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Worst of all, if you find yourself accidentally stumbling into one of those cliques - music-y cliques being particularly thriving these days - you are suddenly expected to comply to all sorts of things, ranging from a simple yet moronic version of 'follow the leader' (in other words, helping to massage someone's ego) to being expected to follow the clique's every move obligingly. Music-y cliques are particularly bad in that respect, especially those who are in pursuit of a master plan of some sorts. And you seriously assumed it was just going to be a bit of good clean fun? Now you're caught up in office politics and false ideals. The latter, for instance, being the usual 'us versus them' crap. Who are 'they', anyway? People who think differently? People who aren't quite 'indie' enough? Those considered unworthy or not cool enough by the clique? At the same time, the clique rolls itself in the glory of their made up 'underground' ideals, whilst quite merrily pursuing an ultra commercial, corporate and hypocritical plan. At the same time, members of the clique get so caught up in their new 'destiny' that they completely forget why they got involved in the first place.
Obviously, this leads to a massive build-up in egos and minority complexes morphing into world domination attitudes. It's like some sort of weird little army stabbing you in the back. Well, thanks a lot. Well done.
Still - and surprisingly - most cliques live in denial. Most don't even know what they've got themselves into. 'We're not arrogant', they insist, 'we are so tolerant'. Yeah right. Just wait for their reaction after you told them you'd rather not be part of their little gang. See, the trick is to either join forces with the clique or maintain your miserable little anti-social lifestyle, listening to the 'wrong' music, having 'uncool' friends and believing in 'all the wrong ideals'. Either way, you probably lose. Super, isn't it?
