'High Fidelity' Do You Belong To A Sub-culture?

[Guest]

Have you seen the John Cussack film, 'High Fidelity' (based on Nick Hornby's novel)? It's just new out to rent on video here so I guess it's been out in the States for a while.

I just found it really funny 'cause it's about my friends and I. It's got a different story to ours (John Cussack gets laid more than any of us ever did. lol) and they're in Chicago, we're in the South of Scotland (although two of my pals have since moved to Amsterdam). But, apart from the surface differences, the kinds of characters in it are very recognisable to me: what in the UK we call "indie trainspotters" ("indie" short for independent as in bands not signed to a major label). "Indie trainspotters" never buy CDs - only the original vinyl. Low Fidelity or "lo-fi" recordings (hisses, scratches, noise and cheap home-recording equipment) are seen as far cooler than the big budget commercial recordings. If you like a band, you've got to have liked them since the demo tape before they even got signed up and anyone else had heard of them. We're the kind of people who spend hours discussing what the best part in the subtitled French comedy 'Delicatessen' was. Pretentious? Moi? Of course. It really matters to us whether you prefer The Jesus And Mary Chain or Sonic Youth. And, if you're sitting there thinking "Who?", EXACTLY! That's the point. It's elitism of the highest order. We're weirdo outsiders. You never picked us to play in the football team in highschool, so you're not getting to join our little club now. (And when you're out of earshot we'll laugh at you for having a mullet hairdo.)

In the US the equivalent of "indie trainspotters" are all those pasty-faced Generation-X alternative music fans that came out of the woodwork with grunge music but there is always a huge doses of elitism and snobbery thrown into the mix too. These people would openly snear at you for having something as obvious as a Nirvana album in your collection - "Don't you even KNOW they just ripped off The Pixies?". (Of course, at home they'll have exactly the same record hidden at the back of their collection). They would think you were terribly uncool for liking Green Day rather than the '70s Ulster punk band, Stiff Little Fingers (there's even a scene in the film all about that).

So, that film made me laugh 'cause it's the first mainstream American movie I've seen that really captured the spirit of this little insular sub-culture of 20-30 Somethings. There are a lot of low budget American films - eg 'Clerks' and 'Chasing Amy' - about the same kinds of characters but this was the first mainstream film (it's a romantic comedy) that seemed to hit the nail right on the head. ('Singles' and 'Reality Bites' were a bit more "Hollywood".)

Anyway, do any of you belong to a little sub-culture that isn't represented in mainstream films or tv? (I guess you could think of the women and men who visit an erotic bulletin board like Lit as one hidden group that mainstream culture has't tapped into.) How does your group behave? What are the rules and regulations? How can I join your little sub-culture if my gang ever throw me out for liking Pink Floyd (even AFTER Syd Barret left!!!!)?

 

[Guest]

Back to the top of the page, little fella.

 

[Ambrosious]

Subculture

I could tell ya', but I would have to kill ya', unless you happen to know the secret handshake.

 

[Guest]

It's this one, isn't it? *flamboyant high-5 and nipple-tweak*

Ah, shit, no - I think that might be the masons.

 

[Guest]

Up you go.

 

[Madame Pandora]

Roger...

If a few of us respond to this...will you stop shoving it to the top? LOL.

Yes, I have friends just like you. Can't stand a movie distributed by a major company. Can't listen to a bad who has ever played for an audience over 100 people.

I also have friends who thought ID4 was the best movie ever made and couldn't understand how it didn't win an Oscar for Best Picture.

I am lucky to be able to "pose" enough to enjoy the company of both types.

With both groups, there is, ironically, the same mentality. You either "get the joke" or you don't, and if you get the joke, you're in. And both groups think the other is dying to get into the other, when really, they could care less.

Reindeer games only matter to the right kind of reindeer ;-).

Tell you what, my "hi-fi" type friends have turned me on to some of the best movies and music...and I love it. But, it doesn't stop me from owning Xanadu ;-)

MP

 

[KillerMuffin]

I like Metallica. That should tell you all. Though, most of my faves in the movie department did that released straight to video thing. I still don't know why Brainsmasher never swept the oscars. It was an awesome film.

Of course, I also like Pantera, Anthrax, Sawyer Brown, ACDC, Yanni, Meredith Brooks, and Sass Jordan...

I have vinyl. It's the original album from Poison, the one that was banned and features a rather devilish looking chick named bambi. They recovered most of it with black. Don't remember the name of it. Oh yeah, the stud has the full collection of Johnny Horton and Ray Stevens on vinyl. Does that make him retro ubercool or what?

 

[CreamyLady]

I can't stand it. I've been dying to say this ever since I read Roger's post.

I am a subculture of one. While others may be tangent to my various interests, no one intersects them all.

My favorite movie is probably Aria. How many others have seen it?

As for vinyl, I have a rather large collection of classical works. None sounds particularly better on vinyl than on CD, and I'm replacing only those I really liked in the first place.

I suppose in that instance I touch the subculture of Philistines.

 

[Guest]

Sorry this post is so long....

I like Metallica..... Of course, I also like Pantera, Anthrax, Sawyer Brown, ACDC, Yanni, Meredith Brooks, and Sass Jordan...

Aha, yes! Another little sub-culture - rock/metal. The indie types and the metallers would kind of nod at each other in the pub like warriors from different tribes who don't have any quarrel with each other. Then both tribes would nod over at the Goths, sitting at their table with their inverted crucifixes and black mascara, downing pints of Black & Tan. LOL.

If a few of us respond to this...will you stop shoving it to the top? LOL.

I promise to try really hard.

I am lucky to be able to "pose" enough to enjoy the company of both types.

Actually, I think I kind of hover between the two as well. I love a lot of obscure bands - The Fall, PJ Harvey, Pixies, Sonic Youth, Pavement, Velvet Underground, Captain Beefheart etcetera - and sometimes I like reading "intellectual" books and watching subtitled European films but I probably spend more time watching things like 'Enemy Of The State' and discussing with my brother and friend Paul whether the Spice Girls were better before or after Ginger Spice left. (Obviously they were better before.) BTW, I never really got caught up in the whole vinyl only thing. I usually listen to CDs but it is one of those little territorial things about this sub-culture.

I am a subculture of one.

I guess that's what it's about - expressing your individuality and personality through the things you like. Here's a quote from the film:

"A while back Dick, Barry and I agreed that what really matters is what you like not what you are like. Books, records, films - these things matter. Call me shallow. It's the fucking truth."

I suppose I felt like I was a bit of an outsider growing up where I did (the small Scottish village I moved to from Edinburgh when I was 10), so I guess after a period of time trying to fit in, I decided to enjoy the fact that I was "weird" - gravitating towards other eccentric people, strange bands, books, films etcetera which is why I'm most associated with those "indie trainspotters". But, at the same time, they don't fully express who I am, so I kind of hover between two worlds - the mainstream and the alternative - like Pandora, trying to carve my own path like Creamy Lady.

 

[stogie]

I'm a "Parrot head". We are a laid back group who listen to Jimmy Buffett music, love margaritas, loud hawaiian shirts and basically any thing that relates to relaxing in the hot sun on an island.

 

[Guest]

I don't know who Jimmy Buffet is, Stogie, but I keep reading the name on the BB. Is he a Country singer? (By the way is it pronounced Buff It or like a self-service food bar?)

I was listening to an excellent Willie Nelson song earlier (from the Outlaws album). It's all about being in a band and life on the road and I always have a chuckle when I hear it 'cause the singer in my band's called Paul.

ME AND PAUL
It's been rough in rocket travelling,
But I'm finally standing upright on the ground,
After taking several readings,
I'm surprised to find my mind still fairly sound,
I guess Nashville was the roughest,
But I know I said the same about them all,
We received our education, in the cities of the nation,
Me and Paul.

Almost busted in Loredo,
But for reasons that I'd rather not disclose,
If you're staying in a motel there...
And leave, just don't leave nothing in your clothes
At the airport in Milwawki
they refused to let us board the 'plane at all
They said we look suspicious
But I believe they like to pick on
Me and Paul

 

[KillerMuffin]

As a Metallica liker, I am sneered upon by my own little sub-culture. 'Tallica sold out to the man. Ask anyone. Specially since Lars and Co. helped spearhead the napster debacle.

I love headbangers, they're sooooo fucked up. They don't mind fucking to White Zombie either, a little quirk of mine that the StudMuffin hates to do. Zombie kills the wood, when he would get wood, not that it matters anymore.

 

[Guest]

As a Metallica liker, I am sneered upon by my own little sub-culture.

I guess it's when your personal taste clashes with what your peers are telling you you should like that you start looking into who you really are, not who your friends are.

They don't mind fucking to White Zombie either, a little quirk of mine that the StudMuffin hates to do. Zombie kills the wood

That's a tough one - having to synchronise your taste in Sex Soundz. I tell you what - having George Michael songs blaring at you from someone else's flat is a real passion killer. LOL.

 

[*Lazer*]

Do virgins count as a subculture? Although I was quite shocked to see that title next to my name. I suppose I will have to go to the trouble of finding another inept and immature clod to relieve me of my sexual burden. Oh well at least this time we could try a bed instead of the back of his van. Hello everyone.

 

[Sparky Kronkite]

I am......

My own sub-culture of one. And you can't get much more sub than that.

By the way dude - just got around to rip MP3's of my own original spew - but just haven't got the time to learn how to post them here. I figure I've got to "put them on the net" and then post them here, similar to a pic. That true? Any clues you can provide to make things easier - would be much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Never]

Anyway, do any of you belong to a little sub-culture that isn't represented in mainstream films or tv?
Yes, it's called the bourgeois...

How does your group behave?
We spend most of our life scraping along to live comfortably and chasing after a 'Leave it to Beaver', 'Norman Rockwell' type American dream, failing and then passing that dream onto our children.
In our spare time, we watch 'real' television like Dawsen's Creek, ER and Alley McBeal and wondering how something so 'real' isn't part of our reality at all.

What are the rules and regulations?
Maintain an income over poverty level, avoid the bohemians, and raise 2.7 children.

How can I join your little sub-culture if my gang ever throw me out for liking Pink Floyd (even AFTER Syd Barret left!!!!)?
You will.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Anyway, do any of you belong to a little sub-culture that isn't represented in mainstream films or tv?
Yes.

How does your group behave?
I don't know, I haven't met any of the others in R/L

What are the rules and regulations?
Oh dear...
Shelly Robert's RULES for the correct Lesbian
A lesbian drinks out of a glass. A dyke pops a top.
A lesbian buys real estate. A dyke rents.
A lesbian keeps stock in the safety deposit box. A dyke puts it back out on the
shelf.
A dyke on bike owns a Harley. A lesbian owns a Schwinn.
A dyke's tattos dont rub off. A lesbian's don't show.
A lesbian brunches. A dyke drives-through.
A lesbian has acquaintances. A dyke has buddies.
A dyke buys Playboy over the counter. A lesbian has a subscription.
None of a lesbian's earrings are made from parts in her tool box.
A lesbian drives a Porsche. A dyke commands a Camaro.
A lesbian has her ears pierced. A dyke always goes further. Way further.
A dyke can actually say the word dildo.
A lesbian can pass.
You can always tell a dyke. But not much.
A lesbian cooks. A dyke defrosts.
A dyke makes dinner. A lesbian makes reservations.
A lesbian entertains at home. A dyke has a regular stool.
A lesbian networks. And chats. A dyke shows up.
A lesbian serves canapes. A dyke feeds you from a can o'peas.
A dyke has a tool belt. A lesbian has a tooled belt.
A dyke will drink from the hose. A lesbian sprays Evian to set her makeup.
A dyke believes she looks good in an eight-dollar haircut.
A lesbian plays games. A dyke watches them.
A dyke plays softball. A lesbian plays hardball.
Or was it the other way around....?

How can I join your little sub-culture if my gang ever throw me out for liking Pink Floyd (even AFTER Syd Barret left!!!!)?
I think you could ask Gingersnap about that first - but if you want to.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Anyway, do any of you belong to a little sub-culture that isn't represented in mainstream films or tv?
Yes.

How does your group behave?
We read many comic books. Many, many, comic books

What are the rules and regulations?
Applicant must be able to present logical, and well-informed, arguments on whom in the JLA, X-men, or Avengers would win in a death match.
Applicant must be able to tell the difference between the work of Alex Ross, Frank Miller, Sean Chen and David Mack.
Applicant must be intimately familiar with the personality, history, powers, and various incarnations of any specific comic book character. Fanatic devotion to at least character is a perquisite including opinions on their clothing, depictions, and handling by various artist and writers. This is best if coupled with an unrealistic perception of the character. For Example: Batman could seduce everyone in the JLA if given proper time to prepare.
Applicant must be familiar with the major and iconic characters and events of his 'universe' or 'universes.' For Example: Kingdom Come, Crisis on Infinite Earth's, Hypertime, The Source.
Applicant will proudly carry the title of 'FanBoy'.
Applicant will flame and bomb in any interaction between themselves and a hated enemy writer or editor. For Example: Ms. Grayson have you noticed that as soon as you begin writing a book it FAILS? Perhaps because you're a WITLESS HACK who lacks even the remotest hint of talent?

How can I join your little sub-culture if my gang ever throw me out for liking Pink Floyd (even AFTER Syd Barret left!!!!)?
Do or do not. There is no try.


[Edited by Never on 01-29-2001 at 09:45 PM]

 

[stogie]

Roger Simian, it's pronounced Buff it. He use to be country and then went with a quasi white guy, Bob Marley sound. People either love him or don't get him. If you want to check out his music he has a radio station on the web, they play some of his and some of his favorites.
http://www.radiomargaritaville.com or his home site http://www.margaritaville.com Carefull you just may "get it"

 

[Guest]

Hello, *Lazer*. Welcome to Lit. I'm touched you chose this strand to announce your virginity. You're free to join the sub-culture of people who've posted on 'High Fidelity' Do You Belong To A Sub-culture?'. I'm working on badges and Burger King style hats.

***

Sparkster - I've never actually put any music on the net myself, yet, so I'm not too sure how it's done. I'll ask around, though. Xander and Laurel must have the answers 'cause the Great Dane's fine music is free to download directly from Lit's front pages.

***

Nevah - "Music makes the Bourgeoisie and the Rebel come together...". Not if the music's 'Sweet Caroline' by Neil Diamond, in my experience. That's the song our local Che Guevara-a-like chose to moon the wedding band on Sharon Pringle's special day last year.

So, anyway, can I join your comics club? I once interviewed Alan Grant (Judge Dredd, Batman: Shadow Of The Bat & Lobo writer) and I once sent a story to 2000AD. They sent me a very encouraging rejection slip. And, can Alexander Tzara join your Bourgeois Club? He's been talking about getting a set of golf clubs for months now (although he can't make it on Wednesdays. That's when the '30 Something' repeats are on). Oh yeah, and can Rachel P come to one of your lesbians & dykes bakesales? She's not really Sapphic as such but she has a couple of Susie Bright books somewhere and she once kissed a girl with tongues.

***

Stogie, I'm scared. Are you sure it won't hurt?

 

[stogie]

Just the hangovers. lol