15 of our favourite emo bands then and now
A love letter to our favourite emo bands of the 90s and 00s
From their introspective lyrics to their highly emotive music to their penchant for eyeliner and finely coiffured hairstyles, emo bands such as My Chemical Romance, Jimmy Eat World and Paramore created a look and sound for an entire generation over the past two decades.
While many are still household names today, others have sadly fared less well with time. To celebrate our station Everything Emo, Kerrang! Radio takes a look at what some of the defining emo bands are up to today...
15 of our favourite emo bands from the 90s and 00s then and now:
Then: The All-American Rejects
The All-American Rejects were formed in Oklahoma in 1999 by school friends Tyler Ritter and Nick Wheeler. They came up with their band name after listening to 'Reject', a song from Green Day's 'Nimrod' album from 1997. The band, who were briefly joined by guitarist Jesse Tabish, released their first EP, 'Same Girl, New Songs' in 2001 and shortly after signed their first record contract. Drummer, Chris Gaylor and guitarist Mike Kennerty both joined the band in 2002. The All-American Rejects released their debut, self-titled album in 2002, which peaked at Number 25 on the Billboard 200 Album chart.
Now: The All-American Rejects
The All-American Rejects have sold over 10 million albums worldwide and have released multiple hits including 'Dirty Little Secret' (a Top 20 smash in the UK) and 'Move Along'. Their biggest selling song to date, 'Gives You Hell' from their 'When the World Comes Down' album was certified 4× Multi-Platinum for sales of over 4 million in the US.
In 2019, The All-American Rejects released a three-track EP called 'Send Her to Heaven' which was written by Tyler Ritter and Weezer's Rivers Cuomo. The following year, the band released 'Rejects Faves' onto streaming sites, which features 14 of the band's favourite songs from their four studio albums. In 2020, lead singer Tyson said it was unlikely that they'd "make another record anytime soon if ever" as he was working on side projects, but they did reunite for the When We Were Young festival in October 2022.
Then: Death Cab For Cutie
Death Cab For Cutie began in 1997 as a solo project for frontman Ben Gibbard while he was at Western Washington University. After the success of his first demo 'You Can Play These Songs with Chords', Ben decided to form a band and hired guitarist Chris Walla, bass player Nick Harmer and drummer Nathan Good. The group's name comes from the song 'Death Cab For Cutie' written by the The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band.
The four-piece released their debut album, 'Something About Airplanes' in 1998. Original drummer Nathan Good left the band in 1999 and was replaced by Michael Schorr in 2000. However, it wasn't until the release of their fourth album, 'Transatlanticism' in 2003 that they started to achieve more commercial success. Two singles from the album, 'The Sound of Settling' and 'Title and Registration', were featured on soundtracks for popular TV shows The O.C., Six Feet Under and CSI: Miami.
Now: Death Cab For Cutie
Their best-selling single to date is 'I Will Follow You into the Dark' from their 2005 Platinum-selling album 'Plans'. The single gained the band a Grammy Award nomination for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals in 2007. After parting ways with Michael Schorr in 2003 and Chris Walla in 2015, the bound welcomed Jason McGerr in 2003, and Dave Depper and Zac Rae in 2015 into the band. Now a five-piece, Death Cab For Cutie released their latest album 'Asphalt Meadows' in 2022.
Then: Fall Out Boy
Fall Out Boy was formed by friends Pete Wentz and Joe Trohman as a pop punk side project from their respective bands in 2001. The Chicago duo were soon joined by vocalist Patrick Stump later that year. The line-up was completed in 2003 when Andy Hurley joined the band, after several previous attempts to secure a drummer. The band released their debut album, 'Take This To Your Grave' in 2003, which became an underground hit and gained them a loyal fanbase. However, Fall Out Boy achieved breakthrough success after the release of their second album 'From Under the Cork Tree' in 2005. It peaked at Number 12 in the UK and has since reached Platinum status on these shores. To date it has sold more than 4 million units worldwide. The album boasts hit singles 'Sugar, We're Goin' Down' and 'Dance, Dance' which continue to be firm fan favourites today.
Now: Fall Out Boy
2007's 'Infinity on High' became the band's first Number 1 album, after selling over 260,000 copies during its first week. After a hiatus in 2009, Fall Out Boy reunited in 2012 and have gone on to sell over 8.5 million albums worldwide. Their albums 'Save Rock and Roll' (2013), 'AmericanBeauty/America Psycho' (2015) and 'Mania' (2018) all reached Number 1 on the US Billboard 200. In 2022, Fall Out Boy performed alongside Green Day and Weezer on the Hella Mega Tour after being postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Guitarist Joe Trohman announced in January 2023 that he was taking a break from the band to focus on his mental health, and the group will release their eighth album 'So Much (for) Stardust' in March 2023. They also announced five UK arena dates in Autumn 2023.
Then: AFI
California's AFI, which abbreviated stands for A Fire Inside, were formed in 1991 when members Davey Havok, Adam Carson, Mark Stopholese and Vic Chalker were still at high school. Even though the band didn't know how to play any instruments at the time, they knew they wanted to make music together. After finely honing their musical skills, AFI released their first EP, 'Dork' in 1993 and two years later they released their debut studio album 'Answer That and Stay Fashionable'. AFI didn't reach major commercial success until 2000 when they released their fifth album, 'The Art of Drowning', which sold over 100,000 copies. In 2006, AFI released their seventh album, 'Decemberunderground' which debuted at Number 1 on the Billboard 200. The album featured their hit single 'Miss Murder', which is one of the band's biggest and most recognisable songs.
Now: AFI
Vocalist Davey Havok and drummer Adam Carson are the only original members from the band's inception in 1991, but bass player Hunter Burgan and guitarist Jade Puget have both been longstanding members since 1998. In June 2021, the band released their 11th studio album 'Bodies' in June 2021.
Then: Funeral For A Friend
Funeral For A Friend formed in 2001 when January Thirst's Matthew Evans and Johnny Phillips invited Matt Davies-Kreye to join their group after their lead singer quit. Along with Andi Morris and Kerry and Kris Coombs-Roberts, the band renamed themselves to Funeral for a Friend, which is a song by Illinois post-hardcore band Planes Mistaken for Stars. After parting ways with Kerry Roberts, the band were joined by guitarist Darran Smith and went on to record their debut EP 'Between Order and Model' in 2002. However, just before the EP's release, Andi Morris, Johnny Phillips and Matthew Evans left the band. Matt Davies-Kreye became the primary vocalist and the band later recruited bass player, Gareth Ellis-Davies and drummer Ryan Richards. In 2003, Funeral For A Friend released their debut album 'Casually Dressed & Deep in Conversation' and saw three of the album's singles reach the UK Top 20, including 'Juneau', 'She Drove Me to Daytime Television' and 'Escape Artists Never Die'. A year after its release, the album was awarded a Gold certification for selling over 100,000 copies.
Now: Funeral For A Friend
Despite breaking up in 2016, the band returned in 2019 as a six-piece: Matt Davies-Kreye, Kris Coombs-Roberts, Darran Smith, Ryan Richards, Gavin Burrough and Richard Boucher. They played three benefit shows at Cardiff University and London's Shepherd's Bush Empire. The band then announced their UK headline tour for January 2022, playing songs from their first three albums.
Then: Good Charlotte
Twin brothers Joel and Benji Madden decided to start a band after seeing a Beastie Boys show in 1995. The brothers, who hail from Waldorf, Maryland, asked their school friends Paul Thomas and Aaron Escolopio to join them and started playing shows under the name Good Charlotte. The name for the band came from a children's book called 'Good Charlotte: Girls of the Good Day Orphanage', written by Carol Beach York. Guitarist Billy Martin joined the band in 1998 after making friends with the Madden brothers. After several local radio stations played the band's demo of 'Little Things', the band were signed to Epic Records in 2000. Later than year, Good Charlotte released their self-titled debut-album.
It was their second album, 'The Young and the Hopeless', which was released in 2002 that helped the band reach mainstream popularity. The album boasted the singles 'Lifestyles Of The Rich and Famous' and 'The Anthem' and debuted at Number 7 on the Billboard 200 and has sold over 4.9 million copies to date. After parting ways with original drummer, Aaron Escolopio in 2001, the band went on to work with Chris Wilson (2001-2005) before finally landing on their current drummer, Dean Butterworth in 2005.
Now: Good Charlotte
Today, the band regularly help write and produce records for groups such as 5 Seconds of Summer, Tonight Alive, and Waterparks. The Madden brothers also own their own management company called MDDN which represents acts such as Architects and Sleeping With Sirens. Despite these various other projects, Good Charlotte are still very much together and released their seventh studio album, 'Generation Rx' in 2018. In 2020, Good Charlotte celebrated the 20th anniversary of their debut album and released the single 'Last December'. They will also play the When We Were Young festival in October 2023.
Then: My Chemical Romance
After witnessing the devastating 9/11 attacks in New York in 2001, friends Gerard Way and Matt Pelissier decided they wanted to start a band. Shortly after, they were joined by Gerard's brother Mikey Way, Ray Toro and Frank Iero.
Mikey suggested the name My Chemical Romance after seeing an Irvine Welsh book called 'Ecstasy: Three Tales of Chemical Romance' at the bookstore he worked at. In 2002, the band released their debut album, 'I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love' and started to gain a strong following on Myspace. A year later, My Chemical Romance signed a record deal with Reprise. Their second album 'Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge' which was released in 2004 and gave the band commercial and critical success.
They released four singles, 'I'm Not Okay (I Promise)', 'Thank You for the Venom', 'Helena', and 'The Ghost of You' and in just over a year, the album went Platinum. Just a month after the album's release, drummer Matt Pelissier left the group and was replaced by Bob Bryar. Their third album, 2007's 'Welcome To The Black Parade', was a major turning point for the band. The album debuted at Number 2 on both the Billboard 200 and the UK Albums Chart and the title track, 'Welcome to the Black Parade' went on to be the band's first Number 1 single. By now, My Chemical Romance were one of the biggest bands on the planet.
Now: My Chemical Romance
Despite disbanding in 2013 to focus on solo projects, the band reunited in 2019 and played a sold-out reunion show at the Los Angeles Shrine Exhibition Hall in December 2019. Following on from the success of the reunion show, the band announced a worldwide tour for 2020 which was postponed until 2022 due to the pandemic. They released song 'The Foundations of Decay' in May 2022 - their first output since 2014. Gerard Way is also the writer behind popular comic book series The Umbrella Academy, which was turned into a hit Netflix TV show.
Then: Jimmy Eat World
Jimmy Eat World were formed in Arizona in 1991 when childhood friends frontman Jim Adkins and drummer Zach Lind were joined by guitarist Tom Linton and bass player Mitch Porter to see if they could make some songs together. The band's name came from a drawing made by guitarist Linton's younger brothers, Jim and Ed Linton. After losing a fight with Jim, Ed drew a picture of his brother with the Earth in his mouth and wrote the caption "Jimmy eat world".
They released their self-titled debut album in 1994, just as the band were leaving high-school and went on to release albums, 'Static Prevails' (1996) and 'Clarity' (1999). During this time, Mitch Porter left Jimmy Eat World and was replaced with Rick Burch. The band's big break came with the release of their fourth album, 'Bleed American', which was certified Platinum in both Canada and the US. The album's biggest singles 'The Middle' and 'Sweetness' both peaked at Number 1 and Number 2 respectively. 'The Middle', which is arguably the band's most well-known song, also peaked at Number 5 Stateside.
Now: Jimmy Eat World
The band released their 10th studio album 'Surviving' in 2019, which features songs 'Congratulations', 'Surviving' and 'Criminal Energy.' On 15th December 2020, the band held an online concert series called 'Phoenix Sessions' where they sang hits from albums 'Surviving', 'Futures' and 'Clarity'. They played festivals Lollapalooza in 2021 and When We Were Young in 2022, later releasing independent singles 'Something Loud' in June 2022 and 'Place Your Debts' in October 2022.
Then: Panic! At The Disco
Panic! At The Disco was formed by childhood friends, guitarist Ryan Ross and drummer Spencer Smith in 2004. The duo, who were still at school, asked friends Brent Wilson and Brendon Urie to join their band, which started out as a blink-182 cover group before they started writing their own songs. In 2004, the Las Vegas foursome signed to Decaydance Records, home of Fall Out Boy. They released their debut album 'A Fever You Can't Sweat Out' in 2005 and within a year it reached Platinum status. The music video for the album's single 'I Write Sins Not Tragedies' also won Video of the Year at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards.
Original bass player Brent Wilson was fired from the band in 2006, and Ryan Ross and Jon Walker (Brent's replacement) both left the band in 2009 after the release of second album 'Pretty.Odd' (2008). Touring bassist Dallon Weekes joined the band's official line-up along with Urie and Smith, making the band a three-piece in 2010. A year later they released the album 'Vices & Virtues'.
Now: Panic! At The Disco
Panic! At The Disco became the solo project of frontman Brendon Urie after drummer Spencer Smith and bassist Dallon Weekes left the band in 2015 and 2017 respectively. 'Death of a Bachelor' (2017) was Panic!'s fifth studio album and their first as a solo project. It debuted at Number 1 on the US Billboard 200 - a first for Panic! - and was certified double Platinum for selling 2 million copies. It was also nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Rock Album at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards. The follow-up album 'Pray for the Wicked' (2018) also debuted at Number 1 in the US and achieved Platinum status. Brendon contributed 'Into the Unknown' to the soundtrack of the 2019 Disney hit film Frozen II, and released seventh album 'Viva Las Vengeance' in 2022.
In January 2023, Brendon announced that Panic! would be disbanding after the 'Viva Las Vengeance Tour' finished in March 2023 so that he could focus on his family.
Then: Paramore
In 2004, brothers Josh and Zac Farro joined forces with friends Jeremy Davis, Hayley Williams and Jason Bynum to create the band Paramore. Hayley Williams once said that the name was inspired by a former member's mother's maiden name. Signed in 2005, Paramore released their debut studio album 'All We Know Is Falling' later that year. A few months later, Jason Bynum left the band and was replaced by Hunter Lamb. Paramore's big breakthrough moment came upon the release of their second album 'Riot!' in 2007, which peaked on the Billboard 200 albums chart at Number 15 and 24 in the UK. The album includes hits such as 'That's What You Get' and 'Misery Business' which has since been certified triple-Platinum. This was also the first album with guitarist and long-time friend of the band Taylor York. In 2010, Josh and Zac Farro left the band following the release of Paramore's third album, 'Brand New Eyes', which reached Number 1 in the UK. The group received their first Grammy Award in 2013, and Jeremy Davis left the band in 2015.
Now: Paramore
After announcing Zac Farro's return to the band, Paramore released their fifth album 'After Laughter' in 2017. Marking a seismic shift in musical direction for the band, the album, which featured hits such as 'Hard Times' and 'Rose-Colored Boy', debuted at Number 4 in the UK. After a hiatus to pursue individual projects, Paramore returned to the studio in January 2022, performing at the When We Were Young Festival in October that year and sixth album 'This Is Why' was released in February 2023.
Then: Senses Fail
Senses Fail began in October 2001 when frontman Buddy Nielsen posted an ad online to recruit band members and found drummer Dan Trapp, guitarists Garrett Zablocki and Dave Miller as well as bassist James Gill (who was later replaced by Mike Glita). After being signed to Drive-Thru Records, Senses Fail released their debut album 'Let It Enfold You' in 2004. The album went on to sell over 600,000 copies worldwide and saw the release of two singles 'Buried a Lie' and 'Rum Is for Drinking, Not for Burning.' Their second offering, 'Still Searching', came in at Number 15 on the Billboard 200, which remains Senses Fail's highest-charting album to date.
Now: Senses Fail
The band has gone through multiple line-up changes since starting in 2001, with Buddy Nielsen being the only consistent member throughout. Senses Fail now consists of Buddy Nielsen, guitarists Jason Milbank and Gavin Caswell, drummer Steve Carey and bass player Greg Styliades. In January 2020, Senses Fail announced that they had begun recording their eighth record, with a working title 'What the Thunder Said, Hell Is in Your Head'. The album is expected to be released at some point in 2021, but no dates have yet been confirmed.
In November 2020, the band released 'Christmas Has Been Canceled Due to Lack of Hustle' - an EP featuring two songs: a cover of Saturday Night Live's 'I Wish It Was Christmas Today' and 'Donde Esta Santa Clause'. Most recently, the band released 'Lush Rimbaugh' at the time of American radio personality Rush Limbaugh's death. In September 2022, Greg Styliades announced he would go forward as a part-time touring member of the band.
Then: Taking Back Sunday
Long Island's Taking Back Sunday were formed in 1999 by guitarists Eddie Reyes and Steven DeJoseph. The band was named after a song from the band's friends, The Waiting Process. After several line-up changes, Taking Back Sunday eventually settled on vocalist Adam Lazarra, guitarist Eddie Reyes, bassist Shaun Cooper, lead guitarist John Nolan and drummer Mark O'Connell. The group released their debut album 'Tell All Your Friends' in 2002, which included emo anthems such as 'Cute Without The E (Cut From The Team)' and 'Timberwolves at New Jersey'. This still remains the band's best-selling album, after selling 790,000 copies worldwide. Taking Back Sunday's biggest break came off the back of their 2006 album 'Louder Now'. Not only was it voted Kerrang!'s album of the year in 2006, it also debuted at Number 2 on the Billboard 200.
Now: Taking Back Sunday
There have been 11 members of Taking Back Sunday over the years. Despite both leaving the band in 2003, members John Nolan and Shaun Cooper rejoined, but founding member Eddie Reyes left the band in 2018 to focus on overcoming his alcoholism. Adam Lazzara continues to be Taking Back Sunday's frontman. In 2016, Taking Back Sunday released their seventh studio album, 'Tidal Wave', which peaked at number 2 on Billboard's US Top Alternative Albums chart.
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Taking Back Sunday, the band released 'Twenty' (2019) which was a compilation album filled with some of their biggest hits including 'MakeDamnSure', 'A Decade Under the Influence' and 'Sink into Me'. In October 2020, John Nolan revealed that the band were currently not signed to a label.
Then: The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
Originating in Florida, childhood friends Ronnie Winter and Duke Kitchens came up with the idea of The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus in 2001 whilst in a music theory class. The band became official two years later when the duo recruited Thomas Amason, Thomas Wurth and Dan Wagler to join them. They came up with their moniker after writing a series of random words on a board and voting for which ones they liked best. After gaining popularity on Myspace, the band were signed to Virgin Records in 2005.
The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus released their first album, 'Don't You Fake It', in 2006 along with singles 'Face Down', 'False Pretense,' 'Your Guardian Angel,' and 'Damn Regret.' The album debuted at Number 25 on the Billboard 200 and the single 'Face Down' is still the band's most successful song.
Now: The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
After several line-up changes, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus are now made up of founding member Ronnie Winter, Joey Westwood, Josh Burke, Randy Winter, John Espy and Daniel Resnick. They released their latest album 'The Awakening' in 2018, which was co-produced by frontman Ronnie and his wife Angela Defoe. This is the first album created by the band since 2014. In August 2020, the band released a new EP called 'The Emergency' which contained two previously released singles 'Brace Yourself' and 'A Long Time Ago In A Galaxy Called LA', as well as four additional new tracks.
Then: The Used
The Used were formed in January 2001 by members Branden Steineckert, Quinn Allman, Jeph Howard and Bert McCracken. After just a year of being together, the Utah natives were signed by Reprise Records under the name 'Used'. However, after discovering that another band had trademarked that name, they became 'The Used'. In 2002, they released their self-titled debut album, which featured the singles 'The Taste of Ink', 'Buried Myself Alive' and 'Blue and Yellow.' The album has since gone Platinum, with all three singles performing well on the Billboard charts.
'In Love and Death', their second album was released two years later and is still their most commercially successful album after selling a million copies worldwide. It featured singles 'Take It Away', 'All That I've Got' and 'I Caught Fire'. This was the last album to feature original drummer, Branden Steineckert who was later replaced by Dan Whitesides.
Now: The Used
After parting ways with Quinn Allman and Justin Shekoski, The Used is now made up of original members Bert McCracken and Jeph Howard along with Dan Whitesides and Joey Bradford. They released their eighth album 'Heartwork' in 2020, reaching Number 4 on Billboard's US Top Alternative Albums chart and US Top Hard Rock Albums chart. They also announced that they were planning to release another album of the remaining 11 songs they recorded but didn't use for 'Heartwork', and a ninth album has been announced for Spring 2023.
Then: You Me At Six
School friends Josh Franceschi, Max Helyer, Chris Miller, Matt Barnes and Joe Phillips created You Me At Six in 2004. After releasing their first EP 'We Know What It Means to Be Alone' in 2006, Joe left the band and was replaced by drummer Dan Flint. Originating from Surrey, the band came up with their name after the members started using the phrase to make plans on a Friday night. 'Take Off Your Colours', You Me At Six's debut album, was released in 2008 and peaked on the UK Albums Chart at Number 25. The band released six singles from the album, including 'Save It for the Bedroom', 'If I Were in Your Shoes', 'Gossip', 'Jealous Minds Think Alike', 'Finders Keepers' and 'Kiss and Tell'.
Now: You Me At Six
Sticking with the same line-up, You Me At Six's seventh album 'Suckapunch' was released in January 2021 and reached Number 1 on the UK album chart. This is the second top spot for the band after their 2014 hit 'Cavalier Youth' which features singles 'What It's Like', 'Adrenaline' and 'Make Me Feel Alive'. They announced their eighth album 'Truth Decay' for early 2023.
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