Again working the pic angle, on my way to the Bamboozle
So many bands I love but it's your anti-fans that I want to punch in the head.
Add that to the urban dictionary I guess kids, I made a new word.
Anti-fan: A fan of a band or act that purposely works to selfishly sabotage, stunt growth, and suffocate publicity extinguishing any spark of luck that will help a band or act become bigger, more well known. To hope a band stays small to be more accessible to you for pictures, stalking, and other activities after the show.
Just when I think there is hope for the music community and people out there are working toward the same goal, helping their favorite acts become bigger- I start seeing people out there in the word shooting down others ideas and suggestions to help bands have growth. I value my chance to talk to bands as much as the next person, but we have to remember this is a JOB for them. To keep their job in an uncertain economy, an independently promoted artist needs to keep their name out there, to take any opportunity they have to make themselves bigger. This is where the anti-fans comes in complaining that they are "selling out", that "stupid new fans will like them", that "there is more competition for show tickets and attention", that "they are no longer ours", that "they are on the radio."
If you really appreciate a band, you would want the best for them. You would want them to make money. Most people have no idea how much money goes into putting on a tour. Into making that cozy little t-shirt you are wearing. Into tirelessly promoting themselves. Bands need your help, not "fans" jumping in the way and preventing their success. If you love them, you have to let them out of the nest and grow.
It may mean less home shows or crowded shows. It may mean people you think are posers wearing the merchandise and mis-singing the lyrics to all your favorite songs, but that is life. We have to accept these things.
Do you want the band you love to continue making a living? Do you want the band to be able to support themselves and keep going? Then you have to stop standing in the way of their success with this nonsense already. Use your resources to help promote, to repost blogs, to ask radio stations to play the songs, to recruit new fans. You owe it to these acts for all they have done to write the songs that provide you comfort.
So are we done anti-fans?
Here is hoping.
*Proceeds from this Chicago Indie Music Examiner article benefit the Kill Hannah band relief fund. FOr information and to donate click here.
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