From Bullets to Killjoys: The MCR Legacy
School of Emo
Today we’re unpacking one of the most beloved, theatrical, and mythologized bands of the emo movement—My Chemical Romance. From apocalyptic concept albums and comic book aesthetics to a fandom that turned heartbreak into art, MCR wasn’t just a band—they were a lifeline. Today, we’re telling their full story, album by album, era by era… with fan theories, lore, and the return of The Black Parade in 2025. If you'd like to come on to share your emo experiences, favorite stories or lore from bands you love, or an EMO-ment for a future episode, email [email protected] or...
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Dashboard Confessional 2025 Tour Recap
School of Emo
Today’s episode is a full recap of Dashboard Confessional opening for Goo Goo Dolls on their Summer Anthem Tour on July 20, 2025 at Ascend Amphitheater in Nashville, TN. I’ll share my experience with the venue, the set compared to past sets I’ve seen from them, and the overall vibe of the crowd. If you'd like to come on to share your emo experiences, favorite stories or lore from bands you love, or an EMO-ment for a future episode, email [email protected] or message me on Instagram @.emo
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The Origins of Pop Punk: From Rebellion to Radio Play
School of Emo
Today we’re kicking off a high-energy deep dive into pop punk, the genre that lived between rebellion and radio, mosh pits and mall tours. We’re tracing how pop punk evolved from underground punk scenes to MTV stardom, where it crossed into emo, and how it’s still thriving today in a new generation of artists. And we’ll explore the headlines, interviews, and cultural moments that defined each wave — because pop punk wasn’t just a sound. It was a statement. If you'd like to come on to share your emo experiences, favorite stories or lore from bands you love, or an EMO-ment for a...
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The Women of Emo: Voices, Icons, and the Scene They Shaped
School of Emo
Today, we’re flipping the script and turning the spotlight on the women of emo. Yes—women have always been part of emo. Not just as fans, not just in the crowd or running your favorite Tumblr page, but as vocalists, instrumentalists, trendsetters, and truth-tellers in a genre that hasn’t always made space for them. Today we’re talking about the frontwomen, the fighters, and the fans who shaped the scene—and how their presence continues to challenge the male-dominated emo and pop punk legacy. Enjoy our Women of Emo Spotify playlist:...
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The Screams and Scars of Hawthorne Heights
School of Emo
Today…we’re going all the way to Ohio. That’s right—we're talking about the band that taught us how to scream for the last time: Hawthorne Heights. Whether you were scream-singing Ohio Is for Lovers in your bedroom or clutching your chest during Niki FM, chances are this band holds a very real place in your emo heart. So grab your studded belt and Sidekick phone, because we’re going full throttle into the history, heartbreak, and emo legacy of Hawthorne Heights. If you'd like to come on to share your emo experiences, favorite stories or lore from bands you love, or an EMO-ment for a...
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Brand New comeback tour recap
School of Emo
Today’s episode is a full recap of the mysterious tour from Brand New on June 15, 2025 at Synovus Bank Amphitheater in Atlanta, Georgia. I’ll share my experience with the venue, what happened during the set, and my overall opinions on the comeback of Brand New and Jesse Lacey. If you'd like to come on to share your emo experiences, favorite stories or lore from bands you love, or an EMO-ment for a future episode, email [email protected] or message me on Instagram @.emo
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Jack’s Mannequin MFEO Tour Recap
School of Emo
Today’s episode is a full recap of the MFEO Tour from Jack’s Mannequin celebrating 20 years since the start of their music on June 7, 2025 at Pier 17 in New York City. I’ll share my experience with the venue, what happened during the sets, and how the experience compared overall to past experiences with Andrew McMahon If you'd like to come on to share your emo experiences, favorite stories or lore from bands you love, or an EMO-ment for a future episode, email [email protected] or message me on Instagram @.emo
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I Can't Hear You Tour Recap: Pierce the Veil & Sleeping with Sirens
School of Emo
Today’s episode is a full recap of the I Can’t Hear You Tour from Pierce the Veil, featuring Sleeping with Sirens on June 4, 2025 at Municipal Auditorium in Nashville TN. I’ll share my experience with the venue, what happened during the sets, and how the experience compared overall to past experiences with PTV. If you'd like to come on to share your emo experiences, favorite stories or lore from bands you love, or an EMO-ment for a future episode, email [email protected] or message me on Instagram @school.of.emo
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Sleeping With Sirens: Scream, Sing, Survive
School of Emo
Today we’re talking about a band that gave us anthems to scream in our bedrooms, cry in our cars, and belt out in mosh pits: Sleeping With Sirens. Whether you fell in love with Kellin Quinn’s soaring vocals, blasted If You Can’t Hang in your earbuds during a breakup, or found yourself somewhere between post-hardcore and pop punk, this band carved out a space that was raw, emotional, and undeniably catchy. If you'd like to come on to share your emo experiences, favorite stories or lore from bands you love, or an EMO-ment for a future episode, email [email protected] or...
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The Legacy of Dave Shapiro: People First
School of Emo
Today’s episode is a tribute to someone who helped build the very stages emo and pop punk bands stood on — a man whose work behind the scenes helped launch the careers of some of your favorite artists. We’re talking about music agent and industry powerhouse: Dave Shapiro. If you'd like to come on to share your emo experiences, favorite stories or lore from bands you love, or an EMO-ment for a future episode, email [email protected] or message me on Instagram @school.of.emo
info_outlineHey there, welcome to School of Emo, the podcast where we dive into the world of emo, pop-punk, and everything in between. If you’ve ever found yourself screaming the lyrics to Taking Back Sunday in your car, or wearing way too much eyeliner in the early 2000s, you’re in the right place. I’m Erin Judge, and each week, I’ll be your guide through the music, the culture, and the history that shaped an entire generation of angsty teens (and let’s be real, adults too).
I am not the teacher of this school. I’m a student, here to learn alongside you and from you. Together, we cover a lot of information that doesn’t actually matter, but will remind us of stalking MySpace channels and getting lost in chat rooms.
So connect your dial up, turn on your webcam, and let’s go to school… of emo.
Want to be a guest or share your own EMO-ment to be featured on a future episode? Email [email protected]
Want to stay connected in this little emo family? Subscribe to the channel and follow me on Instagram @school.of.emo