I am my father's daughter.

I feel kinda bad.

I just ruined something for my sister.

She was telling me about this new alternative song she likes called "I Need You Now" apparently by Lady Antebellum. Now, my sis isn't the biggest fan of Alternative music...I can remember countless ridicule during my emo kid days (That's just fine. Made me stronger once the tears dried). But that is not the point.

I told her I hadn't heard the song. Actually, I haven't heard any of their music. And it all comes down to their name which is pretty repelling.

I told my sister, "I just hate their name. A lot. You know, antebellum? The Antebellum South? That's a reference to the South before the Civil War...that ended slavery...? I mean, the racism is implied. I mean, maybe they aren't racist but, just seems pretty lame since they are from the south...so why choose that name? You know?"

You know?

Well, just in that moment, I realized that I had turned into my father.

My dad used to ruin everything it seemed when we were kids. I couldn't watch Aladin cuz it had magic in it (not becoming of a Christian). I couldn't listen to rap music cuz it was profane and violent (not becoming of a Christian). I couldn't celebrate holidays cuz they were pagan in origin (not becoming of a Christian). Etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.

My dad did not always succeed in keeping me from those things, but he succeeded in teaching me to dig deeper; To seek knowledge. To be critical. And to evaluate based on not just what's good for me, but based upon what really is the greater good.

In the world of academia, it's appreciated but usually this "skill" of mine pisses people off (I ruined Avatar for a lot of people by critiquing the racist, heterosexist/heteronormative themes, and ruined Jay-Z for a friend of mine after revealing that he has stock in the prison system). But sometimes, it really saves the day.

And I guess, this is my little way of saying "Thanks Pops."

My kids will get to watch and listen to pretty much whatever they want. But afterwards will have to write me critical essays. lol

P.S. - I aint sayin Lady Antebellum is racist. I just think their name is SKETCH

When Emo Kids Grow Up.

So, I have no qualms about admitting... I was a TOTAL emo kid in high school.

For those of you that didn't know, my name KrisDeLaRash actually comes from my high school garage [emo] punk band, Rash Minority, which I started with two of my good friends, Isaac (awesome guitarist and collaborator) and Alberto (drummer of the local legendary Razacore band, Intifada). I was looking on MySpace and found our old page, listened to some of our old music. (if you're curious, be my guest, just remember were 17 ) We definitely were a GARAGE punk band, cuz those recordings were straight up done in a basement, but it still makes me feel some kind of way.




But...what is it about rocking out with a live band, belting weighty lyrics? Poetry and Hip Hop...love 'em. But this girl right here, was born to rock.


(at Carver High School's Battle of the Bands)


So, I got to listening to some of the great emo songs of my time... (if you follow me on Twitter, you've already seen my #whyimstillanemokid trending topic) and I realized just how heavily influenced my songwriting and poetry are by Emo music.

Funny, I was trying to explain it to someone the other day. What is emo? Emo is just a short term for "emotional". Emo punk is rock music that usually touches on topics a little deeper than "I hate my parents and conformity" lol.

It's music about your feelings but it also goes hard! So, if you'd like to delve into the amazing, jolting, lyrical world of Emo Punk, here's 5 songs you can check out right now, that I genuinely believe are some of THE BEST EMO SONGS EVER (err...my favorite ones anyway) -- Lyrically and melodically!

1. Jude Law and A Semester Abroad - Brand New
2. God Called In Sick Today - AFI
3. The Recluse - Cursive
4. Blue Channel - Taking Back Sunday
5. Understanding In A Car Crash - Thursday

I don't wanna jinx it, but I can see Rash Minority coming off of hiatus at some...time...soon...