Underrated Bands of the 80s: Rites of Spring

The 80s were undoubtedly the golden age of music. Good bands were popular. Rock was cool. The mainstream was something the average teen could be proud of. Revolutionary bands were running rampant, and new genres were created and elevated.

Among all this though, there are some real solid acts that have gone largely unnoticed. A real diamond in the rough, Rites of Spring from Washington, DC was a short lived band, but one worth noticing.

Rites of Spring was formed in 1984, and originally identified with the hardcore punk genre. Their music is loud, raw, one could even say violent in some cases. It’s rebellious and riddled with the most harmonious of yells and screams, doing perfect justice to both hardcore and punk.

In total, the band only played about 15 shows, all in the DC area.

It wasn’t until after the band ended after only two brief years in 1986 that some started saying that they created “emo” music, and were effectively the first band in the “emocore” genre. This is largely because of the deep and emotional state of their lyrics – something that not many punk bands really have.

The band have rejected this idea, former member Guy Picciotto himself saying “”I’ve never recognized “emo” as a genre of music. I always thought it was the most retarded term ever” 

Strong words for sure, but perhaps merited at the time. Personally, I do believe that “emo” has evolved into a real genre more recently, and it does have a unique flair to it, but back then it was more of a blanket term that a lot of bands got stuck with.

My personal favourite Rites of Spring song is called For Want Of – off of album End on End

Discography

Albums

• Rites of Spring (1985)

EPs

• All Through a Life (1987)

Compilations

• End on End