Some of the strangest things I hear are statements like "You're only a true MUSE (Or whatever) fan if you liked them before Twilight"

It doesnt matter where you discover a band.

I mean, they could be a "real fan" even if it was pop culture that introduced them to the band, but not all fans are real fans, lol. Just, if you love a band, no matter how you got introduced to them, you're a fan and no one should say otherwise.

And really, I think it's stupid when some fans get mad at other fans based on an "I heard them first" or "you only know them from _____" basis. You should be proud of your favorite bands when they gain more fans.

^ And really, I think it's stupid when some fans get mad at other fans based on an "I heard them first" or "you only know them from _____" basis. You should be proud of your favorite bands when they gain more fans.

I agree. I hate when people drop the "I've been a fan since they first joined" crap. It doesn't make you any bigger of a fan than someone who discovered them after a song was on a movie, tv show, or the radio.

Why should it matter how someone was introduced to an artist? What matters is that they like what they heard and seek out more of their work.

I also agree with r-pattz. Fandom isn't a competition, people- it's a community. Or it should be.

Yes and no. If you're just a 'real fan' because it's popular, you really aren't. If you seek out more from that artist/band and actually truly love them, not because they're popular, then you are a REAL fan.

I was introduced by Hedley by their popular music and I sought out more music from them, and would now consider myself one of their biggest fans.