☆ENGLISH ONLY☆コミュのEmo versus screamer

depressed kids

Okay, you must not have read very far in the wikipedia page, because it offers a LOT of information on emo. Emo is a musical genre, which stands for emotional punk. In contrast to hardcore punk, or anarchistic stuff, it concentrates heavily on emotions, particularly on being depressed about love. Typical emo bands include Dashboard confessional, Fall Out Boy, Panic at the Disco, Taking back Sunday, etc.

When emo refers to people, it refers to the style of clothing that many people who listen to emo embody. From Wikipedia:

"Fashion and stereotype

the term "emo" is sometimes stereotyped with tight jeans on males and females alike, long fringe (bangs) brushed to one side of the face or over one or both eyes, dyed black, straight hair, tight t-shirts (usually short-sleeved) which often bear the names of emo bands (or other designer shirts), studded belts, belt buckles, canvas sneakers or skate shoes or other black shoes and thick, black horn-rimmed glasses. In recent years the popular media have associated emo with a stereotype that includes being emotional, sensitive, shy, introverted, or angst-ridden. It is also associated with depression, self-injury, and suicide."


Okay, that last sentence is a little dramatic. The guys (and girls) may also wear dark, thick eyeliner. Anyway, in terms of personality, anyone who is perceived to be emotionally sensitive or easily depressed can be referred to as emo. As for style...the above paragraph hit it right on the head. There is a common joke about emo kids: "How many emo kids does it take to screw in a light bulb? None, they just sit in the dark and cry."

Of course, emo kids are usually not as depressed or angst ridden as the media makes them seem, as most emo kids I know/have met are very well-adjusted. The first time I heard this terms was about 7 years ago.
There's also Indie music (independent, not signed on to a major band). THose people dressed similarly, but without the black. More color, and no stigma of being sad, but still wore tight shirts/pants, etc.

As for whether it's a LACK of fashoin sense....well, there are a LOT of teens (cause obviously you usually outgrow it by the time you become an adult) who are very attracted to this style.

Now, it seems most of those people who are now college age call themselves "scene," (ie, they're into the independent music 'scene.').

As for screamer, I'm not sure what she was referring to. I suspect it might be screamo, which is just a type of music that is defined as a more aggressive, angrier type of emo music. The style would look almost the same, so that would explain her complaint.

You're not alone Pancho,

I ain't got no clue either, but seen that label "Emo" in some news feeds before. Must be some kind of fashion brand as they had Punk Rock or whatever before.

Though, I can't help but to find it funny. Most all of the youths nowadays excessively use their mobiles, for typing messages - not calling, but TYPING. The personal contact got replaced by the distance audio contact and that got replaced by short message texts. Now how the heck do they get the idea of "emotions"? Sorry, that's very intimate and from person to person - or maybe they got depressed cellphones nowadays?

The t-shirt says it all

"I'm an emo kid, non conforming as can be,
you'd be nonconforming too if you'd dress just like me!"
http://audio.isg.si/audiox/?q=node/69
Listen to that song to understand emo :)

or watch this awesome documentary about emo's: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGLv3IEL0VI#

If you're still scratching your head after looking at the links Miszou gave,
you could try the latest Spiderman movie....should I say Emoman?

#8 Ian, thanks for the added laugh. I have heard the Spiderman 3 referred to as EMO.

#4 Kamuix99, I think this EMO genre replaces the "goth" era that I grew up with but since everyone wants to try to be different, the name has emerged.

#7 Miszou, cheers for the links. I heard it before when an LA radio station talked about it (KROQ). Still a good laugh.

#3 たろう、good source, not much different than wiki, but thanks anyway.

#2 マル, thanks but sorry, too much info. As for lack of fashion, I meant the fact that I do not keep up with the times. I don't want to give anyone the idea that modern fashion trends are not cool or hot or sweet or wicked or tight or whatever.

I have seen some people in Japan dressed in what I would have normally called goth or punk (piercings with chains and teased black hair with dark or purple make-up) but since none of them are my age nor my friends, I have a hard time "labeling" their style. Perhaps there is a different word for them in Japan.

What about "metro"? Is that still being used? Anyone remember #rockabilly" and "80's DISCO boogie" or "glam rock"? I was more of a "stoner" although I never got high. My favorite has to be the L.A. gangster boogie (Ben Davis kaki pants and shirt with unlaced brown workman boots) or the OG gangster (white T-shirt with blue Levis and white tennis shows, specially Reebok). And don't forget the Pendleton shirt for winter. Now that's "firme ese".