Rocksnobs would now like to present a telephone conversation that I had last May. We interrupt this story, already in progress...
Here is what you have missed so far. The topics covered have included Iggy Pop, what to wear to the upcoming Faster Pussycat show, what is the right price to pay for a vinyl copy of South Of Heaven by Slayer, that sort of thing. The same basic structure that most of my conversations have, and the same general conversation I would have with anyone on any day.
And then, for reasons that I cannot recall, the conversation moved into the general direction of Pink Floyd. I had my Pink Floyd phase eight months prior to this phone call. I bought Piper At The Gates Of Dawn, listened to it twice, and called it a day. Pink Floyd is not my deal at all. If memory serves, I was trying to explain exactly why Pink Floyd was useless, and he brought up his favorite Pink Floyd album, Meddle.
Now you are up to speed. What follows should be greeted with horror and alarm.
He: Meddle is a great record.
Me: I just bought Meddle and I hate it. I listened to it once, and it sucks.
He: You're wrong.
Me: Excuse me?
He: You're wrong. Go home, listen to it again, and you will see how great it is.
Me: Oh, I don't think I will be listening to Meddle again. It sucks!
That is the first time I ever gave my opinion to someone about a record and the response was, "you're wrong." It is a conversation that will always retain a special place in my heart. Even though I know good and well that I am NOT wrong, and Meddle does indeed suck. I don't even own it anymore.
But the conversation brings up a question of Rocksnobs etiquette. I myself have never told anyone, "you're wrong," when they voiced an opinion about music. I have told them, "you suck." I have also used, "your taste sucks." If someone doesn't know something obvious, like the fact that KISS took off their makeup for 13 years, I will use the ever popular, "don't talk to me."
Sometimes that one evolves into, "don't talk to me ever again," usually if I accidentally find myself talking to a Sublime fan. If it is someone I really like ever-so-much, I put on my company Rocksnobs manners and I whip out, "I think your taste in music sucks." Sure, it may not me that much nicer, but people I like get an entire sentence. I mean well.
In fact, since I am so well-meaning, I am instituting the first-ever Rocksnobs Rule Of Etiquette:
When a discussion of music is in progress, a Rocksnob may not tell another person, Rocksnob or civilian, "you're wrong," when that person voices an opinion, no matter how lame that opinion happens to be.
Of course, you are allowed to rip the opinion to shreds, question their sanity, and generally make an ass of yourself. These activities are all well within the established Rocksnobs guidelines. Anything to win an argument about rock. And I know the Rocksnobs can win arguments with style, and don't need to stoop to a general statement of, "you're wrong." Now, go pick a fight with someone about Meddle.