The band can be as emotional as they want, so long as they don't specifically classify their genre of music as "emo." That I cannot stand. They do nothing more than whine. There is a big line between a song being emotional, and singers just plain whining. (Simple Plan.)
The label 'emo' is one of the most ridiculous things I have ever heard, right up there with the majority of 'emo' music itself.
I'm emo.... I DO NOT... - cut myself - wear eye shadow So if us 'emo' kids want to express ourselves, and take an interest in poetry, why the hell not? I mean come on..Goths are labelled as goths, because apparently they sleep in coffins. Now, no goth I know does that. People just associate things with people, that they dont even do.. That's pathetic
I watched that video and I have to say I know several people who do all those things to the point that I wonder if they saw this video themselves. I do some of the things, as well, but not on purpose. It's just the way I am. ----- Reading Jamie's post made me come to a conclusion. Being goth is a way of life. It has to do with having this view on life. People, however, look at a goth and think of death and vampires. This has nothing to do with true goths. I think the same thing happened to emo. Emo is probably just a way of life and people, like they did with goths, turned it into this whole fad. I don't know the way of emo, though. The true way, that is.
To me, the things I listed, is a way of life for me..and I suppose for some extreme 'emo' kids, they do tend to hurt themselves instead of talking to someone about it. Personally I prefer to talk to someone about it.
-[Link]-, I really hope you're not one of those people who feel that expressing yourself emotionally would make you look like a "pussy" because that's honestly the vibe you give off, in my opinion. Now moving on. I am "emo" in the sense I express myself artisticly. Call me a pussy for that, but I bet I've been through a whole lot more than those who'd call me one have been. Just because "emo" kids feel that sometimes they're being betrayed doesn't mean they need to "be tough" and act like nothing effects them. Being able to express yourself is a big part of being a real artist, and coming from an artist, the label in which has been formed stereotypically is horribly misguiding, in my opinion. It takes attributes from which artists as myself feed from to make our art (and sometimes that art is appreciated by the public) and makes it sound like it's bad in some way. So it's hard for me to believe that by being emotional, even by Tempest's definition is as "horrible" as everyone claims it to be. You claim it's not part of music, yet you insist that the lyrics written are what drives a lifestyle--this lifestyle would need an inspiration to be created and continue as a "trend" or "tradition." I'm surprised Derek didn't bring this up as he's an artist as well. Also, let's look at Tempest's whole definition and I can prove that the "definition" is not accurate: 1. First off, believe it or not, girls do appreciate my ability to be emotional. It gives deeper meaning to converse with me. And yes, I talk to a lot of girls. 2. Whereas I don't have a "dork" appearance, I pride my knowledge and individuality, though this does not "apply" to the definition, this applys to the fact I know being my own will cause controversy, and I express it. 3. Moving to depression, though those are highly exadurated, during the session(s) of depression, one is not well mentally and thus does not act like they would normally--this you can not blame and make fun of because every teen gets depressed once and awhile; excessiveness is not an issue in which should be discussed because that is a personal mental problem of the person in which you observe. 4. I am in no way a pussy and in no way am I stupid, so thus this already is wrong. If you are able to express yourself to begin with, your IQ has to be higher than those who can't because you know how--it's a skill you already have aquired. 5. Time that I search my emotions to create art (music, visual, etc.) is time I do dig into things that can make me cry, it can make me feel bad, but that's how you can get the most from expression. Trust me, girls like when you can do this because they know you have an extensive, working brain. Now I know a lot of people won't read this because it's too long and people will run me off as an emo kid, but know that being "emo" should be taken very lightly and doesn't deserve such words those of you give it. Bands who sing "emo" music are doing the same things bands like Linkin Park or the now recent Slipknot have been doing, but they do it their own way. You can't justify such a subject as emotion due to experience with different styles of the word. If in fact you want to get technical, you expressing your dislike for "emo" is "emo" itself, hell, -[Link]-, you even wrote a song expressing your dislike for "emo" so that would make you "emo" in some sense. It's very hypocritical to get so over angst and emotional over the subject if it doesn't matter to you, especially considering the subject at hand. What people don't seem to see with "emo" is the fact it is actually universal, and due to it's stereotype, people miss out on that. By judging from the jokes they hear and the misguided information fed to people, they don't understand that a lot of things are driven with emotions daily, it's just that "emo" kids tend to do more or make them more aware. There ARE over-emotional people, but like I said, depression and any other mental-related situations depend on the individual at hand, but you should NOT judge the worst of the people because there are good people who do the "label" well. Yes, I do have a lot to say on this subject because people are so quick to judge people like me. Because I listen to emotionally-driven music (not all I listen to, though), and because I am driven by my emotions, people think I'm a cutter and that I get over emotional about everything where in retrospect, if you hate me, I won't bother acknowledging your existance. In other words, your dislike for me won't bother me. So I suggest before you put your "high-and-mighty" foot in the ring, you take a good look at what you're stepping in because you might be wrong. If you're afraid of what an "emo" kid says because they explain themselves poeticly or in a way you don't seem to "get," then just let it be--some will get it, some won't; just because you don't understand it doesn't make it wrong. If you're judging "emo" characteristics from an individual that "follows" those who are emotional, then you need to rethink your definition. Like I said Derek, I would have thought you'd cover the entire expression through art thing, but oh well, I did it for you.
The quote to end all quotes about emo: "It reminds me of when I first heard the label "emo," which was the most ridiculous label ever. how can anything you put your heart and soul into not be emotional?" - Rodriguez Lopez of The Mars Volta Kaeton's post = Post to end all posts about emo.
Wow. No. I keep quite a mean blog myself, and I'm not afraid to express myself artistically, poetically, etc. If you look at the topic, I say I have no problem with emo(tion), and no problem with emo music. My problem is with the kids that cut themselves/wear eyeshadow and girl pants/are vegetarians etc., not because they are deep or intelligent, but only to get attention. And I am in no way saying that all 'Emo kids' are like that. I'm just saying that my problem is with the ones that are like that. I agree with your post. Except for the fact that you cite "girls" and "getting girls" alot. Are you only "Emo" because it gets you girls? Because I have problems with people like that as well. Not that you'd give a shit if I had a problem with you. And not that I would actually have a problem with you yourself. My song about Emo was written as a joke, should be taken as a joke. I didn't put any emotion whatsoever in to it, trust me, I wouldn't waste my time talking seriously about Emo unless it was for debate's sake, like this. And the song didn't express my dislike for Emo at all. It was just poking fun at my friend Jackie, and it was a bad idea to post it here, because now I seem to put off that "Crying is for pussies" vibe. I do not support opinions like Tempest's, or any other stereotypes. Generalizing people is stupid, because everyone is an individual. I hate the label Emo, because I am aware that all expressions of feelings are "Emo". But when people say Emo in regards to music, don't act like you don't know what they are talking about. They're talking about bands like MCR, The Used, etc etc etc. The arguement that all music is Emo is played out, used every time in defense of "Emo" music, and as a way to avoid what many people are really saying: That most Emo music sucks. Thankyou, I'm here all week.
People get me wrong, the definition generally referred to kids who are "emo" and do it just to be trendy. Not because they express themselves emotionally, but they do it just to do it. It's just that in the definition the guy decided to poke fun at "emo" kids too.
That's an incredibly stupid stereotype. [/b][/quote] I couldn't agree with you more. That's an awful stereotype. Stupid too.
Let people listen to what they want. Let people wear what they want. Let people act how they want. I really don't see a point in this agruement. If it's not effecting you in any way, then stay out of it. I'll admit, I hate bands like 'The Used' and 'My Chemical Romance' but I won't waste my time and effort putting down people who like those bands. I just see no point in doing so. By the way, this is not directed at anyone. I'm just speaking in a general term.
i agree. and "emo"is a crappy label to begin with. emo is short for emotional. and pretty much everything is fuckin emotional. mariah carey sings songs that are emotional, so she must be hardcore emo. [/b][/quote] Exactly!!! Isn't hte point of music to let out emotions and what you're feeling by singing and playing your heart out? In that case, emo is not a genre...it's the definition of music. I will call those kind of bands punk for now. Rant all you want, but I have no other idea what to call them.
If "emo" is anything emotional, its bascially everything out there today--you can include Eminem in this category too. I think elitists who have their heads stuck too far up their bums are the ones who tend to go off labeling bands as too "emo" for them. You know, "omg, not another emo band," "die emo die" "if you want real rock listen to (insert name)," "why do everybody listen to that whiny shit?" "I'm so cool cause I trash emo."
same here, i dress emo and listen to emo music, but i don't cut myself or anything like that(including wearing eye-shadow) So the whole cutting thing is a huge stereotype, and personally the whole hating emo kids thing is pretty stupid in my opinion, i mean its not as if by being emo someone is ruining your life...if someone is say the ultimate emo-stereotype then the person who suffers is themselves, and in any other case then noone suffers from them being emo (i.e if they are emo and like me or jamie.) finally some of you say that all emo music is about lost loves,being alone cutting yourself etc. yet most metal bands sing about that as well... for example: korn-right now:"i'm gonna cut myself and watch the blood hit the ground..." linkin park-numb:"i've become so numb, i can't feel you there..." according to some of you that makes those bands emo, which means they are stupid and annoying...
Considering I wrote my post around 4AM (my time), let me reword some stuff. I said what I said because it's be really hard to tell how much sarcasm you are applying to a post since I have to read it and considering the circumstances this thread was going in, I took a negative vibe from it. Aside from that, I understood your points, I just forgot to include them in the post--and my post wasn't only directed towards you, it was a general post. Don't worry, I know what you meant in your posts, I just forgot to include them. I know that Tempest's definition was false as well, however, being that of the label of "emo," I have to stick up for myself as I stated in my earlier post. The fact that people are misinformed of actual passionate "emo" kids makes it harder on us, and I just wanted to set the record straight coming from one himself. The jokes don't make it any easier. Now moving on to what I said about girls. No, I am not some pig who uses that to get girls. I am very respectful to and about girls, and in no way believe that's a proper way to "lure" girls, if you know what I mean. Girls just tell me that it's simply easier to talk to me because I seem to be able to connect with them on an emotional basis which is deeper than a lot of guys I guess are able to. Also, when I say "it gets me girls" that doesn't mean sexually. I have a lot of girls who are just friends and that's what I meant--If it sounded any other way... My bad. All in all, I think that your friend Jackie is more of a spoiled brat (no offense to her) than Emo, as you can tell that some spoiled brats over exadurate a situation, but nonetheless I'm not here to bash her, lol. I agree that some emo music sucks in the sense that lately emo has stuck with hardcore/punk bands, but what I really wanted to make with my statement is that no matter what you want to think from media/mainstream, there's so much better if you dig deeper. Like I said, there are always going to be people who give a "label" a bad outlook, but I would suggest searching deeper before really "hating" on something, if you know what I mean, and I use "hating" very loosely. I didn't mean to offend you in any way or anyone else, if I did, I apologise, I just really wish that the amount of sarcasm and jokes acutally had a stronger backbone/foundation.
I can kind of understand why people would be annoyed by "Emo" kids because probably alot of them do it for attention....but I dont understand why people "hate" the music when there is no definite sound to emo music. I mean I like a whole lotta different music, so I am bound to like a few "emo" bands. I suppose you could consider bands like Radiohead and Mars Volta emo......but I listen to bands like that because I like the music. (heck, when I first listened to Radiohead...I didnt understand a word the singer was singing, but I liked it.) Even if you dont like the way the vocalists sound.....the instrumentation is beautiful. Personally, I like bands that explore.......beyond GUITAR, BASS, DRUMS. Its not to say those bands are (more) innovotive.......but they try to do something that you dont hear every two seconds on the radio. Personally I consider LP more of an emo band (compared to everyones definition) than any other type of music. Anyways.....I dont know why people on these boards really care....its not like you hear "emo" music as often as Justin Timberlake (not knocking him, just saying he gets good air time). I mean.....beleive it or not....some people like music other than what we listen to...and they are going to associate it with a lifestlye....thats true for everytype of music.