emo

What is emo?

"emo is a type of music, which is derived from early 80's hardcore. I
   don t know the whole story, but emo combines hardcore with more melodic
   and experimental music. Fugazi is the easiest example of a band i can
   name that is considered to be "emo" also bands like promise ring and
   texas is the reason play this vein of music."

   "Emo is generally said to have started with DC bands like Embrace (Ian
   MacKaye's band after Minor Threat and before Fugazi) and Rites of
   Spring (Guy Picciotto's band also before Fugazi), but is in no way
   limited to them, around '85. The sound was basically a slower more
   emotional (hence the name "emo") post- version of hardcore. The vocals
   are usually sung in "whiny" (for lack of a better word) sort of way.

   "Emotional in this context generally connotes "vulnerability" and/or
   "troubledness", which is different from the emotionality of the
   screaming and thrashing generally associated with hardcore. This open
   emphasis on "vulnerability" and/or "troubledness" represented a major
   break in the hardcore/punk scene at that time, for it prided itself on
   tough- and hardness, as it generally does today. Hence, the long
   running feud between hardcore (sXe) and emo kids.

   "As for emo today, as most other sub-genres, it has spawned many
   (sometimes extremely opposite and/or contradicting) hybrids that all
   stake claim to the label, rendering it somewhat useless. Here are some
   examples: there's political, scream-and-flail-on-the-floor, emo like
   Frail, Swing Kids, Impetus Inter, and a slew of San Diego based bands;
   there's the really slow, discordant, artsy emo like Cap'n Jazz, Joan
   d'Arc, Evergreen, etc.; then we have the more popular
   melody/pop-oriented bands like Texas is the Reason, Sensefield,
   Mineral, Promise Ring, Split Lip (now Chamberlain), etc.; and last but
   not least we have the slow, stop-and-go, melody-thrash alternating
   groups like Amber Inn, Still Life, and others I can't think of right
   now."

   1) EMO is an abbreviation of EMOTIONAL.
   2) As such, it can (& I think originally was used to) describe a style
   of music.
   3) A lot of bands from the Washington DC area punk scene are considered
   "EMO" (Embrace being one of the 1st to have this label).
   4) The EMO "SOUND" of minimalist drums & guitars, quiet singing building
   up to a loud screaming racket. There can be a major jazz influence.
   5) Anyone can be emo now. Morrissey, the cure, fugazi, endpoint, you
   name it, they've been labeled "emo" (sinatra)

"The people:
   Emo kids are considered wimps by most "tough guys". This may or may not
   be true. Classic "emo stories" are of kids crying at shows. (something
   I recently witnessed at a show...) I guess this public show of emotion
   is seen as weakness by most in the HC community. Whereas Emo music tends
   to wrestle the inner demons of personal defeat, loveloss, heartache etc.
   "Hardcore" tends to wrestle that big hairy smelly guy in the pit next to
   you. No, seriously, HC tends to deal with taking action to change things
   rather than ruminate on that might have been. I guess the main
   difference is that Emo tends to be backward looking, and HC tends to be
   forward looking. (Yesyesyes, I know there's MASSIVE crossover in musical
   styles and song subject matter- a lot of HC bands write "personal"
   lyrics and a lot of emo bands write songs with a social message).I
   dunno, I like some emo bands, but I prefer HC.

   "THE STYLE:
Hair: often a bit crusty
   Glasses: Horn-rim ONLY (cat-eyes are also acceptable for the women)
   Facial Hair: Stubble
   Piercings: Optional
   Necklaces: Beads, etc. (mandatory)
   Shirt: Old t-shirts, dress shirts etc.
Sweater: No!no!no! a sweaterVEST. (old)
Jacket: Old, thrift shop gear as with all the above.
Pants: Dress pants / corduroy. Floods are totally cool.
   Socks: White
Shoes: Black dress shoes

   "The color palate? Browns, blacks, dark blues etc.

   "Think "Nick at Night". The look is retro with an edge. Drew Carey if
   he wore thrift store stuff.