the internet is full of assholes.

one of my least favorite things about being in a band was the tough skin you had to have when it comes to the internet.  you’d promote your ass off just to get one of those stupid websites to mention your band and when they finally posted a news article about your new music video, song, tour, etc., some asshole would be the first to comment.

“this band sucks”

and so every single person who clicks the story to read more, to watch the video, or to see the tourdates, gets to the bottom of the article and right there at the top of the comments is that stupid fucking comment.

it’s okay to have an opinion, don’t get me wrong.  i hate lots of bands.  i guess i just don’t see the benefit of ruining it for everyone else.

having met several bands over the years, i know that just about every single band all the way up to the big leagues (yes, even pete wentz) generally reads the comments left on these messageboards and webzines and so when i see these shitty comments, i automatically think of the band reading it, getting dejected and bummed and knowing they can’t comment back.

that’s the number one rule.  you can never defend yourself, as a band, on the internet.. because you will never win and you will never look good doing it.

that said, when i finally quit olympia, the first thing i did was berate the first asshole who commented on the “phil quits olympia” news posting.

was it immature?  yes, probably.  but it felt good.

so from then on, i’ve made it my mission to attack the haters of all the bands that my friends belong to.  if someone’s there to rain on their parade, i’m going to be there to rain on the raining of the parade.  does it help?  i have no idea.  but i feel good doing it.

so, blogpals.. if you have a friend in a band, do your part and defend their honor on the big old internet.  especially if they’re good.  and even moreso because they can’t do it themselves.

you can be a (internet) hero.