The complete Denver music fan field guide

Noah Van Sciver

Metalheads

Metalheads are simply committed listeners of the hardest-rocking genre. The community of metalheads value authenticity within the group by maintaining disinterest in commercial appeal. The musicians themselves maintain a sincere refusal to sell out. Metal dudes have long hair, plenty of leather, motorcycle boots and the need to mosh and headbang.

Punks

Punk isn't just defined by music; it's defined by an attitude. For the most part, punks oppose the government and are extremely politically aware. Often, they'll emulate the style of members of the Ramones or the Clash -- or they're drunken rabble-rousers in the tradition of bands like NOFX and the Dwarves, who have a pronounced refusal to take shit, are supportive of anarchy and show disdain toward the mainstream.

Hip-Hop Purists

The Hip-Hop Purist is someone who resists any type of change in the hip-hop genre. Any music that pushes the boundaries of traditional hip-hop is indicative of the death of genre. You can often find them lamenting about the narrowing of hip-hop to rapping and production. The Purist owns a sizable vinyl collection, perhaps with some cassettes and maybe even some 8-tracks, if they're super-old-school. They won't listen to anything past the '90s, though the hip-hop purists before them ironically considered the '90s the death of hip-hop. Look for these cats at cyphers, park jams, open mics and other places where the seeds of hip-hop are sowed.