Entertainment: 'Emo' Punk Gets Mainstream Attention. 07:20 ET - AP [NewsBlip.com]

Back in 1995, my Step Father came up to me and wanted to know if I had heard of a band called "Weezer", and their song about Buddy Holly. I nodded and asked "What about them?"

Now, my Step Father played in Jazz and progressive rock bands throughout the 70's, introduced me to Steely Dan and the Tower of Power, as well as James Brown and Jethro Tull. He couldn't place this band.

"Well, they're alternative" I said.

"To what?"

"Mainstream pop."

"But they're popular!"

I smiled. "Their sound. It's not what's selling in middle America."

"But it is! It's popular Music! How can it be called ''Alternative'' if it's popular?"

"Who's on first?" I giggled.

He then threw up his hands and walked out of the room. I hadn't heard of Emo yet, but I can well imagine how that conversation would have went.

"What's Emo?"

"It's emotional rock played in a punk style."

"All music is emotional! How can they call a style Emo?"

"Fusion."

"What?"

"Rock Fusion, Jazz Fusion, Funk fusion, it's all a melange of styles, but it's called under one heading for simplicity's sake."

Step Father Stalks off

12:54:42 PM