The angry hipster death glare

[ledererk]

I've been to lots of shows at the 930 recently, ranging from Keane to Futureheads to Interpol (I will acknowledge right now that my tastes are hopelessly mainstream, don't bother to flame me) and an annoying thing I have noticed is the large number of really angry bitter-seeming people at shows.  Especially the people who stand, motionless and humorless, up against the balcony rail, glaring down at everyone beneath who might dare to have fun, smile, or god forbid do a little mild head-bopping to the music.  They will not laugh, move, sing along, or often even applaud the band.  They seem to actually hate the band.  But then why did they pay 30 bucks to see them?  
 
 It seems like there are a lot of hostile angry people posting on this board as well...and I can't help but imagine that they are the same people.  As a lifelong music lover and concert goer, I say, lighten up!  Isn't the point of going to a show to have fun and ENJOY the music?  Do you really get any pleasure out of angrily standing there thinking about how much cooler you are than everyone else and how you hate anyone who actually came because they enjoy the band and enjoy listening to music?  Fortunately, there are usually lots of other, sane people having fun and not fixing everyone with the Angry Hipster Death Glare, making the experience much more fun for everyone.  Anyway, I know this posting won't change anyone's behavior, and that most of the "I refuse to smile, ever!" people are probably under 23 and still think that having rigidly enforced obscure music taste and hating "poseurs" who dare to occasionally shop at the Gap is the one thing that gives their lives meaning.  I'm just sorry for them.  Because I'm sure we could get along and have some things in common if they wouldn't snarl and curl their lips every time I make the mistake of smiling at one of them.  But I guess I'm just too uncool to understand...
 
 And yeah, I've never posted here before, so go ahead and yell at me for not having a right to post, being an outsider, knowing nothing about music or life in general, etc.
 
 Cheers.

[filthypit]

no, they were just angry because they payed good $$ for a suck-ass band like interpol

[Sailor Ripley]

It seems like there are a lot of hostile angry people posting on this board as well...and I can't help but imagine that they are the same people. As a lifelong music lover and concert goer, I say, lighten up! Isn't the point of going to a show to have fun and ENJOY the music?  

Everyone enjoys things in their own way.  Why do you care if they aren't smiling?
 
 You actually sound like the angry one. And for a pretty foolish reason it seems.
 
 Of course, it could just be your selection of shows that brings out these fans...

[kosmo vinyl]

forgive the regulars we are really inbred at this point... and if all the regulars i've ever meet are nice, well execpt for O'Mankie he's just drinking bitter...

[Sailor Ripley]

If the "kml" in your user name means what I think it does, it sums things up even better than your choice in music.

[kosmo vinyl]

besides we've gone over this DC audiences sucks topic time and time again.  some people like to dance and have fun, some like to soak in the vibe, some are tired but still excited to be at the show... every city moans about it's scene...  
 
 just be thankful that artists REALLY appreciate playing the 9:30 club because they get treated so well there.  it's professional run, dressing rooms are clean, etc.
 
 sure it would be great if audiences were like the one i saw in the White Stripes Blackpool concert film, madly pogoing away for the hits.  yet, someone would then complain about that....
 
 and oh yeah welcome to the board, stay get to know that the bitterness is for the most part people venting because maybe they are having a crappy day at work.  call us douchebags and all hell breaks loose...

[Bags]

Originally posted by kmldc:
  I've been to lots of shows at the 930 recently, ranging from Keane to Futureheads to Interpol (I will acknowledge right now that my tastes are hopelessly mainstream, don't bother to flame me)  

I love how you just completely disarmed the naysayers.  
 
 I know of what you speak, having been to so many shows in D.C.  I've maintained before that it's not a DC thing, but an indie music thing.  Whatever, that's probably me being defensive.
 
 There are a few of us here who hop and bop and smile and really enjoy most shows in a pretty demonstrable way.  Luckily nearly all of my friends do.  I also know some boardies who are definitely enjoying the show, but still prefer the "standing still" pose.  But those (usually) guys, who stand so stock still and proudly defiant of any emotional 'leakage' -- I don't know what their stories are.  Still, there've been several great and enthusiastic audiences at the 9:30 Club -- I thought Interpol was actually pretty hopping (I think the folks up at the balcony rail are overly concerned with losing ground at their primo spot -- it's nearly always more lively downstairs, middle placement and forward...).
 
 So what is KML supposed to stand for?  (I tend to be extremely ignorant of...well, sometimes even obvious XstuffX.)

[Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer]

Well said, Kosmo.
 
 I always find it laughable when people complain about an audience "just standing there." We're the paying audience, we should do what we feel, as long as it's not hurting others. I don't get up and dance at the movies, or at baseball games, and don't feel the need to dance or prance around at a concert.
 
 I usually laugh at the people (badly) dancing, but it's certainly their right to dance, as long as they're not crashing into innoncent bystanders, spilling beer on them, or burning them with a cigarette.
 
 
 

Originally posted by kosmo vinyl:
  besides we've gone over this DC audiences sucks topic time and time again.  some people like to dance and have fun, some like to soak in the vibe, some are tired but still excited to be at the show... every city moans about it's scene...  
 
 just be thankful that artists REALLY appreciate playing the 9:30 club because they get treated so well there.  it's professional run, dressing rooms are clean, etc.
 
 sure it would be great if audiences were like the one i saw in the White Stripes Blackpool concert film, madly pogoing away for the hits.  yet, someone would then complain about that....
 
 and oh yeah welcome to the board, stay get to know that the bitterness is for the most part people venting because maybe they are having a crappy day at work.  call us douchebags and all hell breaks loose...

[kosmo vinyl]

i don't buy the blame it indie music arguement one bit. did indie music suddenly make a segment of the concert going group dour?  was there not death glaring in the 60's or was that just being cool...

[ledererk]

KML is/are just my initials, which I assume is what the other guy was referring to in saying my handle was soooo lame.  Unless it also stands for some obscure band I was not aware of, in which case, please let me know.  Yeah, sorry I didn't spend hours frantically trying to think of a really profound and original screen name, I was more thinking of something I would be able to remember.  Yet another thing that makes me less cool than most of the angry hipsters, I know. I sympathize with not wanting to dance or not being a really "movey" type of person, I'm not either, and I know dancing ability is a special embarrassment for guys.  I don't have a problem with people standing still, it's more the angry glares in response to my polite/friendly smiles that are a pain in the arse.  I mean, I don't expect everyone to start screaming like idiotic fratboys, but they could just relax a tiny bit without relinquishing their hipness, I would think.
 
 Sad, because some of those hipster fellas are kind of cute, but so mean looking I would never dare to talk to them...I'm sure they see that as a blessing, as I might infect them with my horrifying yuppie tendencies.  Oh well.  Personally, I'm usually so happy to 1. not be at work, and 2. be out of the house, listening to music that I love, that even the sullen starers don't bother me all that much.  But I admire the less self conscious people a lot more, I have to say.  
 
 Now, to really piss people off, I'm going to close with a smiley face!
 
   

[ggw]

You don't really shop at the Gap, do you?
 
 
 Most of the Board members I have seen at shows are fairly active.  
 
 Markie jumps up and down like a little boy and frequently heckles.  
 
 Lulu makes googly eyes and blows kisses to all the squiffy-haired boys.
 
 Bags raises one hand over her head while swaying and woot-ing.
 
 Kosmo does a twirly dance when wearing his kilt.

[sonickteam2]

Originally posted by kmldc:
 
 It seems like there are a lot of hostile angry people posting on this board as well...and I can't help but imagine that they are the same people.

not true. if you saw me at a show, you would then come and post about some drunk guy pushing his way to the front and then bouncing up and down the whole show, smoking cigarettes, and going to get another beer every 15 minutes. you wouldnt be able to see over me and i wouldnt let you stand in front of me, cause i fucking hate you.  and its not cause I'm cooler than you, its because you wont say anything about it, til the next day on the messageboard.  

[ratioci nation]

I don't think people who actually think they are cool post on a chatboard, but thanks for making a bunch of assumptions about everybody here
 
 but since you have already made your mind up, I will  give you what you want:
 
 <what you were looking for>your taste in music fucking sucks, and it is not our fault you feel insecure so think everybody else is cooler than you</what you were looking for>
 
 ta ta

[kosmo vinyl]

honestly, it's the age of my body not embarassment that is the root cause of my lack of movement. but as one member can attest, the spirit in the form of Sloan can even move these tired old bones.

[sonickteam2]

Originally posted by kmldc:
   I don't have a problem with people standing still, it's more the angry glares in response to my polite/friendly smiles that are a pain in the arse.

have you thought maybe this is because you are incredibly ugly, or just perhaps overall creepy looking?