Urban Tribes
The former images of heavy metal
WHICH TRIBE ARE YOU?
Skin Heads: they were born in England in
the 60s to combat nationalism. Soon they
diverged into two groups: the extreme
right-wing and the extreme left-wing, and
which became strong enemies. In Spain
they sympathize with the extreme right-
wing, their figures and their symbols. They
are a violent, xenophobic and homophobic
group who wants to eradicate these
collectives. They share the same aesthetics,
which the most representative point is
their shaved hair. They wear nylon jackets,
Nazi emblems and military boots with steel
toecaps.
Punks: they are known as anti globalization
groups. The Punk was born in the late 70s
in the UK. The punks are an anarchistic
group: they are against capitalism,
neoliberalism and consumerism. As with
other tribes, they share some specific
music and fashion styles. They wear used
clothes, mostly black (combined with other
explosive colors). It is usually broken,
patched and adorned with logos of punk
bands and anti-repression slogans.
Normally they have shaved hair with a
Mohawk or colored crest which denotes
social status. Experts consider them
genuine urban guerrillas because of their
continued fights against the police.
Heavies: beyond their devotion to heavy
music, this tribe has its own way of
dressing, its own jargon, and even its own
symbols. But a real heavy bases its attitude
in a strong camaraderie sense to its social
group and in a devotion to heavy metal
music. They wear black t-shirts with their
favourite music bands emblazoned on
them. A distinctive symbol is their long
hair.
followers, anti-social and dangerous drug
taking addicts are now buried in the past.
Emos: this tribe has recently emerged with
a great force, especially among the
teenagers. Usually dressed in black, with
painted lips and eyes, they look very
androgynous. They are usually depressed
and hate life in general, which to them is
worthless and meaningless. The “emo”
term comes from ‘emotional’. It originated
in the 80s hardcore and punk music. Their
present songs have added sentimental, sad
and suicidal messages. They are not
dangerous to other people, but maybe
they are to themselves because of their
suicide tendency.
Rappers: they love rap and hip-hop music.
They have a peculiar style: they wear wide,
baggy clothing, sports shoes, peaked caps
and earrings. Many are linked to the graffiti
world and they consider themselves artists
and the city walls are their canvas. They
usually have their own greetings and
special handshakes, they are very funny.
HIPPIES: They like to take drugs. They
proclaim the peace and love. They don't
like the policy and they have anarquists
ideas. They have long hair and use colorful
clothes.
POSH: This urban tribe there is always but
with different names. They like to play
paddle, go shopping and parties. They like
to hear music from Julio Iglesias and 60’s/
70’s. They're capitalists and consumists.
SKATER: A skater is a human being who
enjoys riding a skateboard because it is fun.
a lot of skaters could be classified as
'punks' but this is just a stereotype.
GEEKS: are distinguished by unusual tastes
and interests as you spend all your free
time on topics such as video games, RPGs,
comics, manga, TV series, technology, etc.
FLOGGERS: They are made up by groups of
people usually young, with a distinct
common identity: the same aesthetic
codes, the same identity symbols, the same
rules, the same language, the same
music…. A whole ideology! They are a
reflection of what they love or what they
hate and of their own instincts.
Questions: Choose the correct option,
according with the text
1. They are a violent, xenophobic
and homophobic group.
a. Skinheads b. Emos c. Punks
2. They are young fans and lovers of
the trend.
a. Geek b. Flogger c. Gangsta
3. They love the graffiti; they wear
wide, baggy clothing, caps and
earrings.
a. Punk b. Heavies c. Rappers
4. Generally they have shaved hair
with a Mohawk or colored crest
which denotes social status.
a. Punk b. Heavies c. Rappers
5. They love death and everything
associated with obscurantism.
a. Heavies b. Emos c. Gothics
6. They wear black t-shirts with their
favorite music bands emblazoned
on them.
a. Skinheads’ b. Heavies c. Punk
7. They wear in black, with painted
lips and eyes, they look very
androgynous.
a. Emos b. Heavies c. Rappers
8. Their ideology peace and love
a. Heavies b. Hippies c. Emos
a.  Punk b. Emos c. Gothics
13. They have an ideology anarchist,
anti-fascist, anti-imperialist and
anti-capitalist. 
a. Heavies’ b. Emos c. Punk
14. They don't like the policy and they
have anarquists ideas.
a. Heavies b. Hippies c. Emos
15. They are not dangerous to other
people, but maybe they are to
themselves.
a. Punk b. Emos c. Gothics
16. They diverged into two groups:
the extreme right-wing and the
extreme left-wing
a. Skinheads’ b. Emos c. Punk
17. They practice open sexual
relationships.
a. Rappers b. Hippies c. Heavies
18. They take the space subversively
a. Rappers b. Geek c. Skate
19. They share the same identity
symbols, the same rules, the same
language, the same music……
a. Emos b. Floggers c. Punks
20. They're capitalists and consumists.
They love the music 70’s
a. Emos b. Heavies c. Posh

9. They usually have their own

greetings and special handshakes
a. Gothics b. Punk c. Rappers

10. They wear slicked hair covering a

little part of the face.
a. Skinheads’ b. Emos c. Punk

11. They stay playing video game

a. Geek b. Flogger c. Gangsta

12. They are apolitics and they admire

everything about death and the
occultism.