In a world where "Emo" means so many different things, I recently began questioning just how exactly you would define this term. In boredom, i sat and thought about all the other terms loosely related to this musical genre; Screamo, Post-Hardcore, Scene Kids, et. al., and I started to wonder, what the hell does all of this mean? I embarked on an online search, trying to figure out in my head from lists of bands that were labeled in certain sub-genres, just what they all had in common. But I found no relief for my bewilderment. Then I came across Wikipedia. They have long articles explaining the histories and the movements and the trends of these various genres throughout the years. I sat and read through different essays and definitions for hours. I learned that many of the labels bands are given these days, were actually terms used years ago, before any of this hype was around. Some of them I knew of, others I had thought were recent slang.
After all of this reading I've found that I am now more confused than ever. So many bands these days that are labeled Emo don't really have much to do with what Emo originally was. And most modern Screamo bands, apparently, sound more like the early days of Emo than the modern Emo bands do. And don't even get me started on Fashioncore.
I realize that there will more than likely be a few people out there that will resent me for writing something like this, but I don't care anymore. All of these terms and classifications have been thrown around far too much, and are getting way out of hand. For example, if I was to wear a fitting black t-shirt with some ripped black jeans and Chuck Taylor's, I could be labeled Punk Rock. But If I change the ripped jeans to a brand new pair of "distressed" jeans from any of a number of trendy clothing stores, I would be labeled "Scene"? Is that really necessary? And if I'm distraught, and listen to depressing music all the time because I like to be a loner, am I then labeled Emo? Does anyone actually realize the extreme irony involved in wanting to be a loner by listening to a style of music that millions of other people listen to for the same reasons? But wait, I'm telling you all this online....so that must mean that I'm a scene kid. Right?
For those of you who are also confused as to what the hell any of these genres or sub-cultures pertain to, I am providing you with links to follow. Granted, they are taken from Wikipedia, so some information may not be entirely accurate.
"Emo"
"Screamo"
"Post-hardcore"
"21st Century Emo"
"Fashioncore"
"Scene kids"
"Scene"
With these links you can read about all the things I've just talked about, and more. Hopefully, when you're done, you'll have a little more knowledge of the history of the modern day music and sub-culture that is steadily becoming more and more mainstream. And possibly, you'll be as confused as I am about it.
On a final note, I've decided to create my own genre. I'm calling it "Proto Post Neo Alt Emo Rock Core". The bands that I will now label with this term, will include every fucking band ever in existence to have played some form of rock music. From Chuck Berry, to the Beatles, to Led Zeppelin, to Oingo Boingo, to Sublime, to the Mars Volta, and everything in between. It will be every rock song you've ever heard in your lifetime, and many many more. Not a lot of people can say they don't enjoy this genre, as most people in the world are bound to have liked at least one Elvis song, or one hit written by Robert Smith, or even a classic penned by the man in black. (That's Johnny Cash, not Will Smith.)
If you don't like what I've said here this evening, please don't complain to me. Complain to the Wikipedia posters, the music magazines, the major record labels, and everyone else in the music industry who has thoroughly distracted me from the more important aspect of music......
the music itself.
After all of this reading I've found that I am now more confused than ever. So many bands these days that are labeled Emo don't really have much to do with what Emo originally was. And most modern Screamo bands, apparently, sound more like the early days of Emo than the modern Emo bands do. And don't even get me started on Fashioncore.
I realize that there will more than likely be a few people out there that will resent me for writing something like this, but I don't care anymore. All of these terms and classifications have been thrown around far too much, and are getting way out of hand. For example, if I was to wear a fitting black t-shirt with some ripped black jeans and Chuck Taylor's, I could be labeled Punk Rock. But If I change the ripped jeans to a brand new pair of "distressed" jeans from any of a number of trendy clothing stores, I would be labeled "Scene"? Is that really necessary? And if I'm distraught, and listen to depressing music all the time because I like to be a loner, am I then labeled Emo? Does anyone actually realize the extreme irony involved in wanting to be a loner by listening to a style of music that millions of other people listen to for the same reasons? But wait, I'm telling you all this online....so that must mean that I'm a scene kid. Right?
For those of you who are also confused as to what the hell any of these genres or sub-cultures pertain to, I am providing you with links to follow. Granted, they are taken from Wikipedia, so some information may not be entirely accurate.
"Emo"
"Screamo"
"Post-hardcore"
"21st Century Emo"
"Fashioncore"
"Scene kids"
"Scene"
With these links you can read about all the things I've just talked about, and more. Hopefully, when you're done, you'll have a little more knowledge of the history of the modern day music and sub-culture that is steadily becoming more and more mainstream. And possibly, you'll be as confused as I am about it.
On a final note, I've decided to create my own genre. I'm calling it "Proto Post Neo Alt Emo Rock Core". The bands that I will now label with this term, will include every fucking band ever in existence to have played some form of rock music. From Chuck Berry, to the Beatles, to Led Zeppelin, to Oingo Boingo, to Sublime, to the Mars Volta, and everything in between. It will be every rock song you've ever heard in your lifetime, and many many more. Not a lot of people can say they don't enjoy this genre, as most people in the world are bound to have liked at least one Elvis song, or one hit written by Robert Smith, or even a classic penned by the man in black. (That's Johnny Cash, not Will Smith.)
If you don't like what I've said here this evening, please don't complain to me. Complain to the Wikipedia posters, the music magazines, the major record labels, and everyone else in the music industry who has thoroughly distracted me from the more important aspect of music......
the music itself.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment