10 Eighties Emo Albums That Defined the Genre

Eighties music has a reputation for being bright, sparkly and poppy, but in Washington, D.C., a darker genre was starting to evolve. The first "emotional hardcore" bands emerged from the 80s punk scene, setting the stage for mainstream emo to explode in the 2000s while giving listeners an outlet for their heartache, grief and rage.

Today, many of these albums are fairly obscure, with some bands having fewer than 2,000 monthly Spotify listeners. Fortunately, first-wave emo isn't going anywhere, and it's never too late to discover your favorite genre's roots.

1. What Was Behind by The Hated

After an exhausting recording session, The Hated released their second album, What Was Behind, in 1986 on cassette tape. Six years later, Vermin Scum released the songs on LP at the wrong speed, forcing fans to either buy the cassette or wait 30 years to hear the restored version. Blunt, chaotic and fast-paced, What Was Behind sounds like mania in music form.

Members: John Irvine, Erik Fisher, Dan Littleton

2. Embrace by Embrace

Embrace was active for less than a year, but they left behind a legacy as one of the first "emotional hardcore" bands. After the group played shows from 1985 to 1986, their self-titled release hit store shelves in 1987. Embrace focuses on somber arrangements and strained, anguished vocals that guide you through a whirlwind of emotions.

Members: Chris Bald, Michael Hampton, Ian MacKaye, Ivor Hanson

3. Food For Thought by Gray Matter

Gray Matter had some of the youngest members in the scene, with their first album, Food For Thought, coming out before the band had graduated high school. This 1985 record embraces the genre's punk roots with a melancholy tinge. In particular, "Give Me A Clue" discusses the narrator's ambivalence toward growing up: "And what you gonna do you just turned 18 / Well, I don't know can you give me a clue?"

Members: Geoff Turner, Mark Haggerty, Steve Niles, Dante Ferrando

4. Dark Days Coming by Three

Swap Dante Ferrando with Mark Haggerty, and you get Three, which appeared on the scene after Gray Matter split up. During their short career, Three went on a few tours and recorded a single album. Unfortunately, the band split up before Dark Days Coming arrived in 1989. The album's bombastic intro melts into punchy drumming, swaying melodies and occasional moments of quiet intensity.

Members: Geoff Turner, Steve Niles, Jeff Nelson, Mark Haggerty

5. Side A by Faith

Faith (or The Faith) was an amalgamation of several musicians from the Washington, D.C. punk scene who got together after their former bands dissolved. Their 1982 album, Side A, is one half of a collaborative release with Void. The entire record is only thirteen minutes long, but the shouted vocals and frantic arrangements linger in your mind long after the final track ends.

Members: Eddie Janney, Chris Bald, Michael Hampton, Alec MacKaye, Ivor Hanson

6. Identity by Marginal Man

Marginal Man made their debut at the "555" show on January 2, 1983. During their six-year run, they toured the United States and released Identity in 1984. From bright and catchy to dark and intimidating, this nine-track album explores a variety of musical styles without straying too far from the core genre.

Members: Kenny Inouye, Peter Murray, Andre Lee, Steve Polcari, Mike Manos

7. Press Play and Record by Compound Red

Unlike most first-wave emo bands, which tended to fall apart after a few years, Compound Red enjoyed an impressive twelve-year run that culminated in a final show with The Promise Ring, Fugazi and Jets to Brazil. Press Play and Record offers 36 songs that the band wrote throughout their 1987-1999 career. Many of the tracks take a soft, humble approach that makes you feel like sitting on your roof and gazing at the stars.

Members: Andy Reis, Mike Allen, John Lyman, Jim Minor, Dave Henderleiter

8. Rites of Spring by Rites of Spring

With over 40,000 monthly Spotify listeners, Rites of Spring is easily the most famous group on this list, but they deserve a mention because their sole album, Rites of Spring, practically launched the genre. While they played only 15 shows in their career, their chaotic energy was the catalyst for 1985's "Revolution Summer."

Members: Eddie Janney, Michael Fellows, Brendan Canty, Guy Picciotto

9. Plays For Lovers / House Burning Down by Beefeater

Beefeater held their first show in 1984, bringing a little jazz and spirituality to the Washington, D.C. punk scene. Plays For Lovers / House Burning Down includes two albums that they recorded in 1985 and 1987, respectively. Their funky, experimental tracks and quirky vocals push boundaries and often sound like a precursor to the 2010s indie pop explosion.

Members: Kenny Craun, Dug E. Bird, Fred Smith, Tomas Squip, Bruce Taylor

10. Hot Bodi-Gram by Soulside

Soulside's original run lasted from 1985 to 1989, with Hot Bodi-Gram arriving in the year of their split. However, their story doesn't end there. Soulside reunited in 2014 and has released new music as recently as 2022, making them one of the longest-running acts in the genre. Hot Bodi-Gram burst onto the scene with an intense sound and confrontational song titles, such as "Punch The Geek," "Hate Music" and "New Fast Fucky."

Members: Bobby Sullivan, Johnny Temple, Scott McCloud, Alexis Fleisig

Have you listened to any of these albums? Which tracks are your favorites? Let me know in the comments.