As a member of a struggling band in the UK it appears obvious to me that the so called 'music fans' dont really care about the grass roots of the music industry. "Indie Music", what ever that means, is now in many cases as manufactured as pop music, as magazines such as the NME appear to have complete control over what goes in peoples CD players.

It is annoying for lyricists, songwriters and musicians when we read on someones myspace 'music is my life', this statement is both a cliche and a lie for most who state it. These so called music fans pay no attention to the underground music scene and unless a band is promoted by zaine lowe or the NME refuse to give it the time of day.

I have found from personal experience that the best in "indie" music can be found in the clubs, bars and venues of your home towns, not in the glossy pages of music magazines.

For those of you who say 'music is your life', or 'you couldn't cope without it' spare a thought for those who slave away writing and playing and recieve no credit. For us music truly is our life and every time we get up on stage or write a lyric we are exposing ourselves to the maximum. Underground musicians and their followers are the real music fans in the UK, not those who follow the fashions set by the NME.

I urge you all to go out there and find bands for yourself, it is the most enjoyable way to listen to music. I promise you that by going out there to small gigs you will find truly great music and you will meet alot of genuine, friendly, interesting and intelligent people along the way.