Idolatry

[Villager]

Now, I've oft seen myself as 'above' idolising others. it's not healthy and distorts perspective. However, even I am not infallible.

Easily the biggest outside (i.e. not family, school, or friends) influence on my life have been the Manic Street Preachers (http://www.manics.co.uk/manics/), a rock band from Wales. Now, the Manics are different from any other band I've ever encountered. On the surface, they don't sing about the usual shit you see in the charts - love, hate, fickle emotions - that I so tire of hearing, rehashed every week. They sing about life as they see it - usually the darker side. They sing about war, depression, drugs, anorexia, death camps, mutilation, God, the pitiable state of popular culture - and do it from the heart - they care about these issues and write from the heart. Issues such as drug abuse, alcoholism, anorexia, self abuse stem from personal experience, and so goes the tragic story of the lyricist who disappeared in 1995 (case remains unsolved) after a history of depression and anorexia, leaving the band devastated. They are political, emotional, angry, sensitive, and absolutely excellent at propelling this into music, music which for me represents a zenith in musical achievement.

http://uk.sonymusic.co.uk/manics/band/photos/photos/08.jpg

http://uk.sonymusic.co.uk/manics/band/members/images/richey.jpg
Above: Richey Edwards, who disappeared in 1995.

These guys aren't good looking, they aren't fashionable; they're Welsh. Looking at them they could be your uncles. They didn't form for "fame" or for money - they came together a young quad of close friends, and decided to make music about everything that was wrong in the world, and be the best Rock band in the world. They achieved that. They sing about dark subjects but they do it with emotion, tastefully. They use slogans - George Orwell, Sylvia Plath - to illustrate their points and are easily the most political band playing today.

You might think the quality of music would suffer under such intense pressure but it does not. The music is skillful, dramatic, exquisitely crafted with excellent vocals. Check out Design For life, If You Tolerate This, Slash 'n' Burn, and Faster for example. E-mail me for any of the tracks/more info.

_ _

Who are your idols, and why?

[kittyroze]

There are very few people I idolize...I prefer the term mentors. I see things about other people that I wish were a part of me, and I then try and emulate those things.

My dad and my dog would be my major mentors. My dog is enthusiastic, energetic no matter what, happy as a clam (or dog respectively), and genuine. I can't help but admire that. My dad is deeply moved by ideals and he wants to move and shake-change things for the better.

I'm just trying to find a way to apply these things in a manner that will actually cause change. I'm very idealistic and optimistic...but grounded...there are so many awful things in the world...REAL and awful things that need to be addressed. It's hard to find a method that will help end the madness.

[Diva]

I idolized my dad. Even when he screwed up, I learned from his mistakes, as did he. He taught me wo many wonderful things. He raised me to be strong, caring and a hopeful romantic. I only hope that I can be more like him one day.

[usantic]

I idolize Bob Hope. We need another like him in these times. Even his name (though it wasn't his original) lifted spirits.

[Diva]

This is my dad! If you look close, you can almost see the gleem in his eye saying, "What practical joke can I do next?" :cheesy:

http://www.nochicktrix.com/fun/oth/vb/me/dad.gif

[Jake]

I can see the kindness in his eyes. He raised you right.

[Villager]

I've just got back from watching the MSP at Glasgow SECC - absolutely wonderful. The greatest band playing brilliant songs to a grateful crowd. Singing along to the last song, Design For Life, was nice, everyone knew the words. Woo.

:)