Dissent against Dream Theater fans? What's your take on it?

[Zantera]

I've noticed this, but can't really say i care too much about it.
Overall it's a common thing with people, the whole "What i like is the best, and what you like sucks", it's a very childish behavior that i can't say i encourage very much.
If someone asks me what i listen to, i reply, and get a "that sucks" as an answer, i don't even bother replying, because the whole debate would be useless.
It's not only DT being flamed though, this phenomenon works in the other direction as well.

[Hal Incandenza]

Some1 said to me when I sent them Learning to live, that they sounded like pop with distorted guitar... He obviously wasn't listening carefully at all.

My favorite was from a friend of mine who was hugely into Queensryche... his favorite album of all time was Empire, followed by Rage for Order.  So I loaned him Images and Words.  Response: "It's too '80s for me."   

[kiwiclapton]

Not metal enough for true metal fans.
Not prog enough for true prog fans.
Not popular enough for pop listeners.
Not obscure enough for hipsters.

Atleast, that's what they say

Well done!

[atmyne]

Not metal enough for true metal fans.
Not prog enough for true prog fans.
Not popular enough for pop listeners.
Not obscure enough for hipsters.

Atleast, that's what they say

Well done!

I always get either a who? or a "ohhh... really?" or something to that effect (inb4 orly lulcatz). A LOT of Musicians tend to frown upon them as though they are distasteful, cliche, wanky etc. but mostly what bombardana said.

[blackngold29]

Not metal enough for true metal fans.
Not prog enough for true prog fans.
Not popular enough for pop listeners.
Not obscure enough for hipsters.

Atleast, that's what they say

Well done!

I always get either a who? or a "ohhh... really?" or something to that effect (inb4 orly lulcatz). A LOT of Musicians tend to frown upon them as though they are distasteful, cliche, wanky etc. but mostly what bombardana said.

I've heard that one too... What does "wanky" mean? Like 'Oh DT, those guys are nothing but a wankfest.' And I'm like huh?

[Orion1967]

I can honestly say I never get negative comments of vibes from people about liking DT.  about 95.78% of the time its "Who?" and I get the opportunity to educate people and give a positive vibe by 1. NOT being an obnoxious twat about it and 2. finding the right time to play them a few samples and let them form thier own opinions. 

This approach to the education of the masses about DT has resulted in success 9 out of 10 times.  And that 1 out of 10 times that the people don't really care for it it is because they are just into different kinds of music but 10/10 times they all agree that the guys in DT are phenominal musicians.

The thing about the image of the fat obnoxious twats is really a misnomer I think because I am fairly sure (based upon sound scientific principles of research of course) that for every one of those idiots out there, there are at least 5 normal people who really love DT's music... along with a WIDE variety of other stuff as well.

But again thats just one mans asshole... er opinion I mean.

[jonny108]

Nope I've never had any bad comments about being a DT fan either.  Most people where I live who go to gigs and stuff see me wearing my DT top and they'll come over and walk past me and say "great band, great players, respect etc.".  I've also managed to get a good 20 people into DT.

[Bolsters]

I've noticed a lot of peoples' reactions to learning that I am a Dream Theater fan is that they expect me to be a snobby, arrogant prog nerd - when actually I am not like that at all. After so many years it has become tiresome; I guess there's too many snobby, narrow-minded people out there who are fans of DT, making a bad name for the rest of us.

[robwebster]

Genuine conversation with a total stranger from yesterday.

"So, why are you wearing a Dream Theater shirt?"
"I like Dream Theater. They're well good."
"So you're not wearing it ironically or anything then?"
"...No?"

If I didn't find it kinda funny I'd probably have been offended.

[Metabog]

"All they play are really fast scales and they don't write real songs."  WHAT? 

I mean, some of the criticisms of DT are true, but these three are just stupid. 

To be fair that above comment is somewhat true. Many of their recent solos and unisons sound more like glorified technical exercises than something unique.

Yeah, but it's so energy, powah, though.

[jsem]

"All they play are really fast scales and they don't write real songs."  WHAT? 

I mean, some of the criticisms of DT are true, but these three are just stupid. 

To be fair that above comment is somewhat true. Many of their recent solos and unisons sound more like glorified technical exercises than something unique.

Yeah, but it's so energy, powah, though.

So heavy sound!

[TL]

The few times I've had someone react negatively, it was because someone, usually an overzealous prog nerd, tried pushing it on them with the most technical songs they could think of, and insisted that they were better because of how well they can play.

Then I'll say that I like their music because of the emotion in it, and because I feel a connection with it, or something along those lines, and if they're open to it, I'll play them a few songs more geared toward what they're into. From my experience, it works every time.

[orcus116]

[TL]

 

[VioletS16]

The thing that  @#!*%  me off the most about this type of thing is when people say things that are blatantly untrue:

"Oh, Dream Theater is an 80's hair band."  WHAT? 

"DT writes songs about castles, warlocks and killing dragons!"  WHAT? 

"All they play are really fast scales and they don't write real songs."  WHAT? 

I mean, some of the criticisms of DT are true, but these three are just stupid. 

My mom describes Dream Theater as metal for nerds.
...what??
"They write epic tales of battles of good and evil"....WHAT THE HELL??? Since WHEN? I mean yeah they have their odd fantasy or two but not at all like that! Jeez when will she learn I'm not a freak.

[jsem]

Dragonforce tell epic tales of battles of good and evil.

Not Dream Theater.

[Dublagent66]

Dragonforce tell epic tales of battles of good and evil.

Not Dream Theater.

Really?  So, you've never heard of Dark Master? 

[Hal Incandenza]

So, you've never heard of Dark Master? 

Bater.

[Syncamorea]

They're also usually morbidly obese and don't shower.

Anybody see my tub of Fritos?  Or my bag of chocolate?

What's this "shower" you're talking about?

[hefdaddy42]

So, you've never heard of Dark Master? 

Bater.

He's a master of it.

[Metabog]

The thing that  @#!*%  me off the most about this type of thing is when people say things that are blatantly untrue:

"Oh, Dream Theater is an 80's hair band."  WHAT?  

"DT writes songs about castles, warlocks and killing dragons!"  WHAT?  

"All they play are really fast scales and they don't write real songs."  WHAT?  

I mean, some of the criticisms of DT are true, but these three are just stupid.  

My mom describes Dream Theater as metal for nerds.
...what??
"They write epic tales of battles of good and evil"....WHAT THE HELL??? Since WHEN? I mean yeah they have their odd fantasy or two but not at all like that! Jeez when will she learn I'm not a freak.

So in your opinion people who like epic stories about battles between good and evil are freaks?   I'm glad you're not a freak, while I'm locked away here in the basement by my parents for listening to Blind Guardian.

[blackngold29]

So this guy on twitter says he hates DT and all their fans. I said, thanks for stereotyping all of us. He replied back, "No problem dudes! You're considered pretentious by anyone else that listens to non-pretentious music. FYI"

I asked him if that means like "we're pretending to like it?" I have no idea what that means; awaiting a response.

[darkshot]

So this guy on twitter says he hates DT and all their fans. I said, thanks for stereotyping all of us. He replied back, "No problem dudes! You're considered pretentious by anyone else that listens to non-pretentious music. FYI"

I asked him if that means like "we're pretending to like it?" I have no idea what that means; awaiting a response.

To clarify, he was probably trying to say DT fans are pedantic:

pretentious (comparative more pretentious, superlative most pretentious)
   Marked by an unwarranted claim to importance or distinction.
       Their song titles are pretentious in the context of their basic lyrics.
   Ostentatious; intended to impress others.
       Her dress was obviously more pretentious than comfortable.

Basically I think he thinks DT music is a wankfest to show off their skills and DT fans brag about DT music being so technical.

I think hes clueless, but that's just me.

EDIT: Oh and I took that definition straight from wiktionary, including the part about music, kind of ironic. lol

[VioletS16]

The thing that  @#!*%  me off the most about this type of thing is when people say things that are blatantly untrue:

"Oh, Dream Theater is an 80's hair band."  WHAT?  

"DT writes songs about castles, warlocks and killing dragons!"  WHAT?  

"All they play are really fast scales and they don't write real songs."  WHAT?  

I mean, some of the criticisms of DT are true, but these three are just stupid.  

as metal for nerds.
...what??
"They write epic tales of battles of good and evil"....WHAT THE  @#!*% Since WHEN? I mean yeah they have their odd fantasy or two but not at all like that! Jeez when will she learn I'm not a freak.

So in your opinion people who like epic stories about battles between good and evil are freaks?   I'm glad you're not a freak, while I'm locked away here in the basement by my parents for listening to Blind Guardian.

No! That's not what I meant, seeing as SX is my second favourite band EVER. I just mean SHE thinks that those people are freaky, and when she pins DT (my ultimate favourite band) as that, it makes HER think I'm a freak, not ME thinking it's freaky to listen to that stuff, cause I do, just not when I'm listening to Dream Theater. Unless, of course, I'm listening to ITPOE.

[robwebster]

So this guy on twitter says he hates DT and all their fans. I said, thanks for stereotyping all of us. He replied back, "No problem dudes! You're considered pretentious by anyone else that listens to non-pretentious music. FYI"

I asked him if that means like "we're pretending to like it?" I have no idea what that means; awaiting a response.

To clarify, he was probably trying to say DT fans are pedantic:

pretentious (comparative more pretentious, superlative most pretentious)
    Marked by an unwarranted claim to importance or distinction.
        Their song titles are pretentious in the context of their basic lyrics.
    Ostentatious; intended to impress others.
        Her dress was obviously more pretentious than comfortable.

Basically I think he thinks DT music is a wankfest to show off their skills and DT fans brag about DT music being so technical.

I think hes clueless, but that's just me.

EDIT: Oh and I took that definition straight from wiktionary, including the part about music, kind of ironic. lol

See, I totally don't "get" how pretentiousness is a viable criticism of Dream Theater. They're really pretty direct. It's not like they're professing to be these great artists who've been sent on a god-given mission to redefine the musical landscape and paint a portrait of the world they live in. They make cool albums with loads of nifty stuff going on and go "wahey!"

Pretentiousness is more along the lines of this drivel. I'd almost say that a big long solo is in fact the total antithesis of pretentiousness. There's no hidden meaning to it, it's not a "soundscape" or a "statement about the futility of life." It's a big fat rocking solo! It's rock 'n' roll excess!

Throw on Systematic Chaos - or Black Clouds and Silver Linings, at that - and find me a sliver of pretentiousness. Octavarium, Six Degrees and SFAM have elements of it with all these concepts and suites tied neatly together, but they never let it get in the way of a chunky riff, a cool groove, or a nifty song.

DT are pretty profoundly unpretentious, as a general rule. This post is more pretentious than certain swathes of their discography.

[TheOutlawXanadu]

pretentious (comparative more pretentious, superlative most pretentious)
    Marked by an unwarranted claim to importance or distinction.
        Their song titles are pretentious in the context of their basic lyrics.
    Ostentatious; intended to impress others.
        Her dress was obviously more pretentious than comfortable.

I mean... Judging by this criteria alone, I don't know how anyone could claim they are not pretentious. Especially the "ostentatious" part.

The first example that comes to mind is the story David Prater tells in Lifting Shadows where, during the recording of ACOS, Petrucci was trying to write the guitar solo for Another World but it sucked. It was basically just a shred-fest.

Prater told Petrucci he needed to slow down and just feel it. But Petrucci was hesitant at first because he wanted to keep up with his idols or something. He wanted to write the most impressive thing he could purely for the sake of being impressive.