Rites of Spring

Tea pairing: Lemongrass tea with honey

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Here we are, where it all started. Without Rites of Spring, Dag Nasty, Embrace, or any band that came about during Revolution Summer of 1985 in Washington, D.C.’s underground hardcore scene, there would not be an emo scene today, let alone the existence of the emo genre.

Even though some of the above bands may not associate themselves with emo at all, there is no doubt that they are the prognerators of one of the most misunderstood, most mocked, and most beloved genres of music to date, and that all, more or less, can be traced back to Rites of Spring.

Much like Diary, the debut record from Rites of Spring, Rites of Spring, is an unconventional emo record, mainly for the fact that in 1985 “emo” didn’t really exist. It is way more in line with D.C. hardcore legends Minor Threat as it is a very, very haerdcore and raw record. Rites is just that as well; very much hardcore but with more heart, more sincerity.

To date, the group refuses and denies their placement in the emo scene and instead stick to the hardcore and post-hardcore labelings instead, even though countless emo bands cite them as influences as well as the scene’s creators.

In my opinion, Rites of Spring is an emo band, but only by the standards of today. Back in ‘85 they were more so a hardcore punk outfit, and while that still is true today, it is because of the emo scene’s creation and their endless influence that they are considered emo.

This emo side can be clearly heard on “For Want Of” where eccentric frontman Guy Picciotto sings “I, I bled/Tried to hide the heart form the head”. The lyrics throughout the album present a rather stark contrast when set next to those of other hardcore bands at the time and it there that it is obvious that Rites of Spring have a truly emotional approach to their songwriting.

Being considered emo now, and even in years past, often had some level of negativity placed within it. Plenty of emo bands have rejected the emo label to sort of prove they are more than “just an emo band”. The fight over emo being a real genre or even a good genre at all begins with the first wave of emotional hardcore bands that came about in the D.C. scene.

It is important to note that the emo scene was born out of the hardcore scene as a response to rampant violence and sexism that had crept its way into the hardcore clubs and groups not only in D.C. but everywhere. That message was carried out by other acts like Dag Nasty, Embrace, Beefeater, Government Issue, and later on, Fugazi.

From its creation, emo served as a response to the damage that was being done to their scene so fans decided to form their own bands and created their own scene. How punk rock is that?

Songwriters like Guy Picciotto, Ian MacKaye, and Dave Smalley all looked inward and pulled out some truly meaningful lyrics that cut deep and left a lasting impression on countless fans that would go on to form their own punk or emo bands.

As a fan myself I have a great respect for the post-hardcore and emo godfathers that have inspired dozens of my favorites bands and myself; this entire blog is my way of showing appreciation to them and the entire emo scene.

To say Rites of Spring is important to emo is incorrect; they are the reason why emo exists. The same goes for their compatriots who saw poison in their hardcore scene and did the most punk thing ever; make their own home and make it better.

Even if Rites of Spring may never accept their relationship to emo and its founding that does not take away their importance and everlasting mark. Hell, they are the mark that is emo as we know it.