Goth-Emo-Punk-Hardcore with a Twist of Pop and Adidas

The local, amateur scene seems to be a big craze in communities around the country. A large percentage of high school and college students alike are starting their own "garage bands" in hopes to one day make it to the mainstream, professional level. With the conception of so many new bands comes the goal to, somehow, create a new, unique sound in which to classify the hopeful's music, and make it more appealing to the masses. The truth, however, is not that a unique sound is created, but a new label or genre is placed on the music in an attempt to intensify the appeal.

With the interest in hardcore bands like Hatebreed, Atreyu, Bleeding Through, and a host of others on the rise, many of the fans of such bands have taken to creating their own bands with the same style. Most of the members in these amateur bands, however, will almost certainly never describe their music as simply "hardcore". We all know these people: the kids in school who are always trying to get you to come to their shows on Friday nights, always bragging about how they are so good, and are always describing their music as some mix of random genres like "emo-skate-metal" or "goth-thrash-with a bit of punk". Then, if you do go to see these bands, it sounds no different than the Shadows Fall CD you listened to on the way over.

Probably the worst description of a band's music came from that crazy white wannabe: Vanilla Ice. A few years ago, he had a rock band in which he described their genre as "Adidas Skate Rock". Adidas skate rock? Does Adidas really need its own classification of music? Furthermore, does Vanilla Ice have to be the poster boy for it? This is getting out of control.

I, personally, am all for high school and college students starting their own band as a hobby, or just something to do after work or school. I was there once. I used to have the dream of being a rock star. I am sure we all have. However, if an amateur band sounds just like every band of the same type of music, you are not going to succeed just because you call it something different.

Whatever happened to the days when music fell into only a few distinct categories like alternative, rock, metal, punk, easy listening, country, and pop? Nowadays you have an unlimited number of sub-genres attached to these. Why do we need "Adidas skate rock" and whatever other bullshit people come up with? I mean, honestly, is it really necessary? Most of the time, fans categorize their favourite bands' music into genres on their own. Sub-genres are a mask for the people who don't want to be exposed for falling on the bandwagon. In my opinion, a true artist does not have to explain his work; his work is to be explained by the public.

Contributed by: Rob Maynard