The band is typically seen as a vital part of both first wave emo music and the "San Diego sound", an early style of post-hardcore originating from San Diego that was popularized by bands such as Swing Kids and Heroin. The group's first three released were issued by Gravity Records, a label that is also considered to have played an important role in the "San Diego sound". The band's early recordings, such as "The Lady Is A Cat", displayed a somewhat "basic" hardcore punk sound, while "In Love With Jetts" introduced a much more spastic, noisy style that the band would later be known for. The group's final album, "Gems Of Masochism", introduced synthesizers and an overall gothic aesthetic, both musically and visually. The band has been described as post-hardcore, art punk, emo, post-punk, and no wave. They have been described as pioneers of screamo as well.