16 Best Emo Bands of All Time (2024 Update)

One of the most universally misunderstood genres, emo has been scrutinized for the subculture it spawned since its birth in the mid-1980s. Also known as emocore or emotional hardcore, the genre is defined as having “an emphasis on emotional expression with lyrics that are personal or confessional and deal with topics such as failed romance, self-loathing, pain, insecurity, suicidal thoughts, love, and relationships.”

While the term has become synonymous with black eyeliner, gothic Justin Beiber-esque haircuts, misanthropy, and self-harm which has garnered a stigma around the genre as a whole, emo is merely a modernized form of romantic poetry, aiming to offer a sense of relatability to the broken and distressed. In this article, we’re going to be discussing the best emo bands of all time and their impact on music as we know it.

List of the Greatest Emo Bands of All Time

16. Panic! At the Disco

Frontman	Brendon Urie
Origin	Las Vegas, Nevada
Years	2004 to 2015
Genre	Emo Pop, Pop Rock, Alternative Rock, Electropop

Despite being one of the leading bands in the pop-rock genre, Panic! at the Disco became known for their early emo sound and demeanor present on their debut studio album A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out which was highly influential in globalizing the once extremely underground genre.

Formed by teenagers Spencer Smith (drums) and Ryan Ross (guitar) who’d been jamming together since their freshman year of high school, Panic! at the Disco was finalized when Brent Wilson joined the duo as their bassist and Brendon Urie, who originally auditioned to be their guitarist, became the band’s frontman. Originally a self-proclaimed Blink 182 cover band, the band began seeing buzz when the bassist of Fall Out Boy, Pete Wentz, received a demo tape from Urie, which he was thoroughly impressed by. Wentz attended one of the band’s practices and immediately signed them to his own label, saying that “almost right away we knew what was going to happen” in regard to the band’s major success.

While still teenagers, the band released their debut studio album in 2005, A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out, which became an instant commercial success in the US with Billboard referring to it as “one of the most polarizing albums of our time.” The album’s second single I Write Sins Not Tragedies has arguably become one of modern rock’s greatest anthems, as it reached number 2 on the Mainstream Top 40 and number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100, while the album itself has sold over 2 million copies to date. The music video for the single received the MTV Video Music Award for the Best Music Video of the 2000s and the Best Music Video of All Time.

Panic! at the Disco has since become pop-rock superstars and is now the solo project of frontman Brendan Urie, though it’s undeniable that their early emo sound was crucial in the emo boom of the early 2000s, creating the mold for popular emo to come.

15. Cap’n Jazz

Frontman	Tim Kinsella
Origin	Chicago, Illinois
Years	1989 to 1995, 2010, 2017
Genre	Emo, Post-Hardcore, Indie Rock

Formed at the tail-end of the 80s, early emo pioneer Cap’n Jazz never saw mainstream success, yet they remain one of the most influential bands in the genre despite releasing one studio album together.

High school students and brothers Tim (vocals) and Mike Kinsella (drums) recruited guitarist Victor Villareal and bassist Sam Zurick to form a band. After a series of name changes and the addition of guitarist Davey von Bohlen, the beloved underground Cap’n Jazz came to fruition. The band got their start recording a slew of singles for independent record labels throughout the early ‘90s, appearing on numerous emo and indie compilation albums.

The band released their debut studio album in 1995, Shmap’n Shmazz (Analphabetapolothology), under the relatively unknown record label Man With Gun. Though the album failed to gain national attention, the group immediately connected with the growing underground emo scene in Chicago, helping the genre blossom from its juvenile punk roots into the established indie-rock subgenre that it is today.

Cap’n Jazz disbanded shortly after their album’s release, though their influence in the genre only continued to flourish as drummer Mike Kinsella went on to front the legendary emo band American Football, while Tim Kinsella formed the bands Joan of Arc, Owls, and Friend/Enemy.

14. Texas Is the Reason

Frontman	Garrett Klahn
Origin	New York City, New York
Years	1994 to 1997, 2006, 2012 to 2013, 2016
Genre	Emo, Indie Rock, Post-Hardcore

A staple of the ‘90s MTV punk boom, Texas is the Reason was one of the leading forces in the underground emo and indie rock scenes and were dubbed by the media as “the next big thing,” despite never surpassing alternative status.

The band, named after the Misfits song “Bullet”, came to fruition when former members of hardcore Hare Krishna bands Chris Daly and Norman Brannon bonded over their desire to abandon the hardcore sound and the religious preaching relevant in their past music. The duo recruited vocalist Garrett Klahn and bassist Scott Winegard and released an eponymous EP that featured three songs, erupting into immediate underground success.

Texas is the Reason recorded and released their debut studio album in 1995, Do You Know Who You Are, under Revelation Records which became the label’s biggest success to date. The band’s overwhelmingly positive response from the underground scene resulted in a battle between labels, as numerous hoped to sign the band. After considering an offer from Capitol Records in 1997, the group disbanded, claiming they had already reached their pinnacle and had no desire in surpassing underground status.

Brannon claimed that if their final show while on tour in Bielefeld, Germany went well that it would be their last. He later recounted “I walked on stage and we opened with ‘Antique’ and when Garret started singing, there were eight hundred Germans singing along with us. I looked at Daly and knew that this was over.”

13. Dashboard Confessional

Frontman	Chris Carrabba
Origin	Boca Raton, Florida
Years	1999 to 2011, 2015 to Present
Genre	Emo, Alternative Rock, Acoustic Rock, Indie Rock

Perhaps one of the most well-known and authentic emo bands amongst die-hard fans, Dashboard Confessional’s Chris Carrabba became one of the most influential figures in the genre and their fresh rejuvenation of the fizzling sound made popular in the ‘90s by bands such as Sunny Day Real Estate.

Originally the solo project of former Further Seems Forever vocalist Chris Carrabba, two studio albums were released under the name Dashboard Confessional before it was a band, The Swiss Army Romance in 2000 and The Places You Have Come to Fear the Most in 2001, both of which garnered positive attention, leading Carrabba to perform on MTV Unplugged. Dashboard Confessional transitioned into a fully-fledged band by 2002 when Carrabba was joined by guitarist John Lefler, bassist Dan Bonebrake, and drummer Mike Marsh.

The band recorded their first album as a four-piece in 2003, A Mark, a Mission, a Brand, a Scar which peaked at number 2 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart and became their highest grossing album to date. The band became a major mainstream success shortly after the release of their third album, as they recorded the track Vindicated for the American superhero film Spider-Man 2, released in 2004.

Dashboard Confessionals’ emo anthems continued to rise in popularity throughout the early 2000s, appearing on the soundtrack for the 2009 comedy horror film Jennifer’s Body. Despite the band’s successes, they disbanded in 2001 and Carrabba began focusing on solo work again. The band reunited in 2015 and released their most recent album in 2018, Crooked Shadows, and most recently embarked on their 20th anniversary tour in honor of their first studio album in January 2020, though it was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

12. Tigers Jaw

Frontman	Adam Mcilwee (2005 to 2006), Brianna Collins & Ben Walsh (2006 to Present)
Origin	Scranton, Pennsylvania
Years	2005 to Present
Genre	Emo, Indie Rock, Pop Punk

Perhaps one of the greatest bands to truly capture the mid-2000s emo sound and ambiance, Tigers Jaw, though relatively unknown at the time of their release, have become one of the most iconic bands in the genre who have rightfully earned their dedicated fanbase.

Inspired by bands such as My Chemical Romance and Fall Out Boy, Tigers Jaw came to fruition in 2006 when high school students Ben Walsh (vocals) and Adam Mcilwee (guitar) decided they wanted to form a band. They were joined by Brianna Collins (vocals and keyboard) shortly afterward and released their debut studio album, Belongs to the Dead, which caught the attention of underground emo fans and was generally well-received by alternative magazines such as AbsolutePunk and PunkNews who recognized the bands potential.

The band continued to release music throughout the 2000s before hitting it big with their fifth studio album released in 2017, Spin, which caught the attention of new emo and indie fans. Though the album was more indie than their previous release, the band returned to their roots with their most recent album, I Won’t Care How You Remember Me, released in March 2021. The album received positive reviews from music journalists and critics, with Kerrang! Stating that they “effortlessly” blend “scrappy punk with a more chilled-out, easy-on-the-ear indie-rock vibe.”

11. The Used

Frontman	Bert McCracken
Origin	Orem, Utah
Years	2001 to Present
Genre	Emo, Screamo, Alternative Rock, Pop Punk

Perhaps one of the most popular emo groups of the early 2000s, The Used formed in 2001 when Quinn Allman, Branden Steineckert, and Jeph Howard formed a band and were in need of a vocalist and lyric writer, and they were joined by their current frontman Bert McCracken.

The band’s first demo, Demos from the Basement, was recorded in Steineckert’s bedroom and was later sent to numerous record producers. The tape was picked up by producer John Feldman of Goldfinger, who immediately flew the group out to Los Angeles and helped them sign to Reprise Records almost exactly one year after the band had formed.

The Used released their eponymous debut studio album in 2002 which was immediately critically acclaimed, featuring the hit singles Buried Myself Alive, The Taste of Ink, and Blue and Yellow, all of which have since earned platinum status. Since its release, the album has become recognized by critics and fans as one of the most influential albums in the screamo and emocore genres with NME naming it as one of “20 Emo Albums That Have Resolutely Stood The Test Of Time.” Performing regularly at large festivals such as Ozzfest and Warped Tour, the band became a mainstream success, globalizing the genre and aiding in its effect on 2000s youth.

The band only continued to grow with the release of their second studio album in 2004, In Love and Death, which remains their most commercially successful album to date, selling nearly 100,000 copies during its first week. Having reached number 6 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart, it has since been considered as the band’s true breakthrough album.

Though The Used remains one of the 2000s most iconic emo bands and have certainly surpassed their youthful angst and aesthetic, they have continued to grow as a band, tour heavily, and release music into the 2010s and beyond, with their most recent album having been released in 2020, Heartwork. The album was well-received by music critics with Alternative Pressing naming it as one of the 50 best albums of the year.

10. La Dispute

Frontman	Jordan Dreyer
Origin	Grand Rapids, Michigan
Years	2004 to Present
Genre	Emo, Post-Hardcore, Screamo, Experimental Rock

Known as one of the leading bands of the new wave of the post-hardcore and emo scenes, La Dispute has become a modern classic and a staple in the genres.

Formed out of Grand Rapids, Michigan in 2004 by cousins Brad Vander Lugt (backing vocals) and Jordan Dreyer (vocals), La Dispute was the product of Dryer’s passion for writing short fiction and poetry. Joined shortly after by Chad Sterenberg (guitar), Adam Kool (bass), and Kevin Whittemore (guitar), the band began playing house shows and later performed regularly at the Division Avenue Arts Collective, a DIY music venue, art gallery, and community center which helped them gain an underground fanbase.

The band began taking their potential to have a fully-fledged music career seriously following the release of their debut studio album in 2006, Vancouver, and signed to No Sleep Records at the dawn of 2008. They released their second studio album shortly afterward, Somewhere at the Bottom of the River Between Vega and Altair, which garnered positive reviews from numerous alternative publications such as Alternative Press, AbsolutePunk, and Sputnikmusic, though it failed to gain much mainstream attention. The album has since garnered cult status and songs such as Such Small Hands. Nobody, Not Even the Rain, Andria and Said the King to the River have become some of the bands most popular tracks to date.

La Disputes third studio album released in 2011, Wildlife, began to depart from the band’s initial emo sound, though they returned to their roots with the release of their fourth studio album in 2014, Rooms of the House, which was featured on British music magazine Rock Sounds Top 50 Albums of the Year list, coming in at number 42. The band’s most recent album released in 2019, Panorama, has continued to explore and demonstrate modern emo, receiving a perfect score from Wall of Sound and reaching number 4 on the Billboard Independent Albums chart.

9. The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus

Frontman	Ronnie Winter
Origin	Middleberg, Florida
Years	2003 to Present
Genre	Emo, Alternative Rock, Pop Punk, Post-Hardcore

Enrolled in the same AP Music Theory course in high school in 2001, childhood friends Duke Kitchens and Ronnie Winter formed The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, the name of which was chosen after the duo along with additional early band members chose random words they placed on the wall.

The band recorded a 6 song EP in 2005 and began promoting themselves on Myspace. Though they had become relatively popular in their local underground emo scene, the band struggled to sign to a label until they were reached out to by Virgin Records later that year. They released their debut studio album the following year, Don’t You Fake It, which has since been certified platinum. Spawning the iconic singles Face Down, False Pretense, Damn Regret and Your Guardian Angel, the album remains one of the band’s most commercially successful albums to date, having reached number 25 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart. After headlining Warped Tour in 2007, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus became an instant staple in the genre as well as in the pop-punk and screamo scenes.

Though the band has continued to release music throughout the past decade and a half, they remain known for their early days in emo and for their influence on the genre’s later sound. Overall, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus is easily one of the best emo bands of all time.

8. Taking Back Sunday

Frontman	Adam Lazzara (2001 to Present)
Origin	Long Island, New York
Years	1999 to Present
Genre	Emo, Emo Pop, Alternative Rock, Pop Punk

One of the pioneers of the early 2000s emo sound, Taking Back Sunday has become a cult favorite amongst fans of the genre since their dive into the genre in 1999 and has remained one of the few emo bands to truly thrive beyond emos pinnacle, as they continue to innovate, experiment and inspire together as a band.

Formed by guitarists Jesse Lacey and Eddie Reyes, the band went through a series of early line-up changes before the release of their debut eponymous EP in 1999 and embarking on their first US tour. Following the release of their debut studio album in 2002, Tell All Your Friends, the band briefly contemplated breaking up mostly due to the stressors of touring that kept them apart from their families and the sheer exhaustion that comes with performing, though they ultimately decided they wanted to continue on.

Taking Back Sunday saw their breakthrough success with the release of their second studio album in 2004, Where You Want To Be, which reached number 3 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart and was named one of the 50 best albums of the year by Rolling Stone Magazine. The album became one of the highest selling independent rock albums, selling over half a million copies by the following year.

The band went on to promote the album by performing on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and provided the songs This Photograph Is Proof (I Know You Know) and Your Own Disaster for the films Spider-Man 2 and Elektra, respectively, which helped them gain further mainstream exposure. The band signed to Warner Bros. Records the following year and became major players in the emo scene, appearing on more late-night talk shows such as The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Late Night with Conan O’Brien, while they also appeared in an episode of the wildly popular teen drama television series Degrassi: The Next Generation.

The band’s follow-up albums Louder Now (2006) and New Again (2009) only continued to draw in more fans of the emo genre, while their eponymous first album of the 2010s began to explore heavier rock, expanding their musical outreach. Their most recent album released in 2016, Tidal Wave, garnered critical and commercial success, with AllMusic stating that it is “their most mature and diverse, yet seamless, set of songs to date.”

7. Fall Out Boy

Frontman	Patrick Stump (2001 to 2009, 2013 to Present)
Origin	Wilmette, Illinois
Years	2001 to 2009, 2013 to Present
Genre	Emo, Emo Pop, Pop Punk, Alternative Rock, Pop Rock

Perhaps one of the biggest names in modern pop-rock, Fall Out Boy’s earliest works were emo gold, helping establish the band into what they’re known as today and for fueling the growing emo revival of the early 2000s.

Formed by close friends Joe Trohman and Pete Wentz in 2001 after being highly interested in the local Chicago hardcore punk scene, the duo aimed to create a pop-punk project. After recruiting vocalist Patrick Stump, Fall Out Boy came to fruition and released their first material together, Fall Out Boy’s Evening Out with Your Girlfriend, a mini-LP that was recorded in two days. The band was signed to Fueled by Ramen after garnering significant alternative status and recorded their debut studio album in 2003, Take This to Your Grave, which received extremely positive reviews. Described by AllMusic as “a spectacular debut art project and smart collection of emo-influenced pop-punk tunes” and by Alternative Press as “a subcultural touchstone,” the album remains the bands only true emo album, though the sheer impact that it had on early 2000s Hot Topic era youth remains unmatched.

Though the album was relatively unsuccessful upon its release, it has since reached cult status and holds a variety of iconic tracks such as Grand Theft Autumn/Where Is Your Boy, Dead on Arrival, and Saturday. The band has since departed from their emo roots and have become global superstars in the pop rock scene, though they remain one of the key players in emos shift towards what its known as today in the early 2000s.

6. Death Cab for Cutie

Frontman	Ben Gibbard
Origin	Bellingham, Washington
Years	1997 to Present
Genre	Emo, Indie Rock, Indie Pop, Alternative Rock

Originally the solo project of vocalist Ben Gibbard, Death Cab for Cutie has become synonymous with their distinct lyrical and vocal styles and unconventional instrumentation that has landed them a loyal fanbase and high praise from critics over the past two decades.

Formerly the guitarist for the band Pinwheel, Gibbard released the demo tape You Can Play These Songs with Chords before recruiting Chris Walla (guitar), Nathan Good (drums) and Nick Harmer (bass), forming a fully-fledged band while the members were attending Western Washington University. The band release their debut studio album in 1998 under Barsuk Records, Something About Airplanes, which helped them maintain a strong underground presence. They continued to see minute success with the release of their follow-up albums We Have the Facts and We’re Voting Yes (2000) and The Photo Album (2001) but garnered some mainstream success with their fourth studio album released in 2003, Transatlanticism, which received a slew of favorable reviews from critics.

The band saw major commercial success with their fifth studio album released under Atlantic Records in 2005, Plans, which spawned some of their biggest hits to date, Crooked Teeth, Soul Meets Body and I Will Follow You into the Dark. The album reached number four on the Billboard 200 Albums chart, was nominated for a Grammy Award for “Best Alternative Music Album” in 2006, and reached platinum status by 2008.

Death Cab for Cutie has continued to steadily release music since their breakthrough into the mainstream, their most recent release being The Blue EP in 2019.

5. My Chemical Romance

Frontman	Gerard Way
Origin	Newark, New Jersey
Years	2001 to 2013, 2019 to Present
Genre	Emo, Alternative Rock, Pop Punk, Hard Rock

Perhaps one of the most popular alternative rock groups of all-time for Gerard Way’s larger than life presence and the band’s countless anthems that remain favorites in the genre, My Chemical Romance (often abbreviated as MCR) has undeniably become one of the most iconic bands of the 2000s.

Formed shortly after the September 11 attacks, vocalist Gerard Way and drummer Matt Pelissier formed MCR in Newark, New Jersey after Way struggled to express his emotions regarding his witnessing of the tragic event. Way decided that he would form a band as a result, and their first song, Skylines and Turnstiles, was written by Way as a direct response to the attacks. The band released their debut studio album three months later, I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love, under Eyeball Records which garnered significant attention on Myspace. The band signed with Reprise Records the following year and released their second studio album, Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge which has since garnered major cult status.

Described by Rock Sound as “an era-defining release, striking a nerve both musically and emotionally with millions around the world,” the album was a major commercial success, reaching platinum status in less than a year of its release. Featuring the hit singles Helena, I’m Not Okay (I Promise) and The Ghost of You, the album has been met with high critical praise throughout the years following its release, featuring on numerous publications “best-of” lists.

MCR’S success only continued to rise with the release of their third studio album in 2006, The Black Parade featuring the hit singles Welcome to the Black Parade, I Don’t Love You and Famous Last Words, along with their fourth and final studio album released in 2010, Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys. Despite having a major fanbase, MCR hasn’t released new material in over a decade, though they have continued to tour rather infrequently.

4. Brand New

Frontman	Jesse Lacey
Origin	Long Island, New York
Years	2000 to 2018
Genre	Emo, Alternative Rock, Indie Rock, Post-Hardcore

Long Island-based Brand New is regarded by critics and fans of the genre as one of the most influential emo bands of the 2000s for their artistic take on the genre.

Former members of the band the Rookie Lot, Brian Lane (drums), Jesse Lacey (vocals, guitar) and Garrett Tierney (bass) formed Brand New in 2000 and signed with Triple Crown records after only performing their second show together as a band. They released their debut studio album, Your Favorite Weapon, the following year. The pop punk amalgamation was relatively unsuccessful and has remained so as the band’s sound quickly evolved from the genre, gearing more towards the authentic emo sound.

The bands breakthrough came with the release of their second studio album in 2003, Deja Entendu (French for “already had”) which reached number 63 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart. The album was praised highly by critics, who appreciated the band’s departure from pop punk, with AllMusic stating that they were “maturing, reaching for textures and song structures instead of clichés.” The album spawned the singles The Quiet Things That No One Ever Knows, The Boy Who Blocked His Own Shot and Sic Transit Gloria … Glory Fades, all of which remain some of the bands most loved tracks.

Deja Entendu has since become certified gold and is noted by critics and fans as one of the most influential emo albums of all-time, with Rolling Stone Magazine placing the album on their 40 Greatest Emo Albums of All Time at number 19 and Sputnikmusic ranking the album as the 25th best on their Top 100 Albums list of the 2000s.

Brand News’ third studio album, The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me, has become one of the most recognized emo albums of all-time with Pitchfork deeming Lacey as “a generational voice.” The album art, Untitled #44 by photographer Nicholas Prior, has since been noted as “iconic” by Alternative Press likely due to its popularity on Tumblr that helped bring a younger audience of fans to the band nearly a decade following the album’s release.

Having achieved cult-like status since their formation, Brand New remains one of the most loved emo bands in the genre and is continuously praised by critics for the artistic value and sheer authenticity that has remained evident in their music throughout their career, despite achieving mainstream status.

3. Jimmy Eat World

Frontman	Jim Adkins
Origin	Mesa, Arizona
Years	1993 to Present
Genre	Emo, Emo Pop, Alternative Rock, Pop Punk, Power Pop

One of the leading alternative bands of the ‘90s and early 2000s, Jimmy Eat World was formed by childhood friends Zach Lind (drums) and Jim Adkins (vocals) in hopes of becoming a punk rock band. Joined later by Mitch Porter (bass) and Tom Linton (guitar), Jimmy Eat World came to fruition and released their eponymous debut studio album under Wooden Blue Records just one year following their formation. They were quickly offered a major record deal and signed to Capitol Records the following year.

Becoming inspired by bands such as Sunny Day Real Estate, the group’s sound began teetering towards emo by the release of their second studio album in 1996, Static Prevails. The band’s third album released in 1999, Clarity, featured the single Never Been Kissed which became a lowkey hit and has since garnered cult status as well as the album itself despite receiving little attention at the time of its release.

Jimmy Eat World saw their major breakthrough with the release of their best-known album in 2001, Bleed American, the band’s biggest commercial success to date. The album featured the single The Middle which became a global smash hit, reaching number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. The album garnered positive reviews from critics, with AbsolutePunk stating that “praising this album is something that cannot be done enough,” while Drowned in Sound referred to the album as “eleven of the finest songs you’ll hear this, or any other, year.”

The success of Bleed American continued through the band’s follow-up albums Futures (2004) and Chase This Light (2007) and began to die down with the release of their seventh studio album, Invented, in 2010. Though the band’s peak has presumably been reached, it’s undeniable that they’ve had a major impact on the emo genre and that their music still resonates with today’s youth, as the single The Middle has garnered nearly half a billion streams on Spotify.

2. American Football

Frontman	Mike Kinsella
Origin	Urbana, Illinois
Years	1997 to 2000, 2014 to Present
Genre	Midwest Emo, Post-Rock, Math Rock

Despite only initially being a band for three years and having two studio albums under their belt, American Football was one of the leading forces in the creation of the Midwest emo sound and has become a staple in the genre.

Former drummer of emo band Cap’n Jazz, Mike Kinsella formed American Football alongside former high school friend Steve Holmes (guitar), later recruiting Steve Lamos (drums, trumpet, and percussion) and released their eponymous debut studio album in 1999. Featuring the emo anthems Never Meant, The Summer Ends and Honestly, the album has since garnered a cult-like status and is considered one of the most influential emo albums of the ‘90s, as well as one of the pioneering albums in the math rock genre. American Football disbanded the year following the album’s release, despite receiving high critical acclaim and achieving a loyal underground fanbase. The band reunited in 2014 and released their highly anticipated second studio album, also eponymous, which was well received.

1. Sunny Day Real Estate

Frontman	Jeremy Enigk
Origin	Seattle, Washington
Years	1992 to 1995, 1997 to 2001, 2009 to 2013
Genre	Emo, Alternative Rock, Indie Rock, Grunge

One of the pioneering bands of the Midwest emo genre, the early 90s staple Sunny Day Real Estate remains one of the most important in the genre and has been considered by critics as perhaps the most influential emo band of all time, with Rolling Stone and LA Weekly ranking their 1994 album Diary as the Greatest Emo Album of All Time.

Formed in 1992 by bassist Nate Mendel and guitarist Dan Hoerner, Sunny Day Real Estate came to fruition after a series of demos and name changes with the final early lineup including drummer William Goldsmith and later vocalist Jeremy Enigk after deciding against being completely instrumental. The band was signed to Sub Pop in 1994 and released their debut studio album later that year, Diary, which garnered a slew of praise and positive reviews from critics, mostly due to its differences from grunge which had dominated the Seattle music scene since the late ‘80s. The album spawned the beloved singles Seven and In Circles, both of which remain staples in the band’s discography.

After gaining some attention from appearing on The Jon Stewart Show and MTV’s 120 Minutes, the band released their eponymous second studio album in 1995 despite already breaking up during the album’s recording. The band reunited in 1997 for their third studio album How It Feels to Be Something On and their final studio album, The Rising Tide, in 2000.

Despite not being from the midwestern US, Sunny Day Real Estate helped establish the genre into what it is today and remain one of the leaders in the genre as a whole.

Honorable Mentions:

Title Fight

YouTube Video: Title Fight – “Head In The Ceiling Fan”

Rites of Spring

YouTube Video: Rites Of Spring – For Want Of – Live 1985 Old 9:30 Club

Modern Baseball

YouTube Video: Modern Baseball – The Weekend

Silverstein

YouTube Video: Silverstein – Smile In Your Sleep (Official Video)

Hawthorne Heights

YouTube Video: Hawthorne Heights – Saying Sorry

99

YouTube Video: In love with an apparition

Wrap Up

That does it for this list, let us know who your favorite emo bands are in the comments below.