A school (in the sense of old school) is a grouping of people who share common characteristics of opinion or outlooks of philosophy, craft, or belief. It is in this sense that people refer to schools of thought, or schools of belief or practice, as in a school of painters.

Schools are often—particularly in the field of popular music—characterized by their currency, and thus classified into "new" and "old" schools. Popular music is Music belonging to any of a number of musical styles that are accessible to the general public and are disseminated by one or more Often there is a defining event or work which comes to be seen as separating old from new.

The term old school may have come from religion—in the 19th century the Presbyterians split into "Old School" and "New School" denominations, based on theological differences. A religion is a set of Tenets and practices often centered upon specific Supernatural and moral claims about Reality, the Cosmos Presbyterianism is a family of Christian denominations within the Reformed branch of Protestant Western Christianity Bleak House by Charles Dickens, published in monthly installments in 1852 and 1853, is an early example of its passing into common language. Bleak House is the ninth Novel by Charles Dickens, published in twenty monthly installments between March 1852 and September 1853 Dickens uses the phrase several times to describe the villainous lawyer Tulkinghorn. In Chapter II, he writes of Tulkinghorn: "He is of what is called the old school—a phrase generally meaning any school that seems never to have been young. . . "

Uses of the term in music

Hip hop

Main article: Old school hip hop

In hip hop music, old school is used to refer to its earliest period: the 1970s and early 1980s (hence to artists like Grandmaster Flash, Afrika Bambaataa, and Sugar Hill Gang. Old school hip hop describes the earliest commercially recorded Hip hop music (1979–1984 and often by extension the music in the period preceding it ( see Roots Hip hop music, also referred to as rap music, is a Music genre typically consisting of a rhythmic vocal style called rap which is accompanied with Joseph Saddler (born January 1, 1958 in Bridgetown Barbados) better known as Grandmaster Flash, is an American Hip hop musician Afrika Bambaataa (born Kevin Donovan on April 17, 1957) is an American DJ from the South Bronx, who was instrumental in the The Sugarhill Gang is an American hip hop and Funk group known mostly for their biggest hit " Rapper's Delight " the first hip hop )

The "new school" was comprised of the new crop of rappers rising up after that period, such as Run-DMC and LL Cool J, in turn followed by Public Enemy and Eric B & Rakim. Run-DMC was a pioneering hip hop group during the 1980s founded by Joseph "[The Reverend] Run" Simmons, Darryl "D James Todd Smith (born January 14 1968 better known as LL Cool J, is an American Rapper and actor Public Enemy, also known as PE, is an influential hip hop group from Long Island New York, known for its politically charged Lyrics, criticism Eric Barrier ( Eric B) and William Barrier Griffin Jr ( Rakim) were a hip-hop duo known as Eric B Eventually, what was the current "new school" turned into "old school" in popular perception.

Electronic Dance Music (EDM)

Oldskool (with a 'K', one word) is now a popular term that usually refers to a style of music popular in the early 1990s, which was at the time called breakbeat hardcore or rave music. Breakbeat hardcore ( Rave music) is a derivate of Acid house that combines 4-to-the-floor rhythms with breakbeats and is associated with UK Rave scene Rave music consists of forms of Electronic dance music that are associated with the rave scene. The style fragmented in the mid 1990s but the "cheezy" Oldskool roots and even direct samples are easily found in many Happy Hardcore genre tracks as well as in other genres that share a common link with breakbeat hardcore. In Music, sampling is the act of taking a portion or sample, of one Sound recording and reusing it as an instrument or element of a new recording Happy hardcore is a form of Dance music typified by a very fast tempo (usually around 165–180 BPM) often coupled with male or female vocals, and Oldskool/rave style parties are still widely held in the UK. Referring back to the music generally played at raves during the period 90-94 (the group Cappella is an example of Oldskool and rave music) that were staged by the likes of Fantazia, Rezerection, Raindance, Obsession, The Eclipse, Helterskelter and Perception. Cappella was an Italian Eurodance act formed in 1987 by producer Gianfranco Bortolotti A rave (or rave party) is a term in use since the 1980s to describe Dance Parties (often all-night events Fantazia is a dance organisation based in the UK Founded in 1991 by James Perkins it was set up at a time when Breakbeat hardcore was on the ascendent within the Rave Rezerection is a dance music event promoter from Northumberland England started by Paul Ludford in 1989 Several of these companies still stage events, alongside a number of newer names.

Rock

In the world of rock music, Old School can refer to the period between the early 1970s, when hard rock and heavy metal emerged, and the early 1990s, just before the advent of grunge. Rock music is a genre of Popular music often though not necessarily employing Electric guitar, Bass guitar, and Drums. Hard rock (also referred to as heavy rock) is a variation of Rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage and Psychedelic rock This period is a common format for classic rock/AOR radio stations. Classic rock was originally conceived as a Radio station programming format which evolved from the Album oriented rock (AOR format in the early-1980s Album-oriented rock (sometimes referred to as Adult-oriented rock or as West Coast Rock) abbreviated AOR and originally called album-oriented radio

Punk

In punk rock, "old-school punk" typically refers to what is more accurately known as "first wave" punk, "pre-hardcore", or garage punk. This is a list of notable early Punk rock The punk artists in this era (like many seminal musicians) were typically young, lower-class, and either uninterested in or unable to afford the polished production style of professional bands; the style is noted for its low-quality analog recordings with fast and simple (but raucous) lyrics and melody. Analog (or analogue) recording (Greek ana is "according to" and logos "relationship" is a technique used to store This differentiates it from "new school" punk, "modern punk", and "pop punk", which enjoy the support of pre-established demographic groups and major label support (with consequently higher production values and promotion). Pop punk (also known as punk pop and other names is a Fusion genre that combines elements of Punk rock with Pop music, to varying It is seen by some as a "purer" form of punk, existing before the influence of commercialization in the genre.

Heavy Metal

In heavy metal, music old school refers to the big guitar sounds of bands such as Iron Maiden and Judas Priest. For other uses see Iron maiden. Judas Priest are an English heavy metal band formed in 1970 in Birmingham. In extreme metal it often means 80's bands like Slayer and Death.

Goth

Old School Goth or Old School Gothic refers to Gothic music made without metal or techno influences. Old School Goth can be a reference to Gothic music, Gothic Rock or Death Rock or members of the Gothic community that shun modern versions, or in some Metal" is an oxymoron, as Metal music is a heavier version of Hard Rock and Gothic music is heavily influenced by punk music; that Marilyn Manson or EBM is in any way Gothic or the notion that the word "Gothic" denotes that someone or something is in any way "Satanic". These members of the Gothic community are also referred to as "Elder Goths".

Other uses of the term

• For classic car fans, old school can refer to a style based on popular styles of a particular era.
• In the realm of custom motorcycles, many features which were popular in the 1960's and 1970's are considered Old School by today's standards. This includes such things as ape hanger handlebars, king & queen type seats, and unusually tall sissy bars.
• In computer and video games, the dividing line for Old School is often before the advent of 3D graphics, generally the 8 to 32-bit sprite based games of the late-1970s to mid-1990s such as Super Mario Bros. A video game is a Game that involves interaction with a User interface to generate visual feedback on a video device. is a Platform game developed by Nintendo in late 1985 and published for the Nintendo Entertainment System, a sequel to the 1983 game Mario
• In demoscene, an old school production means a production made before the mid-1990s. The demoscene is a Computer art Subculture that specializes in producing demos, which are non-interactive audio-visual presentations that run in
• Some fans of pencil and paper role playing games use the term to describe RPGs characterized by simple game mechanics and flexible rules. A role-playing game ( RPG; often roleplaying game) is a Game in which the participants assume the roles of Fictional characters. The character generation system in such RPGs tend to lack extensive lists of skills and abilities. Basic Dungeons & Dragons and the first edition of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons are often considered "old school" role playing games. Dungeons & Dragons (abbreviated as D&D or DnD) is a Fantasy Role-playing game (RPG originally designed by
• The term is also in use in skateboarding, referring to the third generation. Skateboarding is the act of riding and performing tricks using a Skateboard.
• In tattooing the term refers to the style of tattoos that developed from the classic sailor, military and carnival tattoos of the 19th and early 20th centuries. A tattoo is a permanent marking made by inserting ink into the layers of Skin to change the pigment for decorative or other reasons It is characterized by bold lines and maritime themes, as well as pinup girls and classics like the heart pierced by a dagger. Those who tattoo primarily in this style often refuse the term "tattoo artist" and go by "tattooists" or "tattooers". The most famous of Old School tattooers is probably Sailor Jerry. Norman "Sailor Jerry" Collins (born 1911 died 1973 is considered the foremost American Tattoo artist of his time This style is sometimes called "classic" or "Americana".
• The "Old Skool" is also a style of shoe made by Vans. A shoe is an item of Footwear. Shoes may vary from a simple Flip-flop to a complex Boot. Vans is a Southern California-based manufacturer of sneakers, bmx shoes and other shoe types catering primarily to the Skateboarder / surfer youth market ^[1]
• The Old School Rope Walk is the name of a wrestling move performed by "The Undertaker" Mark Calaway in WWE. Aerial techniques are spectacular maneuvers using the ring and its posts and ropes as aids used in Professional wrestling to show off the speed and agility of a wrestler Mark William Calaway (born March 24 1965 is an American professional wrestler, better known by his Ring name The Undertaker. World Wrestling Entertainment Inc ( WWE) is a publicly traded privately controlled integrated media (focusing in Television, Internet, The move involves grabbing an opponent's arm, walking along the top rope (demonstrating precision balance), and jumping off to deliver a clubbing forearm to the victim's arm or back. It is called Old School because it was a standard part of his repertoire in his early days with the company.
• Old School (film) is a 2003 film starring Will Ferrell that revolves around a group of thirty-something men trying to recapture their old school college days. Old School is a 2003 comedy motion picture released by DreamWorks, about three thirty-somethings who seek to re-live their college days ^[2]
• Photographers who resist using digital equipment and continue using traditional film cameras are sometimes referred to as Old School photographers.
• The term is used in BMX to refer to a whole bike or parts made between the beginning of the sport, when the bikes were just modified Schwinn Stingrays and cruiser bikes in the late '60's, through the early '90's. BMX ( Bicycle Motocross) is a form of Cycling on specially designed bicycles which usually have 20 inch wheels Mag (plastic) wheels are considered to be very old school. Of worthy notice is the thickness of most parts of the frame on an old school BMX bike compared to a bike made from the late '90's to present day.
• The trading card game Magic: The Gathering has a long history amongst its players, but the precise definition of "Old School" varies from player to player, based on his/her age and how long s/he has been playing. Collectible card games (CCGs also called trading card games (TCGs or customizable card games (CCGs are played using specially designed sets of cards This article is somewhat over-complete Please do not add significant new content without first discussing it on the talk page Usually, Magic's Sixth Edition set is the typical cut-off point for defining "old school", but it isn't absolute; players who have played for the majority of the game's history would refer to cards no newer than Fourth Edition in such a way, while newer, typically younger players see pre-Scourge cards as "old school", as this was the last set to use the old card layout. The Sixth Edition core set of Magic The Gathering, also known as Classic, was released on April 27, 1999. The Fourth Edition of Magic The Gathering was the tenth set released for the game and the fourth base set (or "core set" Scourge is a Magic The Gathering expansion set. It is the third set of the Onslaught block
• Anime fans (particularly in North America) tend to consider any anime made before 1990 to be old school. (anime in Japanese, However, some consider the early 1990s to be be the cut off point as this is around the time that traditional hand drawn cels began to be replaced by digital animation. This is also roughly the period that anime began to become mainstream popular in the U. S.

References

1. ^ Vans Shoes. Retrieved on 2008-04-20. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1303 - The University of Rome La Sapienza is instituted by Pope Boniface VIII.
2. ^ DreamWorks Studios. Retrieved on 2008-04-20. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1303 - The University of Rome La Sapienza is instituted by Pope Boniface VIII.

See also

• Retro
• Happy hardcore
• Hip hop