By Chino C Patton
There is something in my life that some may think is small, but it is important. I'm here to ask you a question: How can something like this, considered so trivial by many, be such a big part of life? Well, I'm no expert but I like to think I understand something about life. And in my life, music is a big part. It's the emotion, the excitement, and the energy of life. It may cause pain, anger, sadness, joy, or any one of a myriad of feelings. All these emotions are healthy and normal! It helps with coping, and helps you solve problems that you can't deal with. It brings back old memories both good and bad. Maybe it doesn't do this for you, that's fine, but I cant help but wonder how you have lived without discovering this very powerful creative tool.
Life is about doing the best you can with what you have. The hard times, as well as the good times, help make a life interesting. To me music is not only a passion, but also a release from everyday life. Some people become addicted to drugs, or alcohol, or something else in order to block out their problems, or to escape to fantasy. My addiction is just listening to one of my favorite artists. There is no greater thrill than music! Any kind. For me it's rock music. For you it might be country, or classical. However, I have a problem with music today. It seems to be only about popularity, about getting your name out, and being the most outrageous crazy group around. To me these things don't mean anything. Stage antics don't mean you have any original creativity or talent. In order for me to listen to a band, I have to understand what they're about, and believe in them. They have to stand out, not necessarily be well known, but give out a strong powerful message. They don't have to be the meanest, loudest, or toughest band around. Many bands give off this vibe and end up just being a bunch of cocky, show offs who think they know everything.
So what do I look for in a band? I look for good, solid lyrics in their songs. If they're just talking about killing people, or having sex, then I say it's trash. There's no meaning behind that. It's just anger and lust. Who wants to listen to about how this guy wants to kill this other guy because he did something to his girlfriend? Who cares? That's where it becomes noise instead of music. I don't care what the rhythm is like, but you personally should in some way be able to relate to the lyrics.
There is another thing that bugs me about music today. I think that it's a shame that there are many good, talented bands who don't 'make it' because all these other bands are hogging the entire spotlight. There are many bands I haven't heard of (and probably never will) that are good, but it just won't get the proper boost. A few not necessarily talented bands dominate mainstream music. Much of it is just about money and fame. Selling an image or a way of thinking to make profit is the shameful side of business. To be part of a trend or style is too important to many people. Social acceptance is too important to many people. Why do we feel like we must always be part of a group? Why is different wrong? And who decides what is different, anyway? That's where the whole mainstream philosophy crumbles.
Maybe we should take more time deciding who's got the talent and who's just a joke. Why don't we spend less thought on the bands with stage shows and outrageous make up? Let's ask a better question to these rising bands: do you have what it takes? An outrageous stage act may be entertainment, but it doesn't make a good rock band.
