What do you think about "emo"?

[SunfallE]

[COLOR=RoyalBlue]What do I think? I think emo is an overused slang word used to describe everything from a choice in music, to a range of fashion styles to someone?s attitude. Much in the same way that I remember hearing people referred to as a punk or as being Goth.

The fact that someone wears tight pants, black make-up, or does any of the things commonly associated with ?emo? doesn?t necessarily mean that they are or that there is anything wrong with calling yourself one.

I think emo is just something that on some level they can identify with and those who don?t just assume that they are suicidal or don?t have a life. Much in the same way people once thought the same thing about punks or someone who is Goth. [quote name='Sojiro47']However, "emo's" do have a habit of complaining about stuff and not taking action right away. But "emo's" problem's are generally not related to popularity, more like life in general![/quote]Actually a lot of people do this whether they are emo or not. As it seems that complaining is far easier than actually doing something about the complaint itself.

Now as for all the comments about tight pants. I don?t think that wearing tight pants makes you an emo. I wear stretch denim jeans because they are comfortable, not because they look ?tight? Though I avoid black since that color holds in the heat when you are out in the sun. [/COLOR]

[Sojiro47]

[QUOTE=SunfallE][COLOR=RoyalBlue]What do I think? I think emo is an overused slang word used to describe everything from a choice in music, to a range of fashion styles to someone?s attitude. Much in the same way that I remember hearing people referred to as a punk or as being Goth.

The fact that someone wears tight pants, black make-up, or does any of the things commonly associated with ?emo? doesn?t necessarily mean that they are or that there is anything wrong with calling yourself one.

I think emo is just something that on some level they can identify with and those who don?t just assume that they are suicidal or don?t have a life. Much in the same way people once thought the same thing about punks or someone who is Goth. Actually a lot of people do this whether they are emo or not. As it seems that complaining is far easier than actually doing something about the complaint itself.

Now as for all the comments about tight pants. I don?t think that wearing tight pants makes you an emo. I wear stretch denim jeans because they are comfortable, not because they look ?tight? Though I avoid black since that color holds in the heat when you are out in the sun. [/COLOR][/QUOTE]

Well said SunfallE! That was, too a sence, what I was trying to say! But you did a much better job of it then I did!

[Goodbye, Face]

[font=trebuchet ms]I like to begin posts with some introductory point to make, but after five minutes of re-reading things and staring around thinking about it... I'm just going to skip it.

I listen to emo music and I'm a complete purist in regards to it. Most music that people call "emo" and "screamo" are just marketed as such, or based off of some misunderstanding 14-year-old's perception of the term. Emo stands for emocore which itself is an abbreviation of emotive hardcore, a genre made up of fast and sometimes textured guitars, at least two screamers at nearly all times, segments of spoken word, and some emotion present in the lyrics or instrument playing that is not present in regular hardcore. Most kids who are "emo" wouldn't touch that ****.

Honestly, I'm really sick of seeing clothing styles differenciating who is emo and who isn't. People say that their style is to break outside of the box, to speak out agianst whatever is ailing them. To quote a brilliant emo band, The Assistant: [i]you want to be an individual, right? You look like you're wearing a uniform.[/i]

Sigh. It's really sad when people take a word that signified a genre of music breaking barriers of creativity, creating art, into a word that degrades and judges people. Real "emos" are artists.[/font]

[PaganAngel]

[font="Gill Sans MT Condensed"][color="#993366"][size="2"]To me... emo's a bandwagon, I'd say. Being misunderstood and moody and introverted has somehow become the cool thing to do... "I just want to be different like everyone else!" My brother's one of 'em, but I wonder, what in god's name could he ever be depressed about? Now if you look over at little sis... me, I've got me a therapist appointment today, and I'm wearing bright pink. :p

Yeah, can't hold much against the emo, though. I guess it's live-and-let-live... wear what you want, doesn't affect me in the long run. So carry on with the banal poetry.

As for the "taking a lot of self pictures" deal... well, doesn't that refer to basically everybody on MySpace?
[/size][/color][/font]

[Sonic Boom]

[QUOTE=RiflesAtRecess][font=trebuchet ms]I like to begin posts with some introductory point to make, but after five minutes of re-reading things and staring around thinking about it... I'm just going to skip it.

I listen to emo music and I'm a complete purist in regards to it. Most music that people call "emo" and "screamo" are just marketed as such, or based off of some misunderstand 14-year-old's perception of the term. Emo stands for emocore which itself is an abbreviation of emotive hardcore, a genre made up of fast and sometimes textured guitars, at least two screamers at nearly all times, segments of spoken word, and some emotion present in the lyrics or instrument playing that is not present in regular hardcore. Most kids who are "emo" wouldn't touch that ****.

Honestly, I'm really sick of seeing clothing styles differenciating who is emo and who isn't. People say that their style is to break outside of the box, to speak out agianst whatever is ailing them. To quote a brilliant emo band, The Assistant: [i]you want to be an individual, right? You look like you're wearing a uniform.[/i]

Sigh. It's really sad when people take a word that signified a genre of music breaking barriers of creativity, creating art, into a word that degrades and judges people. Real "emos" are artists.[/font][/QUOTE]

Yeah, the term Emo has been so watered down people try to apply it to any band wearing black and playing guitar rock. I heard some kid the other day refer to Green Day as emo, which made me chuckle. But I can't judge, I know I'll never forget what a tool I felt like after getting laughed at by a buch of punks when I referred to Public Image Limited as hardcore. I was thirteen, maybe fourteen at the time and just didn't know better.

[Kira93]

[quote name='Farto the Magic][FONT=Trebuchet MS][COLOR=DarkGreen]It seems to me that none of you guys really have a view of emo from within it. [B]People don't cut themselves because they want to die.[/B] If they want to die, they get guns. [B]They cut to make them look the way outside as they do inside.[/B] I don't cut myself, I'd call myself emo. Its not a fashion thing because I match precious few of the claimed fashion things. I AM emo too. People classify me as emo. They are not always sad. Its emotional extremes, I think.[/COLOR'][/FONT][/quote]


i know some people who've attempted suicide through cutting.

and i dont cut because of that reason.

[Panache]

[QUOTE=Kira93]i know some people who've attempted suicide through cutting.

and i dont cut because of that reason.[/QUOTE]
Wow wouldn't that be a horrible way to die? It like that time from southpark when the the teacher tried to kill him self with a table saw nuts first. Ouch1 :animenose
Anyway may I ask why you cut yourself?

[Kira93]

[QUOTE=Avenged666fold]Wow wouldn't that be a horrible way to die? It like that time from southpark when the the teacher tried to kill him self with a table saw nuts first. Ouch1 :animenose
Anyway may I ask why you cut yourself?[/QUOTE]


yeah i think it'd be a uncomfortable way to die >_<

oh and i cut as a coping mechanism for stress, anger, sadness and stuff like that.

[Panache]

[QUOTE=Kira93]yeah i think it'd be a uncomfortable way to die >_<

oh and i cut as a coping mechanism for stress, anger, sadness and stuff like that.[/QUOTE] Uncomfortable? More like agonizingly painful. Um anyway have you ever considered stress balls? I hear they have a much lower shot of giving you tetnis.

[Kira93]

[quote name='Avenged666fold']Uncomfortable? More like agonizingly painful. Um anyway have you ever considered stress balls? I hear they have a much lower shot of giving you tetnis.[/quote]

lol that made me laugh!
ive tried alternatives but cutting works best.

[Panda]

[COLOR=Red]Kira93 - Please work on your posting quality. Capitalization is a must when posting on the OtakuBoards. Thanks!
[/COLOR]
As for the topic at hand. I feel "emo" is a over used term as SunfallE has mentioned. Every generation has their title for those eternally depressed kids who wear a certain style of clothing and listen to a particular type of music. This generations term just happens to be emo.

Back in my day it was Grunge. Flannel shirts, Docs and the Seattle sound. Oh how I miss those good ol' days...

[Claire]

[FONT=Arial]I'm sick of people associating the term emo with people who are angst-ridden, constantly sad self-mutilators. I don't know ANYONE like that, and I've never seen anyone like that, ever. Not even in a completely cramped high school. All the people with "emo" haircuts and the girl pants romp around laughing with their friends.

And those people are the hottest ever. =)

(Davey Havok. istheloveofmylifeholycrap).[/FONT]

[Farto the Magic]

[QUOTE=Avenged666fold]Um can you answer my stupid questions?

-Do you use painkillers when you cut yourselves?
-Isn't it hot when you wear all black in the summer?
-I thought emo people wanted to liek not conform to the system is that true?
-Why are your emotions so extreme?
-Uhh since all people have strong emotions at soem tiem does that make everyone at some point?
-What do you call emo people who only wear emo clothes as a fashion statement?
-Do emo people really listen to that yelling stuff?
-Oh and how do you goth chicks look so hot(not temperature wise)?
Please answer these question as they are actual questions that I really wan't an answer for.[/QUOTE]

[FONT=Trebuchet MS][COLOR=DarkGreen]1. I don't cut, therefore I need no painkillers. But if I did, I still wouldn't use them because it defeats the purpose of cutting.

2. Yeah, but that's why God made shade.

3. The system sucks, but its better than the alternative, so eventually everyone gets sucked in.

4. Dunno. They just are. I mean, I suppose they're the same as everyone else's, I just don't bottle them up.

5. I suppose.

6. Posers.

7. Yes. It makes me want to yelll and, since its played in my car, I do so.

8. Being a man, I have no right to do anything but second that question and raise it a heck yes.[/COLOR][/FONT]

[QUOTE]i know some people who've attempted suicide through cutting.

and i dont cut because of that reason.[/QUOTE]

[FONT=Trebuchet MS][COLOR=DarkGreen]Very few people who cut genuinely want to die...or even know how to do it right. Most people cut horizontally and leave it, waiting. That gives you attention from people. If you cut vertically in water, you would sever the vein (or artery, idk) and you would die.

A lot of people just cut for attention or to make something last as a physical reminder. Like someone's name, or in remembrance of a certain event.[/COLOR][/FONT]

[Mr. Maul]

[font=Garamond][color=Green]Maybe this will clear a few things up:[/color][/font]

[url="http://www.dobi.nu/emo/"][color=Black]
[/color][/url][color=Black][quote]"There is also a common stereotype that associates "emo" with self-harm, most notably cutting wrists, possibly due to song lyrics associated with so-called "emo" bands, which often speak of acts of self-destruction. However, apart from the anecdotal, there is no significant evidence of any correlation between emo and self-harm."[/quote][font=Garamond][color=Green]- Wikipedia Article on "Emo"[/color][/font]
[/color]

[Panache]

Hey didn't the black panthers start the all black thing? Also they didn't wanna conform either. Hey you emo's totally ripped the Black Panthers off!

[Delta]

[COLOR=#35425e][quote name='Avenged666fold']Hey didn't the black panthers start the all black thing? Also they didn't wanna conform either. Hey you emo's totally ripped the Black Panthers off![/quote]Naw, chief. Dem Benedictine monks started dis all-black shizz way back in 529 AD, yo.

[size=1]Really, black is one of the true neutral colors. It goes with practically anything. With the right articles of clothing, even black on black looks hip. And it's sooooo not emo. People-watching won't hurt you.[/size][/COLOR]

[Panache]

[QUOTE=Delta][COLOR=#35425e]Naw, chief. Dem Benedictine monks started dis all-black shizz way back in 529 AD, yo.

[size=1]Really, black is one of the true neutral colors. It goes with practically anything. With the right articles of clothing, even black on black looks hip. And it's sooooo not emo. People-watching won't hurt you.[/size][/COLOR][/QUOTE]
Well if you wanna be technical about it sodom and gamora wore all black back in b.c. 3000ish. So HA you got owned. Also black is a good winter color nice and warm. Also it is quite a dashing car color.

[Billy Shears]

The thread starter made so many observations on the apperance of these people that all it boils down to is a music genre and a fashion trend. People make too big of a deal when they like being "emo". And everyone else in here bashing those kids are stupid, too. Just ignore them. Let them do whatever it is that's "emo", that way it won't bother you.

[B]Through The Eyes Of The Dead[/B] is amazing.

[Roxie Faye]

[QUOTE=Sonic Boom]I don't worry about it, it's just another form of self expression. Some kids are identifying with the emo thing the same way I identified with the new wave/goth thing when I was in high school. The tight jeans and shag haircuts have just replaced the leather jackets, creepers and Morrissey hair I used to have. You know, some kids are into football, other kids are into AFI. Everybody's different and it's all cool.

Having said that, I seriously doubt 99% of the kids who claim to be emo have any idea who Grey Matter or Rites of Spring are.[/QUOTE]
[color=#9933ff]I think this is the best post so far, and I found it very true in the "style" aspect. That style is becoming more popular; it's fashion.

The thing is, I don't think anyone really knows what the hell Emo is. I don't even [i]call[/i] people as Emo - I call them goth, actually. lol. (As in, reference to the fashion type; not the music nor the architecture, etc.) I think it's a way to label today's middle-to-upper-class angst ridden high school youth.

Though honestly, I really do think it has a lot to do with fashion. People who dress emo don't necessarily act like it, and I think that's okay as long as they don't call themselves Emo. I liked Goth Loli for a while (not anymore, heh), but the bibles scared the crap outta me, so I never identified with the movement. It was just fashion. *shrug*

What I would really like to know, from someone who thinks of themselves as Emo - what's it all about? I really don't get it, and I don't see the big deal over Emo. Enlighten me! ^_^

[QUOTE=RiflesAtRecess][font=trebuchet ms]I like to begin posts with some introductory point to make, but after five minutes of re-reading things and staring around thinking about it... I'm just going to skip it.

I listen to emo music and I'm a complete purist in regards to it. Most music that people call "emo" and "screamo" are just marketed as such, or based off of some misunderstanding 14-year-old's perception of the term. Emo stands for emocore which itself is an abbreviation of emotive hardcore, a genre made up of fast and sometimes textured guitars, at least two screamers at nearly all times, segments of spoken word, and some emotion present in the lyrics or instrument playing that is not present in regular hardcore. Most kids who are "emo" wouldn't touch that ****.

Honestly, I'm really sick of seeing clothing styles differenciating who is emo and who isn't. People say that their style is to break outside of the box, to speak out agianst whatever is ailing them. To quote a brilliant emo band, The Assistant: [i]you want to be an individual, right? You look like you're wearing a uniform.[/i]

Sigh. It's really sad when people take a word that signified a genre of music breaking barriers of creativity, creating art, into a word that degrades and judges people. Real "emos" are artists.[/font][/QUOTE]
Unfortunately (actually, I think it's very unfortunate), this happens a lot. A music style is turned into a cheap fashion trend. Goth, punk, etc., blah blah blah. And then consequently the true music fans try to distance themselves with the cheap, superficial teen movement. v.v

I'm not into Emo and/or screamo music at all, but since you're saying that a lot of the music is labeled and marketed wrong, I was wondering if you would give me any band or song recommendations.

I'm becoming something of an international music fiend, and I'd like to have a listen at what you're listening to.

If you have time (or if anyone else does) to listen to D'espairsRay (Japanese band), my question would be: what would you label that? They scream, but I was hesitant to label them, since I know nothing about music genres. First try their song "Garnet" if you listen to them - it's a good song (and scarily enough, I can hear and understand their English lyrics. They sing English better than most J-artists, IMO.)


And by the way, as someone kindly pointed out, cutting your wrist(s) has nothing to do with being Emo. I think people cut for a lot of different, individual reasons. I think it's a sensitive subject and while I know a lot of you are thinking of the dramatic posers looking for attention by cutting when you condemn them, please realize there are also people who cut because they have real problems. Be kind to them. If you want to call out on the posers, make sure you [i]say[/i] that you hate the posers specifically - don't generalize. It's generally a bad idea. (haha, stupid pun. *rolls eyes*)


[edit]P.S.: Ever since I heard the song, everytime Emo is mentioned, I think ot that song "I Must Be Emo," which makes fun of the "emo trend."[/color]

[Fyxe]

[size=1][color=slategray]Aww, I think little emo boys are adorable. I think they really deserve some credit for pulling off those tight black pants. And black is the best shade.
Also, I find nothing wrong with being comfortable with your emotions. If they insist on being sad-o, then let them. If it annoys you, don't pay attention.

Embrace your fellow emo children! :)[/color][/size]

[Zen]

[color=darkred][size=1]

I personally may be biased in my definition of what an "emo" person is, but from what I've discerned, I don't much care for it. I mean, I'm more than likely wrong, but they seem to be people who's mindset is to make those around them understand just how depressed they are with life and the world. I'm pretty much against a person complaining about everything, especially when they either, a) probably don't have anything to complain about, b) are trying to just get attention, and especially c) just aren't mentally/emotionally strong enough to look on with their life and get out of a depressed mindset which they try to place on other's.

Again, I am probably wrong, but that is more than less what I get out of the term and styles of "emo". The general style itself, all the black and girl pants, that can be taken as either a person being a poser "emo", which is just as bad, or being "scene/hardcore". Atleast, that's what we call it in my town. There are people who dress similar and like the "emo" people, but aren't. They say they are "scene" which I respect is different, as I am friends with a few "scene" peeps.

I guess I'm just against the mindset of "emo", because I have, and I know alot of people with many reasons to complain and be depressed. People who live in poverty, people who've seen people die before them, people who grew up with out father's and what not. Those are reasons to be depressed and be "emo" but apparently, they are not and can go about their lives happy and without complaining about something constantly. Optimism is a virtue of mine and those around me, and it's not a hard thing to place into your mind if your mentally/emotionally strong enough for it.

But hey, I could be wrong and mistaken completely, but that's what I've taken from my experiences with "emo" kids. Heh. I may have misunderstood.

(Though it would seem that 'emo' is simply the new 'goth'.)

[b]Edit:[/b] If we are talking about the pure Emocore music described in RiflesAtRecess' post, then I would have no problem with it. But apparently people have made the mistake of taking things away from music and taking a person's expressional art at making it a mindset where, instead of doing something constructive to vent their emotions, they just complain about it daily and act like the world hates them personally, which is an emotion everyone feels from time to time, and most just get over it.[/color][/size]

[Goodbye, Face]

[QUOTE=MistressRoxie][color=#9933ff]I'm not into Emo and/or screamo music at all, but since you're saying that a lot of the music is labeled and marketed wrong, I was wondering if you would give me any band or song recommendations.

I'm becoming something of an international music fiend, and I'd like to have a listen at what you're listening to.

If you have time (or if anyone else does) to listen to D'espairsRay (Japanese band), my question would be: what would you label that? They scream, but I was hesitant to label them, since I know nothing about music genres. First try their song "Garnet" if you listen to them - it's a good song (and scarily enough, I can hear and understand their English lyrics. They sing English better than most J-artists, IMO.)[/color][/QUOTE]
[font=trebuchet ms]Okay, I can give you a list of some emo bands:

[b]Saetia:[/b] They're not the first emo band, but they're the first one to get the style refined. All the other bands I'm going to list either have members of this band in it, or they took elements from Saeita and incorporated their own stuff along with it. They should be your first listen.

[b]Neil Perry:[/b] Saetia's stuff was all well-recorded, as the drummer himself is a producer. If you want to hear a band who went from scraps to legendary status, this is the one. They were probably the second good emo band.

[b]You and I:[/b] This band went alongside Saetia and they shared a few members, if I'm correct. They have a different sound than most (mostly in their deeper-voiced singers), but they still fit into the emo genre. This is the choice if you're a metal fan first.

[b]Off Minor:[/b] After Saetia and You and I each broke up, Off Minor formed and gained their guitarists. By this time, the members all became very skillful with their instruments, relying less on chords and more on technicality. They have a bit of a jazzy sound to them, which is kind of neat.

Also, since you like Japanese music, you should check out Envy and Naiad, both are very good Japanese emo bands.


As far as some examples of what [i]isn't[/i] emo music, there's Taking Back Sunday, Thrice, Dashboard Confessional, and anything that sounds like them.

Bands like UnderOath, From First to Last, and Hawthorne Heights use emo elements in their music, but for the most part, there's too much of other genres in the mix (or just total suckage in HH's case) for them to be considered an emo band.

Also, "screamo" and "emo" are synnonymous, screamo is sooo 90's.[/font]

EDIT: And if you guys listen to the bands I mentioned and enjoyed them, PM me, I have like fifty more that harder to track down.

EDIT2: I listened to some D'espairsRay, I want to say that they're Japanese Nu-Metal. >_>; If Jakehammaren should happen to read this, I want to know if they pass the Jake Test, to see wether they're metal or not. XD

[Skeith92]

I guess you could consider me emo by the way I look or what music I listen to. But really, im not. I like my hair a little longer than most. I like the color black because it makes me look thinner. I can also identify with some of the emo music. I wouldnt really consider myself emo though. I dont think about depressing stuff all the time. I dont listen to just emo music. (I actually love punk and ska.) I just think emo is much more than apperance.

[Ai.sAkUrA.chan]

[FONT=Comic Sans MS][COLOR=Magenta]I used to think emo people were okay, but now that EVERYONE in my
school is taking emo as a new trend, it just pisses me off.
The only thing "emo" about me i guess is the stupid flippy-hair thing covering one eye, but i did that long before i even knew what emo was,and the tight pants...but I'm a girl! lol.
And yes, i love taking pictures of myself, but who doesn't? At least secretly...
But i usually fall for the emo look, like for guys, but their personality pisses me
off sometimes. I mean, all they do is mope, it's so annoying!
I've never really met anyone in my school who is EMO, and not a fake.
Outside school i have tons of friends, whom i love yet sometimes their attitude
pisses me off.
I dig the emo look, but I hate how they are for some reason, it's all:
"They just don't get me!*sobb*".
Anywayz...I'm really sorry if i umm..offended anyone, but hey, they
asked for OUR opinions on emo.[/COLOR][/FONT]

[2010DigitalBoy]

[QUOTE=Ai.sAkUrA.chan][FONT=Comic Sans MS][COLOR=Magenta]I used to think emo people were okay, but now that EVERYONE in my
school is taking emo as a new trend, it just pisses me off.
The only thing "emo" about me i guess is the stupid flippy-hair thing covering one eye, but i did that long before i even knew what emo was,and the tight pants...but I'm a girl! lol.
And yes, i love taking pictures of myself, but who doesn't? At least secretly...
But i usually fall for the emo look, like for guys, but their personality pisses me
off sometimes. I mean, all they do is mope, it's so annoying!
I've never really met anyone in my school who is EMO, and not a fake.
Outside school i have tons of friends, whom i love yet sometimes their attitude
pisses me off.
I dig the emo look, but I hate how they are for some reason, it's all:
"They just don't get me!*sobb*".
Anywayz...I'm really sorry if i umm..offended anyone, but hey, they
asked for OUR opinions on emo.[/COLOR][/FONT][/QUOTE]

as I said, it's become a trend. It's sort of sad really because like I, for instance, kinda like the look but I don't want to try it because then I'd be emo.

It's kind of anoying really, bu then again so are all trends. Every goddamn time I wear all black people ask if I'm a goth, which really doesn't even mean anything anymore. Does anyone actually listen to the genre of music known as goth? Does anyone realize that vampires live in castles, not cities?!

Oh, looks like I'm ratning a bot here, sorry ^^;; But really, the popularity of emo is starting to annoy me. Especially when [COLOR=DarkSlateBlue]FUSE[/COLOR] is constantly playing emo videos >_>