(Right click, then choose 'view image' so you can actually read what it says)
The chart implies that most local musicians in your area are probably either in a metal band or a hipster band, or they are a rapper; and while this is probably true, there are several grey areas, those being the subgenres and more specific styles in the smaller circles. There is also the simultaneously changing-yet-stagnant subject that is pop-punk, which I will describe later on.
Another thing that needs to be mentioned: double-lines represent genres that can co-exist together, so to speak. Whereas goth will usually end up conforming to the generic understanding of 'metal', technical metal bands tend to remain their own breed. Think of the kid who always played Eruption or the Crazy Train solo in high school; he's probably still playing Eruption or the Crazy Train solo in a seedy downtown bar, whereas the goth kid you knew probably ditched the Marilyn Manson outfit and joined a metalcore band.
So, while we're on the subject of metal, let's discuss its branches:
Post-grunge:
Tortured young adults find solace in tortured rich guys and start their own ripoff of Alice in Chains. While some bands stick it out, many of them realize that post-grunge is 'post' for a reason and devolve into generic metal.
This would generally be the middle ground between a band ditching its post-grunge roots and settling into its metal niche.
Juggalos/Nu-metal:
Fairly self-explanatory. One would think that this style died out a decade ago, but there are still a lot of diehards out there. No, KoRn and ICP don't have that much in common, but for the purposes of this post, they are close enough.
Goth:
Again, self-explanatory. Most people who could be listed among the above categories have since been assimilated into the metal culture, which can be summarized thusly:
METAL:
Technical Metal/Shredders:
Technical metal can be the next step for generic metalheads (Tool being a common introduction), but it can also exist as its own entity.
Hardcore/Metalcore:
This is essentially the connecting link between metal and pop-punk. Some bands are more based in metal:
While others find their roots based in punk:
Pop-Punk:
We all know the popular, classic pop-punk bands, and while there are many bands who stick with that style, I picked a band that demonstrates the evolution from pop-punk and emo into hipster music:
Ska, Rockabilly and Country are also pretty self-explanatory so examples aren't really necessary. Ska is kind of a detour between pop-punk and hipster music, and oddly enough, a lot of local rockabilly bands I've seen (not there have been that many) seemed to have branched out of the ska side of things, though they end up being their own entity entirely. Country (meaning a classic country, rather than pop-country, sound) and rockabilly also co-exist easily, as they always have.
HIPSTER BANDS:
Of course, 'hipster band' can mean one of many, many things, and it's rather unfair and dickish of me to use it to my advantage, but oh well. A lot of local hipster bands usually try to sound like a distant descendant of this:
Or this:
And for a more modern example:
Many hipster bands either seem to stay in this style, while starting side projects to appease their other, less hip interests ('Check out my ironic rockabilly/ambient/classic rock/punk band that will last for the next two weeks!'); the remainder drift into one of the following two categories:
Electronic:
In trying to find the hippest, most obscure bands, one may stumble upon Joy Division, who seem to be a common entry into making electronic music (and their 8.5 million views can attest to their obscurity):
Either way, that usually leads to this:
'Electronic' is also an extremely vague term, so to clarify, this also includes any sort of 'club'-type music, including dubstep, and your very white friend attempting to become a DJ.
Indie Folk:
There may come a time in a man's life when he chooses to grow a giant, unruly beard, contrary to his urban, collegiate, non-lumberjack lifestyle; around that time, he may discover how the modern man can express his emotions via indie folk. Mumford and Sons are a common entry group:
The core of indie folk can be summarised thusly:
The remaining genres on the chart (Rap, Reggae, Jam Bands) are self-explanatory. Rap/Hip-Hop is very much its own culture on the local level, with the exception of interest from some members of the metal and hipster communities. While it may seem that the chart suggests that jam bands are eventually assimilated into the reggae culture, which is then assimilated into rap, this isn't necessarily true. All three are very much their own cultures; however, jam bands (or 'hippie bands') have a lot in common with reggae groups (for obvious reasons), and reggae/rap collaborations are extremely common, though the two can exist and thrive separately as well. The same can apply to the reggae/electronic connection, as well as rap/electronic. The gray line between rap and electronic suggests that while you don't see many rappers putting out chiptune albums, the two groups have a close and important connection that is different than, say, pop punk and hardcore.
Of course, this really only applies to local music as I've seen it; it's not a history of music since the dawn of time. Also there are some bands who don't easily fit into the aforementioned categories, as well as genres that aren't popular enough around here to be mentioned: for instance, there is no doom metal scene around here, or jazz fusion, or trip-hop, etc. Still, I think what I've compiled is fairly accurate. I will add to it or change it if needed.
