Page 3 • Wednesday, October 8, 2003
Aggielife
The Battalion
BEMYET
ENGliSH FiADS iK COLLEGE STATION HERALD NETV BRiTiSH iNYASiON
early half a century ago, four young men from Liverpool, England,
stepped off a plane and set foot on American soil for the first time. Their
lineup fit the mold of what has come to be known as a boy band in mod
ern times the quiet type, the lovable one, the thoughtful rebel and the slightly
more mature member.
However, all that didn’t matter because they had smooth melodies, catchy lyrics
and, in short, rocked out like America had never seen. They were The Beatles,
and they are widely acknowledged for pioneering what would become American
youth’s ongoing obsession with all things British.
From entertainment genres such as music and movies, to the not-so-obvious
areas such as clothing styles, American life has been permeated with different
aspects of the United Kingdom. Many fads past, Great Britain still remains the zenith
of those who strive to be tragically hip and stylish while remaining comfortably with
in the boundaries of American mainstream culture.
Richard Stevenson, a junior marketing major,takes frequent trips to the United
Kingdom with his family. Stevenson said his family loves vacationing in London, because
there is always something new and exciting to discover.
“1 love visiting castles, museums and art galleries,” Stevenson said. “It is always so
fascinating because in a way, British history is also our history.”
Stevenson said the busy London life is what sets it apart from life at Texas A&M.
"We love the atmosphere over there,” Stevenson said. “Everything is so fast-paced,
and everybody is always in a hurry. Even though time is a big commodity, people are
generally nice over in England. It’s when you go to the pubs and catch them during their
lounging hours that they get really friendly.”
Stevenson said during his sojourns in England, he has developed some personal
favorite pastimes.
“I love visiting the coffee shops in London because they have really great drinks that are very
cheap,” he said. “We are talking about coffee that even blows Starbucks way out of the water. I
also enjoy visiting the amateur comedy clubs. It’s a free show and the comics are hilarious.”
Erin Wiedower, a sophomore wildlife and fisheries sciences major, said she is a fan of a
variety of English things.
1 am fond of different aspects of Great Britain, such as Victorian-era
architecture, the way homes are set up, their accents and the way of life
in general,” she said. “The entire British cul
ture comes with an unmatched feeling of
sophistication.”
The area of American life that has
arguably been the most influenced by
the United Kingdom is entertainment.
From the British invasion of the 1960s
led by The Beatles, to Bush and the
Spice Girls in the 90s, leading up to the
current success of Coldplay and Radiohead,
each decade has seen musical performers from England rise to the
top of the American charts.
f Wiedower said she is a fan of
many lesser known British bands.
“I am a fan of bands like Travis and Oasis,” she said. “They
fall into a genre of their own and are very creative. Although
they aren’t completely obscure bands, they aren’t regulars on
the mainstream charts either.”
John Garvin, a senior history major, said he is a fan of
British performers.
“Two of my absolute favorite bands are Radiohead and
Pink Floyd,” Garvin said. “They have an originality and for
eign feeling that other bands don't have, regardless of
where they are from.”
Garvin said music out of the United Kingdom has a per
fect mix of edginess and familiarity, without lacking an
international quality.
“Their music is similar enough to American music
that it goes with my taste, but at the same time, it’s inno
vative and different enough to be unique,” Garvin said.
Many retail stores that aim to cater to the music-
loving crowds have begun selling apparel that is
spiked with British references, whether it is a T-shirt
that has a Union Jack on it or a sweater that simply says “London.”
Megan Scott, a senior philosophy major, said clothing styles associated with music are heavily
influenced by the United Kingdom due to major rock styles evolving there.
“Music styles like punk and New Age alternative were created in England,” Scott said. “Even
today, it is common to see the British public dressed in styles that are very punk-rock.”
Scott said when it comes to alternative fashion, the Brits are always a year ahead.
“Movements are always happening a year earlier over there — music-wise and fashion-wise,”
Scott said. “People who really want to keep up with trends usually buy the United Kingdom version
of Vogue magazine, since you can be in touch with styles before they hit the mainstream in
America.”
Because of language barriers that come with fads from other European nations, Scott said
England has more of an influence on American culture.
“It’s hard for people who don’t speak French to watch sitcoms or listen to music that comes out
of France,” Scott said. “More Americans can watch British shows and movies because they are in
English.”
The latest televised Brits that have become an obsession on American shores are MTV’s celebri-
I ty reality family, ‘The Osbournes'. According to mtv.com, “The Osbournes” garners more than
eight million viewers a week — statistics that have made it the most successful show on MTV in the
I channel’s 22-year history. The show has also become one of the top hours on cable television,
I “I’m not a huge fan of the Osbournes, but sometimes they just act so stupid that you just want to
I watch and laugh at them,” Wiedower said.
For many Aggies, their love for England doesn’t stop at buying the latest installment of “Harry
I Potter” or sporting a Charlatans sticker on the rear fender of their car. They wish to change their
I obsession into an experience.
Wiedower said she hopes to visit England soon.
“I want to do an internship in London, or maybe even study there for a semester,” she said.
‘Since I am such a fan of England, it would be a really great experience.”
Garvin said he wishes to attend graduate school in England and experience the culture while
being a student.
“I would love to soak up the London scene,” Garvin said. “Since I am interested in teaching
history, I really want to visit World War II museums and get a different perspective on those
events and times.”
Garvin said all British things come with a sense of aloof familiarity.
“The whole British idea is cool,” he said “Because they are dif
ferent enough that they seem original, but similar enough that we
can relate to them..”
Story by Nishat Fatima • THE BATTALION
a
People who really
want to keep up with
trends usually buy
the United Kingdom
version of “Vogue”
since you can be in
touch with styles be
fore they hit the
mainstream in
America.
— Megan Scott
senior philosophy major
ms,.
fcuk 1
Seth Freeman • THE BATTALION