Assignment 1-3-6

METAL THEORIES

            Many of the theories discussed in the HUMN240 Popular Culture class apply directly to the metal music industry. Two of the most obvious and significant theories that apply to metal are the ritual and stereotype/myth theories. The stereotypes that surround the metal scene are so blatant and basically are the common belief of everyone outside of the metal music scene. The most common (and dangerous) stereotype of the metal genre is that the music itself and evokes acts of violence or criminal behavior from the fan base. The myth that metal music is only for male audiences is also pertinent and as equally ludicrous as the violence stereotype. Also very widespread in the metal scene is the ritual of mosh pits. The mosh pit began in the the early 1980s heavy metal scene and the phrase “mash”, pronounced as mash, was coined by the band Bad Brains when they used the term to incite the behavior known as moshing as live performances in the early 1980s (Riches, 2011).

One of the most interesting things that I found in my research of metal music and popular culture theories related to the theory of rituals. The most common ritual of metal music are the “horns” that the fans and musicians make with their pinky and forefinger and hold in the air during the playing of the metal music. This tradition started in 1979 when Ronnie James Dio of Black Sabbath began using the symbol that he had seen his Italian grandmother use to ward off evil (Appleford, 2004). Ronnie did this because the former lead singer of Black sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne, always ended shows by displaying the peace sign with his fingers and Ronnie wanted to do something similar to identify with their audience.

            I will think slightly different of the metal genre and the way it relates to my life after the research I have conducted for this class. Mostly, I will think differently because of the formula assignment and me figuring out the formula for success in the metal industry. By applying the formula to my life, I can create a successful business in the metal industry, an industry in which I love and have many important connections. I can develop a business plan to create a metal bar that “breaks all the rules” and attract the local fans of the industry.

REFERENCES

Appleford, Steve (September 9, 2004). "Odyssey of the Devil Horns". Los Angeles City Beat. Retrieved from http://web.archive.org/web/20071122030548/http:// www.lacitybeat.com/article.php?id=1216&IssueNum=66

Riches, G. (2011). Embracing the Chaos: Mosh Pits, Extreme Metal Music and Liminality. Journal For Cultural Research, 15(3), 315-332. doi:10.1080/14797585.2011.594588. Retrieved from EbscoHost