Chavs v Goths
August 30, 2005 11:24 PM Subscribe
Teenage tribes and Council sponsored "mayhem".
Back in the day, I remember the metalhead vs. basser battles. Then some metalheads either became rivetheads and went grr, or became rivetheads, came out of the closet and still went grr, or stayed in the closet and stayed a metalhead while secretly singing Debbie Gibson songs in the shower all the while going publically "grr". (some of us did some of all 3).
Anyway, the rivetheads were annoyed by the goths because they were so pale and whiny and weepy. But the goths and rivets tended to go to the same spaces; and that's where the skins would feed. So, the rivets would protect the goths from the skins because they felt sorry for the goths. (That's when many rivets learned about "feelings".) Besides, the goths were chock full of yummy bois and grrls, so, the rivets couldn't always be mean, especially if they wanted to play.
The skins had big white power biker friends. But the rivets had big NOT white power biker friends. We also had the SHARPys on our side. But sometimes, straightedgers would come and kick all of our asses because we smoked and stuff.
That's how it all went down back then.
Then I moved to Boston, and the gothy-ness oozed into me and I became wimpy (I was always a geek). Years passed, and now I'm just cranky.
So, the answer is yes.
(what the hell is a chav, anyway? Is it like borscht?)
posted by zerokey at 1:33 AM on August 31, 2005
Anyway, the rivetheads were annoyed by the goths because they were so pale and whiny and weepy. But the goths and rivets tended to go to the same spaces; and that's where the skins would feed. So, the rivets would protect the goths from the skins because they felt sorry for the goths. (That's when many rivets learned about "feelings".) Besides, the goths were chock full of yummy bois and grrls, so, the rivets couldn't always be mean, especially if they wanted to play.
The skins had big white power biker friends. But the rivets had big NOT white power biker friends. We also had the SHARPys on our side. But sometimes, straightedgers would come and kick all of our asses because we smoked and stuff.
That's how it all went down back then.
Then I moved to Boston, and the gothy-ness oozed into me and I became wimpy (I was always a geek). Years passed, and now I'm just cranky.
So, the answer is yes.
(what the hell is a chav, anyway? Is it like borscht?)
posted by zerokey at 1:33 AM on August 31, 2005
what the hell is a chav, anyway?
Here in BC, we call them wiggers. They like to get drunk and make a mess of parties.
posted by flagellum at 2:32 AM on August 31, 2005
Here in BC, we call them wiggers. They like to get drunk and make a mess of parties.
posted by flagellum at 2:32 AM on August 31, 2005
... gather them in the same place... and then they drop the bomb, yes?
zerokey - chav
posted by NinjaPirate at 2:45 AM on August 31, 2005
zerokey - chav
posted by NinjaPirate at 2:45 AM on August 31, 2005
The dominance of the term chav really gets on my wick - where are the scallies, bams, neds, spides and kevs now?
Whatever, this seems like a nice idea, even if all the way through the piece, the warden and the kids insist that there isn't actually much of a problem between the two groups.
Also, what the fuck is the 22-year-old quoted doing hanging around street corners with schoolkids?
posted by jack_mo at 5:28 AM on August 31, 2005
Whatever, this seems like a nice idea, even if all the way through the piece, the warden and the kids insist that there isn't actually much of a problem between the two groups.
Also, what the fuck is the 22-year-old quoted doing hanging around street corners with schoolkids?
posted by jack_mo at 5:28 AM on August 31, 2005
Also, what the fuck is the 22-year-old quoted doing hanging around street corners with schoolkids?
Always reminds me of Dazed and Confused - something like "The thing about schoolgirls is I keep getting older but they stay the same age"
posted by twistedonion at 5:36 AM on August 31, 2005
Always reminds me of Dazed and Confused - something like "The thing about schoolgirls is I keep getting older but they stay the same age"
posted by twistedonion at 5:36 AM on August 31, 2005
We used to call them Kevs. Here's a guide, and the site credited with unifying the nation in calling them chavs- Chavscum.
posted by flameproof at 5:41 AM on August 31, 2005
posted by flameproof at 5:41 AM on August 31, 2005
Is this a summer programme and are these kids still going to school, or do they just do nothing all year?
posted by funambulist at 6:12 AM on August 31, 2005
posted by funambulist at 6:12 AM on August 31, 2005
Aren't all goths geeks and wimps like we were?
There's been too much interbreeding with the rivetheads. Now after we do our eyeliner we all strap knives into our boots and dance to Das Ich.
So geeks, yeah, some of us (like me). Wimps? How wimpy could a guy wearing a skirt in public be if he lives to see another weekend?
Although, judging by the article, I think what they're calling goths is what we would call Mansonites or Spooky Kids when I was in college.
posted by Kellydamnit at 6:13 AM on August 31, 2005
There's been too much interbreeding with the rivetheads. Now after we do our eyeliner we all strap knives into our boots and dance to Das Ich.
So geeks, yeah, some of us (like me). Wimps? How wimpy could a guy wearing a skirt in public be if he lives to see another weekend?
Although, judging by the article, I think what they're calling goths is what we would call Mansonites or Spooky Kids when I was in college.
posted by Kellydamnit at 6:13 AM on August 31, 2005
Ahh..I get it. Like Ali G (whom I used to find amusing, and presently wouldn't mind squishing under my steeltoes).
Kellydamnit - good point about the skirts. But when it comes to Das Ich, who ever thought that sheer creepiness(NSFanything, really) could be an evolutionary survival factor?
old joke - what's the difference between a goth and a rivethead? Rivetheads put their eyeliner on with razors!
Obligatory Industrial 101 link
posted by zerokey at 6:43 AM on August 31, 2005
Kellydamnit - good point about the skirts. But when it comes to Das Ich, who ever thought that sheer creepiness(NSFanything, really) could be an evolutionary survival factor?
old joke - what's the difference between a goth and a rivethead? Rivetheads put their eyeliner on with razors!
Obligatory Industrial 101 link
posted by zerokey at 6:43 AM on August 31, 2005
jack_mo: where are the scallies, bams, neds, spides and kevs now?
Well as far as neds go, they make statues of them now, dontcha know.
Neds have been, are and always will be the bane of my life. Being the only one on a housing scheme to stay on at high school past 4th year opens one up to intersting and novel punishments. Now, where's my lighter?
posted by bouncebounce at 6:54 AM on August 31, 2005
Well as far as neds go, they make statues of them now, dontcha know.
Neds have been, are and always will be the bane of my life. Being the only one on a housing scheme to stay on at high school past 4th year opens one up to intersting and novel punishments. Now, where's my lighter?
posted by bouncebounce at 6:54 AM on August 31, 2005
Where are all the future-pop kids with their day-glo dreads? Or the damn gravers?
I always thought it amusing that what the Brits call chavs fall in to the uncanny category of "chucklehead" around my block.
That's just amusing.
Oh, and zerokey, were you, by chance in the B'more/D.C. area with that astute assessment of the underground scene?
posted by daq at 7:53 AM on August 31, 2005
I always thought it amusing that what the Brits call chavs fall in to the uncanny category of "chucklehead" around my block.
That's just amusing.
Oh, and zerokey, were you, by chance in the B'more/D.C. area with that astute assessment of the underground scene?
posted by daq at 7:53 AM on August 31, 2005
nothing says "cool" like a bb gun in your hand and a clove cigarette in your mouth.
posted by hypocritical ross at 7:58 AM on August 31, 2005
posted by hypocritical ross at 7:58 AM on August 31, 2005
Nope...reports from DC always sounded like a wonderful fantasy. I cut my teeth in South Florida.
*sigh* I miss the Foundation. Best club ever!
posted by zerokey at 7:58 AM on August 31, 2005
*sigh* I miss the Foundation. Best club ever!
posted by zerokey at 7:58 AM on August 31, 2005
This is insane.
In Manchester I am of the opinion that there *is* a problem between the scallies and the moshers.
The moshers (emo kids, skaters, genuine kids) are an odd bunch. They let themselves get bullied by much smaller groups of scallies - even though the moshers often have skateboards with them, they just run away.
The idea of promoting shooting each other seems insane, in Manchester I would be worried they would soon find real guns and start shooting each other (the idea that getting the 2 groups of people to interact and so make bridges etc. I think rocks though).
I think this weekend I'm gonna go out and beat myself some scallies up...
posted by 13twelve at 8:37 AM on August 31, 2005
In Manchester I am of the opinion that there *is* a problem between the scallies and the moshers.
The moshers (emo kids, skaters, genuine kids) are an odd bunch. They let themselves get bullied by much smaller groups of scallies - even though the moshers often have skateboards with them, they just run away.
The idea of promoting shooting each other seems insane, in Manchester I would be worried they would soon find real guns and start shooting each other (the idea that getting the 2 groups of people to interact and so make bridges etc. I think rocks though).
I think this weekend I'm gonna go out and beat myself some scallies up...
posted by 13twelve at 8:37 AM on August 31, 2005
Infact its America we have to blame for goths and scallies.
We somehow lost our own cultural influences on young people.
The moshers (goths/moshers/emo kids/skaters) all aspire to stuff coming out of America (certainly musically and also in fashion terms).
The scallies music wise typically listen to gangster rap and have watched Boyz N The Hood and think its them, again American influences.
Dam you!
posted by 13twelve at 8:53 AM on August 31, 2005
We somehow lost our own cultural influences on young people.
The moshers (goths/moshers/emo kids/skaters) all aspire to stuff coming out of America (certainly musically and also in fashion terms).
The scallies music wise typically listen to gangster rap and have watched Boyz N The Hood and think its them, again American influences.
Dam you!
posted by 13twelve at 8:53 AM on August 31, 2005
You can't blame America for goth. ;)
America just twisted it. We're good at that.
You know, having them shoot each other is pretty screwed up. Then again, even after my own experiences, I can't imagine needing a program like this.
Back then, arguments, fights, bitterness pretty much stayed at the club/hangout/wherever. Then again, we didn't roam the streets in packs (well, the skins did, but they were really pussycore..oi! oi! get a haircut!). Sure, we would be cautious of the color of the laces we wore, but there was no X vs. Y beyond the environs of scene territory.
When I think of things like this occurring in the UK, I think A Clockwork Orange. Is that fairly accurate?
posted by zerokey at 9:14 AM on August 31, 2005
America just twisted it. We're good at that.
You know, having them shoot each other is pretty screwed up. Then again, even after my own experiences, I can't imagine needing a program like this.
Back then, arguments, fights, bitterness pretty much stayed at the club/hangout/wherever. Then again, we didn't roam the streets in packs (well, the skins did, but they were really pussycore..oi! oi! get a haircut!). Sure, we would be cautious of the color of the laces we wore, but there was no X vs. Y beyond the environs of scene territory.
When I think of things like this occurring in the UK, I think A Clockwork Orange. Is that fairly accurate?
posted by zerokey at 9:14 AM on August 31, 2005
Less of the Ludwig van.
posted by [expletive deleted] at 9:28 AM on August 31, 2005
posted by [expletive deleted] at 9:28 AM on August 31, 2005
Somehow I get the feeling that if the mods & rockers had state-sanctioned BB gun fights back in the sixties, things would have been a lot more... interesting.
And the Who wouldn't have turned to bad rock operas either.
posted by huskerdont at 9:52 AM on August 31, 2005
And the Who wouldn't have turned to bad rock operas either.
posted by huskerdont at 9:52 AM on August 31, 2005
The wearing of particular clothing, such as
Scallywear, brand name athletic clothing and shoes (...)
Fake designer clothing and accessories, in particular the distinctive tartan of Burberry. A love of "bling"(...)Sports caps and "hoodies"
So Ali G is a chav?
The council hopes a new spirit of mutual respect will extend to all their employees. As well as the orange-clad street wardens, there is even a council parking attendant sportingly allowing young chavs and goths to take pot shots at him.
Yeah because I always respect those who let me take pot shots at them.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 11:26 AM on August 31, 2005
Scallywear, brand name athletic clothing and shoes (...)
Fake designer clothing and accessories, in particular the distinctive tartan of Burberry. A love of "bling"(...)Sports caps and "hoodies"
So Ali G is a chav?
The council hopes a new spirit of mutual respect will extend to all their employees. As well as the orange-clad street wardens, there is even a council parking attendant sportingly allowing young chavs and goths to take pot shots at him.
Yeah because I always respect those who let me take pot shots at them.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 11:26 AM on August 31, 2005
You confusing Brits, what with your odd slangs...
Hey, I got one: There's this song I've got from '77 punks that alledges a young woman is a "spiv." ("You're such a spiv" is the chorus). What the fuck's a spiv? Is it like a yob? Why don't you British people make any damn sense? It's like you're all speaking Danish!
posted by klangklangston at 12:02 PM on August 31, 2005
Hey, I got one: There's this song I've got from '77 punks that alledges a young woman is a "spiv." ("You're such a spiv" is the chorus). What the fuck's a spiv? Is it like a yob? Why don't you British people make any damn sense? It's like you're all speaking Danish!
posted by klangklangston at 12:02 PM on August 31, 2005
spiv
This seems to have explanations for most of those odd Brit words :)
posted by zerokey at 12:26 PM on August 31, 2005
This seems to have explanations for most of those odd Brit words :)
posted by zerokey at 12:26 PM on August 31, 2005
Ali G is a piss take of chav culture, oddily enough the scallies here didn't seem to realise that he was parodying them...
posted by 13twelve at 4:06 AM on September 1, 2005
posted by 13twelve at 4:06 AM on September 1, 2005
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posted by jb at 12:38 AM on August 31, 2005