Dominik Pucek

This sounds like a very interesting project, Dominik, one that I would enjoy reading. I don't know much about metal or even the stereotypes. To me it is loud, blaring music, but I am open to learning more!

Maryellen

Am I allowed to say an idea I had on the spot in class is a good one?

Anyway, I think it is. Mainly, I think you're the person to pull it off, because you know your topic and you know enough theory to find a framework through which to examine metal.

The first thing to do will be to figure out what your sources will be. (I did some looking through my files and so far have come up with nothing pertinent; I'll keep looking.) The QC library has a subscription to a database called PsychInfo. Look there first. There have been many psychological studies of metal and its audiences. See what you can dig up and see if the studies ring true with your experience. That's as good a place as any to start.

If you find some materials and you want to talk through them, come by my office hours Tuesday. If you're having trouble finding material, I can help you look then. (I feel responsible, having sent you down this path!) The important thing is to do this as soon as possible, so you'll know if you can find what you need.

Finally, ask Arielle. Didn't she say something about a book by Stephen King's son?

I think this is a very interesting topic. I enjoy metal, and my boyfriend is a total metalhead, yet he also listens to classical music and other genres.

You may want to ask different people you know that are into metal what they enjoy about it on top of your more concrete research.

Something else you may want to look into is the effect of music on mood. Possibly look into all the claims that certain artists: Marilyn Manson, Black Sabbath, etc have been blamed for violent acts. Does the music change behavior, or are people with certain behaviors more likely to be into a certain type of music?

Hey Jessica,

Well, I think what my point is going to be is that people who are violent are not necessarily attracted to the music because of that. I know a lot of closet metallers and nerdy metal heads who I would describe as very peaceful guys. I think it is more accurate to say that there are some people who are violent and perhaps the music connects with them in a very literal way, and that is sad.

They say the guy from V Tech was a huge gospel lover. I remember they tried to peg something on him regarding music and they couldn't find anything. It was just being asian in a really white area. It was about being an outcast, perceived and impressed inequality, which is pretty much what Columbine was all about.

I guess what I am trying to do with my work is to evaluate the statement "woah, that kicked assss!!" and illustrate that it comes out of a community that enjoys a particular experience, and a certain kind of behavior comes out of that. But, lest we forget, it is NOT about violence. I don't know if anyone would know it these days from all the kids today who "fight the invisible ninjas," but mosh pits were never about violence - no one is supposed to get hurt when you slam dance. It's about connecting with a primal, human energy and enjoying the effect of that. And that's the mood metal is going for. Something deep, dark and heavy, but not necessarily violent. Just hyper-active.

Dominik . . .

What an interesting concept to explore. I'm not sure what help I can truly offer. . . but I must admit that in my teen years I was one of those "closet metallers". I did not look the part and I didn't necessarily announce it to the world. I sometimes felt like I didn't quite fit into the whole scene so I confined my interest to the privacy of my own room . . . until I realized that others listened too. For me and my friends, it was never about violence and anger or any of those negative emotions our parents worried about . . . it was about the honesty and raw emotion that seemed to come out of each song . . . and the way it enabled us to relate to one another without really trying to--something that can be very confusing as a teen.

I'm looking forward to seeing where you go with this. . . good luck!

I used to be a huge Metallica fan but had to drop out after the black album because it got to be like listening to a souped-up version of Hanson. But I know metal doesn't begin or end with Metallica. In fact, I don't really know where it began as a unique musical form. From where does it draw its roots? Did it grow alongside punk? Or was it, like, a reaction to the punk scene? And was metal a uniquely American phenomenon or did it "begin" elsewhere? Perhaps that's something you can incorporate into your project: the history and development of metal and metal culture.

As an aside, I heard this incredible acoustic/metal/meringue/fusion duo called Rodrigo y Gabriela. A man and woman from Mexico by way of Ireland or something. Anyway, they were insanely talented and got their start playing in a metal band from Mexico City. Are these kind of "fusion," for lack of a better word, bands the future of the genre?

Just some thoughts. I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with it. It sounds really interesting.

Andrew!

That's awesome. I actually do know the history of metal through a VH1 special. They play it sometimes on VH1 classic. Don't do a great job with the 90s but I don't really blame them. It was a dark time for metal. But it influenced nearly the entire genre you hear today. We can talk about this one on one at some point.

As for Metallica, I wasn't a fan until late. I was Team Megadeth, and I hated them for dropping Dave Mustaine. But eventually I got into their stuff until the Black Album, which has some really strong and epic songs, but not a great record stand alone. Personally I think And Justice For All is the height of the original vision of Metallica. It's cool when a band shifts, but I agree with all old school Metallica fans, that if you want to make that dramatic a shift do it in a different band, call it something else.