I doubt the reply to this will get to Amanda, unless she really reads all the replies to her posts? hehe
But that was spectacular. It's interesting, I was just thinking the other day about how much I appreciate Amanda not just as an amazing artist (and when I say artist, I mean artist. ART. Not those corporate artists that spring up occationally on MTV) but also as an amazing person, making the time to write things and post them for fans to read. Just being that open, i think it's awesome, especailly since (like you said about some people; guys in general) it's hard to get things out of people you do know personally and see everyday. Because I am very much one of those girls who has to talk about things, even though sometimes I can't. Blogs, close friends, and art help with that. And though the only people who will really care what I'm talking about are my friends, whereas you have a whole amazing fan base (woo hoo! ^_^) it's inspiring. And I thank you.
I'm sure a great deal of that has to do with being an exhibitionist, with enjoying the positive feedback that will undoubtedly come from star-struck fans, and with having that much free time in between tour stops. I mean, really, a load of people do what you described.
I've always thought that these kinds of responses were some of the last that were ever wished for, when you talk about
The Dolls. Punk Cabaret Is Freedom is not an ideology; it's a slogan. Amanda is not a saint; she is a good artist. Brian is not the next coming of Gandhi; he's a nice person. I think, the point of it all--that is a not a pun, I swear to god--is to, by connecting to fans in the ways you and others are describing,
avoid this kind of idolization. To be a pair of people amidst a sea of other people, who happen to have unique voices, who happen to have a platform from which to speak from, and utilize those gifts to inspire others to forget what they, the artists, are, and be themselves.
This isn't just directed at you. It's a message spread; your's is simply the sentiment I've read most recently. So it does not all apply to you. I don't even know who the hell you are. I just know you are part of a demographic that heeds to certain parameters. And you know what? Amanda's an intelligent, business-minded woman, and she knows that this demographic is lucrative. Those corporate MTV sellouts, they mind the same basic idea that The Dolls have. Find a market, put food on the table, maybe make some really good music on the way. That is not to say it is--was--their main focus, but it's a damned truth and you'd be a fool to think otherwise. They made it this far for a few reasons; musically-inclined capitalism is one of those.
Please. Enough with the dick-and-or-tit sucking. They're people. You're people. Stop identifying with them and be someone, because goddamit, none of those songs were written for you.
Except maybe Sing.
And Coin-Operated Boy. She definitely wants to jump my bones.