Forming in the mid 1980s, in Washington D.C., Rites of Spring was a post-harcore band that was best known for their high energy while performing live, and their part in 1985s Revolution Summer movement. This movement took place in Washington D.C. and would also see large influence from acts such as Embrace and Beefeater.

Rites of spring decreased the amount of violence and aggression in their lyrics, which at the time would've otherwise been very common in the lyrics of punk rock music. This made plenty of room for the lyrics to focus on more personal, emotional regions. This warrants many to claim Rites of Spring to be the first emotional hardcore band, a claim which they have thoroughly denied.

The band only played several shows in the D.C area before had disbanded in 1986, several of them forming the more widely known Fugazi.

DISCOGRAPHY

• Rites of Spring (1985)

• All Through a Life (1987)

POST BREAKUP

• End on End (1992)

• Six Song Demo

LINEUP

• Guy Picciotto (guitar, vocals)

• Edward Janney (guitar)

• Mike Fellows (bass guitar)

• Brendon Canty (drums)