Aged 10, I was genuinely convinced that Busted were the greatest band to have ever walked this planet. They couldn't be beaten. Their infectiously chirpy poppish rock was all I listened to, until their tragic split in 2005. I was completely inconsolable, in an utter state of shock, desperately trying to process the fact that my precious Busted were no more. How dare Charlie leave to join some ridiculous 'rock band'. (Little did I know! ...I still refuse to listen to Fightstar though. It's against my principles!)
The considerable hole in my life was soon filled by McFly. They were quick to swoop in, collecting fans in the form of heartbroken tweenagers. They weren't Busted, but they were connected. They were the next best thing. Soon began my 'McFly obsession'. I was completely besotted by them, and as a self confessed music nerd at a young age, I loved the fact they played instruments. When I was 13, I queued for hours at a CD signing, and was so overwhelmed I burst into tears. Yes. I was that kind of fan. Scary now I think about it. I saw them live 4 times, I knew every word to every song, and posters covered my bedroom walls. Nothing was better than the mighty McFly!
When I was 14 or 15, something changed. I went through a kind of cliched teenage rebellious stage. I decided I was too old to listen to just McFly. I started reading Kerrang! magazine and wearing too much eyeliner - I'm pretty sure I listened to nothing but Green Day for about a year. Looking back, I was probably trying to show how grown up I was. I really wasn't.
My iPod was full of bands like The Offspring, Green Day, and incredibly self-indulgent misery like Bayside up until late last year (Seriously, they take emo to a new level). Suddenly though, I became sick of political and angry music - I wanted silly music again. I still loved bands like Green Day (the greatest band ever...) but I discovered the joys of McFly again, I bought a Bowling For Soup CD and realised I could listen to punk-rock without having to consider the meaning of life, or become an anarchist rebelling against the government. I danced like a loon to Lady Gaga! It was fun again. Music is meant to be enjoyable, not a test of your mental stability!
In a roundabout way, what I'm trying to say (inbetween my ramblings about Busted and a brief account of my life story), is that labelling yourself to fit a certain style of music, and not allowing yourself to be anything else, is a terrible idea. Sure, get a mowhawk if you want to, cover yourself in tattoos and delude yourself that you're what's missing from NOFX, but whatever you do, don't take music too seriously!
I've made a listen of music I'm not ashamed to love - give it a listen, and if it doesn't make you smile,...you're really not trying hard enough. Now if you'll excuse me, i'm off to listen Busted and McFly. (I really am.) I still know all the words...
Thunderbird Are Go - Busted
We're Going To Ibiza - Vengaboys
Don't Stop Moving - S Club 7
The Tide Is High - Atomic Kitten
It's The Way You Make Me Feel - Steps
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