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Step right up and join the army of the new genre of music called "Emo." All you need is some eyeliner, Prozac, and your hair combed in your eyes.

Over the last couple of years a new genre of music called Emo has exploded into the heads of young teens. These teens have bought into this and are now the victims of my butchering pen.

This music is quite terrible. This is not my way of making fun of these people, but a hopeful insight for teens that really don't know much about it.

The term "Emo" was used to describe bands in the D.C. music scene, the sub-genre of punk. Before the Emo movement began there were bands that are said to have influenced the start of Emo. Many fans say that this genre started up from the dying punk scene. Bands like Fugazi, Jawbox, Sunny Day Real Estate, and Texas Is The Reason are credited with being the beginning of Emo.

Don't get me wrong. Those bands are incredibly good. There are many bands I like that many consider Emo. The new generation of youth has mistaken what is MTV pop-punk (trash) for being decent music. I don't like really like the term Emo, but there are some good bands in this genre.

It's just that the younger generation, and perhaps even college students, have been blindfolded by the corporate bands who give the good Emo bands a bad rep. Bands like The Used, Dashboard Confessional, My Chemical Romance (terrible), and any other band that call themselves Emo.

Let's not forget the "Screamo" sub-genre of Emo. Bands that file themselves in this category are the ones who are just a little too hardcore for the stand-alone tag of Emo.

Again there are many bands that fans classify as "Screamo" that are not and it pains me, but on to the topic at hand.

People who listen to this new Emo are so defensive when it comes to being called babies or what have you. I am not calling anyone a baby. But, if you fall into the commercialized category of Emo, then you are definitely a tool.

I Googled the term "Emo," and so much came up. Lists of "great Emo bands," what it is to be Emo, and even a list of what you need to become Emo. This is ridiculous.

Anyone who follows a list, better yet, anyone who idolizes the look of Emo is un-original. This list included a) piercings, b) black hair combed in face, c) dress-shirts, d) dress pants, e) black shoes, and f) black eyeliner. To follow this list is about as smart as following a lemming off of a cliff.

Kids, please, wear what you want because you want to, not because a band does or because a list says that it will make you cool. Do not lower yourself to fit a standard because you think it makes you cool.

These mainstream bands that say they are "Emo" also convince people that it is cool to be depressed. Well, I got some news from the doctors. It's not. Every now and again people get depressed (yes, even me). But to walk around drowning yourself in sorrow is not healthy and not cool.

I guess this is my way of telling the new generation of kids that this so-called "Emo" music is not good for them, is not healthy, and is not good music.

Check out the older stuff listed above. It's melodic, peaceful, intelligent music that makes you think. This pop stuff isn't. I am not targeting anyone in particular or trying to offend anyone, but only trying to squeegee the crap from your eyes and tell you that there are better things to do and listen to.

I am not trying to preach, but it's just ridiculous to see this culture go down that road. I think if you listen to the music that opened up the genre of Emo, then you will see that this commercialized stuff is why it gets a bad rep.

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