The emo subculture originated from American punk music in the late 1990s. It is characterized by slow yet intense lyrics with melancholy themes and screaming vocals. Emos rely heavily on the internet and social media to connect over music, fashion, and shared emotional values. They are typically identified by their black clothing, dark makeup, and thin physiques. While the subculture provides a sense of community, it has also been linked to self-harm and suicide, leading to criticism and backlash from parents and the media.

1. The Emo Subculture
By Lauren Randazzo

2. What is Emo?
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3. How did it evolve?
• From American punk music
• Expanded during the late 1990s and developed
during the 2000s as a style of dress and attitude
• Powerful lyrics, the vocals were slow yet intense,
and the songs were always melancholy.
• Became extreme
• Normal ‘singing’ became pleading and gut-
wrenching screams with actual sobbing and
crying in the background

4. Technology?
• Relied on internet
• Message boards..how to be emo
• Advice
• Band discussions
• Band pages (Purevolume/Myspace/etc)

5. Clothing and attitude?
• Black clothing
• Dark make-up (male and female)
• Body piercings.
• Males have a certain haircut, are very thin, and
wear dark skinny jeans in order to emphasize
their thinness.
• Females typically have dark hair, dark clothing,
and lots of dark jewelry.
• Apathetic, passionate, and emotional.

7. Beliefs
• Avoiding stereotypes and being an individual.
• Dislike “labels,” traditional values, and conformity.
• Appeal of the emotional music
• Attraction into emo subculture: music, style, values,
and attitude.
• Bond over resistance to dominant ideology and
opposition to labels, popularity, and stereotypes.
• Ironically, emos are often labeled as self-destructive,
self-harming, and closed-minded.

8. Self-Harm?
• Linked to self-harm
– Young people cutting themselves as a way to release pain
– Suicide
– General inclination towards death
• “After the shooting rampage at Columbine High School
in 1999, music was not only blamed for inciting
violence, but for creating a sense of alienation in its
listeners. Even though it is unclear whether the
Columbine shooters were actually fans, the ‘shock rock’
band Marilyn Manson garnered a lot of criticism.”
(Thomas-Jones, 2008)

10. Culture Shock & Backlash
• Parents
• For those looking in at the
subculture from the outside, it
seems like a depressing and
unfortunate way to live.
• Media says: Parents need to
monitor children’s mental &
physical health
• Other teenagers are bullying emo
kids

11. Bands
• Taking Back Sunday
• Brand New
• The Academy Is..
• Something Corporate
• Dashboard Confessional
• Jimmy Eat World
• Saosin
• Senses Fail
• The Used
• Coheed & Cambria

12. Cheer up Emo Kid, Patent Pending
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwieNkrf
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