The Fashionable Rebellion

Farside's song "The Fashionable Rebellion" delves into the theme of superficial rebellion and the performative nature of anger in modern society. The lyrics paint a picture of individuals who outwardly display their scars and frustrations, not necessarily because they are deeply affected, but because it has become a trend. The opening lines, "Walk, make sure your head is down / Shoot, line up the crosshairs on the things that backed up all your craziness," suggest a sense of aimless aggression and a lack of genuine direction in their rebellion.

The song also touches on the idea of suburban discontent, a common theme in punk and alternative music. The line, "You're still from the suburbs, and that's okay," acknowledges the often-dismissed struggles of suburban youth. However, it also implies that these struggles are sometimes exaggerated or used as a badge of honor. The repetition of "Wear my scars out on my sleeve, because I'm at that age / We're all from the suburbs, and that's okay" highlights the performative aspect of this rebellion, suggesting that it is more about fitting in with a certain image than addressing real issues.

In the final verse, the song takes a critical stance on socially accepted anger. The lines, "I'm sure you had it bad, everybody wants to say that / But I'm just not that impressed with socially accepted anger," challenge the authenticity of the anger being expressed. The song warns against raising "another flag simply for the sake of fashion," emphasizing that such actions are ultimately meaningless and wasteful. This critique of performative rebellion and superficial anger serves as a call for more genuine and thoughtful expressions of discontent.