Published by Emo Social Club
Brian and Lizzie discuss news and host interviews surrounding the emo subculture, addressing current topics and bands.
Listen on Apple Podcasts53 min
"Emo is not alive because the old bands are playing their old songs at When We Were Young Festival. That’s a cool thing, but it’s not dead because there have been two more generations, or more; keeping it alive." We dive deep into why "emo" was once treated as a dirty word, how underground bands rebuilt the scene from basement shows to 5,000-capacity venues, and the crucial responsibility established bands have to pay it forward to the next generation. Plus, we debate what separates the 4th and 5th waves, the role of nostalgia in modern festivals, and our ultimate dream lineup. Pre-Order Emo Revival: https://lnk.bio/emorevivalbook JOIN THE CLUB! Youtube: https://emosocial.club/youtube Instagram: https://emosocial.club/instagram TikTok: https://emosocial.club/tiktok Twitch: https://emosocialclub.tv Discord: https://emosocial.club/discord Facebook: https://emosocial.club/facebook Twitter: https://emosocial.club/twitter Support the Show: Leave a review on Apple Podcasts/Spotify Share this episode with a friend who needs to hear it Support us and watch exclusive episodes: https://emosocialclub.tv It was never just a phase. We connect the Myspace era to today's waves. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
55 min
"My temple is twinned, my icky is thumped, and my asylum is Kia." The hosts break down country artist Charley Crockett’s decision to drop the satanic doo-wop duo Twin Temple from his tour schedule. The situation took an unexpected turn when rock icon Jack White stepped in to save the day, offering Twin Temple an opening slot at the Hollywood Palladium. This leads the hosts to debate whether the entire falling out was a genuinely naive booking blunder or a cleverly orchestrated PR stunt meant to drive headlines and attention for both parties. The hosts explore the viral internet concept known as the "Kia Asylum" (or Kya Asylum). They explain how the term describes pop stars, one-hit wonders, and alternative acts whose careers get stalled or shelved by labels after failing to replicate the massive commercial success of an early hit single. The discussion covers mainstream pop figures like Lizzo, Bebe Rexha, and Kim Petras, analyzing the difference between having a fleeting viral hit and cultivating a sustainable, long-term fanbase. JOIN THE CLUB! Youtube: https://emosocial.club/youtube Instagram: https://emosocial.club/instagram TikTok: https://emosocial.club/tiktok Twitch: https://emosocialclub.tv Discord: https://emosocial.club/discord Facebook: https://emosocial.club/facebook Twitter: https://emosocial.club/twitter Support the Show: Leave a review on Apple Podcasts/Spotify Share this episode with a friend who needs to hear it Support us and watch exclusive episodes: https://emosocialclub.tv It was never just a phase. We connect the Myspace era to today's waves. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
55 min
"A lot of news is just discourse. And I'm like, that's not news... News is when a band announces like a tour. That's news." A massive portion of what is presented as "music news" today isn't actually news at all; it’s social media discourse. Through a mix of industry critique, and scene nostalgia Brian and Lizzie explore how stan culture and algorithmic metrics have fundamentally broken the way we talk about art. They dissect the sudden resurgence of the two-year-old drama between music critic Anthony Fantano and pop-alternative star Halsey. Is it a case of "main character syndrome," or a deeper look into the death of traditional music criticism? Plus, stick around to hear our thoughts on the latest music releases they're currently listening to. JOIN THE CLUB! Youtube: https://emosocial.club/youtube Instagram: https://emosocial.club/instagram TikTok: https://emosocial.club/tiktok Twitch: https://emosocialclub.tv Discord: https://emosocial.club/discord Facebook: https://emosocial.club/facebook Twitter: https://emosocial.club/twitter Support the Show: Leave a review on Apple Podcasts/Spotify Share this episode with a friend who needs to hear it Support us and watch exclusive episodes: https://emosocialclub.tv It was never just a phase. We connect the Myspace era to today's waves. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
55 min
"Why do you keep going to the well hoping that you're going to find MCR-flavored water there? There's nothing there, man. MCR is not going to create anything they don't have to." Brian and Lizzie tackle the chaotic realities of the summer touring season. The conversation kicks off with a roasting of the intense heat waves plaguing European festivals, which quickly segues into a deep dive on the viral Pinkpop Festival drama. The hosts dissect the hilarious clash between fans of pop princess Zara Larsson and the heavy-hitting German metalcore outfit Electric Callboy and the bizarrely foul hygiene habits of some modern festival-goers. Switching gears from live show chaos to recorded music, the duo breaks down the internet’s collective, desperate hope for a fifth My Chemical Romance album. Evaluating the band's recent move to reopen their classic forums, Lizzie shares the community's frustration with cash-grabs, while Brian drops a harsh truth bomb: with four legendary albums already carrying their legacy, MCR has absolutely no obligation to release new music. To wrap up the episode, the hosts take a nostalgic trip down memory lane to critique the legacy of Pop Goes Punk style tracks, weighing whether modern TikTok covers hold a candle to the scene-defining execution of classic alternative covers. JOIN THE CLUB! Youtube: https://emosocial.club/youtube Instagram: https://emosocial.club/instagram TikTok: https://emosocial.club/tiktok Twitch: https://emosocialclub.tv Discord: https://emosocial.club/discord Facebook: https://emosocial.club/facebook Twitter: https://emosocial.club/twitter Support the Show: Leave a review on Apple Podcasts/Spotify Share this episode with a friend who needs to hear it Support us and watch exclusive episodes: https://emosocialclub.tv It was never just a phase. We connect the Myspace era to today's waves. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
56 min
"When I'm writing...It's so detached. You can be wrong for an hour, and you can close your eyes and think for an hour, and it's for you to think of what's good. If I spent that hour thinking about what someone else might think about that thing, that's a wasted hour." This week, Brian and Lizzie are catch-up after Vans Warped Tour in Washington, D.C. and release the final interview from the fest with the alt-act, The Wrecks. The Wrecks for a candid, chaotic, and laugh-out-loud conversation on our signature red couch. From a heated debate over whether Limp Bizkit qualifies as "emo" to deep-dives into their musical evolution, this interview covers it all. The band gets real about their songwriting process, their favorite touring memories, and the absolute reality of navigating the current music landscape. "All these bands and artists who have way more than us—way more followers, way more monthly listeners—are selling 50 tickets or canceling their tour because it's not selling. And we go out there and we fucking rip and our fans are there, and they're screaming every word... It's fucking awesome." "I feel like I got into the scene—I'd show up in my skinny jeans, my studded belt, my purple and black striped sweatshirt. My sister would straighten my hair. I felt like that was the moment where I started really getting into like, this scene. That's the scene." JOIN THE CLUB! Youtube: https://emosocial.club/youtube Instagram: https://emosocial.club/instagram TikTok: https://emosocial.club/tiktok Twitch: https://emosocialclub.tv Discord: https://emosocial.club/discord Facebook: https://emosocial.club/facebook Twitter: https://emosocial.club/twitter Support the Show: Leave a review on Apple Podcasts/Spotify Share this episode with a friend who needs to hear it Support us and watch exclusive episodes: https://emosocialclub.tv It was never just a phase. We connect the Myspace era to today's waves. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
49 min
"I think that whole 'you don't belong in this festival'—that's a manufactured media thing by people on the outside. Because when you go backstage... everybody is just fucking cool." This week, Brian and Lizzie are catch-up after Vans Warped Tour in Washington, D.C. They break down the festival’s enduring backstage community, why international crowds embrace diverse lineups better than anyone else, and feature exclusive, rapid-fire interviews with some of the scene's biggest names. We check the pulse of the scene through unfiltered conversations with Hoobastank, Super Sometimes, Rose Colored World, Saturday's at Your Place, and Deathbyromy. Our guests analyze everything from the nerve-wracking reality of playing a festival set 20 minutes after doors open, to the deep-rooted cultural representation currently reshaping pop-punk in 2026. Whether you're a seasoned Warped veteran or a newcomer to the scene, join us for an electric look at why this community still holds up today. "I think that whole 'you don't belong in this festival'—that's a manufactured media thing by people on the outside. Everybody is just fucking cool." "We played 20 minutes after the doors, and we were scared nobody was going to be there. Five minutes before our set, I looked out and there was nobody... and then we walked out and it was like a billion people." "The scene—the barriers in between scenes are breaking. Let's break these walls, people!" JOIN THE CLUB! Youtube: https://emosocial.club/youtube Instagram: https://emosocial.club/instagram TikTok: https://emosocial.club/tiktok Twitch: https://emosocialclub.tv Discord: https://emosocial.club/discord Facebook: https://emosocial.club/facebook Twitter: https://emosocial.club/twitter Support the Show: Leave a review on Apple Podcasts/Spotify Share this episode with a friend who needs to hear it Support us and watch exclusive episodes: https://emosocialclub.tv It was never just a phase. We connect the Myspace era to today's waves. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
50 min
"This record is objectively for people who were in high school between 2006 to 2008. You cannot avoid how f***ing good Martin Johnson is as a songwriter." This week, Brian and Lizzie celebrate the nearly 20-year anniversary of Boys Like Girls' self-titled debut album. They break down the band's PureVolume and MySpace origins, Martin Johnson's undeniable songwriting chops, and why these pop-punk anthems still hold up today. Take a trip back to 2006 as the Emo Social Club dives into Boys Like Girls' massive self-titled debut album. Brian and Lizzie explore how four kids from Massachusetts leveraged PureVolume and MySpace to build a devoted fanbase before ever signing a record deal or hitting mainstream radio. We analyze the album's incredible staying power, from the delayed success of iconic singles like 'The Great Escape', 'Hero/Heroine', and 'Thunder', to fan-favorite deep cuts like 'Five Minutes to Midnight'. Plus, we discuss Martin Johnson’s undeniable earworm melodies, the album's sunny pop-punk production by Matt Squire, and how Boys Like Girls seamlessly bridged the gap between the emo scene and TRL pop stardom. Whether this record was the soundtrack to your high school summers or you're discovering it for the first time, join us to find out if it earns a perfect 10/10 rating. "This record is objectively for people who were in high school between 2006 to 2008." "You cannot avoid how f***ing good Martin Johnson is as a songwriter. He knows how to write a song. He knows how to write hooks." "They uploaded the demos to MySpace and PureVolume and quickly hit number one on the PureVolume top unsigned artist chart. By the time their self-titled debut arrived in August 2006, the audience was already there." JOIN THE CLUB! Youtube: https://emosocial.club/youtube Instagram: https://emosocial.club/instagram TikTok: https://emosocial.club/tiktok Twitch: https://emosocialclub.tv Discord: https://emosocial.club/discord Facebook: https://emosocial.club/facebook Twitter: https://emosocial.club/twitter Support the Show: Leave a review on Apple Podcasts/Spotify Share this episode with a friend who needs to hear it Support us and watch exclusive episodes: https://emosocialclub.tv It was never just a phase. We connect the Myspace era to today's waves. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
51 min
"It's not cool to be sad. Like, there needs to be light at the end of the tunnel. And at the end of the day, we get to play something like Warped Tour. So while we are united in the fact that we all share similar experiences, you do have to still view life with optimism and know that it gets better." As we wrap up our coverage from this weekend at Warped DC 2026, here's a rewind to our talks with acts such as Arrows In Action, The Home Team, Huddy and more from Orlando Warped 2025. Episode Highlights The Home Team's R&B Infusions: The band discusses how their heavy background (prog-metal, hardcore, and deathcore) paradoxically mixes with modern R&B vocal styles to create their unique alternative sound. They emphasize their commitment to giving independent local bands openings slots on their sold-out dates. Derek Whibley’s Walking Disaster Launch: Whibley details the origins of his new apparel and creative brand, Walking Disaster, which rolled directly following the conclusion of Sum 41. He highlights how the designs are highly collaborative, using direct fan feedback and references to past lyricism. Girlfriends’ Nostalgic Inspiration: Travis from Girlfriends dives into the emotional weight of their record There Goes the Neighborhood , describing it as a sobering realization of growing up, acknowledging parental imperfections, and capturing youth nostalgia. Senseless Fail & the Emo Mantle: Buddy from Senses Fail shares a candid perspective on the genre's history, claiming the band proudly carried the "emo" mantle during a time when other third and fourth-wave bands actively resisted the label. Arrows in Action on Balance and Coping: The band details how their personal music style balances dark, brooding lyrical topics surrounding mental health with vibrant, upbeat instrumentation and dynamic live humor as a primary coping mechanism. Oxymorons on Representation: The group highlights the massive significance of racial diversity and representation in the alternative scene, pointing out the explicit pride that fans and personnel of color express when seeing them perform on stage. JOIN THE CLUB! Youtube: https://emosocial.club/youtube Instagram: https://emosocial.club/instagram TikTok: https://emosocial.club/tiktok Twitch: https://emosocialclub.tv Discord: https://emosocial.club/discord Facebook: https://emosocial.club/facebook Twitter: https://emosocial.club/twitter Support the Show: Leave a review on Apple Podcasts/Spotify Share this episode with a friend who needs to hear it Support us and watch exclusive episodes: https://emosocialclub.tv It was never just a phase. We connect the Myspace era to today's waves. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
49 min
"It didn't feel like I'm watching a show or I'm watching these members play these songs. It felt like I was in a one and a half hour thrill ride." Brian breaks down why Bring Me The Horizon's Next Gen tour is a PS1-fueled thrill ride, and the hosts discuss the scene's reaction to Beartooth's Caleb Shomo coming out as gay. Plus, Brian and Lizzie get into the controversial new Ozzy Osbourne interactive AI avatar—is Sharon Osbourne just securing his legacy, or is this the ultimate metal cash grab? And to cap it off, they review Drake's attempts to recover from the Kendrick Lamar fallout, noting that none of his newest tracks pass the song of the summer test. It’s another auspicious day of infotainment on idobi Radio. We’re teaching you things you didn't know, even if you wouldn't pass a college course with this info. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: • BMTH's Live Show Evolution: Why the Next Gen tour feels like a 90s video game fever dream. • Caleb Shomo Comes Out: Navigating the metalcore community's response to the Beartooth frontman, and addressing lingering homophobia in the scene. • The Ozzy AI Avatar: Debating the Osbourne family's latest IP move and the weird future of legacy acts. • Drake Post-Kendrick: Why none of Drake's new drops are claiming the Song of the Summer title. JOIN THE CLUB! Youtube: https://emosocial.club/youtube Instagram: https://emosocial.club/instagram TikTok: https://emosocial.club/tiktok Twitch: https://emosocialclub.tv Discord: https://emosocial.club/discord Facebook: https://emosocial.club/facebook Twitter: https://emosocial.club/twitter Support the Show: Leave a review on Apple Podcasts/Spotify Share this episode with a friend who needs to hear it Support us and watch exclusive episodes: https://emosocialclub.tv It was never just a phase. We connect the Myspace era to today's waves. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
51 min
That is JT Woodruff, the ultimate emo wife guy. In this episode of the Make Me a Fan series, Lizzie selects five tracks from Hawthorne Heights to prove to Brian that the band is more than just early-2000s scene stereotypes. They discuss the band's history, their modern evolution, and whether Brian is ready to join the fandom. If you had five songs to convince your friend to love your favorite band, what would you choose? In this episode of the Make Me a Fan series, Lizzie tries to convert Brian into a Hawthorne Heights believer. Despite being in the thick of the mid-2000s scene boom, Brian originally wrote the band off as a skeptic. To prove him wrong, Lizzie brought 5 specific tracks spanning their entire discography to see if she can change his mind: "Ohio Is For Lovers," "Niki FM," "Saying Sorry," "End of the Underground," and "Cardinal." We break down the undeniable edge-core grip of "Ohio Is For Lovers," revisit their Victory Records TRL era with "Saying Sorry," and look at their modern evolution. Plus, we talk about the nostalgia of the local scene, whether "Ohio Is For Lovers" was destined to be the soundtrack to every Matt Cutshall meme on the internet, and why frontman JT Woodruff is the ultimate "emo wife guy." Can five songs overwrite 20 years of scene stubbornness? Episode Chapters: 00:00 - The Make Me A Fan Challenge 03:15 - Breaking Down Ohio Is For Lovers & Scene Stereotypes 15:40 - Cardinal & Their Modern Sound 22:20 - Niki FM: JT Woodruff is the Ultimate Emo Wife Guy 33:10 - Saying Sorry & The Victory Records Era 44:30 - End of the Underground & Brian's Final Verdict JOIN THE CLUB! Youtube: https://emosocial.club/youtube Instagram: https://emosocial.club/instagram TikTok: https://emosocial.club/tiktok Twitch: https://emosocialclub.tv Discord: https://emosocial.club/discord Facebook: https://emosocial.club/facebook Twitter: https://emosocial.club/twitter Support the Show: Leave a review on Apple Podcasts/Spotify Share this episode with a friend who needs to hear it Support us and watch exclusive episodes: https://emosocialclub.tv It was never just a phase. We connect the Myspace era to today's waves. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
51 min
"I would argue that Sempiternal is their re-debut album. It pivoted to something that's a little bit more poppy for the mainstream general audience... it very much was a rebranding of them in a way." This week, Brian and Lizzie dissect Bring Me The Horizon's pivotal 2013 album, Sempiternal. They discuss the addition of Jordan Fish, Oli Sykes' shift to clean vocals, and how the band laid the blueprint for modern metalcore. A decade after its release, Bring Me The Horizon's Sempiternal remains a monumental record in emo history and modern metalcore. Brian and Lizzie sit down to review the album that transformed BMTH from a raw deathcore act into global rock superstars. They analyze the massive impact of Jordan Fish joining the band, bringing cinematic synths and EDM influences that completely reshaped their sonic landscape. The hosts break down Oli Sykes' evolution into clean, Linkin Park-inspired vocals and review standout tracks like 'Can You Feel My Heart', 'Shadow Moses', and 'Sleepwalking'. From the pop punk level of catchy hooks embedded in their heavy breakdowns to the nuanced electronic soundscapes that paved the way for the current 'baddiecore' movement, this episode covers it all. Did Sempiternal single-handedly save a stale scene, or are there valid critiques of its straightforward lyrics? Tune in to hear the Emo Social Club's final verdict on this definitive release. JOIN THE CLUB! Youtube: https://emosocial.club/youtube Instagram: https://emosocial.club/instagram TikTok: https://emosocial.club/tiktok Twitch: https://emosocialclub.tv Discord: https://emosocial.club/discord Facebook: https://emosocial.club/facebook Twitter: https://emosocial.club/twitter Support the Show: Leave a review on Apple Podcasts/Spotify Share this episode with a friend who needs to hear it Support us and watch exclusive episodes: https://emosocialclub.tv It was never just a phase. We connect the Myspace era to today's waves. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
53 min
"There's video evidence of me being like 16 years old playing to zero people in a coffee shop. So I'm like, trust me, the grind has been there forever." David Osterhout of Bike Routes sits down to discuss the viral success of "World Apart," opening for Hawthorne Heights and Young Culture, and a surreal encounter with Bruce Springsteen. David Osterhout of South Jersey's Bike Routes is having a massive breakout year, but don't call him an industry plant. He sits down with Brian and Lizzie to talk about grinding for six years in front of empty coffee shops, the sudden TikTok explosion of "World Apart," and a surreal Portland bookstore encounter with Bruce Springsteen that led to an E Street Band collaboration with Jake Clemons on the track "Delicate." David details the band's roots in the rich New Jersey DIY scene, the lead-up to the new album "Prairie," and the reality of transitioning from local acoustic gigs to full-band tours with Young Culture and Hawthorne Heights. Later in the episode, Brian and Lizzie stick around to unpack the recent scene controversy surrounding the Chaotic Good marketing agency. They discuss the reality of modern music promotion, the mechanics of mass clip creation pushing songs into the algorithm, and why the internet is suddenly obsessed with calling every rising pop-punk and emo band a psyop. "It's one of those moments where I've planned my whole life, like if I ever run into Bruce Springsteen, I have to say this, this, this. I just walked up and I was just like, can I shake your hand?" "My dreams came true the first time we played a show out of the state of New Jersey. That was a ceiling for me. I was like, the second we play a show across state lines, we're good." JOIN THE CLUB! Youtube: https://emosocial.club/youtube Instagram: https://emosocial.club/instagram TikTok: https://emosocial.club/tiktok Twitch: https://emosocialclub.tv Discord: https://emosocial.club/discord Facebook: https://emosocial.club/facebook Twitter: https://emosocial.club/twitter Support the Show: Leave a review on Apple Podcasts/Spotify Share this episode with a friend who needs to hear it Support us and watch exclusive episodes: https://emosocialclub.tv It was never just a phase. We connect the Myspace era to today's waves. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
54 min
"Teen angst doesn't go away just because you get older. I think as an adult, you have less and less ways to relieve that stress of everyday life." Multi-platinum artist Bryce Vine might be known for massive hip-hop crossover hits, but his musical DNA is pure Warped Tour. Multi-platinum artist Bryce Vine might be known for massive hip-hop crossover hits, but his musical DNA is pure Warped Tour. From hunting down Blink-182's Dude Ranch on the radio as a kid to obsessing over the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater soundtracks, Bryce has always been a scene kid at heart. He sits down with Lizzie to talk about blending those early pop-punk influences into his mainstream sound, navigating the reality of industry expectations, and what it’s actually like collaborating with scene heavyweights like John Feldmann and Travis Barker. Looking ahead to summer, Bryce talks about his placement on the Warped Tour 2026 lineup and getting to play alongside legacy acts like Third Eye Blind and New Found Glory. Stick around after the interview as Brian and Lizzie unpack the modern festival landscape, debate the mixed online reactions to the recent Warped Tour announcements, and question whether today's scene artists still get unfairly pigeonholed by outdated genre expectations. "Teen angst doesn't go away just because you get older. I think as an adult, you have less and less ways to relieve that stress of everyday life and the things that are going on in your head, and then you just end up overthinking." "There's a lot of pressure in the music industry... you kinda gotta consider it in a different way. So I really try to tell up and coming artists not to worry too much about that and just lead by example by putting out music because it's what makes me feel good." "I just wanna make dope s***, and I think my fans get that. So if it's a punk song this time, then they learn all the words because they're invested now." JOIN THE CLUB! Youtube: https://emosocial.club/youtube Instagram: https://emosocial.club/instagram TikTok: https://emosocial.club/tiktok Twitch: https://emosocialclub.tv Discord: https://emosocial.club/discord Facebook: https://emosocial.club/facebook Twitter: https://emosocial.club/twitter Support the Show: Leave a review on Apple Podcasts/Spotify Share this episode with a friend who needs to hear it Support us and watch exclusive episodes: https://emosocialclub.tv It was never just a phase. We connect the Myspace era to today's waves. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
53 min
"It's been a slow burn. It's not like a commemoration of a time that we blew up... It's just an album that became more successful later on." Microwave sits down with Brian and Lizzie at the Salt Shed during their Much Love 10-Year Anniversary Tour. The band dives into their slow-burn rise to success following the 2022 Story So Far tour, the hilarious reality of crashing in Hot Mulligan's dorm lobby, and why they relate more to Jimmy Eat World than Midwest emo. Plus, rapid-fire reviews of new releases from The Maine, Enter Shikari, Bilmuri, and more. Microwave is in the hot seat this week as Brian and Lizzie sit down with Nathan, Tyler, Tito, and Luke live from the Salt Shed to celebrate the ten-year anniversary of Much Love. Despite what their Wikipedia page says, the guys aren't actually influenced by Midwest emo, and they break down tracing their true sound back to Jimmy Eat World rather than Cap'n Jazz. They discuss what it has been like to watch Much Love explode in popularity after their 2022 run with The Story So Far, validating their slow-burn success in the scene. The band also reminisces about the unglamorous realities of early DIY touring, highlighted by a hilarious 2016 story where they slept on the floor of a freshman dorm lobby while Hot Mulligan's roommate vacuumed around them. Following the interview, Lizzie gets sassy as she and Brian dive into rapid-fire reviews of the latest tracks dropping ahead of the spring and summer tours, sharing their unfiltered thoughts on new music from The Maine, Bilmuri, Enter Shikari, and more. "In 2016 on The Wonder Years tour, we stayed at Chris from Hot Mulligan's freshman dorm. We assumed it was like a house, and we showed up and were sleeping in the lobby. I woke up to somebody just vacuuming right next to me." "We weren't robbed of any of the experiences of developing a band. Some people, their s*** blows up when they're eighteen, and then they have the pressure of having to follow that up and do something just as good immediately." "We kinda got grouped in with bands that are more directly influenced by Cap'n Jazz and American Football and Midwest emo. Our influence is more like Jimmy Eat World type stuff." JOIN THE CLUB! Youtube: https://emosocial.club/youtube Instagram: https://emosocial.club/instagram TikTok: https://emosocial.club/tiktok Twitch: https://emosocialclub.tv Discord: https://emosocial.club/discord Facebook: https://emosocial.club/facebook Twitter: https://emosocial.club/twitter Support the Show: Leave a review on Apple Podcasts/Spotify Share this episode with a friend who needs to hear it Support us and watch exclusive episodes: https://emosocialclub.tv It was never just a phase. We connect the Myspace era to today's waves. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
54 min
"For me, it's just like I write the song so that I could get it off my chest, and I think it's the coolest thing in the world." LØLØ stops by the club to discuss her jump to Hopeless Records, the power of hyper-specific lyrics, and double standards for women in pop-punk. Canadian artist LØLØ joins Brian and Lizzie to talk about her upcoming album, god forbid a girl spits out her feelings! She explains why treating her songwriting like a personal diary actually helps fans connect more deeply, rather than alienating them, and what it was like making the move to a new label. The conversation also tackles the reality of being a woman in the alternative scene. LØLØ breaks down the double standard of women getting criticized for writing 'I hate this man' tracks, while male pop-punk artists have built entire careers on the exact same premise. Plus, Brian and Lizzie debate whether Ashlee Simpson's Autobiography era actually qualifies as an underrated scene record. "For me, it's just like I write the song so that I could get it off my chest, and I think it's the coolest thing in the world." "I feel like a lot of women are writing that kind of song, honestly. And I see a lot of people commenting like, oh, like, imagine a guy wrote this about a girl." "That kind of stuff is important as an escape when there is so much going on in the world." JOIN THE CLUB! Youtube: https://emosocial.club/youtube Instagram: https://emosocial.club/instagram TikTok: https://emosocial.club/tiktok Twitch: https://emosocialclub.tv Discord: https://emosocial.club/discord Facebook: https://emosocial.club/facebook Twitter: https://emosocial.club/twitter Support the Show: Leave a review on Apple Podcasts/Spotify Share this episode with a friend who needs to hear it Support us and watch exclusive episodes: https://emosocialclub.tv It was never just a phase. We connect the Myspace era to today's waves. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
54 min
We are the Popeye's chicken biscuit of the metal scene. People can't take us because they choke immediately. The first bite, they're already on the ground gagging... You can't f*** with UnityTX. UnityTX is the Popeyes chicken biscuit of the metal scene—if you aren't ready, you're going to choke. Jay Webster and the band join Lizzie right after their set at Bottom Lounge in Chicago to get real about the current state of heavy music, the BIPOC hardcore experience, and dodging the Octane-core formula. Lizzie sat down with Dallas heavyweights UnityTX at Bottom Lounge in Chicago for an unfiltered conversation about the reality of modern heavy music. Touring alongside Varials, the band digs into the writing process behind their track 'Heinous' and how they intentionally fuse horrorcore, 90s rap, and the heavy grooves of Korn and Meshuggah without falling into the predictable Octane-core radio trap. As a predominantly BIPOC band bridging hardcore punk and hip-hop, they open up about the frustration of 'torch passing' in the nu-metal revival—explaining the massive difference between genuine support from acts like P.O.D. versus surface-level nods from the Limp Bizkit or Papa Roach camps. Stick around after the interview as Brian and Lizzie yap to debate who actually holds the top three spots in the new wave of nu-metal. "I feel like on this record, we didn't cater to, like, trying to get on the radio. We didn't cater to try to, you know, make the heaviest breakdown... We just wanted to make music that feels timeless for us." "That's what nu metal is to me. That is, like, the ultimate combination of cultures. UnityTX is really good at doing that, and everybody wants to acknowledge it only when it's cool." JOIN THE CLUB! Youtube: https://emosocial.club/youtube Instagram: https://emosocial.club/instagram TikTok: https://emosocial.club/tiktok Twitch: https://emosocialclub.tv Discord: https://emosocial.club/discord Facebook: https://emosocial.club/facebook Twitter: https://emosocial.club/twitter Support the Show: Leave a review on Apple Podcasts/Spotify Share this episode with a friend who needs to hear it Support us and watch exclusive episodes: https://emosocialclub.tv It was never just a phase. We connect the Myspace era to today's waves. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
54 min
"Listen. If 9/11 didn't happen, we wouldn't have My Chemical Romance. We wouldn't have Twilight. We wouldn't have this entire Tumblr core era of girly pop." We took the podcast to C2E2! In front of a live Chicago audience, we are unpacking the pipeline between My Chemical Romance, early 2000s pop-punk, and the comic book industry. Lizzie officially steps into her role as our resident Gerard Way historian to explain how The Umbrella Academy and The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys took the intricate, non-linear storytelling of MCR and translated it into graphic novels that spoke directly to scene kids. Plus, we talk about the bizarrely perfect era of 2000s superhero movie soundtracks, and yes, we actually connect 9/11 to the creation of My Chemical Romance and Twilight (we told you it was a live show). What we cover on the panel: • Why The Umbrella Academy is essentially a family trauma story dressed as a superhero comic • Gerard Way’s transition from the Black Parade era into comic book writing • The emo lore behind Patrick Stump and Max Bemis entering the comic space • Why movies like Daredevil and Spider-Man had memorable scene soundtracks • The infamous 9/11 to MCR to Twilight domino effect" "Is Umbrella Academy an emo comic book? I would argue yes. It's acknowledging family trauma and abandonment in a creative way that makes people draw that inwards, just like listening to My Chemical Romance or Paramore." "The Danger Days era was a vibrant, loud shift... having these big bright colors and being whimsical again. It's joy as an act of resistance." "There were a lot of artists and a lot of songs that I found specifically from comic book movies of the early 2000s because there was clearly some crossover of, like, well, if you like Spider-Man, you're gonna love Dashboard Confessional." JOIN THE CLUB! Youtube: https://emosocial.club/youtube Instagram: https://emosocial.club/instagram TikTok: https://emosocial.club/tiktok Twitch: https://emosocialclub.tv Discord: https://emosocial.club/discord Facebook: https://emosocial.club/facebook Twitter: https://emosocial.club/twitter Support the Show: Leave a review on Apple Podcasts/Spotify Share this episode with a friend who needs to hear it Support us and watch exclusive episodes: https://emosocialclub.tv It was never just a phase. We connect the Myspace era to today's waves. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
53 min
"Well, you've been waiting this long for a white guy to explain a Mexican band to you. It's very upsetting for all involved." In this episode of the Make Me a Fan series, we're tackling one of the biggest blind spots in Lizzie's scene history: Pierce The Veil. While Brian was championing the band's "Mexicore" roots and heavy guitar work, Lizzie was busy dodging the 2010s Tumblr fangirl hype. "In this episode of the Make Me a Fan series, we're tackling one of the biggest blind spots in Lizzie's scene history: Pierce The Veil. While Brian was championing the band's ""Mexicore"" roots and heavy guitar work, Lizzie was busy dodging the 2010s Tumblr fangirl hype and listening to Hollywood Undead instead. Now that PTV is gearing up for their massive 2025 tour with Sleeping With Sirens, it's time for a proper retrospective. Brian tests Lizzie with five defining songs spanning from A Flair for the Dramatic to The Jaws of Life. We discuss Vic Fuentes' distinct vocals, the aggressive perfection of King For A Day, and whether the band's theatrical energy actually works for a first-time listener today. Plus: The hilarious irony of a white guy enthusiastically explaining a Mexican-American band to a Mexican woman, and why the scene desperately needed non-white representation during the Warped Tour era. Tracks Discussed In This Episode: • King For A Day • So Far So Fake • Besitos • Yeah Boy and Dollface • Bulletproof Love "Well, you've been waiting this long for a white guy to explain a Mexican band to you. It's very upsetting for all involved." "I want my anxiety to make me feel like I'm constantly under attack. If I don't feel that I am always playing a DDR game, I don't know what to do with life." "Me always not listening to white men. More for me." JOIN THE CLUB! Youtube: https://emosocial.club/youtube Instagram: https://emosocial.club/instagram TikTok: https://emosocial.club/tiktok Twitch: https://emosocialclub.tv Discord: https://emosocial.club/discord Facebook: https://emosocial.club/facebook Twitter: https://emosocial.club/twitter Support the Show: Leave a review on Apple Podcasts/Spotify Share this episode with a friend who needs to hear it Support us and watch exclusive episodes: https://emosocialclub.tv It was never just a phase. We connect the Myspace era to today's waves. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
54 min
"We do not look like the bands that we sound like, and we don't sound like the bands that we look like, which is what I'm kinda going for." Lee Jennings of The Funeral Portrait boards the tour bus to talk active rock, the rising cost of touring, and the operational reality of paid VIPs. Recorded live from their tour bus outside Allstate Arena, Lee Jennings of The Funeral Portrait joins Lizzie right before opening for I Prevail and Three Days Grace. Lee breaks down the band's aesthetic and sonic shift from 2010s scene core toward active rock, a move that recently culminated in a No. 1 Billboard Mainstream Rock hit for the band. He details the importance of bringing theatricality back to heavy music with their "Devotion Ceremonies," drawing direct inspiration from early-2000s acts like My Chemical Romance and his love for Hawthorne Heights' Skeletons album. The interview also tackles the harsh modern realities of being in a touring band. Lee provides a candid look at why the Warped Tour era of free meet-and-greets is over, explaining how paid VIP packages have become an operational necessity for bands facing skyrocketing merch cuts and travel costs. Back in the studio, Brian and Lizzie debate the cultural weight of "divorced dad rock" in relation to Three Days Grace, and recap the talking points for their upcoming panel exploring emo and comic book history at C2E2. "I think so much of it is our worlds are now meshing. Getting to form our own way has been really cool because I love being theatrical. I grew up being a theater kid, so of course it's gonna shine no matter what." "We grew up going to Warped Tour and standing in line and meeting our favorite bands for free. There was never a paid wall... Now I'm charging for VIP, and it's hard because paid VIP pays for us to actually be on tour because it is so much more expensive to be on tour now than it ever has been." "Those are the bands I grew up listening to... I loved lore-driven bands, and I think that's something that I really wanted to focus on. I want my own version of that." JOIN THE CLUB! Youtube: https://emosocial.club/youtube Instagram: https://emosocial.club/instagram TikTok: https://emosocial.club/tiktok Twitch: https://emosocialclub.tv Discord: https://emosocial.club/discord Facebook: https://emosocial.club/facebook Twitter: https://emosocial.club/twitter Support the Show: Leave a review on Apple Podcasts/Spotify Share this episode with a friend who needs to hear it Support us and watch exclusive episodes: https://emosocialclub.tv It was never just a phase. We connect the Myspace era to today's waves. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
53 min
"You're on stage. You're playing shows. You're going on tours, and they're like, you haven't paid your dues. It's like, I'm doing it right now. This is the dues." Drop Dead, Gorgeous is back. After a 15-year hiatus, frontman Daniel "Stills" Stillman joins Brian and Lizzie to talk about their highly anticipated return, dropping the new EP Sink Your Teeth, and gearing up for Warped Tour. Stills takes us back to 2006, explaining the raw, meticulous production behind In Vogue and what it was actually like blowing up on Myspace as teenagers. We talk about the very real pushback they got from traditional hardcore bands for wearing tight pants, why they skipped the "paying your dues" phase, and a wild story about a lost Skrillex remix that never saw the light of day. We also get into the current state of songwriting and the uncomfortable reality of AI tools pushing pop artists to either innovate or be replaced. "We were in that phase of wearing tight jeans, girl pants... we were kind of in a heavier scene, and so there was still hardcore bands that weren't really into that at all. We got a lot of pushback and hate because of that." "AI highlighted to me how formulated pop music actually is. And I think what it's forcing actual big pop artists to do now is to push the boundaries and mix it up more, because if they don't, they will be replaced by AI." "You're on stage, you're playing shows, you're going on tours, and they're like, you haven't paid your dues. It's like, I'm doing it right now. This is the dues. I'm here today to do that." JOIN THE CLUB! Youtube: https://emosocial.club/youtube Instagram: https://emosocial.club/instagram TikTok: https://emosocial.club/tiktok Twitch: https://emosocialclub.tv Discord: https://emosocial.club/discord Facebook: https://emosocial.club/facebook Twitter: https://emosocial.club/twitter Support the Show: Leave a review on Apple Podcasts/Spotify Share this episode with a friend who needs to hear it Support us and watch exclusive episodes: https://emosocialclub.tv It was never just a phase. We connect the Myspace era to today's waves. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.