Representation of Rock

What is it?

Is the way in which specific subject and people are being portrayed in. It also follows strongly with stereotypes  most of the media ways try to follow the groups and people close to what they are like in real life. It is important to do so as each person can draw a different understanding from a representation because of their real life experiences and upbringing.

Rock music:
Is a genre of music that originated from "Rock n Roll" in the 1950s from America, this then developed into different styles in the 1960s and later on. In the United Kingdom it became a massive hit as it instantly became popular. The main influence in the rhythm and style is from blues, and country music, rock also how has divided into other sub sections which make it up.
Fast loud bass line, heavy guitar rifts, loud drum beats and heavy music. Rock can be a mixture of things which normally involve a guitar, bass, drums and vocals.
Bands like: Green Day, Queen, Blink-182, Fall out boy, paramore, Guns 'N Roses, are all forms of rock which come under different categories, there are also other bands which have developed into new rock such as scremo, new rave, alternative, hard rock, metal, pop rock, etc...

How has it been represented?




Rock has become a mixture of a lot of things. It also takes a lot of features from metal as well which is a interpretation. Rock can be considered as a more advanced metal, as Green day are a world class famous representation of post modern rock. This is the look I wish to go for as it is up to date and still popular. The audience are very heavy basses with people who would have wild piercings, brightly dyed hair, and a wild attitude as life. They are seen as "Sex Drugs and Rock 'n Roll" stars who live by three words. They are also seen as outcasts because of how different they were and dressed. Mohawks and shaven heads were another popular style which punk rockers as Green Day are a great example  The lead singer Billie Joe is always seen as the main one in the band and is always shot in the middle, with the other band members surrounding  This is the typical photo shot for any band. As you can see in this picture the three members are standing in front of the American flag to show their originality, however to add a punk twist to this, they have used green striped instead of red, because of what they are called. a mid shot is usually used to show the instrument of which band member plays. Guitars are a class iconography of rock and will always be associated with the genre. Their faces appear to be dark and have a serious, or penetrating stare, which shows their character. Their clothing also appears to be quite dark with some contrasting colours to show that this is the kind of music they play which gives us a quick vibe of them before hearing them.

 Another famous image is of the world wide known band called Queen. This is taken in black and white, and also their faces are shown in a Shadow. This is the classic rock effect you will get in pictures. Even in the Green Day picture you will see that they have copied a similar effect, where their faces are not on show and slightly darkened. This gives the mysterious, rock and roll look they famously give.

In magazines when it comes down to rock music they always play on the stereotypes to make it obvious to the reader as to what magazine they are exposing for them to be aware.

Here are two front covers of a rock magazine in which i have used to show how they are presented. As you can see that both main images are of a band or musicians. The lead singer is the main focus as they are at the front and middle of the page, center spread so we are drawn to them first. The colours of the background is again black which is a stereotypical colour of this genre, this also allows the way they want to portray themselves as the Queen picture shows. Both have chosen a basic colour theme, sticking to yellow and white for both magazines even though each are different. While Rocks Sound has used an additional red, and Kerrang has used pink, a slightly softer colour however both are similar in relation. Both of the main images on the front cover are covering the title of the magazine because they both are well known for it to do so. The strip at the top of the page is a constant convention which follows through in both magazines. Both masthead are in bold capital letters with the white as a fill colour to stand out from the dark background. However there are some differences. Rock Sound appears to be less cramp, and has more text, giving the magazine a more professional and older audience where as Kerrang has more pictures, less sub headings and more bright in your face colours. This may be because they have a slightly younger audience, which are attracted more to pictures and brightness rather than the simple words.