Because I'm a obssessive-compulsive loser, who can't contain herself in written form when it comes to this band, I somehow wrote an essay to answer the above question. I'm biased, and completely baseing this on my own opinions and emotions, but I can't help it. I could've written so much more if Ihad time. I truly believe every word I wrote. They are the most important band of my life, let alone the last decade.
I could spend hours explaining why Fall out boy are the most important band of the decade. They are extremley talented muscians who jump-started a new brand of Pop-punk for a new generation, and helped carry it across to mainstream. (Whether you like it or not) They are unapologetic of showing who they really are, and painfully honest. It's this honesty that has gained them so many die-hard fans. (And of course, they've awesome music.) They've shone light on unknown bands, and given them head starts in the music buisness, they continue to support causes they believe in, no matter if it's popular or trendy, and they have helped so many people just live, and get through whatever it is they need to get through. Fall out boy aren't the only band who can claim all this- but no one else does it like Fall out boy. No one else can shake off the kind if dedicated haters they have, no one else can gut themselves in words and live with that exposure, no one else can connect with fans like they do, no one else can make people believe, (In this big beautiful & painful thing I like to call life, amoung other things) and no one else can do all this and still be relevant & multi-talented muscians. Or very few can.
They have helped guide and nurture many new bands over the last few years, through Pete Wentz's record label Decaydance. They've introduced countless kids to new genres and styles, thanks to these bands. They support they're craft- it's all about the music. And they want to give people music in all ways they can. They've been called "Sell-Outs" more times than probably most bands in the past decade, but they're probably one of the few bands who stand for exactly the opposite. Money was and isn't why they make music. They make music because it's apart of them, they love it and it's fun. Is there really any other reason why you should make music?
They've done real work with many charities, especailly with Invisible Childeren, which included a trip to Uganda to witness first hand what they're trying to fight. They filmed a music video there, a tragic love story portraying the real pain of the never-ending war. They gave they're own personal money to fight against Prop 8, and continue to support equal rights.
They're music has helped a generation survive the ups and downs of life, which can be said for almost every band on this list, but Fall out boy live and breathe this mantra. It was nothing they set out to do, and I think it still surprised them to this day, but by just being themselves, they've managed to forge a connection with fans that I think is rare between fans and artists. Through lyrics, through online blogs, through Viral Campaigns that drive us crazy, through 15-second snippets of conversation outside venues after midnight, they have managed to make us believe in something more than just how we feel when the lights go out, and we're alone. They've given us hope. In what? In just plain old life. Nothing fancy.
Pete Wentz has put into words, what most of us can't put into coherent thought. It's not about who he is, or what he's wearing, but how he feels. And how so many of us feel it too. He's put himself out there, in words and thought, and exposed himself to millions with an internet connection. (Not that kind of exposed!) And again- it's that honesty that makes us believe. That if he can do it, so can we.*
Patrick Stump is a musical genuis, a multi-talented composer and producer. He's helped bring those baby bands to the masses with Pete, and of course, brought to life his tongue-in-cheek lyrics and clever metphors, through Fall out boy's music. He has produced all kinds of different artists, ranging in styles and genres, which only proves his talent. This is someone who was born to make music.
Andy Hurley is like the backbone to the band, and an amazing drummer. (He also has kick ass taste in comics) Joe Trohman can shred amoung the best hardcore bands, and is legendary amoung fans for his crazy stage antics. (Trohmania!) These are the dudes who make Fall out boy, Fall out boy, who keep it together. They're like the blood to the body. You don't notice how much you need it until your bleeding, but it's one of the most vital parts of the body.
These 4 guys, are just that- 4 regular guys. Who happened to make music, really well. And a whole bunch of other things. They probably have more haters than lovers, but the lovers scream so much louder than any hater can. We are the die-hards. The true believers. We've watched this band grow from nothing, to everything. From basements to arenas. They've impacted an entire generation, whether they wanted to or not. They've done it through music, through they're actions & thoughts, by just being themselves, and letting people believe in that. We believe in ourselves now too.
So why is Fall out boy the most important band of the last decade? Because of people like me. For every person they've made into a believer. And believers never die.
*That's why I'm still breathing.
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