RANT: Mainstream Media

[Onederland]

Now, as I said before with me "Boys In Makeup" post, I believe we're all old enough to espress our differences in opinion respectfully.


(I posted this same rant on LJ, and then all of the sudden I got very crude and uncivilized comments. What can I say? people love to create LJ drama. But I know we're all civilized here so yeah.)


That being said, This has been bugging the shit out of me as of recent. You all have heard "Hollaback Girl" on the radio by Gwen Stefani. I love Gwen, and im extreamly happy that shes gaining so much popularity.

But what im angry about is, that there was a time when I would sing the "THIS SHIT IS BANANAS, B-A-N-A-N-A-S". And people would look at me and say "WTF are you SINGING?!" And now that its on the radio, EVERYBODY is singing it. Im not saying that people who love Gwen especially after a single, are wrong. Im just saying that it bother me when people think they are the first ones to be so "up with it".

I have loved Gwen since forever, and when her solo CD came out, I was at the store, It wasnt even out on shelves yet! They had to go in the back to get it for me!

Now, A Gwen Fan is a Gwen Fan is a Gwen Fan

So it shouldn't matter so much when or why they came to love her.

To make the point clearer, its not that people becoming fans of Gwen that bother me, its people becoming fans, and automatically thinking they're so cool, or they know everything about her.

I don't believe that just because it is mainstream, its "bad", Because lord knows im a big ass teeny bopper. Thinking about it, becoming "unmainstream" is so "mainstream", but thats another rant for another time.

I know there are conflicting views on this. But what do you think?

 

[ms.marymac]

I know exactly how you feel, that kind of thing has been going on forever. I remember wearing fishnet stockings with saftey pins and everyone looking at me like I was a piece of trash, or make stupid comments in an attempt to be humorous. Now they are everywhere! Used to be you could only find them around Halloween or in Booty shops. Same goes with funky haircolors (Started in the 70's?), music, just about anything! Don't get me started on studded belts, lol.

Eventually it won't bug you anymore...it almost becomes amusing.

 

[obsessed_girl07]

I feel you on that! It's kinda like they're "posers", especially if they act like they the shit thinking they heard/saw/said/thought of something first. Definitly agree with that!

 

[Shawna]

You just have to remember that no matter how many people jump on the bandwagon, you were the original driver. Does that make any sense? When I was in high school (yes, I am dating myself here) I bought a great pair of bleach splattered jeans in Toronto. I am from BC and everyone made fun of my pants. Then six months later, everyone had them and you weren't trendy if you didn't have them. It was like, thanks so much for making fun of me and then stealing my idea.

 

[Onederland]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shawna You just have to remember that no matter how many people jump on the bandwagon, you were the original driver. Does that make any sense? When I was in high school (yes, I am dating myself here) I bought a great pair of bleach splattered jeans in Toronto. I am from BC and everyone made fun of my pants. Then six months later, everyone had them and you weren't trendy if you didn't have them. It was like, thanks so much for making fun of me and then stealing my idea.

DUDE!! HOW DID YOU KNOW!!!!?!?

THAT IS MY OWN PERSONAL MOTTO!!!

"I join the bandwagon, I drive it."

 

[mac_obsession]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ms.marymac I know exactly how you feel, that kind of thing has been going on forever. I remember wearing fishnet stockings with saftey pins and everyone looking at me like I was a piece of trash, or make stupid comments in an attempt to be humorous. Now they are everywhere! Used to be you could only find them around Halloween or in Booty shops. Same goes with funky haircolors (Started in the 70's?), music, just about anything! Don't get me started on studded belts, lol. Eventually it won't bug you anymore...it almost becomes amusing.

I agree 100%. I can remember days when people would look at me funny when I was listening to NIN, and when I said its NIN, theyd look at me like wtf is that-are you stupid? Now its mainstream and I hear 12 yr olds walking around singing Im gonna f^*K you like an animal...haha anyways..

My friends daughter was singing Poison by Alice Cooper the other day, and I was like, omg its a girl singing to a trance beat, (for those that dont know Alice Cooper is a man). Now I love trance, but I gotta say, I loved that song 16 years ago when sittin in my friends room smokin newports and using Rave hairspray (AEROSOL) to tease our hair 7inches and wearing spikey studded leather chokers. (which are really common now)
I kept saying they destroyed that song by making it trance - but at least people are hearing it, and its getting across to them - even though its like 15+years old.

Everything was someones favorite before it became mainstream.. Thats usually why it goes mainstream. There are so many groups, singers, actors etc. that people say sold out cause they went "mainstream" but honestly if someone was throwing hoards of cash at you are you gonna say no I dont want any more? Of course not

We all have our own ideas of integrity, and when toeing the line we as individuals just have to say where that line is, and appreciate others opinions of it

 

[ms.marymac]

They made a Trance version of an Alice Cooper song?

Lord have mercy.

I think what it boils down to is that a lot of people need to belong to a group in order to feel good about themselves. They may not have the guts to do something different than that group. Once others jump on a trend, then it's safe.

 

[singinmys0ng]

omg i feel the same way! I remember exactly i would sing the bananas part and people would look at me like i was retarded. I feel you on the whole thing.

 

[Shoe Crazy]

I totally feel you on this. What bugs me more is that was and still is one of my favorite tracks on the album but I'm one of those people that as soon as it is released as a single I lose intrest. The minute something goes mainstream and everyone loves it I no longer do. I guess I like to be different and hate to be trendy. I have been a fan of Gwen and No Doubt since their ska days and when I heard she was going solo I was both excited and worried that this would be the end of No Doubt, which I'm sure it won't be. She has done great as a solo artist but you have those people who have never liked No Doubt all of a sudden adore Gwen. To understand and appreciate her you must know where she started out at. This is just my personal opinion.

On another note, I read she is doing another solo album that will be released before the year is over

 

[alt629]

it happens all the time. aggravating yes, but in the grand scheme probably not a big deal.