Music: Rock

THE ROCK & METAL PROFS

WITH MATT ALSCHBACH & DR. COURT LEWIS

Associate professors at Owensboro Community College and Pellissippi State Community College, respectively, Alschbach and Lewis host the popular podcast The Rock & Metal Profs: The History & Philosophy of Rock & Metal. Now they're bringing their keen insights to the pages of News 4U with a monthly deep dive into some of the best bands of the rock/metal genre and thoughts on music in general.

THE INCLUSIVITY OF THE ROCK AND METAL COMMUNITY

On our last podcast, I asked Court to define the “Rock and Roll identity.” This was not a scripted question, I just sprung it on him to see how he would react (he works well under pressure). As usual, his response was apt and thoughtful. Court suggested that the heart of rock and roll is a performer’s willingness to be rebellious, embrace their own unique identities, make a connection with audiences, fans, and their instrument, and to embrace life and have fun. When all of these aspects come together in the right ways, rock and metal artists often create something unique and special that can be life-changing for listeners.

Court’s answer got me thinking about what it means to be “rock and roll” or “metal.” But is there a rock and metal code by which the faithful conduct their behavior? Just a few days ago, Judas Priest was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (LONG OVERDUE, by the way). During his acceptance speech, Priest vocalist Rob Halford talked about the inclusivity of the metal community and how the genre offers a place of belonging for outsiders and misfits. The Metal God hit the nail on the head!

The rock and metal community has always offered a home for the wayward, the outcast, the downtrodden and the lonely. I’ll never forget riding home after school with a hearingimpaired student that my buddy Dave and I befriended. We couldn’t understand him, but he could read our lips. It was a little awkward, but Dave and I felt that we were doing a good deed by giving the chap a ride. During our journey, I put on Metallica, and this young man put his hands on the dashboard to feel the vibrations of the music and began to head-bang! Dave and I were so shocked that this deaf kid loved metal! It was a magical moment realizing that this fellow wasn’t any different from us, despite his disability.

When we are at our best, the rock and metal code embodies mutual respect, acceptance for individual differences, embracing all who love the genre, proselytizing for new converts by singing the praises of our favorite artists, and focusing on commonalities rather than what divides us. This is the ideal to which all rock and metal lovers should aspire.

PICTURED LEFT TO RIGHT: MATT ALSCHBACH

AND DR. COURT LEWIS The Rock & Metal Profs podcast is available on iTunes, Google and Spotify.