City
Buffalo Grove
United States
This northwest Chicago suburb produces Cap'n Jazz, the band that arguably crystallizes the Midwest emo template between 1993 and 1995. Tim and Mike Kinsella, along with Davey von Bohlen, create a wildly inventive sound that marries hardcore's energy with unusual time signatures, whispered-to-screamed vocals, and deeply personal lyrics that influence virtually every band that follows. Though Cap'n Jazz releases only one album during their initial run, 1995's Burritos, Inspiration Point, School Bus, Yellow Mini Skirt, their impact echoes through the entire second wave of emo.