From Buzznet: Why we love Metro Station, Paramore, We The Kings, All Time Low and Paramore?

This post didn't get featured on the site but I love it like one of my babies. Some internet troll decided to release some blogs on why she hated a lot of popular bands. I retaliated with an opinion via blog. I also dissected the appeal of persona as a factor into band popularity.

Meet Amanda:


Through poorly worded criticism, hollow arguments and disrespectful slander of specific band members (though I will note that she does give ATL the courtesy of insulting the entire band in their underwear), Amanda lets the interweb know just how much she passionately hates the bands that "we" all love. I got tired of all the "you hate them well, I hate you and you don't know what you're talking about you fat ugly bitch!" responses on YouTube and decided to ask myself, why do we love them? I mean really.

Notice I say "we." I'm not writing this because I don't like pop music. I do. Pop music saved my life, after all. All I really listen to myself by choice is Pop, though I do venture into other genres, I'm definitely gonna pick a We the Kings over an Iron Maiden.  I'm the first to raise my hand and profess my love for Metro Station, We The Kings, All Time Low, Paramore, FTSK, Danger Radio, The Academy Is... etc. etc. etc. But I also have a belief that when you strip it all down, it's really just the same music made by different people.

I'm totally okay with that.

Before you shut me down, allow me to explain how it's all the same to me:

• The words may be different, but the subject matter is the same. Relationships, emotions, parties, occasional random songs about random stuff, bitches and ho's bitches and ho's (lulz)
  
• Fundamentally, music is predictable. Especially in the pop/rock genre, (thank you John, Paul, George and Ringo!) same chord progressions, same instruments, same song structures.
  
• Same genre = same sound. There's a reason why genres exist. It's a good chance if you like one pop/rock band, you'll like others. Because being in the same genre means they sound same/similar. Humans enjoy classifying things. Labels, categories, stereotypes, you name it. In the negative connotation, call it pigeon-holing. But really, we're just lazy sons of bitches and like making things easy to find. 
• The chemistry of a band is formulaic. Goes all the way back to the boy band phenomena circa late 90's (Remember 2Ge+her?). Only this time you need instruments and attitude instead of sweet dance moves (though sweet dance moves are greatly appreciated). ie. relatively good looking lead member, crazy/goofy member, quiet/shy/elusive member, etc. etc.
  

So I'm thinking that the music is somewhat secondary when we decide which bands to love above the rest. I mean really, I like songs by Coldplay, but that doesn't make me put on a Coldplay t-shirt in the morning and save my babysitting money to buy a ticket to their concert. There must be something else causing us to buy their merch, listen to their songs, and generally, give a crap about them and what they do.

So what is it? Here's what I think. And I'll let my response to Amanda's lovely video do the talking:

kissth3cheek (22 hours ago)
kudos on being opinionated. but i really wish your reason for hating wasnt 99% based on their looks and the fact that everyone loves them. so the music isn't your taste but consider that a huge part of why they are widely loved is because these bands take time to let their fans get to know them. blogs, videos, etc. and 95% of a love for these bands has to do with their live shows and meet and greets. there's nothing like it, especially when you get up close and personal in the small venues.

It's persona.

persona (n.) - a person's perceived or evident personality, as that of a well-known official, actor, or celebrity; personal image; public role (- dictionary.com)

The personality that these bands present through youtube videos, blogging, performing on stage, meeting them and having real conversation with them, and even a twitter or a buzznet profile are all reasons why our love for these bands grow. It may not be the case, but they present themselves as accessible humans that we honestly all just wanna be best friends with, and through these avenues (and their music) we sometimes feel like we are. It seems like the only thing really separating us from them is that they're the ones on the stage and we're the ones watching.

My number one example of this idea of accessibility is Pete Wentz from Fall Out Boy. (For the record, I have a tremendous respect for him. That is slowly growing to a like/admiration.) The internet is his weapon and he can access tons of fans with the click of a mouse or a send of a text message. As a result many people have taken interest in what the dude has to say. They buy his clothes, listen to his music, listen to the music he promotes, they show up at his bar, hell they show up wherever the hell he tells them to, and even are influenced by his political views. But nonetheless, he's just a dude. A dude in a band. The internet is what helped him turn it in to more.

...Oh, that and the infamous p33n shot. (Pfsh, no link there! Just google it you sickos!)



Persona, Pop music, Pete's p33n? Y/N? Thoughts?