The Difference Between A Real Fan And A Fake Fan?
Fake fan? Probably.
Metal fans come in all sorts of forms from the people that look-the-look to the people that you would never expect to be a fan of metal. That’s what is great about us is that you can’t just peg all of us with being a metal fan simply by appearances, not that there is anything wrong with that.
So when you’re a fan of a band is there really a difference between a real fan and a fake fan? We all have seen some celebrities like Miley Cyrus wearing an Iron Maiden shirt and we all know that she probably isn’t really a Maiden fan. What about the people that are legit fans but don’t know all the words to a lot of the songs or do not know exactly what song is on what album? Does that make them a fake fan?
What about when a fan doesn’t care for a particular record or other work from a member of that band. Does that make them a fake fan? I was a Metallica fan for years before they started making music that I didn’t like. I hated what they had released and even rediculed and talked a lot of shit about them, yet I still consider myself a fan. Does that make me a fake fan?
Does a “real” fan always talk good about the bands that he is a fan of? Does a real fan feel that a band can do no wrong? I don’t call that a fan, I call that a fan-boy (or girl). Is there anything wrong with that? Not really, I suppose. You still have to draw a line somewhere and I think the line between a “Real” fan and a “Fake” fan in this context is pretty thick. If you’re a fan of a band then you’re a fan of a band, even if you’re not a hardcore fan like a Maggot or a Juggulo. But wait, there is a little more to this, right? That thick line is actually kind of thin and the title poser is right around the corner.
Now, if you like a band but only like a few of their songs because it’s trendy or that’s all that you like, then yes, you are a fake fan…but only if you say you’re a fan. Hell, I like the sound of some of Elton John’s songs, but I wouldn’t call myself a fan. I like a few glam metal songs and I certainly wouldn’t call myself a fan of any of those bands. Even if I was, I would probably deny it!
It’s okay to be a critic of a band you’re a fan of. It’s okay to NOT buy a record of theirs that you don’t like. It’s even okay to talk shit about them if they continue to churn out bad music. If they do release another good album, you better praise them and maybe even kiss their ass a little to make up for the trash you talked before. You’re not a fake fan; you’re an honest fan. If you and other fans don’t complain, then they’ll continue to make shitty music.
But seriously; to you, what makes a fan a “real” or a “fake”?
Posted in Rants And Writings | 
Tags: Fake Metal Fans, Iron Maiden, Miley Cyrus, posers, Real Metal Fans
3 Responses to “The Difference Between A Real Fan And A Fake Fan?”
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I’d say that you are a fan if you consider yourself one, and if you listen to more than 5 songs from the band (even when you arn’t around other people)
For instance, i would doubt that the chick above has ever listened to more than one song by maiden. but who can tell?
A fan for me is someone who has a relationship with a band, like a good friendship which continues even when one of them (fan or band) is missing… For example, I’m still a Pantera & Sepultura fan.
For a fan the music is a part of his life and when he listen the songs, events are remembered from many years ago… Like when I listen the albums Ten, Nevermind or The Mob Rules and still make me smile.
A fan can identify his mood in their lyrics, can miss one or two of their albums but when he meets them again it’s like not even a single day has passed because he recognizes the music and he says something like: “they still have it”… like Scott listening to Megadeth.
theres a diffence between a fan and a fanatic. i would consider myself a fan of almost all the big metal bands out there, and quite a few of the smaller ones, but only a few have i bought entire albums or shirts or paid lots to see