SPEED’s Jem Siow Says Hardcore “Isn’t Meant To Exist In The Comments Section”

Australian hardcore outfit Speed frontman Jem Siow has shared his thoughts on how hardcore culture translates online, arguing that the scene is fundamentally built through real-world experience rather than social media discourse.

Speaking with Clash, Siow explained that hardcore’s values, etiquette, and identity are learned by showing up in person and becoming part of a local community.

“[Hardcore’s] not meant to exist in the comments section, and it’s not meant to exist online. The way you learn the etiquette, the way that you learn the values of the culture, the way that you learn the entire fundamentals of what it is to be a hardcore kid – it’s by experiencing it in real time, week after week, year after year, and learning from the peers around you.”

Hardcore often attracts outside attention through viral clips of chaotic pits, crowdkilling, stage dives, and aggressive live moments, but guitarist Josh Clayton said those clips rarely capture the real foundation of the scene.

“The reason why it works is because there is that mutual understanding and that’s built by the fact that people talk to each other; people are friends with each other. Each scene is different and has its own rules.”

Speed themselves experienced viral attention thanks to the flute breakdown featured in their 2024 song “The First Test.” Even so, Siow cautioned younger bands against making internet fame the goal.

“…We have to approach with a little bit of caution because all of these things are fucking awesome, but I never ever want to give the message for a second that [going viral and social media] is what your objective should be when you start a hardcore band.”

The comments reflect a long-standing mentality within hardcore scenes worldwide: community first, trends second.

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