James Hetfield, lead singer of Metallica, is an icon to millions. Photo / Martin Sykes
A Waikato University researcher has a Government grant to study the habits of head-banging heavy metal fans.
The $96,000 doctoral grant over three years to student Dave Snell will allow him to carry out his study, "The Everyday Life of Bogans: Identity and Community Among Heavy Metal Fans".
Mr Snell, 27, one of four Waikato students to win one of the scholarships, was happy to describe himself as a bogan, saying he loves heavy metal music - distinctive for its thick, loud, guitar-and-drums sound.
"The stereotype of a bogan is tight black jeans, a Metallica T-shirt, a mullet or a shaved head and a love of beer and cars. I'd very proudly call myself a bogan," he told Radio New Zealand.
His research will include studying different types of dancing to heavy metal music - head-banging or moshing - as well as the importance of tattoos and body piercings.
He says bogans offer a good case study of the importance of identity to different groups of people.
National MP Paul Hutchison said the grant for the study was made while Government funding for agricultural science had dropped from $63 million in 2004 to $50 million in 2005-06. He questioned whether it was the best use of scarce resources.
The Tertiary Education Commission, which administers the scholarships, defended the study.
"This research will help us to understand our communities and our younger people," said senior manager Frannie Aston.
Waikato University's vice-chancellor, Professor Roy Crawford, said the scholarships "acknowledge our brightest scholars and we are very proud of them".
- NZPA
