Open Letter from MIW Frontman 2013-12-03 by TheDarkestNight | 49 Comments |
Frontman Chris Motionless of the Post-Hardcore band Motionless in White has put forth an open letter on the internet, explaining his absence from social networking, their almost complete turn-around in musical style, and plans for himself, his band, and music in general.
Recess is over.
As usual, I say something in an interview and of course fans have a problem with it. I don’t know why i continuously feel like I should have to defend myself, but because no one is able read between the lines to understand why I said what i said.. I can’t help but want to try and encourage people to use their brains for something other than typical tumblr nonsense.
Here I am.. on trial in the court of the internet yet again. why? because I quoted in an interview that “Motionless In White are not about preaching the message anymore or pushing the be yourself shit”
Yes. Myself and the band as an entity have decided to stop the preaching. If you’ve been to any shows of ours since I think Warped Tour of 2012, you will notice that I put an end to the speeches and on stage rants, I don’t post anything people may find inspirational and I have completely stepped away from social networking on a regular basis. This has been an occurrence that has taken place for over a year, so why only now that I brought it to peoples attention in an interview are they whining about it? When are people finally going to get it through their heads that MIW is not the same band it was when Creatures came out?
Why did I say that in the interview? *cracks knuckles* *takes deep breath*
Three very big reasons.
#1. 8 out of 10 bands, clothing lines and public figures around now are on the “inspirational message” train. I’ve been watching it grow for the past few years. I can’t see a band anymore without hearing the same regurgitated and hollow words come from their mouths. I haven’t seen a clothing line released lately without the accompanying message in any variation the company decides to convey it. Do people not realize that they are being scammed? Are people too stupid to see that the “message” is a money making failsafe plan? These bands and companies realize that people are responding heavily to the “message” thing and many of them have no problem using that to their advantage. I’m not saying in any way that we were the first band to claim any sort of message.. fuck no we weren’t. But I can assure you that I never spoke a word I didn’t mean in an effort to take your money. You can see how us carrying on as a band but not wanting to prey on the willingness of said money spender would demonstrate the sincerity of where we’re at as a band now. It’s bullshit and I want no part in it any more. It’s that simple. I’m going to write the lyrics I write because thats how I feel and thats how it’s always been. I’m not your life coach and my lyrics aren’t supposed to be a guideline as to how you should live your life. I’ve said that before. IF people want to find hope or inspiration from them then hey, thats amazing and i’m incredibly honored, but i’m not writing them for you, I’m writing them for me. It’s all on you as to what you take from them and how you allow it to help you.
#2. This “you saved my life”, “you’re my hero” and “you’re my voice” thing has become an unbearable burden and a downright eye roller. NO. I did not save your life. NO.. band X, Y or Z did not save your life. IF in fact you were on the brink of any self harming action… it was YOU who pulled yourself from the ledge. You saved your life, You are the hero. Why are people not willing to take credit for their own actions? Thats right… because thats what fans think bands want to hear. I’m not taking ANYTHING away from people who do self harm or have a hard time with any aspects of their lives. We’ve all been there and having gone through those things myself shaped who I am today and made me want to use music as an outlet. I am strictly speaking out against the many many people i’ve seen approach me in the most absolute insincere, dishonest fashion with the “you guys saved my life” lines. I wish I had video of it so you can get the full effect. I can see right through it. It’s as though that has become the new “hello” when approaching a band member. What happened to “hey man, great show”, or “Hey guys, I really like your record/song”? Why does fucking EVERYTHING have to be laced with the “omg like you totally saved my life, and my friends life and her cats life” or the “you’re a huge inspiration, you’re my hero”? Can someone please tell me how the FUCK these bands who write lyrics about getting wasted or degrading women have saved your life? Seriously? It’s giving the people who really do deal with this stuff a bad name. Not to mention that on many occasions, I’ve seen people tweet things at me, then i’ll go to their twitter page only to see that they literally copy and pasted the same words to 15 other band members with only the intention of getting a response from one of us so they can screen shot it and brag about it. Disgusting. And you wonder why I just want to just simply write/play music and get the fuck out of that world of things??
#3. The hypocrisy amongst the very same fans who are upset with me is just embarrassing. I see fans every day tweet at me and say that I’ve helped them, but then will see that same person rip someone else apart over their opinion of something, the bands they like or a certain musician they like etc… Just go to a bands youtube page and read the comments on one of their music videos. Or better yet, go to my instagram and read the daily wars that happen between comments on my photos of things completely irrelevant to what they are arguing over. Seriously, I can post a photo of something like a cool piece of architecture I came across on tour and somehow @Andrew_bring_me_the_memphis_sirens_to_remember and @JulieMotionless_may_fire_the_horizon_bloodysuicid e will end up tearing each other to shreds over Ronnie Radkes recent haircut. It’s sickening that people who claim that music has helped them and gave them any sort of values and morals to live by treat others with such disrespect. You’re full of shit.
Looking back on everything I’ve ever said makes me realize that underneath it all, MIW’s main message has always been about not giving a fuck what people thought and encouraging you to do the same. We stopped with the preaching and pushing. We changed our style of music to sound like how we wanted to sound without fear of losing fans. We’ve maintained our image regardless of criticism. We are pulling back from the shit like putting “fuck” or “666” or fucking upside-down crosses on shirts just to sell merch because those are the only shirts kids fucking buy anymore. We are doing whatever the fuck we want and if that means our time has come where our band isn’t welcome anymore, then I feel sorry for you that you chose to support the opposition and for pushing out a band that now solely cares about what music, at it’s core, should always be about… giving people their money’s worth with the music/lyrics and live show. 90% of the people that are pissed at me and that i am referring to in this blog (based off of the comments I’ve read) are younger kids. I am an adult and we see things very differently. I’m not looking to spend the rest of my career on the playground.
It’s not that I don’t care, its that I do care. Thats the problem.
Source:
http://www.rocksound.tv/m/news/article/chris-motionless-im-not-looking-to-spend-the-rest-of-my-career-on-the-playg
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Tagged: Motionless in White
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that was surprising
he made a fair few good points here.
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wow i wouldnt even read something that long from my favorite artist
but they wouldnt be pretentious enough to think i wanted to read it in the first place
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I actually tried to read this but whatever idc lol I was excited at first cause I thought it was modern life is war
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I have no idea who this guy is or his band, but hating on teenagers for being hollow, self absorbed, vacuous pieces of shit is
kind of disengenuous when you market not only your songwriting, but your entire image to appease them for a quick buck.
Honestly, if you're expecting fucking wisdom and insight from 15 year olds you're trying to draw blood from a fucking stone.
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"Frontman Chris Motionless"
stopped reading there
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shit band
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"if you're expecting fucking wisdom and insight from 15 year olds you're trying to draw blood from a fucking stone. "
there are a lot of 15 year olds who are smart enough to have at least noticed or actually thought about what this guys angry about.
yeah most teenagers are dumb cunts.
but this will get through to some of them probably. (hopefully)
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i disagree with 2 hard
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holy inflated sense of self-importance
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He'd probably come across as way more intelligent if he didn't drop lines like "I just want to watch you fucking die, motherfucker!" in every song he writes.
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Agree hard with this. Maybe this will lead to better lyrics on the next album.
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you could just listen to better music instead
just saying is all
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well so far nobody has expressed their love for this band so I have no idea what your on about.
im not a fan in the slightest.
just think he made some good points that's all
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He has some valid points, some of those musical themes can come off as anything but genuine when everyone does it. I think that he just really wants the band to be viewed as something other than a scene band though. Good luck with that.
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I'm glad they're not gonna put fuck on t-shirts anymore. I feel like bands who do that and people who wear them are trying to be edgy and hard.
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is this guys name seriously chris motionless?
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"I'm glad they're not gonna put fuck on t-shirts anymore. I feel like bands who do that and people who wear them are trying to be edgy and hard."
wake up and smell the 2013
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it's funny cuz they have the lamest merch of all time
EDIT: also just looked at their merch and the second shirt has an upside-down cross on it
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Not a fan of the band at all, however he does make a few good points.
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The man's name is Chris Motionless
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His actual name is Chris Cerulli
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Ha, he's mad it worse.
Decent read though.
From the material I've heard this band is nothing new.
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lol you people are exactly what he was talking about
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The whole Motionless thing was a stage name and it stuck. Yeah, his last name is Cerulli. Regardless, I think he made some good points. I agree and disagree with his second point. I think a band's lyrics can definitely get someone thinking, and can assist them in coming back from the edge, but ultimately, I feel it is the person's own will that is the reason they're brought back. Hopefully, this does result in more sincere lyricism to the band, and hopefully, better music. I'll be happy to see merch from a band in the modern secular metalcore realm without the "edgy" graphics or phrases. That shit's just annoying to me. I'm not much of a fan of them, as Creatures was decent, and Infamous was just inconsistent, but they have potential to be a somewhat worthwhile band if they put the effort into it.
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decent read, made some good points.
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Chris is such a hipster
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Too long to read DGAF
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he could have just offered a
tl;dr
bitch i dont give a fuck
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This letter has inspired me! I just don't give a fuck!!!!
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Nice try, Chris, marketing the idgaf attitude to your shitty fanbase.
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I'm zonin' off one joint
Stoppin' a limo
Hopped in a window
Shoppin' a demo at gunpoint
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lol why is this a good read
its not???
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A lot of this is hate towards Attila and Of Mice & Men and its really funny
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haha dat name
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Nice read, some interesting points cuz this is exactly why I stay the fuck away from this kind of internet bullshit, I just listen to a band's music. Too bad this band has so far only written terrible music and have a shitty Marilyn Manson wannabee image
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Really dislike this band, but kinda agree with some of the stuff he's saying here. But surely he understands that the majority of his angsty, teen fanbase that keep him employed are inherently like this. And this whole I dont give a fuck and egotistical attitude does get a bit tiresome...
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Basically, music is nothing but a bunch of dweebs role playing with instruments and fans take it way too seriously. Lol @ having a message so weak
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surprising to hear this from someone within the scene, but until MIW actually tries to make music to step out of that scene, it really doesn't mean much.
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This would be a lot more thought provoking if it had better context (as in, if the band were anything other than awful).
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"shit band"
username: greenlinkinmuse
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It's hard to feel less respect for someone I don't know. He's very arrogant.
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"this is exactly why I stay the fuck away from this kind of internet bullshit"
the internet has turned an entire generation of people into touchy fuckwits who voice their opinion regarding the stupidest shit and try to sound smart. it's nauseating
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amen mo
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@MO
agreed 100%. There's thousands of pussies updating their blogs/social justice websites everyday, just whiteknighting the stupidest bullshit. I literally saw an article written about rich 20-somethings who feel like their accomplishments are discredited by society because they are born into wealth. It was called "Upper class discrimination". Lol'd hard
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"the internet has turned an entire generation of people into touchy fuckwits who voice their opinion regarding the stupidest shit and try to sound smart. it's nauseating"
sputnik in a nutshell
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mmhmmm this guy is basically sputnik personified
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I suspect that I'd have a very different opinion of him if I'd heard his music, but he seems like a decent guy
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Saw these guys at Mayhem Fest a few months ago, and I honestly would not have expected them to be one of those bands that would write an open letter like this to their fans. Still doesn't change the fact that their music sucks, but I do agree with the overall message that this letter is trying to convey. In all honesty, though, it's kind of hard to believe all this coming from a guy who calls himself "Chris Motionless."
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Chris "The Truth" Motionless
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