Gritty emo-rockers Emanuel formed in 1998 amid a heavy indie rock scene in their hometown of Louisville, KY. Initially coming together while in junior high, the group -- Matt Breen (vocals/guitar), Bryan Whiteman (bass), Matthew Barber (guitar), and Anthony Brock (drums) -- drew influence from bands like the Beatles and Led Zeppelin to Smashing Pumpkins and Nirvana. Working to develop their sound throughout their teens, the group had taken on a decidedly harder and screamo-tinged edge upon graduation from high school. Shopping demos around to various labels -- and shortening t...