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Hey everyone this is my first post on here. I am doing a project for my college Rhetoric & Composition II class on emo music. I have some questions to guide the discussion but please feel free to add any and all information that isn't covered in my questions or to only respond to the questions that apply to you. I want to try to get as much information and as many responses as possible.
1. How would you describe the emo genre in terms of both music and style?
2. What bands and artists do you personally listen to and feel fit the description of "emo"?
3. What role does the music play in your life?
4. Do you know of any stereotypes surrounding emos?
5. What are your personal opinions of the stereotypes?
6. Do you have an idea as to why you think they exist?
7. Does listening to the bands you mentioned help you with mental health issues?
8. Do you feel a sense of community with other fans of emo music?
9. Have you ever gone to a concert? If so, what was it like? Tell me about the experience.
10. Do you feel a connection with any band members as like an idol or someone to look up to?
11. Any other final thoughts you'd wish to share.
Thank you for reading and thank you if you choose to participate.
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electric ace o__<
1. this might be a bit of a difficult one to pinpoint, but I'd say emo as a genre and style definitely had/has its roots in rock, especially in say, the use of guitars or (sometimes) screaming vocals. this could also go along with the style, and its stereotypical use of dark colors (often seen in metal as well, perhaps to differentiate from the norm). the style itself also derives heavily from the music, which is the core of it (and many genres related, alike) and from what I said before with darker colors, emo music is well, emotional, with themes like sadness often being associated with darker colors (I apologize if my explanation isn't the best!!)
2. I'd have to list Alesana, very early MCR, early FOB (Take This To Your Grave especially), (early music of) The Used, (especially AFFTD) PTV, AS WELL AS early SWS for my top ones. while there are multiple more, these are definitely the first ones that come to mind
3. emo music plays a huge role in my life. it has helped me significantly in finding friends of similar music taste, and has especially helped me find confidence. I can feel myself relate to many lyrics, and I often feel a connection to certain songs; It makes me feel as though I'm not alone. I've never been a very outgoing or confident person, yet from this music and the people who I've met, things I've done, or challenges I faced, I've grown to be able to accept myself for who I am and what I like (no matter how cliché that sounds). despite the uncountable number of times I have been and continue to be ridiculed, judged, and separated from the vast number of "normal" people based upon the sole fact of how I dress, the music I listen to and so on, I've learned that all of us alike who do not fit into a societal norm will be judged. I know now that even if I won't be able to change the minds of those who refuse to understand, I will not let them impact my own choices and thoughts. I don't think I would have ever been this confident in myself if it weren't for being introduced to this music and the friends I have made from it, I will be forever grateful for that fact.
4. OOF, loaded question here.. 100%. one of the bigger ones is the thought that people have of "emos are always sad" or something in relation to that. even though, yes, the music is/can be sad, it definitely does not mean the entirety of people who are emo are always sad!! there are so many more I could list but that's definitely a big one
5. I think some if not most of the stereotypes are just.. well, pretty stupid. especially if they are seen as something negative, like if you would say "all emos are dangerous!" it would be a 100% negative stereotype to the culture.
6. I think it's to do with people viewing specific parts, yet not viewing something as a whole. for example, if you had two chickens in front of you who were very aggressive while there was a separate group of chickens to the side, some might just assume all of the chickens are aggressive, and may not give a second thought to the other group. I'd say this is an alright example of how stereotyping can happen; one experience can influence someone's opinion on a group, and those opinions can be passed from one person to another, and then boom, you get a stereotype.
7. I'm not sure if the music specifically has helped me with mental health, but I'd say it has helped me to realize just how many people have the same struggles as me, especially when it has helped me make friends.
8. extremely!! I always a very "at home" sense when I'm talking to people who also listen to emo music, since there really aren't many people around me who do. it feels very special to be able to share interests that you love with someone who feels the same way about it. :)
9. a bunch this year, mainly emo!! In my experiences, all of them were amazing. of the ones that I've gotten to meet, the band members were extremely kind and of the people in the crowd, also extremely kind!! in such a crowd of people it has always been so refreshing to be standing near a person who isn't giving you a judgmental look, since you're both there to have a hella good time. I've always had laughs joking around with people standing beside me in concert crowds, and I've loved it every time.
10. I'm not sure if there are any band members I necessarily feel a connection to, but I definitely have gotten very inspired by them. In many bands I've been into, I've definitely always really liked the guitarists. probably because I'm obsessed with guitar and some of those guitarists are insanely good, but that's probably besides the point xD
11. my apologies again if some things don't make sense! x)
Insert Random Name
Hi! As an emo high school music student who will hopefully start college music classes this summer, I feel like I can help some! (granted I am a newer emo and I don't have that much experience with the mechanics of rock but still) If I'm wrong about anything, please POLITELY correct me!
1- Emo culture originated from punk, especially the subgenre of pop-punk. The music typically has themes relating to acceptance, and mental health (mostly about depression and sh, and surviving that), and other common themes that are found in all genres of music like politics (TX2 and Green Day (Green Day isn't really emo, but pop punk, they're pretty similar) are particularly good at these political themes) and lovers. There is also a sense of darkness too in both the music and clothing. The music can vary a lot in core aspects which is why it can be hard to define it. There are some softer forms like midwest emo (more acoustic, slower and softer), or it can contain some screamo. That's why you need to look at the roots to determine, what is emo. Like I said it originates from punk/pop-punk and the name "emo" comes from "emotional core" (from what I have heard) which was because of the genre's deep connection to their emotions, which is still a defining characteristic of the music today. The style is much easier to pin down. While there have been many variants depending on the decade, the classic emo formula is simple and stable. It is typically black skinny jeans, a band t-shirt (preferably oversized and black), a studded belt (or two), eyeliner (smudged is better), straight dyed hair (often teased and in their face in the classic "emo cut" and the colour is typically black), and the typical colours are red and black, but the most important is black. There are other possible elements like chains, converse/vans, bracelets (usually kandi or rubber ones), etc. but those are the bigger ones. Also you do not need all of these to be emo! Like all other alt subcultures it involves 3 things! 1- Music 2- Fashion 3- Beliefs!
2- I am still trying to explore music right now but here are a few
Ones I listen to a lot- My Chemical Romance, Fall Out Boy (the earlier, the better), TX2
Ones I listen to some- Three Days Grace, Evanecsense, Black Veil Brides (I think they count?), All Time Low, All American Rejects
Ones that are controversial- Green Day (officially pop-punk, but it's a blurry line), Blink 182 (same thing), Panic! At The Disco (only their early stuff and the allegations against Brendon make it harder for them to count)
There are obviously so much more that I don't listen to (yet) like Pierce the Veil, Taking Back Sunday, and others but this is a quick list.
3- The music is important to me as a form of expression. I really like a lot of the messaging in it. I also like the macabre aspect of it and the community that shares similar beliefs.
4- Yes. Common ones are that all emos are depressed, that we sh or want to unalive, and emo guys are often seen as gay. It's also seen that we are sensitive and over dramatic as well as having dark humour and generally morbid interests. Also it is often assumed we are satanists or at least atheists by some groups.
5- I believe like all stereotypes that they are blown out of proportion and used to put down others. It can also show society's opinions on mental health and queer people.
6- The queer stereotype comes from the the sensitivity. The depression aspect (as well as the sh and unalivement) along with the overdramaticness, and sensitivities come from the emotional content of our music. The dark humour, and morbid interests can really just be associated with the dark aspects of emo. The idea that we are all satantists and atheists comes from (typically conservative) Christians who think our dark culture is from the devil and that we are living a sinful lifestyle.
7- Sometimes yes. It is good to not feel alone and often times the music can be empowering. While it is not my favorite song, I really like Famous Last Words by MCR because the chorus will always stick with me as words of advice for trying times. "I am not afraid to keep on living. I am not afraid to walk this world alone. Buddy if you stay, you'll be forgiven. Nothing you can say can stop me going home."
8- Somewhat. I feel it in seeing that there are others with similar beliefs but as someone who is not online a lot it is hard to see that community.
9- Yes, two. It was Falling in Reverse both times. The first time he cancelled, which was upsetting but everyone was ok with it and we had a make-up concert. Everyone was so nice and it was a blast! I can't wait for my next one! I felt like I fit in and it was great! (Next one is FOB in March!!)
10- Yes, I adore Gerard Way. He is a generally amazing person all around and I aspire to be him in so many aspects. I also see Billie Joe Armstrong as someone else to be like. I think a lot of people from the bands I like have aspects that everyone can take in but those two are the main.
11- I don't think I have any other comments? It took me like an hour to write this with my unfocused self so
*Twenty One Pilots on controversially emo band!
by Insert Random Name; ; Report
TSYM this is a great response
by Braeden Blasphemous :3; ; Report
Of course! This was fun lol
by Insert Random Name; ; Report
Not for you
1. How would you describe the emo genre in terms of both music and style?
Music- more rock and heavy metal, but not all of it, as someone who can't listen to heavy metal, there are emo songs I can listen to
Style: I'm unsure how to describe it
2. What bands and artists do you personally listen to and feel fit the description of "emo"?
Fall out boy, MCR, Mother Mother, OLD P!ATD, tøp
3. What role does the music play in your life?
I listen to a lot of the emo music my bf sends me and it brings me a great comfort
4. Do you know of any stereotypes surrounding emos?
That they all cut themselves and dress like that because they are depressed
5. What are your personal opinions of the stereotypes?
It's not true, I get called emo for wearing not at all emo clothing and told I cut myself
6. Do you have an idea as to why you think they exist?
No
7. Does listening to the bands you mentioned help you with mental health issues?
Yes,a lot
8. Do you feel a sense of community with other fans of emo music?
Yes, I'm dating one
9. Have you ever gone to a concert? If so, what was it like? Tell me about the experience.
It wasn't emo, but it was terrible. They didn't care that people fell and a man half my size almost fell on top of me
10. Do you feel a connection with any band members as like an idol or someone to look up to?
Gerard Way
11. Any other final thoughts you'd wish to share.
Babe, Mother Mother is NOT emo!
by Insert Random Name; ; Report
Babe, I'm autistic/hj
by Not for you; ; Report
No, really? Wouldn't have guessed lol
by Insert Random Name; ; Report
I'm not autistic my mommy says so!
(She's literally putting me on meds, ADHD meds, for my autism traits)
by Not for you; ; Report
🖤Max 🖤
1. Music wise, I´d say it shares a lot of aspects with alternative rock and scene music. It has a lot of themes relatable to teenagers and young adults like angst, anxiety, romance, etc. Visually it´s centered around long hair with side bangs, tight black clothing, studded accessories and band shirts.
2. My Chemical Romance (at least in the 2000s), early Black Veil Brides, early Fall Out Boy, Johnnie Guilbert.
3. Emo and alternative rock were the first styles of music that influenced my music taste.
4. That they´re always sad, dressed in just black, effeminate, gay, prone to suicide, etc...
5. That they´re wildly exaggerated and generalized.
6. I think they developed through a misinterpretation of the emo aesthetic and a few emos that fit the stereotypes and therefore "proved" those points.
7. It does. Furthermore, it´s relaxing and also inspiring.
8. I do.
9. I haven´t been to a concert of emo artists yet, however, I´m seeing Black Veil Brides in less than a month. I´m probably 13 years too late for the emo aspect though.
10. The closest would probably be Andy Biersack or Gerard Way, though I don´t view them as flawless idols.
11. It´s cool that people can write about emo music and culture for their college work nowadays.