Basements Quote by Page Hamilton
“The problem is that the internet IS some kid in a basement with an opinion. The fact that David Bowie and Elton John told me that they were fans of Helmet - or Neil Young - that means something to me because I grew up on their music and they’re great musicians... That means more to me than some guy who hates the fact that my hair is short.”
About This Quote
The quote contrasts the weight of celebrity endorsement with the triviality of anonymous online opinions, highlighting how personal relevance and cultural context shape what we value.
In simple terms: Celebrity opinions matter more than strangers online.
Key Takeaway
Influence depends on personal connection.
Themes
cultural authority
personal relevance
media criticism
identity
authenticity
Mood
nostalgic
critical
reflective
Type
personal anecdote
cultural commentary
When to use this quote
- discussing music tastes with friends
- evaluating online reviews
- reflecting on cultural icons
- forming personal identity
Key Concepts
celebrity endorsement
online anonymity
subjective value
Practical Applications
- curating playlists based on trusted artists
- using expert opinions for music discovery
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do we trust famous voices over everyday people?
- How does personal history affect our perception of authority?
A Different Perspective
Some argue that any opinion, regardless of source, can be valuable if it offers a fresh perspective.
![“We did a really cool video for this song [Milquetoast] with Alex Winter from Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure fame. He's an extremely intelligent guy. Butch Vig also did a mix for The Crow movie.” quote by Page Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/416/page-hamilton-38715_adventure_we-did-a-really-cool-video-for-this-song_214333.jpg)
![“We've played it [Milquetoast] a million times. When you play a song that much you sort of become disconnected with the lyrics. It's just another song essentially about people's opinions and being told how to live your life even though they may have less life experience than you have.” quote by Page Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8ac/page-hamilton-38715_disconnected_we-ve-played-it-milquetoast-a-million-ti_567342.jpg)
![“. I did an interview earlier and somebody asked me if I [knew I] was onto something back when I was first writing. I said, "Yeah. I always thought I was good." We're not the Beatles or Led Zeppelin or AC/DC. But Helmet always sounded like Helmet, and we sort of developed our own sound. There's a…” quote by Page Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/422/page-hamilton-38715_back-when_i-did-an-interview-earlier-and-somebody_690147.jpg)
![“We went to South America on a trip and all I had was a Robert Johnson album. So that's a definite influence on the album. My bandmates John [Stanier, drummer] and Henry [Bogdan, bassist] were interested in expanding their roles as writers, so that had a positive impact on the record.” quote by Page Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ccd/page-hamilton-38715_albums_we-went-to-south-america-on-a-trip-and-a_1667032.jpg)
