Is (are) your kid (s) into screamo?

[brujaja]

Now, don't get me wrong -- I love my boy like crazy. And I am keenly aware of the irony implicit in a punk mom who doesn't get her kid's music. Heh heh.

I have a sort of a theory about screamo. I think it represents an unconscious attempt on the part of young men to broaden their gender role to include more emotional expression. Yes, I know men have always been free to express their emotions; but I think there has remained a certain pressure not to be... well, not to cry or be emotionally vulnerable and stuff like that. In this sense, I think it's a good thing.

Anyway, do your kids like screamo? Do you? Is it radically different from what you listen to? I'm just curious.

[Rhiannon8404]

I don't know what it is, but I do know that I think I am very, very glad my son is into classic heavy metal and not into anything called "screamo".

[brujaja]

Yep, maybe so. The bands have names like "Panic At The Disco" and "I Set My Friends On Fire." I'm pretty sure they're ironic.

To be fair, I Set My Friends On Fire has one video called "Sex Ed" that is hilarious. This is a direct YouTube link, NSFW:

"Sex Ed." (starts at 19 seconds) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_6ItxioUco)

[Tequila Mockingbird]

I don't know what screamo is either. I do like some of the same bands that TurboPup, my fifteen year old son does, but they tend to be more of the pop-punk (All Time Low) or My Chemical Romance, Disturbed and Rise Against - bands which I'm not even sure what they're classified as.

[Electric Warrior]

This (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eayZeBdgOwo=) is screamo.

Also this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IN1OYVJ82yw).

And this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxkrG-tAKBY).

Everyone I knew was into it back in 2003, I'm somewhat surprised it's still popular...

[Talon Karrde]

I have a sort of a theory about screamo. I think it represents an unconscious attempt on the part of young men to broaden their gender role to include more emotional expression. Yes, I know men have always been free to express their emotions; but I think there has remained a certain pressure not to be... well, not to cry or be emotionally vulnerable and stuff like that. In this sense, I think it's a good thing.
Well, screamo is an offshoot of emo which was originally an offshoot of hardcore. The book American Hardcore describes the birth of emo and IIRC it was a lot of bands trying to be more constructive with their music as a deliberate response to the macho posturing and violence that were increasingly becoming part of the hardcore scene.

[kidneyfailure]

Well, screamo is an offshoot of emo which was originally an offshoot of hardcore. The book American Hardcore describes the birth of emo and IIRC it was a lot of bands trying to be more constructive with their music as a deliberate response to the macho posturing and violence that were increasingly becoming part of the hardcore scene.

Yep. "Revolution Summer," they called it...when all the old hardcore bands started playing "wimpy college rock" (I forget where the quote comes from) so as to make their shows and scenes less violent.

[pulykamell]

Yep, maybe so. The bands have names like "Panic At The Disco" and "I Set My Friends On Fire." I'm pretty sure they're ironic.

To be fair, I Set My Friends On Fire has one video called "Sex Ed" that is hilarious. This is a direct YouTube link, NSFW:

"Sex Ed." (starts at 19 seconds) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_6ItxioUco)

Wow, that is... wow. I must be getting old. I've defended a lot of music on these boards, but I'm all "you kids get off my lawn" with that one.

Panic! At the Disco is screamo? Everything I've heard by them sounds pretty poppy to me.

[elfkin477]

Yep, maybe so. The bands have names like "Panic At The Disco" and "I Set My Friends On Fire." I'm pretty sure they're ironic.Panic at the Disco is not screamo. Not by a mile. Emo, perhaps, but not screamo. This (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utOR89-RAtU&feature=related) is what screamo sounds like, and this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDtxDRvFRdo&feature=channel). Oh, okay, sometimes they're like Thursday (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBKgDI9ptws) and you can make out some words, but that's more mainstream, like how Green Day and The Offspring are punk.

No, my kid doesn't like screamo, and it's a good thing too because I'd smack the crap out of him for having such terrible taste in music.



you all know I don't have kids, right?

[squeegee]

I have a niece (13) who likes screamo, (I think) as a funny, interesting diversion, not something she's really "into". She turned my son (10) onto some screamo stuff, and he liked BYOB by System of a Down (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUzd9KyIDrM) (which I'm pretty sure qualifies as screamo); I thought it was a pretty fun/funny tune, and it also has some pretty cool guitar changes.

[pulykamell]

I have a niece (13) who likes screamo, (I think) as a funny, interesting diversion, not something she's really "into". She turned my son (10) onto some screamo stuff, and he liked BYOB by System of a Down (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUzd9KyIDrM) (which I'm pretty sure qualifies as screamo); I thought it was a pretty fun/funny tune, and it also has some pretty cool guitar changes.

System of a Down isn't screamo at all. It's metal of one kind or another.

[squeegee]

System of a Down isn't screamo at all. It's metal of one kind or another.

Yeah, I was afraid someone would say that, I guess I shouldn't take a 13-year-old's word for music styles. I still think that song is hilarious.

ETA: I guess I was relying on my 10yo son's take on what his cousin said about what is or is not screamo, so there's little hope of getting an accurate opinion.

[pulykamell]

Yeah, I was afraid someone would say that, I guess I shouldn't take a 13-year-old's word for music styles. I still think that song is hilarious.

I do enjoy System of a Down. They got some chops, their music is interesting, they don't seem to take themselves completely seriously (although their music is heavily political), and they incorporate Western Asian/Eastern European folk melodies into their wild vocals and somehow make it work. Fun band.

[MissTake]

System of a Down is not screamo, it's metal. However, Serj is now a solo act.

TheKid is very much into screamo. Her exBF is the 'screamer' in a garage band - too bad he screams like a 3 year old girl getting pinched. Sucks greatly.

Her tastes in music change as often as her style of clothes, but some bands she just won't leave behind - Underoath, Bullet for my Valentine, Chiodos, and Bring me the Horizon are the bands I can't escape from.

She gets a lot of crap from some of her non-outcast friends about screamo. She says she likes the "angstiness" of screamo. She's 16. Life is angst.

[foolsguinea]

My cousin likes Panic! at the Disco, but I didn't know they were considered "screamo." Evs.

[pulykamell]

My cousin likes Panic! at the Disco, but I didn't know they were considered "screamo." Evs.

They're not.

[elfkin477]

Her tastes in music change as often as her style of clothes, but some bands she just won't leave behind - Underoath, Bullet for my Valentine, Chiodos, and Bring me the Horizon are the bands I can't escape from. Aww, come on. I like Bullet for my Valentine. :D

[LadyJane84]

Alexisonfire is another terrible Screamo band. They also have the added distinction of being a terrible Canadian Screamo band

[Marlitharn]

So it's called "screamo"? I have a young co-worker who listens to stuff like this on Youtube all night; I've been referring to it as "Angry White Boy Music". I'm reminded of a Foxtrot cartoon wherein the mother calls her mother to complain about a CD she gave to one of the kids, protesting, "But, Mom, the music I drove you crazy with was good!"

My 11 year old daughter has recently discovered Evanescence. I'm not sure what genre, sub-genre, sub-sub-genre, etc. that band falls into; I'm just profoundly thankful it isn't Justin Bieber.

[pulykamell]

My 11 year old daughter has recently discovered Evanescence. I'm not sure what genre, sub-genre, sub-sub-genre, etc. that band falls into;

I'd say goth metal, some would say goth rock, some would say a weird offshoot of nu-metal. Anyhow, that general class of genres.

[Electric Warrior]

They're not.

Yeah, I think they are just 'emo'.

[Ephemera]

So it's called "screamo"? I have a young co-worker who listens to stuff like this on Youtube all night; I've been referring to it as "Angry White Boy Music". I'm reminded of a Foxtrot cartoon wherein the mother calls her mother to complain about a CD she gave to one of the kids, protesting, "But, Mom, the music I drove you crazy with was good!"

I'm pretty out of the loop unless it's chicks with pianos, guitars, or synths, so don't take my word as gospel, but "angry white boy music" is still metal, I think.

My 11 year old daughter has recently discovered Evanescence. I'm not sure what genre, sub-genre, sub-sub-genre, etc. that band falls into; I'm just profoundly thankful it isn't Justin Bieber.

Evanescence is goth-lite, I guess. Rock with just a little goth influence. I like them okay, but not enough to own any albums or tracks.

[E-Sabbath]

I'd say goth metal, some would say goth rock, some would say a weird offshoot of nu-metal. Anyhow, that general class of genres.

I call it symphonic metal. (https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Symphonic_metal) It's fun. Tell her the latest thing is Within Temptation. They're dutch. There's also Nightwish, of course, if you want some of the classic stuff.

[Ephemera]

Did you just compare Within Temptation and Evanescence?

..okay, it's a fair comparison, but only insofar as The Beatles and The Monkees* are similar. I still wouldn't call Evanescence symphonic metal, but I would consider it a gateway band to that genre.

*I say that as a fan of both The Beatles and The Monkees.

[elfkin477]

I'd say goth metal, some would say goth rock, some would say a weird offshoot of nu-metal. Anyhow, that general class of genres. I think Evanescence's just alternative metal. They're not industrial like Kidneythieves or Econoline Crush, or as goth as The Flesh or Mechanical Moth.

[Mister Rik]

This (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eayZeBdgOwo=) is screamo.

Holy crap:

"I can resist everything except temptation." - Silverstein, 2003

"I can learn to resist anything but temptation." - Rush, 1996

I call it symphonic metal. (https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Symphonic_metal) It's fun. Tell her the latest thing is Within Temptation. They're dutch. There's also Nightwish, of course, if you want some of the classic stuff.

How about HolyHell, with special guest Eric Adams of Manowar (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkkHp26w9no)

[kushiel]

I call it symphonic metal. (https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Symphonic_metal) It's fun. Tell her the latest thing is Within Temptation. They're dutch. There's also Nightwish, of course, if you want some of the classic stuff.

Evanescence is like the portal drug to symphonic metal.

Once you hear Tarja, you'll never go back. I can't even listen to Amy Lee any more.

[Electric Warrior]

Holy crap:

"I can resist everything except temptation." - Silverstein, 2003

"I can learn to resist anything but temptation." - Rush, 1996

Uhm...

"I can resist everything except temptation." -Oscar Wilde, 1892

[Mister Rik]

Uhm...

"I can resist everything except temptation." -Oscar Wilde, 1892

:smack:

[MissTake]

Aww, come on. I like Bullet for my Valentine. :D

I did, kinda, too. For the first 100 times I had to listen to them. Her iPod is always set on "Let's let the neighbors hear, too!" Add an additional piss and moan for having to pay a co-pay to the Urgent Care office after they were last here. TheKid got tangled in the mosh pit and had a 6', 200# moose tossed against her. Bruised her up pretty good.

I am pretty accepting of most music, to each their own. Lord knows my parents tolerated me blasting Scorpions and Accept when I was her age, minus the earbuds. I was a good parent and didn't fall over in laughter after hearing the exBF's band (but I did have an inopportune coughing fit). I do kinda like Chiodos. Red Jumpsuit Apparatus I can live without. I do like Brokencyde (mostly because they are super nice to their fans).

[Tequila Mockingbird]

Wait, Bullet For My Valentine is screamo? My kid kinda likes them...after I introduced him to them.

[E-Sabbath]

Did you just compare Within Temptation and Evanescence?


Baby steps, Aesiron. Baby steps. First you get them hooked, then you bring in the pure stuff.

[elfkin477]

Wait, Bullet For My Valentine is screamo? My kid kinda likes them...after I introduced him to them.
No, they're metal. And easy to confuse, name-wise, with the shoegaze band My Bloody Valentine.

[YamatoTwinkie]

Prepare to laugh:
Brokencyde (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8F5YSA1Oz0)

[thirdname]

So it's called "screamo"? I have a young co-worker who listens to stuff like this on Youtube all night; I've been referring to it as "Angry White Boy Music".If you like "Angry White Boy Music", you'll love the Angry White Boy Polka (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xY-oili63QQ)

[brujaja]

Okay, my bad. Panic At The Disco is not screamo. I get confused with those long band names.*




*Although I seem to have no problem with long song names, like "Several Species Of Small Furry Animals Gathered Together In A Cave And Grooving With A Pict."

[An Arky]

I don't mind the screamo stuff. Young men should be angry, and angry young men should scream. What I don't like is bands that appear to be angry, but really just sound like whiners singing speeded up Journey songs. Or bands like panic at the disco who think they invented that sort of psych bubblegum pop they play.

[Marlitharn]

*sigh* I'm old. This thread has mentioned dozens of artists and the only one I've heard of is Weird Al. Who is awesome.

Get off my lawn.

[MissTake]

Prepare to laugh:
Brokencyde (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8F5YSA1Oz0)

Yeah, their music sucks. However, the first time TheKid saw them, they all came out afterwards and spent a lot of time with the teens. She appreciated it.

What I've been finding with many of the teen alt type bands is that they really pay attention to their fans. I mean, most came up through the internet (3OH!3, anyone?) and most won't be around in 5 years. Many of these bands know the money isn't in the CD's (who buys them anymore), but in thier personalities. So, they work the crowds much more than bands did when I was coming up. Then again, twenty years ago the musicscape was much more limited and corporate.

[elfkin477]

I don't know what screamo is either. I do like some of the same bands that TurboPup, my fifteen year old son does, but they tend to be more of the pop-punk (All Time Low) or My Chemical Romance, Disturbed and Rise Against - bands which I'm not even sure what they're classified as. I just realized no one responded to this.

All Time Low - Pop Punk
My Chemical Romance - Alternative
Disturbed - Metal
Rise Against - Punk/Melodic Hardcore

You can usually look up their wiki pages to figure out the genre, though sometimes there are overlaps and disagreements with classifications. (for example Hawthorne Heights is listed on the Melodic Hardcore page, and that's a huge stretch)

If you and the kid ever see Disturbed, let me know if they still have an electric chair as part of the staging.

[msmith537]

System of a Down isn't screamo at all. It's metal of one kind or another.

I thought they were "Nu-Metal" like Korn or Linkin Park.


I would classify Disturbed as "Nu-Metal" as well.

My Chemical Romance is Emo. I know they don't like to be classified as "Emo". Dave Mathews Band doesn't like to be classified as "Jamband" either. Too bad both bands essentially define their genres.

It's like this. 70s and 80s bands like The Clash, The Ramones and Sex Pistols are Punk. Dead Kennedys and Black Flag are a subgenre of Punk called "Hardcore". Later bands having punk musical sensibilities like Green Day , Blink 182 and Lit are Post-Punk or Pop Punk. Add long album names and mod haircuts, you get Emo bands like Fall Out Boy, Dashboard Confessional and Panic! At The Disco.

And some incomprehensible screeching to the choras like Hawthorn Heights or Silverstein and now you have Screamo.

Note that most of these post 1995 "punk" offshoots are musically closer to "Power Pop" than traditional Punk.

[ministryman]

Now, don't get me wrong -- I love my boy like crazy. And I am keenly aware of the irony implicit in a punk mom who doesn't get her kid's music. Heh heh.

I have a sort of a theory about screamo. I think it represents an unconscious attempt on the part of young men to broaden their gender role to include more emotional expression. Yes, I know men have always been free to express their emotions; but I think there has remained a certain pressure not to be... well, not to cry or be emotionally vulnerable and stuff like that. In this sense, I think it's a good thing.

Anyway, do your kids like screamo? Do you? Is it radically different from what you listen to? I'm just curious.


My boy doesn't like it or the people that dress all emo/screamo.

[pulykamell]

I thought they were "Nu-Metal" like Korn or Linkin Park.

Yeah, they were nu-metal, or at least some listeners and critics identified them as nu-metal at some point or another, but the reason I said "metal of one type or another" is because I'm hesitant to nail them down to one genre. I see a lot more progressive rock influence in their work than in typical nu-metal bands. To my ears, they don't really sound nu-metal, but they have been often lopped into that category.

Relavant link (http://www.spiritus-temporis.com/system-of-a-down/nu-metal-or-not-.html).


[I]t does not appear that the band consider themselves to make nu metal music, guitarist Daron Malakian was quoted in the magazine Guitar World as saying that he was glad that System of a Down had not slipped into the nu metal genre.

[...]

On one of the band's spring 2005 tour concerts, Daron Malakian announced to the crowd, "They used to call us nü-metal, now they call us prog-rock. I think they'll call us anything that's popular." Then, after a pause and the subtlest of grins he said, "But actually, we're just a bunch of mo-rons."

[...]

I'm not saying we're the most original band in the world, but I don't really feel that we fall into a heavy-metal category or a pure rock category. There's a lot of stuff mixed up into one.

That last quote kind of sums up my feelings about them. They kind of straddle genres and don't really quite fit into what I think of when I hear the term "nu-metal."

[E-Sabbath]

Nah, System of a Down is more... punk-metal than Nu-Metal. They've got something. I'm not sure if you could call it talent, but it's clearly head and shoulders above Nu-Metal.

They remind me a lot of the Germs. Only with talent. And musical skill. So I'm not sure why they remind me of the Germs. But whatever it is, it's clearly that.

At any rate, the dread beast Ormagoden would not make their brains explode, and their music would please him greatly.

[brujaja]

I wanted to mention that I really like System of a Down. My son turned me on to them; and I thought their level of musicianship and artistry was freakin amazing. Also their depth of expression, definitely have an intellectual aspect.

I also wanted to thank mssmith 537 for that concise breakdown of the basic punk categories. That was very well put. Reflecting on what you said, I begin to realize that punk as I know it is probably behind us. >sigh<

Punks are a bit different these days.













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[torie]

Did you just compare Within Temptation and Evanescence?

..okay, it's a fair comparison, but only insofar as The Beatles and The Monkees* are similar. I still wouldn't call Evanescence symphonic metal, but I would consider it a gateway band to that genre.

*I say that as a fan of both The Beatles and The Monkees.

I sorta wanted to scream when I read that too. :p

Evanescence is actually not bad. It's just like you said, they're a gateway band. But they are NOT symphonic or goth. I'm a huge follower of both those genres and we don't claim them. ;) They're the watered down, Hot Topic version of their genre.

System of A Down is an amazing band that got unfairly lumped in with a lot of the Nu-Metal garbage because they came out around the same time. One of the things I like about them is that they kind of defy any labeling. They're a genre onto themselves. I can't think of many other bands that sound like them.

I CANNOT STAND screamo. I have a friend that listens to a lot of that shit. It's a bunch of skinny boys trying to sound like this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3WJX1cIuY4) and failing because they suck and are not amazing paragons of awesome like Amon Amarth. They end up sounding like they're being stabbed with a spoon or something, and they're running scared. Not at all pleasant or fun to listen to.

Leave the metal screaming to the big boys.