2 April 2007: The Everyday Life of Bogans

A New Zealand university researcher has won a government grant to study the habits of heavy rock fans.

The grant will allow student Dave Snell to study different types of dancing to heavy rock music -- including head-banging -- as well as the importance of tattoos and body piercing.

The study is entitled "The Everyday Life of Bogans: Identity and Community Among Heavy Metal Fans." Bogan is an insulting term in Australasia for an unsophisticated person, but Snell confesses he himself is a bogan, saying he loves heavy rock music.

New Zealand's Tertiary Education Commission defended the study, saying "This research will help us to understand our communities and our younger people".

Exactly what he will spend the 35 thousand pound grant on was not revealed, but SaintFM would be happy to suggest a few albums.