If you've ever been to a local hardcore show wearing a Smashing Pumpkins shirt, chances are some big, bald, burley dude with a braided goatee yelled “Poser!” at you. This is what we call an elitist. You may be asking yourself, what makes you an elitist? An elitist is someone who only listens to “true metal”. Now their definition of “true metal” can differ. On one hand it may mean only listening to thrash bands from the 80's, on another hand it may mean only listening to the most underground black metal bands. Either way, they’re usually unemployed and don’t have much of a social life. However elitists are willing to introduce others to their music by any means necessary unlike a gatekeeper.
A gatekeeper is someone who tries to prevent other people from listening to their favorite bands or artists, this is most prominent with Pierce the Veil fans. “Why would they do this?”, you’re probably asking yourself. Well they think that newer fans aren’t worthy. For example, when someone on TikTok finds a popular song by Pierce the Veil, gatekeepers of Pierce the Veil will for their throats and they’ll say stuff like “YOU ONLY KNOW PIERCE THE VEIL BECAUSE OF KING FOR A DAY” or “YOU ONLY KNOW THEM BECAUSE OF TIKTOK”. Gatekeepers don’t understand that it’s normal to find a song or band that other people will like by scrolling on TikTok.
Here’s the worst thing, Elitist Gatekeepers. Yes, they are very real. The combination of a gatekeeper and an elitist creates what we call, a music incel. A music incel will latch on to a “super underground” band or artist and try and keep everyone out of the fandom. A music incel’s goal is to literally be the only person to listen to a particular band they like. With more and more accessible music being put out, more and more music incels are being born. Today’s lesson: Don’t be an elitist. Don’t be a gatekeeper. And especially, don’t be a music incel.
