hXc

The more you are surrounded by something, the more you tend to forget about what sets it apart. Example. I have been listening to hardcore and going to shows for a few years now so everything that happens within that realm is familiar. I have forgotten what it was like to hear it for the first time and how I felt about it. When I hear silly things like 'it's scary,' 'they seem so angry' or my personal favourite 'can you even hear what they are saying?' I get miffed off without realising that people tend to discard what they don't understand. Fear not! Clarity is but a few sentences away!

1. 'It's all just shouting.'

The truth is that deciphering the lyrics isn't like finding a clean portaloo at a festival, it's actually pretty easy. You just need to pay attention and if you're really battling, there are always lyric sheets online. Hardcore bands often put a lot of thought into their lyrics so they will find a way to get the lyrics to you. The sound on live videos of bands is usually quite bad, don't judge a band's sound by a fan's phone video work. The general rule here is this, the more you listen, the better you hear.

2. 'They look like scary, tough guys.'

It's 2013. Tattoos and piercings aren't taboo anymore. If they are, you need to leave wherever it is that you are staying because they must be oppressing a lot more than your bodily rights. The funny thing about hardcore is that it spawned straight edge. A subculture that does not believe in drinking alcohol, casual sex or taking drugs. Even more extreme is the hardline subculture. They reject alcohol, casual sex, drugs, tobacco, coffee and they are vegan.

With that said, just because you don't drink or take drugs doesn't mean you're a nice person. The thing with hardcore is that it's a brotherhood, and a sisterhood. Everyone knows each other and everyone looks out for one another. It's more than just listening to a few tracks on your computer. It's about being part of a greater community that cares for one another. Most of the hardcore kids from all the different provinces in South Africa know each other, it's just the way it is.

3. 'Are you just trying to hurt each other?'

Hardcore shows are all about high energy performances and sometimes it would seem that the audience is trying to outdo the band. There are many different ways for the crowd to get involved. Slam dancing, mosh pits, pogoing and the infamous wall of death are all on offer at hardcore shows. Just like that person who decides to make 5 deposits at the ATM, there is always someone at a hardcore show making the scene look bad. Often they don't even know their Gallows from their Facing the Gallows and they thought xxx* was Vin Diesel's greatest movie. They enter the pit in order to throw some cheap shots in someone's face and they are not welcome. Bands have been known to call out individuals who are ruining everyone else's fun. Throwing down in the pit is not about seeing how many people you can hurt. If someone falls down, you help them up.

4. 'I still don't understand.'

As I said before, hardcore is all about camaraderie. It's about being a part of something and it's about growing the scene. It's about going out and having a good time. It's about being yourself and accepting others. I can honestly say that most of my teenage education came from going to shows and learning from the people that surrounded me. Don't let it intimidate you. Listen to the music, go to the shows and get yourself a PhXC!

*seeing as though this post is for educational purposes, xxx is a symbol of straight edge