Give me a break…

I’ve always been made to feel guilty for the heroes I like and something that happened recently brought it all back. From my mother telling me that “it’s a man you know, under that dress” in the ’80’s, through to either total ignorance or hatred of a 90’s-2000 hero who I can’t even name it was so bad (and he was a straight man, not a gender bender) right up until today. I am more than aware a current hero doesn’t enamour everyone but when some people can’t stand to see his face or lyrics on the internet, and those were the last people who should ever have had that attitude, it’s a shock. Then the truth dawns on you as you realise all your favourite bands tore eachother apart in the end. That doesn’t help. So what are you supposed to do? Choose where your loyalties lie – which right now is the less painful option but still hurts like hell and makes me feel like shit. How did fans of The Beatles feel when John and Paul were slagging eachother off in the music press? I suppose it wasn’t that bad if you only listened to the music and didn’t get involved in the politics. This is two people who were responsible for some of the best music we’ve ever had. They were also total shits towards eachother, I can’t even think about it. And no doubt substances were involved, as in the case of the band I followed religiously in the 80’s who spectacularly fell apart. And I watched the headlines and in the end was so pissed off with them, grown men acting like they’re in the playground. The moral of the story is, do not become too attached to a band. Sometimes it’s really not worth it. I know this is in the ESP category but they’re one band I’m definitely not referring to or the fact ESP don’t have a label anymore. But as far as another situation goes there aren’t any eggshells left to step on. And for the record I think the lyrics of the hero in question are the best thing I’ve heard since Morrissey (some are quoted in my review below) I will never, can never and shall never be made to feel guilty for that. I am really proud to be a fan and really disgusted at some people’s attitudes towards him and I’m not talking about reviewers, that shit you can just forget about. It’s the people who should know better, who continue to harbour that kind of negativity. It’s pointless and I want no part in that nonsense. So, I’m a John Lennon/Thomas White/Electric Soft Parade fan and proud. Paul McCartney and all those others don’t mean that much to me. They did once, but there’s just too much negativity and bullshit.