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BBC attempts to distill the essence of "emo"

Posted by aubin on Friday, May 30, 2008 at 3:00 PM (EDT)

The Beeb has decided to look into the various inaccuracies and misinformation surrounding the "emo" movement in Britain. The news organization noted:

They're outraged over their portrayal in newspapers and are planning to march on one tabloid's headquarters this weekend. But are emos a weird rock cult or as pleasant a group of teenagers as you're likely to meet?

You can check out the article here.

Recent coverage of the movement in the Daily Mail has polarized pro and anti-emo factions with mainstream newspapers condemning the movement for suicides while young fans and bands attempt to defend the subculture.

Politics (107 comments)

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not responsible for them in any way. Seriously.

MattRamone (May 30, 2008)

This is getting dumb.

1) Teenagers are dumb
2) They wear dumb clothes and do retarded things with their hair
3) They're way too melodramatic
4) They listen to shit music and approach politics too broadly
5) Every failed relationship is the end of the world

Teenagers have always been like this. They just never had reverse mullets before. That's the only real difference.

8+ Replies

Thrilhouse (May 30, 2008)

lol reverse mullets.

Jesus_H_Christ (May 30, 2008)

I was originally going to post something along these lines. You beat me to the punch.

I simply don't understand all the fanfare about such a silly genre.

fallingupwards84 (May 30, 2008)

i dont think there's really that much "fanfare" surrounding it... it has been covered in a British tabloid magazine and a punk website. whoop-dee-doo

Jesus_H_Christ (May 30, 2008)

Well...I don't know about that. Case in Point: Pete Wentz.

fallingupwards84 (May 30, 2008)

pete wentz is emo? i thought it was just pop

ZombieCrush (May 30, 2008)

Poop*

veganboyjosh (May 30, 2008)

poop punk?

Jesus_H_Christ (May 30, 2008)

ponk!

ZombieCrush (May 30, 2008)

That should be the term for this new emo. Give emo back to the Fugazis of the world and call the MCRs of the world by the right name.

ponk.

Guy_Incognito (May 30, 2008)

double fucking stamped

ConsolationPrizefighter (May 30, 2008)

Might I be able to triple stamp your double stamp?

Jon_the_Skafather (May 31, 2008)

i agree....man why do i feel so old at fucking 23?

sugarfull (June 1, 2008)

Right on.

10-4Eleanor (June 1, 2008)

"reverse mullets"

I always preferred "the Jennifer Aniston swoop-along"

xcarlupanddiex (May 30, 2008)

english emo's are sick

3+ Replies

JayTee (May 30, 2008)

What?

sammy_sam_saminson (May 30, 2008)

x-games sick or chicken soup sick?

MsJustinChris (May 30, 2008)

haha, chicken soup sick!

niveK82 (May 30, 2008)

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080529/people_nm/simpson_pregnancy_ dc

Shotgun wedding!

5+ Replies

AlChron77 (May 30, 2008)

The last two people on earth who should be allowed to breed. Great.

sammy_sam_saminson (May 30, 2008)

mtv already signed that kid to three seasons of his/her own reality show

clam_tears (May 30, 2008)

Pfff...I told you guys this yesterday. Did you also know that they plan on naming the kid "Dante Mattramone"?

skinnyike (May 30, 2008)

of anyone affiliated with "emo culture", this kid has every right to be depressed

JustLikeDelilah (May 31, 2008)

Wait... I thought Pete Wentz was a legitimate homosexual(Not trying to make fun, but I really thought that)

AlChron77 (May 30, 2008)

I wish they really would all commit suicide. There is absolutely nothing good about emo.

2+ Replies

wonton (May 30, 2008)

I think emos a really cool guy.
he suck cocks and isnt afraid of everything.

AndyApathy (May 31, 2008)

I wish I had emo grass.Then it would cut itself.

SloaneDaley (May 30, 2008)

I can't hide it any longer MCR is just so cathartic.

Everybody.

I'm an emo.

1+ Reply

blue_drink (May 30, 2008)

Hi, Kate Ashford!

Edgar13 (May 30, 2008)

Go Rites of Spring!

SloaneDaley (May 30, 2008)

where this article goes wrong is it presents bands like My Chemical Romance as somehow connected to the original DC scene where there isn't the slightest connection between the two, I'd almost prefer it if they acted like MCR created the genre.

1+ Reply

AndyPonch (May 31, 2008)

The funny part about this whole emo movement, if it can be called that, is the bozos following it (I think it's safe to say) have no idea about Revolution Summer, the bands on Dischord who started it and probably have never heard Fugazi in their life on purpose. Emo is the new alternative. I wonder what will be bastardized next?

sammy_sam_saminson (May 30, 2008)

from the comments section: "Surely just repackaged Goths...
Mike, London "

at least london mike has his head on straight.

1+ Reply

MsJustinChris (May 30, 2008)

Three cheers for London Mike

Mike_Killroad (May 30, 2008)

Up the emoz.

I'm so happy about this, jk, lolz.

DOWN THE ROAD NOT ACROSS THE STRAIGHT HATERZ.

1+ Reply

Mike_Killroad (May 30, 2008)

STREET* lolz. I'm so silly, and sadz :(

Mike_Killroad (May 30, 2008)

Aiden fucking roolz.

ArtieFufkin (May 30, 2008)

I actually want more and more kids to get all 'emo' -- just means less trendy kids at punk shows, and more punk records available for the rest of us. The tauntings of the 'emo' kids is provides additional comedy for me as well

1+ Reply

illie (May 31, 2008)

Frick Yes!!! They're just taking up space at good punk concerts

JayTee (May 30, 2008)

E

JayTee (May 30, 2008)

M

JayTee (May 30, 2008)

O

SaladFingers (May 30, 2008)

some of them young emo girls give me the horn!

i'd probably even bang some of the pretty little boys.

canaandrumzz (May 30, 2008)

I miss the days where emo was a style of music that no one had ever heard of. I could listen to my Thursday, Taking Back Sunday, and Saves the Day records in peace. This is sad when a news article actually makes me miss high school. Sucks that emo is the new goth.

7+ Replies

SaladFingers (May 30, 2008)

ahhhhhh, Thursday, TBS and Saves the Day, the birth of emo

canaandrumzz (May 30, 2008)

I realize thats not where it started but for a 14 year old at the time that was what the genre was to me. And those bands led me to learning about rites of spring and the whole DC scene in general. What I was more trying to get at is that something that genuinely helped me as a teenager now has become what it is.

fallingupwards84 (May 30, 2008)

so you weren't being sarcastic?

veganboyjosh (May 30, 2008)

I miss the days where emo was a style of music that no one had ever heard of. I could listen to my Palatka, Emo Summer, and Pele records in peace. This is sad when a punknews.org post actually makes me miss high school. Sucks that emo is the new fake emo.

fallingupwards84 (May 30, 2008)

cant wait for old-school emo listeners to jump on you for calling Thursday, TBS, and STD real emo

canaandrumzz (May 30, 2008)

I realize those aren't the penultimate "emo" so I fail apparently. But I miss the underground feel and not having to feel embarassed when the msm completely screws it up. I guess every genre goes through this though. I'll go read my thursday liner notes and find out about saetia and rites of spring now.

veganboyjosh (May 30, 2008)

aw, i'm just teasing. no one's born with a crudos record in their hand.

canaandrumzz (May 30, 2008)

Its cool, as soon as I saw the comments I realized what I'd opened myself up too. If it wasn't me who posted it I would have come at them the same way.

SalsaShark (May 30, 2008)

What does "penultimate" mean in this context?

canaandrumzz (May 30, 2008)

I meant that those aren't the first bands everyone thinks of when they think of emo. Especially regarding this site but they're what I was introduced to. I may have used it wrong though.

canaandrumzz (May 30, 2008)

Ok, I just looked it up and boy was I wrong. I wonder how I let that happen.

Dordon (May 31, 2008)

Don't you mean JImmy Eat world?

fallingupwards84 (May 30, 2008)

lol what is tihs emonews.org?! amirite??

but really, i think this story has been played out. some people (as i do) think pseudo-emo has a psychological effect on young teenagers, and some don't. its all a matter of opinion

ChadReligion (May 30, 2008)

Just how the fuck did this shit get this far???? I'm laughing at how it would look it it was a huge group of Rockabilly kids marching because it makes old people depressed and miss the old days, or a bunch of ska kids marching because they banned the use of horns in England... Rudies everywhere!!!

Honestly, I think this is really fucking retarded, and these stupid kids need listen to some different music. Come on now, everyone knows Emo died with Jawbox and Sunny Day Real Estate....

3+ Replies

fallingupwards84 (May 30, 2008)

god Jeremy Enigk is incredibly boring... had to suffer through his opening act at a show once

JohnnyZ77 (May 30, 2008)

banned the use of horns in England? when did this happen ? when did the queen do this?

sammy_sam_saminson (May 30, 2008)

yeah i was wondering the same thing...is it that noise ordinance thing? i read about it in regards to bagpipes...how although they don't say "NO BAG PIPES, YOU FUCKS!", the decible restrictions are such that bagpipes simply CAN'T be tuned or played at that level and sound at all decent (go ahead and make your "bagpipes NEVER sound decent" remarks). same ban, or am i thinking of something else?

Jesus_H_Christ (May 30, 2008)

Emo (modern day emo at least) is a media wet dream. It's a bunch of teenager's wearing trendy clothes while discussing "serious" issues like love, death, suicide, and whether or not Jason really likes Chad.

The media adores anything that is perceived to be hip, youthful, outrageous, and rebellious.

Safe rebellion of course.

2+ Replies

sammy_sam_saminson (May 30, 2008)

jason totally likes chad.

listofdemands (May 30, 2008)

this is classic jason. jason pretends to not like chad, but chad knows jason likes him. but jason doesn't know that chad knows that jason likes chad, so jason continues to pretend like he doesn't like chad. like i said, classic jason. F-it, i'm going to the mall, A-holes.
-nic

Jesus_H_Christ (May 30, 2008)

But then Chad found out that Jason wasn't sXe and did things that we're like so hardcore like smoke pot and are into S&M so it was alright again...

That night Jason fucked Chad's tight asshole 'till he squeeled like a piggie.

listofdemands (May 30, 2008)

i love love!
-nic

sammy_sam_saminson (May 30, 2008)

i'm just glad it had a happy ending. Chad's been awfully down lately.

listofdemands (May 30, 2008)

tell him to think about that time in the woods with jeremy. jeremy told me that no one had ever touched him with a pine cone in that way before. i don't think he'll ever forget it.
-nic

ChadReligion (May 30, 2008)

Chavs are stoked too!

JayTee (May 30, 2008)

emoemoemoemoemoemoemoemoemoemoemoemoe
moemoemoemoemoemoemoemoem oemoemoemoem
oemoemoemoemoemoemoemoemoemoemoemoemoe
moemoemoemo emoemoemoemoemoemoemoemoe
moemoemoemoemoemoemoemoemoemoemoemoemo
emoemoemoemoemoemoemoemoemoemoem
oemoemoemoemoemoemoemoemoemoe moemoemoemo
emoemoemoemoemoemoemoemoemoemoemoem
oemoemoemoemoem oemoemoemoemoemoemoemoem
oemoemoe's tavern

scientistrock (May 30, 2008)

The Beeb?

2+ Replies

AndyP (May 30, 2008)

Beeb = BBC

scientistrock (May 30, 2008)

I got that, is it popular slang, or just something Aubin did?

IUsedToBeSomeone (May 30, 2008)

fairly common in the UK

They even named the BBC kids' channel "C-Beebies."

Guy_Incognito (May 30, 2008)

"pro and anti-emo factions"

Wa wa what? We have factions now?

Newsflash: "emo" is nothing more than a fashion statement based around a music sub-genre. That is IT, end of fucking list. There is absolutely nothing to be "pro" or "anti" as there is no agenda nor any sort ideals driving a movement. It's just a bunch of kids who are confusing the symptoms of their raging hormones for genuine emotions.

5 to 10 years from now they'll all be wearing button ups from JCrew and running to grab another latte from starbucks for their boss like everyone else. They'll look back at their fashion choices just like yuppies look back at the bell bottom jeans and wonder what kind of drugs they were on to make themselves dress like their ankles flared out and needed the extra breathing space.

Dakotacore (May 30, 2008)

So, umm off topic, but has anyone booked a show with big time entertainment. They are a nationwide company and they seem legit, but I just wanted to see if anyone had any experiences (good or bad) with them.

2+ Replies

listofdemands (May 31, 2008)

i know only this: they do shows in little rock and they look like poorly put together "battle of the bands" type shows. they do around 2 shows a month at a club called juanitas. i don't really know anything further, but i didn't see a show with less than 7 unknown bands on it. it seems like it's a "new band showcase". hope this helps. here's the website.
www.juanitas.com

-nic

Dakotacore (May 31, 2008)

Thanks. That is kinda what I think we are getting into. The thing is is that me and my band mates are all teachers and these guys want us to play an all ages show. A lot of our students want to see us play and we have had a bit of a rough time finding an all ages show. All of the other bands on the bill are new as well, but I just wanted to see if anyone had any experience with them. At this point I guess we don't really care if it is poorly put together, we just want to play. So, if they are willing to give us a stage for a half hour then I guess we will be on it. Thanks again.

listofdemands (May 31, 2008)

definitely. i thought you were touring. if it's just one show, it would be just fine. they seem to put shows together at legit clubs, so if you just want to play it seems like they do quite a bit of promotion. good luck to you.
-nic

I-type-poorly (May 30, 2008)

every time someone describes modern emo to meI can only picture this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MkC2-CuSJw

1+ Reply

I-type-poorly (May 30, 2008)

mel

GlamBalam (May 30, 2008)

yes I really like some bands labeled as "emo" so what?

TheeValiantRA3 (May 30, 2008)

"fucking bullshit ninos"

Tahoejeff (May 30, 2008)

EMOS ARE AWESOME!

http://www.outbacknsw.com.au/_borders/emus%20group.jp g

Caustic_Punk (May 30, 2008)

"They're outraged over their portrayal in newspapers and are planning to march on one tabloid's headquarters this weekend. But are emos a weird rock cult or as pleasant a group of teenagers as you're likely to meet?"

Is it just me or did anybody else find this quote to be hilarious??

I can see it now... a silent protest with a bunch of kids staring at their shoes and adjusting their tight zip-up hoodies.

2+ Replies

Adlai_E_Stevenson (May 30, 2008)

Yeah, there's a certain endearing dryness to English newswriting.

AlChron77 (May 30, 2008)

That's not exactly what I would call it.

returnofdebs (May 30, 2008)

bbc america ran an entire show on this about two weeks ago, but since it wasn't top gear i didn't care.

2+ Replies

jacknife737 (May 30, 2008)

Top Gear is great.

IUsedToBeSomeone (May 30, 2008)

Damn, even I kinda miss Top Gear (and I hardly watch TV at all.)

Watched it a bit when I was living in NZ--it seemed like it cut across all demographics in terms of enthusiastic viewers. I was surprised there's nothing like it on American TV. Then again, maybe there is; I probably just don't know about it...

MsJustinChris (May 30, 2008)

Unless Jeremy Clarkson is on american tv, then no, you have no program like it. I don´t care how many people try and replicate it, if it´s not Clarkson, then it´s a waste of time.

niveK82 (May 31, 2008)

NBC was going to attempt a US version w/ Adam Corolla but, thankfully, it got canned.

No way they could create the chemistry the BBC guys have. Also, I doubt that NBC would let them give a negative review to a potential sponsor.

returnofdebs (May 31, 2008)

acutally the pilot was just filmed. a couple pics from the episode made their way to some different car blogs.

Ollywood (May 30, 2008)

Emo will be the next technical gang, right next to straight edgers

eighty (May 30, 2008)

tickle me emos!

that was sad.

...zing

VictorIkpeba24 (May 30, 2008)

I'm not a fan of emos, but:

Emos > xannoyingx xstr8x xedgex xfundamntalistsx > stoned hippies > drunx punx with mohawx > br00tal hard-moshing bodybuilded assholes.

At least that's my opinion.

2+ Replies

bigmondo (May 30, 2008)

"emos"> straight edge fundamentalists> br00tal bodybuilder types>drunx punx> stoned hippies

thats me

JustLikeDelilah (May 31, 2008)

see, this is how I see it.. Straight Edgers, BroXcore Metal heads, Any cliche punk rock teenager, Rude boys < A Wilhelm Scream

Osloboditelj (May 30, 2008)

Probably the most rational mainstream media article on "emo" I've seen. Still unnecessary.

crackpotdemagogue (May 31, 2008)

i find this whole thing totally cringe worthy... and i don't know why people get up in arms about idiotic tabloid newspapers misrepresenting the whole 'emo' thing and youth culture generally... it's what they do, it's what they've always done. tabloids, and the mass media generally are out of touch, reactionary and conservative. it's no suprise to me that 'emo' has been labelled the latest threat to young people... just like punk, and rock'n'roll before that.

Driftwood (May 31, 2008)

Oh Ian and Guy look what you done started now. I love Ian MacKaye but everything that comes out of his mouth or speakers becomes a trend even if he doesn't mean it to be and would perfer that it didn't

ArianeIsEatingADanish (May 31, 2008)

I like the pictures attached. A lot of those kids have some great trainers. And then there's Harry Potter's Weird Hippie Cousin and Gerard Way looking like the guy who sings "Boy For Sale" in the Oliver Twist musical.

eba-monosashi (May 31, 2008)

this is a main reason why im buying riot control gear^_^

BloodDeathAndGlory (May 31, 2008)

This is just like all the other bullshit fashion and lifestyle choices for the past fifty years. Example:

1950s) Youth gone wild! Marlon Brando in the Wild Thing! Close Dancing and one bed per couple... Shocking!

1960s) Pot... Pot... LSD...Free Love and Hippies.

1970s) Bra Burning! The Sex Pistols, SEX(the shop...you morons), Bondage Pants! Naked Cowboys! Music by talentless hacks! Safety pins and Johnny Rotten.

1980s) Hardcore! Neon clothing and Spandex! Hair so high that it is impossible to drive in your car without your neck being at a ninety degree angle. Heavy metal and men in women's clothing.

1990s) Heroin Chic, Grunge, Kurt Cobain...

2000s) Emo...

Get over it because the less we care the quicker they go away like lines of Cocaine at Kate Moss's birthday party.

STAY_ASLEEP (May 31, 2008)

Consider The Meek said it best: "if a new song represents emo, we scrap it immediately"

neffernin (June 1, 2008)

Ska > Emo

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