Emo Night NYC - May 2nd

Interview: Jason Oda of EmoGame.com

That day when the designer of EmoGame.com shows up at Emo Night in NYC and is wearing a Mineral shirt.  That is how it started and I recently asked Jason Oda of the infamous game to sit down with WashedUpEmo and do what do here, talk about the late 90s.  

What got you into music and then emo?

I think I got into emo slightly differently than I think most people did. I never was into hardcore or punk or even pop punk early on. As a kid, I just hated myself for a whole bunch of reasons and just always gravitated towards things that were miserable. It seemed that a lot of kids who were into punk were more about externalizing their anger and angst at the imperfection of the world around them. My instinct as an emo kid however, was just to blame myself for everything, to internalize and direct the anger towards myself. It was probably some kind of a defense mechanism that I'm still trying to figure out. I think this distinction between where you point your anger is one of the biggest psychological rifts between what it means to be punk and what it means to be emo.

To put my age into context, I graduated high school in 1997. I grew up in Connecticut. There wasn't much of any scene outside of ska which did not appeal to me at all. At the time, the best way to find new music for me was to video tape 120 minutes on MTV which was on at 12AM Sunday night. I did this every week from the 8th grade to senior year of high school. There were smatterings of emo bands in there such as Sunny Day and Knapsack. When AOL came into existence I learned about Mineral, Braid, The Promise Ring, etc, by doing profile searches of other people who liked Sunny Day Real Estate, and consistently seeing those other bands in their music interests. Since you couldn't get any of those CD's in the stores, I had to order them out of the Saul Goodman catalog or directly from the record label.

Did you know what the term was when you were listening to it?

I had no idea for a really long time, but when I did figure it out, I was part of that 2% of kids at emo shows that said they were emo.

When did you figure out you had a knack and love for designing?

From early on I was on the track for going to art school. It was the only thing I could really do well. I mostly did oil paintings back then. I eventually got into RISD and loved it.

Emogame, how did the idea come about?

Emogame was just an overlapping of many things going on in my life at the time. It was 2001, I was 22 or 23, just out of college and in my first stupid design job as a designer at a military laboratory. I lived and Boston and was meeting some people in the scene who were major music snobs/haters. I'd learned Flash for the sole purpose of designing my own website and I decided to see if I could make a video game. Emo was on my mind a lot and I'd always had a severe hatred of Steven Tyler. So it all kind of came together in a giant mess like that. I think it got popular because the internet wasn't very entertaining back then, and shit like this passed for fun. Also, emo was something that the mainstream culture was desperately trying to figure out at the time and it got to the #2 slot for when you googled emo.

What was the funniest comment you heard after the Emogames came out?

Further Seems Forever in the Jason Gleason years asked me to design their website after seeing emogame...why? I have no idea. I was backstage with them when I ran into Chad from New Found Glory who was touring with them. Just like in the game he was sort of hitting on a high school girl. Someone told him I was they guy who made the emogame (in the game I am mercilessly cruel in my hatred for NFG). I was expecting to get told off, but of course in typical Chad from NFG kindness and positivity he said something like: I love the emogame! It's awesome! I love to kill me and my band in that game! You are the man!

Are people still emailing you about the game?

I rarely get an email about emogame anymore. Usually it's just something like: Hey you didn't pay your web hosting bill and emogame is down. Get it back up!

What are you up to now? 
I actually do this for a living now. After Emogame, people gradually started to pay me to make games for them. It started with small record labels and moved up to bigger ones and eventually became large ad agencies. I quit my job and have worked freelance for the last 8 years. It's actually a great living and it all started with Emogame. Some of the more successful viral games I've made since then are nothingsgonnastopmenow.com (a Perfect Strangers game) and Skrillex Quest. I'm currently doing a lot of agency jobs and I'm developing a couple iPhone games. (jasonoda.com)

Anything you want to do design wise but haven't the chance to?

I've done some emo cd jackets in the past. Nothing too famous. I did the first Straylight Run, the 3rd Further Seems Forever, the first Lydia, an Atreyu album, lots of stuff for Trophy Scars, and a Norma Jean album. I'd love to do more cd jackets for bands I like, but it's a bit of a dying art. No one looks at the jackets anymore. 

Besides that, I just want to build a bunch of indie games that maybe are more conceptual in nature.

What is your favorite emo band?

My absolute favorite band ever is Mineral. I'm actually more of an End Serenading person than a Power of Failing person. The first and probably only time I was ever in love was when I first discovered that album in college. I had a girlfriend named Winter (!) and the whole part of that album about the "driving snow" really drove it home for me. I did a whole art project about End Serenading the song which was a book with cheesy pen drawings of me and Winter and that song's lyrics. Now that song is more about all-encompassing love than it is about that time. I only allow myself to listen to it once a year under my favorite bridge in Fairfield, IA...I know, still so emo at 34!

If you could have one band reform today, who would it be?

I have to admit that I have not been to any of the reunions. My experience with emo was always at home in my bedroom alone listening to it and rarely at shows with scene friends, so I'm not big on reliving things through the shows much. I would however, go anywhere to see Mineral, but that's about it.

I'd thought you'd get a kick out of seeing my cheesy art school Mineral art project mentioned in the second to last answer. 

Who else has some cheesy emo art? @ reply @washedupemo and I'll feature some! 

Episode 21 - Jim Adkins (Jimmy Eat World)

Twenty one episodes in and I'm finally legal.  What better way to celebrate adulthood of the podcast than by having one of my favorite musicians Jim Adkins from Jimmy Eat World to chat with me.  Jim and I discussed his first time singing live and what it accomplished to the audience of one, the first goal of the band and his take on how the band has had such longevity in the scene.  There is so much in this episode that I think every fan new and old will find something interesting.  From Jim's love for Guided by Voices, back story on the new album and a couple outtakes at the end you will surely not want to miss.  I am beyond grateful for those that helped make this happen and Jim for taking the time to chat. 

Washed Up Emo Podcast on iTunes

Buzzsprout (download and stream)

Our partner Forget The Radio

Courtesy @jimmyeatworld on Instagram

https://www.facebook.com/jimmyeatworld

https://twitter.com/jimmyeatworld

http://www.jimmyeatworld.com

Review: The Get Up Kids - Something To Write Home About from the late 90s!

I did this review back in college, it's so funny to read today.  

Cred.FM WashedUpEmo Playlist!

Thanks to folks at Cred.fm, I got to make a playlist featuring some of my favorite songs. Enjoy!

Another Nice Review of the Podcast

Special thanks to Sound Convictions for mentioning the podcast on their Top 5 Podcasts You Should Try Out.

http://www.soundconvictions.com/blog/bid/270024/5-Music-Podcasts-You-Should-Try-Out

"Blasts from the past (and present) of the emo variety discuss their heyday and the present. Some are deadly serious, others are funny, but most of them are very much worth a listen, if for no other reason than, similar to NTWHA, there's a lot of behind the scenes talk that's revealing of what actually happens.

Favorite episodes: Paul Fischer, Matt Pryor, Vinnie Caruana (The Movielife, I Am The Avalanche), Eric Richter (Christie Front Drive), The Promise Ring"

DJ Playlist from Junius, Gates show at Public Assembly, February 14th, 2013

Public Assembly - Brooklyn, NY - February 14th, 2013

The Gloria Record - Grace The Snow Is Here

Ours - Realize

Mogwai - Friend Of The Night

Explode and Rebuild - Family Reunion

Cave In - Juggernaut

Cursive - The Radiator Hums

Touche Amore - Suckerfish

Botch - Saint Matthew Returns To The Womb

La Dispute - Such Small Hands

Jawbreaker - Lurker II: Dark Son Of The Night

At The Drive In - Rascuache

The Dismemberment Plan - What Do You Want Me To Say

… And So I Watch You From Afar - The Voiceless

Fear Before the March of Flames - Taking Cassandra To The End Of The World Party

Sunny Day Real Estate - 47

Coalesce - Cowards.Com

Sparta - Mye

Zlam Dunk - Vice

Errortype:11 - Take A Bow

Jimmy Eat World - Lucky Denver Mint

Easy Emo - Dead Prez vs The Shipping News

Will Haven - Ego's Game

Cast Iron Hike - Boxed

Boy Sets Fire - Requiem

No Knife - Minus One

Rival Schools - Everything Has It's Point

The Promise Ring - Red & Blue Jeans

Band of Horses - The Funeral

Hum - Green to Me

Helmet - Pure

Hopesfall - Andromeda

Snapcase - Zombie Prescription

Hot Water Music - Free Radio Gainesville

Harvest - Epicure

Clutch - A Shogun Named Marcus

Face to Face - Blind 

Sunny Day Real Estate - Pillars

Stompbox - No Woods

Quicksand - Landmind Spring

Kent - The King is Dead

Deftones - Savory (Jawbox)

This Day Forward - White Picket Defense System

Brand New - Sowing Seeds (Yeah)

The Jealous Sound - Hope For Us

Karate - There Are Ghosts

Jimmy Eat World - Cautioners (Instrumental)

Jimmy Eat World - Open Bar Reception

Episode 20 - Matt Pryor (The Get Up Kids)

It was an absolute honor to have Mr. Matt Pryor from The Get Up Kids be a part of the podcast.  I just noticed after listening back to this episode that the only person left to interview from my opening musical montage is Jeremy Enigk.  What a trip it's been. 

Matt was great to chat with and even had to scold his kids who you can hear at times during the interview. We dove into the first time Matt sang live in front of someone, Kansas City, Boy's Life, ripping off "Static Prevails" and why bands do 10 year anniversaries.  Matt also mentioned his opinion on the word "emo" and throughout the podcast you can hear his voice ring with truth that also transcends to the bands he was in and his way of life. And you have to hear what song The Get Up Kids never have to practice that you love.  Finally, download his recently launched podcast "Nothing To Write Home About" which is a great listen and unique insight into the scene.

Washed Up Emo Podcast on iTunes

BuzzSprout (download and stream)

Our Partner Forget The Radio

Matt Pryor

Nothing to Write Home About Podcast

Facebook

Twitter

What Year Is It?

Exclusive Premiere - Come The Spring

Exclusive Premiere from Come The Spring.  Hailing from Brighton, they have an EP coming out this spring on ENGINEER RECORDS.  For fans of Jimmy Eat World, Promise Ring, Texas is the Reason, Sensefield, Pop Unknown, YouMeAtSix, We are the Ocean.



https://www.facebook.com/ComeTheSpring
https://www.facebook.com/engineerrecords

A 2-Year Anniversary of Emo Night & Official Record Release Party with Texas is the Reason!

Join us on February 7th at Idle Hands Bar in NYC for the official record release party for Texas is the Reason's "do you know who you are? the complete collection".  Joining us is Garrett and Norm from the band to DJ and also Chris Diaz from Knitting Factory Brooklyn will be helping out on the decks.

Starts at 8pm. Be sure and tweet requests @washedupemo all night. 

I still can't believe we have been doing this for two years. 

New Emo Genre Channel on Pandora Internet Radio

There is a brand new Emo genre channel on Pandora and I was lucky enough to help curate. 

 Check it out! 

http://www.pandora.com/music/alternative/emo

Peanuts

DJing Two Shows in NYC - January 18th and Valentine's Day!

I am DJ'ing a couple shows in NYC in the next month.

First up is this Friday the 18th of January at Knitting Factory in Brooklyn. Matt Pryor, James Dewees and Into. it Over it.  I'll be spinning before, during and after the show, so tweet your requests to @washedupemo.  Get tickets here

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2nd DJ night is on Valentine's Day (2/14) at Public Assembly in Williamsburg, Brooklyn with Junius, Family, Gates, and InAeona.  Get tickets here

Episode 19 - Bryan Gassler (The Jazz June)

Another episode is here! In addition, we are pleased to announce we are partnering with Forget The Radio.

For Episode 19, I chat with Bryan Gassler from The Jazz June.  We discuss Bryan's influences, how Quicksand's "Slip" album almost got someone kicked out the band, their hardcore backgrounds and meaningful last reunion show.  Hope you enjoy.

Buzzsprout
iTunes
The Jazz June on Twitter
The Jazz June on Facebook

Interview - Emo Ikea Monkey Tumblr

One of my favorite new Tumblr blogs is Emo Ikea Monkey.  Most remember the monkey that was running around an Ikea with a sweet jacket on and thus, the image was born. What made it great for emo was how sad the monkey looked in the photo.  I recently reached out to the blogger, Toro, of EmoIkeaMonkey.Tumblr.com for a quick catch up on his favorite bands and how he came up with the idea.

Where do you live? What do you do when not making awesome Tumblrs? 

I live in Jakarta, Indonesia. I'm an art director at an advertising agency.

How did you come up with the idea?

I first saw the Ikea Monkey, especially the photo with the monkey looking outside from the window, my first thought was "omg, that sums up my life, looking at the outside, flat face, like waiting for something that never come". Maybe the monkey thinking she was in the video clip or something.  Then realized, I remember some emo bands album have a deep title, deep cover album. I was listening to Snowing, (that's why it's the first photo in the tumblog), and then "that's it.. the songs and the monkey, represented what emo is".

When did you start to feel this was taking off?

When the American Football one went live (till now).

What are some of your favorite bands from this era?

There are many. But for emo bands, I like Empire! Empire!, Dads, TWIABP, and Deer Leap.

Favorite posts so far from the blog?

American Football - Never Meant

How did you get into this music?

Mineral did this to me when i was senior high school, eventhough i already listen to Rites of Spring in Junior High School.

Favorite reunions of the last few years for you?

Carissa's Wierd

Any obscure songs/bands you like that people should know about?

it's not emo, it's more folkish. the band called Talons', you should listen to their music here http://talons.bandcamp.com

Washed Up Emo Presents: Prawn, Gifts From Enola, Gates and Caravela

Washed Up Emo, City Lights and Opacity Booking Present:

Prawn (http://www.topshelfrecords.com/tsr2/_pages/artist_prawn.php)

Gifts From Enola (http://www.giftsfromenola.com/)

Gates (http://www.gatesnj.com/)

Caravela (http://caravela.bandcamp.com/)

Featuring: guest DJ Tom Mullen (Washedupemo.com) playing all your favorite emo/post-hardcore music in between sets.

Gifts From Enola is touring in support of their new record, “A Healthy Fear,” available now on The Mylene Sheath.

12/29/12
At Public Assembly
70 N 6th St
Brooklyn, NY

Doors at 7
$8
18+

Emo Night - Thursday December 6th - NYC

https://www.facebook.com/emonightnyc

https://www.facebook.com/events/409865182420207

Washed Up Emo Podcast - Episode 18 - Norman Brannon from Texas is the Reason

On the latest episode, I chat with Norman Brannon from Texas is the Reason. Fresh off the Revelation 25 shows, we discuss the NYC hardcore scene, shows with Mineral and Christie Front Drive and how a Warzone tattoo connected bands before the days of cell phones. We also looked to Norman's future endeavors and the band into 2013.

Buzzsprout
iTunes
Texas is the Reason on Facebook
Texas is the Reason on Twitter

At The Drive-In performing "Fahrenheit" - March 12th, 1999