NORTH

CAROLINA
HARDCORE
An Ethnography by Katya Cepeda
UWRT 1101

WHAT IS
THE NORTH
CAROLINA
HARDCORE
SCENE?

A community centered around hardcore music set in

North Carolina, created and strengthened by the
people who involve themselves in hardcore bands,
attend shows, and/or are fans of hardcore music.
There are a few main cities that are the hotspots of the
NCHC scene.

WHAT ARE
THE
PEOPLE IN
THE
SCENE
LIKE?

The typical hardcore kid is

Male
White
Approximately average from 16 to 30 years of age
The typical hardcore kid is not
A criminal
A drug user
A satanist

WHAT ARE
PEOPLE IN
THE
SCENE
LIKE?

People in the hardcore scene are tied together by many

unique but similar beliefs:
Straight Edge Lifestyle: Many people in the NCHC
scene abstain from doing any type of drug, consuming
alcohol, or having promiscuous sex. Some often go as
far as refraining from consuming caeine.
Veganism: Often coincides with being straight edge.
Vegans do not eat or use animal products. At hardcore
shows, they are often handing out pamphlets or selling
pro-vegan merchandise.
Religion: There are hardcore bands in North Carolina
that have Christian values and incorporate that into
their music, lyrics, and message.

WHAT
MAKES
THE
SCENE
UNIQUE?

Everyone is dierent, but united by one thing: the

music.
Values such as brotherhood, strength, standing up for
ones beliefs and pride are very important.
People in the NCHC scene have a very unique method
of dancing that they exhibit at hardcore shows.

I ASKED A
FEW PEOPLE
WHAT THE
NCHC SCENE
MEANS TO
THEM

The NCHC scene is growing, there's still a lot of work to be done in it

but it's got the basics down. Like family, they have that down pact, the
rst ever show I went to was a metal show and everyone seemed to be in
these tight little cliques. But the rst hardcore show I went to I had these
guys put their arm around me and get to know me you feel?
- Sam Hall, via Facebook

I guess it's dierent for dierent people. To me it starts with the music
and need for a community. We all found a place where we belong. A lot
of kids just can't nd anywhere else they t in. Hardcore isn't meant for
everyone. But it is meant for anyone... Anyone who needs it. If that
makes sense. We need hardcore. And hardcore needs kids. To me it's
where we all feel at home. Where we want to always be. I love hardcore.
I love my friends. I love shows. And I love for new kids to nd it. Kids who
needed it.
- Shane Michael, via E-mail

MY EXPERIENCE
AT A HARDCORE
SHOW
XXX HORNETS NEST
NAILED TO THE X
TRUE TIL DEATH AND
THEREAFTER