Definition of Emo

Emo (an abbreviation of emotive hardcore) is a term now broadly used to describe almost any form of guitar-driven alternative rock that expresses emotions beyond traditional punk's limited emotional palette of alienation and rage. The abbreviation comes from the word emotive. Most recently (from 2002 to present) bands with more lyric driven songs have been mistakingly called emo because their lyrics seem to be depressing and focus on hatred, mostly dealing with relationships. Actually, these bands only take on one side of emo, not all of them. 'Emo' is also used to describe fans of this genre, most commonly teenagers. The term itself originated as a way to describe the music of the mid-1980s D.C. scene and associated bands, mainly Rites of Spring and Embrace, as well as bands such as Moss Icon, and Dag Nasty.