THE DEFINITION OF EMO
WombatYoYo
know what you think...
The Emo-Experience
1) The Music
The first question on everybody's mind is: What is Emo?
Emo is really just one type of punk. This little subdividsion can be blamed
on the 80's D.C. hardcore scene, and most of that blame can be placed directly
on the shoulders of Ian McKaye. After Minor Threat and before Fugazi, McKaye
was in a band named Embrace. Almost all Emo sounds something like that band,
or its contemporary, Rights of Spring (Guy Picciotto's band before he too was
in Fugazi).
What is that sound? The generic Emo sound is a guitar or two, a bass, and a
drum set. The riffs and beats are a lot like your standard pop-punk or even
hardcore band, but with melodic sequences carried by erther the bass or one of
the guitars. Of course, there's a wider variety than just that (some have more
acoustic sounding guitars, and it's not unusual to find a piano or strings
thrown in somewhere) but probably eight out of ten have the ssame line up and
much the same sound. The real difference comes in the style of vocals and
lyrics. A lot of pink is screamed or just a step away from spoken, Emo is
almost always sung. Usually it's a tenor voice, very melodic, singing lyrics
about either A) their woman problems or B) about how much life sucks. Those
are the topics for most Emo tunes. If you want to start an Emo band, stick to
those basic guidelines and you're set.
2) The Lifestyle:
Now that you've got a vague idea of the music, it's time to focus on changing
your lifestyle to fit the tunes. Your first step into the Emo transformation
has got to be the clothes. Take all of your name brand clothes from the 90's
and put them in the attic. This is an important step. Next, take all your
bright colors EXCEPT hunter orange and put them with the name brands. To be an
Emo-Kid, you've got to stick to earth tones.
Now that the basics are out of the way, into more detail. There are 2
acceptable types of shirts. There's the 70's cut, button down collared shirt
and the witticim T-shirt. Both should be tight and well-worn. The t-shirt
should have something vague on it, like the name of an unknown high school
track team, or some sort of esoteric symbol, or maybe an Indie brand name. The
only exception to the brand-name rule is Star Wars. Anything with Star Wars on
it, preferably original 70's goods, is a bonus. The same rules apply to
jackets. No big puffy jackets or anything that looks expensive. The cardigan
and jean jacket are definite favorites, but the old obscure sports sweatshirt
or hunter orange vest are acceptable. Moving on down the list, pants are the
next obvious choice. Slacks are preferable, for both sexes. Nothing baggy or
flashy. Shorts are okay, but only with knee-high athletic socks with colored
stripes around the top. Shoes are something along the same lines. Simple,
canvas shoes. Converse, Airwalk and Vans are the usual, but the best would be
some completely unheard of brand bought 3rd or 5th hand from Goodwill.
Fine, you've got yourself lookin' Emo, but there's a few more touches. The
lunchbox is always a good addition. Something with the Muppets or maybe the
Wizard of Oz (or, of course, Star Wars) is good, but only if it's the old
school tin kind, not plastic. Oh yeah, and you have to have a bag. This is
important. You can't be Emo if you don't have a bag. This is a important.
You can't be Emo if you don't have a bag. The courier bags (a.k.a. shoulder
bag, Man-purse, etc.) is the norm, but a beat up Jansport is just as common.
You've got to have to bag to carry all of your intellectual literature and
records.
And, with that,we segue smoothly into the next fisture of Emo lifestyle.
Attitude. The most striking part of an Emo-kiddie's attitude is the humor.
Dry, incisive wit is required, and you must master the "sneer of contempt."
These have got to be used with perfect timing and grace, or you await the
ridicule of your new-found peers. owever, used correctly, a snide comment on
how much life sucks will cause those around you to grimace in agreement and
laugh ironically. A true Emo-kid is above the mainstream, in a world of
his/her own and completely untouchable. You have to be very, very definite on
your likes and dislikes, and make both very well known to those around you.
Most important of all, NEVER ADMIT TO LIKING SOMETHING THAT "EVERYBODY ELSE
LIKES". This is a cardinal sin. Keep that distance, and you'll be able to
hold your won amongst any Emo crowd.
3) The Show
You understand the music, you've got the clothes, you've got your sneer on
auto, you're ready to go to an Emo show. Pack yourselves into your Datsun and
try and find the smalles, most out of theway club possible. Make sure before
you leave that you have plenty of cigarrettes and coffee money. Both of these
are necessary. An Emo show without cigarettes is like a Gwar concert without
fake blood and violence.
Great, now you're at the show (in a venue in the middle of nowhere), seeing a
band (that nobody's heard of), and, completely unexpectedly, this band ROCKS.
They make the Vaselines look like a bunch of whiners. How do you react? DO
NOT DANCE. Don't break out into the funku chicken, do not start spinning
around on the floor, and don't do the little "it's your birthday" dance. As an
Emo-kid, that's all below you. If the band really rocks, you bob your head to
the music. This is the extent of your emotional output. You do this for the
whole show if necessary, but don't lose your dignity.
AFter the show, if the band impressed you that much, you guy their record
(only on vinyl. The true Emo-Kiddie owns only vinyl and a record player that
looks like it's been through WWIII), their T0shirt and sticker. You put the
sticker on your Datsun, and every time you wear your shirt you make sure to
tell people how you discovered the band first. Now THAT is a truly Emo
experience.
punk in drublic
david
"Hell hath no fury like a woman scorn for Sega." - Jason Lee - Mallrats
"If Bruce Springsteen is the boss, then I quit". - Dave Grohl
=======================W=======================
www.weezertunes.com
Weezer Tunes - The Rockin'est Weezer Page Around
http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Coast/9707/dsboots.htm
My Bootleg Page
WombatYoYo wrote in message
<20000818155957...@ng-me1.aol.com>...
diablita
before this. hmph.
-hillary.
Nathan Scott
" punk in drublic" <gsul...@NOSPAMfrontiernet.net> wrote in message
news:8nk5v7$199m$1...@node17.cwnet.frontiernet.net...
> emo = kids trying so hard to be untrendy, it's actually trendy.
>
That applies to so many more genres than emo.
--
Nathan Scott
Who, despite what you may have heard, does not consider the Beatles'
rendition of "Act Naturally" to be the best song of all time.
punk in drublic
so hip and trendy cuz they like indie shit, when it's actually so trendy cuz
so many kids are doing it now.
david
"Hell hath no fury like a woman scorn for Sega." - Jason Lee - Mallrats
"If Bruce Springsteen is the boss, then I quit". - Dave Grohl
=======================W=======================
www.weezertunes.com
Weezer Tunes - The Rockin'est Weezer Page Around
http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Coast/9707/dsboots.htm
My Bootleg Page
Nathan Scott wrote in message ...
>
>" punk in drublic" <gsul...@NOSPAMfrontiernet.net> wrote in message
>news:8nk5v7$199m$1...@node17.cwnet.frontiernet.net...
>> emo = kids trying so hard to be untrendy, it's actually trendy.
>>
>
captain attraction
because it's not cool to talk to people.
anand
WombatYoYo wrote:
--
------------------------------------------------------------------
-Let me tell you a little story. A story about a little fat kid
who everybody made fun of, and nobody liked and he had a twin
brother, and everybody said he never looked like his twin
brother, but he wanted to...
-Were you that little boy?
-No! No! But I used to beat the crap out him! "Why are you so
fat? Why are so ugly?" Aaagghh!
-Great story, thanks.
derek oneliner
i think thats the definitintion for EVERYTHING.
-derek
i really want to care...when you say. i'll change that..
just don't feel a thing...when you say. we'll get there...someday.
-jimmy eat world
derek oneliner
really snobbish
because it's not cool to talk to people. >>
true. you tell someone you like the get up kids and they shoot you down and
tell you to listen to cave in or something like that.
TallCorona
they are faking being themselves to be a member of a trend... I still just say
be yourself.
justin
written definition of how to be "like them" i mean seriously..that little
definetion of emo totally puts the reason i hate it, the people, and the shows
into words. its just pathetic. ya know what's funny..i'll bet half the fuckers
that read that think, "yup..thats me..oh wait, actually, i have a pair of
nubalences..those are a brand from the 90's, i better go to the thrift store
and get old beat up ones..i think that wouyld make me more emo" i cant believe
scum like that actually shows up on this goddamn newsgroup. geez..why cant you
be your goddamn selves. holy shit..i cant believe how mad i am. no wonder i
dont go to shows anymore!! shit man..i mean seriously..i gotta go vent (play
tony hawk and hit "retry" everytime i dont land a trick). bye
-justin
geaek
in it!!! and to top that, IT'S MY FAVORITE HAT!
"derek oneliner" <blink...@aol.comrock> wrote in message
news:20000818221543...@ng-da1.aol.com...
savage henry
>tell you to listen to cave in or something like that.
>
>-derek
the get up kids last two releases [ the ep and full length ] are horrible
compared to their earlier stuff. the keyboards on it are just so annoying.
ps. cave in is overrated and boring. if it werent for the magazine i was
reading i would have fell asleep during their set.
corey.
heathenism!
its an affront to god!
derek oneliner
i have an abercrombie and fitch hat! and, i bought it with a rip already
in it!!! and to top that, IT'S MY FAVORITE HAT! >>
if your serious..i feel bad for you heh.
but those hats are really. really. stupid.
derek oneliner
compared to their earlier stuff. the keyboards on it are just so annoying. >>
the ep and cd have their moments..
cd with 'im a loner dotte, a rebel' but thats an old song....central standard
time, which is a new song not on the cd is a good song too..
<< ps. cave in is overrated and boring. if it werent for the magazine i was
reading i would have fell asleep during their set. >>
well i was saying a more unknown band in the emo genere.
micheal schumacher
<del...@worldnet.att.ILOVEANnetTEFUNICELLO> wrote:
>man, emo REALLY used to be fun. but know it's just a bunch of kids acting really snobbish
>because it's not cool to talk to people.
so this guy is emo because he's saying how much things suck now and he
was there first?
micheal schumacher
well that kind of helped, but what bands are considered emo?
savage henry
gorky park.
R U DEZL?
rush, anything on Load records, Pita/Fennez, Vandermark 5, Hole, early
Queers albulms.
--
Are You Diesel?
(((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))))
AAARRREEE YYYOOOUUU DDDIIIEEESSSEEELLL???
(((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))))
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.
micheal schumacher
<alrightok...@my-deja.com> wrote:
>In article <20000822000840...@ng-cm1.aol.com>,
> receivi...@aol.computethis ( savage henry ) wrote:
>rush, anything on Load records, Pita/Fennez, Vandermark 5, Hole, early
>Queers albulms.
early queers is emo??? fuck like I met her at the rat?
I thought that sounded punk/pop to me
derek oneliner
Queers albulms. >>
the queers? emo? nooo..
the queers should just be called shit.
derek oneliner
Queers albulms. >>
ok now that i read this..i think it's scarcasm.
another reason why there needs to be a scarcasm button on the keyboard.
R U DEZL?
blink...@aol.comrock (derek oneliner) wrote:
> << early
> Queers albulms. >>
>
> the queers? emo? nooo..
> the queers should just be called shit.
> -derek
no man, that first albulm, a day late and a dollar short is seriously
one of the best albulms ever. it's got like ninety somethign songs and
is the most jumbled recording ever. it has songs like "i want cunt",
"wimpy drives through harlem", "i like young girls", and of course
"Kicked out of the webeloes"
there is no better 80s punk albulm... second place, dead milkmen's "big
lizard" and 3rd place, Devo "Devolution"
--
Nathan Scott
"derek oneliner" <blink...@aol.comrock> wrote in message
> << rush, anything on Load records, Pita/Fennez, Vandermark 5, Hole,
early
> Queers albulms. >>
>
>
> ok now that i read this..i think it's scarcasm.
> another reason why there needs to be a scarcasm button on the
> keyboard.
I thought that the inclusion of Hole and Rush gave it away quite
clearly.
R U DEZL?
> I thought that the inclusion of Hole and Rush gave it away quite
> clearly.
as did i. plus if anyone is familar with the european avant-garde scene
would know pita/fennez.
jessica.
>lizard"
~jessica
derek oneliner
one of the best albulms ever. it's got like ninety somethign songs and
is the most jumbled recording ever. it has songs like "i want cunt",
"wimpy drives through harlem", "i like young girls", and of course
"Kicked out of the webeloes" >>
the local bands around here all covered 'this place sucks' like 5 times in all
of there sets.
Paulie C.
> i agree, but the emo kids at rock shows are the worst. they think
they are
> so hip and trendy cuz they like indie shit, when it's actually so
trendy cuz
> so many kids are doing it now.
The article was funny but not real accurate. Or maybe my town is just
different. A local emo band (that I don't believe are still together)
from southern Michigan, Last Call, has a real funny song called "I
Wanna Be Emo". I don't remember all the words but theres a line
like "At night I cry myself to sleep/Straight Edge fuckers can't be
beat"
--
Everything you know and love is written in these songs
-The New Rising Sons