Editing Emo (section)

==History==

[[File:Minor-threat-malcolm-riviera.jpg|thumb|170px|Hardcore punk band Minor Threat in 1981]]

===Predecessors===
According to music writer Luke Britton, "it's generally accepted that the genre's pioneers" came later in the 1980s.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Britton |first=Luke Morgan |date=May 30, 2018 |title=Emo never dies: How the genre influenced an entire new generation |work=[[BBC Online]] |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/1tM7yZdRsNn2qZth0WMCRBs/emo-never-dies-how-the-genre-influenced-an-entire-new-generation |access-date=August 9, 2018 |archive-date=August 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180813010046/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/1tM7yZdRsNn2qZth0WMCRBs/emo-never-dies-how-the-genre-influenced-an-entire-new-generation |url-status=live }}</ref> During the decade, many [[hardcore punk]] and [[post-hardcore]] bands formed in [[Washington, D.C. hardcore|Washington, D.C.]] Post-hardcore, an experimental offshoot of hardcore punk, was inspired by {{nowrap|[[post-punk]]}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Post-Hardcore |url=https://www.allmusic.com/style/post-hardcore-ma0000012125 |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=April 21, 2020 |archive-date=May 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200514162611/https://www.allmusic.com/style/post-hardcore-ma0000012125 |url-status=live }}</ref> Hardcore punk bands and post-hardcore bands who influenced early emo bands include [[Minor Threat]],{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=12}} [[Black Flag (band)|Black Flag]] and [[Hüsker Dü]].<ref name="rites">{{Cite web |title=Rites of Spring {{!}} Biography |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/rites-of-spring-mn0000282800/biography |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=April 21, 2020 |archive-date=July 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731010459/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/rites-of-spring-mn0000282800/biography |url-status=live }}</ref>

===1984–1991: Origins===
{{main article|Revolution Summer (music)}}{{Quotebox
| quote = The one fact that no one seems to debate − or at least debate that loudly − is that emo emerged from hardcore.
| source = Music critic [[Andy Greenwald]], in the book ''Nothing Feels Good: Punk Rock, Teenagers, and Emo'' (2003) <ref> Greenwald, Andy. ''Nothing Feels Good: Punk Rock, Teenagers, and Emo''. (published November 15, 2003) St. Martins Griffin. pp. 9.</ref>
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Emo, which began as a post-hardcore subgenre,<ref name="postHC" /> was part of the 1980s hardcore punk<ref name="EmoAM" /> scene in [[Washington, D.C.]], as something different from the violent part of the [[Washington, D.C., hardcore]] scene.<ref name="SubgenresofPunk">{{Cite web |last=Cooper |first=Ryan |title=The Subgenres of Punk Rock |url=https://www.thoughtco.com/subgenres-of-punk-rock-2803348 |access-date=August 9, 2018 |publisher=[[ThoughtCo]] |archive-date=June 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613234248/https://www.thoughtco.com/subgenres-of-punk-rock-2803348 |url-status=live }}</ref>{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|pp=9–11}}{{sfn|Blush|2001|p=157}} Minor Threat fan [[Guy Picciotto]] formed [[Rites of Spring]] in 1984, using the musical style of hardcore punk and combining the musical style with melodic guitars, varied rhythms, and personal, emotional lyrics.{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=12}} Many of the band's themes, including nostalgia, romantic bitterness and poetic desperation, became familiar [[Trope (music)|tropes]] of later emo music.{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|pp=12–13}} Its performances were public, emotional purges where audience members sometimes wept.{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=13}} Ian MacKaye of Minor Threat became a Rites of Spring fan (recording their only album and being their [[Road crew|roadie]]) and formed the emo band [[Embrace (American band)|Embrace]], which explored similar themes of self-searching and emotional release.{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=14}} Similar bands followed in connection with the "[[Revolution Summer (music)|Revolution Summer]]” of 1985, an attempt by members of the Washington scene to break from the usual characteristics of hardcore punk to a hardcore punk style with different characteristics.{{sfn|Blush|2001|p=157}} Bands such as [[Gray Matter (band)|Gray Matter]], [[Beefeater (band)|Beefeater]], [[Fire Party]], [[Dag Nasty]], and [[Soulside]] were associated with the movement.{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=14}}{{sfn|Blush|2001|p=157}}

{{Listen
| filename     = Rites of Spring - Remainder.ogg
| title        = "Remainder" by Rites of Spring (1985)
| description  = The melodic guitars, varied rhythms and personal lyrics of [[Rites of Spring]] changed the hardcore punk scene and helped launch the "emotional hardcore" or "emocore" style in the 1980s.{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|pp=9–11}}
}}
Although the origins of the word "emo" are uncertain, evidence shows that the word "emo" was coined in the mid-1980s, specifically 1985. According to [[Andy Greenwald]], author of ''[[Nothing Feels Good: Punk Rock, Teenagers, and Emo]]'', "The origins of the term 'emo' are shrouded in mystery&nbsp;... but it first came into common practice in 1985. If Minor Threat was hardcore, then Rites of Spring, with its altered focus, was emotional hardcore or emocore."{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=14}} [[Michael Azerrad]], author of ''[[Our Band Could Be Your Life]]'', also traces the word's origins to the mid-1980s: "The style was soon dubbed 'emo-core,' a term everyone involved bitterly detested".{{sfn|Azerrad|2001|p=380}}  Other accounts attribute the word to an audience member at an Embrace show, who shouted as an insult that the band was "emocore".<ref name="DePasquale">{{Cite web |last=DePasquale |first=Ron |title=Embrace: Biography |url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p12874|pure_url=yes}} |access-date=April 21, 2009 |website=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref><ref name="Popkin">{{Cite web |last=Popkin |first=Helen |date=March 26, 2006 |title=What Exactly Is 'Emo,' Anyway? |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/what-exactly-emo-anyway-wbna11720603 |access-date=April 21, 2009 |website=Today.com |archive-date=August 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807164925/http://www.today.com/popculture/what-exactly-emo-anyway-wbna11720603 |url-status=live }}</ref> Others have said that MacKaye coined the word when he used it self-mockingly in a magazine, or that it originated with Rites of Spring.<ref name="Popkin" /> The "emocore" label quickly spread through the DC punk scene, and was associated with many bands associated with [[Ian MacKaye]]'s [[Dischord Records]].<ref name="DePasquale" /> Although many of the bands rejected the term, it stayed. [[Jenny Toomey]] recalled, "The only people who used it at first were the ones that were jealous over how big and fanatical a scene it was. [Rites of Spring] existed well before the term did and they hated it. But there was this weird moment, like when people started calling music '[[grunge]],' where you were using the term even though you hated it."{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|pp=14–15}} The Washington, D.C., emo scene lasted only a few years, and by 1986, most of emo's major bands (including Rites of Spring, Embrace, Gray Matter and Beefeater) had broken up.{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=15}} However, its ideas and aesthetics spread quickly across the country through a network of homemade [[zine]]s, vinyl records and hearsay.{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|pp=15–17}} According to Greenwald, the Washington, D.C., scene laid the groundwork for emo's subsequent incarnations:

{{blockquote|What had happened in D.C. in the mid-eighties—the shift from anger to action, from extroverted rage to internal turmoil, from an individualized mass to a mass of individuals—was in many ways a test case for the transformation of the national punk scene over the next two decades. The imagery, the power of the music, the way people responded to it, and the way the bands burned out instead of fading away—all have their origins in those first few performances by Rites of Spring. The roots of emo were laid, however unintentionally, by fifty or so people in the nation's capital. And in some ways, it was never as good and surely never as pure again. Certainly, the Washington scene was the only time "emocore" had any consensus definition as a genre.{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|pp=15–16}}}}

===1991–1994: Reinvention===
As the Washington, D.C., emo movement spread across the United States, local bands began to emulate its style.{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=18}} Emo combined the fatalism, theatricality and isolation of [[The Smiths]] with hardcore punk's uncompromising, dramatic worldview.{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=18}} Despite the number of bands and the variety of locales, emocore's late-1980s aesthetics remained more-or-less the same: "over-the-top lyrics about feelings wedded to dramatic but decidedly punk music."{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=18}} During the early–mid 1990s, several new bands reinvented emo,{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=19}} making emo expand by becoming a subgenre of genres like indie rock and pop punk.<ref name="EmoAM" /> Chief among them were [[Jawbreaker (band)|Jawbreaker]] and [[Sunny Day Real Estate]], who inspired cult followings, redefined emo and brought it a step closer to the mainstream.{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=19}} In the wake of the 1991 success of [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]]'s ''[[Nevermind]]'', underground music and subcultures were widely noticed in the United States. New distribution networks emerged, touring routes were codified, and regional and independent acts accessed the national stage.{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=19}} Young people across the country became fans of independent music, and punk culture became mainstream.{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=19}}

{{Listen
| filename     = Jawbreaker - Kiss the Bottle.ogg
| title        = "Kiss the Bottle" by Jawbreaker (1992)
| description  = "Kiss the Bottle" is considered one of Jawbreaker's definitive and {{nowrap|most-appreciated}} songs.<ref>{{Cite AV media notes |title=Etc. |title-link=Etc. (album) |others=Jawbreaker |year=2002 |type=CD booklet |publisher=Blackball Records |id=BB-003-CD |location=[[San Francisco]]}}</ref>
}}

[[File:Sunny Day Real Estate 2010.jpg|thumb|right|200px|alt=Sunny Day Real Estate performing onstage|[[Sunny Day Real Estate]] performing in 2010]]

Emerging from the late 1980s and early 1990s [[San Francisco]] punk rock scene and forming in [[New York City]], Jawbreaker combined pop punk with emotional and personal lyrics.{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=21}}{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=20}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Monger |first=James Christopher |title=Jawbreaker {{!}} Biography & History |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/jawbreaker-mn0000808944/biography |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=April 21, 2020 |archive-date=July 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731015020/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/jawbreaker-mn0000808944/biography |url-status=live }}</ref> Singer-guitarist [[Blake Schwarzenbach]] focused his lyrics on personal, immediate topics often taken from his journal.{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=21}} Often obscure and cloaked in [[metaphor]]s, their relationship to Schwarzenbach's concerns gave his words a bitterness and frustration which made them universal and attractive to audiences.{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|pp=21–22}} Schwarzenbach became emo's first idol, as listeners related to the singer even more than to his songs.{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|pp=21–22}} Jawbreaker's 1994 album, ''[[24 Hour Revenge Therapy]]'', was popular with fans and is a [[Touchstone (metaphor)|touchstone]] of mid-1990s emo.{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|pp=24–25}} Although Jawbreaker signed with [[Geffen Records]] and toured with mainstream bands Nirvana and [[Green Day]], Jawbreaker's 1995 album ''[[Dear You]]'' did not achieve mainstream success. Jawbreaker broke up soon afterwards, with Schwarzenbach forming emo band [[Jets to Brazil]].{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|pp=25–26}}

Sunny Day Real Estate formed in [[Seattle]] at the height of the early 1990s [[grunge]] boom.{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=28}} The [[music video]] for "Seven", lead track of the band's debut album ''[[Diary (Sunny Day Real Estate album)|Diary]]'' (1994), was played on [[MTV]], giving the band more attention.{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=29–31}} Another band often considered to be emo which emerged at the same time was California's [[Weezer]].<ref name="Stranger">{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Rich |date=June 1, 2016 |title=A Grown-Up Emo Kid Braces for the Coming Wave of Emo Nostalgia |url=https://www.thestranger.com/music/2016/06/01/24144980/a-grown-up-emo-kid-braces-for-the-coming-wave-of-emo-nostalgia |access-date=July 21, 2018 |website=[[The Stranger (newspaper)|The Stranger]] |archive-date=July 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180721221906/https://www.thestranger.com/music/2016/06/01/24144980/a-grown-up-emo-kid-braces-for-the-coming-wave-of-emo-nostalgia |url-status=live }}</ref> Nonetheless, it is debated whether Weezer is emo. For example, ''[[Alternative Press (magazine)|Alternative Press]]'' argues that the emo label has been misapplied to the band,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.altpress.com/bands-mistaken-as-emo-the-used-weezer/ | title=9 bands commonly mistaken as emo who really aren't | website=[[Alternative Press (magazine)|Alternative Press]] | date=March 29, 2022 }}</ref> and author [[Andy Greenwald]] also states that the band is not emo.{{sfn|Greenwald|2003}} [[Jimmy Eat World]], an [[Arizona]] emo band, also emerged at this time. Influenced by {{nowrap|pop punk}} bands such as [[the Mr. T Experience]] and [[Horace Pinker]],<ref>''Book Your Own Fuckin' Life #3: Do-It-Yourself Resource Guide.'' San Francisco, CA: Maximum Rocknroll, 1994; pg. 3.</ref> Jimmy Eat World released its [[Jimmy Eat World (1994 album)|self-titled debut album]] in 1994.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leahey |first=Andrew |title=Jimmy Eat World {{!}} Biography & History |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/jimmy-eat-world-mn0000852688/biography |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=April 21, 2020 |archive-date=October 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012073143/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/jimmy-eat-world-mn0000852688/biography |url-status=live }}</ref>

===1994–1997: Underground popularity===
The American [[punk rock|punk]] and [[indie rock]] movements, which had been largely underground since the early 1980s, became part of mainstream culture during the mid-1990s. With [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]]'s success, major record labels capitalized on the popularity of [[alternative rock]] and other underground music by signing and promoting independent bands.{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=33}} In 1994, the same year that Jawbreaker's ''24 Hour Revenge Therapy'' and Sunny Day Real Estate's ''Diary'' were released, punk rock bands [[Green Day]] and [[the Offspring]] broke into the mainstream with diamond album ''[[Dookie (album)|Dookie]]''{{Certification Cite Ref|title=Dookie|artist=Green Day|region=United States|type=album}} and multi-platinum album ''[[Smash (The Offspring album)|Smash]]'',{{Certification Cite Ref|title=Smash|artist=Offspring|region=United States|type=album}} respectively. After underground music went mainstream, emo retreated and reformed as a national subculture over the next few years.{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=33}} Inspired by Jawbreaker, [[Drive Like Jehu]] and [[Fugazi]], 1990s emo abandoned the elements of [[hardcore punk]] and used elements of indie rock, with [[punk rock]]'s [[Do it yourself|do-it-yourself]] work ethic but smoother songs and emotional vocals.{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|pp=34–35}} According to Theo Cateforis of ''[[The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians|Grove Music Dictionary]]'': "These groups portrayed a sense of emotional [[Volatility (chemistry)|volatility]] in their music by using extended [[Song structure|song forms]] that oscillated between straight and [[Half-time (music)|double time]] and clean guitar [[Timbre|timbres]] and bursts of [[Distortion (music)|distortion]]. Vocalists deliberately avoided punk’s shouted style and sang melodic lines in a breathy [[head voice]], often straining at the top of their [[Vocal range|range]], which contributed to the music’s sense of emotional urgency."<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Wikipedia Library |url=https://wikipedialibrary.wmflabs.org/?next_url=/ezproxy/r/ezp.2aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cub3hmb3JkbXVzaWNvbmxpbmUuY29tL2dyb3ZlbXVzaWMvZGlzcGxheS8xMC4xMDkzL2dtby85NzgxNTYxNTkyNjMwLjAwMS4wMDAxL29tby05NzgxNTYxNTkyNjMwLWUtMTAwMjI0MDgwMw-- |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=wikipedialibrary.wmflabs.org | date=2013 |language=en |doi=10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.A2240803 | last1=Cateforis | first1=Theo }}</ref>

[[File:Capn-jazz.jpg|thumb|left|200px|alt=Cap'n Jazz onstage|Cap'n Jazz live in 2010]]

Many 1990s emo bands, such as [[Cap'n Jazz]], [[Braid (band)|Braid]], [[Christie Front Drive]], [[Mineral (band)|Mineral]], Jimmy Eat World, [[the Get Up Kids]] and [[the Promise Ring]], originated in the central U.S.{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=34}} Many of the bands had a distinct vocal style and guitar melodies, which was later called [[Midwest emo]].<ref name="reader-1">{{Cite web |last=Galil |first=Leor |date=August 5, 2013 |title=Midwestern emo catches its second wind |url=https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/emo-twiabp-topshelf-swerp-capn-jazz-midwestern-braid-reflex/Content?oid=10550897 |access-date=July 5, 2017 |website=[[The Chicago Reader]] |archive-date=August 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810183206/https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/emo-twiabp-topshelf-swerp-capn-jazz-midwestern-braid-reflex/Content?oid=10550897 |url-status=live }}</ref> According to Andy Greenwald, "this was the period when emo earned many, if not all, of the stereotypes that have lasted to this day: boy-driven, glasses-wearing, overly sensitive, overly brainy, chiming-guitar-driven college music."{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|pp=34–35}} Emo band [[Texas Is the Reason]] bridged the gap between [[indie rock]] and emo in their three-year lifespan on the East Coast, melding Sunny Day Real Estate's melodies and punk musicianship and singing directly to the listener.{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|pp=38–39}} In [[New Jersey]], the band [[Lifetime (band)|Lifetime]] played shows in fans' basements.{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|pp=121–122}} Lifetime's 1995 album, ''[[Hello Bastards]]'' on [[Jade Tree Records]], fused hardcore punk with emo and eschewed cynicism and irony in favor of love songs.{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|pp=121–122}} The album sold tens of thousands of copies,{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=122}} and Lifetime paved the way for New Jersey and [[Long Island]] emo bands [[Brand New (band)|Brand New]], [[Midtown (band)|Midtown]],<ref name="Rashbaum">{{Cite web |last=Rashbaum |first=Alyssa |date=March 24, 2006 |title=A Lifetime of Rock |url=https://www.spin.com/2006/03/lifetime-rock/ |access-date=March 28, 2009 |website=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]] |archive-date=August 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180811032804/https://www.spin.com/2006/03/lifetime-rock/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[The Movielife]], [[My Chemical Romance]],<ref name="Rashbaum" /> [[Saves the Day]],<ref name="Rashbaum" />{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=80}} [[Senses Fail]],<ref name="Rashbaum" /> [[Taking Back Sunday]]{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=122}}<ref name="Rashbaum" /> and [[Thursday (band)|Thursday]].<ref name="Rashbaum" />{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=152}}

[[File:Weezer.jpg|thumb|right|200px|alt=Four men together at the front of a stage|The band Weezer (''pictured'') released the album ''Pinkerton'', an album that was originally a critical and commercial failure. Nonetheless, ''Pinkerton'' is considered one of the most important 1990s emo albums.{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=51}}]]

[[The Promise Ring]]'s music took a slower, smoother, [[pop punk]] approach to riffs, blending them with singer [[Davey von Bohlen]]'s [[Imagism|imagist]] lyrics delivered in a froggy croon and pronounced [[lisp]] and playing shows in basements and [[Veterans of Foreign Wars|VFW]] halls.{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|pp=35–36}} Jade Tree released their debut album, ''[[30° Everywhere]]'', in 1996; it sold tens of thousands of copies and was successful by independent standards.{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=36}} Greenwald describes the album as "like being hit in the head with cotton candy."{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=37}} Other bands, such as [[Karate (band)|Karate]], [[the Van Pelt]], [[Joan of Arc (band)|Joan of Arc]] and the Shyness Clinic, played emo music with [[post-rock]] and [[noise rock]] influences.{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=40}} Their common lyrical thread was "applying big questions to small scenarios."{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=40}} A cornerstone of mid-1990s emo was [[Weezer]]'s 1996 album, ''[[Pinkerton (album)|Pinkerton]]''.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Edwards |first=Gavin |date=December 9, 2001 |title=Review: ''Pinkerton'' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/weezer/albums/album/301487/review/6635729/pinkerton |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061005045759/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/weezer/albums/album/301487/review/6635729/pinkerton |archive-date=October 5, 2006 |access-date=March 23, 2009 |magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref> After the mainstream success of Weezer's [[Weezer (1994 album)|self-titled debut album]], ''Pinkerton'' showed a more dark and abrasive style.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Erlewine |first=Stephen |title=Allmusic: Pinkerton: Overview |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r241030|pure_url=yes}} |access-date=September 21, 2007 |website=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref>{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=50}} Frontman [[Rivers Cuomo]]'s songs focused on messy, manipulative sex and his insecurity about dealing with celebrity.{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=50}} A critical and commercial failure,{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=50}}{{sfn|Luerssen|2004|p=206}} ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' called it the third-worst album of the year.{{sfn|Luerssen|2004|p=137}} Cuomo retreated from the public eye,{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=50}} later referring to the album as "hideous" and "a hugely painful mistake".{{sfn|Luerssen|2004|p=348}} However, ''Pinkerton'' found enduring appeal with young people who were discovering [[alternative rock]] and identified with its confessional lyrics and theme of rejection.{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=51}} Sales grew steadily due to word of mouth, online message boards and [[Napster]].{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=51}} "Although no one was paying attention", writes Greenwald, "perhaps ''because'' no one was paying attention—''Pinkerton'' became the most important emo album of the decade."{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=51}} In 2004, James Montgomery of [[MTV]] described Weezer as "the most important band of the last 10 years".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Montgomery |first=James |date=October 25, 2004 |title=The Argument: Weezer Are the Most Important Band of the Last 10 Years |url=http://www.mtv.com/bands/w/weezer/news_feature_102504/ |access-date=March 23, 2009 |publisher=[[MTV]] |archive-date=February 3, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060203092814/http://www.mtv.com/bands/w/weezer/news_feature_102504/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''Pinkerton''{{'s}} success grew very gradually, being certified gold by the RIAA in July 2001 and eventually being certified platinum by the RIAA in September 2016.{{Certification Cite Ref|title=Pinkerton|artist=Weezer|type=album|region=United States}}

{{Listen
| filename     = Mineral - If I Could.ogg
| title        = "If I Could" by Mineral (1997)
| description  = [[Andy Greenwald]] calls "If I Could" "the ultimate expression" of 1990s emo.{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=41}}
}}

Mid-1990s emo was embodied by Mineral, whose ''[[The Power of Failing]]'' (1997) and ''[[EndSerenading]]'' (1998) encapsulated emo tropes: somber music, accompanied by a shy narrator singing seriously about mundane problems.{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=41}} Greenwald calls "If I Could" "the ultimate expression" of 1990s emo, writing that "the song's short synopsis—she is beautiful, I am weak, dumb, and shy; I am alone but am surprisingly poetic when left alone — sums up everything that emo's adherents admired and its detractors detested."{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=41}} Another significant band was Braid, whose 1998 album ''[[Frame and Canvas]]'' and [[A-side and B-side|B-side]] song "Forever Got Shorter" blurred the line between band and listener; the group mirrored their audience in passion and sentiment, and sang in their fans' voice.{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|pp=46–48}}

{{Listen
| filename     = The Promise Ring - Why Did We Ever Meet.ogg
| title        = "Why Did We Ever Meet" by The Promise Ring (1997)
| description  = [[The Promise Ring]]'s ''[[Nothing Feels Good]]'' achieved wide success with an effective blend of pop and punk.<ref>Greenwald, pp.&nbsp;42–44.</ref>
}}

Although mid-1990s emo had thousands of young fans, it did not enter the national consciousness.{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=42}} A few bands were offered contracts with major record labels, but most broke up before they could capitalize on the opportunity.{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|pp=45–46}} Jimmy Eat World signed to [[Capitol Records]] in 1995 and developed a following with their album, ''[[Static Prevails]]'', but did not break into the mainstream yet.{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|pp=99–101}} The Promise Ring were the most commercially successful emo band of the time, with sales of their 1997 album ''[[Nothing Feels Good]]'' reaching the mid-five figures.{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=42}} Greenwald calls the album "the pinnacle of its generation of emo: a convergence of pop and punk, of resignation and celebration, of the lure of girlfriends and the pull of friends, bandmates, and the road";{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=44}} mid-1990s emo was "the last subculture made of vinyl and paper instead of plastic and megabytes."{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=48}}

===1997–2002: Independent success===

Emo's popularity grew during the late 1990s, laying the foundation for mainstream success. [[Deep Elm Records]] released a series of eleven [[compilation album]]s, ''[[The Emo Diaries]]'', from 1997 to 2007.<ref name="emo diaries">{{Cite web |title=The Emo Diaries |url=http://www.deepelm.com/bands/index_emo.html#anchor1 |access-date=March 27, 2009 |publisher=[[Deep Elm Records]] |archive-date=February 6, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090206033551/http://deepelm.com/bands/index_emo.html#anchor1 |url-status=live }}</ref> Emphasizing unreleased music from many bands, the series included Jimmy Eat World, [[Further Seems Forever]], [[Samiam]] and [[the Movielife]].<ref name="emo diaries" /> Jimmy Eat World's 1999 album, ''[[Clarity (Jimmy Eat World album)|Clarity]]'', was a touchstone for later emo bands.{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=101}} In 2003, Andy Greenwald called ''Clarity'' "one of the most fiercely beloved rock 'n' roll records of the last decade."{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=101}} Despite a warm critical reception and the promotion of "Lucky Denver Mint" in the [[Drew Barrymore]] comedy ''[[Never Been Kissed]]'', ''Clarity'' was commercially unsuccessful.<ref name="vanderhoff">{{Cite web |last=Vanderhoff |first=Mark |title=Clarity – Jimmy Eat World |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/clarity-mw0000602620 |access-date=March 26, 2009 |website=[[AllMusic]] |archive-date=October 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005004651/http://www.allmusic.com/album/clarity-mw0000602620 |url-status=live }}</ref> Nevertheless, the album had steady word-of-mouth popularity and eventually sold over 70,000 copies.{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|pp=102–205}} Jimmy Eat World self-financed their next album, ''[[Bleed American]]'' (2001), before signing with [[DreamWorks Records]]. The album sold 30,000 copies in its first week, went gold shortly afterwards and went platinum in 2002, making emo become mainstream.{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|pp=104–108}} [[Drive-Thru Records]] developed a roster of primarily [[pop punk]] bands with emo characteristics, including [[Midtown (band)|Midtown]], [[the Starting Line]], the Movielife and [[Something Corporate]].{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|pp=126–132}} Drive-Thru's partnership with [[MCA Records]] enabled its brand of emo-inflected pop to reach a wider audience.{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=127}} Drive-Thru's unabashedly populist, capitalist approach to music allowed its bands' albums and merchandise to sell in stores such as [[Hot Topic]].{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|pp=127–129}}

[[File:Saves the Day, Philadelphia, Electric Factory Nov 10, 2010 (5227723812).jpg|thumb|right|220px|Saves the Day was one of the more successful emo bands during the late 1990s and early 2000s, when emo was still primarily underground.]]

Independent label [[Vagrant Records]] signed several successful late-1990s and early-2000s emo bands. [[The Get Up Kids]] had sold over 15,000 copies of their debut album, ''[[Four Minute Mile]]'' (1997), before signing with Vagrant. The label promoted them aggressively, sending them on tours opening for [[Green Day]] and [[Weezer]].{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|pp=77–78}} Their 1999 album, ''[[Something to Write Home About]]'', reaching number 31 on ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''{{'s}} [[Top Heatseekers]] chart.<ref name="billboard.com">{{Cite web |title=Heatseekers: Something to Write Home About |url=https://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/chart_display.jsp?cfi=294&cfgn=Albums&cfn=Heatseekers&ci=3035794&cdi=7505634&cid=10%2F23%2F1999 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/5hQJ6Cfvm?url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/chart_display.jsp?cfi=294 |archive-date=June 10, 2009 |access-date=March 25, 2009 |publisher=[[Billboard charts]] }}</ref> Vagrant signed and recorded a number of other emo-related bands over the next two years, including [[the Anniversary]], [[Reggie and the Full Effect]], [[the New Amsterdams]], [[Alkaline Trio]], [[Saves the Day]], [[Dashboard Confessional]], [[Hey Mercedes]] and [[Hot Rod Circuit]].{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=79}} Saves the Day had developed a substantial East Coast following and sold almost 50,000 copies of their second album, ''[[Through Being Cool]]'' (1999),{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=80}} before signing with Vagrant and releasing ''[[Stay What You Are]]'' (2001). ''Stay What You Are'' sold 15,000 copies in its first week,{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=81}} reached number 100 on the ''Billboard'' 200<ref>{{Cite web |title=Artist Chart History – Saves the Day |url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=saves the day|chart=all}} |access-date=March 26, 2009 |publisher=[[Billboard charts]]}}</ref> and sold at least 120,000 copies in the United States.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Sheffield |first=Rob |date=March 28, 2002 |title=Punk From the Heart |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/news/newsarticle.asp?nid=15512&cf=10550 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040305034032/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/newsarticle.asp?nid=15512&cf=10550 |archive-date=March 5, 2004 |access-date=August 28, 2015 |url-status=dead |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref> Vagrant organized a national tour with every band on its label, sponsored by corporations including [[Microsoft]] and [[The Coca-Cola Company|Coca-Cola]], during the summer of 2001. Its populist approach and use of the internet as a marketing tool made it one of the country's most-successful independent labels and helped popularize the word "emo".{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|pp=81–88}} According to Greenwald, "More than any other event, it was Vagrant America that defined emo to masses—mainly because it had the gumption to hit the road and bring it to ''them''."{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=81}}

===2002–2010: Mainstream success===
{{Listen
| filename     = Jimmy Eat World - The Middle.ogg
| title        = "The Middle" by Jimmy Eat World (2001)
| description  = "The Middle" topped ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''{{'s}} Modern Rock Tracks chart and helped ''Bleed American'' to go platinum.{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=68}}<ref name="Jimmy Eat World singles history" />
| filename2    = 
| title2       = "21 Guns" by Green Day (2009)
| description2 = "21 Guns" was released to commercial and critical acclaim in May 2009. The song was nominated for a [[Grammy]] for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal and Best Rock Song in 2010. The makeup of "21 Guns" represents an emotional rock [[ballad]], as opposed to Green Day's usual [[pop-punk]] sound.
}}

[[File:Emo-hairstyle.jpg|thumb|right|The typical 2000s emo hairstyle]]{{Quotebox
| quote = In the early [2000s], bands from cultural hinterlands—Boca Raton, Las Vegas, the suburbs of New Jersey and Illinois, Long Island—took their predecessors’ interest in private emotion and the legacy of punk and added a new ingredient: pop ambition. There was fast, percussive guitar strumming; earworm riffs; frenetic drumming; and melodies full of stadium-ready sing-along moments, delivered in a nasal style that flirted with whining and sometimes crossed over into yelling.
| source = Peter C. Baker of ''[[The New Yorker]]'' (July 28, 2023) [https://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/when-emo-conquered-the-mainstream]
| align = left
| width = 25%
| border = 2px
}}
Emo broke into the mainstream media during the summer of 2002. Andrew Sacher of ''[[BrooklynVegan|BrookylynVegan]]'' explained, "Like when grunge broke into the mainstream a decade earlier, it was the culmination of a sound that had been building for over a decade, but once it did start to take off, it happened almost overnight. Bands quickly went from obscurity to MTV, and countless others followed in their footsteps."{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=68}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sacher |first=Andrew |title=The Year That Emo Broke: The 20 Best Emo Albums of 2001 |url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/the-year-that-emo-broke-the-20-best-emo-albums-of-2001/ |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=BrooklynVegan |language=en-US}}</ref> During this time, many fans of emo music had an appearance of short, dyed black hair with bangs cut high on the forehead, glasses with thick and black frames, and thrift store clothes. This fashion then became a huge part of emo's identity.<ref name="NewsTwentyFour">{{Cite news |date=July 26, 2002 |title=Emo-esque, huh? |work=[[News24 (website)|News24]] |url=https://www.news24.com/xArchive/Archive/Emo-esque-huh-20020726 |access-date=August 11, 2018 |archive-date=August 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180812053008/https://www.news24.com/xArchive/Archive/Emo-esque-huh-20020726 |url-status=live }}</ref> Jimmy Eat World's ''Bleed American'' album went platinum on the strength of "[[The Middle (Jimmy Eat World song)|The Middle]]", which topped ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''{{'s}} [[Alternative Songs]] chart.{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=68}}<ref name="Jimmy Eat World singles history">{{Cite web |title=Jimmy Eat World singles chart history |url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=jimmy eat world|chart=all}} |access-date=March 23, 2009 |publisher=[[Billboard charts]]}}</ref>{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=94}} The mainstream success achieved by Jimmy Eat World paved the way for emo pop music that would appear during the rest of the 2000s,<ref name="Allmusic" /> with emo pop becoming a very common style of emo music during the 2000s.<ref name="Evolution" /> The band Dashboard Confessional broke into the mainstream. Started by the band's guitarist and lead vocalist [[Chris Carrabba]], Dashboard Confessional are known for sometimes creating [[acoustic music|acoustic]] songs.<ref name="DashboardBio" /> Dashboard Confessional originally was a side project, as Carrabba was also a member of the emo band [[Further Seems Forever]],<ref name="DashboardBio" /> and Vacant Andys, a punk rock band Carraba helped start in 1995.{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=196}} [[Dashboard Confessional]]'s album ''[[The Places You Have Come to Fear the Most]]'' peaked at number 5 on the [[Independent Albums]] chart.<ref name="Dashboard album charts">{{Cite web |title=Dashboard Confessional albums chart history |url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=dashboard confessional|chart=all}} |access-date=March 23, 2009 |publisher=[[Billboard charts]]}}</ref> Dashboard Confessional was the first {{nowrap|non-platinum-selling}} artist to record an episode of ''[[MTV Unplugged]]''.{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=68}} The 2002 [[MTV Unplugged 2.0|resulting live album and video long-form]] was certified platinum by the RIAA on May 22, 2003, topped the Independent Albums chart, and, as of October 19, 2007, sold 316,000 copies.<ref name="Dashboard album charts" /><ref name="DashboardBio">{{Cite web |last=Leahey |first=Andrew |title=Dashboard Confessional {{!}} Biography & History |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/dashboard-confessional-mn0000574102/biography |access-date=October 20, 2017 |website=[[AllMusic]] |archive-date=October 21, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171021111547/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/dashboard-confessional-mn0000574102/biography |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="DashboardRIAA">{{Cite web |title=Gold & Platinum (Dashboard Confessional) |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=dashboard+confessional#search_section |access-date=August 11, 2018 |publisher=[[Recording Industry Association of America]] |archive-date=July 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730234946/https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=dashboard+confessional#search_section |url-status=live }}</ref> With Dashboard Confessional's mainstream success, Carrabba appeared on a cover of the magazine ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'' and according to [[Jim DeRogatis]], "has become the 'face of emo' the way that [[Moby]] was deemed the prime exponent of [[techno]] or [[Kurt Cobain]] became the unwilling crown prince of grunge."<ref name="TrueConfessional">{{Cite web |last=DeRogatis |first=Jim |author-link=Jim DeRogatis |date=October 3, 2003 |title=True Confessional? |url=http://www.jimdero.com/News2003/Oct3LiveDashboard.htm |access-date=August 15, 2018 |archive-date=May 1, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501150556/http://www.jimdero.com/News2003/Oct3LiveDashboard.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Three of Dashboard Confessional's studio albums, ''The Places You Have Come to Fear the Most'' (2001), ''[[A Mark, a Mission, a Brand, a Scar]]'' (2003), and ''[[Dusk and Summer]]'' (2006), all were certified gold by the RIAA during the mid-2000s.<ref name="DashboardRIAA" /> As of October 19, 2007, ''The Places You Have Come to Fear the Most'' has sold 599,000 copies.<ref name="AskDashboard" /> As of October 19, 2007, ''Dusk and Summer'' and ''A Mark, a Mission, a Brand, a Scar'' have sold 512,000 copies and 901,000 copies in the United States, respectively.<ref name="AskDashboard" /> As of October 19, 2007, Dashboard Confessional's 2000 debut album ''[[The Swiss Army Romance]]'' sold 338,000 copies.<ref name="AskDashboard">{{Cite magazine |last=Caulfield |first=Keith |date=October 19, 2007 |title=Ask Billboard |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1047889/ask-billboard |access-date=August 11, 2018 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=August 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180812084603/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1047889/ask-billboard |url-status=live }}</ref> On August 10, 2003, ''[[The New York Times]]'' reported how, "from the three-chord laments of Alkaline Trio to the [[folk music|folky]] rants of [[Bright Eyes (band)|Bright Eyes]], from the erudite pop-punk of [[Brand New (band)|Brand New]]" to the entropic anthems of Thursday, much of the most exciting rock music" was appearing from the emo genre.<ref name="Kelefa">{{Cite web |last=Sanneh |first=Kelefa |date=August 10, 2003 |title=Music; Sweet, Sentimental and Punk |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/10/arts/music-sweet-sentimental-and-punk.html |access-date=August 12, 2018 |website=[[The New York Times]] |archive-date=February 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180213043918/http://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/10/arts/music-sweet-sentimental-and-punk.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Saves the Day toured with Green Day, Blink-182 and Weezer, playing in large arenas such as [[Madison Square Garden]].{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=67}} Saves the Day performed on ''[[Late Night with Conan O'Brien]]'', appeared on the cover of ''[[Alternative Press (music magazine)|Alternative Press]]'' and had [[music video]]s for "At Your Funeral" and "Freakish" in rotation on [[MTV2]].{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=81}}<ref name="Saves the Day Allmusic bio">{{Cite web |last=Wilson |first=MacKenzie |title=Saves the Day Biography |url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p311722|pure_url=yes}} |access-date=March 26, 2009 |website=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref> [[Taking Back Sunday]] released their debut album, ''[[Tell All Your Friends]]'', on [[Victory Records]] in 2002. The album gave the band a taste of success in the emo scene with singles such as "Cute Without the 'E' (Cut from the Team)" and "You're So Last Summer". ''Tell All Your Friends'' was eventually certified gold by the RIAA in 2005{{Certification Cite Ref|title=Tell All Your Friends|artist=Taking Back Sunday|type=album|region=United States}} and is considered one of emo's most-influential albums. As of May 8, 2009, ''Tell All Your Friends'' sold 790,000 copies.<ref name="TBSSales">{{Cite magazine |last=Wood |first=Mikael |date=May 8, 2009 |title=Exclusive Video: Taking Back Sunday's Latest Epic |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/268678/exclusive-video-taking-back-sundays-latest-epic |access-date=August 11, 2018 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=March 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170309060544/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/268678/exclusive-video-taking-back-sundays-latest-epic |url-status=live }}</ref> Articles on Vagrant Records appeared in ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' and ''[[Newsweek]]'',{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=88}} and the word "emo" became a catchall term for non-mainstream pop music.{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|pp=68–69}}

[[File:Taking Back Sunday live in Boston.jpg|thumb|right|200px|alt=Taking Back Sunday on a smoky stage|Taking Back Sunday performing on August 24, 2007]]

In the wake of this success, many emo bands were signed to major record labels and the genre became marketable.{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|pp=140–141}} According to DreamWorks Records senior [[A&R]] representative Luke Wood, "The industry really does look at emo as the new [[rap rock]], or the new grunge. I don't think that anyone is listening to the music that's being made—they're thinking of how they're going to take advantage of the sound's popularity at retail."{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|p=142}} Emo's apolitical nature, catchy music and accessible themes had broad appeal for a young, mainstream audience. Emo bands that emerged or broke into the mainstream during this time were rejected by many fans of older emo music.<ref name="Evolution">{{Cite web |last=Connick |first=Tom |date=April 30, 2018 |title=The beginner's guide to the evolution of emo |url=https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/emo-wave-guide-evolution-2302802 |access-date=August 12, 2018 |website=[[NME]] |archive-date=August 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180813075941/https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/emo-wave-guide-evolution-2302802 |url-status=live }}</ref> As emo continued to be mainstream, it became quite common for emo bands to have black hair and wear eyeliner.<ref name="Evolution" /> Taking Back Sunday had continued success in the next few years, with their 2004 album ''[[Where You Want To Be]]'' both reaching number three on the ''Billboard'' 200 and being certified gold by the RIAA in July 2005.{{Certification Cite Ref|title=Where You Want To Be|artist=Taking Back Sunday|type=album|region=United States}} The album, as of February 17, 2006, sold more than 700,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=February 17, 2006 |title=Taking Back Sunday Plans Spring U.S. Tour |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/59665/taking-back-sunday-plans-spring-us-tour |access-date=August 11, 2018 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=August 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180812001447/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/59665/taking-back-sunday-plans-spring-us-tour |url-status=live }}</ref> The band's 2006 album, ''[[Louder Now]]'', reached number two on the ''Billboard'' 200, was certified gold by the RIAA a little less than two months after its release date,{{Certification Cite Ref|title=Louder Now|artist=Taking Back Sunday|type=album|region=United States}} and, as of May 8, 2009, sold 674,000 copies.<ref name="TBSSales" />
[[File:Thursday.jpg|thumb|left|220px|alt=Concert of the band Thursday|The emo band Thursday performing live in 2006]]
A darker, more aggressive style of emo was also becoming popular. New Jersey–based [[Thursday (band)|Thursday]] signed a multimillion-dollar, multi-album contract with [[Island Def Jam Music Group|Island Def Jam]] after their 2001 album, ''[[Full Collapse]]'', reached number 178 on the ''Billboard'' 200.{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|pp=149–150}} Their music was more political and lacked pop hooks and anthems, influenced instead by [[the Smiths]], [[Joy Division]], and [[the Cure]]. However, the band's accessibility, basement-show roots and touring with Saves the Day made them part of the emo movement.{{sfn|Greenwald|2003|pp=153–155}} Thursday's 2003 album, ''[[War All the Time (Thursday album)|War All the Time]]'', reached number seven on the ''Billboard'' 200.<ref name="bill">[{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=thursday|chart=all}} "Artist Chart History – Thursday – Albums"] ''Billboard''.</ref> Hawthorne Heights, [[Story of the Year]], [[Underoath]], and [[Alexisonfire]], four bands frequently featured on MTV, have popularized [[screamo]].<ref name="ScreamoAM" /> Other screamo bands include [[Silverstein (band)|Silverstein]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lake |first=Dave |date=December 2, 2015 |title=Senses Fail Singer Buddy Nielsen Blames Apathy for Breeding "Garbage Like Donald Trump" |url=https://www.browardpalmbeach.com/music/senses-fail-singer-buddy-nielsen-blames-apathy-for-breeding-garbage-like-donald-trump-7430154 |access-date=July 21, 2018 |website=[[New Times Broward-Palm Beach]] |archive-date=July 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722011344/https://www.browardpalmbeach.com/music/senses-fail-singer-buddy-nielsen-blames-apathy-for-breeding-garbage-like-donald-trump-7430154 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Senses Fail]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Alex Henderson |title=Let It Enfold You |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/let-it-enfold-you-r793934/review |access-date=December 9, 2011 |website=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Andrew Leahey |title=Life Is Not a Waiting Room |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/life-is-not-a-waiting-room-r1432491/review |access-date=December 9, 2011 |website=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref> and [[Vendetta Red]].<ref name="ScreamoAM" /> Underoath's albums ''[[They're Only Chasing Safety]]'' (2004){{Certification Cite Ref|title=They're Only Chasing Safety|artist=Underoath|type=album|region=United States}} and ''[[Define the Great Line]]'' (2006){{Certification Cite Ref|title=Define the Great Line|artist=Underoath|type=album|region=United States}} both were certified gold by the RIAA. The Used's [[The Used (album)|self-titled album]] (2002) was certified gold by the RIAA on July 21, 2003.{{Certification Cite Ref|title=The Used|artist=The Used|type=album|region=United States}} The Used's self-titled album, as of August 22, 2009, has sold 841,000 copies.<ref name="GuitarHeroes">{{Cite magazine |last=Leebove |first=Laura |date=August 22, 2009 |title=Guitar Heroes |magazine=Billboard |publisher=[[Nielsen Business Media, Inc.]] |volume=121 |page=31 |issn=0006-2510 |number=33}}</ref> The Used's album ''[[In Love and Death]]'' (2004) was certified gold by the RIAA on March 21, 2005.{{Certification Cite Ref|title=In Love and Death|artist=The Used|type=album|region=United States}} ''In Love and Death'', as of January 2, 2007, sold 689,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Cohen |first=Jonathan |date=January 2, 2007 |title=Live CD/DVD To Precede New Used Album |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1063528/live-cddvd-to-precede-new-used-album |access-date=August 11, 2018 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=August 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809060607/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1063528/live-cddvd-to-precede-new-used-album |url-status=live }}</ref> Four Alexisonfire albums were certified gold or platinum in Canada.{{Certification Cite Ref|title=Alexisonfire|artist=Alexisonfire|type=album|region=Canada}}{{Certification Cite Ref|title=Watch Out!|artist=Alexisonfire|type=album|region=Canada}}{{Certification Cite Ref|title=Crisis|artist=Alexisonfire|type=album|region=Canada}}{{Certification Cite Ref|title=Old Crows / Young Cardinals|artist=Alexisonfire|type=album|region=Canada}} [[File:hawthorneheights.jpg|thumb|right|189px|alt=Hawthorne Heights, a five-man emo band|The emo band [[Hawthorne Heights]] in 2007]]

[[File:My Chemical Romance BDO Feb 4 07 1.jpg|thumb|250px|left|alt=My Chemical Romance, dressed in black, onstage|My Chemical Romance is known for their use of eyeliner and black clothing associated with emo fashion.]]

[[Emo pop]], a pop punk-oriented subgenre of emo with [[pop music|pop]]-influenced [[hook (music)|hooks]], became the main emo style during the mid-to late 2000s, with many of these bands being signed by [[Fueled by Ramen Records]] and some adopting a [[gothic fashion|goth]]-inspired look.<ref name="Allmusic" /> My Chemical Romance broke into the mainstream with their 2004 album ''[[Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge]]''. My Chemical Romance is known for their goth-influenced emo appearance and creation of [[concept album]]s and [[rock opera]]s.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Spanos |first=Brittany |date=July 21, 2016 |title=My Chemical Romance Plots 'Black Parade' Reissue for 10th Anniversary |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/my-chemical-romance-plots-black-parade-reissue-for-10th-anniversary-104098/ |access-date=August 12, 2018 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |archive-date=August 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180813075731/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/my-chemical-romance-plots-black-parade-reissue-for-10th-anniversary-104098/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="MCRBio">{{Cite web |last=Leahey |first=Andrew |title=My Chemical Romance {{!}} Biography & History |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/my-chemical-romance-mn0000520545/biography |access-date=August 12, 2018 |website=[[AllMusic]] |archive-date=July 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718030953/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/my-chemical-romance-mn0000520545/biography |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge'' was certified platinum by the RIAA in 2005.{{Certification Cite Ref|region=United States|type=album|title=Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge|artist=My Chemical Romance}} The band's success continued with its third album, ''[[The Black Parade]]'', which sold 240,000 copies in its first week of release<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harris |first=Chris |date=November 1, 2006 |title=Hannah Montana Rains On My Chemical Romance's Parade |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1544562/hannah-montana-rains-on-my-chemical-romances-parade/ |publisher=[[MTV]] |access-date=June 4, 2016 |archive-date=February 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150220134815/http://www.mtv.com/news/1544562/hannah-montana-rains-on-my-chemical-romances-parade/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> and was certified platinum by the RIAA in less than a year.{{Certification Cite Ref|region=United States|type=album|title=The Black Parade|artist=My Chemical Romance}} Fall Out Boy's album, ''[[From Under the Cork Tree]]'', sold 2,700,000 copies in the United States.<ref name="FOBSales">{{Cite magazine |date=February 4, 2013 |title=Fall Out Boy to 'Save Rock and Roll' in May |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1537641/fall-out-boy-to-save-rock-and-roll-in-may |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=April 21, 2020 |archive-date=September 7, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140907015458/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1537641/fall-out-boy-to-save-rock-and-roll-in-may |url-status=live }}</ref> The band's album, ''[[Infinity on High]]'', topped the ''Billboard'' 200, sold 260,000 copies in its first week of release<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Hasty |first=Katie |date=February 14, 2007 |title=Fall Out Boy Hits 'High' Note With No. 1 Debut |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1054981/fall-out-boy-hits-high-note-with-no-1-debut |magazine=Billboard |access-date=April 21, 2020 |archive-date=March 5, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130305115440/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1054981/fall-out-boy-hits-high-note-with-no-1-debut |url-status=live }}</ref> and sold 1,400,000 copies in the United States.<ref name=FOBSales /> Multiple Fall Out Boy songs reached the top ten of the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.<ref name="FallOutBoyChartHistory">{{Cite magazine |title=Fall Out Boy – Chart History |url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=Fall Out Boy|chart=Hot 100}} |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref> Panic! at the Disco's album, ''[[A Fever You Can't Sweat Out]]'', was certified double platinum by the RIAA{{Certification Cite Ref|title=A Fever You Can't Sweat Out|artist=Panic! at the Disco|type=album|region=United States}} and its single, "[[I Write Sins Not Tragedies]]", reached number seven on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Panic! at the Disco – Chart History |url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=panic at the disco|chart=Hot 100}} |magazine=Billboard}}</ref> Panic! at the Disco are known for combining emo with [[electronic music|electronics]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Galil |first=Leor |date=July 14, 2009 |title=Scrunk happens |url=http://thephoenix.com/boston/music/86395-scrunk-happens/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090819123128/http://thephoenix.com/boston/music/86395-scrunk-happens/ |archive-date=August 19, 2009 |access-date=August 12, 2018 |website=[[The Phoenix (newspaper)|The Phoenix]]}}</ref> and their album ''A Fever You Can't Sweat Out'' is an emo album<ref name="EmoAlbumsRollingStone">{{Cite magazine |last1=Bayer |first1=Jonah |last2=Burgess |first2=Aaron |last3=Exposito |first3=Suzy |last4=Galil |first4=Leor |last5=Montgomery |first5=James |last6=Spanos |first6=Brittany |date=March 1, 2016 |title=40 Greatest Emo Albums of All Time |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/40-greatest-emo-albums-of-all-time-23526/ |access-date=August 12, 2018 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |archive-date=March 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210330213951/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/40-greatest-emo-albums-of-all-time-23526/ |url-status=live }}</ref> with elements of {{nowrap|[[dance-punk]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zemler |first=Emily |date=October 3, 2005 |title=Panic! at the Disco |url=https://www.spin.com/2005/10/panic-disco/ |access-date=August 12, 2018 |website=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]] |archive-date=October 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002142426/http://www.spin.com/2005/10/panic-disco/ |url-status=live }}</ref>}} and [[baroque pop]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Story |first=Hannah |date=January 11, 2016 |title=Panic! At The Disco – Death Of A Bachelor |url=http://themusic.com.au/music/albumreviews/2016/01/11/panic-at-the-disco-death-of-a-bachelor-hannah-story/ |access-date=August 12, 2018 |website=[[The Music (magazine)|The Music]] |archive-date=December 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191214162114/https://themusic.com.au/music/albumreviews/2016/01/11/panic-at-the-disco-death-of-a-bachelor-hannah-story/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus' "[[Face Down (The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus song)|Face Down]]" peaked at number 24 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus {{!}} Awards |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-red-jumpsuit-apparatus-mn0000986573/awards |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=April 21, 2020 |archive-date=May 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160521120635/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-red-jumpsuit-apparatus-mn0000986573/awards |url-status=live }}</ref> and its album, ''[[Don't You Fake It]]'', sold 852,000 copies in the United States.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Cohen |first=Jonathan |date=August 18, 2008 |title=Red Jumpsuit Apparatus Recording New Album |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1044419/red-jumpsuit-apparatus-recording-new-album |magazine=Billboard |access-date=April 21, 2020 |archive-date=August 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819203553/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1044419/red-jumpsuit-apparatus-recording-new-album |url-status=live }}</ref> [[AFI (band)|AFI]]'s albums ''[[Sing the Sorrow]]'' and ''[[Decemberunderground]]'' both were certified platinum by the RIAA,{{Certification Cite Ref|region=United States|type=album|title=Sing the Sorrow|artist=AFI}}{{Certification Cite Ref|region=United States|type=album|title=Decemberunderground|artist=AFI}} with ''Decemberunderground'' peaking at number 1 on the ''Billboard'' 200.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=June 14, 2006 |title=AFI Burns Brightly With No. 1 Debut |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/58141/afi-burns-brightly-with-no-1-debut |magazine=Billboard |access-date=April 21, 2020 |archive-date=April 14, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130414014837/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/58141/afi-burns-brightly-with-no-1-debut |url-status=live }}</ref> Paramore's 2007 album ''[[Riot!]]'' was certified double platinum by the RIAA{{Certification Cite Ref|region=United States|type=album|title=Riot!|artist=Paramore}} and several Paramore songs appeared on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 in the late 2000s, including "[[Misery Business]]", "[[Decode (song)|Decode]]", "[[Crushcrushcrush]]", "[[That's What You Get]]", and "[[Ignorance (song)|Ignorance]]".<ref name="ParamoreHot100">{{Cite magazine |title=Paramore – Chart history |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/325117/Paramore/chart?sort=date&f=379 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=April 21, 2020 |archive-date=November 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118191006/https://www.billboard.com/artist/325117/Paramore/chart?sort=date&f=379 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===2010–present: Decline and emo revival===
By 2010, emo's popularity began to decline. Many emo bands lost popularity or had changed genres;<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 19, 2011 |title=My Chemical Romance Shed Their Emo Roots |work=Dallas Observer}}</ref> [[My Chemical Romance]]'s album, ''[[Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys]]'', featured a traditional [[pop punk]] style.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 18, 2010 |title=My Chemical Romance: Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys – review |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/nov/18/my-chemical-romance-danger-days-review |website=The Guardian}}</ref> [[Paramore]] and [[Fall Out Boy]] both abandoned the emo genre with their 2013 albums, ''[[Paramore (album)|Paramore]]'' and ''[[Save Rock and Roll]]'', respectively.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rolli |first=Bryan |date=January 22, 2018 |title=Fall Out Boy's 'MANIA' Proves The Value Of Authenticity |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/bryanrolli/2018/01/22/fall-out-boy-mania-review/ |access-date=July 21, 2018 |website=[[Forbes]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Anderson |first=Kyle |date=April 10, 2013 |title=Paramore |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |url=https://ew.com/article/2013/05/09/paramore/ |access-date=July 21, 2018 |archive-date=October 25, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141025055435/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20690042,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Ben Rayner |date=April 8, 2013 |title=Paramore's glossy a bid for superstardom: album review &#124; Toronto Star |work=[[Toronto Star]] |url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/music/2013/04/08/paramores_glossy_a_bid_for_superstardom_album_review.html |access-date=July 21, 2018}}</ref> Paramore moved to a [[new wave music|new wave]]-influenced style.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Collar |first=Matt |title=After Laughter - Paramore |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/after-laughter-mw0003039874 |access-date=July 21, 2018 |website=AllMusic}}</ref> [[Panic! at the Disco]] also abandoned the [[emo pop]] genre to a [[synth-pop]] style on ''[[Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die!]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die! – Panic! at the Disco |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/too-weird-to-live-too-rare-to-die!-mw0002565550 |website=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref> Many emo bands, including [[My Chemical Romance]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.kerrang.com/blog/2013/03/mcr_split_gerard_confirms_brea.html |title=Kerrang! MCR Split: Gerard Way Confirms Break Up |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130328081831/http://www.kerrang.com/blog/2013/03/mcr_split_gerard_confirms_brea.html |archive-date=March 28, 2013 |work=Kerrang.com |access-date=December 12, 2013}}</ref> [[Alexisonfire]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Murphy |first=Sarah |date=August 9, 2012 |title=Alexisonfire Reveal 10 Year Anniversary Farewell Tour |url=http://exclaim.ca/News/alexisonfire_reveal_final_farewell_tour |access-date=August 9, 2012 |website=[[Exclaim!]]}}</ref> and [[Thursday (band)|Thursday]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rosenbaum |first=Jason |date=December 2, 2011 |title=A Hole in the World: Thursday Calls it Quits |url=https://www.riverfronttimes.com/musicblog/2011/12/02/a-hole-in-the-world-thursday-calls-it-quits |access-date=July 21, 2018 |website=[[Riverfront Times]] |archive-date=July 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180721221731/https://www.riverfronttimes.com/musicblog/2011/12/02/a-hole-in-the-world-thursday-calls-it-quits |url-status=dead }}</ref> disbanded, raising concerns about the genre's viability.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 24, 2013 |title=What Happened to Emo? |url=http://www.mtvhive.com/2013/04/24/what-happened-to-emo/ |website=[[MTV Hive]] |access-date=December 13, 2013 |archive-date=September 5, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130905003738/http://www.mtvhive.com/2013/04/24/what-happened-to-emo |url-status=dead }}</ref> Andrew Sacher of Brooklyn Vegan explains, "The popularity led to backlash, and a rapidly-changing music industry eventually turned its attention away from punk-adjacent bands in the mainstream, leaving the genre stigmatized by the end of the 2000s, and eventually — as far as the mainstream was concerned — dead."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sacher |first=Andrew |title=The Year That Emo Broke: The 20 Best Emo Albums of 2001 |url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/the-year-that-emo-broke-the-20-best-emo-albums-of-2001/ |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=BrooklynVegan |language=en-US}}</ref>

During the latter 2010s, a mainly underground [[emo revival]] emerged,<ref name="12 bands">{{Cite web |last=DeVille |first=Chris |date=October 2013 |title=12 Bands To Know From The Emo Revival |url=https://www.stereogum.com/1503252/ |access-date=November 28, 2013 |website=[[Stereogum]] |archive-date=December 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203032701/http://www.stereogum.com/1503252/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Ducker">{{Cite news |last=Ducker |first=Eric |title=A Rational Conversation: Is Emo Back? |url=https://www.npr.org/blogs/therecord/2013/11/18/245954581/a-rational-conversation-is-emo-back |access-date=November 28, 2013 |newspaper=[[NPR]] |date=November 18, 2013 |archive-date=November 27, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131127204036/http://www.npr.org/blogs/therecord/2013/11/18/245954581/a-rational-conversation-is-emo-back |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Your New Favorite Emo Bands">{{Cite web |last=Cohen |first=Ian |title=Your New Favorite Emo Bands: The Best of Topshelf Records' 2013 Sampler |url=https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/86-topshelf-2013-sampler/ |access-date=November 28, 2013 |website=[[Pitchfork Media|Pitchfork]] |archive-date=December 7, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207142144/http://pitchfork.com/thepitch/86-topshelf-2013-sampler/ |url-status=live }}</ref> drawing on the sound and aesthetic of 1990s emo. Artists associated with this movement include Modern Baseball,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharp |first=Tyler |date=January 7, 2015 |title=Modern Baseball keep the emo revival alive with "Alpha Kappa Fall Of Troy The Movie Part Deax" |url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/modern_baseball_keep_the_emo_revival_alive_with_alpha_kappa_fall_of_troy_th |website=[[Alternative Press (magazine)|Alternative Press]] |access-date=August 29, 2017 |archive-date=August 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829082519/http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/modern_baseball_keep_the_emo_revival_alive_with_alpha_kappa_fall_of_troy_th |url-status=live }}</ref> [[the World Is a Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid to Die]],<ref name="12 bands" /><ref name="Your New Favorite Emo Bands" /><ref name="Handicapping">{{Cite web |last=Gormelly |first=Ian |title=Handicapping the Emo Revival: Who's Most Likely to Pierce the Stigma? |url=http://www.chartattack.com/features/2013/11/27/handicapping-emo-revival/ |access-date=November 28, 2013 |website=[[Chart Attack]] |archive-date=January 2, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160102183815/http://www.chartattack.com/features/2013/11/27/handicapping-emo-revival/ |url-status=usurped }}</ref> [[A Great Big Pile of Leaves]],<ref name="12 bands" /> [[Pianos Become the Teeth]],<ref name="Your New Favorite Emo Bands" /> [[Empire! Empire! (I Was a Lonely Estate)]],<ref name="12 bands" /> [[Touché Amoré]],<ref name="12 bands" /><ref name="Handicapping" /> [[Into It. Over It.]],<ref name="12 bands" /><ref name="Handicapping" /> and [[the Hotelier]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chatterjee |first=Kika |date=July 29, 2017 |title=18 bands leading the emo revival |url=http://www.altpress.com/features/entry/18_bands_leading_the_emo_revival |website=Alternative Press |access-date=August 29, 2017 |archive-date=August 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829082510/http://www.altpress.com/features/entry/18_bands_leading_the_emo_revival |url-status=live }}</ref> While many 2010s emo bands draw on the sound and aesthetic of 1990s emo, hardcore punk elements are consistently used by 2010s emo bands such as [[Title Fight]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Heaney |first=Gregory |title=Title Fight |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/title-fight-mn0002137032/biography |access-date=December 12, 2013 |website=[[AllMusic]] |archive-date=September 7, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130907041331/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/title-fight-mn0002137032/biography |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Small Brown Bike]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zac Johnson |title=The River Bed – Small Brown Bike – Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards – AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-river-bed-mw0000323827 |website=AllMusic |access-date=April 21, 2020 |archive-date=July 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731015039/https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-river-bed-mw0000323827 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In the 2020s, emo's impact on mainstream music of the [[2010s in music|2010s]], as well as a revival of the genre itself, was noted in media outlets.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=March 20, 2020 |title=How the emo genre bounced back from the brink |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/emo-music-my-chemical-romance-paramore-hayley-williams-green-day-a9412056.html |access-date=May 27, 2022 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":3" /> The [[BBC]] observed in 2018 "beyond guitar-based bands, the influence of emo can be seen in much of modern music, both in style and lyrical content" and "addressing [[mental health issues]] has become increasingly more common in pop".<ref name=":1" />