Colture
February 2011
Hoofbeats
9
Defining hipster by Julia Martinez Colture Editor
If you’re walking the halls, it wouldn’t be abnormal to see students sporting oversized sweaters, ripped tights paired with shorts in the middle of winter, and berets. Why you may ask? Simply because of the new fad that has infected Calhoun known as Hipster. Despite popular belief, this is not what defines a Hipster. Students have begun defining themselves as such without truly understanding what a Hipster really is. Flashback to the 1950s when the word Hipsters came into focus. Originally hipster was defined as, “characters who like hot jazz.” Even rewind to the 60s where counter cultures such as this were first noted, where young adults clamored for change. Or recall the era where the original punk, rock and roll teens were fighting against parental superiority. Senior Celine Katzman said, “Due to the fact that our generation has grown so comfortable and apathetic, we have no real movement or cause but we’re still full of angst teenagers and thus, the Hipster is born.” By definition, a Hipster is a rebel with no cause and a completely dismissive personality. They live to
judge things, and have no passions whatsoever besides, of course, rejecting anything mainstream. It’s not just an artsy profile picture on Facebook, it’s more of a state of mind. The assumed belief of a Hipster is one who values independent thinking, progressive politics, art, indie-rock, and wit, when really the only thing Hipsters do consistently is hate on pop culture. So that Juicy jacket that everyone’s just dying to get their hands on? The hipsters are cursing its existence. Hipsters are those friends that roll their eyes while you rant about that new Flo Rida single. They are those that prefer to stand slyly to the side while everyone else dances at a party. The kind where most of the clothing they wear will not come anywhere near in resemblance to items sold at American Eagle or Hollister. They’d much rather purchase an itchy, pelted skirt from a thrift shop. Although Hipsters hate anything mainstream, they need it to survive. Without pop culture, Hipsters would have no purpose. To all of you fashion icons who believe that that is the only thing to being a Hipster, I am sad to say you’re incorrect. But one thing is for certain, Hipsters are the new teen movement of our generation.
(photo by Julia Martinez)
The hipster dates back decades to a time when people rebelled through fashion.
Bands battle (continued from page 3)
to the Wounded Warriors Project, a charity that works to raise awareness for the needs of severely injured recent U.S. Army veterans.
(photo by Megan Murphy)
Tom Fasano, the bassist for Spiderbyte.
This fine entertainment consisted of five unique bands: Along The Falls, 42 Reasons, Bassline, Spiderbyte, and Butterfly Convict. In addition to those competing, famed alum band, The Sliders, treated the audience to an uber-cool opening set that rivaled The Script or Maroon 5. Lead singer Eric Goldberg, a class of ‘07, was overjoyed to “come back home to where it all started and start more of a local following.” With a stint at Bamboozle last year, and a slew of upcoming gigs, these guys are the picture of what the competing bands hope to be in a few years. Kicking off the battle was Along The Falls, a fairly new group with an alt-rock-groove sound. Like The Sliders, lead singer Joe Villafane, class of ‘10, expressed the importance of creating fans from Merrick—the guys of ATF have been concentrating their recent efforts in the out-of-state college circuit. Next up was a cover band with lots of heart and the 2nd place finisher, 42 Reasons. One of the younger bands participating in the battle, their old-soul attitude and
(photo by Megan Murphy)
Last year’s winner, Spiderbyte, performs to the delight of many adoring fans.
steady beats put smiles on people’s faces. Bassline followed 42 Reasons with a similar set, both having mastered the art of covering Red Hot Chili Peppers. Sweet-voiced singer Justin Brower, sophomore, seemed to be a groupie-magnet, which caused for a ton of highpitched screaming that said it all. Last year’s first-place champions, Spiderbyte, took the stage with a vengeance. Clad in their signature neon duct tape, their eclectic mix of covers and originals were full of endless swagger, energy, and lots
of guitar-flipping. The final band, Butterfly Convict, embodies the concept of friends who jam. They write all of their music, which is on their new, self-titled EP. Butterfly Convict won the competition and received a $200 gift certificate to Guitar Center. The standing section of Convict’s lyric-reciting friends seemed to agree with the judges’ choice; much screaming ensued upon their victory. And the jumpy freshman girls found new bands to “become a fan of” on Facebook.