Are We Dinosaurs? When Your Taste in Music Is Almost Extinct

About living in the past of music and still enjoying its present

“Of course, you know that song!”

Say people quite often, raving about some tune that’s super trending right now on radio stations, TV programs, or social media.

No, Billboard Charts Brenda, I don’t.

In terms of music taste, I’m a dinosaur: A gazillion years old, heavy-footed, not sought after anymore, almost extinct. Your modern noise blaring out of the speakers is an anachronism in my world — it hurts my geriatric ears.

Although I‘m not sure if dinosaurs have ears, but you know what I mean.

The Clash and other punk bands from the UK’s golden garage club era created some of my favorite music. Many American artists — considered “modern” in my world, like The Distillers or Social Distortion — are still touring, but almost nobody of my friends knows them.

And my dearest cold wave and dark wave combos like Joy Division and Bauhaus not only have a morbid fascination with life and death — but have ceased to exist themselves. The irony.

Sure signs you are a music dinosaur, too

As I write this article, The Cure plays ”Boys Don’t Cry” in the background. Well, I think boys and girls do cry, sometimes publicly, sometimes in secret. Maybe because they listen to songs like this one, nobody understands why they are getting goosebumps.

They feel like relics in the modern music world unless they gather amongst peers, bawling lyrics together in some sort of… tyranno-chorus. (Hey, you expected dino puns here, didn’t ya?!)

Are you a dinosaur in the world of music, too?

Watch out for the following tell-tale signs.

You grew up with music

Have your parents been avid music fans? In that case, chances are you’ve been introduced to certain bands and music styles in your young years, even before “roar-mones” kicked in, and trained your ears accordingly.

Scientific findings show that our parents, especially dads, indeed shape our taste in music before the age of 10.

My father’s fascination with hard rock and country somehow rubbed off on me — in the sense that I grew very fond of tougher yet melodic genres.

Handmade music fascinates you

You appreciate music as a handmade art form. Talented people use their instruments passionately for every part of a great song — guitar riffs, beating drums, keyboard tunes, and raspy vocals — give you goosebumps.

Handmade music is super appealing: It’s creative and the artists make it perfectly imperfect — every live gig sounds differently.

By contrast, DJ-ing pure electronic music give you… not that much. In fact, artificial intelligence is used increasingly to compose and produce songs for every genre. The dinosaur in me sighs and hides in her cove.

You have been (or still are) part of a subculture

Subcultures like Punk, Metal, or Gothic represent lifestyles alternative to the mainstream — with appearance, ideology, and specific music playing important roles. Being different and part of smaller cultural groups is crucial, but subcultures do not evolve as quickly as pop culture.

Consequently, they tend to “stew in their juices” — new bands for favored subgenres do not pop off too often, and favorites are listened to for decades.

This logic applies to me 100% and maybe to you, too.

My adolescent years were coined by dark wave and punk. Although I am not running to concerts every weekend (anymore), my music taste is still rooted in the past. I am open to new bands, yet there are just not many to choose from in my preferred subgenres (e.g., post-punk, street punk, cold wave, shoegaze).

Or the oldies sound just better to my wrinkled T-Rex mind.

Musically, you live in another era

Don’t you recognize the “modern crap” playing on the radio? Are you frequently bribing the DJ in the club to play really old stuff only you will love? And did your favorite bands form in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s?

Speaks for your taste, at least in my opinion ;-) Due to old age, however, your dear music combos probably do not exist anymore today — or they prefer earning royalties for ancient songs from their armchairs unless you fancy the dinosaurs still stomping stages, like KISS, The Who, and Blondie.

I just found out that Siouxsie Sioux, the female lead singer from UK punk pioneers Siouxsie and the Banshees (founded in 1976), started to solo tour again. At the age of 66, she’s returning to the stage! I’m beyond excited.

Still, the dinosaur in me might get disappointed when she’s only promoting new songs — which is the main reason to tour again — and not playing the 80s classics dear to my heart, too. Maybe you feel me here, Jurassic peer?

Oldies but goldies: You still own record players, band shirts & Co.

It was only yesteryear when mix tapes were the ultimate declaration of your “Eternal Flame” (The Bangles, 1988), when the worst that could happen was the car radio making tape salad out of your rare demos.

Back then, a good evening involved going to a concert and raiding the merchandise stand afterward — to grab band shirts and a new record.

My closet still holds those treasures. Sometimes, I take out my authentic, ancient band shirts — not those invented by fast fashion retailers like H&M or Primark. I marvel about my box of band buttons and stitch-on patches, collected when merch money was tight. Or I visit people who still own record players and dive into the cave of memories.

And did you know? You can also transfer old cassette tapes to mp3 files or DVDs to save the tunes and play them more conveniently.

Jurassic times call for Jurassic measures.

Be a happy dinosaur in a modern music world

I grabbed my old leather jacket yesterday to take out my favorite old band buttons. There was a punk, oi, and hardcore night in the small club in town. Initially, the DJ, an old skinhead, played dubious things. “That’s a Billie Eilish mash-up,” my bestie said and rolled her eyes. A what?!

After some Dutch courage, I waltzed over to the DJ, shimmying nervously behind his throne.

I did what’s forbidden, taboo in the modern music world. I asked for not one, but two songs. One ancient UK anthem, and an 80s number from an unknown German garage punk band. The DJ had both. And smiled his T-Rex smile at me. Dinosaurs. Takes one to know one.

This one evening out with my favorite music made me think: There are some things we can do to enjoy our personal music more mindfully. No matter how weird, nerdy, or ancient.

Get inspired by music apps

Present times are not completely bad if we learn to adapt. Yes, modern streaming platforms still have to pay fairer royalties to artists in order to guarantee a decent income. Spotify & Co. are great for music fans, even if you are into really old bands and genres.

My Spotify profile is filled with playlists from every sub genre of punk, and I always discover something (old that’s) new (for me). As soon as the algorithm gets to know your personal taste in music, it will suggest fantastic gems you’ve probably never heard of so far.

Besides music streaming apps, I can also recommend the app Shazam — for instant recognition of songs — and mobile concert planners like Songkick. I use the latter to track bands and locations in order to be up to date and never miss any rare live gigs.

Find your music peers

It’s always more fun to share a passion. Check social networks to find like-minded people whose fancy is also tickled by specific music from ages ago. I found a gothic music Facebook group for my region, which also offers regular meet-ups and visits concerts together.

And, of course, look around here on Medium, in The Riff — I love reading about the diverse music topics discussed in this publication. Plus, writing myself while listening to great tunes.

Another option: Spoil yourself with a music print mag like Rolling Stone, Mojo, or Metal Hammer — as long as they still exist. Who knows, digital content could soon eradicate them and become precious collectibles.

Roam the streets with open eyes

One of my favorite things about strolling around in the streets is spotting old-fashioned poster advertising glued to every corner. It’s the best possibility to spread the word for niche music events or record barters — besides flyers lying around in the small corner shops.

Support small music clubs

Apropos eradication: It’s so important to show up at small clubs in your area. Otherwise, they will close their doors forever — too many already have been forced to.

Due to gentrification and bureaucracy, small music clubs struggle the most. At the same time, they are the most courageous to play niche music and invest in long term-relationships with their loyal customers.

Recently, I got many thoughtful comments from The Riff community for my music club piece above (thank you). One person said he would only be ready to go out if a suitable live band was playing.

While my taste in music is very specific, I suggest visiting “your” club for a passionate DJ. Please support your local club culture; otherwise, it’s going to be extinct soon. We music dinosaurs need to stick together!