NostalgicEmoDads (NostalgicEmoDads)

Could we be an emo podcast without talking about Paramore? Their album Riot! is an absolute scene icon: from the artwork, to the catchy songwriting, to the orange hair, Paramore had nowhere to go but up.

But they released an album before that! And many after. Is Riot! still their best? How have they changed since the emo/pop-punk days? Are they better now than ever? Who knows, but we try to dive into all of it.

Follow us on instagram if you like instagrammy things. @NostalgicEmoDads

Have you ever played that game in your head, the one where you curate your own rock band comprised of your favorite musicians? Well, we sat down and did just that.

We picked some absolute legends of the scene, some obscure niche ones (looking at you, Jake), and, of course, we had to name our bands and make logos for them.

It's an All-American episode. Happy 4th.

If you want to see the band logos and awesome collages of all the members, ya gotta find us on insta! @NostalgicEmoDads

Our final guest in our Richmond Series (Part 2) is Adam, the owner/founder of Open Your Ears Records! An indie label based out of Richmond, we get to ask all the questions we've ever wanted to ask an "industry professional," especially one who can help chart the course for a band's success. Some questions include:

Do Spotify plays and listener numbers matter?

Is playing live and touring a necessity?

What role does a label have in a band's day-to-day operation?

How does one get signed to a label? To Open Your Ears specifically?

Does a label owner listen to their own bands for pleasure?

Adam is awesome. The label is awesome. He is a new Dad. There are so many things to be stoked on. So go check out OYE and support! If there was a label that shared the NostalgicEmoDads DNA, it has to be this one.

https://oyerecs.com/

@oyerecs

We're also on instagram! @NostalgicEmoDads

One of the heroes of the Richmond emo scene has to be Conditions. They were gentlemen, they wrote great songs, they were fiercely independent, and they loved their city.

We talk with frontman Brandon Roundtree about finding his voice in the early days with post-hardcore outfit Forever In A Day, then screaming in Scarlet, then ultimately transitioning into the powerhouse vocalist of Conditions.

We talk songwriting, the music scene, and the constructing of Conditions first two EPs before their full-length debut. Since Brandon was so incredibly gracious with his time with us, we decided to make this a two-parter. We dive more in-depth into the full-lengths and what comes after in part two!

Oh, and we experienced some technical difficulties at the very beginning of this episode with Brandon's mic, but it all gets sorted out. Just a heads up!

We love Conditions! Keep following and streaming their music!!

https://conditions.bandcamp.com

@conditionsband

And we are also on Instagram! If you want to know what live picture I show of Brandon, you'll find it there! @NostalgicEmoDads

Brandon Hambright was a staple in the Richmond emo scene since its earliest inception. He also had a camera. Growing up as a fan of music, he caught the bug for live performances in the DIY/emo/underground scene and decided he should start documenting it. What followed were several years attending shows big and small and capturing the growth and vibrant energy of the Richmond scene.

We talk about how he intersected with the Richmond music scene, what it was like being a self-taught visual artist, the digital media landscape of the time, some technical talk about camera gear, and some of his favorite bands from the time.

If you've been following along on Instagram, you will see we've tagged Brandon on every promotional post for this series, because he captured some of the best images from that time. You can find some of those old pictures at his Flickr account (which we reference throughout this conversation) through the link below. Maybe you can spot yourself in some pics! Or one of us NostalgicEmoDads!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/brandonhambright/

Thanks for your timeless contribution to the scene, Brandon! You're the best!

As mentioned before, we're on Instagram! @NostalgicEmoDads

Say-OH-sin? SAY-o-sin? SAOW-sen? Say-ocean?

However you pronounce the name, the band Saosin has left an indelible mark in the emo community. Definitely leaning more into the post-hardcore realm, but remaining very melodic amongst the hard hitting drums and riffy guitars, we talk about the band's splash into the scene with Translating the Name, their iconic follow-up (lovingly referred to as "The Beetle Album"), and the seemingly revolving door between their two singers.

Follow us on Instagram! We try to only share the utmost of emo content. @NostalgicEmoDads

Robby Reider is such a compelling character from the Deleware/Maryland/DC/Northern Virginia (aka DMV) scene. And he is the absolute biggest fan of it. He's made it his personal mission to capture the era through his enterprise Bob Records, check it out on Bandcamp! (www.bobrecords.bandcamp.com)

He played bass in the incredible band The Spotlight, and shares stories about the band's history and songwriting, their "implosion" and reformation, as well as transitioning to playing bass in the pop-rock act The Friday Night Boys! Also of note, we discuss the inimitable musical mastermind Paul Leavitt, hometown heroes All Time Low, and how he now works full-time leading his non-profit Sad Dads Club - an incredibly beautiful community for men suffering loss. (www.saddadsclub.com)

What an incredible conversation. We can't thank Robby enough for his insights and behind the scene stories!

If you didn't get the chance to discover The Spotlight in the early '00s and hear "Connecticut Crossings" or "Number Five," we are sorry, but you should go do that now.

Also, being the awesome NostalgicEmoDad he is, Robby recently released a new project with his son called Bounce House! It's awesome. (wearebouncehouse.bandcamp.com)

Mayday Parade is one of the most consistent bands from the "emo" scene. We dive back through their catalogue, talk about the albums that hit and the ones that missed, the history of the band and our own personal growth during those years, and learn why Jake doesn't think "Anywhere But Here" is that bad.

We love Mayday Parade.

Follow us on Instagram! @NostalgicEmoDads

Is From First To Last *the* defining emo band? We discuss how their image matched the intensity and emotion of their music, and how that image found its way into Hot Topics (and Myspace profiles) throughout the country. The history of the varied lead singers, how some albums do not hold up, and which album Jake picks as his favorite all get covered in this episode. Let's go!

Follow us on Instagram! @NostalgicEmoDads

Welcome to our Richmond Series Part 2!

Our first guest in the series is Michael Yearout of the band Ready The Way. RTW was a metalcore band, so we talk about what it was like to be a heavy band playing alongside the more melodic, emo acts of this time in Richmond.

Of course, we talk about formation of the band, what made Mike pick up the guitar, what it was to be an openly Christian band, and what Mike is up to now; but we also talk about recording and songwriting in that time, the camaraderie that made Richmond such a special scene in those years, and how Jake is Ready The Way's number one fan. Forever.

What Mike is up to now! https://www.mapsglobal.org/

We are on Instagram! @NostalgicEmoDads for all your Wawa themed content.

In this week’s episode, we talk with the legendary musician Brandon Davis! We discuss his start in music and the Boston scene, finding love for playing guitar and starting the band Therefore I Am, then getting the call to play drums in Vanna, starting the melodic post-hardcore act Lions Lions, and all the projects that have followed.

The impact Brandon has had on the scene specifically in Boston, but outside of it as well, is awe-inspiring. He is truly a fan of the scene he is a part of. He’s an extremely talented player and songwriter, and we could not be more stoked to share this episode with you!

Go check out all his projects!

@fever333 @lionslions @ngulu.hc @inspiritboston @lighthouseskatepark

And as I mention in the podcast, his account on Instagram is a great follow.

We are also on instagram! @NostalgicEmoDads

Name a more polarizing band in the mid-00's than Chiodos. They had a wild, unrestrained sound that pitted classical and screamo music against each other. It not only worked, but was massively successful and endearing.

We dive through their discography, talk about their equally polarizing frontman, geek out on musical parts and production choices, and, of course, get the hottest of takes from our resident tastemaker Jake.

Speaking of Jake, follow us on Instagram for weekly pics of his Wawa coffee cup as we record each episode! @NostalgicEmoDads

Warning: Strong Opinions Contained In This Episode

After bursting onto the scene with their platinum-selling record "Page Avenue," Story of the Year has continued to be a rock band that carves out its own space to exist in. Are they metal? Emo? Hardcore? Post-hardcore? Radio rock? All of the above?

This was Andrew's choice and his favorite discography we've covered (so far). Derek also had a great time listening to this discography (which he was completely unfamiliar with). Jake...well...

Go listen to their latest record "Tear Me To Pieces" on Sharptone Records...it's fantastic!

Follow us on Instagram for weekly Wawa coffee updates (please sponsor us) and emo stuff. @NostalgicEmoDads

Attention! Attention!

So LiStEn Up!

This week is all about the discography of The Academy Is...a band with a really signature and special sound. Some may say refined? Reined in? Simple? Poppy? Either way, there are some special records and special songs by this band, and we get all into it.

Follow us on Instagram for emo memes and videos of our episodes! @NostalgicEmoDads

Our third guest for the Richmond Series (Part 2) is Zack Reichert! Zack played guitar in the beautiful and ethereal rock band Love & Reverie. We chat with him about how he learned guitar, songwriting, signing to a label, recording at a studio with legendary players, and possibly using delay pedals as a crutch.

We touch on the camaraderie of the Richmond emo scene, what made L&R so special, and how those relationships came together to form the band Mayfair. We talked with lead vocalist Daniel Long about Mayfair in a previous episode, but it was fun to hear another perspective from a key songwriter.

Then Zack sold his soul and started a wedding cover band. Womp womp.

Just kidding! If you need live music for a wedding or corporate event you gotta reach out to the Silver Bullets! (https://silverbulletsofficial.com/)

https://www.instagram.com/silverbulletsrva/

We are also on instagram for all your emo needs. @NostalgicEmoDads

Our most divisive episode yet! The fellas dive back through the discography of emo mainstays/founders Taking Back Sunday. They released their latest album just months ago, called "152," and you should check it out! We share our opinions on it, as well as every other TBS release. Let's go!

Follow us on Instagram! @NostalgicEmoDads

Emery is a band that has always been MASSIVELY creative musically. There is so much talent in this group. At some points, it seems to get the better of them (according to Jake and Derek), but overall there is usually always so much to listen for and enjoy with Emery's discography.

Join us as we travel through it all, starting with The Weak's End (Happy 20th Birthday!) to Rub Some Dirt On It, and all the ups and downs and lefts and rights that came between.

Follow us on Instagram for funny memes and videos of our recording sessions! @NostalgicEmoDads

Heralding in the newer wave of emo, one that returns to its grunge roots, is Balance and Composure. Raw, aggressive, and drone-y are just some of the words we use to describe this band and their discography.

Let's go!

We're on instagram! @NostalgicEmoDads

Let's go! Derek, Jake, and Andrew are three friends, dads, musicians, and possibly nostalgists, who are excited to bring you a new podcast diving back into the discographies of important "emo" bands from the 2000s. We'll share our opinions and memories of bands, albums, and songs in particular; we'll talk with bands and important figures from the era to get their take on what was so special in that time; and we'll even introduce you to some new artists/musicians to share how the emo scene of the 2000s still inspires them. We'll also inevitably talk about fatherhood, and how our roles as dads has impacted how we create, consume, and curate music in our day to day lives. Many of the bands and fans from that era now have families of their own, and it's an interesting new avenue that we feel has yet to be explored in the "emo" scene. So make sure you're buckled in. Write a note to self. Then check yes to joining us in 2024 for the NostalgicEmoDads Podcast.

Cute Is What We Aim For - a band name that rolls off the tongue of scene emo kids, but for those outside the scene, it's quite a name.

This week we discuss the very limited discography of this seemingly "flash-in-the-pan" band, what makes them still worth listening to (or not?), and, as always, Jake's hot takes.

We're on Instagram if you do too!

Give us a follow: @NostalgicEmoDads

RICHMOND SERIES BONUS EPISODE!

You've heard us talk about being in a metal band together for a while now, but we haven't talked in depth about it. We got together a couple years ago to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of our last show and record a little Skype call chronicling the rise and fall of the band, and released all our music in a single release on DSPs called "This Is Love".

Here is that conversation! This was years before we started a podcast, had any idea what we were doing or recording with; we really just got together to hang out and record it for posterity's sake. But since we've talked so much about Richmond, and what led to our participation and admiration of the scene, we decided to share that convo as a bonus Richmond Series episode. It features the three of us (Andrew, Derek, and Jake) as well as our other bandmate and sometimes host Mikey.

We hope you enjoy hearing us talk about the scene from our perspective!

Also, our homie Chris Baldwin did a remix/remaster on a couple of our songs! Totally unexpected and amazing gift! So shout out to you, Chris. They are also out wherever you stream!

Follow us on instagram if you like, idk, do instagram or whatever...totally fine if not tho @NostalgicEmoDads

One of the greatest underrated/unknown bands from the scene has to be the legendary Between The Trees. We sit for a lovely chat with Ryan Kirkland, the frontman/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist to cover the origins of the band, what the emo scene was like, how impactful his music has been on us over the years, what he's up to now (in music and outside of music), and of course, who his favorite emo bands were from back in the day. Ryan is an awesome dude, and he was so gracious with his time with us. Please go check out his solo work! It is powerful and beautiful.

Ryan on Instagram: @the.ryankirkland

ryankirkland

https://open.spotify.com/artist/5knuuVSrTcYm2PWN0VLn3c?si=VNpL2P66TwiZh2BTyMsYaA

Us on Instagram: @NostalgicEmoDads

Richmond Series part 3!

We had the wonderful opportunity to talk with Gregg Peterson of SO many cool Richmond bands, beginning with his introduction to the scene through his older brother, his first band (shout out xREDLETTERROMANCEx) up to his current band, what it was like playing shows as the youngest member in every band, and a lot about Shy, Low's music - their album The Snake Behind The Sun was one of Derek and Jake's tops the year it came out (and still is).

Gregg is incredibly kind and a stellar guitar player, so you don't want to miss this one! Go listen to Shy, Low!

@shylow

shylowmusic.bandcamp.com

Also, if anyone happens to still have Reasons music from back in tha day, Gregg has been trying to get his hands on it for years! Share it with us and let us know so we can get it back to him! (And we selfishly want to relive it again)

We're on instagram if you participate in instagram as a means of social communication! Give us a follow for some video clips of the podcast, emo memes, etc etc

@NostalgicEmoDads

We absolutely LOVE Relient K.

We know what you're thinking. "Relient K? Aren't they, like, that Christian rock band? Are they EvEn EMOOO?>>??"

Yes. Yes they are.

As we discuss, though they started out much more faith-forward in their earlier releases, as time went on, the subject matter changed and grew into something more personal. The faith never left, but a more honest exploration of personal feelings (like depression and grief) through that lens was brought to the forefront.

Jake couldn't join us for this one, so we called in a favor again. That's right. Get ready for the sweet doctorly voice of the definition of Emo Dad: Mikey Mathews! He's Back!

Instagram handle here: @NostalgicEmoDads

Could we call ourselves an emo podcast if we didn't talk about MCR/My Chem/My Chemical Romance?

Gerard Way's comments aside, we didn't think so. However, none of us have strong ties to the band or their discography, so we had to call in some favors. Our friend and bandmate Michael joins us as a special guest because he DOES have history! He may or may not have been in the MCRmy! He's also a dad!

So join us as we chat about a polarizing and scene-defining emo band, their history and discography, whether The Black Parade is a successful concept album, and whether any of us wore guyliner for this episode!

Jk about that last part, none of us did.

Follow us on instagram for more behind the scenes and emo content! @NostalgicEmoDads

What a great convo!

Matt not only listened to our podcast on his band Emery, but he reached out and said he wanted to react and respond to it! So we did just that!

We talk about the litmus test for making a good song, his guitar playing style, arranging and producing Emery songs, busting some myths and spreading some truth about the Emery discography, and so much more! Let's go!

We Instagram if you do! @NostalgicEmoDads

The second part of our incredible conversation with frontman extraordinaire Brandon Roundtree of Conditions. We talk about their full-lengths "Fluorescent Youth" and "Full Of War," the taxing toll of tour life, closing out with some powerful "farewell" songs, and what follows after the band finished.

We also talk about their ridiculous, over-the-top, extremely hilarious project Spring Break. (Listen with headphones if your kids are around!)

https://thebandspringbreak.bandcamp.com/album/beer-me

Keep up with us on Instagram for fun memes, behind the scenes videos of recording, and all sorts of other fun stuff.

@NostalgicEmoDads

There are a lot of beloved bands from the Richmond scene, but Race The Sun is right up near the top. They seamlessly crafted a sound that was aggressive and catchy, raw and bursting with energy; almost a perfect guidepost merging the sound of Richmond past with the sound of its future. For Week 4 of our Richmond Series, we catch up with Daniel Long, the frontman for Race The Sun, and discuss his roots playing drums in ska punk, what it was like carving a space for melodic music in a city of hardcore crews, and finding success as a pop punk band in the early 2000s. We also talk about his darling project Mayfair. We are all huge fans of this Richmond "supergroup" - our words, not theirs - with members from legendary emo acts in the 2000s. Daniel talks about how it was a more mature endeavor, how he had a lot more of a hand in the songwriting and arranging, and just how proud he is of the self-titled Mayfair record. This conversation is not to be missed! Daniel is an absolute gem of a human and we were so stoked to spend a couple hours chatting with him! If you enjoy the episode, let us know! Follow us on Instagram! There is a visual component to this series over there. @NostalgicEmoDads

When we previously spoke with Brandon Davis, we felt like we didn't give enough time to his brainchild Lions Lions, so we invited him back! And we NEEDED to have frontman Joshua Herzer join us, because before he joined Lions Lions, he was a huge fan of the band.

We talk songwriting, singing and screaming vocals, record collections, and how Lions Lions is the Forrest Gump of post-hardcore.

This conversation was an absolute blast. If you are a fan of the Boston scene, post-hardcore, record production, or just looking for a fun talk with some great laughs long the way, look no further.

Go listen to Lions Lions and Dayzer music!

https://open.spotify.com/artist/6bAYbpoxlUtxM2F1h4FFYW?si=1gmVtCqlRoSHHfecAU8cEA

https://open.spotify.com/artist/6WWo0cYhqm7q0qytghKqHi?si=sYPWI5TzQUG1pZYDgjfZyw

And follow us on instagram! @NostalgicEmoDads

We are joined by our first Midwestern Emo guest!

Colin Cross grew up in the musical hotbed of Muncie, Indiana, and chats with us about his growth as a musician in the synth-forward pop-punk band Dreams of University. We talk about the influence of bands like Fall Out Boy and Motion City Soundtrack, what it was like writing and recording songs in the 2000s, the importance of MySpace for networking, and what led to the success and ultimate demise of DOU. Let's go!

If you've never had a chance to listen to Dreams of University, you absolutely should go do that now. They're on all streaming platforms!

And go check out Colin's current project Broke Royals!

www.brokeroyals.com

Follow along with us on Instagram if you like dad humor, emo content, music memes, etc etc. Or for weekly pics of Jake's Wawa coffee. @NostalgicEmoDads

The follow-up! We really wanted to highlight some special things about Chris recording bands in our scene, memories he had of recording OUR band(s), what it was like to record strangers in his apartment, and the legacy he left for bands with quality recordings.

Stick to the end for a surprise!

Follow us in Instagram! @NostalgicEmoDads

Emarosa.

A band with a TON of history, and maybe controversy?

This band has gone through so many different versions and eras, spanning genres but still remaining firmly in the "underground" scene. Jake's number one album of 2023 was "Sting" by Emarosa. He wanted to talk about them.

Let's go!

Follow us on Instagram! @NostalgicEmoDads

Round 2 of our Richmond Series is a conversation with our longtime friend Chris Baldwin! Chris recorded our metalcore band Of Accordance, as well as at least 40 other bands in the late 2000s in Richmond, but he's also an incredible musician in his own right!

For this episode, we talk to Chris about his time in the band Girls Get All The Action, their origin story, what led them to play electronic emo pop in a city steeped in hardcore, as well as his time in the post hardcore project Bet On Black. And how he finished his time in Richmond bands as the singer for The Greater The Risk!

We speak a bit on his recording (it was inevitable!) but we really wanted to shine the light on his own musical projects and history for this episode. So, we are going to have a shorter follow-up episode specifically focused on some of his recording memories. So look for part two in a couple days!

We're on instagram if you do that! @NostalgicEmoDads

We chat with Ollie from Broadside about his upbringing in Richmond, going to local shows as a teen with his cool Uncle, finding his voice in the enigmatic band Reasons (if anyone has recordings of this band, please, please, please send them to us or Gregg or Ollie or all of the above), and the wild ride to join Broadside and get signed to Victory!

We are SO stoked on the latest Broadside album "Hotel Bleu" out on Sharptone, so please go listen to it and support the band! Even more, we're stoked the band is coming through RVA in just a couple weeks! We'll see you there!

@broadsideofficial @oliverbaxxter

We're on instagram too! @NostalgicEmoDads

Our second episode of the Richmond Series Part 2!

We sit down and talk with Franklin (aka Frankie Half-J) of the darling band The Half Jeffersons. His origin story is one for the books, so buckle up!

We talk songwriting, recording, channeling emotions through music, regrettable moments on stage, and so much more besides. We really felt like Franklin was a kindred spirit and fan of the RVA Emo scene, so it was such a joy to get to have this chat with him.

AND GO BLOW UP THEIR MUSIC VIDEO FOR "THE FIRE"! Let's at LEAST get it to 1000 plays.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87Sik7A5xXQ

We are on instagram posting all sorts of rad stuff. @NostalgicEmoDads

Our first guest in the Richmond Series highlighting the Emo scene in Richmond, Virginia during the 2000s is... Drew Vanlandingham!

Drew fronted the beloved emo act A Suffocating Signal, and we dive into the origin story, songwriting, playing vulnerable songs in a hardcore city, and what other bands in that time period made the scene so special.

He is currently playing guitar in the hardcore band Contact, so check out their new music and follow them on socials!

@contacthardcore

contacthardcore

We're also on instagram! So follow us @NostalgicEmoDads for some emo memes and scene related content.