Referring to music, pornography, and all things bad ass, the term "Hardcore," has described music from all genres beginning in the late '70s with the punk rock genre. Filled with heavy beat down tempos, passionate, yet angry growls and vocals, and a general reckless abandon themes, hardcore has been alive and kicking for almost 50 years. After being around for so long, a genre does tend to crack and fall apart, and hardcore has fallen apart in the worst way: elitism. Elitism in music kills talent, kills bands and limits what fans are listening to.

There are many variations to the hardcore genre. Starting with the original, and spreading into sub-genres like melodic hardcore, beat down, screamo, and thrash, hardcore has evolved throughout its lifespan. The only problem with evolution in this case is the dividing wedge between fans. Starting with the HxC movement, a movement whose ideas were rooted in a straight edge lifestyle, where unity and brotherhood were themes that held strong. Whether you were in someone's basement with 10 of your closest friends forming pits while your local bands played their hearts out, or at a major venue with 1,000 strangers all appreciating the music, the HxC movement was welcoming and inviting to the social outcasts that were deemed "too violent," or "too brutal," for mainstream society music. Unfortunately, the scene has become elitist, and hardcore is more about social status more than anything. Memes usually reflect these ideas, so here are a few.

Why did a genre about music uniting people that were considered social outcasts become so alienating? When did the number of shows you've been to and how many tattoos you have, or how you mosh matter? If the music is about bonding, about coming together as a family, why does any of this matter?

Hardcore kids vs. Pop Punks

Emo kids vs. Hardcore kids

Metal heads vs. Grindcore kids

Why is there so much beef? Bands get trashed on for not sounding the same as their last three albums, or for changing their styles.

"Not enough screams," "Not enough cleans," "Your breakdowns are terrible and generic."

It is not okay to flame someone's music when they are proud of it. It does not matter if you drink or smoke, it does not matter if you target people in pits or just flail your arms around (both of which are considered highly disrespectful and annoying.) Enjoy the music, enjoy the bands, enjoy the atmosphere. The raw emotion and power simply from being around loud music and great company.

#MakeHardcoreGreatAgain