Codes and Conventions - Essay.

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.