Fashion: the evil, illegitimate spawn of music

Many of you are very much like me in one outstanding way — we live for the love of music…. Many of you are very much like me in one outstanding way — we live for the love of music. We breathe it, we feel it, and we’re busy looking for the next original thing. But while the usual “I’m more indie than you” pretentiousness occurs, when, and why the hell, did fashion enter the equation?

You know what I’m talking about — the pants, the shoes, the glasses; it just goes on and on. There was a time in high school where fashion fads were important to keep an eye on. I fortunately never found out the point of that and kind of developed my own style. This included the following: a band shirt, jeans, comfortable shoes and a hoodie or a jacket. My backpack had pins of bands I liked and promoted. I wore glasses because they were a necessity starting when I was six years old and because I couldn’t get contacts at the time.

Today, there’s a problem. You see, even back then, I was listening to music that was different — and, to me, better — than what most people listen to today (insert cheesy laughter here). But it seems that the more people find their way into the style of music I like, the more I notice that they have to copycat and try to one-up each other in the fashion world. If you’re jockeying for the elitist music position — which is absurd anyhow — why should you throw how you dress into the mix? It’s like saying, “I’m a better doctor than you because I wear Armani.” I just don’t get it.

Music isn’t about the clothes you wear; it’s about enjoying what you listen to. Unfortunately, the emphasis on clothing has spiraled out of control. Our college music scene now revolves around who has the best haircuts and uses the best hair-care products, buying shoes that cost more than guitars and wearing glasses that are meant to look chic rather than to correct vision impairment.

When I got into the hardcore scene many years ago, it was because I was tired of having to wear the latest Abercrombie and Fitch clothing and listening to over-hyped and useless bands. I found an area that cared about unity and having a good time. Thankfully, I jumped that sinking ship, and it has also now seen fashion take over. I guess I’ll just stick to my “obscure” space rock and dress like I always have.

I hate being the type of person who would say, “I’m a bigger fan of so-and-so than you because I’ve listened to them longer.” But seriously., why has this love of music devolved into a fashion war? I notice preppy kids I went to high school with who had a radical change in their taste of music, which automatically made them dress like every other indie/emo/punk kid out there. It’s sickening. I can’t be at an indie rock show without hearing people talking about each other’s haircuts or $120 Doc Martens or whatever. Well, hello there, my shoes cost me $10 and I wear a shirt from Goodwill because I’m poor, not because someone said that’s what’s cool.

Wasn’t the whole point of independent music about doing things for yourself and not giving a damn about anyone else’s opinion? It seems that everyone likes to follow each other’s opinions. It’s a sad, sad world, but what are you going to do? By no means am I saying that you should totally abandon all your clothing and run about the streets naked — although you can if you wish. It’s just the fact that music is decaying into another corporate-driven sham — dressing “indie” or “emo” — and I’m sick and tired of it.

Next time you see me on the street, please don’t comment about how you like or hate my shoes/shirt/pants/glasses or whatever accessory. It’s something I really don’t care about, and nothing you should concern yourself with.