School of Emo

Today's episode is a tribute to someone who helped build the very stages emo and pop punk bands stood on — a man whose work behind the scenes helped launch the careers of some of your favorite artists. We're talking about music agent and industry powerhouse: Dave Shapiro.

If you'd like to come on to share your emo experiences, favorite stories or lore from bands you love, or an EMO-ment for a future episode, email [email protected] or message me on Instagram @school.of.emo

Whether you first heard him pounding keys with Something Corporate, pouring out his soul with Jack's Mannequin, or dancing in the waves with Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness — his work has defined and defied the emo genre for over two decades.

But behind the music is a story of reinvention, resilience, and raw emotion. So let's dig in.

If you'd like to come on to share your emo experiences, favorite stories or lore from bands you love, or an EMO-ment for a future episode, email [email protected] or message me on Instagram @school.of.emo

Today, we're heading into the world of explosive post-hardcore with a band whose soaring vocals, intricate guitars, and emotionally raw lyrics made them iconic in the late 2000s and 2010s. That's right—we're talking about Pierce the Veil.

From their early San Diego roots to sold-out international tours, a near-breakup, and a triumphant return, this is the story of how Pierce the Veil pierced the veil of emo history.

If you'd like to come on to share your emo experiences, favorite stories or lore from bands you love, or an EMO-ment for a future episode, email [email protected] or message me on Instagram @school.of.emo

Today we are going back to our teenage years sleepover-style. Remember the days of MASH, magazine quizzes, bedroom talent shows, and prank calls? It's the same vibe, except we are playing around with ChatGPT and AI.

If you'd like to come on to share your emo experiences, favorite stories or lore from bands you love, or an EMO-ment for a future episode, email [email protected] or message me on Instagram @school.of.emo

Today's subject is none other than the master of acoustic heartbreak himself — Dashboard Confessional.

From dorm-room demos to MTV Unplugged, Dashboard wasn't just a band — it was a movement. Chris Carrabba turned whispers into anthems, inspired a generation of kids to spill their guts on LiveJournal, and arguably gave emo its most vulnerable voice.

If you'd like to come on to share your emo experiences, favorite stories or lore from bands you love, or an EMO-ment for a future episode, email [email protected] or message me on Instagram @school.of.emo

Today, we're unraveling the complicated, legendary, and controversial story of Brand New — a band that redefined what emo could sound like, burned bridges with their Long Island peers, and, in 2025, surprised everyone with an unexpected return.

If you'd like to come on to share your emo experiences, favorite stories or lore from bands you love, or an EMO-ment for a future episode, email [email protected] or message me on Instagram @school.of.emo

Today, we'll travel back to the early '90s Seattle scene where the band formed, follow them through their meteoric rise and fall, hear direct quotes from band members about what really happened behind the scenes, and see how their music evolved from raw punk emotion to expansive artistry. I'll be your fellow student as we uncover Sunny Day Real Estate's story – a story of heartfelt music, heartbreak, and hope.

If you'd like to come on to share your emo experiences, favorite stories or lore from bands you love, or an EMO-ment for a future episode, email [email protected] or message me on Instagram @school.of.emo

If you've ever wondered where emo truly began, the answer isn't in the early 2000s, the '90s, or even late '80s—it all traces back to Washington, D.C. in 1984, when a group of hardcore kids decided to take punk in a more emotional, introspective direction.

That's right, we're traveling back to the 1980s—before My Chemical Romance, before Taking Back Sunday, before even Sunny Day Real Estate—to talk about the band that started it all: Rites of Spring.

If you'd like to come on to share your emo experiences, favorite stories or lore from bands you love, or an EMO-ment for a future episode, email [email protected] or message me on Instagram @school.of.emo

Today, we're covering a band that practically defined early 2000s emo—Taking Back Sunday.

From their explosive debut Tell All Your Friends to their high-profile feud with Brand New, and frontman Adam Lazzara's journey through addiction and sobriety, Taking Back Sunday's story is one of loyalty, rivalry, struggle, and redemption.

If you'd like to come on to share your emo experiences, favorite stories or lore from bands you love, or an EMO-ment for a future episode, email [email protected] or message me on Instagram @school.of.emo

Today, we're talking about a band that blended poetic lyricism with explosive energy—New Jersey's own Thursday.

Thursday didn't just play music; they created movements, soundtracked teenage angst, and left an undeniable mark on the post-hardcore and emo scenes. From their early basement shows to influencing an entire generation, their impact is still felt today.

If you'd like to come on to share your emo experiences, favorite stories or lore from bands you love, or an EMO-ment for a future episode, email [email protected] or message me on Instagram @school.of.emo