Excuse You?
Photo by: My Brother
Where: A rooftop deck overlooking the west side of Chicago
Why: A quiet BBQ
Who: A bunch of people I didn't know
I walk out onto the rooftop deck with a friend. I take in the few couples nestled on benches or lounging on bar stools and immediately dig the low key vibe. Booker T & The MG's are playing over the speakers, specifically their record of Beatles covers, "McLemore Avenue".
Someone I didn't know asked the small assembled crowd who was playing and why it was so familiar. I piped up, as I tend to do when I know the answer, why it's Booker T and the MG's... and proceed to tell the story of how this record "McLemore Avenue" was their take on "Abbey Road". A small discussion ensues about how front and center the organ is compared to other MG's material. Overall, a thoughtful and interesting discussion about one of my favorite Stax artists until....
(from an onlooking guy seated on a bench with his girlfriend)
Random Guy: "Hey, what do you do? Are you in the industry?"
Me: "Actually no, I'm a designer.1"
Random Guy: "Oh, I see. (mumble)"
Me: "Pardon?"
Random Guy: "I said oh, you're a groupie."
I stood stunned for a second.
Me: "Actually no. Quite a few of my friends are musicians or have been in the music industry for years. I am not a groupie, simply a well informed fan."
Random Guy: "Yeah a groupie."
Part of me is angry now at not having stood my ground but a) I didn't know who this guy even was, b) I didn't know why he'd suddenly taken offense to me, all I'd done was talk about Booker T for about 2 minutes and c) this was not my party, no need to let some random guy push my buttons.
I let it be, turned around and walked away. I tried not to let it upset for the rest of the evening, but no such luck. (Obviously if I'm bring it up again today).
1 I actually never tell anyone that I'm a music "blogger". Most people I meet do not know this about me unless they do their homework.
Buy some: Bart Davenport
Comments
What a tool. Should this come up again, good responses might include the following:
-"No, groupies just like to fuck musicians, I like to listen to them."
-"So anyone who listens to music and is knowledgeable about artists but isn't in the industry is a groupie? Wow, that puts a whole new spin on the concept of radio!"
-"Aw, it's OK, you don't have to call me names and try and demean me just because I know more than you."
Posted by: Diana | August 13, 2007 12:51 PM
What this guy obviously doesn't grasp is the fact that a "music blogger" has much more influence on "the industry" than a guy who probably plays guitar in a crappy local indie-rock band. What a jerk.
Posted by: Craig | August 13, 2007 12:51 PM
He's a farthead.
Posted by: Squid | August 13, 2007 03:41 PM
Di/Craig/Sue...
Thanks for the positive feedback, at least I know I'm not crazy. At the time I felt incredibly insulted... it was as if he was insinuating that any woman who knew more about music than him obviously had to be a groupie.
Really, I could care less now. Just writing about the experience and how awestruck it made me kind of healed the situation in my head. It doesn't matter what this random guy thinks or doesn't think, in my opinion his comment only highlighted his insecurity.
Posted by: liz | August 13, 2007 09:35 PM
Yeah, but what did this guy do for a living that made him so freaking important that he could be so dismissive of other people? Was his name Seymour Stein or something?
Posted by: Heather | August 14, 2007 08:19 AM
Heather,
I dunno. I didn't ask and I don't really care. I doubt even Mr Stein himself would be so dismissive.
I just didn't have it in me to put up the fight on Saturday night, it was easier to walk away.
-moi
Posted by: liz | August 14, 2007 08:31 AM
First, absolutely brilliant in-the-future responses from Di. B, he's obviously an idiot. And, three, you can always go the childish route and respond by dumping a drink on his head to cool him off. Personally, with my pent-up aggression and violent tendencies, I would have kicked him in the nuts...but that's me.
Posted by: HelOnWheels | August 14, 2007 12:40 PM
PS - You are a groupie, in the strictest definition of the word:
"An enthusiastic supporter or follower" - The American Heritage Dictionary.
If only words were not imprecise and not imbued with so much meaning, you could take pride in being a groupie.
Posted by: HelOnWheels | August 14, 2007 12:43 PM