In this episode, we explore Rites of Spring, the 1985 self-titled release that intertwined with Revolution Summer and reshaped the direction of punk in Washington, D.C. and beyond. Rites of Spring formed in 1984 with Guy Picciotto (vocals, guitar), Eddie Janney (guitar), Mike Fellows (bass), and Brendan Canty (drums). The band built on the foundation of hardcore but infused their songs with personal and emotional intensity, creating a record that is often cited as a cornerstone of post-hardcore and what would later be labeled “emo.”

Our guest is Mark Andersen, co-founder of Positive Force DC and co-author of Dance of Days: Two Decades of Punk in the Nation’s Capital. Mark shares his first-hand experiences of seeing Rites of Spring live, the atmosphere of the D.C. punk community in 1985, and the ways in which the band’s performances helped spark a new sense of purpose in the scene. Together, we discuss how Rites of Spring’s music reflected a moment of transition, carrying forward the urgency of hardcore while opening space for vulnerability and connection.

We also examine the album’s recording at Inner Ear Studios with Don Zientara and Ian MacKaye, the relationship of the band to contemporaries like Embrace and Beefeater, and the enduring influence of Rites of Spring as a defining work in D.C.’s underground history.

Go Further:

• Dischord Records – Rites of Spring

• AllMusic – Rites of Spring

Follow Us:

Social Media: @dcrockpod

Email: [email protected]

Philip Basnight – Broke Royals

Alex Vidales – Pilot Waves

Mark Andersen – Dance of Days, Positive Force DC

Podcast Artwork by Rebecca Basnight