6 Alt-Rock Bands From the 2000s That Defined the Emo Movement

If you were a teen in the early 2000s, you probably didn’t escape the emo movement unaffected. Alternative rock had taken a turn toward post-grunge and pop-punk and into notably emo sounds, and there were quite a few bands from that time that made the era what it was. Let’s dive into six alternative rock bands that defined the emo movement in the 2000s!

1. Taking Back Sunday

These New York rockers kicked off their careers in 1999 and became one of the most recognizable emo post-punk outfits in music history. Their debut album Tell All Your Friends was an essential record during that time. Tracks like “Cute Without The ‘E’ (Cut From The Team)” and “You’re So Last Summer” boasted that angsty yet kind of miserable vibe that emo is known for today.

2. Hawthorne Heights

Ohio was quite a hub for emo music in the 2000s, and the most popular outfit to come out of the state is definitely Hawthorne Heights. This post-hardcore outfit defined the emo sound back in the day with quite a bit more passion than many of their contemporaries at the time. The Silence In Black And White is essential listening.

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3. Jimmy Eat World

Jimmy Eat World is usually associated with pop-punk over emo music, but one can’t deny that their sound was very much emo. At least, the album Bleed American was a notably emo-sounding album and a go-to among high school-aged fans. They were a hit in their native Arizona, and quickly became internationally famous through the use of MySpace and word-of-mouth in the 2000s.

4. My Chemical Romance

Any conversation about bands that defined the emo sound will likely at least mention My Chemical Romance. Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge is a golden record in emo rock history. Not only was their music very much emo, but their aesthetics as a band were quite a unique blend of goth and emo. If you’re too young (or too old) to remember hits like “Helena” and “I’m Not Okay (I Promise)”, those two tracks are essential listening.

5. Brand New

Brand New is virtually no more ever since lead singer Jesse Lacey was accused of sexual misconduct. Despite the nefarious things going on behind the scenes, Brand New was an important band during the emo movement of the 2000s and worth mentioning, even though their songs don’t quite hit the same now that the allegations are up in the air.

6. A Day To Remember

A Day To Remember was very bold when they first began, and they did quite a good job at blending metalcore with pop-punk and emo sounds. Like Brand New, allegations of sexual misconduct almost destroyed the band, but offending member Joshua Woodard left the band and they continued without him.

Photo by GNA/Redferns

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