Smells like Mormon teen spirit
| It was finding out that John Fowles was a teenage skate-punk and that his favourite band was Bad Religion that inspired this post. Clearly John's music tastes as a young man (definitely not For the Strength of Youth material) did no lasting damage (!) It got me thinking about Mormon teenage rebellion and what is kosher and what isn't. Over at Headlife I mentioned my own enjoyment of grunge as a younger kid. I totally embraced the alternative music scene in the early 90s--its music, its clothes, its politics-in every way but one: its morals. That is, I didn't smoke, do drugs, or have sex. So really I wasn't very punk at all. I was a good Mormon boy trying to be punk. But I had to have some act of rebellion in my life so as to not feel like a total nerd. I knew that the music I listened to was a little naughty--and I enjoyed it for precisely that fact--but I never felt like I was completely of the Dark Side. Does this ring true to anyone? I have met so many good Mormon kids who are really into "heavy" music, but would never dream of otherwise rebelling. Is music the kosher rebellion for Mormon youth? |
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Anonymous said ... (November 23, 2004 10:19 PM)
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Anonymous said ... (November 26, 2004 9:00 AM)
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Anonymous said ... (December 01, 2004 11:52 AM)
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Anonymous said ... (May 27, 2005 3:10 AM)
post a commentMaybe it is a kosher rebellion for some. I think everyone needs some kind of 'rebellion' at some point. My brothers were heavily into Metallica and such right around the time they went inactive, but I think that would have happened anyway.
For me - the 'good' child in the family (ie never smoked, drank or did drugs like my brothers), I waited until I was around 22 to have my rebellious moment - a tattoo.
Posted by Rebecca
I was goth before goth was cool. I started listening to Bauhaus, Cure, Depeche Mode, and all those semidanceable groups before wearing all that horrid makeup was even cool. Then I slowly drifted over to Sex pistols and Clash and DRI punk.
I later went on a mission and am happily married in the temple to a beautiful wife and have a 5 month old that will never be allowed to listen to the music I grew up with.
My older sister who was waaaaay into classical music and the lighter side of things is now completely inactive and can be found in the local casino bar on any given week night.
Roll over beethoven
Posted by Jake
It sounds Jake, based on you and your sister, that you *should* let your kid listen to punk!
Posted by Ronan
Teenage boys have testosterone to burn. Best to let them use it up listening to angry music than to encourage the finding of less savory outlets.
Posted by John C.
Don't worry, I will. It wil just be a little more selective.... I don;t even let my wife listen to some of my old stuff. She is more of an R&B girl. UGH!!!
I guess opposites really do attract sometimes.
Posted by Jake
I was, and still am, a rocker. I have, however left behind some of the bands of my youth. I listen to a lot of Christian rock because there isn't anyone (save myself) doing mormon rock - yet.
I'm not a BIG Metallica fan, but I'd be hard pressed to find one tune of theirs whose lyrics offend me. On the other hand AC/DC and Aerosmith are constantly crossing that line.
Just a few examples...
MRKH
Posted by Mark Hansen
Actually, I listen to a lot of bands from my youth still. The only difference now is that I usually listen to the edited versions. ;)
As a teenager I listed to Guns N Roses (Get In The Ring was my favourite song), Metallica, Beastie Boys, Iggy Pop, Anthrax, Kris Kross, Maestro Fresh Wes, Queen, Rush, Midnight Oil, Erasure, Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Happy Mondays, Living Colour, Suicidal Tendencies and a host of others.
As someone in his thirties, many of these I still listen to. However, my tastes have expanded to include Simple Plan, Blink 182, Our Lady Peace, Green Day, Pilate, Eminem, The Offspring, Auf Der Maur, Velvet Revolver, Smash Mouth and many others.
At this rate, I'll have no problem embracing my children's music. :)
Posted by Kim Siever
Isnt it Great that we get to choose for ourselves? Isnt it Great that we can make dumb decisions and learn from them? I have made Plenty in my day, but I 2 was like you and didnt do anything like drinking or Smoking or sex. But I think I didnt because once my mom said she was proud to say she never drank or smoked. I thought that would be pretty cool to be able to say that to my kids. BUT reguardless that was my line I knew not to cross. I think there is a line we all have we are afraid to cross because we know the power of the Dark side and dont want to be engulfed in it. For those who needed "Experience" to teach them and went Farther and repented? Kudos to you. I dont know if I could have the strength to come down that hard road of repentance. Perhaps your stronger now knowing better. As for our kids? I hope that teaching them by example and rearing them up right will give them the power to know right from wrong. But as for their choices? They are theirs alone. And I choose to love them even if and when they make mistakes. Course they are only 5 3 and 1 so I still got a few yrs of teachin I better get crackin'
Posted by janice