25 Best Emo Bands Of All Time

Here are the top 25 best emo bands of all time to listen to, with new bands mixed in with the old ies but goodies. This is a comprehensive list that includes classic rock, hardcore punk, and indie artists.

The word “emo” is an abbreviation for a music genre characterized by intense, emotional lyrics. Emo songs tend to be melancholy and sad-sounding. In contrast, the best emo bands are typically more upbeat and may even have a punk rock sound and attitude. Not sure if you like emo music? Listening to these artists might change that.

1. My Chemical Romance

My Chemical Romance is a United States rock group based in Newark, New Jersey, and Orange County, California, started in 2001 by Gerard Way and Mikey Way. The My Chemical Romance members were formed from an emo band called The Black Parade. After signing with Reprise Records, My Chemical Romance released their debut album, I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love, in 2002, and the album reached number 36 on the Billboard 200 chart. Their second follow-up album, Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge, was released a year later. My Chemical Romance is the best emo band of all time.

2. Panic! at the Disco

The music group Panic! at the Disco is American from Las Vegas, Nevada. Brendon Urie is the lead vocalist for Panic! at the Disco’s 2005 self-titled first studio album. The band was founded in 2004 and contained Spencer Smith on guitar, Dallon Weekes on bass, and Spencer Smith, Jr. The album peaked at number 13 on the Billboard 200 chart.

3. Fall Out Boy

The American punk music band Fall Out Boy formed in Wilmette, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. Patrick Stump on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Pete Wentz on bass, Joe Trohman on lead guitar, and Andy Hurley on drums make up the band. The group received mainstream success with their debut album, Take This to Your Grave (2003), leading to international recognition for founding member Stump.

4. Linkin Park

American rock group Linkin Park was founded in 1996 in Agoura Hills, California. Linkin Park is composed of five members: Chester Bennington (lead vocals), Mike Shinoda (rapping vocals, pianist), Brad Delson (guitar), Dave “Phoenix” Farrell (bass), and Rob Bourdon (drums). The band was initially based in Agoura Hills but has since relocated to the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles. Linkin Park is associated with hip-hop and heavy metal genres.

5. Falling in Reverse

American rock group Falling in Reverse from Las Vegas, Nevada, formed in 2008 and signed to Epitaph Records. Lead vocalist Ronnie Radke was formerly the lead vocalist of the band Escape the Fate for five years before he started Falling In Reverse. The members of Falling in Reverse are Ronnie Radke (lead vocals), Derek Jones (bass), Zack Hansen (guitar/keyboard), Mark Davis (guitar), and Ryan Seaman (drums).

6. All-Time Low

American rock group All Time Low was founded. Originally from New Jersey, the band is best known as the longest-running active punk band at record labels Fueled by Ramen and Victory Records. They have also succeeded on the Billboard rock charts and sold over one million albums worldwide.

7. Sleeping with Sirens

The members of the American rock group Sleeping with Sirens, originally from Orlando, Florida but now based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, are Kellin Quinn on lead vocals and keyboards, Tony Pizzuti on lead guitar while on the road, Nick Martin on rhythm guitar and backing vocals, Justin Hills on bass guitar and backing vocals, and Matty Best on drums (drums, percussion). The band was formed in 2009 by For All We Know and Paddock Park members.

8. Jimmy Eat World

Jimmy Eat World is a rock group from the United States that was founded in Mesa, Arizona. Jim Adkins, the group’s primary singer and guitarist, is joined by guitarist-vocalist Tom Linton, bassist Rick Burch, and drummer Zach Lind. In 1991, The band known as Jimmy Eat World was founded in Mesa, Arizona. The band had a rotating lineup in its first years, with Adkins being the only consistent member. Jimmy Eat World is one of the best 90s emo bands.

9. Twenty-One Pilots

Twenty-One Pilots is an American band in Ohio from Columbus. Lead vocalist Tyler Joseph, Nick Thomas, and Chris Salih founded the group in 2009 as a band; they both left in 2011. Since their departure, Josh Dun, the drummer, and Joseph made up the lineup. The singles “Stressed Out,” “Ride,” and “Heathens” by the group are their best-known works. At the 59th Annual Grammy Awards, the trio won a Grammy for “Stressed Out” in Best Pop Duo/Group Performance category.

10. Paramore

American rock group Paramore was founded in 2004 and is based in Franklin, Tennessee. The group currently consists of lead vocalist Hayley Williams and guitarist Taylor York. Paramore’s first major-label album, All We Know Is Falling, was released in 2005 with the singles “Misery Business”, “That’s What You Get,” and “Still Into You”. After signing to Atlantic Records, the record was re-released with a new cover album, Brand New Eyes, in 2006.

11. Taking Back Sunday

American rock group Taking Back Sunday hails from Long Island, New York. The group was started by Adam Lazzara, John Nolan, and Mark O’Connell in 1999. Guitarist Eddie Reyes rounded out the initial lineup in 2000 and bassist Matt Rubano in 2001. Lazzara is the youngest founding member of the group at 19 years old. Taking Back Sunday is one of the best 2000s emo bands.

12. The Used

American rock group The Used was founded in Orem, Utah, in 2001. Bert McCracken on vocals, Jeph Howard on bass, Dan Whitesides on drums, and Joey Bradford on guitar make up the band. Quinn Allman, Branden Steineckert, and Justin Shekoski are ex-members.

13. Evanescence

American rock group Evanescence was established in 1995 in Little Rock, Arkansas, by singer/pianist Amy Lee and guitarist Ben Moody. After recording independently, the band released their first album, “Fallen”, on Wind-up Records in 2003. As a result of the commercial success of the album’s first single, “Bring Me to Life”, Evanescence appeared to mainstream attention. The following year they signed with Hollywood Records and released their first breakthrough album, “Fallen”. The record brought the group to a broader mainstream audience.

14. Three Days Grace

Three Days Grace is a Canadian rock band formed in Norwood, Ontario, in 1997. The band consists of guitarist and lead vocalist Adam Gontier, drummer and backing vocalist Neil Sanderson, and bassist Brad Walst. The band’s name is derived from the lyrics of their first ever single, “I Hate Everything About You”.

15. Asking Alexandria

With lead singer Danny Worsnop, guitarists Ben Bruce and Cameron Liddell, drummer James Cassells, and bassist Sam Bettley, Asking Alexandria is a British rock group from York, North Yorkshire. The band was first created by Ben Bruce in 2006 and was officially established as a six-piece in 2008, with the founding lineup consisting of Bruce, Worsnop, Cassells, Liddell, Joe Lancaster, and Ryan Binns.

16. A Day To Remember

A Day To Remember is an American rock band from Ocala, Florida. They were formed in late 2003 by frontman Jeremy McKinnon and bassist Josh Barohn. The group consists of McKinnon, guitarist Tom Denney, drummer Bobby Scruggs, rhythm guitarist Neil Westfall, and lead vocalist Peter Hayes. after a disagreement between Jeremy McKinnon and his previous band’s lead vocalist Alex Lopez.

17. Simple Plan

Simple Plan, stylized as simple Plan, is a French-Canadian rock band from Montreal, Quebec. The group has issued five studio albums, the latest being “Taking One for the Team”.

18. Mayday Parade

American rock group Mayday Parade hails from Tallahassee, Florida, but it is now based in Orlando, Florida. The band comprises lead vocalist and guitarist Derek Sanders, lead guitarist and backing vocalist Brooks Betts, rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist Jack Fowler, bassist and backing vocalist Josh Marunde and drummer Alex Garcia.

19. Escape The Fate

American rock group Escapes the Fate, founded in 2004 and roots in Pahrump, Nevada, is currently based in Las Vegas, Nevada. The band comprises lead vocalist Ronnie Radke, rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist Craig Mabbitt, lead guitarist and backing vocalist Matt Buseschke, bassist Robert Ortiz and drummer Jason Bynum.

20. The Killers

American rock group, The Killers, was founded in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 2001 by guitarist Dave Keuning, bassist Mark Stoermer and lead singer Brandon Flowers. The band has released four studio albums: Hot Fuss (2004), Sam’s Town (2006), Day & Age (2008), and Battle Born (2012).

21. We, the Kings

American rock group We the Kings hails from Bradenton, Florida. Formed in 2002, the band has released five albums. Their most recent album, “Somewhere Somehow”, was released in 2013. The Top 40 hits “Heaven Can Wait” and “We’ll Be a Dream” (with Demi Lovato), as well as the single “She Takes Me High,” were all featured on the group’s second album, Smile Kid (2009).

22. Of Mice & Men

John Steinbeck wrote a novella titled Of Mice and Men. It chronicles the tale of Lennie and George Milton Small’s experiences, published in 1937. These two displaced migrant ranch workers moved from place to place in California, searching for new job opportunities during the Great Depression in the United States.

23. Good Charlotte

American rock group Good Charlotte was founded in 1996 and is based in Waldorf, Maryland. The band’s consistent members since 1998 have been lead vocalist Joel Madden, lead guitarist and vocalist Benji Madden, bassist Paul Thomas, rhythm guitarist, keyboardist Billy Martin, and drummer Dean Butterworth. 

24. The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus

The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus is a rock band from Middleburg, Florida. The band has so far issued five studio albums. Ronnie Winter, one of the current members, Joey Westwood, Josh Burke (lead guitar), Randy Winter, Daniel Resnick, and John Espy. The songs from the group’s 2006 major-label album Don’t You Fake It are the most well-known. “Face Down” was the lead singer, and it became their most significant success, and “False Pretense” and “Your Guardian Angel” were strong follow-up hits for the band.

25. Brand New

American rock group Brand New was founded in 2000 and is based in Long Island, New York. The group comprises Jesse Lacey (lead vocals, guitar), Vincent Accardi (guitar, vocals), Garrett Tierney (bass guitar), and Brian Lane (drums). Moving to Interscope Records, Brand New released the critically acclaimed The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me in 2006. Their highest-charting hit in the US, “Jesus Christ,” peaked at number 30 on the Alternative Songs chart.