This exactly. Music is one of the largest parts of my life, and it gets very frustrating to be out in the world and not be able to talk about it in the depth that I want to. Even if I meet someone who likes a band that I know most people haven't really heard of, as soon as I go deeper and list off their influences and related bands I get nothing but a blank stare. This is like therapy just knowing there are people in the world who love music like I do...even if their tastes are completely different.

Cpt. Awesome was the most recent prick I recall.

Whats stimulating are fights. It qould require boths sides to at least be impassioned. But people run away from fights these days. I think in our best intentions, there would be passionate debate on issues. In reality it spills over onto the posters as well but the reason Pricks keep the place alive is that you can't always count on a douchebag to be a douchbag. Most folks just can't be bothered to fight.

Also, a word on similar tastes. I'd be bored to hell if everyone had the same taste as me, and I'd definitly go find another board. I didn't google Musical Tea Party, I googled music banter - and thats what I'm looking for.

Which is basically why I stick around.

As for Captain Awesome, yeah, the guy's a nobhead and no mistake but, as you say, people in general don't really feel inclined to to have a good old-fashioned scuffle around here these days. I remember Hiu (who to me just seemed an out-and-out bellend without any real interest in musical debate since he made his brief comeback), but other than that I can't recall any particularly aggressive members here stretching back at least a year. It's just a question of the kinds of people who sign up here and, obviously, there's nothing that can be done about that. I personally don't feel that that mindset's exactly dangerously detrimental to the MB experience if you will (I actually quite like it), but then again that's just the kinda person I am.

uhmm because they go downhill

Dickheads beget dickheads.
The tone of the forum over the past few years does nothing to encourage them.
Flaming and fights were commonplace when I joined this place, but the idiots were weeded out and the decent members were encouraged.
While it's not as amusing as it used to be back in the good old days, at least the content has improved and it's not the free for all it used to be.
Credit for that, goes to the moderators.

I'd be interested in a Canterbury thread, Tore! In fact, I just learned of "Canterbury" music last week, I think, in the shoutbox while talking music with Anteater and Unchained Ballad. This is unfortunately a pretty one-sided music exchange and consists of me asking them for music suggestions, since I don't know a lot of music and thus have little to offer back, but I enjoy listening to and commenting on the songs for which they provide links, and they don't seem to mind offering them to me. It's a great way for me to listen to music I might never have considered...and is a nice way to get to know people a little better. So, start your "Canterbury" thread and I'll listen! :)

Well said, duga.

I can't fight with you as I'm a mod :(

i think one of the biggest problems with forums and music in general is the difference between people who get what playing music is about (expression) and those who equate it to bands and albums (commerce).

it's like the difference between music (art) and musical taste (ego) - they are not one and the same. it takes time and effort to do the necessary soul searching to reach a point where one is fine with the fact that what you listen to doesn't actually matter for anything at all to anyone besides you.

discussing a band's discography is no different than discussing a restaurant's menu in my eyes. while entertaining at times, it's ultimately superfluous.

big 3 chickened out ;) :(

your a mod again?