The
term “representation” means how media language and its
conventions are used to represent certain things to an audience.
Genres are formed by conventions that change over time as new genres
are invented and the uses of older ones are discontinued. Often,
works fit into multiple genres by the way of borrowing and
recombining these conventions. Metal is genre of rock music that
developed in the late 1960’s and the early 1970’s, mainly in the
United Kingdom and the United States. The bands that created metal
developed a thick, massive sound, characterised by highly amplified
distortion, extended guitar solos and overall loudness. Metal lyric
and performance styles are generally associated with masculinity.
The
first metal bands such as Led Zeplin and Black Sabbath attracted
large audiences, though they were often critically reviled a status
common throughout the history of the genre. For certain artists and
bands, visual imagery plays a large role in heavy metal. Some heavy
metal acts such as Alice Cooper and Kiss have outrageous performance
personas and stage shows.
Screamo
is a sub-genre of hardcore punk, which predominantly evolved from
emo, among other genres, in the early 1990’s. The genre experienced
a popularity boost in the late 1990’s and 2000’s, and by
mid-2000’s the over-saturation of the scene encouraged bands such
as Alexonfire to incorporate more experimental elements.
When
the word “Rock Star” is said it often conjures up images of drug
taking, drinking, rebellious, powerful people who smash up
instruments and act extreme. There are four things needed for bands
to achieve the stereotypical rock star image. First of all they need
a look. The look has always been a trashy “I don't care” type of
look. The stereotypical rock star does not bother spending thousands
on one outfit which proves to be popular because it shows that it
does not matter what you look like it is all about the music. This is
not always the case. Some rock stars in the world today are based
more on image. Secondly what bands need is attitude to go with the
look. A rock stars attitude is supposed to be crazy-portraying that
they don't care what people think and they can do what they want. The
third things bands need is the lifestyle. A rock stars lifestyle is
meant to be extreme, hence the slogan “sex, drugs and rock 'n'
roll”. Because of the rebelliousness within the lifestyle it
appeals to teenage fans. Last but not least, bands need the music to
fit their image and the attitude. It has to be crazy and the band
needs to show this in their movements on stage. If they don't, the
audience would get bored.
The
general impression of “rock star” can vary from person to person.
Although the stereotype most commonly shown in the media is that of
the long haired, drug taking, vast amount of alcohol drinking party
animal. But this image has seemed to change and develop throughout
the years.
Black
Veil Brides are an American band who formed originally in Cincinnati,
Ohio, But was reformed in 2009 in Hollywood, California. They were
inspired by the likes of Motley Crue, Kiss, Marilyn Manson and many
more. They are known for their distinct appearance. Andy Beirsack,
The lead vocals of the band, is a main focus of this representation.
In 2009 Andy was known as a stereotypical “emo” although at the
time he did not know what an emo was and never heard of the
stereotype. He had long, black hair just above shoulder length and
piercings in his bottom lip. He wore black skinny jeans and either
dark or a specific styled clothing which is classed as “emo”. He
also put on black make up around his eyes. He was only eighteen and
represented as a teenager who was “different” to other teenagers.
Andy Biersack around the time of the "Knives and Pens" video.
In
2010 his image progressed as he wore dark clothing, had long shoulder
length, black straightened hair, Lip piercings and tattoos with more
extreme black make up around his eyes and his own design of stitching
across the side of his face from his lip. This representation had
evolved from the band changing their music style towards metalcore
and hard rock sound. Andy’s style had become more towards gothic
than what was previously seen as emo.
When
the band started to get more famous and popular, his image still
remained the main focus as it progressed. In 2011 he wore more black
make up, more body paint, more tattoos, tight studded clothing,
leather jackets, leather fingerless gloves, black boots and bigger
styled long black hair. This image suits his band genre of
rock/metal/screamo as the music is seen as dark and heavy just as his
image suggests. If someone was to look at him it would be impossible
to come to the conclusion he performs pop or rap music. Even someone
who did not know who he was would think he must be in a metal/rock
band because he has a strong stereotypical American rocker image. He
could not be anything but a rock star. One thing that has been widely
accepted by the public about the rock star image is just how
effeminate they can be. It is acceptable for a male rock star to with
long hair in tight trousers shaking their hips, and still be
considered “sexy” to thousands of fans. Andy won sexiest male of
the 2012 Kerrang! Readers poll and nominated for hottest mail for the
Kerrang! Awards three years in a row.
In
2012 he cut his hair and had a more denim rocker look. On the back
of each band members jackets were their nicknames. This gave them
more of a biker gang look rather than the stereotypical studded
leather rock star style. It was unique for the band and very original
whereas the previous styles where inspired by other bands of the
past, such as Motley Crue, Kiss and Alice Cooper.
Andy Biersack at Download Festival 2012.
In
2013 Andy changed his style yet again. He went back to wearing
leather but had his own unique style. He wore less make up and grew
his hair out again. But it had a new style. The look made them look
like rock stars but less stereotypical as they mix up old leather
styles with their own new unique styles. He is still represented by
the media as a singer who loves what he does and is working hard to
get where he is. Yet sometimes he can be seen as “up himself” as
he talks about his high ambitions and what he wants to achieve. In
the Legion Of The Black film which Black Veil Brides made he is
represented as a hero saving those who are not understood by society.
This is sometimes the case in real life for most of his fans. He is
still shown as the dedicated rock star who does not take advantage of
his fame and money.
Andy Biersack 2013
Andy Beirsack is stereotypical
due to the image, although in the old days rock stars didn't look
like they spent thousands on clothing while Black Veil Brides do not
wear clothing that is available cheaply. They do however have the
typical hair, tattoos, piercings and make up, which has been the main
part of a rock star image for many years. Andy does have the rock
star lifestyle but he does not take drugs like the rock star stereotype,
although he does drink a lot. He has the rock star attitude and he
certainly shows it on stage which means the audience never gets bored.
The music is straight up rock metal, so Andy and the rest of his band
have all of the four major things linking to the rock star
stereotype.
The representation of rock
star is made out like they are incredibly extreme, violent and raging
alcoholics. However, the majority of modern rock stars are not like
that, the majority of them care more about their music and their fans
rather than the rock star image. Andy Biersack thinks more of
the music and his fans while looking his best to what suits his music genre. Andy does not have an “extreme” lifestyle like some rock stars today e.g Oli Sykes. Most rock stars now have
settled down, and aren't groupie grabbing rebels. Andy and most of the members
of his band are settled down with girlfriends/wives yet they are
still rebels. They rebel against what society thinks of them and
their fans. It is true some rock stars take advantage of the
representation and consider it acceptable to “play up” to the
image and act differently just because it is how they are portrayed.
So that is what I did for my A level coursework essay. If anyone actually got to the end of this without getting bored and exiting then thanks for reading this. All together my teacher said my work is a B so I am pretty pleased. If you want to comment the feel free.
NightshadexXx
