DALLAS COYLE ON THE “BLOGOSPHERE”

After all the Metallica hooplah from the last couple of weeks, I decided to take last week off. I thought about all of the responses to the blog I wrote last week and thought that people needed a break from my stupid face. It’s cool to see a blog get a big response but sometimes it can become too much for your own good. I felt I needed to step back from it and let the dust settle. With that said, the overwhelming consensus of people’s views regarding my last blog was, “Yes, the Metallica album kicks ass.” I give credit to the people out there who know a good thing when it’s staring them in their face.

The new album is out, its selling like wildfire and we should all agree to disagree at this point. One thing I will say is that Metallica doing well means that metal does well, so I’m happy I can enjoy the album and it’s effect on the metal scene.

One thing that became very apparent to me was the sensitivity in the ‘blogosphere.’ I hate that word but I don’t know what else to call it. When a new Metallica album comes out, every site that’s worth it’s salt always has a wealth of responses from ‘mostly’ faceless names spitting out their worthless opinions. I say worthless because when you talk shit you should at least say who you are so you’re held accountable.

Many people come up to me and say I’m courageous for putting myself out there on the internet and let people know what I think and feel about certain things. I’ve never understood this because courage to me is going into a burning building and saving someone. Courage to me is signing up for the army, navy, marines to fight for your country. Courage to me is sticking your dick in a girl you don’t know without a condom. But after thinking about it, I understand where people come from when they say it’s risky to put yourself out there through the internet – and what type of courage it takes.

I won’t lie. I don’t like going to shows that much anymore because I’m more cautious than I would’ve been since I’ve done this blog. Going back to the whole faceless names idea, I’ve said some pretty jacked up shit on this blog that may have incensed people enough for them to take a shot at me. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not afraid of that but I think it’s difficult when someone knows who you are and you don’t know who they are. It’s kind of an assassin’s creed.

I’m sure there are people out there who want to embarrass me in public because of the things I say. I’m sure there are people out there who would love to put a foot to my chin. Those are risks I take every day I go to a show because of the blogs I write. But, one thing that really keeps me doing this is a lot of people like to hear the shit that I say.

Let’s be clear. I understand this is entertainment and should be seen as only that. I understand if I mention Iann Robinson in a blog, it’s usually to get people talking. I’m an entertainer and an artist and I understand the rules of the game. Take my Poison Vs Def Leppard blog. I don’t know either of those bands but I decided to take a shot at them because the whole situation is funny. Even if Rikki Rocket is a black belt and would kick me through a wall!

To me, being in a band is like being a politician. If you’re out there in the spotlight, you should expect to take some hits. Shit, I wish our band has taken more hits in public. I think some people are scared to talk shit about us because they think we’re tough guys (which we’re not), or they think they’d be seen as racists because of our band’s make up. Nothing would please me more, if I saw a “Nigger Go Home” sign at one of our shows! It would get us in the press and at least we know what people really think! And after the whole experience, it would be very funny to remember that day when a “Nigger Go Home” sign was put up at one of our shows even though it would piss us off at the moment.

I think people are too sensitive for their own good. Especially when it comes to the internet. Just calm down, entertain yourselves and enjoy your Wi-Fi connection. As long as I’m alive, I’ll be here trying to piss people off. In the meantime, feel free to say to me whatever you like, especially, “Nigger Go Home!”