My understanding is that -- call it "genuine emo" or "original emo"? -- was a subdivision of punk. The main reason they were an offshoot was that their lyrical content more than musical style.

What's now called emo is probably more indie pop, with an emphasis on love songs and possibly being more suitable for slow dancing than most of what's out there these days.

Death Cab for Cutie was frequently labeled emo, although I would sooner label them lyrically-intelligent indie pop.

Generally, when people say emo, what they mean is "whiny music that sucks." I tend to associate that term, outside of media labeling, with young men (primarily) who want to disparage others' choices in music and emotional sensitivity in general. Hence the fact that it is applied to bands as divergent as MCR and DCFC.

I also associate it with homophobia and misogyny, due to the fact that, by aforementioned macho youth, the word "emo" is frequently coupled with "pussy" or "fag."

See Projekt Revolution and that whole mess.

I don't know a whole lot about guitars, but Frank Iero (the thrash punk one) has said that both he and Ray Toro think of ideas that the other never would. If you get a band of five guys who all listen to exactly the same music, you can pretty much guess what their music is going to sound like. But when your influences are coming from wildly different directions (Queen, Morrissey, The Smiths, The Misfits, Black Flag, Iron Maiden, etc. etc.) the outcome of how you put them together is going to be much more of a grab bag.

I also associate it with homophobia and misogyny, due to the fact that, by aforementioned macho youth, the word "emo" is frequently coupled with "pussy" or "fag."

Bingo. I have always seen "emo" used as a derogatory term. Which is part of the reason I don't have a clear understanding of what music genre really could be called emo.

The homophobia & misogyny bring up another thing: most of the bandom bands are fiercely against both, and frequently say things (in interviews, on stage) to change people's perceptions. (Frank Iero's "homophobia is dumb" t-shirt, the ever evolving stagegay aspect of MCRs live shows, Gerard ranting about other band's roadies trying to get girls to flash them for backstage passes.)

I also associate it with homophobia and misogyny, due to the fact that, by aforementioned macho youth, the word "emo" is frequently coupled with "pussy" or "fag."

See Projekt Revolution and that whole mess.

As a note, emo kids are getting beat up and threatened in Mexico: [link]

And Ailleann nails it in the descriptor of MCR's style. (Another side note, a British magazine described Toro as looking like he was airlifted in from another band at a moment's notice.)

The first I ever heard the term "emo" was in reference to the band Rites of Spring, an 80s hardcore punk outfit on Dischord with emotional lyrics that were screamed (the singer was Guy Picciotto, pre-Fugazi). I was verrry confused when the term gained popularity years later.

The first I ever heard the term "emo" was in reference to the band Rites of Spring, an 80s hardcore punk outfit on Dischord with emotional lyrics that were screamed (the singer was Guy Picciotto, pre-Fugazi). I was verrry confused when the term gained popularity years later.

Exactly! All the hardcore punks I know were like "What? What are they calling emo now? The fuck?" when the term started cropping up again a few years ago.

Frank Iero's "homophobia is dumb" t-shirt, the ever evolving stagegay aspect of MCRs live shows, Gerard ranting about other band's roadies trying to get girls to flash them for backstage passes.)

This actually partially got me into them.

Also, Jilli, Trudy owes you a cookie.

Also, Jilli, Trudy owes you a cookie.

Okay, I like cookies.

... um, why does she owe me a cookie?

I also associate it with homophobia and misogyny, due to the fact that, by aforementioned macho youth, the word "emo" is frequently coupled with "pussy" or "fag."

Bingo. I have always seen "emo" used as a derogatory term. Which is part of the reason I don't have a clear understanding of what music genre really could be called emo.

Yeah, I have this problem with the term, too.

However, the following joke is still very funny to me:

"I wish my lawn was emo so it would cut itself."

Again, very poor characterization of the term emo (which is vague enough as to be useless), but that joke made me laugh and laugh and laugh when I heard it.