Genre Ruminations, Week One: Post-Hardcore

**Galefore** · 10-14-2011, 02:57 PM

Post-hardcore.

That's right kids. "Experimental" takes on the basic template of Hardcore punk. It's a genre that's been around since the early eighties, when bands like Black Flag and Big Black began messing around with the roots of basic hardcore simply because they were bored with it, while bands like Rites of Spring and Husker Du wanted to be aggressive and thoughtful all at once. It continued into the nineties with bands like Hot Water Music, Quicksand, Fugazi, and of course, the highly influential At The Drive-In. Culminating in an underground scene that included bands like Blood Brothers, Thursday, Thrice, Trophy Scars, Finch, and hundreds more, it bled into mainstream pop-punk (producing acts like My Chemical Romance, The Used, and Red Jumpsuit Apparatus) and soaked up elements of its underground brother, emocore. Soon, it started melding with the modern metalcore we hear today, showing a STRONG influence on modern radio bands like A Skylit Drive, and a more positive influence on even more bands than that. It's a far-reaching genre, and a far-reaching genre tag, encompassing many styles and many albums and bands that are, at their root, very different.

So what IS this music? Well, typically it's a combination of hardcore punk aggression with something a little more thought-out. It removes the do-it-yourself, easy-to-play aesthetic from punk, and focuses more on arrangement to augment aggression. It might combine elements of metal, in which case it usually borrows from alternative metal or metalcore. But in the end, it's a distinct sound that some people might mistake for "emo". Early post-hardcore was usually a little grungier or more punky, but modern post-hardcore has a distinct "emo" aesthetic in comparison. As an evolution of punk, it's still slightly less popular than its more notorious and monotonous cousin, Metalcore, but it's still among the dominant remnants of punk and many bands fit into this genre simply due to their showing of their admirations for bands like Thrice and Thursday, who are likely the two modern examples being cited most by new bands. While the genre itself is moving further out of punk territory with each new generation, in itself that IS what the moniker post-hardcore would seem to imply... so I am personally excited to see where the genre goes next.

Now that my windy explanation's out of the way, let's listen, shall we?

Starting out with some early stuff. Rites of Spring, Big Black, and Husker Du...

Click to view video.

And into the nineties, we have Refused, Quicksand, and Hot Water Music...

Click to view video.

At the Drive-In remains insanely influential...

Click to view video.

Thrice, Thursday, and Glassjaw helm the influence lists of a new generation of post-hardcore kids...

Click to view video.

NOTE: The preceding videos make up major influential acts and "roots" of the genre, not modern examples (save for the last three, in their own way). Modern examples are coming in a follow up post.

I shall share more personal favorites from bands not listed here as well as some examples of more modern crossovers and stuff in a later post in this thread.

Please discuss, share your favorite post-hardcore band or song, and generally just enjoy le music.

-Galefore

Panfan · 10-16-2011, 01:57 PM

Post-hardcore and emo has really shaped my musical tastes in the past year. I've always been a fan of At the Drive-In ever since I heard "One Armed Scissor", but that's expanded so much more. Gateways such as AtDi, Thrice, Thursday, and the like have really relaxed my ears and made it possible for me to listen to music with harsh vocals and general "screamo". Brand New has also been a phenomenal influence on my life. The Devil and God are Raging Inside Me and Deja Entendu, while not straight up post-hardcore but amalgamations of post-hardcore, emo, alternative rock, and a slight tinge of pop punk, are two of the most fabulous records that I've ever heard from a lyrical and musical standpoint. Jesse Lacey's lyrics hit me emotionally like few other songwriters have.

And after that random bit of stuff, Panfan's Top 10 Post-Hardcore Records Evar

1. Thrice - Vheissu. By far the pinnacle of the genre. Really the point where Thrice's earlier, more straight-up punk origins meshed with the more experimental route they'd continue with The Alchemy Index

2. At the Drive-In - Relationship of Command. Sure, the lyrics are incredibly nonsensical and out of context really stupid, and the combination of Omar Rodriguez-Lopez and Cedric Bixler-Zavala is always the pretentious one, but this record is just plain fun to listen to. It's exciting and aggressive, and an absolute blast to sing along to. Plus, it's what got me into the genre.

3. Brand New - The Devil and God are Raging Inside Me. I already talked about my love of brand new earlier, so I'm not really gonna go much into detail with this one. However, I'm just going to say that "Jesus" is the closest thing to a perfect song ifI've ever heard it.

4. mewithoutYou - Brother, Sister. Yet another one of the greatest albums I've ever heard lyrically, mwY perfectly blends the sounds of post-hardcore and folk on this album. It's not nearly as aggressive as other bands in the genre, but mewithoutYou's sound is mature and Aaron Weiss is one of the most phenomenal storytellers I've had the pleasure of hearing.

5. Cursive - Domestica. Yet another band that really got me into the realms of emo music. This is a concept album that tells the story of a failing relationship. It's quite possibly the most emotional album I've ever heard, with some absolutely heartbreaking moments. This, and Cursive's follow-up, the more experimental Ugly Organ, are early 00's emo music at their pinnacle.

6. Fugazi - The Argument. Fugazi are by far the most consistently great post-hardcore band of them all. It's not hard to see, since they and their members' other projects basically invented the genre. Fugazi never made their best record until 20 years into their careers in my opinion with this album. This is Fugazi going all out with eleven songs, two drummers, and 45 minutes of straight punk rock.

7. Refused - The Shape of Punk to Come. It is obligatory to put this album on any top post-hardcore list ever, because it's an absolute masterpiece and really showed that a genre like punk isn't limited to three chords on guitar and shouted vocals. One of the best experimental albums I've ever heard.

8. The Jesus Lizard - Goat. The epitome of the hybrid of post-hardcore/noise rock from the early 90s exemplified by bands like Shellac, Drive Like Jehu, and Jawbox. It's a dark and twisted hellride and an absolute blast.

9. Unwound - Leaves Turn Inside You. Another great, experimental post-hardcore record. Unwound dabbles in tons of genres of punk and alternative rock for 80 minutes. It sounds like the apocalypse, yet beautiful. If that makes any sense at all.

10. Thursday - Full Collapse. The most sing/shout-along-able post-hardcore record ever. Straight up.

Jenocide · 10-16-2011, 06:43 PM

Oooh nostalgia. In 2005-2006 I was really into Thursday :3 I really liked War All the Time, but I also had Waiting and Full Collapse. <3

After Thursday I got into Emery. Their songs "Playing With Fire," "Miss Behavin," and "In A Win, Win Situation" are my absolute favorite.

Then I fell in love with Brand New. I think their new stuff is amazing, but Deja Entendu will probably always be my favorite album. Mostly for nostalgia reasons I guess. Favorites are probably "I Will Play My Game Beneath the Spin Light" and "Good to Know That if I Ever Need Attention All I Have to Do Is Die."

I'm also a fan of The Ugly Organ by Cursive, Wiretap Scars by Sparta, and Vheissu by Thrice. The Artist in the Ambulance was cool too, but I haven't listened to anything newer than Vheissu.

Panfan · 10-22-2011, 12:30 AM

this is pretty related to post-hardcore music, so Imma post this because it's probably the best list of essential emo I've ever seen

***Cosmonautical*** · 10-23-2011, 02:07 AM

I used to listen to a lot of Post-Hardcore and Thrash Punk. They compliment one another pretty well, IMO.

The attitude regarding Emo back then was generally "GTFO of our genre" though, and that's obviously changed a bit.

10-16-2011, 01:57 PM	#2
Panfan AND HE PRAYS Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Grayskull Gender: Posts: 18,806 Thanks: 1,405 Thanked 2,247 Times in 1,337 Posts Blog Entries: 15	Post-hardcore and emo has really shaped my musical tastes in the past year. I've always been a fan of At the Drive-In ever since I heard "One Armed Scissor", but that's expanded so much more. Gateways such as AtDi, Thrice, Thursday, and the like have really relaxed my ears and made it possible for me to listen to music with harsh vocals and general "screamo". Brand New has also been a phenomenal influence on my life. The Devil and God are Raging Inside Me and Deja Entendu, while not straight up post-hardcore but amalgamations of post-hardcore, emo, alternative rock, and a slight tinge of pop punk, are two of the most fabulous records that I've ever heard from a lyrical and musical standpoint. Jesse Lacey's lyrics hit me emotionally like few other songwriters have. And after that random bit of stuff, Panfan's Top 10 Post-Hardcore Records Evar 1. Thrice - Vheissu. By far the pinnacle of the genre. Really the point where Thrice's earlier, more straight-up punk origins meshed with the more experimental route they'd continue with The Alchemy Index 2. At the Drive-In - Relationship of Command. Sure, the lyrics are incredibly nonsensical and out of context really stupid, and the combination of Omar Rodriguez-Lopez and Cedric Bixler-Zavala is always the pretentious one, but this record is just plain fun to listen to. It's exciting and aggressive, and an absolute blast to sing along to. Plus, it's what got me into the genre. 3. Brand New - The Devil and God are Raging Inside Me. I already talked about my love of brand new earlier, so I'm not really gonna go much into detail with this one. However, I'm just going to say that "Jesus" is the closest thing to a perfect song ifI've ever heard it. 4. mewithoutYou - Brother, Sister. Yet another one of the greatest albums I've ever heard lyrically, mwY perfectly blends the sounds of post-hardcore and folk on this album. It's not nearly as aggressive as other bands in the genre, but mewithoutYou's sound is mature and Aaron Weiss is one of the most phenomenal storytellers I've had the pleasure of hearing. 5. Cursive - Domestica. Yet another band that really got me into the realms of emo music. This is a concept album that tells the story of a failing relationship. It's quite possibly the most emotional album I've ever heard, with some absolutely heartbreaking moments. This, and Cursive's follow-up, the more experimental Ugly Organ, are early 00's emo music at their pinnacle. 6. Fugazi - The Argument. Fugazi are by far the most consistently great post-hardcore band of them all. It's not hard to see, since they and their members' other projects basically invented the genre. Fugazi never made their best record until 20 years into their careers in my opinion with this album. This is Fugazi going all out with eleven songs, two drummers, and 45 minutes of straight punk rock. 7. Refused - The Shape of Punk to Come. It is obligatory to put this album on any top post-hardcore list ever, because it's an absolute masterpiece and really showed that a genre like punk isn't limited to three chords on guitar and shouted vocals. One of the best experimental albums I've ever heard. 8. The Jesus Lizard - Goat. The epitome of the hybrid of post-hardcore/noise rock from the early 90s exemplified by bands like Shellac, Drive Like Jehu, and Jawbox. It's a dark and twisted hellride and an absolute blast. 9. Unwound - Leaves Turn Inside You. Another great, experimental post-hardcore record. Unwound dabbles in tons of genres of punk and alternative rock for 80 minutes. It sounds like the apocalypse, yet beautiful. If that makes any sense at all. 10. Thursday - Full Collapse. The most sing/shout-along-able post-hardcore record ever. Straight up.

10-16-2011, 06:43 PM	#3
Jenocide Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: In the glovebox. Gender: Posts: 635 Thanks: 69 Thanked 97 Times in 68 Posts Blog Entries: 21	Oooh nostalgia. In 2005-2006 I was really into Thursday :3 I really liked War All the Time, but I also had Waiting and Full Collapse. <3 After Thursday I got into Emery. Their songs "Playing With Fire," "Miss Behavin," and "In A Win, Win Situation" are my absolute favorite. Then I fell in love with Brand New. I think their new stuff is amazing, but Deja Entendu will probably always be my favorite album. Mostly for nostalgia reasons I guess. Favorites are probably "I Will Play My Game Beneath the Spin Light" and "Good to Know That if I Ever Need Attention All I Have to Do Is Die." I'm also a fan of The Ugly Organ by Cursive, Wiretap Scars by Sparta, and Vheissu by Thrice. The Artist in the Ambulance was cool too, but I haven't listened to anything newer than Vheissu.

10-22-2011, 12:30 AM	#4
Panfan AND HE PRAYS Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Grayskull Gender: Posts: 18,806 Thanks: 1,405 Thanked 2,247 Times in 1,337 Posts Blog Entries: 15	this is pretty related to post-hardcore music, so Imma post this because it's probably the best list of essential emo I've ever seen

10-23-2011, 02:07 AM	#5
*Cosmonautical* Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: I rub my tilde all over your asterisk Gender: Posts: 28,100 Thanks: 2,151 Thanked 5,338 Times in 2,433 Posts	I used to listen to a lot of Post-Hardcore and Thrash Punk. They compliment one another pretty well, IMO. The attitude regarding Emo back then was generally "GTFO of our genre" though, and that's obviously changed a bit.