The Rules of the Metal Book Club
In order of importance:
0) Don't be a dick. This is about the music, and not everyone has to share the same opinion. The surest way to get kicked from the party is to break rule 0. RESPECT. or WALK. Pantera yo. Agree to disagree, if you can't, go mosh somewhere else.
1) Everyone digs the what they dig. Don't hate because somebody doesn't like your favorite, or haven't heard of them. Metal is a wide open buffet of a million flavors, and not everyone likes all of it. Even some of the classics. Deal with it. See rule 0. This can be tested at times (Metallica vs Megadeth for example) but remember to breathe, and find SOMETHING to respect.
2) Don't pirate the music. They need to be paid. Borrow it from the library, borrow it from a friend, buy on the iTunes, Amazon borrow library has some, use Spotify, listen to them on Youtube or the radio, but don't be a Pirate. Unless your these guys.
3) Take turns. In my group, I set the agenda, but the selection, what we listen to and talk about, is rotated. And don't keep trying to push your favorite band. If everyone hated it last time, they probably won't dig it next time unless something big has changed.
4) Learn about the music. Understand the layers, the history, which ever, listen for the guitars, or the bass, or the drums, but drink deeply from the well of Metal. Take your listening to the next level. What did you like, what didn't you like, AND WHY. It will help you appreciate Metal for the amazing music it is, and it will help you communicate that love and the power of the music to others.
5) No violence EVER. If somebody is a being a huge tool (and they aren't these guys) don't invite them back. If you don't get invited back, don't be a dick back and hit them. Violence is never the answer. Unless it's for the cover for Vulgar Display of Power. Then, yeah, somebody's getting punched.
6) Come with an open mind. If your mind ain't open, then your ear can't be either. And you'll miss out. I've heard some new bands that have altered my thinking, I found a Kiss album I actually love, all because I had an open mind.
7) Host sets rules on booze, food and the like. And don't think that you need those, weed, or licking hypnotoads to have a good time. You want to spin around in your front yard until you fall down then talk about State of Euphoria, go nuts, but make sure it's cool with the host. Don't piss off the host. That's a break of rule 0. Don't break rule 0.
8) Don't do it to make money. If you have it at a coffee place, buy their stuff. You rent a space to do it, don't make the host always pay. As the host, don't charge a cover. Unless your going to provide massages, or play something live for them. This is about the love of the music. Take your love of money crap somewhere else.
9) Metal is loved by old, young, male, female, gay, straight, city, country, north, and south. Be inclusive. I shouldn't have to say this, but some people need the lesson. Chicks ROCK!! Like this one, this one and this one. But don't turn this into your dating service. This is about the music!
10) Start somewhere public, until everyone is on-board that everyone is cool. Don't share any more than you have to get this started. Trust isn't just an awesome Megadeth song, it's something that has to be earned. So follow rule 0 and get trusted. And give people time to prove they live rule 0 before you head to their pad. Just be safe people!
See the Kiss shot in #6? Is that a violation of rule 0? Nope, it's my opinion, and I understand how people can LOVE Kiss, but I am not one of them.
So RESPECT or WALK.
Now this is just my rules for my club, but I think they will work for yours. If you found a MBC in your area, make sure the rules are clear. Be upfront, be clear, and don't be all passive aggressive and crap just spell out the rules. Also, I'm not legally liable for anything if you follow my rules or not. I don't screen people, I don't do jack. I'm just a dude trying to pass along a good idea that worked for me. Your mileage may vary, so don't complain, don't violate rule 0 and don't hate on me if somebody does. If I controlled the universe I'd make it better for you, but if I controlled the universe, Iron Maiden would play a show for me once a month, VH3 would be erased from all our minds and Randy, Cliff and SRV would all still be alive. (Yes SRV isn't Metal, but damn I respect what he could get an axe to do!)
In order of importance:
0) Don't be a dick. This is about the music, and not everyone has to share the same opinion. The surest way to get kicked from the party is to break rule 0. RESPECT. or WALK. Pantera yo. Agree to disagree, if you can't, go mosh somewhere else.
1) Everyone digs the what they dig. Don't hate because somebody doesn't like your favorite, or haven't heard of them. Metal is a wide open buffet of a million flavors, and not everyone likes all of it. Even some of the classics. Deal with it. See rule 0. This can be tested at times (Metallica vs Megadeth for example) but remember to breathe, and find SOMETHING to respect.
2) Don't pirate the music. They need to be paid. Borrow it from the library, borrow it from a friend, buy on the iTunes, Amazon borrow library has some, use Spotify, listen to them on Youtube or the radio, but don't be a Pirate. Unless your these guys.
3) Take turns. In my group, I set the agenda, but the selection, what we listen to and talk about, is rotated. And don't keep trying to push your favorite band. If everyone hated it last time, they probably won't dig it next time unless something big has changed.
4) Learn about the music. Understand the layers, the history, which ever, listen for the guitars, or the bass, or the drums, but drink deeply from the well of Metal. Take your listening to the next level. What did you like, what didn't you like, AND WHY. It will help you appreciate Metal for the amazing music it is, and it will help you communicate that love and the power of the music to others.
5) No violence EVER. If somebody is a being a huge tool (and they aren't these guys) don't invite them back. If you don't get invited back, don't be a dick back and hit them. Violence is never the answer. Unless it's for the cover for Vulgar Display of Power. Then, yeah, somebody's getting punched.
6) Come with an open mind. If your mind ain't open, then your ear can't be either. And you'll miss out. I've heard some new bands that have altered my thinking, I found a Kiss album I actually love, all because I had an open mind.
7) Host sets rules on booze, food and the like. And don't think that you need those, weed, or licking hypnotoads to have a good time. You want to spin around in your front yard until you fall down then talk about State of Euphoria, go nuts, but make sure it's cool with the host. Don't piss off the host. That's a break of rule 0. Don't break rule 0.
8) Don't do it to make money. If you have it at a coffee place, buy their stuff. You rent a space to do it, don't make the host always pay. As the host, don't charge a cover. Unless your going to provide massages, or play something live for them. This is about the love of the music. Take your love of money crap somewhere else.
9) Metal is loved by old, young, male, female, gay, straight, city, country, north, and south. Be inclusive. I shouldn't have to say this, but some people need the lesson. Chicks ROCK!! Like this one, this one and this one. But don't turn this into your dating service. This is about the music!
10) Start somewhere public, until everyone is on-board that everyone is cool. Don't share any more than you have to get this started. Trust isn't just an awesome Megadeth song, it's something that has to be earned. So follow rule 0 and get trusted. And give people time to prove they live rule 0 before you head to their pad. Just be safe people!
See the Kiss shot in #6? Is that a violation of rule 0? Nope, it's my opinion, and I understand how people can LOVE Kiss, but I am not one of them.
So RESPECT or WALK.
Now this is just my rules for my club, but I think they will work for yours. If you found a MBC in your area, make sure the rules are clear. Be upfront, be clear, and don't be all passive aggressive and crap just spell out the rules. Also, I'm not legally liable for anything if you follow my rules or not. I don't screen people, I don't do jack. I'm just a dude trying to pass along a good idea that worked for me. Your mileage may vary, so don't complain, don't violate rule 0 and don't hate on me if somebody does. If I controlled the universe I'd make it better for you, but if I controlled the universe, Iron Maiden would play a show for me once a month, VH3 would be erased from all our minds and Randy, Cliff and SRV would all still be alive. (Yes SRV isn't Metal, but damn I respect what he could get an axe to do!)