Rites of Spring

Considered by many to be the starting point of Emo, Rites of Spring formed in 1984, coming from the fertile Washington, D.C. Punk scene. Rather than adopting the hard, fast, loud approach common in D.C., Rites of Springs' music took a slower pace, but was nonetheless emotionally charged and energetic. Their songs focused on personal introspection and provided an emotional release for singer Guy Picciotto, a rather uncoventional approach to Punk in the mid-'80s. Rites of Springs released only one album and played together for only three years. Upon their break-up, singer Picciotto and drummer Brendan Canty joined Ian MacKaye and Joe Lally to form Fugazi.