Unwanted evangelism

Two times

A very good friend who I've known since childhood was once embarrassingly enthusiastic about the talents of one Celine Dion in the local Virgin Megastore, adding "isn't she?" to the end of each sentence. I had to be nice - she's my friend for many reasons that far outweigh her taste in music - so I agreed with her and I think I said she had quite a good voice or something. Then I realised the rather tasty lad behind the counter was listening to our conversation. I was not 'in there'.

Actually, very recently, an American chap was trying to persuade me that I really, really must buy the Samples' first album. I didn't want to rush out and a CD on the recommendation of somebody who bows before the throne of Hootie, so if anyone wants to confirm my suspicions that it wouldn't remain on my stereo for longer than 5 minutes, please do.

Luptune is stuck in the 80's arena hair metal genre (etc.) so I put up with long conversations about bands but i just like the history. I have borrowed a few cd's but it all sounds the same after awhile. eh.

I've been forced to watch early-70s-era Frank Zappa videos at 3am. Bearded men who look like H.R. PufnStuf rejects just noodling on and on and on. Zappa's witticisms are much more sinister when you see his delivery. He really looked like an angry unhappy man. Scary.

On a more personally frustrating note, I've been proselytizing dance music to my friends - ANY kind of dance music - but preferably house and techno :) - for some time now and meeting with a stunning lack of success. Not wanting to shell out $20 to hear music they don't like anyway on a top soundsystem is the major problem i think.

We Americans do cling to our rock n roll it as well. There are so many reasons I can't begin to sort it all out but I think it may have to do with a) gender stuff i.e. dance music being "for girls" or "gay" b) authenticity stuff i.e. if it ain't comin out of a marshall stack i ain't listenin c) severe laziness.

My sister is still trying to convince me that the Clash is greatest band ever. I don't hate them, but I really would be quite happy to never have to hear another one of their songs again.

i work with loads of people who are not yet convinced that it is possible for me to hate Dave Matthews as much as i do so they insist on playing his records daily just in case i missed something.

Tracer I feel for you on both counts (but esp. the Zappa thing, you know they used to call that sort of thing torture. ;)

Now most of the times I used to do the evangelising but I'm fairly unsuccesful (except with Kruder & Dorfmeister, Air and Daft Punk). The other way around? I had a friend who would go on & on about Jane's Addiction, but he was right, so. :) Most of my friends went into Big Beat for awhile so I had to hear sermons on the Joy of ChemicalFatboyProppelerfart. Some Joy Division here and there.

But nothing like the unsuccesful attempts by certain Smiths fans on Classic & Dud ;)

I'm a singularly poor evangelist because I get really embarassed when people buy things after I've said so, and start thinking oh god, what if I'm wrong and it's awful. Also every time I have ever got anyone anything as a present they have entered the "No no thankyou really I like it" phase so it must, in fact, be rubbish.

I remember sitting patiently for what seemed like hours while someone at school explained that look, the Smiths were rubbish and Dire Straits really were better and let me just play you Telegraph Road and listen to that tuning. I objected on lyrical grounds. No no but they have a song about war.

I love "Brothers In Arms" ;)

Coming from the last place in the Western World where prog rock is still all the fucking rage among young males, the most despicable proselytes are doubtless Rush fans. Neil Pearth, man, Neil Pearth. You know the drill, Tanya explained it all already.

Hopkins never convinced me about Big Flame and McCarthy, and he remained unmoved by my Meat Puppets and Yo La Tengo tendencies. No one else has ever dared try to talk me into liking anything. A hostile manner will get you everywhere in this life..

My problem is I often find it difficult to explain WHY something is great in a way that could make sense to someone else. Apart from friends whose taste I know pretty well (though may not necessarily agree with), I hardly ever recommend anything to anyone. I may say what I think of a record, but leave it up to them to get it. I never recommend something to a person with what I'd call a passing interest in music who buys say 10 CDs a year - lots of work colleagues for example. In my experience they don't accept the risk of trying something and not liking it. For them, the safety net of used CD trading doesn't exist.

What about the wanted evangelism stakes? I seem to spend half my life trying to get people to tell me why I should like their favourite bands. Eventually they hit me.

I suspect the problem is a more general one, pinefox.

Every mix tape Fred ever - EVER - gave me featured at least one Beach Boys song. Despite me telling him a good 15,000 times that I loathe the Beach Boys. That was fairly unsuccessful.

PS Fred can you please come and take your bloody Pet Sounds box set? I don't want my new roommate Ms. Dillon thinking I like the Beach Boys. Ever.

Hmm...if Fred never claims it, can I have it? ;-)

ha, i don't do this because i am so used to people not being into my stuff that i prefer it that way now. unsucessful campaigns lodged against me have included scott walker, new pornographers & the (!)beatles(!)

Tracer's HR Pufnstuf remark above is absolutely wonderful. (And I like Zappa!)

I don't usually bother proselytizing, except in print, because then there will be money involved. But I did come close to smacking a co-worker who was loudly hating on Steely Dan in my presence one day.

grateful dead fans, of course, are the worst. I had a roommate for a while who could always be counted on to ay "the dead do a killer version of this. maaaan, you gotta hear it", whenever any old country or r&b song was played.

Rush fans, close second.

Bands in which bald men shout, sweat and flex their neck muscles.

But the Smashing Pumpkins were great!

Exception that proves the... No, wait. They suck too.

i've had steely dan thrown on me a few times.

"listen to 'aja', it will do it". (said multiple times over the period of a few weeks) then it was 'the royal scam' that was supposed to win me over. do not want!

Listen to Katy Lied.

haha. no thanks.