| In Spite Of What You Say |
FANS AND SPITE by Tyler Wilkes |
(Editor's Note: Tyler Wilkes is Spite's University Correspondent.)Once upon a time in a small town called Maplesville, there lived a young girl named Robin, a big fan of a small-time punk band called Stack Of Lips. Stack played the right sound to make it big, but alas, had yet to catch their break, forcing them to play at small clubs, free festivals, and the occasional bar mitzvah. Robin was a devout fan, having missed only two shows in their first four years of touring locally, once because of an inconveniently timed funeral, and again when she came down with a rare case of scurvy.
| Robin noticed two cheerleaders from her high-school, Wendy and Keri. They wore baggy, very much broken-in jeans and shirts from the mall designed to look "underground." | At one particular Stack show, at a club where the band was had played often, Robin was front and center, having a grand old time. She got thirsty halfway through, and decided to treat herself to a hip and tasty drink, a Snapple Iced Tea. At the beverage table, she noticed two cheerleaders from her high-school, Wendy and Keri. They wore baggy, very much broken-in jeans and shirts from the mall designed to look "underground." |
Robin was upset that the pom-pom chicks were at a Stack show, but was intrigued enough to approach them. |
That night, Robin was watching MTV while finishing off a late-night snack of Kix. As it was Sunday Night, MTV's alternative music show, "120 minutes" was soon underway. At the start of the show, the host said "Tonight! We'll be featuring videos from Smashing Pumpkins, Bjork, Ben Folds Five, and a premier from a new band called Stack Of Lips!!!"Robin became so excited she leapt from the couch and screamed "Oh my God!" Her brain screamed as her spine split in two with joy. Her band is getting on MTV! HER BAND! Trembling, she sat and waited what seemed like hours for the video to start. This is it! Robin thought. Stack of Lips - on NATIONAL TELEVISION!
The video was nothing special - just shots of the band alternating from color to black and white, shirtless with some admittedly groovy clothes. Drained, Robin went to sleep, hoping that Wendy and Keri missed the video.
| The next day at school was normal, but by the time Robin arrived home, she noticed the world starting to crumble. Turning on the TV, she sees the video from Stack Of Lips AGAIN. She smiled, but with less excitement, as the reality of what was happening started to set in. She knows other kids from school already saw the video the night before. | She's happy they're getting the recognition they deserve. Making money is the main goal, she thought. But going mainstream, selling out -- still sucks. |
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The next few months were a blur for Robin. Slowly, but steadily, Stack of Lip tee-shirts flood the school and soon everyone is claiming to be an old fan. Robin slowly adjusted to the band's success. They're still cool, she thought in the hallway of her school. And she was happy they're getting the recognition they deserve. Making money is the main goal, she knows. But going mainstream, selling out -- still sucks.
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In Robin's heart at that moment, bitterness reaches its maximum level. She doesn't even want to be a fan, but she can't give up on Stack. She still loves their music. The next day, she drives to her favorite record store, steps up to the counter, and asks "Can I have a copy of the new Stack Of Lips album?"
Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you...Spite.
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