We probably like rock music more than you do. But you're still cool…kinda.

Certain trends have appeared throughout the history of rock n’ roll that always seemed to annoy the shit out of me. The hair in 80’s hair metal. Rap-metal in the late 90’s. The rise of an attitude simply known as “Hipster”. Recently, however, a trend was hopefully put to rest. That would be the “emo” look.

As evidenced in the picture of Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz, the emo look usually consists of pin-straight hair that appears to be super gelled down to the person’s scalp with a shine that I can only assume was brought on by turning their hair into patent leather. This hairstyle can usually be found at your local Hot Topic, Twilight convention or Starbucks because emo kids are still too young to drink at a bar (yet apparently old enough to talk about life’s pain).

Adults who see these young and, in their minds, misguided children usually bring on the following responses based solely on the emo haircut:

Oh, they’re probably just going through a phase. They’ll outgrow it.

Where are this kid’s parents?

He’s probably gay.

Needless to say, this look has brought about a huge change throughout the years and not just in the U.S. If you’ll recall, there were riots in Mexico and Chile when kids who listened to metal decided to seek out emo kids and proceed to beat them senselessly. I’m pretty sure this could have been avoided had the emos not been wearing their haircut that goes with their type of music. All this violence due to a look? It was obviously time for a change.

That time may have finally arrived. Over the weekend at Madison Square Garden in New York City, the emo haircut was officially killed on stage by Mark Hoppus of Blink-182.



Mark sat down Pete Wentz, the current poster child of emo, and took an electric razor to his beautifully coiffed head and destroyed the emo haircut in front of thousands of screaming and possibly crying fans. When it was all over, Wentz stood up and began jumping around on stage and screaming into a microphone as if he had been freed from chains of bondage. He was no longer held down by this look that has taken so many kids hostage. It was as if he said “I’m done with it. You can be too!”

Hopefully this brings about a new age in rock music. An age that says you don’t have to have a certain look to prove you’re into rock music. At first glance, I definitely don’t look the part of someone who would listen to rock music let alone run a rock music website and it’s okay. Some people may not take me to be a rock fan until they start talking to me. Then it’s a whole different story.

I’m not saying that everyone should destroy their individual look. On the contrary, I feel everyone should express themselves the way they see fit. But if you’re going to adopt a look because a band looks that way or because your music suggests that type of style then that’s not being an individual. That’s being a follower and that is not what rock music is about.

So stand up and create your own style. Not because someone told you to but because it was your decision. The sign of a true rock music fan isn’t to be a lemming but a leader. So go ahead and lead the way. Trust me there will be plenty of people behind you.

Tags: emo, Fall Out Boy, Pete Wentz