The Hardcore Music Genre.
Codes and Conventions of the Hardcore music
genre:
Hardcore music is a sub-genre that has been a combination of
several genres. Punk, rap and metal are infused into one genre to make the
sound of hardcore. There are several different codes and conventions within the
genre which makes the music what it is. The hardcore music genre is an upcoming
genre and is getting more popular by the day.
Hardcore music can take many forms and bands have their own
individual take on it. Bands such as Terror are considered the grandfathers of
hardcore music because they have been on the hardcore scene longer than the
majority of hardcore bands that are around today.
The sub-genre of hardcore has its own branches of
sub-genres, such as; pop punk, post hardcore and metal core. Hardcore music has
been taken on by many local bands such as; Demoraliser, Odessa, Martyr Defiled
and The Departed. Most hardcore bands now have started out in smaller venues
like Lamp and Ringside and have worked their way up to achieve a higher status.
The dominance throughout the smaller shows is easily visible
because of the appearance of the band members. The band members are usually
stereotyped to have tattoos and also have a certain stage presence of them. The
fans of the genre are also stereotyped to be like the band members. People that
are not fans of the music may also stereotype them all as ‘moshers’.
With the local music scenes in the UK been dominated by
hardcore bands means that the genre is been more recognised and is getting more
people to follow the hardcore genre of music and also the way of life. The
essence of the band members when on stage performing is arrogant and cocky
which like into the genre of rap. Another representation they use is atheist
and anti-christ imagery. They do this to show a rebellious side of their
personality that young people may wish to follow.
Hardcore isn’t only from England some of the bands are from
North America, South America, Australia and even Asian countries and these
bands are starting tyo show a promising upcoming. Deez Nuts are one of the
Australian hardcore bands and like most bands they have their own distinctive
sound. The front man JJ Peters was previously in a band called ‘I Killed A Prom
Queen’ then left to form his own band with his distinctive assets like rap
style vocals and low bass solos.
In the breakdowns they usually have choruses unlike some hardcore
bands. Demoraliser are a different type of hardcore band as they have no
choruses and they have several different breakdowns within a song. They have
also created band shirts with people on it such as Amy Winehouse and other
people which they have demoralised people through their lifetimes.
The lyrics in the songs have literal meanings like ‘this is
my world, you just live in it’. This shows that it is aimed at someone and they
are just saying that this person is worthless and shut out their life. Most
songs have meaning behind them and you can usually relate to the song.
Outsiders of the genre wont understand and think it is all the same, but bands
such as Napoleon have released an EP called ‘What We See’ and it takes you on a
journey like most hardcore bands and songs have a point to them.
Throughout the songs they have fast paced drums so it sounds
heavier than a song which you would find in a different genre. The bands are
usually made up of a lead man, guitarist, bassist and drummer. All of the song
is usually fast paced because it goes with the style of singing. Most hardcore
bands have scream vocals, but so you can still understand what they are saying.
When the bands are either are playing or gig or even
creating a music video, they are constantly moving. The lead man usually jumps
around when the song is starting again after a breakdown and all of the band
keep moving, walking around, jumping around or whatever they would like to do.
The hardcore music scene is becoming more popular by the
day, more people are starting to follow it, more people are starting to dress
like the band members and they are just trying to be a ‘hardcore’. It is an
interesting genre because every song brings something new to the scene.
