Western music vs Japanese music.

I can understand why some music is important to people, whether or not I like that genre of music or not. I can also understand that some people just like to listen to music to have a good time, that it doesn't have to have a deep meaning behind it for them to enjoy it. It's just a means of entertainment that we all use after a long stressful day or week. 

We live in a culture where we all love to go to concerts with friends, and family. Whether it be big named musicians or even local artists, it doesn't matter. 

Which is why I never understood the J-rock fandom, and their need to criticize every little aspect of other genres of music out there. I'm sure that we have our fair share of those in other genres, even in the K-pop fandom [don't get me started there]-but since I'm not as active there I want to concentrate on what I'm familiar with.

I said before how long I've been a fan, so I don't want to delve into how long I've been in this fandom and how often I would see it. I admit it when I was in High School, I was a little obnoxious about it-but when you grow up you mature and I've certainly grew out of this phase. But I see it in youtube comments, sometimes on tumblr. 

J-rock fans love their bands, I can understand that. I certainly have my favorites, would love to see them all and adore what they can do. Despite some language barriers, I can enjoy the music because if I want to know what they're saying I can either look up translations or learn Japanese myself. [I'm a little lazy, so I do the former.] 

Yet I've never wanted to say I outright hated Western music either. Because they're not necessarily bad either. I mean I have my fair share of English-based bands that I love, have seen in concert and would see them again if I ever had a chance. [Case in point: Linkin Park]. I just recently discovered Disturbed's lead singer has a spectacular voice. 

It doesn't matter what nationality or where you're from, there are talented musicians out there if you're willing to search for them. Of course you're not going to like them all, by no means do I like any of Justin Beiber's music. But there's no denying that little snot has a little bit of talent, that some people do find hope in his music or simply enjoy it for what it is. 

That's fine with me, if that's their music preference than who am I to criticize them?

And that's where I get to my point.

It's not necessarily that some J-rock fans tend to put down the Western musicians, it's that they tend to act superior to those who listen to them. We talk about how we're all made fun of for listening to Japanese music, that we're all so bullied and hated and alone. But then some turn around and do the same thing to those who listen to Western music.

Listening to Japanese music, I'm going to sound rude-it doesn't make you special. It means you have a special interest in these things, and that's fine and dandy. But you're no better than the person sitting at home jamming out to Paramore or All Time Low. You're no better than the girl who just spent her entire paycheck on a ticket to see Justin Beiber or any other famous musician.

We all have our interests, we all have that one genre or band that we all love. Some of us just love about everything, and that is fine. That's what makes the world go round. If you're leaving comments like "Ugh, why can't every band be like this one?!" how boring would that be? If everyone made music like the GazettE, wouldn't you get sick of them?

Most of us had a favorite English based band before we discovered J-rock. Being a fan of music is not a contest of who has the best taste in music, because music is subjective in a way. We're not all going to love the same things.

And that's completely fine.