Artist

Gauge

1990-1994·Downers Grove

Gauge, out of Downers Grove, Illinois, got there first. Active from 1990 to 1994, they built a Midwestern strain of emo out of hard rock muscle and math rock's angular logic, leaning on unconventional time signatures to carve out emotional peaks and valleys — a trick that would become foundational vocabulary for everyone who came after.

The full story is in 90s Midwest Emo.

At a glance

Active
1990–1994
From
Downers Grove, Illinois, United States

Listen

Spotify

In the issues

  • 90s Midwest Emo
    Supporting cast · 1989-2000 · Members

    90s Midwest Emo is a music scene from Midwest United States (Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky), 1989–2000. Its principal artists include American Football, Cap'n Jazz, Braid and The Promise Ring. This issue covers 10 essential albums and 16 dated events.

Family tree

Bands that shared members with Gauge, and who.

  • Radio Flyer1984–2002
    Kevin J. Frank, Ryan Rapsys

Terms

Math rock
A style of rock marked by complex, irregular time signatures, angular guitar riffs, and intricate rhythmic interplay between the players.