Critical Review #5: Weinstein 1991

Weinstein 1991: Ch. 4. "Digging the Music: Proud Pariahs."

In this piece, Weinstein looks into the metal scene by using almost all of the ethnographic methods we have talked about in class. He attempts to describe the scene without judgment, because he says that "critics and researchers reveal an unfortunate tendency to interpret the audience in terms of the supposed merits of the cultural form it appreciates." He does mention many times throughout the article that liking metal is not the "cool" thing. People do not do it to fit in.

One thing that Weinstein observes about the metal scene is the fact that community is very important. It's not enough to be a "weekend warrior". Long hair is important because it is not something a person can get rid of in order to fit in to society. People need a "permanent stigmata".

Another observation Weinstein makes is that although the scene is named after the music listened to, it is not its meaning. The scene would not like anything just because it is deemed "metal". The songs must fit a certain lifestyle and mythology in order for metal fans to like it because they hold a set of values that sets them apart from the dominant culture.

Weinstein then focuses on the four dominant traits within the metal scene; male, young, white, and blue collar. He states that boys like metal more than girls because it celebrates the qualities that they have when they are young. Girls are more likely to be given stricter rules growing up, while boys have a freer rein. However, when they grow up, they are held by stricter rules. I'm not sure how much I agree with this area, but at the same time, it does provide an explanation for why adults may not appreciate metal. Metal is not about following all of the rules. Blue collar is involved because those in the lower middle class, are usually most aware of their social standing and do not want to be associated with the blue collar stereotypes. By using this stereotype, the middle class young fans can rebel against their parents and be everything their parents do not want to portray.

Next, Weinstein looks at "the music itself" by stressing the importance of the guitar riffs, followed by the lyrics, and meanings of songs. The guitarist is of the utmost importance to the bands.

An interesting point brought up in this article is why headbanging was invented. The metal scene could not redefine dancing as the punks did, and normally dancing is associated with sex in the Western world. As mentioned earlier, since the scene is heavily male dominated, dancing would not fit the heterosexual lifestyle it stresses. Therefore, headbanging is a form of dancing that the community can partake in, without being sexual at all.

Finally, Weinstein stresses that metal is not a passing fad. It has been around for awhile, because there will always be people on the outside of the mainstream who want to form a community of their own. The music of metal has been chosen to be a part of this community, due to the values they share. This music is not fun for many to listen to, it is loud, it can be grating, it is hard to dance to; the mainstream will not accept it. Therefore, those who want to be a part of this subculture, which stresses its differences from the rest, will always have a place to turn.

Discussion Question: Why are headbangers known to be so homophobic?