A Thrilling List of the Top Post-Hardcore Artist Every Emo Music Lover Should Know
Posted: Wednesday, September 10, 2008
by Ryan Stroud
As every Emo kid knows, to really be Emo, you have to know some of Emo's cousins in the music business. Genres like hardcore, with continuous heavy breakdowns, and screamo, with melodic screaming vocals, are just two of the many different music genres which make up the average Emo kid's music catalog. But in my opinion, post-hardcore music helped bring the simple term "Emo" to the masses, breaking though the music industry doors with radio airplay and even videos showing on MTV and MTV2. These bands on the list are some of today's greatest post-hardcore acts and need proper appreciation by the Emo community. Plus, they've made some really rocking albums.
Number 5 Underoath
These rockers from Florida have been slamming music into your face since 1998. Though in their beginning, they were more of a deathcore band, under the reigns of Dallas Taylor, their first vocalist, it wasn't until their release of They're Only Chasing Safety that these Christian rockers really immerged into their post-hardcore state. With new vocalist, Spencer Chamberlain, and drummer, Aaron Gillespie, providing Safety's vocals, their popularity rose with the help of videos and tons of touring. Since Safety's release, these bad boys have not stopped raising the bar, releasing two more albums and a CD/DVD. Lets face it, these guys are the new kings of today's post-hardcore.
Check out They're Only Chasing Safety (2004), Solid State/Tooth & Nail Records
Number 4 Thrice
With another album with the word "Saftey" in it, it's Thrice coming in at number 4. The Illusion of Safety was Thrice's second record, toning down from their more scratchy melodic-hardcore roots, to craft one of post-hardcore's greats records of all time. Safety presented its listeners with more rocking guitar riffs and melodic breakdowns, with a mixture of screaming and clean vocals that didn't just make you hear the words; they made you feel them as well. It was Thrice at their peek of greatness. Though these fellas are still rocking today, their sound has evolved into more of an art-rock stance.
Check out The Illusion of Safety (2002), Sub City Records, and The Artist in the Ambulance (2003), Island Records
Number 3 Thursday
These New Brunswick, New Jersey all-stars have released four over-the-top, smashing post-hardcore albums, adding punk influences intertwined with jazz to create one of post-hardcore's top acts. Thursday were one of the first post-hardcore bands of today to really reach different crowds of listeners with 2001's Full Collapse, and their video/single Understanding in a Car Crash. With tons of video airplay from MTV2, Thursday took to the road, playing for large crowds of screaming fans from many different genres. Thursday reached their peek with 2003's War All the Time, altering their style by adding keyboards and programming. Today, Thursday have slowed down a little but maintain their position on this chart from the amount of kids they influenced in such a short period of time.
Check out Waiting (1999), Eyeball Records, Full Collapse (2001) and Five Stories Falling (2002), both on Victory Records, and War All the Time (2003), Island Records
Number 2 Fugazi
I know I'm going to receive a ton of crap here for placing Fugazi at number 2. These guys are amazing, talented, original, etc. They even created the DIY (do it yourself) mind frame for the underground music business. Coming out of DC, Fugazi was fronted by two innovators of the hardcore music scene, Ian MacKaye (Minor Threat, Embrace, Egg Hunt) and Guy Picciotto (Rites of Spring), but it was Fugazi that brought underground fame to both these gentlemen. With albums like 13 songs, Repeater and Steady Diet of Nothing, Fugazi emerged at the leading post-hardcore bands of their time. To be quiet honest, it is incredibly difficult to explain the sheer brilliance of their music without hearing it. So, do yourself a favor and head over to the Discord website, www.discord.com , and hear them for yourself.
Check out 13 Songs (1989), Repeater (1990), Steady Diet of Nothing (1991), and Red Machine (1995), all on Discord Records
Number 1 Quicksand
If you have never heard of Quicksand, do yourself a favor and head over to Wikipedia and search for Walter Schreifels. You will find he singlehandedly helped shape hardcore and post-hardcore music with his bands Gorilla Biscuits, Youth of Today, Rival Schools and Walking Concert. But it was his tenure in Quicksand which really showed off Schrefiels abilities as a writer and front man, plus innovator for the post-hardcore world. Quicksand toured with bands like Deftones and Rage Against the Machine, while also receiving video airplay and the opportunity to play late night TV shows like the John Stewart Show. Also, their song Thorn in My Side was featured in the cult hit movie, Empire Records.
Check out Slip (1993), Polydor Records and Manic Compression (1995), Island Records
Post-hardcore music has shown proof it has stability, not only in Emo culture, but also in the current music industry, but if not for these 5 bands challenging "typical music standards," many artist might not have had the chances they now poses. So, look into these groups and their respected records and enjoy a slice of post-hardcore heaven.
Ryan Stroud is a military trained journalist who has served in Iraq with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, US Army. Prior to his military experiences, Stroud grew up playing, coaching, and refereeing soccer. Also, Stroud focused many years of his life playing, touring, and recording/producing local music acts. He has a wonderful wife of 4 years, a 2 year old son and a newborn daughter.
Stroud's biggest writing influences are Jim Butcher, Chuck Palahniuk, Edward Lee, Jack Ketchum, Christopher Moore and Ben Fox.
He currently resides in Huntsville, Al, with the 59th Ordnance Brigade at Redstone Arsenal.
Stroud would also like to take a moment to thank his friends who are currently in battle over in Iraq. God bless all of you.
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Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)YESS! Underoath!
There is nothing 'emo' about post-hardcore! On this list you are missing one of the most influential, or perhapse the most influential post-hardcore band ever; the blood brothers, whom seem to be absent from your list! your also missing these arms are snakes and bear vs. shark! i give you credit for putting fugazi at number two though, but really man emo is a totally different thing than post-hardcore in fact post hardcore comes from punk (not emo) such as the smiths, etc, etc! but thank you for not using the work 'screamo' which is a made up genre, by idiots!
Emo is a state of mind, not an image. It's not a way of life. It's about expressing yourself. Everyone who pictures emo people as cutting themselves and other stuff, they are wrong. Music is one thing that anyone can relate to. Agreeing with the last comment, (Sorta) Post-Hardcore is NOT emo. Niether is screamo. I am a huge fan on both by the way.
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