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Motion City Soundtrack, Sherwood, the Higher, the Forecast; July 10^th @ the Roxy, Hollywood

The summer of 2007 was filled with some pretty major arena tours, so it was refreshing to see Minnesota's own pop-punk superheroes, Motion City Soundtrack, treat their fans to a good old fashioned club tour. MCS played at the Roxy on July 10^th with Sherwood, The Higher, and the Forecast.

Despite the clever name, Illinois natives "The Forecast", failed to play a memorable show. Their catchy pop-punk songs sounded repetitive and typical.  Lead singer and bassist, Shannon Burns, has a loud and high-pitched voice that was drowned out by the sound system. Though the set was entertaining, and the band definitely sounds better on their recordings. I decided to give them the benefit of the doubt that their band is actually pretty good, and the boring set could be blamed on the bad acoustics of the Roxy.

The Higher came on second, and throughout the entire set made desperate attempts to awaken the seemingly dead crowd. Not a single hipster was so much as tapping her ballet flats. The Higher has a unique R&B/ pop-rock sound that was very much underappreciated by the MCS fans. Lead singer Seth and guitarist Tom tried their hardest to get the kids going, even covering Akon, and R.Kelly's famed Ignition Remix. When the band played their catchy and energetic Vegas-inspired single "Insurance?" a few kids mouthed the words, but for the most part the club remained still while the 5 frustrated Vegas boys rolled their eyes and made a final futile attempt to win over the crowd. I was able to talk to Tom after the show who told me in a very matter-of-fact tone "we sucked tonight, no one moved", I assured him that they played a great set; they just were up against a tough crowd, a really tough crowd.

Next to play was Sherwood, the almost entirely blonde pop-punk / indie band from San Luis Obispo. The set initially lacked energy, but the crowd seemed to get into it after awhile, which inspired the band to rock a little harder. Mike Leibovich, the flying keyboardist (who must have been taking lessons from Jesse of MCS), certainly kept things interesting. They played a solid set, and I was pleasantly surprised to see the aforementioned hipsters singing along to "A Song in My Head", from Sherwood's  newest album "A Different Light".

Finally Motion City Soundtrack took the stage, opening with their pop-punk anthem "Everything is Alright", almost instantaneously the crowd started jumping up and down, pumping their fists, and singing along. Despite the fact that the show was originally supposed to be the record release show, no one seemed to be disappointed. Not a single person stood still during any part of the set (which was surprising considering the lifelessness the crowd maintained for the other bands).  One of the highlights of the night occurred when Justin introduced the song "L.G. FUAD" by saying "to go along with this very sad evening, we're now going to play a sad song" and sang the first line "let's get fucked up and die" and gave a big smile and two thumbs up to the audience.  MCS played a brilliantly energetic set, playing songs from the first two albums (I am the Movie, and Commit this to Memory), and even gracing the crowd with a few songs from their as of yet unreleased third album "Even if it Kills Me" (out in September). Justin Pierre (vox, guitar) even joked around with the audience about such things as his former school days in between songs. The band really made everyone grateful for the show, and even played two encores including "Better Open the Door". It was great to see a band of Motion City Soundtrack's fame play such a small show for a group of such dedicated fans. So even if Motion City Soundtrack moves on to play big giant arena tours, at least the kids of the boom box generation will always have the absolutely incredible and intimate show at the Roxy to remember.

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Honda Civic Tour

2007's Honda Civic Tour proved to be one of the most elaborate and over the top tours this summer. Cobra Starship, the dance-rock band with a cult following, opened the show. Gabe Saporta (vox), never took himself too seriously and he jokes around with the predominantly hipster crowd, urging them to dance their faces off. Cobra's playful and energetic rock sound is complimented by lyrics about being in love like Biggie and Lil' Kim as well as tying lover's up in the basement. Gabe was sure to point out the ironically nerdy appearance of his guitarist, Ryland Blackington, saying "Ryland may look like a nerd, but he can sure shred like a motherf***er". An appearance by William Beckett of the Academy Is... for the song "Bring It" , made famous by the Snakes on a Plane movie, got the crowd screaming and throwing up their fang sign. Of course a Cobra Starship show would not be complete without Vicky-T and a key tar. They played like headliners, and their set, not surprisingly, won over the entire arena. Cobra is a one of a kind band that should be appreciated as much more than "that band from the Snakes on A Plane video", besides any band that can get hipsters to dance deserves at least some admiration.
Next to take the stage was the cute but annoying Paul Wall, and his sidekick Skinhead Rob, who looked more like a trucker than a rapper. Paul Wall stuck out like a sore thumb at the show and at most gave the majority of the crowd a chance to rest after Cobra Starship. I was able to "get into it" for the first few songs, but after awhile I was bored. Paul kept reminding the audience to buy his album "Get Money, Stay True", which was more than obnoxious to say the least. The main problem was that the show was mainly pop-punk bands who support things like gay rights and activism, while Paul Wall was a rapper who, from what I could gather, liked shiny things. I blame the creators of the tour, because, I'm sure Paul Wall is a good rapper, he just was put in a situation where he had no chance of being appreciated. The best part of the set occurred when Paul passed out grillz to the audience. This generosity; however, was not enough to make me a rap fan, and I was glad when it was over.
The Academy Is.. was next to play, and their set was flawless. William has amazing stage presence, and the band is simply very good at what they do. William interacted with the crowd, and even copied a dance move that he saw the kids at the barricade doing during "We've got a Big Mess on our Hands". He even told the kids to help him sing at one point, and if they didn't know the words he told everyone to "just make them up". In a scene full of pompous and arrogant lead-singers, William proves himself to be the exception to the rule, he's not only charismatic and charming, but also talented and passionate. Mike Carden, Adam Siska, Michael Chislett, and "the Butcher", make up the rest of The Academy Is..., and each one of the guys is an integral part of the powerhouse rock band that is The Academy Is... They could have easily played for another hour, and the mosh pits still would have been going. I was blown away by their performance, and after seeing them on HCT, I plan on going to every show I can during their "Sleeping with Giants" headlining tour in the fall.
Travis Barker and Mark Hoppus' new-ish pop-punk band (+44) played a great set of good pop-punk music. Unfortunately they just didn't connect with the crowd as much as they could have because no one seemed to be getting too into their music. Once they played the infamous Blink-182 song "Rock Show", the crowd went insane. I have never seen so many people start moshing so quickly. After "Rock Show", the crowd got back into it and Mark started joking around, showing off his mad bass skills to the pit by playing a single chord. He dedicated "Rock Show" to Craig, the shirtless guitarist. Mark demanded that Vicky-T sing back-up during the song "Make You Smile". (+44)'s music does sound a bit like Blink-182, but it definitely is more refined and mature, not better, just different. Hoppus hasn't lost his sense of humor, and Travis still melts the faces off of the audience with his insane drumming talent. I reccomend seeing (+44) at a smaller show, because they did seem to be a little bit drowned out in the giant arena.
Finally Fall Out Boy came on, after an uncomfortably long set change. The boys were launched on to the stage and came flying onto the massive steel platform. I was shocked by the giant projector screen showing images of anime and the band having their heads blown off. I hadn't realized how huge FOB had become until I saw all the pyro, and explosions, and projections, and special FX. It was all a little too much, and it took away from the music. Joe, Patrick, and Pete even changed clothes on stage in special (tacky) changing pods. I felt like I was back in the glam-rock period, only with even more excruciatingly unnecessary gimicks. Fall Out Boy is an amazing band, but their stage was too distracting, I almost forgot they were playing when I saw a Honda Civic hanging from the ceiling and fire shooting out behind Andy Hurley's drum platform. Next time the phrase "less is more" should be taken into account by the producers of the tour. The band did cover an Akon song, and Michael Jackson's "Beat It" which was very entertaining. The best parts of the night were Patrick playing "Golden" alone on stage, and Andy Hurley's drum solo. Joe Trohman worked the crowd the most, singing along with a bunch of us barricade kids, Patrick tended to stay center stage, while Pete hopped around all over the place. In the middle of the set Dirty came out and set up a pseudo batting cage and took a bunch of baseballs to the chest. It was an entertaining stunt, but again, unnecessary. For a rock show, it certainly seemed more like a carnival. FOB played a few of their older songs from "Take This to Your Grave", like "Saturday" and the FX, unlike the mosh pits, seemed to calm down during those songs. Everyone got crazy when they played Dance Dance, and Dirty came on stage to dance. At one point, Pete and Joe played on top of the Honda Civic. All in all it was a great show, though the set seemed short because of all the on stage distractions. It was certainly worth the price of the ticket for the incredible line-up, and the chance to see legends open for the "it-boys" of the rock scene. The Honda Civic Tour was big, and loud, even obnoxious at times, but I couldn't help but love every minute of it.

This review will be posted on www.sound-is-noise.net. It was written for www.sound-is-noise.net. So if you like it add www.myspace.com/sound-is-noise, and when we the site is up and running check it out.

 

 

 

Modest Mouse, Man-Man, and Love as Laughter

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"..:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Greece is on fire, so I guess we have to play here", shouted Isaac Brock, lead singer and guitarist of Modest Mouse, at the Gibson Amphitheatre on May 13^th. The show was originally supposed to be held at The Greek Theatre but due to a very large and inconvenient fire, the venue was switched to the Gibson. Love as Laughter, an indie-folk band from New York, was first to take the stage. Their set started out strong with their catchy and up-beat sound, witty lyrics, and relaxed stage presence, there wasn't too much head-banging, but it was all good fun. The last two songs they played were rather slow and melancholy, and intensely distorted by the sound system, to add insult to injury the lighting must have been malfunctioning because the band was in almost complete darkness, a lackluster ending to an underappreciated band's performance. I recommend checking out one of Love as Laughter's CDs or heading over to their myspace and listening to a few tracks (or all of them) because they have quite a unique and diverse sound that was not fully expressed at the May 13^th show.

Next to take the stage was Man-Man. The crowd laughed hysterically during the set change watching Christmas lights being strung around drum kits, a Persian rug laid out center stage, tons of miscellaneous items placed strategically on stage that appeared to have come from various garage sales. As band members filed on wearing white t-shirts and pants with various rips, fringes, and hanging threads mimicking American-Indian style clothing, war-paint, and head bands, too cool for school indie kids watched with delight and confusion. They almost didn't know what to do with a band that didn't take themselves too seriously, and wasn't afraid to "mix-it-up", to say the least.  Their set was explosive, flying spoons, flying drummers, high-kicks, musical-chairs style instrument playing. There is nothing like Man-Man, it's like a rock-folk-polka-circus-cabaret, Man-Man's members act like 10 year old boys, making the stage their own private tree house or pirate ship or teepee. I had no idea what was going on, and I loved it. If one wasn't so distracted by all the seemingly well-organized pandemonium on stage, they would be able to notice how truly gifted the members of Man-Man are, some playing trumpet, guitar, and kazoo all in one song. The music covers almost every genre from jazz to hardcore, and each song is completely different from the last. From accordions, to trumpets, kazoos, squeaky toys, and spoons Man-Man incorporates the most elaborate combinations of instruments and somehow makes them all fit perfectly into each song.  As I watched the drummer wearing a t-shirt over his head like an Arabian knight jump almost four feet into the air on a downbeat, a spoon came flying off stage and almost hit me in the face; I'd never seen anything like Man-Man before, but they blew me away, and in a world of uptight hipsters and guys whining about exes, Man-Man is just the thing we need.

            Finally after an excruciatingly long set change Modest Mouse came on. Isaac, clad in a colorful striped sweater, walked on stage with a cigarette in his hand, as the crowd started screaming. When Johnny Marr (formerly of the Smiths) took the stage, I expected an uproarious explosion of cheers, what I got was loud applause. At that point I felt like schooling the entire pit section on exactly who was gracing them with his presence, "hello, it's JOHNNY MARR!" I yelled out to the crowd.  I came back to Earth after a moment of almost fan-girl like appreciation just as they started playing Spitting Venom, the chaotic and inspirational anthem from the new album, complete with lingering trumpets and powerful drum beats. The members of Modest Mouse put everything they have into their music, nothing is ever mediocre or lacking in passion, the songs are anywhere from simple and uplifting to heavy and powerful, but they always seem to evoke some form of deep emotional feeling that can't necessarily be described, fans react almost instinctually to their sound. The set started out with songs from the new album, We Were Dead before the Ship Even Sank, which stays true to the Modest Mouse style, while still evolving and revealing aspects of a new sound, that we haven't heard before.  I was very impressed by how "together" Isaac was, after hearing about how wasted Isaac used to get before shows I half-expected him to pass out half-way through the set; however,  he was most definitely not drunk, and he even shared with the crowd some comedic banter in between songs, often during songs, as if some force was compelling him to, he'd be staring out above the crowd with a possessed look in his eyes, singing and shouting, talking and whispering, which made us all believe that it was more than just music that we were all dancing to. They played Float On, and the pit woke up, kids started dancing and singing along. At one point Isaac had the house lights turned on so he could "get a better look at all the people who came out" to see them play. The sound system was still experiencing technical difficulties, but Isaac and the boys made up for it by melting the faces off us indie kids with their aggressively poetic lyrics and their passionate and dance-worthy indie-rock beats. The show felt to me like being in a friend's basement watching my idols play right in front of me, and everyone seemed to be having fun singing along rocking out, even if they didn't all know who Johnny Marr was.

 

-Jersey Sarah

This is written by Briana...it's actually a novel available at Barnes and Noble. Here's a tiny excerpt. READ IT, it made my cry. It's amazing.

(in response to reed cowan: ABC)

Dear Reed Cowan and ABC news,
You recently recorded a very ignorant video about the spread of the 'emo culture' throughout America, urging parents to look under their children's bracelets and into their closets for signs of a fad that could, according to you, very likely, result in self mutilation and suicide.

As you can probably tell already, I strongly disagree with your broadcast of information that lacked both truthfulness and connection.

First and foremost, I would like to establish the thing that is most important to me and most of the people who would be considered "emo" to you. Music.

I see you chose My Chemical Romance for the first musical appearance in your video. This is completely and utterly unnecessary. Not only do I feel obliged to stand up for this band, but I feel obliged to spread the fact that they are by far the farthest from self harm promotion that you can get. Take this from someone who's been a loyal fan for 3 years, seen them 6 times, and who knows people who have seen them 82; no lie. I cannot begin to explain how frustrating it is to see MCR in that video, let alone the song Famous Last Words. Just because MCR have become the unofficial poster boys for "emo" online, doesn't mean that they are, and it doesn't make you sound the least bit intelligent as you sit there and think to yourself: Why this My Chemical Romance that everyone talks about, why don't we put them in this nifty little video of ours and everyone will just have to agree that this band is bad news!
Wrong. Wrong, WRONG.
I doubt that any of you at ABC News have ever listened to the lyrics of that song…and if you have, I think its great how you left out the chorus, which basically sums up the meaning of the entire song.
I am not afraid to keep on living, I am not afraid to walk this world alone. How emo does that sound to you? I am not afraid to keep on living. Are you really using this band as an example while you try and tell parents that their children may be thinking of suicide? Excuse me if I'm wrong, but that just doesn't sound correct to you, now does it? You're throwing these extremely intelligent people, with a bunch of overlooked, so-called "revealing" references. This band has done nothing but help the kids who listen to them, through the rough times that they may be in and create a safe haven during a live show for the dystopia outside the venue that most of them find when they leave. This band has saved lives despite the fact that you may not want to believe it. Here, let me leave you some quotes you may be interested in:
Gerard Way (singer) – "Don't piss away your life on suicide – it's a bullshit way out."
Gerard Way (singer) – "Suicide is a serious thing. And if you know anyone who is suicidal, you need to get them help. No one should be in pain. Everyone should love themselves, like I love you all."
Gerard Way (singer) – "Sometimes you get frustrated. It's a frustrating world. Sometimes you get depressed, things are depressing. Sometimes you get desperate. There's lots of people you can talk to. You can find a teacher, best friend, parent, therapist, anybody...the guy workin at the Dunkin' Donuts, I really don't care but one thing you guys never ever do…and I'm sure you all know this, but I'll say it anyway- You never resort to violence!"
Does that last one look familiar to you? Well it should. It was emailed not to long ago by my very good friend, Taylor Raines. We were both there, two feet away from Gerard, to witness that quote. And now I sit here and watch a video that plain out criticizes that man.

It makes me sick to think that people are getting the wrong impression of amazing people like those 5 men, just because of ignorant broadcasts such as this one.

As you all are very aware of, this is not the only band that you mentioned in your broadcast. The bands that were either heard or shown, include: AFI (A Fire Inside), The Used, Three Days Grace, Death Cab For Cutie, and Fall Out Boy.
If you knew anything about these bands you would know that the entirety of AFI is made up of strait-edge (anti-drinking/anti-drugs) vegans. You honestly cannot be afraid of a band like this? Many of the AFI fans are mature enough to look past the morbid songs of the band, which you cannot seem to.
What surprises me the most is that you included Fall Out Boy. Like My Chemical Romance, Fall Out Boy are continuously categorized with emo although there music differs drastically from the other bands that you listed.
FOB's three albums are made up of songs about past relationships, lack of motivation (or being jaded), and self consciousness. Not one song is about suicide, self mutilation, or depression. Any fan, someone of the right mind, or even my own mother could tell you that.

Emo has, in a way, become the new "gay". And by that, I mean a derogatory term for "shitty" or "stupid" which is where Fall Out Boy usually comes into place from the opinion of many bloggers and online youtubers.

Alas, emo is not only a derogatory term, or a chocked up stereotype. It was and still is a serious type of music which was in the industry for years before it ever became used offline and to classify a group of people. All it was meant for in the musical industry was to classify the bands that were more emotional, harder, faster, and complexly screamo. No where in the 10 commandments of good music was it written that the goal of these bands is to promote depression, self harm, violence, or suicide.

All in all, if you absolutely had to use a band or lyrical phrase in this video you should've chosen something that was straight up and in your face. Let me suggest to you Ohio is for Lovers by Hawthorne Heights. The song states: Cut my wrists and black my eyes, so I can fall asleep tonight, or die.
I do not suggest you attack this band or any other for that matter, but when in search for something that will really leave a harmful impression on children, you might as well find
something that does so, not just go with the flow on what is supposed to be "hip" and "emo". You simply should not be blaming Death Cab for Cutie for suicide, while Marilyn Manson is out there singing about guns, sodomy, and the Anti-Christ.
Plain and simple: do your research.

I think Ive clearly established my view on your musical information; let's move onto some other comments and references that you made throughout the video.

You make the quote, unquote, emo nature seem like some kind of cult. Using words like "advanced emos" and "teen phenomenon" just make it seem even more out-there and inhuman than you already are. I doubt any of you enjoy being told off by someone you'd call "just some kid" but I do know what Im talking about, and I do have to tell you this:
There is no such thing as an emo death cult like you make it out to be. There is no such thing as "advance emos" or "pain points". The individuals who revert to cutting themselves do not do it because they are part of a group of emo people, but because they have serious psychological problems. Because they are obviously in a rut of some kind and because they have no other way to express themselves other than act out the way they do. I myself have found comfort in music. I don't have a picture-perfect life, either. The life that you are making everyone else outside of the emo culture sound like they have. Ive found an alternative that many teens have not found when they are frustrated and unidentified in a way that can make them go crazy. That same alternative is who you are accusing to cause things like self mutilation. Believe it or not, the kids who cut themselves are the kids without any other outlet, like music. It's all a gigantic misconception that most people, unless they are put in the same position as a troubled teenager in this day and age, or have one of their own, don't understand. You have to realize that the people in these positions are the ones who hurt themselves because they have no confidence in who they are and what they want to do with themselves. They are like walking zombies, people who are in need of something solid, but can't find it within themselves first, and so they revert to anything that they think will identify themselves. That is where you went completely wrong.

There was a book that you mentioned titled: Everyone Hurts. You mentioned how it talks about how to dress and identify yourself as an emo kid. I hate to break it to you, but this is all propaganda and joking. The man who wrote that book also runs a site called: Yourscenesucks.com. On the site you can see that he "critiques" (mocks) the style and musical interests of some of the common stereotyped labels such as "goth", "emo", and even the "myspace whore". He has worked with some of the bands that you have mentioned (The Used, Fall Out Boy), yet he still disagrees with the "emo" culture.
Unlike ABC news, he does not state that people who dress this way are bound to suicide or self mutilation, he doesn't even blame the musical aspects of the scene for this, but rather thinks of it as a stupid fad that has gotten out of hand simply by the way that the kids are dressing. The over all point of this is that the book that you used as a serious example, was in fact, a joke.

Not only the book that you used as an example, but the quiz as well, was not accurate and rather a mocking way to entertain kids with nothing better to do than sit on their computers all day, read up on what's trendy, and pretend life has nothing more to offer than what they've chosen for themselves. You made it seem like the quiz was the only one out there, while in reality just a quick visit to quizzila.com will prove you very wrong. There are millions of quizzes just like that one with the same joking demeanor most likely written by 11 year old girls.
Anyone who takes those quizzes seriously is not enough of a troubled teen to harm themselves, I guarantee you.

Another very big mistake that you made is bringing things like the extremely popular, Spider Man 3 into view. Are you trying to go for kids not being able to even go to the movies without worried and over-dramatic mothers who don't know any better? The movie is an action movie. There's going to be blood, there's going to be anger, and there is going to be fighting. Just like every other action/suspense/super-hero movie out there. But all this is not what made people call the movie "emo". It's the main character, Peter Parker's (played by Tobey Maguire) hair. One little flip to the side and today's youth start calling it "emo". Nothing more and nothing less. It was unnecessary and extremely pathetic that you would try to prove a point about such a "serious problem" with an example of a hairstyle in a fictional movie that no one takes seriously anyways.

Another small bit of your video used a line from the Emo Song. The Emo Song was created online by some teenage boys who decided to mock the "emo" culture. If you listen to the lyrics the song is obviously not serious, and I think you'd agree with a matter like this jokes are unnecessary and shouldn't be used even the slightest bit. I'd hope, of course, this was a sad attempt at a joke and not a serious attempt to prove a point.

I found your "gender bending" comments particularly ridiculous as well as offensive. Boys or girls can experiment with bi-curiosity without being labeled "emo" or "suicidal". All those pictures you showed were jut examples of nothing other than (gasp) homosexuality! Are gay and bi people supposed to be categorized as emo just because they like to kiss? There's nothing wrong with love between the same gender! What are you trying to prove here anyways? I thought this was a warning about self mutilation and suicide rates? Not a chance at classifying homosexual youth and experimentation as something dangerous. The way I see it, you're just promoting homophobia amongst peers and parents. Girl jeans and makeup are a form of expression and shouldn't in any way be classified with guys making out. Before you know it parents aren't going to let their kids hang out with "those emo kids" because "they're going to turn you gay". The way you look does not reflect or change your orientation.

The incident that most reflected the ignorance of the research and knowledge of the presenter was the boy who showed the camera his cuts on his left arm. (I'd take a shot at spelling the name, but I'd probably get it wrong). You tried to make a point while all you did was exploit the poor thing. Let me tell you something: When a child runs away from his home, and commits self mutilation, this is not because he wants to "join the emo culture" or because he wants "pain points", but because his home and family life is seriously screwed up and down the drain. Running away from home usually points to one thing: abuse. For all you know or care, his father could've beaten the crap out of him every day. The kid that you tried to use as an example of emo, could now possibly have committed suicide do to the humiliation you must've caused him with your report. And that, my friends, is not emo; that is complete ignorance and unwillingness to study the whole situation before taking action.

Last but not least, you made some comments at the end of your broadcast about checking under bracelets and cover-ups for scars, or emo proof. Chances are, the mothers and fathers that need to physically check their children's wrists are the ones that are most likely going to find something. Anyone who is out-of-touch enough with their own child, that they actually need to question the state of mind that they are in, are a perfect example of why some of these things are happening in teenage youth.

Emo is nothing more than the outcome of a lack of caring society.

Let me ask you something. Is it really self mutilation and suicide that you're after? Or is it the actual "emo culture" and its difference in society? Is it the clothes, dark over light? The music, grunge over hip-hop? The kids, strange over plain? Or do you truly want to solve the hurt and suffering that troubled kids are going through? Taylor, the friend that I mentioned earlier brought up a very good point in her email. There was a "preppy" girl that went to her school, A+ student, lots of friends, a member of school clubs, a smile on her face every day. She tried to kill herself. Her underlying symptoms were ignored all because of the fact that she was not part of this "emo culture". It's people like this who are the ones who truly need help. Kids who go unnoticed because they simply aren't pestered by everyone around them because of their 'emo' look, are the ones who could end up dead.

The only thing that you are doing here is increasing the barrier between the emo culture and those outside of it. You are increasing stereotypes and excuses to taunt and blow off kids that dress like what you've described. You've given parent's that could have perfectly fine children, reason to worry. My friends and I dress to some extent what you would classify as "emo". We have no cutting problems, we have no suicidal thoughts; we are creative, expressive, and free-thinking individuals with a love for our friends and love for music, life, and laughs. We live life to the fullest and try to make a difference. Most of us want to save lives. And it's not just my friends and I when I say that. It's the better half of the culture. Yes, I agree that the black and the makeup is expression for a rough past, some things that are bothering someone, a longing for something that someone can't find in themselves, I mean, if you are having emotional problems then you are obviously not going to want to wear pink shirts with bunnies on them, or dance around singing If you're happy and you know it clap your hands!
In the end, the majority of the kids who dress this way have the ability and will within themselves to change the world. Change minds, change life as we know it. For the better. The stereotyping that you are introducing to your viewers is only worsening the incorrect and negative thoughts about people who dress like us.

The response I have written to you may seem very defensive, which in a way, it should. But it is more here as a future reference to what you are dealing with. Something as serious as self mutilation and suicide records should not be glanced at and thrown away as another "emo" fad. It should be analyzed and seriously looked at through the eyes of whomever may be the troubled person, despite age, gender, race, height, language, musical taste, and especially, clothing.

To sum up this letter, I'd like to conclude with this quote:
Frank Iero (guitarist of My Chemical Romance) – "If you don't listen, you're never gonna learn"

I wish you luck on your next attempt to help the nation,
Briana Barry
Orlando, Florida
Age 14

Please ignore the sidekick and EXTREME close-ups.

from the LONDON PAPER

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVc8m-TJwlA&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fprofile%2Emyspace%2Ecom%2Findex%2Ecfm%3Ffuseaction%3Duser%2Eviewprofile%26friendID%3D31845712

They're such bad influences. Yah...no.

 

Thank you MCR.

Hey guys,

my name is jerseysarah and i own this site. I thought I'd share a little story with you. It's actually really funny so keep reading. My favorite band is My Chemical Romance, so for my 16th birthday I decided that all I wanted was to fly to Maine to see their show. It was the day after bamboozle and they were scheduled to play at the Cumberland County Civic Center in Portland, Maine. My dad agreed to fly out with me, FROM LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA to PORTLAND, MAINE. All the way across the country, for an MCR show, and you think I'm not dedicated? Ya. Well anyway, we flew out and the plane ride lasted too long, we had to stop in DC and get on the connecting flight. We arrived in Portland at about 10a.m. We drive around with our rented car and get lost. All the while, I'm freaking out, dying of excitement, practically crying. You have no idea what I wen through to get there, I had to raise all my grades, get a job, and give up getting a car. It WOULD have been worth it. Finally, we arrive at the Civic Center, and we are racing around the block trying to beat all these kids that looked like MCR fans walking to the entrance. Just as I'm about to jump out of the car and sprint to the front of the line, I see a HUGE NEON sign that said...

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/sarahklovesyou/001_2229.jpg

Food poisoning. So yeah, I basically started bawling. I couldn't believe it. We wandered around Portland for awhile, running into other disappointed fans. They were sick though, I wasn't mad. But I did feel like an idiot. They cancelled the show, while we were on the plane. Tough luck.

Then I saw this in the paper...

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/sarahklovesyou/001_2264.jpg

Ow. That's the route.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/sarahklovesyou/001_2396.jpg

And I found this at the airport...

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/sarahklovesyou/001_2354.jpg

And MCR played during the take off and landing of every united flight...I heard WTTBP 8 times, "we'll carry on", if you know what I mean. Those lyrics always mean something to me, and this time it was perfect.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/sarahklovesyou/001_2346.jpg

Neat eh?

 

I decided to make the best of it by having a Life On the Murder Scene inspired photo shoot...

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/sarahklovesyou/001_2292.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/sarahklovesyou/001_2295.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/sarahklovesyou/001_2308.jpg

That book...made me a lesbian...

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/sarahklovesyou/001_2222.jpg

 

So all in all I had fun, we found some things to do. But still guys, don't be an idiot. Don't fly to Maine when the band your going to see has food poisoning.

LOVE JERSEY 

 

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/sarahklovesyou/001_2272.jpg

vocals: Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy
lead guitar: Jack White of the White Stripes and the Raconteurs
drums: Shannon Leto of 30 Seconds to Mars
rhythm guitar: Frank Iero of My Chemical Romance
bass: Jerry Only (from the Misfits)
keytar: Vicky-T of Cobra Starship
keyboards: Ben Folds

This band would be called The Dark Side and it would be a pop-punk/folk/dance-rock band. They would occasionally feature guest artists such as Win Butler of Arcade Fire, Max Bemis of Say Anything, and Conor Oberst. Morissey would secretly own this band and write all the songs. Eventually Jack White would kick Jerry out of the band because he does not like bass players. They would ultimately break up because they would have too many side projects and there would be too much sexual tension between at least three members of the band. They would finally reunite at Coachella and Warped Tour, and release an acoustic album entitled "This IS NOT BON JOVI".

YOU COULD WIN A PIT TICKET TO SEE FOB, TAI, +44, Paul Wall, and COBRA at the INGLEWOOD FORUM on JUNE 23rd.

How to win...

1. Subscribe to this blog.

2. Promote the site, as much as possible.

3. Post  a comment about why you (or a friend) deserve this ticket.

 

Don't be shy, this show is completely sold out. It's going to be amazing and the best part is you'll get to meet ME! haha...actually the best part will be watching gabe saporta be gabe saporta.

SO PROMOTE, PROMOTE, PROMOTE!

Subscribe, and post.

GET TO IT!!!

Ignorant journalism: 0

Taylor: 1

In response to...

http://www2.kerrang.com/2007/05/the_war_on_emo_goes_to_the_us_1.html

"Hello, Reed Cowen and ABC News 4.
My name is Taylor . I'm 14 years old, and I live in Orlando , Florida .
I know what you're thinking…14 years old…pfft. She doesn't know a thing.
I just got done watching your little "report" on the "Emo Culture" affecting the nation.
Do you want to know how I feel about it? It's BULLSHIT.
Excuse my language, but it is true.
I'll try to make this short, sweet, and to the point, because my "emo" ways probably bore you, anyway.

I dress in all black most days. I've cut myself before. I've had suicidal thoughts.
According to your report, I MUST be emo and I MUST need help immediately.
That's a stereotypical and wrong assumption.
You know why? Because the band My Chemical Romance, so conveniently put at the beginning of your report with their amazing song "Famous Last Words", saved my life. How? Their lyrics. Their speeches on how suicide is bullshit. They made me realize what I was doing and what I was about to do was wrong, and that I need to live my life to the fullest. They NEVER prompted me to do those things, and think the way I thought. They did just the opposite. They gave me self esteem; they prompted me to stop self-harming.

If you weren't so ignorant, and you would've actually listened to the entirety to "Famous Last Words," you would've seen that the chorus is "I am not afraid to keep on living! I am not afraid to walk this world alone!!" Meaning, they want us to pull through anything bad that happens, even if you're facing it alone. ALL of their songs have the same message, or similar. There isn't one song of theirs that promotes violence, self harm, or depression.

Gerard Way , the singer of My Chemical Romance, is my idol. Some of his quotes include
"The only thing that we've ever encouraged you to do was to be yourself!! Believe in yourself, and don't take anybodies fucking shit!!"
And
"Sometimes you get frustrated. It's a frustrating world. Sometimes you get depressed, things are depressing. Sometimes you get desperate. There's lots of people you can talk to. You can find a teacher, best friend, parent, therapist, anybody...the guy workin at the Dunkin' Donuts, I really don't care but one thing you guys never ever do…and I'm sure you all know this, but I'll say it anyway- You never resort to violence!"

Anger from having "Famous Last Words," along with bands such as Fall Out Boy and Three Days Grace included in your report has spread throughout the internet, and I'm sure you have been receiving emails similar to this one several times a day, because all of the bands save lives just like mine every day. After discovering these bands, I now know what I want to do with my life, and I am a much, much happier person than I was a year ago. I know many fans of these bands personally, and ALL of them are much happier, nicer, understanding, creative, sweeter and funnier than kids outside of the so-called "emo culture."

The music choices, among other things included in your report, such as "gender-bending" and emo kids' style choices, are stereotypical, ignorant, and completely wrong.
First, emo isn't a new phenomenon. It originated close to 30 years ago, when bands started expanding their creative limits by testing out screaming and what sounds like whimpering in their songs. Gender-bending has been around for many many years. In my opinion, aren't girls wearing shorts and baseball jerseys "gender-bending"?
And as far as I know, hasn't black clothing been around since, oh…I don't know, EVER?

Get your facts straight before you spread around a so-called dangerous, fucked-up culture known as the "emo culture" any more than it already is…because if anything, the kids that REALLY need help are the ones committing suicide, not "emo" ones. False facts are being spread around about us so-called emos, making life harder everyday to deal with because kids think you're scary and dangerous, and you cut yourself. Needless to say, they tend to stay away from you and make fun of you. It also makes it harder for kids outside of the emo culture to get help, because the emo label is one that many kids think of as the depressed kids…completely excluding kids outside of the "emo culture". I personally know a preppy girl in my grade, who constantly has a smile on her face. She is in all-county band, in the gifted program at school, used to ride little ponies around, and has amazing friends who are there for her and support her. She tried to commit suicide, just about a week ago. And she cuts herself. But she went un-noticed, all because she doesn't wear black.

I hope you took this email not as an attack, but a good information source. I tried to be as respectful and informational as possible.
Please take my words into consideration, and spread around the word before emo is any more publicized than it needs to be.

Taylor ."