About your fandom...

[Rob]

Follow-up question: To those who answered that PJ is not your favorite band, who is your favorite band(/artist)?

I think my actual favorite band is Built To Spill.

[Simple Torture]

Most people don't even have favorite bands anymore.

When my wife and I were on our honeymoon, we went to a teppanyaki place, and the very racist cook had us go around the table and tell everyone what our favorite band was. That question ranks up there with, "This weather, huh?" as my least favorite conversation filler. It's only worse when people answer with, "You know, I love every kind of music!"

i feel like you are leaving out a very important part of this story.

Sorry, I should have added: the food was pretty good! I usually don't like fish, but I tried the mahi-mahi and it was tasty.

[Kevin Davis]

Most people don't even have favorite bands anymore.

The concept of a "favorite band" does seem increasingly silly as one gets older -- it's easy to look back as an adult and see how my friends' and my adolescent obsessions with various alternative rock groups was kind of the male equivalent of girls hanging pictures of teeny-bopper heartthrobs up in their lockers. Especially in this era, not many musically inclined adults are terribly eager to reduce their tastes to a comically overwrought enthusiasm for a single artist -- even if the artist is "credible," that type of narrowly focused enthusiasm for anything suggests a forsaking of objectivity and tends to cause intellectually-minded folks to look on you as a bit of a dope.

But as someone who has always enjoyed reading "music writing," discussing music with friends, etc., for pretty much as long as I've been listening to it myself, I almost invariably find that listeners who have that kind of enthusiasm for one or a few artists tend to listen deeper, more honestly, and more passionately than folks who pride themselves on being completely subjectively detached from every new thing they hear. Just as the concept of "fanboy"-ism seems kind of childish and ridiculous, a world absent any trace of that kind of grosses me out; I like knowing that music still cuts through to people on unreasonable, non-intellectual planes of awareness. Not that forcing yourself to single out a "favorite" is necessary for this -- or really has any singular merit unto itself at all -- but, on a spectrum, I find people who tend that direction typically reflect back more interesting thoughts and "listener experience" than folks nearer the opposite end.

[Norah]

Most people don't even have favorite bands anymore.

The concept of a "favorite band" does seem increasingly silly as one gets older -- it's easy to look back as an adult and see how my friends' and my adolescent obsessions with various alternative rock groups was kind of the male equivalent of girls hanging pictures of teeny-bopper heartthrobs up in their lockers. Especially in this era, not many musically inclined adults are terribly eager to reduce their tastes to a comically overwrought enthusiasm for a single artist -- even if the artist is "credible," that type of narrowly focused enthusiasm for anything suggests a forsaking of objectivity and tends to cause intellectually-minded folks to look on you as a bit of a dope.

But as someone who has always enjoyed reading "music writing," discussing music with friends, etc., for pretty much as long as I've been listening to it myself, I almost invariably find that listeners who have that kind of enthusiasm for one or a few artists tend to listen deeper, more honestly, and more passionately than folks who pride themselves on being completely subjectively detached from every new thing they hear. Just as the concept of "fanboy"-ism seems kind of childish and ridiculous, a world absent any trace of that kind of grosses me out; I like knowing that music still cuts through to people on unreasonable, non-intellectual planes of awareness. Not that forcing yourself to single out a "favorite" is necessary for this -- or really has any singular merit unto itself at all -- but, on a spectrum, I find people who tend that direction typically reflect back more interesting thoughts and "listener experience" than folks nearer the opposite end.

Agreed 100%

[Thejambi]

Most people don't even have favorite bands anymore.

The concept of a "favorite band" does seem increasingly silly as one gets older -- it's easy to look back as an adult and see how my friends' and my adolescent obsessions with various alternative rock groups was kind of the male equivalent of girls hanging pictures of teeny-bopper heartthrobs up in their lockers. Especially in this era, not many musically inclined adults are terribly eager to reduce their tastes to a comically overwrought enthusiasm for a single artist -- even if the artist is "credible," that type of narrowly focused enthusiasm for anything suggests a forsaking of objectivity and tends to cause intellectually-minded folks to look on you as a bit of a dope.

But as someone who has always enjoyed reading "music writing," discussing music with friends, etc., for pretty much as long as I've been listening to it myself, I almost invariably find that listeners who have that kind of enthusiasm for one or a few artists tend to listen deeper, more honestly, and more passionately than folks who pride themselves on being completely subjectively detached from every new thing they hear. Just as the concept of "fanboy"-ism seems kind of childish and ridiculous, a world absent any trace of that kind of grosses me out; I like knowing that music still cuts through to people on unreasonable, non-intellectual planes of awareness. Not that forcing yourself to single out a "favorite" is necessary for this -- or really has any singular merit unto itself at all -- but, on a spectrum, I find people who tend that direction typically reflect back more interesting thoughts and "listener experience" than folks nearer the opposite end.

Agreed 100%

[epilogue]

Most people don't even have favorite bands anymore.

The concept of a "favorite band" does seem increasingly silly as one gets older -- it's easy to look back as an adult and see how my friends' and my adolescent obsessions with various alternative rock groups was kind of the male equivalent of girls hanging pictures of teeny-bopper heartthrobs up in their lockers. Especially in this era, not many musically inclined adults are terribly eager to reduce their tastes to a comically overwrought enthusiasm for a single artist -- even if the artist is "credible," that type of narrowly focused enthusiasm for anything suggests a forsaking of objectivity and tends to cause intellectually-minded folks to look on you as a bit of a dope.

But as someone who has always enjoyed reading "music writing," discussing music with friends, etc., for pretty much as long as I've been listening to it myself, I almost invariably find that listeners who have that kind of enthusiasm for one or a few artists tend to listen deeper, more honestly, and more passionately than folks who pride themselves on being completely subjectively detached from every new thing they hear. Just as the concept of "fanboy"-ism seems kind of childish and ridiculous, a world absent any trace of that kind of grosses me out; I like knowing that music still cuts through to people on unreasonable, non-intellectual planes of awareness. Not that forcing yourself to single out a "favorite" is necessary for this -- or really has any singular merit unto itself at all -- but, on a spectrum, I find people who tend that direction typically reflect back more interesting thoughts and "listener experience" than folks nearer the opposite end.

I can't help but feel like you're taking a shot at me. And then complimenting me. So I'm officially offended and thankful. Keep doing what you do, KD.

[Strat]

I have no issues with being 34 and obsessed with music and bands. It is my passion and it makes me happy. It fuels me. I am totally cool being obsessed over finding new bands, loving old bands, turning people on to the replacements, traveling for shows, meeting other link minded folks, spending way too much money on records. I love it.

[William Bloke]

Most people don't even have favorite bands anymore.

When my wife and I were on our honeymoon, we went to a teppanyaki place, and the very racist cook had us go around the table and tell everyone what our favorite band was. That question ranks up there with, "This weather, huh?" as my least favorite conversation filler. It's only worse when people answer with, "You know, I love every kind of music!"

I would much rather talk about the weather.

"5 Favourite Songs Of All Time" is a pretty standard question of mine. Best I don't invite you to a dinner party anytime soon.

I love KD's post there also. Once again saying stuff that I so much agree with yet had never actually thought before. I always feel smarter after you post - cheers for that.

PJ were certainly my favourite band and I get a lot of the same stuff as Burt there as well. I actually had the all time classic the other day with a mate coming to visit who plays in a band - we're having a few beers and he whips out his phone and takes over my sonos system and starts playing a crappy sounding live version of his band doing Nothingman followed by him skipping straight to a "red hot" version of Alive.

Did I mention this was at my house? Like, if I wanna listen to them I'd kinda prefer that Pearl Jam were playing the Pearl Jam I was listening to. My wife was gobsmacked.

These days there is so much stuff out there and available it's like a smorgasbord of musical goodness (and crapness of course). I tend to have small periods of mini-obsession with an artist or album and move on from there. I am absolutely obsessed with music, not so much with any one artist these days though.

If someone was to ask me the question though I'd likely say Endless Boogie, just because.

[stip]

Follow-up question: To those who answered that PJ is not your favorite band, who is your favorite band(/artist)?

Brad
Mad Season
The Rockfords
Poh and the 4 fathers
Temple of the Dog
Three Fish
RNDM
C average
The Who

that was a good answer that deserved some recognition

[Strat]

Thanks stip. I was kind of disappointed in the lack of respect.

[stip]

i still say pearl jam without reservation (hell, there's a riot act poster in my office), although they are not usually the music I'm listening to most at any given point in time. They've been with me for almost 25 years. There are moments when they feel as fresh as they ever did (usually when new material comes out, seeing a show, etc). But otherwise they're not usually the dominant thing on my playlist. How could they after that long? New things are more interesting. But I can't imagine another band coming along and meaning as much to me as pearl jam once did, or staying with me as long.

[Kevin Davis]

I would never insult you, dct. My post was intended more along the lines of: set it up so that the audience thinks the character is a sort of tragic fool, then pull the rug out from under them and reveal that this fool is actually the story's noble, misunderstood hero.

You are undoubtedly one of RM's heroes, friend.

[Jessica Fletcher]

I never answer with just one artist, even if the question specifically calls for just one, but sometimes I legitimately forget to include Pearl Jam.

Me: "I'm a huge Neil Young fan, I love classic country music. That's mostly what I listen to."

Person: "Oh, okay".

Me: "Yeah. Oh yeah I also love Pearl Jam and have seen them over 35 times."


...

[Fuzzcharger]

I've noticed that over the last 12-18 months I'm still listening to music every day but my appetite for music by new acts has almost completely diminished. I still buy new releases for that core group of bands that comprises my favourites but I rarely see a new artist and care enough to spend my money on them. I seem to have narrowed my tastes down to 60's and 90's reissues or new releases by those bands that are linked to that 60's and 90's like their solo records etc. I've definitely lost the 'desire' to absorb new stuff.

When ever PJ used to have a special release like the PJ20 book or a vault recording pre-order I'd drop everything and buy it immediately. I'm just as happy to spend $10 on a download or pick it up a few years later on sale. I'm glad I have the 1995 Constitution Hall vinyl, it looks nice but I've never actually been bothered to open and play it after listening to the download that came pre-delivery. I might as well save the shelf space.

[Jorge]

New things are more interesting.

This is a decidedly un-Stip sentiment

[Norah]

New things are more interesting.

This is a decidedly un-Stip sentiment

Hey, stip loves new Pearl Jam.

[Birds in Hell]

I've noticed that over the last 12-18 months I'm still listening to music every day but my appetite for music by new acts has almost completely diminished. I still buy new releases for that core group of bands that comprises my favourites but I rarely see a new artist and care enough to spend my money on them. I seem to have narrowed my tastes down to 60's and 90's reissues or new releases by those bands that are linked to that 60's and 90's like their solo records etc. I've definitely lost the 'desire' to absorb new stuff.

This is largely true for me too.

I'm still continually discovering music I haven't heard before but it's a lot more likely to be something that was first released in the 60s or 70s than 2015.

[BurtReynolds]

New things are more interesting.

This is a decidedly un-Stip sentiment

Hey, stip loves new Pearl Jam.

heh

[Lament]

The concept of a "favorite band" does seem increasingly silly as one gets older

I vehemently disagree with this sentiment. Just because you get older doesn't mean that all of the sudden there isn't an artist that does the things that connect with you better than other artists. If anything I'm more enthusiastic about my favorites at this point in my life than I was when I was 18 because it's a hell of a lot harder to write something that resonates with where I am in my life now than it was to do when I was just a pissed off teenager.

[Kevin Davis]

Lament, I think you've taken that line a bit out of context -- my point was never that, as you get older, all artists suddenly resonate with you on identical, unvarying wavelengths of intensity; my point was simply that the urgency to single out an individual "favorite band" to claim as your own, and the fawning idolatry that comes with the adolescent version of that concept, seems to evolve into a more practical "ecumenism" of sorts as people gain life experience and develop increasingly clearer senses of identity, less dependent upon links to external elements of culture. I'm not saying it's the case for everyone but generally I think it's valid. You'll notice I did go on to praise listeners capable of still listening with that kind of focused enthusiasm; like I said, I like knowing that music still has voodoo-like powers over people which are largely beyond their ability to control, and overall believe that those kinds of listeners have more to contribute to a conversation than those married to the perennially dull concept of "objectivity." You'll also notice that I singled out Pearl Jam as my favorite band without any hesitation, so clearly the concept of a "favorite band" is not lost on me, even as an adult, even if the nature of the term has evolved over time.