r/Emo

I was listening to a playlist I have with bands like The Hated, Swing Kids and Embrace and it got me wondering and questioning. I’m sure this isn’t an original thought/question but I’m curious to hear what y’all think.

At what point in the 90s (or whenever really) were bands thought of as “emo” or “emotional hardcore” rather than just hardcore?

For example during the early first wave, when did the label of a hardcore punk band, become the label of “emo”? Because there are several artists whose sounds are far more similar to the sound of classic 80s fast, expressive hardcore punk and a handful of these which had the emo label slapped on them (e.g. rites of spring, Hoover) brought about more bands which pioneered the later 1st wave and earlier 2nd wave (cap’n Jazz, boy’s life).

I’d love to hear what y’all think and what bands/albums shifted the description of more emotional hardcore bands into just “emo” bands.

Whether they’re poorly aged, generally bad, fun bad, or just stupid, what are some of the worst lyrics you’ve heard in emo.

I always think of Front Porch Step with stuff like “You were always my princess, but know he’s sliding up your dress”

Hey so I’m new to this subreddit so forgive me if I don’t know the rules but I’m just curious about what or how you guys became emo and/or listen to the music. What got me into it was because I grew up in a verbally abusive and conservative household and while I listened to a wide variety of music (still do) I discovered emo music through YouTube with the likes of MCR and taking back Sunday but also bands like Orchid, pg 99, sunny day real estate etc. and I also became emo around the same time too (I was 12 or 13). Not only this was an outlet for me to be more open with my emotions and feelings, but also I viewed it as a better alternative compared to the more macho attitudes of the hardcore scene (no shade to those bands but you get what I’m saying). Anyways, there’s more to this but this is getting way too long so please tell me what got you guys into the music/community.

All I remember is a white man (butler or waiter) holding a tray or plate of smth. It's this bands only album when I saw them. Help pls

I feel like there are practically no resources online for learning how emo was recorded in the 90s and early 2000s. I like to make that kind of music so thats a big motivator, but im really also just interested in preserving that style of production. (early Further Seems Forever, Small Brown Bike, The Promise Ring, etc. for reference)

I’m only 18 so I didn’t get the chance to experience that era firsthand and now I’m just stuck with mix cheat sheets and youtube clickbait vids. not trying to undermine the skill it takes to make modern music happen, but I feel like It’s relatively easy to go on youtube and learn how to make modern hardcore/metalcore or radio rock.

and trust me, I’ve spent alot of time digging through random yt channels and articles and im kinda losing hope. I’d totally seek out some longstanding studio and see about an internship or just a conversation with someone that was present in the scene back then, but I really don’t know where to start with that as I’m kind of in an alternative deadzone (Port St. Lucie, FL).

My main goal is raw, cathartic, unpolished, dynamic sound while retaining some clarity, and my problem is my drums sound sterile and my guitars lack clarity. I assume it had alot to do with recording to tape and using outboard gear but I can only do so much assuming. I think it’s worth mentioning that im recording drums and guitar in my bedroom-turned-home studio (about the size of a small garage, nothing between mics and interface (behringer umc1820), and relatively affordable mics(audix f series, sm57s, shitty scarlett ldc, some rode pencil mics). I’m really not going for hi-fi so I like to think my situation is okay for proof of concept demos/a means to learn how to record, but that very well could be me being overly-optimistic

Tried to organize my thoughts as best as possible so please forgive me for any rambling lol. This is me trying to seek out advice from an immediate, live person 😅so please inquire and all that or if you know someone else that might know a thing or two, there is no length I won’t go

Really a question related to bootlegs of old bands like Still Life/The Pine/Heroin/Current, not bands who are still together.