for anyone else’s views. I think you are a person who is trying to feel more metal by knocking those who look it in your effot to say “hey, i dress normal and I have short hair but I am just as big a metal head too”.
If you are about the music as you say then you are about the art. If you are about the art then you will agree that art is based on expression. If you agree art is based on expression, then you CANNOT knock expression and cheapen it. Metal is a lifestyle. Not just a genre of music. It is hard to understand that if you are a person who is worried about blending in as you are.
kayjpn
Jul 17, 2008 at 2:32 am
Hi scott and all friends, I’m a Japanese metalchick. Nice to meet you, this is my first comment here.
As you know, Metallica members have had no tattooes until 5th album(except Cliff, he had one on his right shoulder).
I was really proud of that as their fan, because I thought they are denying “typical metal looks”. I thought they are playing with thier sounds, not looks.
So I was really dissapointed and confused when I saw their pretty inner booklet of 6th album at first…
BTW, I’d like to have an attention just one as Japanese.
If you want to get “Kanji” character tatoo on your body,
GET ADVICE from JAPANESE or CHINESE!!!
(find no difference?-whichever!)
Sometimes I see “the guy with funny motto”.
And pay attention to its direction. Upsidedown is also funny. Thanks :)
Scott
Jul 17, 2008 at 8:34 am
“It is hard to understand that if you are a person who is worried about blending in as you are.”
Well said and good points…right up until the end. I’m not the one worried about “Blending in”. I’m old enough to not worry about blending in these days. It’s the people that think they have to have a “metal look” that are worried about blending in.
You say you don’t give a shit what people think of the way you look…but that’s obviously the case with a lot of metalheads. They worry about what fellow metalheads think of their look and try to “blend in” with the rest of them as you say. You may not be blending in with one crowd, but you are with another. I’m not tryingt to “feel more metal” by knocking other peoples views”. I had long hair once, I had earings once and I tried to be trendy to a scene at one time as well. I’m just saying that far too often people try to be something they are not.
Kay brought up a good point. When Metallica came on to the metal scene it was during a time when the NWOBHM was big. With spikes, flash etc. was the metal fashion and they came on stage with t-shirts and jeans. Good point about the Tattoos, Kay. Slayer was the same way. Look at Kerry King in his younger years. And Cliff’s Misfits tat was awesome.
Trends may come and trends may go, but the music stays the same and no matter what you pin to your face or paint on your skin you will always be the same person underneath it all.
Tate
Jul 17, 2008 at 8:55 pm
overall though, i don’t really care too much how people try to look to fit into a crowd or follow a trend, it’s just the people who are getting tattoos/piercings/etc to fit in are the ones that are really bloody annoying.
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