David Cook

David Roland Cook. Don’t be surprised if that name sounds familiar or rings a bell. David Cook is one of the 10 semi-finalists in American Idol’s seventh season. A native of Blue Springs, Missouri, the 25 year-old Cook started his foray into the world of music, singing and playing the guitar and bass guitar, when he was in second grade. His love for music continued throughout high school and in junior year, Cook and his friends pooled their talent and resources together to form a band called “Red Eye.” Red Eye became a permanent fixture in school functions and assemblies and was eventually renamed “Axium” a year later. The band became a staple in the nightclub scene and was even named as one of the country’s Top 15 Independent Bands. Axium disbanded in 2006 and Cook relocated to Tulsa, Oklahoma. He eventually moved on to join another band, named the Midwest Kings.

It was in Omaha, Nebraska where David Cook auditioned for the seventh season of American Idol, singing Bon Jovi’s “Livin on a Prayer.” Even in the audition, it was already apparent that Cook has been greatly influenced by the emo genre and lifestyle, which traces its roots back in the 80s. When Cook sang Lionel Richie’s popular hit song “Hello,” American Idol Judge Randy Jackson affirmed this observation by commenting that Cook took a pop hit and successfully transformed it into an emo one. From his fashion sense, to his hairstyle, to his musical performances and renditions in American Idol, this guy is as emo as anyone can be.

Week after week, David Cook continues to astonish the judges and the viewers alike with his surprising renditions and amazing vocal prowess. With his powerful voice and one-of-a-kind performances, who knows? He might just be your next American Idol!

David Cook : Hello
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Brightly-hued Highlights

The emotional punk movement, more popularly known as “emo,” espouses a person’s uniqueness, individuality, and freedom of expression. A person who can genuinely be described as emo does not only appreciate emo music, but also lives out the emo way of life through his daily actions and through his sense of fashion.

The girl on the picture seems to take on an emo sense of style and fashion, as is apparent from the way she dresses up to the way she fixes and styles her hair. Some of the usual features and characteristics commonly associated with emo hairstyles are seen present here: the long, straight side-swept bangs, combed over to one side of the face, partially covering one eye; multi-colored, brightly-hued highlights and lowlights all over the head.

Emo Band: Paramore

Paramore is a Grammy-nominated American emo band formed in 2004, having been influenced by such bands as Jimmy Eat World, Sunny Day Real Estate, New Found Glory, and Death Cab for Cutie. Hayley Williams (lead vocals/keyboard), Josh Farro (lead guitar, backing vocals), Jeremy Davis (bass guitar), and Zac Farro (drums) are the four current members who make up this band from Franklin, Tennessee. This fast-rising band released their debut album entitled “All We Know Is Falling” in 2005 featuring their first single “Pressure,” as well as other songs such as “Emergency” and “All We Know.” Their second and latest album to date entitled “Riot!” was released in 2007, featuring the singles “Misery Business,” “Hallelujah,” and “Crushcrushcrush,” among others. This album turned gold in the same year, after having sold more than half a million copies in record shops.

As briefly mentioned above, Paramore’s music has been greatly influenced by various emo and rock bands. This rapidly-emerging band has been nurtured and supported by the record label Fueled by Ramen, which also nurtured other well-known emo bands like Fall Out Boy and Panic at the Disco. Although some people may think of them as a pop-rock band, most of their fans really consider them as an emo band. As Hayley Williams once said in an interview, Paramore’s music is emo without being whiney or bratty. They downplay the emotional aspect of their music and instead they focus on the energy and dynamism of it. If their sound is not enough to convince people that they are indeed an emo band, have a look at their hair styles and their fashion sense. All of them sport straight hair with fringes combed over to one side of the face and tight-fitting shirts and skinny jeans. This is more than enough proof that Paramore is a band espousing emo, not just through their music, but through their lifestyle as well.