![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
Just an observation... on "rockstar lifestyles," fandoms, and "looks"
There was a "behind the music" thing on TV for the band Poison, and it was talking about all the drugs and sex going on backstage and how the partying is, how it ruined them, and blahblahblah. It was pretty interesting, though... in light of what I've been seeing.
I dunno, I guess I was looking at what Dir en grey do backstage on the Youtubes, and it... wasn't that. Here in America, we expect backstage debauchery - but instead, they play ping-pong, do staff-people's hair, get their makeup on, practice, sit and fidget around, smoke a lot, say a prayer, and go onstage. It seems so much more... professional. XD Like performers, instead of rich shitheads.
I worry about musicians losing their voices from abuse, but American rockstars can lose everything from abusing all of themselves...
I'm sure there's bands in the US that aren't so debauched, and some in Japan who are, but still - it's an interesting comparison. I'm also sure that the reason WHY things are like that is because of Japan's culture - I'm sure it's wholly unacceptable for groupies to throw themselves at band members, or for you to show up to work (essentially) stoned out of your mind. I mean, this is coming from a culture where you don't tip - PERIOD. I don't know, though. I'm just basing off of assumptions, so correct me if I'm wrong.
I wonder how this also plays into what happens when Japanese bands go on tour in America, where groupies hope to sneak backstage? I wonder if they get really offended... XD
The only clue I found on the internet confirmed my assumptions:
From the guitarist of Tsuberukurin: Japanese rock groupies apparently aren't like band groupies in the west. "We enjoy being flattered by our groupies, but, it's not like we fool around with them. I don't know about foreign groupies, but Japanese groupies don't offer themselves to us. They always come to our gigs to bring a lot of excitement. Japanese groupies are into the `fashion.' Since we are known as a `visual rock band', wearing hardcore and crazy fashions, our groupies try to fit in with us by coming to our gigs and dressing in crazy and sexy ways too. They relate to us by mimicking our style. In other words, they want to have a spiritual connection with us. I find our groupies are cute and touching. We don't have to fool around with them. I just enjoy watching them."
DX Why can't Americans be more like that?
Also, if I hear another "OMG I LOVE [insert j-rocker here] SO MUCH, HE IS MY HUSBAND" I will strangle them - over the internet. Also, irritating about American j-rock fans in particular, is the propensity to love a band just because they're Japanese. And subsequently worship the members because they are cute, Japanese, and in a band.
NOOOOOO.
Agh. I loved Diru's music first and foremost - when I was first showed them, I was blown away by how good the MUSIC was - the instrumentals and the vocals, how tight and well-done it all was. I loved Kyo's voice when I had no idea what he was saying, but could still feel it. And as I find out more about them - the lyrics, the meaning, the visual, the flash, the personalities, the shows - it adds more layers of it to love, but the root of it all is damn good music. I'm glad, in a way, I formed an opinion on their music before seeing the whole picture - which is a wonderful picture - but one that can obscure the music. I wonder if that's why they're more subdued now..?
I wonder also how much of the picture makes up a band? Like, there was a band in high school, just sophomores, but they were FANTASTIC. Well composed, well performed - but they lacked any sort of visual flash. They just stood around and played their instruments. How much of bands is the 'performance' part, as opposed to just the music? I think it's everything together that can make a band - but first is music, close second is stage presence/performance (and the ability to ACTUALLY SING AND MAKE your music) and third is looks. Looks aren't nearly as important as the first two, and yet many people think they are....
But like, I love some of Dir en grey's looks, but I love their music disregarding their looks. I love Kisou, but I don't really care for their fashion statement at the time. XD (at least, I think that's Kisou's fashion...) But that doesn't make me love the music any less.
But maybe that's just how I experience music. I didn't really go out there looking for it until not too long ago.. I'm also somewhat superficial? in the bands I like - I tend to like sexy-sounding vocalists. :P But that's not a rule, I suppose. I guess what I mean by "how I experience music" is that I would fall in love with band's music first, like on the radio, and then be totally thrown for a loop by what the people look like, and their visual/stage aspects. Now that effect is dwindling with the internet and youtube at my fingertips... I wonder how that affects music, too? Like "video killed the radio star" in hyperdrive...
Any thoughts?
I dunno, I guess I was looking at what Dir en grey do backstage on the Youtubes, and it... wasn't that. Here in America, we expect backstage debauchery - but instead, they play ping-pong, do staff-people's hair, get their makeup on, practice, sit and fidget around, smoke a lot, say a prayer, and go onstage. It seems so much more... professional. XD Like performers, instead of rich shitheads.
I worry about musicians losing their voices from abuse, but American rockstars can lose everything from abusing all of themselves...
I'm sure there's bands in the US that aren't so debauched, and some in Japan who are, but still - it's an interesting comparison. I'm also sure that the reason WHY things are like that is because of Japan's culture - I'm sure it's wholly unacceptable for groupies to throw themselves at band members, or for you to show up to work (essentially) stoned out of your mind. I mean, this is coming from a culture where you don't tip - PERIOD. I don't know, though. I'm just basing off of assumptions, so correct me if I'm wrong.
I wonder how this also plays into what happens when Japanese bands go on tour in America, where groupies hope to sneak backstage? I wonder if they get really offended... XD
The only clue I found on the internet confirmed my assumptions:
From the guitarist of Tsuberukurin: Japanese rock groupies apparently aren't like band groupies in the west. "We enjoy being flattered by our groupies, but, it's not like we fool around with them. I don't know about foreign groupies, but Japanese groupies don't offer themselves to us. They always come to our gigs to bring a lot of excitement. Japanese groupies are into the `fashion.' Since we are known as a `visual rock band', wearing hardcore and crazy fashions, our groupies try to fit in with us by coming to our gigs and dressing in crazy and sexy ways too. They relate to us by mimicking our style. In other words, they want to have a spiritual connection with us. I find our groupies are cute and touching. We don't have to fool around with them. I just enjoy watching them."
DX Why can't Americans be more like that?
Also, if I hear another "OMG I LOVE [insert j-rocker here] SO MUCH, HE IS MY HUSBAND" I will strangle them - over the internet. Also, irritating about American j-rock fans in particular, is the propensity to love a band just because they're Japanese. And subsequently worship the members because they are cute, Japanese, and in a band.
NOOOOOO.
Agh. I loved Diru's music first and foremost - when I was first showed them, I was blown away by how good the MUSIC was - the instrumentals and the vocals, how tight and well-done it all was. I loved Kyo's voice when I had no idea what he was saying, but could still feel it. And as I find out more about them - the lyrics, the meaning, the visual, the flash, the personalities, the shows - it adds more layers of it to love, but the root of it all is damn good music. I'm glad, in a way, I formed an opinion on their music before seeing the whole picture - which is a wonderful picture - but one that can obscure the music. I wonder if that's why they're more subdued now..?
I wonder also how much of the picture makes up a band? Like, there was a band in high school, just sophomores, but they were FANTASTIC. Well composed, well performed - but they lacked any sort of visual flash. They just stood around and played their instruments. How much of bands is the 'performance' part, as opposed to just the music? I think it's everything together that can make a band - but first is music, close second is stage presence/performance (and the ability to ACTUALLY SING AND MAKE your music) and third is looks. Looks aren't nearly as important as the first two, and yet many people think they are....
But like, I love some of Dir en grey's looks, but I love their music disregarding their looks. I love Kisou, but I don't really care for their fashion statement at the time. XD (at least, I think that's Kisou's fashion...) But that doesn't make me love the music any less.
But maybe that's just how I experience music. I didn't really go out there looking for it until not too long ago.. I'm also somewhat superficial? in the bands I like - I tend to like sexy-sounding vocalists. :P But that's not a rule, I suppose. I guess what I mean by "how I experience music" is that I would fall in love with band's music first, like on the radio, and then be totally thrown for a loop by what the people look like, and their visual/stage aspects. Now that effect is dwindling with the internet and youtube at my fingertips... I wonder how that affects music, too? Like "video killed the radio star" in hyperdrive...
Any thoughts?