Before Skrillex: The 10 Most Depressing Emo Tracks Sung By Sonny Moore

October 4, 2013 - 3:27 pm by Jessica Wunsch

Before he was conjuring up ‘scary monsters’ and busting out the ‘bangarang,’ Skrillex was just a mild and meek kid going by the name Sonny Moore who got his first break serving as the vocalist for Tampa-based rock band, From First To Last. The guys were one of those typical emo groups, to say the least, sporting chipped nail polish, jet-black hair and scream-filled singles.

Though they never reached Good Charlotte or My Chemical Romance status, they were still able to dish out a couple of heart-wrenching, wrist-cutting tracks before Sonny Moore would jump ship to pursue a solo career. Here are some of the top ten most depressing emo tracks (just in time for Halloween) to help you let ‘noose.’ ->

“Dead Baby Kick Ball” by From First To Last (2004) You got to give these guys credit for their creative song titles. This song tells the story about a disgruntled relationship between a dude and his baby momma who he believes is cheating on him with ‘every dude on the block.’ Emo Overdose: “It's like that episode of cheaters/and I'm the dude with the gun/hiding cameras in your bedroom/Girl, I know what you've done” [videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]

“Note To Self” by From First To Last (2004) We’re already off to a depressing start within the first few seconds of this track, with lyrics starting to address an internal conflict when choosing between two paths. Fame or self, which will he choose? Emo Overdose: “Two roads... split off from here/and my life goes running in opposite directions/Exaggerating the barrier between who I am, and who I want to be.” [videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]

“Ride The Wings Of Pestilence” by From First To Last (2004) Things take an even darker turn in this FFTL track, where lyrics describe a scene that can be taken out of Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Tell-Tale Heart.” Oh, and let’s not forget the typical emo music video where the band sings against a wind machine while images of churches and dead girlfriends pop up from time to time. Emo Overdose: “I've been dreaming about you/in a pool of your own blood/with your eyes gouged out/by the work of my thumbs” [videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]

“I Liked You Better Before You Were Naked On The Internet” by From First To Last (2004) Another captivating title, this short song (it doesn’t clear the 2 minute mark) gets its point across pretty quick – basically, love is great until you girl posting naked pictures on the internet that end up scarring you for life. Emo Overdose: “Sometimes love can leave you blind” [videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]

“World War Me” by From First To Last (2006) Talk about a scream anthem, you can barely pick up on this song’s lyrics due to Sonny’s shrilled-out vocals and heavy metal-based instrumentals. We did catch the chorus though, ‘poor me oh poor you.” Yes, poor us for having to be subjected to this song. Emo Overdose: “I'm on the verge of self destruction/Suffering because of my selfish voices/I'm on the verge of self destruction suffering/Because I gave up on/Myself And everyone" [videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]

“The Crows Are Coming For Us” by From First To Last (2006) This emo track could almost make the cut for an opera seeing how long Sonny holds a note in the chorus. Emo Overdose: “How does it feel to be ashamed/Of who you love, oh, I know/You wore me out so proudly/Hidden in the glitter is the real thing” [videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]

“The Latest Plague” by From First To Last (2006) This track was accompanied by another emo-enhanced music video, complete with padded asylum rooms, isolated teenagers and zombie-like ‘conformists.’ Plus, it’s a great way to get a good look at Sonny before Skrillex due to the overwhelming camera exposure. Emo Overdose: “What would you say?/if this blemished face/This blemished face with a crooked nose/had a chance to say whatever he wanted/from his blemished world of the unknown?” [videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]

“Equinox” by Sonny Moore (2008) Release on Myspace as a demo track, this was Sonny’s first solo single after breaking away from his band From First To Last. It appears that old habits (including ones with depressing lyrics and screaming vocals) die-hard though. Emo Overdose: “For you I give and give away/My unhappiness in color/For your abandoned heart to see them/To bloom into your world” [videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]

“Glow Worm” by Sonny Moore (2008) Even though Sonny may have left his band, the awesome track titles still remain while still oozing with the dark, wrist-cutting melodies/lyrics. Emo Overdose: “We drag our knees/Through these badlands/And we hurt ourselves/Just to feel anything” [videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]

“Lustbug” by Sonny Moore (2009) This becomes the track that leads to Sonny Moore’s departure from EMO to EDM; already one can pick up on the Skrillex potential with the addition of electronic beats and fast-tracked vocals that added to the typical alternative rock melodies and vocals. It’s not totally there, but at least it’s a start. Emo Over: “Spawned from the lustbug and driven to suffer/Just living to suck/the life out of yourself/My eyes feel heavy so let go/I just wanted to let you know.” [videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]