The unified scene: The return of Chicago’s Gauge and the '90s emo/hardcore Midwest family

The ’90s were a heady time for the Midwest music scene, led by an emo/hardcore movement that encompassed both Milwaukee and Chicago. Cap'n Jazz, Braid, Loomis, and The Promise Ring were some of the era's biggest names; groups that garnered national attention and blurred the lines between the two cities. Closely intertwined and frequently swapping members, the scene represented a high-water mark for the Midwest, with both cities contributing to a long list of important, legendary bands.

One of the most influential (and unsung) was Chicago's Gauge, a group that typified the harsh yet melodic sound of the times. Active from 1991 to ’94, the band left two full-length albums and more than 150 shows in its wake. On Saturday, the band will perform at the Bottom Lounge for its official reunion, so in preparation, The A.V. Club looks back at some of the group's local peers, while attempting to unravel their tangled, often incestuous family ties.

The Promise Ring
One of Milwaukee’s most celebrated bands, the members of The Promise Ring were the poster boys for the '90s Milwaukee/Chicago scene. Singer Davey von Bohlen's flat, distinctive voice suited the group well, and albums like 30° Everywhere and Nothing Feels Good were critically acclaimed both locally and nationwide. Never fully comfortable with the "emo" tag, TPR changed its sound over the years. 1999's Very Emergency showed the band heading in a brighter, poppier direction, a move that alienated many fans. Shortly after the release of the underrated Wood/Water—and an appearance on Late Night With Conan O'Brien—the band called it quits in 2002.

Family ties: Gauge played its very last show with Cap'n Jazz, which featured von Bohlen on guitar. While chances of a Promise Ring reunion are slim, Cap'n Jazz is slated to play July 17 at Bottom Lounge, apparently the go-to place for early-90’s emo reunions.

Hey Mercedes
Chicago's Hey Mercedes was one of the hardest-working groups of the era, logging more than 350 shows in five years. More melodic than most, the band served as a bridge between the post-punk sound of the ’90s and the tunefulness of the new millennium. Fronted by vocalist Bob Nanna, the group produced a handful of EPs and two full-lengths. Its first album, Everynight Fire Works, was released in 2001 by Vagrant Records. Though its last official show was in 2005, Hey Mercedes still performed on occasion, most recently in September 2009.

Family ties: During their time together, the members of Gauge often performed with Braid, which eventually morphed into Hey Mercedes, losing singer/guitarist Chris Broach to The Firebird Band and adding guitarist Mark Dawursk in his stead. A Milwaukee native, Mark Dawursk was a former member of Alligator Gun. Speaking of which …

Alligator Gun
A pop-punk band that never seemed to get its due, Milwaukee's Alligator Gun nonetheless made its mark during its six-year run. Mainstays on the VFW/teen center circuit, the group displayed a knack for songwriting that few could match. After two full-length albums, Alligator Gun called it quits in 1997.

Family ties: Alligator Gun's rotating lineup included future Promise Ring member Scott Schoenbeck, as well as backup vocalist Jon Lyman. Lyman's full-time gig, however, was with …

Compound Red
Perhaps the most respected band of the ’90s Midwest scene, Milwaukee's Compound Red was also one of its best. Its debut album, 1993's Mr. Microcosm, proved to be hugely popular, attracting the attention of like-minded groups across the country. After a brief hiatus, Compound Red released its second album, Always A Pleasure. Its final show in 1999 was shared with three other emo/hardcore heavy hitters: Fugazi, Jets To Brazil, and The Promise Ring.

Family ties: Members of Compound Red are currently playing as The Dim Sums.