The Crimson Curse - Both Feet in the Grave | Screamo Hall of Fame Class of 1998 Nominee

Release Information:

1998
Three One G Records
San Diego, CA (SoCal)
Runtime: 12:24
Tracks: 9

Band Members:

Justin Pearson (Vocals)
Jimmy LaValle (Guitar, Keyboards)
Christopher Sprague (Guitar)
Damean Alexander (Bass)
Michael Cooper (Drums)

Genres, Influences and Characteristics:

Sass, Screamo, Chaotic, Noisy, Gothic, Spastic

Musical Analysis:

The Crimson Curse's sole LP effort is another entry in the sacred lineage of spastic San Diego Hardcore; the song structures are unpredictable, the dissonant guitars are messy and noisy, the drumming is fierce, precise and dynamic. That isn't even to mention the Gothic synths that harmonically haunt the songs or the manic half-shouted, half-screamed vocal performance from Justin Pearson that ties the album together. Behind the chaotic facade of this release, there are layers of personality and charm.

Historical Analysis:

With ties to San Diego bands like Swing Kids, The Locust and Guyver-One, as well as Michaganders Conststine Sankathi, this brand of playful, frenetic music makes a lot of sense.

Sass was rapidly developing at this point with bands like Brainiac, Blood Brothers and The Locust infusing the genre with Noise Rock, Post-Hardcore and even Powerviolence. Sassy Screamo was coming into its own heading into 1998 with this release being one of the true gems.

Lyrical Analysis:

Cynicism and nihilism are sprawled all over the prose of this album, with decay as the only possible growth humanity has left. Human presence kills nature, pain is routine, the human body is fragile and nostalgia is poison - these are the ramblings of a man who has never seen San Diego sunshine. Paradoxical lines and repetition are used to hammer their points home.

Swing Kids - Swing Kids | Holy Grails 1997

The Artifact:

1997
Three One G Records
Runtime: 19:58
Tracks: 9

Artifact Characteristics:

Post-Hardcore, Screamo, Proto-Sass, Hardcore Punk, Eclectic, Frantic, Chaotic

Artifact Archeologists:

Justin Pearson (Vocals)
Eric Allen (Guitar)
John Brady (Bass)
Jose Palafox (Drums)

Artifact Contents:

Every track from their 1994 s/t
Every track from a split with Spanakorzo
An original track that would feature in a future comp

Artifact Echoes:

Spastic, experimental and playful Screamo is all you're going to find on this record, documenting every song from the band thus far. Although you can still piece out the traditional Hardcore influence, dissonance, rhythmic unpredictability and general chaos are all elements these early pioneers utilized to keep listeners on their toes. The band can transition between a rapid-fire verse fueled by unhinged screaming and overwhelming drums to a sarcastic jazzy number played with great skill and technicality.

Artifact Legacy:

Justin Pearson is an important figure to underground music, especially in San Diego. He started Three One G Records, starred in Swing Kids as their vocalist and went on to form Sass and Hardcore legends The Locust. However, Swing Kids’ Discography is enough of a reason to celebrate; the mark this band left on San Diego, Hardcore music, Screamo. Sasscore and underground music as a whole cannot be ignored. Swing Kids achieved levels of pandemonium very few before them could have hoped for while injecting heaps of personality, a brutal and fun concoction that we are still enjoying the influence of over 30 years later.

Artifact Value:

Originally released in 1997 in CD format, there were several reissues, including a notable one in 2002. The original CD is pretty obtainable, though a 2003 vinyl pressing could be difficult to obtain these days. The band made a few random comebacks in later years, releasing two new songs along the way and necessitating another compilation release in 2020. Whether or not that makes this release less valuable, it's absolutely worth obtaining for fans of the band, early Screamo or the San Diego sound.

Heroin - Heroin | Holy Grails 1997

The Artifact:

1/14/1997
Gravity Records
Runtime: 47:04
Tracks: 19

Artifact Characteristics:

Post-Hardcore, Proto-Screamo, Noise Rock, Hardcore Punk, Emocore, Raw, Intense

Artifact Archeologists

Matt Anderson (Vocals)
Scott Bartoloni (Guitar)
Ron Johnson (Bass)
Aaron Montaigne (Drums)

Artifact Contents:

Every track from All About Heroin
Every track from their 1992 s/t
Every track from their 1993 s/t
Three original tracks

Artifact Echoes:

Legends of early 90s Proto-Screamo and one of the original bands to explore this sonic space, Heroin took the power and fury of Hardcore, illuminated it with the melody and dynamism of Emocore and added in their own Post-Hardcore fixings to craft a noisy and raw discography. The singer’s shouted screams inject the music with even more immediacy and emotion, the guitarist didorients with breakneck chord progressions and heaps of noisy dissonance; the bass packs with it a sense of danger and the drumming is frantic and chaotic, effectively putting the formula in a blender. These pieces came together to from the early blueprints of the genre.

Artifact Legacy:

Listening through this compilation album showcases the band's evolution over the two years they were active, tracking their increased use of melody, dissonance and intensity. In addition to pioneering this genre and shaking up the early 90s Hardcore scene, Heroin's direct influences reached so many early Screamo bands, especially to the influential and genre-defining Gravity Records rostermates. Their drummer would form Antioch Arrow shortly after this band broke up, adding even more chaos and unease to the developing genre. However, that experimental edge was first put to use in Heroin.

Artifact Value:

Gravity Records released this comp in 1997 with several versions, allegedly including a rainbow pressing. All four versions I could find seem to be relatively inexpensive, with the price likely lowering a few years ago after Heroin released a new compilation album.

Angel Hair - Pregnant With the Senior Class | Holy Grails 1997

The Artifact:

1997
Gravity Records
Runtime: 46:36
Tracks: 18

Artifact Characteristics:

Screamo, Post-Hardcore, Noise Rock, Dissonant, Frantic, Sassy

Artifact Archeologists:

Sonny Kay (Vocals)
Joshua Hughes (Guitar)
Andy Arahood (Guitar)
Todd Corbett (Bass)
Paul Iannacito (Drums)

Artifact Contents:

Every track from Insect Mortality
Both tracks from a split with The Fisticuff Bluffs
Their track from a split with Kerosene 454
Every track from their 1994 s/t
Both tracks from a split with Begin Cancer Run
An untitled original track

Artifact Echoes:

Angel Hair’s Noise-oriented mid-90s Screamo sound is reminiscent of early greats like Heroin and Mohinder, but even darker and more vile. Sonny Kay’s signature screams are diabolical and passionate, matching the dissonant, dark guitar riffs and the uneasy feedback. In typical Gravity Records fashion, the band is experimental and shows off quite a bit of personality. They aren’t quite as “out there” as Antioch Arrow, keeping themselves grounded in a punishing mid-tempo assault that occasionally pushes into spastic territory.

Artifact Legacy:

This discography compiled their random, fragmented releases together into a neat package with quite the legacy behind it. This might just be the earliest Screamo comp to secure a band’s legacy and their influential contributions to the genre - which by 1997 was still in its formative years. Supposedly, all of the content on here was recorded in the year 1994, showcasing how eclectic the Gravity Records scene was at the time. The band would break up at the onset of 1995, so this Holy Grail serves to honor a noisy and depraved early entry into Screamo Canon. In fact, by the time this compilation was released, The VSS (the Sasscore successor to Angel Hair) had already come and gone, leaving an indelible mark on Sass as well.

Artifact Value:

This compilation was released as a CD and was never reissued. It doesn’t seem to be that rare or expensive these days so grab this up if you can!

Guyver-One - Guyver-One | Screamo Hall of Fame Class of 1996 Inductee

Release Information:

1996
Inchworm Records
San Diego, CA (SoCal)
Runtime: 10:22
Tracks: 5

Band Members:

Eddie Castro (Vocals)
Kory Ross (Guitar)
Jim LaValle (Guitar)
Matty Rue Morgue (Bass)
Michael Cooper (Drums)

Genres, Influences and Characteristics:

Screamo, Emoviolence, Chaotic, Frantic, Dissonant, Playful

Musical Analysis:

Simply put, Guyver-One’s debut EP is chaotic and boisterous. They played their own brand of Emoviolence featuring loud, dissonant chord progressions, tumultuous song structures, a helter-skelter drumming performance and gnarly, scratchy screamed vocals. The San Diego natives put this in a blender, added in Grandmaster Flash samples between songs and called it a day.

Historical Analysis:

Coming from the fabled San Diego scene, this particular band is often overlooked in the crowded legacy of this scene. Regardless, Guyver-One put out one of the most demented pieces of Screamo / Emoviolence until the likes of Orchid would take the mantle. The sampled interludes are one of the only measures of reprieve on this entire record. Unfortunately, this release was destined for obscurity, even by today’s standards where Zoomers will seemingly find any and all good obscure 90s Emo.

Lyrical Analysis:

Underneath Eddie’s nearly indecipherable screaming lies inescapable existential dread. Eddie brutally conveys the futility of searching for meaning, shared suffering in silence and the cycles of misery that we as humans face. If nihilistic cynicism was a band, it’d be Guyver-One.

Antioch Arrow - In Love With Jetts

Release Information:

1994
Gravity Records
San Diego, CA (SoCal)
Runtime: 13:46
Tracks: 9

Band Members:

Aaron Montaigne (Vocals)
Jeff Winterberg (Guitar)
Andy Ward (Guitar)
Mac Mann (Bass)
Ron Avila (Drums)

Genres, Influences and Characteristics:

Post-Hardcore, Proto-Sass, Screamo, Noise Rock, Eclectic, Dynamic, Chaotic, Playful

Musical Analysis:

Anxiety-inducing music from trailblazers Antioch Arrrow in the form of noisy, chaotic, quirky Hardcore, In Love With Jetts is THE seminal Sasscore album. This quintessential release is playful, effeminate and downright weird at times, aimless and formless at others. The pandemonium pendulums between tense quietus and manic outbursts, exploding with personality all the while. This is one of the most absurd releases of this time.

Historical Analysis:

Avant-Garde is an overused term these days, but by 1994 standards, this was quite the leap forward for Punk and its many subgenres. It not only added more dimensions to Post-Hardcore mythos, they further established the more chaotic and dynamic aspects of Screamo. Calling this a Screamo release feels a bit disingenuous considering most lyrics aren't screamed, but these mischievous clean vocals, along with the general recklessness of the songwriting and performing, basically introduced the world to the wonderful world of Sasscore, Screamo's sexy redheaded stepsister.

Lyrical Analysis:

Antioch Arrow's lyrical themes and meanings are almost unimportant compared to the flamboyant diction, nonsensical imagery and lighthearted tone. The stream-of-consciousness writing style is rife for interpretation, but general themes of uncertain love, lost spirituality and desire for genuine connection creep into light. These lyrics contrast the confessional, confrontational lyrics of early Screamo thus far, veering into territory often covered by Sass.

Swing Kids - Swing Kids | The Shape of Screamo to Come

Release Information:

1994
Three One G Records
San Diego, CA (SoCal)
Runtime: 10:23
Tracks: 5

Band Members:

Justin Pearson (Vocals)
Eric Allen (Guitar)
John Brady (Bass)
Jose Palafox (Drums)

Genres, Influences and Characteristics:

Post-Hardcore, Screamo, Proto-Sass, Hardcore Punk, Eclectic, Frantic, Chaotic, Jazzy

Musical Analysis:

Early on, Swing Kids live up to their name with a jazzy little number before launching into chaotic and unpredictable Hardcore territory. Such is the nature of this whirlwind release, at times sounding like Emoviolence with frenzied drums, breakneck chord progressions and unrestrained screams before delving into more traditional Hardcore territory. Other times still you can piece out sassy vocals over quirky music, all wrapped in a bow of bedlam.

Historical Analysis:

With a fleeting but scintillating run as a band, Swing Kids left an indelible mark on Punk's DNA. With their sole solo release, Swing Kids further etched Screamo fundamentals in lto stone, became progenitors to the Emoviolence movement with their frenetic musicianship and sewed the seeds for Screamo's redheaded step sister genre Sasscore. This s/t marvel advances San Diego's reputation as a bastion for forward-thinking Hardcore music.

Lyrical Analysis:

With a cover of Joy Division's Warsaw prominently positioned on this tracklist, the political undertones are inescapably sprawled across the intense lyrics on this album. However, much like Screamo contemporaries of the time, the turmoil is turned inward and the laments are of a more personal nature. Yes, humans are a disease, but there is an inescapable dread that comes with being part of humanity. Its high price includes pervasive numbness, yearning for authenticity in life and wanting to be put out of your misery.

Honeywell - Industry | The Shape of Screamo to Come

Release Information:

1993
Mollycoddle Records
Corona, CA (SoCal)
Runtime: 33:02
Tracks: 9

Band Members:

Bobby Sell (Vocals, Bass)
Ryan Hilderbrand (Guitar)
Jimmy Lewis (Guitar)
Ryan Elliot (Drums)

Genres, Influences and Characteristics:

Screamo, Noise Rock, Proto-Emoviolence, Hardcore, Chaotic, Frantic, Menacing, Dynamic

Musical Analysis:

Holy Hell is this a tremendous leap forward for the genre! Discord is the objective for this album and through a mix of frenzied Powerviolen e-esque tracks radiating with malice, ominous mid-tempo songs that journey through darkness and agony, and noisy, formless sections that impart tension unto the listener. Buttoning up this intimidating combination of elements is a sensational screamer who uses higher register vocals and various samples that fill in the gaps. These dynamics blend seamlessly, creating a robust package with harsh but surprisingly clear production values.

Historical Analysis:

Is this the first Screamo album? Arguably, yes! Previous iterations of this genre in practice tended to haphazardly combine the brutality of Hardcore with the melody and dynamics of Emocore to mixed results. This full-length is one of the very first to synthesize the two together so smoothly, actually sounding like a proper Screamo album. Furthermore, Honeywell took it up a notch by adding in elements of Powerviolence, earlier than pretty much anyone else. Couple all of that with the foreboding atmosphere of the Noise sections and you have

Lyrical Analysis:

Honeywell’s direct and confrontational lyrics, screamed with intensity and emotion, are relatively standard in terms of subject matter in the Hardcore scene at this time. Bobby Sell’s lyrics deal with social issues like homophobia, religious indoctrination, capitalism and oppression. The anger of his delivery invokes immediacy on all of these outward problems, but self-reflection is an important part of this album’s lyrical journey as well. Holding yourself accountable for shitty thoughts, being stuck in perpetual depressive cycles and living under collective misery are a few of the introspective concepts dissected through this prose.

Heroin - Heroin | The Shape of Screamo to Come

Release Information:

1992
Gravity Records
San Diego, CA (SoCal)
Runtime - 6:50
Tracks: 4

Band Members:

Matt Anderson - Vocals
Scott Bartoloni - Guitar
Ron Johnson - Bass
Aaron Montaigne - Drums

Genres, Influences and Characteristics:

Post-Hardcore, Proto-Screamo, Emocore, Hardcore, Noisy, Raw, Intense, Dissonant

Musical Analysis:

At times, this release showcases its prominent Punk roots with blistering and simple chord progressions, rapid-fire shouted lyrics and short song lengths. However, utilizing Emocore influences gives this EP a different tone and allows for stronger uses of melody in the guitar. Toward the end of the EP in particular, there seems to be a movement away from the simplicity of traditional Hardcore into more chaotic and emotive stuff; Blind emits some Powerviolence influence while With No Name is deliberately paced and features dynamic intensities, a staple of Screamo.

Historical Analysis:

Heroin’s self-titled 1992 7” is one of the premiere releases from Gravity Records, one of the most influential record labels with respect to Hardcore, Post-Hardcore and Screamo. San Diego was a groundswell of innovation in the scene and Heroin’s harrowing combination of Post-Hardcore, Emocore and Hardcore would influence countless bands in the area. I’d be remiss if I referred to this as proper Screamo, but their sound was trending into what early Screamo would become.

Lyrical Analysis:

*Note that because this is an old DIY release during the early 90s, I can only locate lyrics for the first two songs. As such, my lyrical analysis will focus on those. If more lyrics can be dug out, I will reevaluate the lyrical analysis*

Heroin’s direct yet poignant lyrics center around social complacency and finding your place in the world. The search for authenticity continues, especially in an increasingly self-centered world. Interestingly, Heroin’s lyrics suggest self-reflection on their own privilege in this world as “middle-class white kids,” though this does nothing to stop the existential dread.