Part 4: The Midwest Screamo Matriculation
Today, I’d like to cover another relatively niche but nonetheless very influential aspect of Emo: Midwest Screamo. Unlike most other Screamo, Midwest Screamo will be the most familiar for non-Screamo listeners, all while providing a direction for Emo’s trajectory during this time period. Some releases would feel at home to Second Wave Midwest Emo enjoyers while others embraced a mathy proto-revival outlook.
I’d like to clarify one thing before I get started: I will not be covering Screamo in this series comprehensively. Even though Screamo was having a major boon during the 2000s and kept the spirit of Emo alive, that genre deserves its very own series and is so exhaustive that I just don’t have the time to do that right now.
Some of the releases on this list veer more into traditional Screamo territory - sorry in advance for that. This is such a niche subgenre that has very little structure to its rules and elements.
…And None of Them Knew They Were Robots - And None of Them Knew They Were Robots (5/6/2002)
In 2002, Midwest Screamo was technically around but was extremely niche and underdeveloped. ANOTKTWR aren’t some godfather of the genre or anything, but their blend of Midwest Emo and Post-Hardcore, along with bits of Math Rock and Screamo, ensure this release stands out from the pack. They’re somewhat reminiscent of On the Might of Princes, and that’s not a bad thing. When those clean dynamics kick in, whew boy is this one a beaut.
The Little Explorer - The Little Explorer (1/7/2003) 🎩
The Little Explorer’s self-titled debut LP is an anomaly, a release that sounds like it could have been released 10 years later and it’d feel at home. Somehow coming out in the year 2003, this album is one of the best Emo releases of that year - a true testament to its greatness. The English Emo trio manages to craft surprisingly uplifting songs with tons of complexity, time-signature bending and twinkly guitar riffs with unexpectedly good production values. These disparate elements are weaved together with gorgeous Post-Rock, making this a remarkable outing vastly ahead of its time.
The Little Explorer would release their second LP in 2013, though it was actually recorded in 2006. It’s definitely worth checking out. This band would go on to become Crash of Rhinos, an amazing Emo Revival band. With all of this Emo cred, you have no choice but to check this out.
Neoteny 64 - Neoteny 64 (2003)
Ahead of its time aesthetically.
Five Fingers Half a Hand - Exotic Dances for Wives and Lovers (2003)
Released in 2003, this album was supposedly recorded a few years earlier, which makes the forward-thinking nature of this full-length all the more impressive. This fits in quite well with Second Wave Midwest Emo with some gnarly screaming in place of clean vocals in a lot of spots. The oft-found serene moments of this album are cut down by raw, emotional Screamo. This is an early example of the genre done right.
Make Me - Demo (2004) 💎
Hailing from New Jersey, Make Me plays traditional late-90s Screamo with a mathy, almost jazzy approach. Between abrasive, straightforward bouts of Hardcore fury are serene moments of quiet, usually accompanied by Kinsella-esque riffing. The committee of clean and screamed vocals adds to the insanity while the dynamic song structures keep this four-track demo lively and original. Simply put, stuff like this wasn’t really coming out at this time, so Make Me is an innovator in the scene.
Tamiroff - Demo (2004)
Featuring bandmates that would eventually form Post-Hardcore standouts Polar Bear Club, Tamiroff’s demo is a unique twinkly romp through screamed Midwest Emo. Tamiroff showed off a sound similar to that of Make Me on this release, but they tend to prefer the softer end of the spectrum, in particular with the Kinsella-inspired guitar. There’s less than 12 minutes of music, but it’s an integral look at the development of the Kinsella-inspired sound that would start with a few Proto-Revival artists in the mid-2000s before it became the dominant sound of the Emo Revival.
Full Surrender - The Distance Between (2004) 💎
Acoustic guitar in Emo is somewhat of an anomaly, especially in Screamo from this era. Even in the Second Wave, Midwest Emo would often be bereft of acoustic guitars, even from more indie-leaning Emo acts. This might have something to do with Emo’s history being deeply rooted in Hardcore, but in 2004, Full Surrender combined Screamo, Midwest Emo and the acoustic guitar to craft a one-of-a-kind aural experience.
Full Surrender plays to the quiet-loud nature of traditional Midwest Emo and has many clean vocal sections with incredible harmony, but adding in screamed vocals and the odd spastic drum moment give this EP exceptional contrast. With relatively clean production and a forward-thinking genre-bending combination of sounds, this sounds like it came from the Fifth Wave.
The Last Will Be the First - The Last Will Be the First (2005)
Admittedly, this one is mostly traditional American Screamo with Midwest Emo influences rather than a truly cohesive combined sound. That said, the slower, cleaner Emo sections break up the cacophony that’s usually going about. Still worth a listen for those curious.
Kidcrash - Demo 06 (3/1/2006)
Before removing the definite article “The” from the front of their name, Kidcrash released their debut LP in 2004, playing more of an Emo-Pop / Midwest Emo fusion with no screaming. Following this up was a three-song EP in 2005 that upped the ante in terms of heaviness, sort of bridging the gap between their Emo-Pop sound and what they produced on this demo.
Although this isn’t strictly Midwest Screamo, more akin to a lighter Hot Cross, the elements are all there. The vocalist has finally started to tear it up with screamed vocals while the aggression pushes further. There aren’t a ton of twinkles here, but the mathy rhythms more than make up for it. Kidcrash was just about ready to evolve into their final form, and this demo gives a clear picture of where they’re about to go.
Peter & Craig - Aliens, Blizzards & Thieves (10/6/2006)
From the ashes of Ryerose, Peter Helmis and Craig Woods came together for a Midwest Screamo project. It’s noisy, youthful, irreverent and a pretty cool relic of Emo history. This comes out the same year as Algernon’s debut demo and Ryerose, meaning Helmis was a busy boy in the mid 00s! This particular release showcases the ethos of DIY Emo perfectly in less than 10 minutes, but don’t forget to check out the band’s other songs, which came out on two splits and a compilation album.
We Are the Colossus - Demo (2006)
Jack Senff’s very first Midwest Screamo project, We Are The Colossus only released two songs on their demo but it sort of unintentionally serves as a blueprint for future Senff projects. Combining the insanity of Merchant Ships, the rawness of Midwest Pen Pals and the heaviness of William Bonney, this feels like a Senff project through and through. If you like any of his other bands, do yourself a favor and scope this demo.
Ladders - Ladders (2006)
Perhaps one of the most obscure releases I’ve been able to review, this mid-aughts Screamo project produced only one EP, but damn does it kick ass. Ladders plays a more traditional style of Screamo, but elements of Midwest Emo, particularly in the guitar and the volume dynamics, tend to creep in. This is one of the rawest and most Hardcore of the releases on this list, but with just enough Midwest Emo influence, this makes the cut!
With Horses in Her Eyes - Prologue (2006)
A prologue that serves as the band’s only release (under this name), With Horses in Her Eyes combines traditional Screamo with Post-Rock, but not in the same way as many European bands of the day; With Horses utilized Midwest Emo tropes to tie the disparate genres together. If you like heavy sections of unhinged Screamo juxtaposed with beautiful sections of clean music (you know, Emo), then you’ll like this release.
The band would rename themselves to Histories after this EP, releasing three more songs. Those tracks have less Midwest Emo influence but are great Screamo songs nonetheless.
Paris Hilton on Fire - Sacrificing Small Animals to Please the Prince of Darkness (4/1/2007)
Paris Hilton on Fire flirts with the more extreme side of Midwest Screamo in this 2007 EP. With clear Emoviolence influence, particularly in the frantic drumming found throughout the album, Sacrificing Small Animals is four songs of melodic destruction that will stay with you for quite some time, though I’d be hard-pressed to call it as ludicrous as Father Figure. The Math Rock guitar riffs add to the discord while the vocalist is content to scream his head off for the record’s duration. This band would release another EP 12 years later, but these were the band’s only outings.
Lion of the North - The Compass Calls (6/2/2007)
Lion of the North was a short-lived band steeped in Emo history, with connections to bands like Grown Ups and La Dispute. They made splits with bands like Lautrec and MANS., but first came out with an EP of their own. The Compass Calls showcases the band at their best: brutal, punishing sections of Screamo with blistering Math Rock riffs, organized loosely by Midwest Emo principles. For fans of Screamo, this one delivers and keeps you on your toes.
Kidcrash - Jokes (6/23/2007) 🎩
Channeling the best Screamo artists of the 2000s, adding copious elements of Math Rock and pouring their entire soul into the project, Kidcrash evolves into their final form on Jokes. Time signature and volume dynamics are at play throughout the album’s runtime. If you like riffs, this release has them in spades.
Like their demo, this isn’t strictly Midwest Screamo, but I believe this to be about as close as you can get the genre.
What Price, Wonderland? - Thirty With a Wink (2007)
This is more Post-Hardcore / Screamo, but it’s played in such a unique way, it can easily be lumped into this genre. The unpredictable and fun nature of Cap’n Jazz’s music is a huge influence on this band, meaning their songwriting is actually top-notch. Expect a heavy Post-Hardcore bass tone to accompany a varied and frenzied drumming while the guitarist is losing his mind. The vocalist enjoys shouting out the lyrics with all of his might. This is an underrated release in the legacy of UK Emo.
James Dean - James Dean (2007)
One of the least Googlable band / album name combinations of all time, James Dean was a short-lived Australian Midwest Screamo band, plaything the genre perfectly as intended. The band very much plays into the soft, noodly guitar-driven Proto-Revival sound, infusing it with some screaming and impressively noisy drums. They would release another EP the next year with arguably an even worse name combination.
Fiction Like Non-Fiction - Fiction Like Non-Fiction (2007)
The enigmatic sound of Bay Area Screamo cannot be accurately defined by mere words alone. Despite the monumental task, I’ll take a crack at it with this amazing self-titled release. Rough, lofi production techniques give this one a unique atmosphere while the switches between madman Hardcore and slower, Midwest Emo give the EP an identity. This can’t be strictly considered Midwest Screamo, but it’s damn sure a fine album for fans of the subgenre.
The Reptilian - We Have Become (4/10/2008)
The Reptilian would go on to become one of the premier Midwest Screamo artists of the Emo Revival, but they made their relatively small-time debut in 2008 by participating in a split with Lautrec, Boy Problems and Osceola and releasing their debut EP, We Have Become. The four tracks on display here offer a preview into the future of the niche subgenre at the time, including the Mathy, Kinsella-esque guitar riffs that are heard throughout. Compared to some of the other Midwest Screamo releases on this list, The Reptilian doesn’t play particularly heavy music, perhaps more on the level of 1994! Regardless, the band showcases on this EP why their reputation precedes them.
Age Sixteen - Spring 2008 Demo (6/23/2008)
Heavily inspired by Suis La Lune, particularly in the melodic, active guitar riffs, Age Sixteen debuts with just three songs, but they show a clear trajectory to where the band was headed. Unlike their influence, however, Age Sixteen knows exactly when to get a little crazier, a trait their European counterparts don’t typically indulge in. If you like passionate shouted vocals, unforgettable guitarwork and epic, dynamic switches, do not ignore this demo!
Merchant Ships - The LOL Cats Demo (7/1/2008)
At only seven minutes in length, Merchant Ships makes an immediate impression, showcasing to the world why they were about to become one of the most beloved bands of the Emo Revival. Jack Senff’s passionate, raw shouted vocals are the highlight of these tracks, serenading the listener with unfiltered poetic lyrics. The first two tracks are originals only found on this demo, but the third track is a demo version of one of their most famous songs. The pulse-pounding percussion is complemented well by the noodling, active guitar.
1994! - Thank You Arms and Fingers (11/11/2008)
Some may claim this is more of a Punk-oriented Post-Hardcore / Math Rock fusion, but with slightly less hair-splitting, this fits alright in the Midwest Screamo category! The band would go on to be a not-insignificant part of the Emo Revival, but they released their first album in 2008. Filled with highly energetic drumming and blistering guitar riffs, the Punky nature of the songs just gives the chaos a little bit of structure. This is some truly heralding stuff for a two-person band!
Boy Problems - Summer Tour Songs (2008) 🎩
Boy Problems only released a handful of songs, but their legacy is forever enshrined in the mythos of this subgenre; hailing for Philly they featured former bandmates from groups like Make Me, Harrison Bergeron and Street Smart Cyclist. Summer Tour Songs opens with a sample from Superbad, speaking volumes to their intention to make a true Emo classic. From there, we find five rough recordings that contain the perfect blend of Screamo and twinkly Midwest Emo.
Many Emo Revival bands would take cues from Midwest Screamo artists, but Boy Problems seems to be an especially prominent influence on the movement, especially as it came out right at the forefront. With noodling riffs, shifting dynamics and an overall “warm” feeling, this is an essential demo to listen to if you’re into the Emo Revival sound.
Jupiter Lander - Jupiter Lander (2008)
Named after an obscure Commodore 64 title and with only a few songs to their name, Jupiter Lander touched down in 2008 and left the world as quickly as they came. However, this self-titled gem, consisting only of three songs, is a testament to their skill and cements their legacy. With a more traditional Midwest Emo approach, combined with raw, longing Screamo elements, Jupiter Lander is a lofi Midwest Screamo experience worth listening to.
Also released later that year was their Final Recordings EP, which I’m not sure was ever an official release. Regardless, four more excellent songs are on that release and I’d suggest listening to it if you liked their s/t.
Tiny Moving Parts - Waves Rise, Waves Recede, The OceanI s Full of Waves (2008)
What’s Tiny Moving Parts doing here in the Midwest Screamo zone? Well, their very first album features the band experimenting with many different genres, including Midwest Emo, Math Rock, Post-Hardcore and even Screamo. On this album, clean vocals are the exception, not the rule, and Dylan’s voice has never been so consistently insane, sort of like a more hoarse Jack Senff. The instrumental sections transition haphazardly between beautiful Emo twinkles, brooding Post-Hardcore and chaotic snippets of Screamo.
Although the band wouldn’t continue with this exact trajectory, this album lays the blueprint for what the band would become in the near future.
James Dean - James Deen (2008)
Another short release from obscure Australian Screamo Twinklers James Dean, another Proto-Revival release with screamed vocals and the occasional harsh instrumental section. This band was at the right place at the right time, but they didn’t stick around long enough for their work to reach the Revival. This EP is also known as "James Deen," just to make the naming conventions even worse.
Cowboys Became Folk Heroes - Cowboys Became Folk Heroes (2008)
A compilation consisting of five tracks from a 2002 split and an unreleased 2005 track that’s almost 10 minutes long, Cowboys Became Folk Heroes could say the same thing about themselves. Extremely obscure, this release has more edge than most of the Midwest Screamo on here, but the dynamics are nonetheless excellent.
