The music world is bound to have a lot of douchebags. It's just an inevitability, considering that it's essentially a profession for man-children. Peter Pan syndrome? No problem in the music business. That's why you see so many rock stars going through growing pains sometime in their mid-forties. Remember Metallica: Some Kind of Monster?
Most musicians aren't very well-behaved, but some can control themselves a little bit better than others. The worst, though, can ruin their own lives and the lives of everyone around them, all while publicly making fools of themselves.
In the words of legendary douchebag Kanye West, this is a chance for us to give a toast to the douchebags of 2012 who made the jobs of music journalists way, way easier.
5. Steve Albini I love Steve Albini and just about everything his fingerprints have touched. He's a genius of sound, but he's also a noted douchebag when he decides to open his mouth and comment on music. Ironically, he earned my ire and a place on this last earlier this year by inexplicably feuding with someone I dislike, Amanda Palmer.
I may have my opinions on Palmer's music, but Albini decided to criticize her not for her music or her general attitude, but because she employed Kickstarter to fund her new album and tour. Albini's comments were not only mean and uncalled for, but he pretty much called out anyone who uses Kickstarter and anybody who doesn't have the money to produce their own music.
Albini claims to be a proponent of DIY, which is why his comments here make so little sense. Honestly Steve, keep your mouth shut and produce music.
4. Jonny Craig A perennial contender for this "award," post-hardcore singer Craig might not be as well-known as others on this list, but his antics are just as legendary. For those who know about it, we'll never let Craig live down the time he allegedly scammed his own fans for drug money by selling fictional MacBooks on Twitter. This year, Craig didn't do anything nearly that bad, but he continued his douchebag actions.
After being allowed back into his old band Dance Gavin Dance last year and even allowed to stay on with them despite numerous drug charges and that MacBook incident, he once again screwed them over on tour this year.
After finally getting back on the road after Craig's latest stint in rehab, he proceeded to get into alleged fights with members of other bands on the tour and the tour organizers, so much so that his band finally told him to go home and continued without him. This is something like Craig's fiftieth blown chance with Dance Gavin Dance. Way to go, douchebag.
