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10 struggles alternative music fans know all too well

We didn’t pick the alternative life; it picked us. When you’re a fan of an alternative genre such as pop punk or hardcore, there’s a lot of trials and tribulations you must endure. These are the struggles we all carry with us and have experienced at least once, as told by GIFs.

1. No one knows who your band really are.


“PVRIS? Like, how do you even say that?” The struggle is real. We’re doomed to fangirl in solitude, left only to our online communities.

2. Waiting for that new album so you can stop listening to their only album on repeat.


Your band is your life. Their music speaks to your soul. Even if they only have one album or a handful of EPs to listen to. Whatever. You still love them.

3. Never hearing them on the radio


Nothing beats unexpectedly hearing your favorite artist on mainstream radio. While some alternative artists have been added to regular rotation, sometimes your favorite artist isn’t on there. Might as well just plug in the aux cord and pull up Spotify again.

4. Waiting literally forever for them to come to your town.


Most cities bend over backward to get larger acts to play. Unless your favorite alternative band have been around for a while, you might have to rely on DIY venues or bars.

5. Traveling extraordinarily long distances just to see them.


With that being said, nothing can keep you from seeing your favorite band when they do go on tour. Even if that means embarking on a four or five hour road trip.

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6. Never finding any merch in stores


Other bands have their merch at Hot Topic or even Walmart. God knows that you’ll find the same David Bowie T-shirt in three different stores, at least. But nope, your band aren’t that mainstream yet.

7. Expensive merch


This isn’t necessarily an alternative fan exclusive problem, but it’s definitely a problem. When you finally find that merch your wardrobe sorely lacks, it’s out of your budget. $70 for a hoodie, $30 for a T-shirt, $10 for some pins—don’t even think about getting that poster.

8. Being perpetually broke because you bought the merch anyway.


You have an unwritten contract with your favorite band to buy all of their merch and go to every tour. It’s your duty as their superfan to support them in this way. Even if it means you’ve basically signed away your life/wallet.

9. Liking, following, sharing any post that mentions your faves.


It’s a big deal when your favorite artist get coverage. Whether it’s an independent music blog or a national magazine, you feel obligated to support that publication because they supported your favorite band. That’s just how it works.

10. Having conflicting feelings when your favorite band does finally make it big


This is everything you have ever wanted. The world knows how awesome your favorite band are now. Except now everything’s even more expensive. They came to your town, but you can’t get tickets. Don’t they know you’ve been there since the beginning, a fan before everyone else thought they were cool?