The History and Evolution of "Emo"

[mrnegativezero]

So I have to write a research paper for my school. We were allowed to research whatever we want as long as it has significance and is narrowed down. My topic choice is this: The true history of the genre called "emo", how it has evolved from a form of punk rock into today's vague genre of "emo," and into a derogatory stereotype.

Now I'm pretty well off with the researching the history of "emo" and its evolution, but one portion of my paper will deal with the differences of iconic "emo" bands from then and now. Which brings me to my discussion. What bands are the iconic "emo" bands of then and now?

[wendjiqn]

So I have to write a research paper for my school. We were allowed to research whatever we want as long as it has significance and is narrowed down. My topic choice is this: The true history of the genre called "emo", how it has evolved from a form of punk rock into today's vague genre of "emo," and into a derogatory stereotype.

Now I'm pretty well off with the researching the history of "emo" and its evolution, but one portion of my paper will deal with the differences of iconic "emo" bands from then and now. Which brings me to my discussion. What bands are the iconic "emo" bands of then and now?
Then: Rites Of Spring, Cap'n Jazz, Sunny Day Real Estate, Mineral, The Get Up Kids

Now: My Chemical Romance, etc. you know the deal with this.

[mrnegativezero]

Then: Rites Of Spring, Cap'n Jazz, Sunny Day Real Estate, Mineral, The Get Up Kids

Now: My Chemical Romance, etc. you know the deal with this.

Yes, but that's the point. I want to see what iconic bands are considered "emo," regardless of the vague label. And I'm just hoping that AP has some good insight as to what is really "emo" nowadays.

[wendjiqn]

Yes, but that's the point. I want to see what iconic bands are considered "emo," regardless of the vague label. And I'm just hoping that AP has some good insight as to what is really "emo" nowadays.
Nowadays, people think emo stands for "emotion" and people think "emotion" means whiny, suicidal, etc. So many bands that fit the "emo" mold today are just emotional alternative rock bands. I'd consider My Chemical Romance, Hawthorne Heights, Paramore, and the like all to be modern emo bands, even though they are nothing like the emo bands of the 80's/90's

[tD77]

Wiki sums it up decently.

[mrnegativezero]

Eh. I read through the Wiki page. And even the list of "emo" bands. Half of the bands I know but never heard. So I'm trying to weed out the ones that stick to the true "emo" roots. For example, I can hardly say Paramore falls into that category.

[kearn1tm]

Emo started before The Rock sold out and became an "actor." He debuted in the WWE (then the WWF prior to the lawsuit by the World Wildlife Fund) as Rocky Maivia, a synthesis of his father's wrestling name (Rocky Johnson) and his grandfather, the legendary Chief Peter Maivia. He was pushed as a clean-cut, energetic babyface who had the misfortune of being hired just as the company was headed into a more mature-themed direction, with the top faces being antiheroes steeped in moral ambiguity (the anti-authoritarian, beer-swilling redneck Stone Cold Steve Austin and the satanic Undertaker) and heels who weren't too different philosophically (Shawn Michaels and Triple H, a duo who acted as rebels and mavericks, acting against censorship as sophomoric lunatics and the Bret Hart-lead Hart Foundation; a stable of anti-American Canadians who abhorred American social values and customs).

Rocky was a pet project for the bookers/creative team. Vince McMahon, the chairman and owner of WWE, had(has) a fetish for the 6'4" >, 240 LBS > look, and Maivia, at 6'5", 245LBS and possessing a great look and build, was a kid he wanted to get over with the fans. Unfortunately, his classic morally-simplistic good-guy routine did not endear itself to the fans and had become largely antiquated, leading to the fans shunning him and chanting "Die Rocky Die."

Fortunately, Rocky was a very kinetic speaker. Maivia was finally given the ability to display his mic skills and over-abundance of charisma and charm. Rocky rechristened himself "The Rock" and admonished the crowd for demanding he die. From there, he became the co-leader of the largely African-American stable the Nation of Domination, and the rest was history.

And that, is the history of Emo.

[IntoTheSun]

Emo started when before The Rock sold out and became an "actor." He debuted in the WWE (then the WWF prior to the lawsuit by the World Wildlife Fund) as Rocky Maivia, a synthesis of his father's wrestling name (Rocky Johnson) and his grandfather, the legendary Chief Peter Maivia. He was pushed as a clean-cut, energetic babyface who had the misfortune of being fired just as the company was headed into a more mature-themed direction, with the top faces being antiheroes saturated with moral ambiguity (the anti-authoritarian, beer-swilling redneck Stone Cold Steve Austin and the satanic Undertaker) and heels who weren't too different philosophically (Shawn Michaels and Triple H, a duo who acted as rebels and mavericks, acting against censorship as sophomoric lunatics and the Bret Hart-lead Hart Foundation; a stable of anti-American Canadians who abhorred American social values and customs).

Rocky was a pet project for the bookers/creative team. Vince McMahon, the chairman and owner of WWE, had(has) a fetish for the 6'4" >, 240 LBS > look, and Maivia, at 6'5", 245LBS and possessing a great look and build, was a kid he wanted to get over with the fans. Unfortunately, his classic morally-simplistic good-guy routine did not endear itself to the fans and had become largely antiquated, leading to the fans shunning him and chanting "Die Rocky Die."

Fortunately, Rocky could talk and talk well. He finally was given the ability to display his mic skills and over-abundance of charisma and charm. Rocky rechristened himself "The Rock" and admonished the crowd for demanding he die. From there, he became the co-leader of the largely African-American stable the Nation of Domination, and the rest was history.

And that, is the history of Emo.

You're intellegence is astounding, toaster boy.

[mrnegativezero]

Hm. I must have missed that chapter when researching.

[mulcahy67]

its all Ian McKayes fault.

[mrnegativezero]

its all Ian McKayes fault.

In what way?

[mulcahy67]

In what way?

didnt you say you read the wiki page? read the origins.

[Burn That Shit]

Nowadays, people think emo stands for "emotion" and people think "emotion" means whiny, suicidal, etc. So many bands that fit the "emo" mold today are just emotional alternative rock bands. I'd consider My Chemical Romance, Hawthorne Heights, Paramore, and the like all to be modern emo bands, even though they are nothing like the emo bands of the 80's/90's

Sup mall emo.

[mrnegativezero]

didnt you say you read the wiki page? read the origins.

Ah. I immediately thought you were referring to him as the one who created "emo" music and was going to correct you.

[wendjiqn]

Sup mall emo.
exactly, lol

[kearn1tm]

In what way?

Well, Ian MacKaye was the color commentator at the February 1997 PPV in which Maivia defeated Owen Hart to gain his first singles title, the Intercontinental Championship (known as the secondary championship in the company, just below the WWE World Championship). What should have been a major upset win for the burgeoning talent, Maivia found himself unable to connect with an increasingly jaded fanbase, and MacKaye, babbling about being straight-edge and "getting off the gas," buried the newly crowned IC Champ, stating "this kid's Kid 'n Play hair makes me want to vomit on Guy Picciotto's 1989 Honda Accord."

[mrnegativezero]

Well, Ian MacKaye was the color commentator at the February 1997 PPV in which Maivia defeated Owen Hart to gain his first singles title, the Intercontinental Championship (known as the secondary championship in the company, just below the WWE World Championship). What should have been a major upset win for the burgeoning talent, Maivia found himself unable to connect with an increasingly jaded fanbase, and MacKaye, babbling about being straight-edge and "getting off the gas," buried the newly crowned IC Champ, stating "this kid's Kid 'n Play hair makes me want to vomit on Guy Picciotto's 1989 Honda Accord."


Words that will forever be remembered by every emo kid as a challenge.

[xJesusFreakx]

You're intellegence is astounding, toaster boy.

So is you're knowledge of proper grammar.

[IntoTheSun]

So is you're knowledge of proper grammar.

Touche.

oops, I did it again!

No seriously, why do I keep doing that?

[11:11]

So is you're knowledge of proper grammar.
icwatudidthar.

[nkalldayyy]

something corprate ---> dashboard confessional

[xJesusFreakx]

Touche.

oops, I did it again!

No seriously, why do I keep doing that?

Oops. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unBACOHFXes)

icwatudidthar.

inorite?

[mrnegativezero]

something corprate ---> dashboard confessional

Hm. Something Corporate is emo? I honestly never listened so I wouldn't know.

Best example of their "emo" albums please.

[IntoTheSun]

Oops. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unBACOHFXes)



inorite?

I wish I were as cool as you, JesusFreak.

[yayitsjoe]

i've heard that Death Cab for Cutie is considered "emo," i don't really see it but my friend saw like a news report on it.


for the past i'd say cap'n jazz, sunny day real estate, so on and so forth.

[xJesusFreakx]

I wish I were as cool as you, JesusFreak.

No; I wish I were as cool as you, IntoTheSun. By the way, please, call me Tim.

[kianacarly]

People's definition of present 'emo' are usually all different. Recently my uncle called Kanye West an emo, followed by a slew of derogatory words towards homosexuals while complaining about his direction on 808s & Heartbreak. Basically his and his friend's view is that if they wear pants that aren't baggy and talk about relationships, it's emo. No exceptions.

[meroki22]

Is it bad that even hearing or seeing the word emo these days makes me cringe?

[bluecrunchy]

Hasn't the word "emo" always been derogatory?

[kianacarly]

Is it bad that even hearing or seeing the word emo these days makes me cringe?

Same here. For some reason this one group of freshmen in the beginner's photography class I aid love talking about emo kids, and it makes me cringe every time. They just randomly bring up emo kids a lot, for seemingly no reason. Like, "let's find a picture of an emo kid slitting his wrists and take a picture!" or, while they looked through this one girl's iPod they said, "only emos listen to Chiodos." The last one in particular made me laugh, because while I don't like Chiodos, they love Hollywood Undead so they really have no room to talk.

Man, they get on my nerves.

[IntoTheSun]

No; I wish I were as cool as you, IntoTheSun. By the way, please, call me Tim.

I hope that's not sarcasm :D

Hi Tim, it's Andrea.

[xJesusFreakx]

Hasn't the word "emo" always been derogatory?

I believe so.

mbdh0Qm_5A0

I hope that's not sarcasm :D

Hi Tim, it's Andrea.

Of course not!

(Oh my! This post could also be taken sarcastically.)

[mrnegativezero]

People's definition of present 'emo' are usually all different. Recently my uncle called Kanye West an emo, followed by a slew of derogatory words towards homosexuals while complaining about his direction on 808s & Heartbreak. Basically his and his friend's view is that if they wear pants that aren't baggy and talk about relationships, it's emo. No exceptions.

That's horrible. A bit funny, but horrible and exactly what I hate about the word.

Is it bad that even hearing or seeing the word emo these days makes me cringe?

It bothers me only because people misuse it so much.

Hasn't the word "emo" always been derogatory?

Like what xJesusFreakx said, it has always been looked down upon, even by the bands. But that was as a genre. I want to see how it became the stereotype.

[Jonnyborg]

Nobody's mentioned Fourfa? honestly, that's one of the better sources out there for "emo" history: http://www.fourfa.com/

This one's got a whole bunch of songs, as well as some history...
http://www.mesaverde.co.uk/mp3/


Long story short, what happened to emo is the same thing that happens to any style of... well, anything. what started as a legitimate form of music was hijacked by the capitalist machine, slapped with stupid- looking fashion fad, and became hugely popular in middle schools almost overnight.

[Ismael182]

Read Nothing Feels Good by Andy Greenwald, it's a tad dated but it would make a great reference.

[eliselovesmusic]

Ah. I immediately thought you were referring to him as the one who created "emo" music and was going to correct you.


so who did create emo?

[five inch taint]

Rites of Spring is a good starting point.

[AFSjulian]

Read Nothing Feels Good by Andy Greenwald, it's a tad dated but it would make a great reference.

This. Awesome book.

Anyway, when I think "emo" I think Rites of Spring, Sunny Day Real Estate, Mineral, The Get Up Kids, Jimmy Eat World, Texas Is The Reason, Jets To Brazil, Christie Front Drive ... shit like that. It's hard to pin down newer bands because the lines in terms of genre have become so blurred. Dashboard Confessional is probably the only one that comes to mind for me. Maybe Taking Back Sunday pre-"Louder Now".

I don't consider Fall Out Boy / My Chemical Romance / etc "emo", but truthfully I have a hard time with labeling most music in general.

[Fullblast]

Definition of Emo - The Get Up Kids. Even though they were blamed for the creation of Emo, they are still my favourite band.

[Burn That Shit]

Definition of Emo - The Get Up Kids. Even though they were blamed for the creation of Emo, they are still my favourite band.

Blatant trollage?

[Fullblast]

Blatant trollage?
No, not 'Blatant trollage', im just stating a fact...

[mrnegativezero]

Nobody's mentioned Fourfa? honestly, that's one of the better sources out there for "emo" history: http://www.fourfa.com/

This one's got a whole bunch of songs, as well as some history...
http://www.mesaverde.co.uk/mp3/


Long story short, what happened to emo is the same thing that happens to any style of... well, anything. what started as a legitimate form of music was hijacked by the capitalist machine, slapped with stupid- looking fashion fad, and became hugely popular in middle schools almost overnight.

I was directed to that site a long time ago. Thanks for reminding me about it.

And yeah, a resource that I got said that companies began calling bands "emo" just to get sales. Really sucks.

Read Nothing Feels Good by Andy Greenwald, it's a tad dated but it would make a great reference.

I plan on buying it. Unfortunately no stores within the area have it. So I'm going to have to order it.

so who did create emo?

Most places say Rites of Spring or Embrace.

[mrnegativezero]

Definition of Emo - The Get Up Kids. Even though they were blamed for the creation of Emo, they are still my favourite band.

But they apologized. So it's all good right?

[Fullblast]

But they apologized. So it's all good right?
Exactly, I have to give them props for that. Pretty honest, to admit it.

[LendMeYourBrain]

Emo started with tell all your friends and ended with tell all your friends

[Fullblast]

Emo started with tell all your friends and ended with tell all your friends
Close, but no dice.

[Oddpac87]

Emo started before The Rock sold out and became an "actor." He debuted in the WWE (then the WWF prior to the lawsuit by the World Wildlife Fund) as Rocky Maivia, a synthesis of his father's wrestling name (Rocky Johnson) and his grandfather, the legendary Chief Peter Maivia. He was pushed as a clean-cut, energetic babyface who had the misfortune of being hired just as the company was headed into a more mature-themed direction, with the top faces being antiheroes steeped in moral ambiguity (the anti-authoritarian, beer-swilling redneck Stone Cold Steve Austin and the satanic Undertaker) and heels who weren't too different philosophically (Shawn Michaels and Triple H, a duo who acted as rebels and mavericks, acting against censorship as sophomoric lunatics and the Bret Hart-lead Hart Foundation; a stable of anti-American Canadians who abhorred American social values and customs).

Rocky was a pet project for the bookers/creative team. Vince McMahon, the chairman and owner of WWE, had(has) a fetish for the 6'4" >, 240 LBS > look, and Maivia, at 6'5", 245LBS and possessing a great look and build, was a kid he wanted to get over with the fans. Unfortunately, his classic morally-simplistic good-guy routine did not endear itself to the fans and had become largely antiquated, leading to the fans shunning him and chanting "Die Rocky Die."

Fortunately, Rocky was a very kinetic speaker. Maivia was finally given the ability to display his mic skills and over-abundance of charisma and charm. Rocky rechristened himself "The Rock" and admonished the crowd for demanding he die. From there, he became the co-leader of the largely African-American stable the Nation of Domination, and the rest was history.

And that, is the history of Emo.
You're my hero.

[inthemidst]

Hm. Something Corporate is emo? I honestly never listened so I wouldn't know.

Best example of their "emo" albums please.

Yeah, SC was emo. Best example was their debut album Leaving Through The Window. Great album.

[Yellowcard2006]

According to Rolling Stone Angels and Airwaves is Emo-rock

[wendjiqn]

there are A LOT of idiots in this thread. the get up kids started emo? tell all your friends? how fucking stupid are you people?

[codybretto13]

i personally dont think "emo" is even a genre, or style..........

[nkalldayyy]

Hm. Something Corporate is emo? I honestly never listened so I wouldn't know.

Best example of their "emo" albums please.
i'm not a huge fan either, but their early stuff is definitely what i consider emo.

[Burn That Shit]

This thread should probably end now. That would just be better for everyone involved.

[theguy77]

Wiki sums it up decently.

hahaha no it doesnt. wiki's emo page is horrible if you care to educate yourself about what it really is.

but if the only reason you care is so you can have cred on an internet music forum, dont bother. just continue on thinking dashboard confessional are emo, most everyone will agree with you and understand what you mean by it and thats whats important in a lot of cases.

[kwsqd]

So I have to write a research paper for my school. We were allowed to research whatever we want as long as it has significance and is narrowed down. My topic choice is this: The true history of the genre called "emo", how it has evolved from a form of punk rock into today's vague genre of "emo," and into a derogatory stereotype.

Now I'm pretty well off with the researching the history of "emo" and its evolution, but one portion of my paper will deal with the differences of iconic "emo" bands from then and now. Which brings me to my discussion. What bands are the iconic "emo" bands of then and now?

Wut.

[shit stroll]

IHbCOJnjKF0

[liamisazombie]

Okay, emo is a pretty vague term. I usually see it in three sections:
Emocore - originators of emo. Developed directly out of hardcore punk in the late 80s. Bands include Moss Icon, Dag Nasty, Beefeater and Rites of Spring. Rites of Spring credited with creating emo, although that's up for debate. I've read that emo started as a term by some guy shouting "You guys are emo-core" at Rites of Spring during a gig and developed from there. I've also read that it started out with Moss Icon because they're the band that most typically represents the emo sound of subsequent bands. (Hence being influential, hence being originators.) I'm not sure you can shed too much light on who started it, although I'm pretty sure you can say that emo-core was the child of hardcore punk where the lyrics focused on being introspective, exploring the depths of human emotion, rather than political expression/activism that comes with the typical hardcore punk band.
90s "indie emo" - started off with Sunny Day Real Estate and "Diary". Diary is probably the most influential emo record out there. I mean, it pretty much started the genre. Cap'n Jazz are also noted as a particularly important emo band (check out analphabetapolothology). Finally, the Get Up Kids were probably the most celebrated emo band (Something To Write Home About, in particular, although Four Minute Mile is a very good emo record too). I'd probably say these three bands are the "most important" in emo. But, of course, there are a million other bands. Take early projects by Tim or Mike Kinsella (from Cap'n Jazz) such as American Football and The One Up Downstairs. Mineral, The Promise Ring, Texas Is The Reason, Christie Front Drive, early Jimmy Eat World (I'd say up to and including Clarity), Braid etc. This emo ended pretty early in the 00s when record labels found the potential as "emo" as a marketable term, took Jimmy Eat World and Dashboard Confessional and made them superstars and losing the DIY ethic of emo, and many of the larger 90s emo bands disbanding. Note that there are still a few emo bands going - check out Algernon Cadwallader, Benton Falls, Desert City Soundtrack, in fact, many bands from Deep Elm.
00s fad emo - emo became marketable. Not really a fault of the bands. I mean, some of them are obviously inspired by emo. Paramore covered Sunny Day Real Estate's "Faces In Disguise", for example. But they play the music they want to play (I'd probably call a more introspective pop-punk), yet because they are a little more flamboyant about their feelings, they're labelled emo as a catch for kids. Developed out of there, I guess.

At this stage, I guess I should point out that screamo and emo pretty much lie hand-in-hand. Early screamo, like emo, has suffered at the hands of people assuming they know a genre because they assume that because it's called screamo, it's a catch-all term for any music with any type of screaming in. I'm sure some people will refer to death metal as screamo. But no, screamo: I Would Set Myself On Fire For You, City of Caterpillar, Suis La Lune, Saetia, pg.99, Circle Takes The Square...

Um, turned into quite an essay there. Hope there's enough examples of bands there for you. Could probably think up some more, if you need.

[Burn That Shit]

IHbCOJnjKF0

holy lol

[Praetor]

I hate almost everything about this thread.

[Oddpac87]

I hate almost everything about this thread.
Almost?

[Praetor]

Almost?
Todd is a beacon of light in a sea of darkness.

[tD77]

hahaha no it doesnt. wiki's emo page is horrible if you care to educate yourself about what it really is.

but if the only reason you care is so you can have cred on an internet music forum, dont bother. just continue on thinking dashboard confessional are emo, most everyone will agree with you and understand what you mean by it and thats whats important in a lot of cases.

I really hope this wasn't directed at me. But I'm assuming you merely looked at the first paragraph where it bluntly lists JEW and Dashboard as a new emergence of emo.

[theguy77]

I really hope this wasn't directed at me. But I'm assuming you merely looked at the first paragraph where it bluntly lists JEW and Dashboard as a new emergence of emo.

it wasnt directed at you, dont worry. and ive read the whole article haha

[kearn1tm]

Evidently, I'm the only one taking this thread seriously.

[IntoTheSun]

hahaha, clearly ;p

[mrnegativezero]

there are A LOT of idiots in this thread. the get up kids started emo? tell all your friends? how fucking stupid are you people?

They were blamed for starting the current "emo" standard and apologize for it. http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/jul/29/get-up-kids-emo Learn your facts before you call someone stupid.

IHbCOJnjKF0

I remember reading about this. It's probably the most ridiculous thing I've seen regarding "emo."



Um, turned into quite an essay there. Hope there's enough examples of bands there for you. Could probably think up some more, if you need.


Great list and info you got there. So thank you.

[wendjiqn]

Okay, emo is a pretty vague term. I usually see it in three sections:
Emocore - originators of emo. Developed directly out of hardcore punk in the late 80s. Bands include Moss Icon, Dag Nasty, Beefeater and Rites of Spring. Rites of Spring credited with creating emo, although that's up for debate. I've read that emo started as a term by some guy shouting "You guys are emo-core" at Rites of Spring during a gig and developed from there. I've also read that it started out with Moss Icon because they're the band that most typically represents the emo sound of subsequent bands. (Hence being influential, hence being originators.) I'm not sure you can shed too much light on who started it, although I'm pretty sure you can say that emo-core was the child of hardcore punk where the lyrics focused on being introspective, exploring the depths of human emotion, rather than political expression/activism that comes with the typical hardcore punk band.
90s "indie emo" - started off with Sunny Day Real Estate and "Diary". Diary is probably the most influential emo record out there. I mean, it pretty much started the genre. Cap'n Jazz are also noted as a particularly important emo band (check out analphabetapolothology). Finally, the Get Up Kids were probably the most celebrated emo band (Something To Write Home About, in particular, although Four Minute Mile is a very good emo record too). I'd probably say these three bands are the "most important" in emo. But, of course, there are a million other bands. Take early projects by Tim or Mike Kinsella (from Cap'n Jazz) such as American Football and The One Up Downstairs. Mineral, The Promise Ring, Texas Is The Reason, Christie Front Drive, early Jimmy Eat World (I'd say up to and including Clarity), Braid etc. This emo ended pretty early in the 00s when record labels found the potential as "emo" as a marketable term, took Jimmy Eat World and Dashboard Confessional and made them superstars and losing the DIY ethic of emo, and many of the larger 90s emo bands disbanding. Note that there are still a few emo bands going - check out Algernon Cadwallader, Benton Falls, Desert City Soundtrack, in fact, many bands from Deep Elm.
00s fad emo - emo became marketable. Not really a fault of the bands. I mean, some of them are obviously inspired by emo. Paramore covered Sunny Day Real Estate's "Faces In Disguise", for example. But they play the music they want to play (I'd probably call a more introspective pop-punk), yet because they are a little more flamboyant about their feelings, they're labelled emo as a catch for kids. Developed out of there, I guess.

At this stage, I guess I should point out that screamo and emo pretty much lie hand-in-hand. Early screamo, like emo, has suffered at the hands of people assuming they know a genre because they assume that because it's called screamo, it's a catch-all term for any music with any type of screaming in. I'm sure some people will refer to death metal as screamo. But no, screamo: I Would Set Myself On Fire For You, City of Caterpillar, Suis La Lune, Saetia, pg.99, Circle Takes The Square...

Um, turned into quite an essay there. Hope there's enough examples of bands there for you. Could probably think up some more, if you need.
i agree with all of this, you know what's up

They were blamed for starting the current "emo" standard and apologize for it. http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/jul/29/get-up-kids-emo Learn your facts before you call someone stupid.



I remember reading about this. It's probably the most ridiculous thing I've seen regarding "emo."




Great list and info you got there. So thank you.
Please show me where The Get Up Kids were ever blamed for starting "the current emo standard"

And the guy I was talking about said they were the "definition of emo", which is just as idiotic.

[mrnegativezero]

i agree with all of this, you know what's up


Please show me where The Get Up Kids were ever blamed for starting "the current emo standard"

And the guy I was talking about said they were the "definition of emo", which is just as idiotic.

There isn't a definite source. Since I don't completely know the band's history, I'm going off of the few articles I have read about "emo" that always categorize them as a major influence. From what I got out of it, The Get Up Kids were labeled "emo," and since they were the making it rather big at the time, they are considered to prototype of "emo." It doesn't help that every current "emo" band lists them as an influence either.

[wendjiqn]

There isn't a definite source. Since I don't completely know the band's history, I'm going off of the few articles I have read about "emo" that always categorize them as a major influence. From what I got out of it, The Get Up Kids were labeled "emo," and since they were the making it rather big at the time, they are considered to prototype of "emo." It doesn't help that every current "emo" band lists them as an influence either.

Then don't tell me to "know my facts"

[Chris92]

According to Rolling Stone Angels and Airwaves is Emo-rock
Rolling Stone can go to hell

[antimatter]

Emo started with tell all your friends and ended with tell all your friends
lol i like that.