Originally Published: Tuesday, August 24, 2004
Written by: Kelly Brother
The hardcore straightedge scenes are in a sorry state today. The entire scene seems to have adapted a high school clique attitude. It’s a fashion show. The cool kids wear the “cool” clothes and hang out with the “cool” people. They only listen to the “cool” bands.
The Changing Face of Hardcore: From Community to Fashion Show
They hide behind their super-fast computers that their parents bought them, frequenting message boards and guest books, where they boast how hardcore, emo, or straightedge they are.
Hardcore Scene Today: A Critique of the High School Clique Mentality
Some have the audacity to judge others; other’s who have been involved in the scene way before Hatebreed was on mtv2.
Straightedge Scene Evolution: The Rise of Trendy Judgments and Fading Unity
It’s those types of people that accuse this very web site of being trendy, a fading fad. What they fail to realize is that this site has been around since 1996. It’s not some fad, it’s not going anywhere. It’s also those people that have created the pathetic state that hardcore is in today.
Navigating the Waters of Modern Hardcore: Beyond the Trends and Fads
Hardcore bands used to scream about unity, pride, and respect in the scene. I remember growing up with dudes who treated each other like brothers. It didn’t matter if you had the latest merch or the coolest tattoos. Scene points meant shit.
The Real Essence of Straightedge: Challenging Today’s Superficial Judgments
Today’s it completely different. Bands are judged on the label their on, if they have cool merch, and if their image fits the latest “trend”.
Confronting Stereotypes in Hardcore: A Personal Take on the Current State
I really don’t care if some fifteen-year-old brat doesn’t think this site is “cool”. But I can’t stand when that same fifteen-year-old brat proceeds to tell me what straightedge is and that I’ve got it all wrong.
Straightedge and Hardcore: Losing Sight of Music and Lifestyle’s True Meaning
Give me a break. I know what straightedge is about. I’ve been edge for the past seven years. I’ve survived four years of college. Im D-O-W-N.
The Irony of Hardcore Scene’s Latest Trends
But then again with age comes the realization that straightedge isn’t about trends, clothes, or cool bands. Straight edge is about the individual, and his or her personal belief system.
Reclaiming the Heart of Hardcore and Straightedge
The music one listens to, the clothes one wears has no bearing on their ability to live the straightedge lifestyle. As far as the promotion of girls and this site I get a lot of shit about the stupid cartoons on this site “They don’t promote girls”, they “perpetuate stereotypes” et. I think they’re funny. They’re going to stay. But I think it’s really funny how so many girls get their panties in a bunch over them. They’re quick to point the finger, quick to hate, quick to be the stereotypical girl. That’s the real problem. It’s not just isolated to hardcore or straightedge. It’s the same in every social group. Girls are catty. They distrust almost all other girls and at a moment’s notice will talk trash, myself included.
I’ll be the first to admit I can be an elitist. But I try not to be. I try to give people the benefit of the doubt. It’s a struggle for me, especially with some of the girls that visit this site. They just love to criticize but rarely ever want to contribute and make this site an awesome resource. I’m seriously just waiting for hardcore and straightedge to be uncool again. At least then I’ll be dealing with people who are in it for the love of the music and the lifestyle.
| Comments |
| Written by neondaydream on 2005-03-15 16:41:31This article totally sums up my feelings too- the scene has become ‘elitist’ in the worst possible way. For me, just because I dont dress all in black and wear like seriously dark eyeliner and date boys that wear makeup I’m ‘uncool’ even though my heart and my soul is in my lifestyle and my music. And it makes me fuckin sad when all these kids, really young kids think they have to be a certain way to be accepted – i agree with you, whatever happened to unity and acceptance?! |
| Written by heartrestarter on 2005-01-21 01:42:59The music one listens to, the clothes one wears has no bearing on their ability to live the straightedge lifestyle. exactly. who cares what you dress like. what jeans you wear. how you do your hair, your make-up. who cares if you dress similar to your friends. sxe isn’t about that. its whats inside you. |
| Totally Agree Written by YoureTalkingToEric on 2004-12-22 01:15:52Awesome article. That sentence on unity, pride, and respect totally reminded me of a throwdown song. |
| kudos indeed Written by Guest on 2004-12-15 22:37:01Good job Kelly… Jon “non-edge” Burger |
| Written by Guest on 2004-12-14 21:00:11Everything just starts to become a trend when you start to give it a definition. Awesome article. Silly ignorant girls. |
