A perfect example of why not to read the Daily Mail
I have just been reading Kerrang! Magazine, it has highlighted THIS article in the Daily Mail about Emo - a popular form of rock music. It is a perfect example of the Mail's preference for sensationalism over fact.
Firstly Emo does not stand for "Emotionals" it is an abbreviation for Emotional Rock (or Hardcore depending on who you talk to). You might guess that it is a genre of music with a penchant for emotionally strong lyrics, some of which are downbeat and some of which are upbeat. And, yes, some of the people that like Emotional rock (Emos) do wear some morbid clothing - but then the goth image has been around since the days of the mighty Siouxsie and the Banshees.
The article's ignorance is highlighted by its description of Green Day as an Emo band. Green Day are a pop-punk band in the best traditions of rebellious punk. Listen to how negative the Sex Pistols and Stiff Litte fingers were.
For years and years people have been using lyrics in rock music to shock adults and to entice strong media responses (The Sex Pistols are the perfect example). Once again the Daily Mail has taken the bait and on this occasion produced one of the most ignorant pieces of journalism that I have seen for a long time, made worse by describing Emo as a Cult. That article will have worried parents across the Nation who now think that because their kids listen to a certain type of music and dress a certain type of way they are more likely to self-harm or commit suicide. The truth is the liking for that music is about loving the excitement of rock at its best and using music as a positive way of rebelling. Rebellion through music is not a negative thing, it creates individuality and freedom of thought, especially when you are dealing with intelligent lyrics that need thought to understand them - something that is a strength of Emo. We should celebrate rock music and deal with the genuine reasons for self harm and teenage suicides which are far, far deeper than a simple preference for one type of music.
I have been to Rock Festivals where Emo bands, including Panic! at The Disco and My Chemical Romance have played, I also had the privilege of going to see Green Day at Milton Keynes las year. I didn't see anyone sat in the corner slashing their wrists, I saw what I always see when I go to Rock gigs, people having a kick-ass good time. I have also had years and years of pleasure from Rock Music and Punk, I hope that Emo serves as a vehicle to give its fans the same. I am proud to have a daughter who likes Emo and proud to have a son who wants to spend his 18th birthday with me at a Motorhead gig.
I heartily recommend you invest in Issue No 1127 of Kerrang! Magazine and read the article on page 34. The analyses from Kerrang's younger readers show far more balance and maturity than either the Daily Mail or Sarah Sands who wrote the article.
Firstly Emo does not stand for "Emotionals" it is an abbreviation for Emotional Rock (or Hardcore depending on who you talk to). You might guess that it is a genre of music with a penchant for emotionally strong lyrics, some of which are downbeat and some of which are upbeat. And, yes, some of the people that like Emotional rock (Emos) do wear some morbid clothing - but then the goth image has been around since the days of the mighty Siouxsie and the Banshees.
The article's ignorance is highlighted by its description of Green Day as an Emo band. Green Day are a pop-punk band in the best traditions of rebellious punk. Listen to how negative the Sex Pistols and Stiff Litte fingers were.
For years and years people have been using lyrics in rock music to shock adults and to entice strong media responses (The Sex Pistols are the perfect example). Once again the Daily Mail has taken the bait and on this occasion produced one of the most ignorant pieces of journalism that I have seen for a long time, made worse by describing Emo as a Cult. That article will have worried parents across the Nation who now think that because their kids listen to a certain type of music and dress a certain type of way they are more likely to self-harm or commit suicide. The truth is the liking for that music is about loving the excitement of rock at its best and using music as a positive way of rebelling. Rebellion through music is not a negative thing, it creates individuality and freedom of thought, especially when you are dealing with intelligent lyrics that need thought to understand them - something that is a strength of Emo. We should celebrate rock music and deal with the genuine reasons for self harm and teenage suicides which are far, far deeper than a simple preference for one type of music.
I have been to Rock Festivals where Emo bands, including Panic! at The Disco and My Chemical Romance have played, I also had the privilege of going to see Green Day at Milton Keynes las year. I didn't see anyone sat in the corner slashing their wrists, I saw what I always see when I go to Rock gigs, people having a kick-ass good time. I have also had years and years of pleasure from Rock Music and Punk, I hope that Emo serves as a vehicle to give its fans the same. I am proud to have a daughter who likes Emo and proud to have a son who wants to spend his 18th birthday with me at a Motorhead gig.
I heartily recommend you invest in Issue No 1127 of Kerrang! Magazine and read the article on page 34. The analyses from Kerrang's younger readers show far more balance and maturity than either the Daily Mail or Sarah Sands who wrote the article.
posted by Martin Curtis at 6:52 PM
1 Comments:
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I agree with some of your comments, but Panic at the disco et al are not emo bands. Listen to real emo and then compare it to the commercialised drivel that big labels are pumping out to make a fortune out of pathetic scenesters. The two are not even close. There is no emotion in the big label tosh. It is devoid of any feeling, completely gone is the talent, the lack of electronics (pedals etc) and the revulsion of actually making money out of producing music that is a vent for how you feel. It has been replaced by people with faddy emotions, branding, slick production (as opposed to home-made tapes passed around the local scene)and masses of money being heaped into the pockets of talentless individuals and label bosses.
Kerrang is just a purveyor of Big Label crap (my opinion-yes, i am worried that they might sue me, whisch just about sums up how highly i think of them). Please don't encourage people to buy it as a point of reference. they do not know what they are talking about.
'Emo', as people use the term now is not emo at all. Emo has been dead for a long time, and someone has just taken its name for the electoral register.
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