Emo (emocore/emotional hard) emerged from the D.C. hardcore punk scene in the 80s. Bands like Rites of Spring and Embrace pioneered the genre with their confessional, emotional lyrics. While these bands didn’t consider themselves emo (they felt that hardcore was inherently emotional), they were still labeled that and it was somewhat of an insult.
Also, Guy Piciotto of Rites of Spring was a huge fan of Minor Threat, and Ian Mackaye of Minor Threat was a fan of Rites of Spring. He was actually so inspired by them that he went on to form Embrace. Mackaye also produced Rites of Spring’s only album.
Emo continued into the 90s with Midwest Emo emerging in the Midwest, Sunny Day Real Estate in Seattle, Jawbreaker in Cali. Midwest band, Cap N Jazz was the first Midwest emo band. Mike Kinsella of Cap N Jazz went on to form American Football (which weren’t popular when they started, but are now an emo cult classic).
Throughout the 90s emo had plenty of underground success. Many big labels signed bands– Jimmy Eat World signed with Capitol Records. However, many bands saw little progression in their careers signed with these big labels. Independent labels had tons of success with emo bands. Deep Elm records actually had The Emo Diaries which was a compilation album with unreleased songs from various bands at the time.
Emo broke out into the mainstream in the 2000s, which we will be covering next week :p

For Want Of- Rites of Spring
Building- Embrace
The Calendar Has Hung Itself- Bright Eyes
In Circles- Sunny Day Real Estate
Job’s Eyes- Far
Claire- Jimmy Eat World
A Dozen Roses- Braid
Gravity- Moss Icon
Marigold & Patchwork- The Appleseed Cast
Kiss The Bottle- Jawbreaker
Copper and Stars- Planes Mistaken For Stars
Starry Configurations- Jets To Brazil
Johnny On The Spot- Texas Is The Reason
Understanding in a Car Crash- Thursday
Lucky Denver- Jimmy Eat World
Seven Day Candle- Christie Front Drive
Little League- Cap’n Jazz
Never Meant- American Football
Siberian Kiss- Glassjaw
The Martyr- Cursive
One Armed Scissor- At the Drive-In
New Year’s Project- Further Seems Forever
Nothing Feels Good- The Promise Ring
Three Reasons- AFI
Parking Lot- Mineral
Why Bother?- Weezer