Picture a dirty rock club where, inside, speakers blare out lyrics to love songs screamed in whiney tones rather than sung, clusters of people hang around the doors wearing extra tight jeans and arguing about which Smiths album is the best, and the band has toured with Taking Back Sunday, Finch, and Thursday.
This is emo, screamo, emo-core, fashioncore, scene, hardcore, and whatever other labels record labels can come up with.”
Emo adj (ee moh). Stereotypically, a way to describe someone who listens to Dashboard Confessional writes tearful break-up songs, and cries a whole lot.
In reality, emo isn’t so easy to define. The simple definition is emotional punk rock.
“The thing with all these emo bands is how do you know if they’re emo or not?” says emo fan Ashlie Scarbrough. “Lots of bands are emotional, but not considered emo.”
While this is true, emo bands generally have a similar musical style. Songs can be soft with poetic lyrics and acoustic guitars or fast-paced with screaming vocals. Lyrics are normally about romantic relationships, break-ups, or problems with friends.
“It’s great music that I can relate to,” says Dashboard Confessional and Taking Back Sunday fan Parker Akins.
“I like the depth,” says Bright Eyes enthusiast Nathaniel Maloney.
Bands like From First to Last, Brand New, and Bright Eyes are the epitome of emo music. Sweaters, collared shirts, tight jeans, and studded belts are typical in emo fashion. Hanging out in coffee houses, writing poetry in online journals, and going to as many concerts as possible are part of the emo schedule.
Emo has become the latest trend. There are tons of new bands on tour, miscellaneous clothing items of the emo style, and a quickly growing fan base.
“Emo is the ‘now’ word,” said Mike Todd, the bassist for Coheed and Cambria in an interview on Yahoo! Launch.
While emo may be the “in” thing now, its popularity will most likely decline as soon as another fad comes along.
“The scene will die once too many people jump in, which is really sad,” said Maloney. “But it happens to every scene.”
Regardless if emo stays or goes, it’s all in good fun and for the love of music.