I get that a lot.

So I'd like to think I have a wide and varied taste in music. But I think everyone says that, so even I'm not sure how true it is for me, that's what I usually tell people. I think a lot of it depends on what I'm doing and who I'm with. For example, normally I'm not a fan at all of pop or dance music, but when I'm out dancing with the roommates and getting shot down by pretty girls at the bar I get kinda into it.

And as much as I hate myself for saying this is a semi-public forum, I also think country music is okay when it's live and you're at a country bar. Plus, cowboy hats on women are hot. Just sayin.

Now all that being said, when it's just me typing out a blog entry it's usually Metal coming from the laptop speakers (at the moment it's Hail the Villain). Now I could probably be more specific, but the truth of the matter is I don't give a hungover dinosaur's fossilized shit about all the different classifications. If I like a band, I listen to them, don't care if they're post-apocalyptic or black thrash symphonic. Funny story, didn't make up those genres.

But it's pretty easy and accurate to call me a metal-head. Even if I don't fit into the whole "metal scene" very well.

I relate more to the huge metal fan.

But last week I tagged along with one of my roommates who had some friends having a birthday party. I'd met Lisa and James both before and I get along really well with them...because we talk about music. It fucking rocks. I don't really know a lot of people who I share a similar taste in music with, but these two? Pretty much identical. I almost felt bad for Aubz.

Almost. Muahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahaahahahaah!

But I had a pretty awesome time at the party. Kinda interesting though, as it kinda reinforced the whole "Sam doesn't come off a metal loving dude" thing I got going on. It turns out that James knows a couple guys in a local metal band where he lives and they all made it out to the party. The drummer started to, in a way I can only describe as "establishing my credentials", question me about my top 5 favorite metal bands. Of course, I passed with flying fucking colors and an announcement of "he knows his shit".

Let me clear this up. I've been a fan of Metal since I was 14. Of course I know my shit. But it was a fucking great time getting trashed and talking about music all night. I love talking about Metal.

But I guess I don't look like I do. Everyone else there was in black band hoodies and t-shirts all with piercings and tattoos. I have no piercings or tattoos and the only black pants I own are part of an old work uniform. But it doesn't bother me. But just because I don't look like a metal fan doesn't mean I'm not one.

Also an acceptable form of Heavy Metal.

Want to know one of my favorite musical things? When a big scary hardcore metal band just slows the fuck down and puts out a ballad love song type dealy. That stuff blows my mind.

Cause while I may be a metal fan, I'm also a sappy geek who likes love songs.

That's me. I'm going to go all Apocalyptica on the Slipknot holding up the Trivium of In Flames.

Sam the Prof







P.S. Shout out to Rhonda who I ran into at the grocery store today and reminded me that she finds her way here from time to time.