'How you gonna see me now'

Recontextualizing metal artists and moral panics

Authors

  • Brad Klypchak Texas A&M University-Commerce Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1558/pomh.v6i1/2.38

Keywords:

heavy metal, metal culture, transgression, Black Sabbath, Alice Cooper, Kiss, moral panic

Abstract

Three acts, Black Sabbath, KISS, and Alice Cooper, are unquestionably influential in terms of their respective impacts on the history of heavy metal as a musical form, its subcultural development, and its extended reach into the consciousness of larger popular culture practices. In particular, each act pushed the bounds of perceived social propriety, sparking controversy and a series of conservative protests reflective of moral panic. Now, decades later, the same artists are no longer threatening. Rather, they are welcomed into mainstream popular culture, despite maintaining many of the very actions deemed offensive or profane years ago. In the article, it is argued that through conscious acts of reversion, each artist has recontextualized the meanings loaded onto their past careers while subsequently adding new layers of discursive considerations to heavy metal’s own conceptualization of rebellion and resistance as well as its ongoing historic legacy.

Author Biography

  • Brad Klypchak, Texas A&M University-Commerce

    Brad Klypchak teaches courses in Liberal Studies at Texas A&M University-Commerce. A popular culture scholar, he earned his Ph.D. in American Culture Studies from Bowling Green State University. While Dr. Klypchak has taught and done research in film, theatre, sport, performance, and mass media studies, his particular emphasis has been on heavy metal music. His book, Performed Identity: Heavy Metal Musicians 1984-1991, reflects this interest.

References

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Published

2012-05-14

Issue

Section

Controversies

How to Cite

Klypchak, B. (2012). ’How you gonna see me now’: Recontextualizing metal artists and moral panics. Popular Music History, 6(1-2), 38-51. https://doi.org/10.1558/pomh.v6i1/2.38