All you "Emo" sob-stories out there stumming your guitars and staring at your shoe-laces better take heed of the band that originated true "Emo" - the great Rites of Spring.

They took their name from the well known classical work of Igor Stravinski, whose "Rites Of Spring" was a work so controversial that the first time it was played, the audience began to attack the orcestra and attempted to kill the composer. The emo subjects of the band Rites of Spring were similarly unconventional in the sometimes ultra-political punk atmosphere of the time.

Those who know how the Rites of Spring bared their souls, no holds barred, know what is really "emo" and what just never will be. We're talking broken guitars, brusies, wrecked drums, holes in walls, hanging from ceiling, writhing, jumping, running, howling, wrecking... all with a profusion of flowers on stage... yes, that is "emo", and that is the Rites.

The Rites of Spring formed in April of 1984 and disbanded in December of 1986 after releasing an LP entitled "Rites of Spring", and an EP entitled "All through a life" - both on Dischord.

Guy Picciotto (pronounced "gi" - it's French) did the singing and shared the guitar with Eddie Janney. You have heard Guy sing in Fugazi, but in the Rites Guy had a wilder energy that is just amazing. Michael Fellows pounded the bass, and Brendan Canty (also of Fugazi) destroyed the drums.

At a time when punk was all about politics and posturing, the Rites of Spring came out of Washington D.C. singing love songs and introspections with a fury that could only be had by those who truly and deeply felt what they expressed. They simply tore it all to pieces. You need to listen to the music and the lyrics. One of the best bands of all time.