Hardcore music vs. punk/ska

In time people have always looked down on hardcore music and said it was just a bunch of screaming and yelling but there’s much more to it than that. People always say hardcore music is just low tunings and breakdowns and open chugs but its not. Its a lot more harder than that, theres sweeps, scales, 6/8 breakdowns. Its a lot different than punk or ska music. Punk and ska music is based around 3 to 4 power cords, and up strokes. There is no ska or punk musician that can even come close to comparing to any musician in the hardcore music genre. I have been playing guitar for 7 years and Iv went from playing classic rock, southern rock, blues, metal, indie-pop, punk, ska  and hardcore and nothing I have ever played has given me as much of a struggle hardcore music has. Its like a jedi moving to the darkside and finding out much more powerful the sith is then the jedi. Hardcore music is very underestamted so I say give it a chance and listen to it instead of just bashing it off the back.

How to get that "hardcore" sound

When trying to get a really heavy guitar sound there are a few things you need to consider. the first is what kind of guitar are you using? Some of the biggest name guitar companies with metal is Schecter, ESP, Ibanez, BC Rich, and Gibsons. I would suggest playing a few to match your styles because theres diffenrent strokes for different folks! You also need to think of what tunning and gauge stings your using. If your going to be playing in drop D you will want to use .11 gauge stings, I prefer using D'adidario strings because you can pull off good pinch harmonics. If you are going for drop B, Bb, or A you will want a thicker gauge such as .13. Another thing to think about would be the amp you are using. If you are using a fender 15 watt amp chances are that your not going to be jammin very hard. You are going to want something more beefy like a Orange or a Mesa Boogie. Check your settings, you dont want your mids all the way up. Also make sure your neck has a good adjustment on it, if the neck has a bad trus rod adjustment then your going to be hearing alot of buzzing from your strings.

Warped tour!!

Warped Tour 2011 is right around the corner and I could never be as excited as I am! Alot of my favorite bands are going to be there this year and Im stoked to see them play. Iv seen alot of the bands already but they put on such a good show it makes me want to see them again. The Warped Tour was created in 1994 by Kevin Lynman, who got the idea while working on skateboarding shows such as the Vision Skate Escape and Holiday Havoc which included music with skateboarding contests. The Warped name comes from the short-lived Warped Magazine, published by Transworld, which covered surfing, skateboarding, snowboarding, and music.
As well as music, this tour brings many attractions, including a half pipe for skaters and bikers. The tour also features many booths creating a flea market-like atmosphere, having tents for each of the bands to sell merchandise, independent record labels, magazine publishers, non-profit organizations, and sponsors looking to market their products to the tour's audience. Many of the bands will retreat to their tents after their performance in order to meet up with the fans and sign autographs. 2011's Warped tour has bands like Of Mice & Men, A Day To Remember, Miss May I, and many others.

          http://vanswarpedtour.com/