The collection of Heavy Metal Music Material holds artifacts (posters, photographs, t-shirts, etc.) about the heavy metal music scene.
What kinds of historical narratives might you be able to tell, based on the materials in this collection? Based on the materials in the collection, I gather that the type of historical narratives available to the reader are primarily from third parties, which only relay information about particular events. The collection is composed of “published works, archival material, and ephemera related to heavy metal music and fan culture.” The materials aside from the autobiographies lack subjective and personal accounts not only from the band members but also from the public at large (those within and those outside the Heavy Metal scene). Personally, I find this Collection of Heavy Metal Music Material to be incredibly intriguing because in my mind it was far from the realm of academic study. I grew up listening to a lot of Heavy Metal, which peaked in High School, and to see it in a collection at UCLA harbors hope for the validity and politics of Heavy Metal music.
What would be missing from your narrative, if you based it entirely on records in this collection? Like previously mentioned, the subjective thoughts and opinions from the band members within the Heavy Metal scene, but also from the public including those not a part of Heavy Metal culture. It’s interesting to see the importance of physical objects (memorabilia) in the Heavy Metal music scene. Metal music, and Heavy Metal in particular, is a visual genre which is evidenced by clothing, album artwork, and/or band image, and it is through this collection that one can see the connection between a band’s musical narrative and their visual narrative; however, without any personal narratives this collection can only tell so much about the Heavy Metal scene.
What kinds of sources would you need to find in order to address those gaps? The kinds of sources necessary in order to address the gap of the place of Heavy Metal music at a time of American Conservatism could include interviews (both of the band members and of the public), newsletters, music reviews, essays, and personal statements. Subjective statements could broaden the scope and depth in understanding why Heavy Metal music had such a large impact for society at large and not just a niche group in American Society, especially in the moments in which Heavy Metal music entered the mainstream (Cannibal Corpse actually appeared in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective).