Generally the term Screamo refers to a branch of hardcore popularised in the 1990's by bands such as City of Caterpillar, Envy, Orchid, Saetia et al. Often features dischordant riffs, high-pitched screams, some spoken-word vocals (Saetia were known to utilize this technique quite often), and quite often the recordings were very lo-fi, and grainy.
However the term has been heavily popularised by MTV as a reference to the pop-punk/emo bands of the new century (Finch, Story of the Year etc).
However the term has been heavily popularised by MTV as a reference to the pop-punk/emo bands of the new century (Finch, Story of the Year etc).
Saetia, Angel Hair, After School Knife Fight, Joshua Fit for Battle, City of Caterpillar, Neil Perry...most of the bands on Level Plane Records.
by Will March 05, 2005
screamo is a term that refers to recent bands that play old style emo. Most pinpoint the first use of the term to Saetia. When the media started to label pop punk and indie rock bands emo, people needed a new word to describe the style of music that used to be characterized with emo. Some say screamo is a little more artsy and pretentious than older emo, but that's arguable.
saetia, orchid, the spirit of versailles, neil perry, joshua fit for battle, yaphet kotto, most bands on ebullition and level-plane records
by vicktor January 01, 2004
Subdivision of emo and hardcore, generally having more similarities to hardcore in terms of instrumentals, but lyrics are closer to emo. Screamed or spoken-word vocals, laden over soft, proggy riffs or crashing metal madness, more the latter. Mostly dead by now, as the genre was already heavily explored in the 90's by bands such as Hot Cross, Saetia and Orchid.
Most modern (post-2000, really) bands referred to as screamo are either emocore, such as Alexisonfire and Thursday, or mall punks wearing eyeliner and trying to be scary, such as The Used and My Chemical Romance. Derision should not be layed against such mall punk bands, however, as they still have enough balls to wreck their vocal chords while singing about how they're just kids and thier lives are nightmares.
Most modern (post-2000, really) bands referred to as screamo are either emocore, such as Alexisonfire and Thursday, or mall punks wearing eyeliner and trying to be scary, such as The Used and My Chemical Romance. Derision should not be layed against such mall punk bands, however, as they still have enough balls to wreck their vocal chords while singing about how they're just kids and thier lives are nightmares.
"Man, this Level-Plane screamo stuff is way too hardcore for my ears. But hot damn, those are some cool riffs." CORRECT
"The Used is a great screamo band." INCORRECT
"The Used is a great screamo band." INCORRECT
by El Gordo July 04, 2005
by LAWLZlame October 25, 2006
by Misery October 17, 2004
Screamo is emotional post-hardcore music. It is not pretentious, only the people involved can make it that way. It is not a trend, only the people involved can make it that way.
Note : Just because you heard The Used and Finch and thought they were screamo doesn't make them the first ones to do it, and doesn't make it screamo. They are very far from it. I doubt you'll hear Hot Cross or Yaphet Kotto on the radio anytime soon - and that's just the way we like it.
Note : Just because you heard The Used and Finch and thought they were screamo doesn't make them the first ones to do it, and doesn't make it screamo. They are very far from it. I doubt you'll hear Hot Cross or Yaphet Kotto on the radio anytime soon - and that's just the way we like it.
Saetia, Hot Cross, Yaphet Kotto, The Assistant, Neil Perry, You and I, Off Minor, Kaospilot, Racebannon, The Kodan Armada, Circle Takes the Square, Orchid, pg.99, City of Caterpillar, Usurp Synapse, An Albatross, Bear vs. Shark, Since by Man, Transistor Transistor, and plenty more.
by TJD November 30, 2004
Screamo: Close to 80's real emo but softer. Screamo is currently alive. Note, Bands as in UnderOATH, Atreyu, etc. ARE NOT SCREAMO. Screamo consists of bands like, View Of a Burning City (broke up), Circle Takes the Square, Bravo Fucking Bravo, Comadre. Screamo Followed the Path of 80's real emo.
by Brandon::Fake June 28, 2006