Heart (symbol)

The "heart shape" (♥) is an ideograph used to express the idea of the "heart" in its metaphorical or symbolic sense as the center of emotion, including affection and love, especially (but not exclusively) romantic love.

The "wounded heart" indicating love sickness came to be depicted as a heart symbol pierced with an arrow (Cupid's), or heart symbol "broken" in two or more pieces.

History

Earliest use

The combination of the "heart shape" and its use within the "heart" metaphor developed at the end of the Middle Ages. With possible early examples or direct predecessors in the 13th to 14th century, the familiar symbol of the heart representing love developed in the 15th century, and became widely popular in the 16th. Before the 14th century, the "heart shape" was not associated with the meaning of the "heart" metaphor. The geometric shape itself is found in much earlier sources, but in such instances does not depict a "heart", but typically foliage: in examples from antiquity fig leaves, and in medieval iconography and heraldry typically the leaves of ivy and of the water-lily.

Mindless Self Indulgence

Mindless Self Indulgence (often identified using the abbreviation MSI) is an American electronic rock band formed in New York City in 1997. Their music has a mixed style which includes punk rock, alternative rock, electronica, techno, industrial, hip hop, and breakbeat hardcore. MSI has also been known to define themselves as "electro-punk jungle pussy" or "industrial jungle pussy punk". Their group name is derived from an Ayn Rand quote found in the book Atlas Shrugged.

History

Between 1987 and 1996, James Euringer (stage name Jimmy Urine) recorded about 35 songs which varied in musical style, usually settling in an industrial/electronic punk style. These songs were recorded alone by Euringer in New York City using rudimentary equipment. Euringer released an album titled Mindless Self-Indulgence, which featured songs in a very industrial style akin to Nine Inch Nails.

The first concert using the name "Mindless Self Indulgence" was performed on September 7, 1995.

In 1997, Euringer recorded a cover of Method Man's "Bring The Pain", which was made by merging six different styles of the same cover into one song. This became the basis for the Mindless Self Indulgence sound. Shortly after, the current band was formed when Jimmy Urine was joined by Steve, Righ? on guitar, Urine's brother Markus Euringer on second guitar (replaced by bassist Vanessa Y.T., who was subsequently replaced by bassist Lyn-Z), and Urine's cousinKitty on drums. They have released five albums, two EPs, one live album, and one live DVD. Rather than signing traditional record contracts, the band has licensed most of their albums to record labels, retaining ownership of the music.