Scene is a youth subculture that evolved from emo in the mid to late 2000s. Members of the subculture were typically referred to as “scene kids”, but scene kids with large online followings were also referred to as “scene queens” or “scene kings.” On this week’s episode of Silent Generation, Joseph and Nathan begin by sharing their theory that scene spread in a diffuse manner throughout exurbia (particularly in the Sun Belt) due to early social media sites like Myspace. They then detail the elements of scene fashion (brightly colored hair, heavy eyeliner, skinny jeans, band tees, kandi bracelets, and cartoon characters) before examining notable scene queens like Kiki Kannibal, Ambrehhh Is Dead, and Vanna Venom. Amongst other things they discuss how scene kids would act performatively hyper in the way that emo kids would act performatively sad, how Warped Tour’s lineup reflected the wide range of musical genres scene kids liked (metal, EDM, crunkcore), and how modern Zoomers and TikTok influencers have reinterpreted scene through scenecore. 

Links:

Scene Kids Pinterest board: https://www.pinterest.com/silentgeneration/scene-kids/ 

“Scene Kids” on Google Trends

From Hardcore to Harajuku: The Origins of Scene Subculture by Ethan Stewart

The comprehensive guide to scene culture (from a former scene kid) // video essay by Saoirse

The Scene Queens Of Myspace: Web’s First Ever Stars (2000s Guide) by Vitalyspace

everyday hair&makeup routine by Ambrehhh Is Dead

Kiki Kannibal: The Girl Who Played With Fire by Sabrina Rubin Erdely

Kiki Kannibal’s necklaces

Scene Wolf - Know Your Meme

Scene Nostalgia/ fuckyeah2012

From a real 2000-2010s former scene girl.. (w/ proof pix and playlist - Reddit post

Freaxx - brokeNCYDE

Alcohol - Millionaires

23 Former Scene Kids From The '00s Who Glowed The Heck Up by Anna Kopsky

How zoomers think skinny jeans look vs. how millennials think skinny jeans look

Artwork:

Ambrehhh Is Dead

Recorded on 5/5/2025