A Neutral Definition Of Scene

     Notoriously famous and targeted is the alternative music scene, or more specifically, branches of the alternative
music scene such as hardcore, indie, fashoionxcore, etc. A breed of scenesters (people on the scene) has begun to come
to the forefront. These scenesters are usually very music-savvy and loyal to a few specific genres (typically hardcore,
metal, indie, retro, 80's new wave, classic rock, etc. to name a few), of which considering the trends amongst them vary
from coast to coast, and certian fads come in and out within their ranks. Typically, though, many scene kids will have
facial piercings, tattoos, and longer hair. It is not unusual to see teased hair with long bangs on males, or short fauxhawks
(a mohawk without the sides shaved, a fashion-friendly version) on females. It is almost a throwback to the revolution of
Britian's glam era, very androgynous and fresh. Scenesters take a lot of pride in their overall image, and often they
appreciate shock value. Oftentimes they are thrifty, employing their abilities as bargian-hunters and do-it-yourself gurus
to do something unique with their style. Large vintage sunglasses, retro patterns, tight jeans, classic metal/band tees,
plastic jewelry, and heavy eye makeup are just some of the incorperations into scene style for either sex. This style and
showmanship is at its height during shows (concerts), where often scene kids will meet their friends and size up strangers
who visit their turf. There indeed is competition among scenesters...sometimes friendly, sometimes not. Shows are in fact
not just concerts, but often a means of socialization for those on the scene. Those people who partake in scene lifestyle
often choose to date/socialize only with those like them, which can cause bitterness or rejection to outsiders.
The music scene is often associated with other areas that scenesters are interested in, which is liekely, art, photography,
creative writing, poetry, tattoos & piercings, civil rights, animal rights, etc. Many scene kids have strong beliefs about
these things and consider those who do not to be "posers." They feel that their scene style is not only a fashion
statement, but an all-encompassing lifestyle. Many scene kids incorperate their future plans into their lifestyle, going into
careers such as journalism, photography, artistry, piercing, tattooing, working for magazines, being musicians,
hairstylists, running venues and/or coffee shops, etc. This tends to cause scene kids to congregate, visit, or even move to
big cities to find opportunities to meet other scenesters, find jobs that suit them, or to live where they have a plethora of
activities that they enjoy readily at their disposal.
Recently internet revolutions like myspace.com have provided a new means for the ideas of scene culture to be spead,
for scenesters to find new friends, bands, and activities. Scensters design stylish and graphic profile pages to both draw
attention to themselves and to find others like them, and many people have joined up with the scene fad due to internet
advertising.
     The downside of many scene atmospheres is that some scene kids tend to develop a superior mentality. Some who
are especially popular and affluent can make it harder for the younger, yet-aspiring scenesters to join in with the
subculture. This is not always the case, however. Different areas breed different demographics of scene kids. Perhaps
part of their attitude comes from the problem that scenesters have begun to feel threatened about their culture being
jeopardized because of a sort of trickle down effect. The internet is permitting easy access for anyone who would want to
don scene-esque style and jump right in to a culture that scenesters feel they have built from the ground up and
developed into a complex lifestyle. However, this lends many to get caught up in popularity contests in local areas as well
as on the world wide web. Unfortunately, this can also lead to rifts in scenes. Groups of hardcore scenesters start "crews,"
often characterized by fierce brotherhood to the point of violence against others who are unlike them or who are in other
crews.
     The scene is dividing amongst itself, due to purists who feel the scene is about music only, and those who have taken
the scene fashion to be almost, if not equally, as important as the music itself. Some of the fashionable scenesters stick to
their musical roots, but often due to the aforementioned trickle-down effect, there are people joining the scene who are
not interested in the music, but are only in it for the attention.