I'm not a strat guy normally, but..........

[benecol]

Actually, that goes for almost all current music.

Nope.

Really? Just turn on MTV. Watch a Lady Gaga video....

As far as current Indie. They all look the same. Offset guitar, plaid shirt, tight pants, a bunch of pedals and some ratty Fenders, Orange and Vox amps in the background. Its all about being like everyone else. Things aren't done out of necessity, it is about being cool. After the show go drink PBR and Jim Beam at the bar.

Just to put your comments in context, you're moaning about people playing identikit music on identikit gear wearing identikit clothes, then complaining about Lady Gaga, someone truly in control of their image?

Jesus youngster, it's pop music, not euthanasia clinic management: lighten up - buy a nice looking guitar and some cool threads. Maybe kiss a girl?

[eurotrashed]

I'm hardly moaning.

Just making the statement that playing a Strat is a lot more "indie" than playing an offset.

Buf if you guys really want to get in the discussion that current indie doesn't really exist and should be called this or that. That is my point. Current indie isn't indie. So before you make attacks at me, maybe re read what I said and get what I said and think it through your dense little head and think of the context of it all. Go to some little know "indie" band's concert and see everyone playing offsets.

I was told that most of current music isn't a fashion show, so from current popular music I used Lady Gaga as an example. Do you really think it is about the music?

Do you people not believe that offset guitars is just a vain image thing that many buy just to show how different they are? But in reality they are like goth kids, conforming because they are nonconforming.

Well, I guess next you are going to say, well I own a Jaguar, so I must be a poser too. I bought a Jaguar after playing SGs, Les Paul DCs, Teles, Strats, Gretsch, etc until I found a guitar that is comfy. Then I got rid of the weak pickups.

[benecol]

To deal with some of your points:

• - I think describing a guitar as being more or less 'indie' is flawed, since you're using a bastardisation of the term, meaning 'cunts who wear stupid hats like the kooks and make the whitest music available' rather than 'in the indie charts/on an indie label' which is where the term originates, and is about the only reliable way of using the term (and as Aen has pointed out, this is in itself flawed).
  - Do I really think Lady Gaga is about the music? Yes. It's pop music. If she's not got the tunes, she'd just be a lady in outrageous outfits. And they are killer pop tunes.
  - I'll never deny my vanity: I love my Jazzmaster above all things because of the way it looks. When I play, I deliberately stand somewhere I can see my own reflection. So would you if you looked like me. If we weren't interested in aesthetics, we'd all be playing pointy metal guitars, since they outplay any of our beautiful axes.
  - And I call bullshit on you choosing your Jag because it's 'comfy' - do you wear slippers in public too? Thought not.

Not wishing to trash a new poster (welcome aboard, by the way) but any 'indier than thou'-bullshit makes me hulkrage.

[eurotrashed]

To deal with some of your points:

• - I think describing a guitar as being more or less 'indie' is flawed, since you're using a bastardisation of the term, meaning 'cunts who wear stupid hats like the kooks and make the whitest music available' rather than 'in the indie charts/on an indie label' which is where the term originates, and is about the only reliable way of using the term (and as Aen has pointed out, this is in itself flawed).

You are missing the point. IF these bands actually were Indie they would be playing Strats as they are currently "uncool" with lots of people outside of the TGP blues guys and can be had for cheap, like offsets used to be. But that is the thing, the current "indie" bands care more about image and play offsets as that is what is expected. You are thinking too far too quickly. I am saying the same thing as you are saying as Indie really isn't true to the terms Indie. I am just saying, if it were real indie, a Strat would be the guitar. I can go to the pawn shop now and buy some crap Strat for $70.

I did buy my Jag cause it is comfy. I got rid of my Teles because I never liked playing them, SGs are neck heavy, Les Paul DCs have uncomfy bodies like Teles. Other than buying another Strat, the Jazzmaster and Jaguar were the only guitars I could bring myself to buy.

PS. Pumas are comfy.

[benecol]

I'm really not missing the point; 'indie' definitely doesn't mean 'playing what other people don't'. The only people who may expect these bands to play offsets are other guitarists, and people don't, as a rule, make music to appeal to other guitarists. It's a cold, hard fact, but no-one really gives a shit what guitar you're playing. And I have no idea why you think a band caring about its image is somehow a bad thing; it's OK to wear nice clothes, you scruff. Cheer up.

[aen]

Oh, sorry new guy. I didn't realize you were new. I usually try to hold off on the really bitchy retorts until someone been around a while.

[eurotrashed]

I'm really not missing the point; 'indie' definitely doesn't mean 'playing what other people don't'. The only people who may expect these bands to play offsets are other guitarists, and people don't, as a rule, make music to appeal to other guitarists. It's a cold, hard fact, but no-one really gives a shit what guitar you're playing. And I have no idea why you think a band caring about its image is somehow a bad thing; it's OK to wear nice clothes, you scruff. Cheer up.

LOL. Yes because lots of these "Indie" bands wear nice clothes and look presentable. I dress nice, but I don't dress to fit into a scene, thats what these bands do.

They do make music for other guitarists, ever hear of Stevie Vai? How many people do you think are at those concerts that aren't guitarists?

Those that follow "indie" music know what a Jazzmaster and Jaguar are, they recognize them. I have plenty of music friends that don't play guitar but know about Jazzmasters and Jags and what they mean to indie music in the 80s/90s and how bands still use them even though its not out necessity anymore. When I got my Jag, my non-guitar playing brother said to me, "You know, Mascis, Cobain and these other guys only played these guitars because they were cheap and no one wanted them." And he understands that these current indie bands play them for style points. And whether you like it or not, guitarist make choices thinking other people care about their choices. Like they are supposed to play an offset.

Want to be in an Indie band?
Step one: Get offset
Step Two: your amp choices are Fender, Orange, Vox
Step Three: Get a girl to play keyboard or bass
Step Four: Dress like a lumberjack and wear girl pants
Step Five: Either be straight edge or drink PBR.
Step six: Fuzz

Yeah, Aen, you aren't such a bitch when you post on OSG.

[Reece]

Those that follow "indie" music

Jesus fuck stop using the term indie.

Indie is battered all over the place and I honestly have no idea what anyone means by indie any more. You might as well just be saying anything. It's a lazily used umbrella term.

[tomin8r]

Totally agree with Reece


aandddd

using Steve Vai to argue your point....

I call fanboyism/whiney butthurt dude.

Welcome to the forum

[eurotrashed]

Those that follow "indie" music

Jesus fuck stop using the term indie.

Indie is battered all over the place and I honestly have no idea what anyone means by indie any more. You might as well just be saying anything. It's a lazily used umbrella term.

Should I say "the genre that currently goes by the label 'Indie'?"

Ask Prince, writing all that out is tiresome.

Its far easier to refer to it as "indie" because you all know what the fuck I am talking about.

So I am a Steve Via fanboy now because I mentioned his name? You got me, I got a monkey grip on my Jag.

[IroniaSudby]

So what you saying is.

Since i like wearing Flannel, have since i was about 9, I am now conforming to this Indie Scene.
I don't wear Flannel because its fucking warm and comfortable for me, and i like the look. I
wear it simply because i want to be indie.

I play a Jaguar not because its the guitar im aesthetically and sonically attracted to but because
i wanna start an indie band with some girl. I wanna get Fuzz pedals, because people who play with
fuzz pedals only make indie music.

Alot of people, myself included, will always be thrown into a stereotype, a scene, or some sort of
group. It just so happens that the Thrift Store Flannel and ragdy converses i wear for my own style
and preference is worn by "Indie bands".

[eurotrashed]

I like how all I am doing is arguing my point, I am not the one that even started making attacks and I am being told to "chill out" or I am "butthurt" OKAY SURE.

I am starting to think that shortscales are for little girls. Maybe its time for me to man up and get a JM or just another Strat.

[tomin8r]

Just making the statement that playing a Strat is a lot more "generic" than playing an offset.

Fixt.

Or, maybe you could just go back to Offset and take your ZMGAWDMONKAYGRIPZJAG/fanboyism with you?

[eurotrashed]

So what you saying is.

Since i like wearing Flannel, have since i was about 9, I am now conforming to this Indie Scene.
I don't wear Flannel because its fucking warm and comfortable for me, and i like the look. I
wear it simply because i want to be indie.

I play a Jaguar not because its the guitar im aesthetically and sonically attracted to but because
i wanna start an indie band with some girl. I wanna get Fuzz pedals, because people who play with
fuzz pedals only make indie music.

Alot of people, myself included, will always be thrown into a stereotype, a scene, or some sort of
group. It just so happens that the Thrift Store Flannel and ragdy converses i wear for my own style
and preference is worn by "Indie bands".

Now did I say that about you? No. I made the generalization about how current "indie" bands are, and that if they were really "Indie" they would play a cheap strat or whatever and not give a fuck.

Not everyone who likes flannel, fuzz, and offsets is one of these indie powers, but all of these indie posers like flannel, fuzz and offsets. Its like how a square is a type of rectangle but a rectangle is not a square.

[eurotrashed]

Just making the statement that playing a Strat is a lot more "generic" than playing an offset.

Fixt.

Or, maybe you could just go back to Offset and take your ZMGAWDMONKAYGRIPZJAG/fanboyism with you?

Eastwood would be ashamed that some internet tough guy is using his image.

And please tell me, what the fuck am I being a fanboy of? I am making fun of fanboys. You people really are dense. Especially if you think I actually have a monkey grip on my Jag.

[tomin8r]

Just making the statement that playing a Strat is a lot more "generic" than playing an offset.

Fixt.

Or, maybe you could just go back to Offset and take your ZMGAWDMONKAYGRIPZJAG/fanboyism with you?

Eastwood would be ashamed that some internet tough guy is using his image.

Steve Vai would be ashamed that you put his name in the same post as 'indie'.


I don't really believe we are dense, I just believe you can't take a bit of trolling/internet srs biznis harassment without pulling a bitchfit.

You're arguement is invalid

[IroniaSudby]

Just making the statement that playing a Strat is a lot more "generic" than playing an offset.

Fixt.

Or, maybe you could just go back to Offset and take your ZMGAWDMONKAYGRIPZJAG/fanboyism with you?

Eastwood would be ashamed that some internet tough guy is using his image.

And please tell me, what the fuck am I being a fanboy of? I am making fun of fanboys. You people really are dense. Especially if you think I actually have a monkey grip on my Jag.

Well your not going to last very long.

[Reece]

I am starting to think that shortscales are for little girls. Maybe its time for me to man up and get a JM or just another Strat.

I love your constant level headed maturity.

Also did you actually read my post at all?

Its far easier to refer to it as "indie" because you all know what the fuck I am talking about.

I honestly have no idea what anyone means by indie any more.

That's a true statement.

I can look up The National and find that they're apparently "indie". I can also look up The Ting Tings and find that they're also "indie".
These two bands are miles apart in all that they are. Indie seems to mean "one of them has a guitar or something".

[stewart]

Just making the statement that playing a Strat is a lot more "generic" than playing an offset.

Fixt.

Or, maybe you could just go back to Offset and take your ZMGAWDMONKAYGRIPZJAG/fanboyism with you?

settle down chief, that's a bit harsh. it's just a wee discussion.

[tomin8r]

Aye, it is a bit right over the top, but I'm currently HyperScale'n after 2 huge coffees

But I do agree with ye Stewart, it is only a discussion. If the dude wants to defend his point, I'm all for it, but it is a bit weird trying to defend a stance with pretty much no solid footing or research into what he is actually defending.

Like Reece said, 'indie' has become such a perverted blanket term that it really doesn't hold much meaning to it anymore. So its kind of hard to understand what he was getting at when I (for one) didn't have a real clue what he was trying to get at.