A part of the D.C. post-hardcore scene, Rites of Spring increased the frenetic violence and visceral passion of hardcore while simultaneously experimenting with its compositional rules.

Picciotto, as the band's lyricist, as well as singer and guitarist, shifted hardcore into intensely personal realms and, in doing so, is generally credited with creating emo.

Though not in the original lineup of Fugazi, Picciotto joined very early in the group's career, singing with them by their second show and appearing on all the band's studio recordings.

Additionally, Picciotto has produced five albums by the duo Xylouris White: Goats (2014), Black Peak (2016), Mother (2018), The Sisypheans (2019) and The Forest In Me (2023).

[9] Picciotto married musician Kathi Wilcox from the bands Bikini Kill and the Frumpies; in 2013 the two were reported living in Brooklyn with their child.