Post-Hardcore

Post-hardcore refers to a type of alternative rock that was developed in the mid-1980s. This genre of music evolved from hardcore punk, but incorporates other elements of musical styles such as jazz, funk, and indie rock. It’s characterized by its heavy use of dissonance, aggressive vocal style, and unconventional song structures. The origins of the post-hardcore genre can be traced back to the Washington D.C. punk scene in the early 1980s. Bands like Minor Threat and Bad Brains paved the way for the genre with their intense and energetic live performances. However, it was not until the formation of post-hardcore pioneers like Fugazi and Rites of Spring that the genre began to take shape. Rites of Spring, formed in 1984, is sometimes credited as the first post-hardcore band. They were known for their unconventional song structures and emotional intensity that reflected a shift away from the more traditional hardcore punk sound. The band’s sole studio album, End on End, is considered a classic of the genre. Another influential band in the early stages of post-hardcore was Fugazi. Fugazi formed in the late 1980s, and their sound was influenced by the earlier punk bands of the Washington D.C. scene. Their music featured complex and intricate guitar work combined with political and social commentary lyrics. Fugazi has been described as one of the most important bands of the post-hardcore genre. Post-hardcore continued to develop in the 1990s, and saw an increase in popularity with the emergence of bands like At the Drive-In, Refused, and The Blood Brothers. These bands incorporated experimental elements into their music and helped pave the way for the post-hardcore sound of the early 2000s. In the 2000s, post-hardcore was further defined by popular bands such as Thursday, or Glassjaw with the expanded use of electronics and sampling. This trend extended to bands like Underoath, Finch, Saosin, and the myriad of other bands that found mainstream success palpable. Like many other genres, post-hardcore has continued to evolve and diversify over the years. New bands such as La Dispute, Pianos Become the Teeth, and Touche Amore have created a more emotionally-driven, introspective form of post-hardcore, while others like letlive. Former demonstrated a hybrid of punk and funk.

Alexisonfire: Hailing from St. Catherine's, Ontario, Alexisonfire's unique blend of hardcore punk and emo made them one of the most prominent names in the post-hardcore scene. With powerful vocals from Dallas Green and George Pettit's screamed verses, the band captured the angst and rebellion that defined the genre. Thrice: From Orange County, California, Thrice combined post-hardcore with alternative rock and metal, creating a sound that was both heavy and melodic. Their impressive combination of intricate guitar riffs, poetic lyrics, and Dustin Kensrue's commanding vocals made them one of the most influential bands of the 2000s. My Chemical Romance: Perhaps the most successful post-hardcore band of all time, My Chemical Romance's theatrical, emo-infused punk rock captivated audiences worldwide. With Gerard Way's charismatic personality and iconic voice, the band's hits like "Welcome to the Black Parade" and "Helena" became anthems for disaffected teenagers everywhere. Thursday: Originally from New Brunswick, New Jersey, Thursday's socially conscious lyrics and explosive live shows made them one of the most politically charged bands in post-hardcore. Geoff Rickly's vocals and Tom Keeley's guitar work perfectly encapsulated the anger and frustration of their songs, and they became one of the most critically acclaimed bands of the early 2000s. Silverstein: Formed in Burlington, Ontario, Silverstein's emotional brand of post-hardcore found them a legion of dedicated fans around the world. With Shane Told's passionate vocals and the band's soaring guitar work, tracks like "Smile in Your Sleep" and "My Heroine" became staples of the genre. At the Drive-In: From El Paso, Texas, At the Drive-In's experimental, almost avant-garde take on post-hardcore pushed the boundaries of the genre. Cedric Bixler-Zavala's unique voice and Omar Rodriguez-Lopez's wild guitar playing made them one of the most exciting live acts of the 90s and early 2000s. Underoath: Hailing from Tampa, Florida, Underoath's blend of metalcore and post-hardcore led them to become one of the top bands in their genre. With Spencer Chamberlain's savage screams and Aaron Gillespie's clean singing, they produced some of the most emotional tracks in post-hardcore history. Senses Fail: Formed in Ridgewood, New Jersey, Senses Fail found a huge following with their brand of emo-tinged post-hardcore. Buddy Nielsen's anguished vocals and the band's urgent, driving sound gave them a reputation as one of the most authentic bands in the scene. Glassjaw: With their odd time signatures, heavy riffs, and intricate guitar work, Glassjaw helped define the post-hardcore sound of the early 2000s. Daryl Palumbo's unique voice and emotional lyrics made them a favorite among fans of the genre, and they continue to influence new bands today. La Dispute: From Grand Rapids, Michigan, La Dispute's complex, poetic lyrics and intense, almost spoken-word vocal style set them apart from their contemporaries. Their fusion of post-hardcore with elements of post-rock and even jazz made them one of the most innovative bands in the scene, and their live shows were legendary for their energy and emotion.

1. Relationship of Command - At the Drive-In 2. The Shape of Punk to Come - Refused 3. Deja Entendu - Brand New 4. Hot Water Music - Fuel for the Hate Game 5. Let it Enfold You - Senses Fail 6. A Dead Sinking Story - Envy 7. And The Glass Handed Kites - Mew 8. The Ugly Organ - Cursive 9. The Artist in the Ambulance - Thrice 10. You Come Before You - Poison the Well 11. War All the Time - Thursday 12. In Love and Death - The Used 13. Tell All Your Friends - Taking Back Sunday 14. The Silence in Black and White - Hawthorne Heights 15. Doppelganger - The Fall of Troy 16. The Alchemy Index - Thrice 17. Full Collapse - Thursday 18. Translating the Name - Saosin 19. Homesick - A Day to Remember 20. The Earth Is Not a Cold Dead Place - Explosions in the Sky 21. Bloody Kisses - Type O Negative 22. Sound of Silver - LCD Soundsystem 23. Ascendancy - Trivium 24. Messengers - August Burns Red 25. The Greatest - Cat Power

One of the most influential books on Post-Hardcore is Michael Azerrad's "Our Band Could Be Your Life." The book chronicles the rise of the American punk and alternative rock scenes of the 1980s, with a focus on key bands including Black Flag, Mission of Burma, and Husker Du. Although not exclusively devoted to Post-Hardcore, the book devotes a chapter each to two of the genre's most influential bands, Fugazi and Sonic Youth. In "Our Band Could Be Your Life," Azerrad describes Fugazi's unique approach to music and performing. He writes, "Fugazi were unlike any band around. They played with a ferocity that was completely focused and yet completely lackadaisical. They were four people who seemed to be playing the same song at the same time but from different planets." This description reflects the band's complex sound, which blended elements of post-punk, funk, and jazz. Fugazi's DIY ethos and political activism have also been a major influence on Post-Hardcore and the broader punk scene. Sonic Youth, another band that Azerrad focuses on in his book, are often cited as a major influence on Post-Hardcore bands. In Michael T. Fournier's book "Double Nickels on the Dime," Sonic Youth guitarist Lee Ranaldo describes the band's approach to music as "a complex interweaving of different harmonies, rhythmic planes, melody fragments, and noise swipes." This approach to songwriting has been echoed by many Post-Hardcore bands, who value experimentation and unpredictability over traditional song structures. Another notable book on Post-Hardcore is Antonia Tricarico's "Frame of Mind: Punk Photos and Essays from Washington, D.C., and Beyond." The book features essays and photographs on the D.C. punk scene in the 1980s and 1990s, including Fugazi and other Post-Hardcore bands. In the book's opening essay, filmmaker and musician Ian MacKaye (of Minor Threat and Fugazi) describes the ethos of the D.C. punk scene, which valued independent thought and action above all else. MacKaye writes, "This idea of autonomy is a fundamental aspect of the culture of punk. It's not just a musical culture, it's a way of life." Magazines like Maximum Rocknroll, Alternative Press, and Kerrang! have also covered Post-Hardcore extensively over the years. In a review of the album "Relationship of Command" by At the Drive-In, Kerrang! writer Paul Travers describes the band's sound as "a volatile cocktail of post-hardcore chaos, melodic rock hooks, and punk rock fury." Travers goes on to praise the band's ability to "kick out the jams with a fierce intensity that other bands can only dream of." In an article for Alternative Press, writer Corey Taylor (of Slipknot and Stone Sour) describes the influence of Post-Hardcore on the broader rock scene. Taylor writes, "These bands were doing something so incredibly intense, and yet they were also so incredibly melodic. I think that really resonated with me and a lot of other musicians." Taylor also reflects on the importance of Post-Hardcore in shaping his own musical style.

The late 1970s and early 80s in America was a time of social upheaval. The Reagan administration had come into power, and its governance was marked by severe economic inequality and an increase in military spending. America was heavily engaged with the issues of the Cold War and the threat of nuclear annihilation. In such a time of despair and disillusionment, Washington D.C. was an epicenter of discordant social and political changes, and the emergence of Post-Hardcore was an expression of the angst and fury of the young generation of the city. The DIY movement also played a crucial role in the rise of Post-Hardcore. Independent musical labels such as Dischord Records, Touch and Go, SST Records, and Revelation Records created a supportive network for the sub-genre. These labels were instrumental in promoting bands such as Minor Threat, Embrace, Fugazi, Black Flag, and Husker Du, among others, who were the pioneers of Post-Hardcore. Notable music journalists such as Ian Mackaye and Henry Rollins played critical roles in shaping the sound and ideology of Post-Hardcore. Mackaye's philosophy of DIY, straight-edge, and the rejection of mainstream norms of the music industry became the guiding principles of the sub-genre. Rollins, on the other hand, was known for his confrontational and raw intensity that defined the sound of Post-Hardcore. Post-Hardcore is also closely associated with the emergence of alternative culture in America. The 80s saw the rise of alternative music that was heavily influenced by the DIY ethos and was antithetical to the mainstream. Post-Hardcore artists such as Sonic Youth, The Pixies, and REM played a crucial role in popularizing alternative culture in America. The technological context played an essential role in the development of Post-Hardcore. The mid-to-late 80s saw a technological revolution that transformed the music industry. Advances in sound recording, production, and distribution enabled Independent labels to produce high-quality albums and distribute them to a wider audience. This technological revolution played a critical role in the rise of Post-Hardcore, and today it remains an important part of the sub-genre's identity.