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#REDIRECT ] |
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:''See ] for other uses of the term Emo.'' |
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{{Emo}} |
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'''Emo''', a term which originated as an abbreviation of ], is now broadly used to describe almost any form of ]-driven ] that expresses emotions beyond traditional punk's limited emotional palette of alienation and rage. The abbreviation has increasingly come to stand for ] as the links between modern usage of the term and the original genre have become more and more tenuous. Most recently (from ] to present) bands with more lyric driven songs have been labelled emo because their lyrics seem to be ] and focus on ], mostly dealing with relationships. |
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{{redirect category shell|{{R undis}}}} |
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The change of meaning has largely been attributed to the success of ]. In the ], they were considered an archetypal emo band. However, they began to move away from the emo genre and play music that took on a wider set of influences, most notably ] acts like ]. As the band achieved greater and greater mainstream success, they became the most widely known emo band, and the term, rightly or wrongly, became inextricably linked to their sound. Bands who had a similar emotional bent to Jimmy Eat World yet played music that differs greatly from the original emo sound, such as ], ] and ], have all been labelled emo, and the term has become more and more popular as an umbrella term for any modern music with interspective and often cynical lyrics, unusually long song titles that have little to do with song's lyrical content (which is a trend popularised by early 90s ] acts like ] taken to an extreme) and emotionally charged vocals which often incorporate screaming (though bands who include strong elements of screaming in their sound are sometimes labelled screamo). Amongst the most popular bands to be increasingly labelled screamo are ]. The term "screamo", however, was used to describe an entirely different genre in the early 1990s, and Thrice themselves more resemble the ] of the 1990s. |
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The defintion of the term emo has become increasingly all-encompassing, and is often applied (correctly or not) to such varied bands as ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ],] and ]. It also often linked with similar modern musical trends, such as ]. |
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'Emo' is also used as an adjective to describe actions or attitudes commonly linked to modern emo, or to fans of this genre, most commonly teenagers. The term itself originated as a way to describe the music of the mid-] ] and associated bands, mainly ] and ]. The term addressed both the way the band connected with its audience, as well as its tendency to deal more with topics of personal and relationship politics than with the standard themes of ]. None of the members of the originating bands invented the term nor did they purposely apply it to themselves. The label was applied by outside critics or journalists and many acts and fans consider the word itself a ]. In recent times however, more so than with most other musical genres, the term "Emo" has been subject to social perception above objective guidelines. What bands are or aren't Emo is therefore highly subjective and contested amongst those with an interest in the genre. As a result the term Emo has two main uses; as a label for the genre outlined above and as a multi-purpose adjective and umbrella term used to describe a large cross-section of music and popular culture. |
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Today, the term "Emo" is increasingly ambiguous, and is often used disparagingly to describe something that is overly sentimental or melodramatic, and is used in a similar way to the usage of "gay" as a derogatory adjective. The term "Emo kid" is often used as an insult aimed at people who dress in a way based upon ], or who listen to music considered being "Emo". This is similar to the term "]" being used as a pejorative aimed at those who were involved in the ] trend. It is commonplace for people to refer to themselves or others as "Emo" or "Emo kids" now. Some claim that this is similar to the usage of the term ] by many ] ] artists (though the level of negativity that has been associated with the term "Emo" is in no way comparable with that of the "]"). Others, mostly veterans or fans of the original Emo sound, or those sometimes referred to as "Emo" but who consider the term a ], believe that usage of the term in this constant is the product of ignorance of the actual meaning or connotations of the word "Emo" amongst those who use it self-referentially. |
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With the success of rock bands such as ], ] and ], the music industry has promoted a series of successful, Emo-influenced bands. The term has come to be used in conjunction with a vast array of ] bands that are incorrectly labeled by large media conglomerates as a tactic to sell records to teenagers. Whether the apparent misappropriation of emo-related terms is the fault of the major labels or simply due to the lack of popular knowledge about the earlier scenes is unclear. As the old proverb says, "History is written by the victors," and it remains to be seen which version of the genre will be accepted as the popular consciousness of "emo". |
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''For more on the terms origins, see the main ] article.'' |
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{{Main2|Emo fashion|Fashioncore}} |
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{{See also|Scene kids}} |
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]" glasses.]] |
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'''Emo fashion''' relates to the hairstyles, clothing and demeanour of those involved in the ] ]. Traditionally, the term "emo" when used in describing clothing meant clothes such as tight jeans and fitted T-shirts or polo shirts, sweaters, and "]" glasses. However, as the variety of music labelled "emo" has become diffused with more mainstream popularity, there are now several distinct strands of emo fashion. |
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The ] have been a significant influence on Emo fashion. There has also been a tendency for emo to take on some of ]'s characteristics. |
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Most forms of emo fashion originate from fans emulating the styles of members of their favourite groups. These styles themselves are usually derived from pre-existing fashions of the ], ], ], ], ], ] and ] genres and sub-cultures. |
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===Clothing=== |
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] frontman ].]]The "emo nerd" look, sweaters and thick-rimmed black glasses became a popular form of emo fashion after ] (singer/guitarist of the popular band, '']'') began wearing them at concerts and in press photos. With more mainstream acceptance the "emo nerd" look is still one of the most widely recognised stereotypes of the emo ] but no longer the most common form of emo fashion. |
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]" are commonly identified as being a ] band.]] |
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The ] strand of emo fashion is most visible, with the style of dress the most widely spread type. "]" engage in short-lived trends appropriated from other ]. The basic style of clothing has been constant with tight black T-shirts hooded sweatshirts and jeans worn low. The t-shirt with a band logo or a semi-ironic slogan or image (such as the cartoon logo). Footwear was ] All-Stars but tends now to be hi-top or retro trainers, usually ]s. ]s decorated or customised with band logo pin badges are also often associated with this strand of emo fashion. This is often seen as being ] in style. |
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===Hair styles=== |
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]" popularised the emo haircut with their uniform appearance in this ] for the "]" single.]] |
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Common aspects of emo hairstyles are: |
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*] hair cuts - Emo kids have their friends cut their hair, or they cut it themselves. |
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*Jet black, bleached blonde, dark hair with a reddish or purplish tinge, distinct sections of contrasting colors. |
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*Shortish, and similar for both genders, with oily and/or shaggy hair reaches the shirt-collar. |
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*hair sloped to cover, or partially covering one eye (usually the right), a ] (frontal ]), or "emo comb-over". |
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The ] are often credited with popularising this hairstyle. They had uniform jet black hair sloped to partially obscure the right eye. |
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With ] hair styles have diversified to include the "]" initially worn by ] of The Misfits in the late ]/early ], now the ] and the ] worn by ] frontman ]. |
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===Tattoos and piercings=== |
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Tattoos most often associated with the emo trend and ] are: |
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* Stars, most commonly on the forearm, often times are nautical stars. |
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* Sleeves or half-sleeves. |
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Piercings, the more the better, The most common are: |
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*'''black ]''' with a ] of two or less on both ears. |
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*'''labrets''', or lip piercings at a strategic off-center spot on the lower lip. |
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*'''Snake Bites''', or Double lip piercing with one piercing on the left and right side |
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===Online=== |
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The use of ] has become established as a staple of the Emo |
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(particularly fashioncore) trend. People who are part of this scene are usually identifiable by their screen names, which often feature song quotes, or other stereotypically "emo" phrases, usually surrounded with "x"s (the use of which has evolved from the ] sub-culture). |
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==Criticism== |
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Emo has been subjected to an unusually high level of criticism when compared to other musical genres, sub-cultures or trends. The vitriol aimed at the term "Emo" even exceeds that aimed at the similarly popular ] trend during its peak popularity. |
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==="Cheer Up Emo Kid"=== |
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] |
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"Emo kids" or "Emos" are stereotypically seen as being whiny, angst-ridden, and painfully love-struck teenagers. When attacking "Emo," its detractors often refer to wrist-slitting. This is largely due to the lyrical themes of music that is contemporarily labelled "Emo"; the connection between violence and romance is a very popular idea in Emo. Other bands, such as ], address other topics considered depressing. The criticisms levelled at "Emo" because of reasons such as these are virtually identical to those levelled at other genres which have at one time or another been staple listening for angst-ridden teenagers, such as ], ] and ]. However, it could be argued that Emo was made to try to emulate these genres, to sell albums. This viewpoint is also based on the widely accepted notion that the majority of "Emo kids" are middle-class, privileged white kids. One of the biggest arguments about Emo is that it is trying to take a genre of music (] for example) and make it accessible to the mainstream public by watering it down and making it sound more like other bands that sell. Therein lays the argument that Emo is mainly about the money, and hardly about the music. Of course, the more popular the term "Emo" becomes and the more bands that it is used to refer to, the harder it is for our cultural memory to have a solid idea of its meaning. |
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==="Say No To Emo"=== |
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Other criticisms directed at Emo are also shared with past musical trends; that Emo is "bad music" or that it is a shallow and soulless money-making trend. Many consider it ironic that those who despise Emo for being a trend are in actuality part of the anti-Emo trend itself. Scores of websites have sprung up aimed at criticizing or ridiculing Emo. Fans of many other musical genres have been known to wear T-shirts or other items with anti-Emo slogans such as "Say No To Emo." |
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===Sexuality=== |
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Criticisms of Emo, often laced with ]s and terms like "Emo ]," have become common. There are many likely reasons for this, one being that the popularity of Emo fashion is largely linked to ]; followers of Emo fashion display clothing and style stereotypically linked to ]; their style also leans towards an androgynous look, e.g. boys wearing makeup, having no facial hair, and wearing clothes that accentuate a slim build. |
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Another reason is that many "Emo girls" display a strong attraction towards gay or bisexual male activities. Though it is common in ] for men to find ] erotic, females finding homo- or bi-sexuality erotic receive less mainstream attention but are common in many specialized interest groups including the Emo sub-culture. Pages collecting pictures of Emo boys ] have been created on ] such as ] (see example at ). This can be linked back to the fact that the Emo "look" perpetuates androgyny. Emo boys are more naturally predisposed to kiss other boys who look slightly feminine. This male homoerotica is viewed far less liberally than female homo-erotic experimentation in ], and therefore has created many strong anti-Emo feelings amongst "]". Female homoeroticism also exists within the Emo subculture, as evidenced by . |
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===Sexism=== |
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Comparisons have been drawn by some between the ] ] scene and Emo, as some hold the opinion that they are both ] forms of music produced predominantly by males. The notion that Emo is possibly misogynistic is based largely on the stereotypically "Emo songs" which focus on broken hearts. These songs are almost always told from a male perspective, due to the fact that vast majority of Emo vocalists are male, and some consider the lyrics to present an unfair representation of women. |
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However, more are beginning to understand that using the simple observation that most Emo artists identify as male as the basis for the cause of sexist undertones in Emo culture and songs is actually ]. |
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Examples that have been cited of bitter break-up lyrics that have supposed sexist connotations include: |
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*''I hope the next boy that you kiss has something terribly contagious on his lips'' ''']''' - Jude Law & A Semester Abroad |
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*''You can lead a whore to water and you can bet she'll drink and follow orders'' ''']''' - Pretty Lush |
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Females are stereotypically "the root of all evil" in Emo lyrics. For example, the ] song ''''You're So Last Summer'''' includes the line ''"the truth is you could slit my throat, and with my one last gasping breath, I'd apologise for bleeding on your shirt"''. |
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==Emo groups== |
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For groups of the ] or ] period see: |
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*] |
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For a more general list of ] groups see: |
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*] |
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== See also == |
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*] |
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*] |
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*] |
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*] |
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*] (sXe) |
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==Sources== |
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*{{Web reference_author | Author=Radin, Andy | Title=What The Heck Is Emo Anyways | Work=What The Heck Is Emo Anyways | URL=http://www.fourfa.com | Date=July 17 | Year=2005}} |
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*{{Book reference | Author=Greenwald, Andy | Title=Nothing Feels Good | Publisher=St. Martin's Griffin | Year=2003 | ID=ISBN 0-31-230863-9}} |
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== External links == |
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* The Emo Guide To Life in video form. |
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* — an online video game series dedicated to Emo culture, which is very tongue-in-cheek and self-effacing. |
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* — an attempt to create an Emo discography |
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* in the sense described by this Article |
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* a semi-comprehensive FAQ/parody on the subject |
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*- A funny film about a farm that raise emos. |
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* An Emo themed parody of 90's kids show Power Rangers. |
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* A humorous website about Emo music and culture |
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* Pokes fun at scenes and the scene-lover infested entity of myspace.com |
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*, a guide that pokes fun at Emo attitudes/styles |
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*, A parody of Emo as done by ]. |
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* A updating page about the new fads and developments in the 'Emo world' warning:: this is a parody. |
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Jupiter (unnecessary parenthetical qualifier)