I really loved MCR's stuff they were just 100% dialed in to that scene. Down to the lyrics, the sound and aesthetic. The complete package. Others were trying it, but these guys just went all the way in.
My buddy and I refer to it as “singularity of focus.” MCR is one of those rare acts where the sound, the look, the personality, brand, and everything else are all perfectly aligned. Everything about the band is consistent.
Which is pretty funny when you realize they don't call themselves emo and don't like people calling them emo, which reinforces that they are since many of the greats have done the same, all the way back to Rites Of Spring.
Eh, there were WAY greater scene bands than them. They were the McDonalds of the scene. Talented band, but they were the corporate product of what real scene music was.
I always felt like you and Ray Toro were kindred spirits in terms of your approach to guitar at that time. There were a lot of reallllly talented players at that time, but you two really took it to the next level with your obvious Van Halen/Queen/80’s metal influences.
I honestly couldn't agree more with all of this! IV always felt like ray was interested in all sorts of stuff and you could see and hear the influences in his and the rest of the guys work!
My chemical romance literally shaped my entire late middle school/ high school life. So amazing. "I never told you what I did for a living" is the most incredible song from the lyrics to chaos of the instrumentals. Every last piece pure gold. The angst in the song is off the charts... obviously I love everything about the color fred as well.
Hawthorne Heights are like the nicest dudes around. I saw them in highschool and was $5 short of being able to afford a hoodie, but it was cold outside so they just gave it to me.
First time I saw them was in 2004 at a little hole in the wall called Ace's Basement in Greensboro, NC. I was stationed at Ft Bragg and drove up to see Silverstein and Alexisonfire. HH and Emery were the opening acts. When I heard them say they were from Dayton I went loud with a "Fuck Yeah, OHIO!" and got a laugh out of all of them. They asked where I was from in Ohio. Told them where I was born and grew up, and that I moved to Springfield with my mom for a few years when my folks divorced, then again to Columbus to live with dad through high school. They asked what the hell I was doing all the way in NC. I spent a good 30 to 45 minutes talking with them after the show about all our favorite Ohio bands and places to see shows back home. Turns out we even had a few mutual friends. I ran into a couple of them about 6 years later at a BTBAM show in Dayton. They were there supporting a couple friends in one of the opening acts. They remembered me and came up to say hi and chat for a bit between bands. Really approachable, down to earth guys.
I'll be 34 years old, in 2 days, and I was there for the whole 2nd wave of emo...I still remember all the lyrics to most of the songs on this list and albums they are on lol. I've got a Jimmy Eat World 3/4 sleeve tee from around the "sweetness" era. I agree that they are a "bridge" between the old "emo" and the 2nd wave. They still retain the "90's college rock" vibe, too, that was a part of the turn of the century emo bands that shaped what could be called the "2nd wave of emo". I still listen to MCR, weekly, on my 4.5 mile, both ways, walk to work. They are one of those bands that can get you through a long, snowy walk and also good for "work" music for me as a janitor. I was lucky enough to see MCR, when they toured in support of their first album, in Flint, MI at the Local 432 venue. Classic venue, saw some good bands there, a lot that went on to do great things and a lot that lived their glory days on Saturday nights circa 2003-2006 and then were lost to time. In my hayday, they had a ska night, a metal night and I guess it was an emo night, but it was raw, lot of first wave style emo bands like Sunny Day Real Estate - hell, they came through the Local, too. It was the age, just before the cell phone and quality cameras within arms reach. This list is really a list of albums that I bought when they were still on the "new" rack, back-n-the-day...who remembers record stores? Recordtown? Sam Goody? of course FYE, too. I could make commentary on all of these songs...Saw FalloutBoy at Warped Tour 2003 or 04, I remember walking behind, Andy Hurley and his wife, for a good minute or two...His back tats were sweet, in person. Man, there will never be another scene like the early 2000s emo scene, the metal scene, too, for the matter. Silverstein, in 2007, was amazing. Saw them at a venue with Black Dahlia Murder, Every Time I Die, Mayday Parade, just to name a few. Dirtfest 07, if you look it up, there's a band list but there were more there, than listed. One band that I've always been partial to is "The Academy Is". I can't tell you how many times that I have listened to "Fast Times at Ridgemont High". Paramore was good, too, early stuff really had that "1st wave emo" vibe and then on to "riot" they we're full scale , 2nd wave emo. I could talk about this stuff for days haha. Thanks for the trip down nostalgia lane, Fred.
Grew up listening to Taking Back Sunday, MCR, Jimmy Eat World, Story of the Year, Paramore, Fall out Boy and Panic at the disco, It was just 3 kids in my school in Bangalore, India listening to EMO music. People thought we were weird hahaha! Good times!
I feel you. I grew up in Hawaii, It was just me and like 5 friends who got into emo music in middle/high school after emo had already lost popularity. Most of us still are into it, I listen to TBS and Brand New all the time. Feeling nostalgic already. Hope you're doing well :)
Coheed - devil in jersey city, Motion city soundtrack - everything is alright, Thursday - understanding in a car crash, the starting line- the best of me
Always sad to see that Coheed are never on these lists. Even from people in the business. Coheed and Cambria are such a great band and a part that makes them even better is never getting the recognition they deserve
@Atman Gotango Their first two albums can be put in the emo genre. Radio Emo and true emo are different obviously. I agree with you mostly, but even the industry considered early coheed emo. Even Prog doesnt really fit Coheed but that's what is so great about them. You can definitely consider them a rock group though. We can all agree on that lol
It sucks I never got to be a part of this scene (I'm 19). But now emo is my favorite music genre. Coming from mostly an extreme metal background (like black & death metal), I eventually found myself discovering punk and hardcore. I had finally found music with meaningful lyrics and a powerful message (unlike the souless monotony of extreme metal's "SAAATAAN" type lyrics. Through hardcore, I discovered emo, and I haven't looked back since. This is the scene and music I relate to the most. It's influenced how I dress, the music I make, etc... I love everything from the "revolution summer" movement in D.C. in the 80s, to midwest emo, screamo, and the early 00s boom. The scene may not be as popular as it once was, and that's okay. Because to me, emo means emotional hardcore punk, and that will ALWAYS be a thing, regardless of it's relevancy in the mainstream.
I was into all that stuff at once in high school and college. I've always considered myself equal parts emo, punk, grunge, and metalhead (though I also like other genres as well like hip-hop and even some mainstream pop). (though I do like "SAAATAAN" type lyrics, being a satanist ha). Keep it up, kid! Carry the flag!
I wish you could have been there. It was magical. I graduated in 2008 and it was sooooo strong. Everyone had a band. Everyone went to shows every weekend. And everyone’s hair was straightened.
You still have some sweet Emo bands putting stuff out. I'm 34 and was so lucky to grow up with it all. I really enjoy The Dangerous Summer, Movements, Microwave, and letlive.
You've hit the nail on the head for me with why I couldn't really keep enjoying most metal that's not weird Scandinavian melodic folk metal and related genres. The technical skill is all there, but it's just someone roaring almost wordlessly at a mic at the end of the day.
This music is coming back because us show going kids from 15 years ago have the money to pay for stadium tickets now, and damn it we want to be 15-18 again
Dang RU-vid actually recommended this video to me and I cant be happier. This playlist brings me down memory lane! TBS was definitely one of my Top Bands to listen to back in the day. I subbed and will be looking forward to your future uploads!
I seriously love how much props you gave to your colleagues, but seriously for me WYWB was played far more than any My Chemical Romance album. The era of TBS with you in it was by far my favorite (because you were my favorite). I’m bummed I never saw you live with them, but as soon as you came to Hawaii as The Color Fred, I bought tickets and got super emotional at your show.
I remember WYWTB and 3 Cheers... dropping around the same time, and my TBS record got a lot more spins that the MCR record, I still listen to WYWTB today regularly
Silverstein, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, From First to Last, Alesana, Escape the Fate and Senses Fail etc. pretty much defined the early-late 2000's emo/post-hardcore.
@@Who_Does I remember getting their demo cd probably in 2003/2004. They weren't doing emo/radio music back then. Was some screaming/growling type music.
MCR is a huge part of my life, it's one of my favorite bands and a great influence on my musical tastes! Three cheers for sweet revenge was the first CD I had, I bought it when I was 12 with all my savings lol. Thanks to them I discovered FOB, Green Day, The Used, Escape the Fate and many more amazing bands, I'm so grateful to have lived and have great memories of the music of the 2000s :)
Didn't make the cut but all those old Used and AFI videos I'd just get glued to. Fuse introduced me to The Matches and Circa Survive too, so killer. Finch - What it is to Burn is probably my anthem from that era.
Early 2000 were the best freaking days. I was in high school and Taking Back Sunday was a huge part of my life. This era will never die, hope it comes around again in a big way 20 years later. This was great! So many memories.
I’m 51. A child of 80s metal. With that being said my favorite music era was 99-09. MCR, HIM, Linkin Park, Breaking Benjamin, Bowling for Soup, Taking Back Sunday, All American Rejects, Kill Hannah, Lordi, Hinder, Within Temptation, etc-I just loved it! I bought more music and went to more concerts during that 10yr period than any other time in my life. I saw Linkin Park, MCR x 3, HIM x 4 (met Vile Valo) TBS ( Adam’s brother went to HS with my daughter in NC), Night Wish, etc. To this day I consider “the Black Parade” as the best song for song rock album every recorded.
Just hung out with Hawthorne Heights two days ago during their "This Summer Sucks" Live Stream show. Nothing but respect for the band and the way they keep things interesting by stay connected with fans.
My heart is so full. I was having a hard night the other day and decided to revisit my high school faves and had a moment when I wondered what you were up to. I saw you did an AMA on reddit and also were posting here. It's so great hearing all your stories.
Summer 2005 I was deployed to Iraq, had just recently starting listening to TBS (and every other band in this video) I downloaded a live video from Limewire (dont sue me) of you guys playing A Decade under the Influence on Jimmy Kimmel. I'm not sure what it was but man that video made me want to get back home and go to a live show so badly. I probably watched that video 50 times. Been a fan for 16 years now and still know every lyric :)
"Where you want.." "3 cheers.." and The Used first records were it for us man. I'm a big classic rock guy too and this scene was the last of the real rock n roll to me. Concerts, records, good writing, good playing stuff that is non existent now. MCR did it for me because of the classic rock influence but TBS was a close second great time to be a teenager
I saw you guys at warped tour in phx/peoria az you guys rocked it ! You guys were down someone that day and You called yourselves "Taking Back Thursday" ! Pretty funny stuff. Glad i stumbled across this channel. Some other honorable mentions: The Used, Thursday, AFI, Finch, All Time Low, The All - American Rejects, Underoath, Brand New, Alkaline Trio ,and A Static Lullaby.
God, what you said about Hawthorne Heights being down to earth is so absolutely true. I've met JT twice and each time he's just been the sweetest human being that genuinely appreciated his fans. I'm only 26 and this video gave me the biggest nostalgia trip.
I'm glad I discovered who you are today. I ALWAYS sang your parts in Taking Back Sunday and I always wondered why their later albums just didn't "hit" the same. In the past two hours I've delved into the Color Fred and I love it! Thanks for being a piece of my coming-of-age years. Subbed.
It's nice to see you doing this vid after so many years, man! TBS is such a big influence in my teenage life. Hope you have a reunion video with TBS guys. Keep it up mate!
Fred these videos are so great! It’s so rad to hear someone from the scene being this approachable! Keep it up and have Matt on a few more times you guys have the best chemistry!
The club that Story of the Year was playing in is called “The Creepy Crawl”. It has since closed but was a legendary venue for the St. Louis music scene and a great place to see up and coming bands just before they hit the big time!
@@TheColorFred Story of the Year was going to play in STL for one weekend back in May of last year until the big C word came and killed the music scene. Getting to hear Page Avenue front to back would have been amazing.
So bizarre, nostalgic and beautiful seeing this. I was only aesthetically and actively emo for two years from all of 8th grade and 9th but it seems like I was one for years and years. I still listen to emo after even today but damn those were the days of being a 12 - 13 year old emo kid. Been 10 plus years now.
Love seeing you reflect on the TBS video. You have a great attitude and still clearly so much love and admiration for all your former bandmates. You're a class act, Fred! Saw you live a few times with TBS and am very thankful I did.
I was so into the music scene during these years, being a drummer in a touring band. These were definitely my golden years, and this video brings them all flooding back. Huge thank you, and much love!
What's amazing is allot of these bands are still killing it an it's great. Sugar we're going down is probably one of the greatest crossover hits of all time. I was hearing that song on every radio station, pop,rap, alternative, it didn't matter lol.
So much goodness, I was def feeling the feels right along with you.♥️ This genre and era of music was definitely the best. I will always have a place in my heart for the good ol emo jams. Thank you so much for sharing this gem. Have a wonderful week!🥰
Eventhough Falling in Reverse sounds different now, they're doing an amazing job bringing back this music. A lot of youtubers have been reacting to Popular Monster :)
Modern Baseball (RIP), Into It. Over It., Joyce Manor, The Hotelier, You Blew It!, and Touche Amore, among others, are still keeping it alive. Give them a listen!
I actually found out about Hawthorne heights from buying your album that had the victory records sampler. Had Ohio is for lovers, Silversteins smashed to pieces, atreyus right side of the bed, and masterpiece by bayside
It's so sweet of you being nostalgic and missing the guys! And this playlist made me nostalgic too! Just turned 30 and now I miss my blackest eye liner and high school and college days. 😂 Waiting for pt 2!
This reaction is so phenomenal,loved ur commentary...."they played us helena....they played us I'm Not Okay....shit" haha too good. Cant believe I just discovered this vid,now I'm tempted to check out more of ur channel lol
This was therapeutic. I don't have a lot of friends to discuss this era of music with, so just getting to hear your take on it is awesome. You killed it in TBS also!
Hey! Dont know if someone mentioned already but @15:34 the john cusack thing, there most certainly is some influence. In Fall out boy’s “An Evening Out With Your Girlfriend” the opening song “Honorable Mention” repeats the line “I can be your john cusack”.
I love you telling us back stories about the bands and personal experiences with them. I especially enjoyed the back story about filming the makedamnsure video 🥺🙌
I think you would be happy to know, that the emo scene still lives on with gen z. A bunch of kids who listen to my chemical romance, and Hawthorne heights and jimmy eat world. I'm one of them, in fact I see some of them at school (sadly can't see them right now. You know because quarantine) but you can still find a bunch of them in the internet. There's also some musicians and band that some people consider "reinvented emo"or "new emo" bands like palaye royale, waterparks, and yungblud. Don't know if they're actually considered emo but if the emos like them it could be considered new emo maybe? Anyways, liked the video good sir. Stay safe bro
My generation. I just loved the respect of the bands to their fellow bands, no matter what genre, during this era and it showed during this time. As a Filipino teen growing up, it's either you're in a sports/basketball group, or in the dance group.. but I'm fortunate to grow up playing guitar and eventually forming a band during my late teens, and songs from this video is what we've jammed/played in our garage to college and mall gigs lots of times. It was a great ride.
@@TheColorFred Yep still do. Though I can't play like I used to. I'm more of an acoustic guy now. Most of my bandmates are dads now lol and we tried that online jamming via zoom one time.. we're awful now lol.
These videos take me back. Louder Now and Makedamnsure is what introduced me to TBS on Fused, and to this day, is my favorite TBS album. I eventually went back and listened to Where You Want to be, and Tell All Your Friends, but Louder Now had most of faves! This is a great video, takes me back to my college emo days, lol!
I saw Hawthorne Heights right before the pandemic and they were the nicest people ever! They stayed after until everyone got to meet them. They were like "We have nowhere else to be, but here!" Fantastic night.
Personally I think we need to put the whole controversy surrounding the term "emo" (whether that be what counts as "true" emo or whether it's about the whole negative connotation it had with some people) to bed. Regardless of what anyone thought about the word then or now, basically everyone now understands emo music to be emotional hard rock/punk music from the 2000s, and that's okay.
As a fan of "true" emo, and being one of the earlier emo kids in my teens, I totally agree. I loved this stuff as an adult, too. I feel the same about metalcore and "true" metal and pop punk and "true" punk. Gatekeepers suck.
More MCR trivia about this video. It was nominated for an MVA along with this vid by FOB and other bands. This vid from FOB beat out Helena by MCR and when they got up to accept they actually said Helena was the best video ever and that they think Helena should have won. GREATEST MOMENT IN AWARDS HISTORY imo.
Hey Fred, would you ever consider doing reviews of some of the TBS albums you weren’t a part of? I think it would be interesting to get your opinion on New Again from right after you left. I thought the guitar playing was very strong. You’ve got to have a lot to say about Tell All Your Friends since you had to play all of those songs when you joined the band. I also think their most recent album Tidal Wave is the best one since Louder Now.
Although that would be interesting, I’d completely understand why you wouldn’t be comfortable reviewing those albums. I would love to see you on stage with John Nolan though, that would be so special.
These reactions were funny. I’d love to see Saves The Day, Piebald, Say Anything, Thursday, Underoath, and At The Drive In on a future reaction. If you do a 90s emo episode, I’d love to see Braid, Promise Ring, vintage Jimmy Eat World, American Football, SDRE, Rival Schools, and Texas is the Reason.
I moved into the city and we had first purchased cable. I remember seeing Helena, Miss Murder, and MakeDamnSure. From that moment on I was fucking hooked on these bands and this music scene forever.
Ohw man my teenage years ! MCR, coheed and cambria, Jimmy eat world, taking back sunday.. and then came Thirty second to mars, Bullet for my valentine and so much more. Ahah damn good memories from this "primitive" youtube era. Because for a french kid this was the main way to listen to these bands.
Well now I know what I’ll be listening to tomorrow while working out... Thanks for being awesome Fred! You’ve always been a big influence on my guitar playing.
